Staff Reports
Arlington County, Virginia, finds itself at the center of a storm after a registered child sex offender, Richard Kenneth Cox, exploited the county’s gender identity policies to enter girls’ locker rooms and allegedly expose himself to women and children. The incidents, which occurred at public schools and recreation centers between June and December 2024, have ignited fierce criticism of the policies that allowed this to happen. Cox, a Tier III sex offender with a criminal record dating back to the 1990s, is now facing over 20 charges related to indecent exposure and loitering near schools.
The controversy stems from the Arlington Public Schools’ (APS) policy permitting individuals to use bathrooms and locker rooms based on gender identity rather than biological sex. Cox reportedly identified as transgender to gain access to these spaces, leading to multiple instances of indecent exposure. One particularly disturbing incident involved a mother and her 9-year-old daughter walking into a girls’ locker room at Washington Liberty High School after swim lessons, only to find Cox naked and facing the doorway. Despite complaints from parents dating back months, Cox was not arrested until late October 2024, raising questions about APS’s response and accountability.
Parents and community members have expressed outrage over what they see as the school board’s failure to prioritize safety. At a recent school board meeting, Superintendent Francisco Duran defended the district’s actions, stating that APS did not knowingly admit a sex offender into its facilities. However, critics argue that the district’s policies created an environment ripe for exploitation. The school board’s initial response—installing signs reminding patrons to “be considerate” and follow locker room etiquette—was widely derided as insufficient and tone-deaf, given the severity of the situation.
Some voices have pointed to this incident as a glaring example of how progressive policies can backfire when they prioritize ideology over common sense. Critics argue that allowing biological males access to women’s spaces under the guise of inclusivity disregards the safety and privacy of women and girls. Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares has called for stricter safeguards, likening current policies to “letting the fox guard the henhouse.” Meanwhile, groups like America First Legal have filed complaints with the Department of Education, alleging that such policies violate Title IX protections against sex-based discrimination.
This case underscores a broader debate about balancing inclusivity with public safety. While proponents of gender identity policies emphasize their importance in fostering acceptance for transgender individuals, opponents warn that these measures can be exploited by bad actors. The Arlington fiasco highlights the need for lawmakers and school officials to reassess policies that fail to account for such risks. As one Arlington mother put it during a public comment session: “Compassion should never come at the expense of safety.”
The fallout from this controversy is far from over. With Cox awaiting trial and parents demanding policy changes, Arlington County faces mounting pressure to address its locker room policies in a way that restores trust while ensuring both inclusivity and security. This incident serves as a stark reminder that good intentions must be tempered by practical safeguards—because when ideology trumps reality, it is often the most vulnerable who pay the price.
