I strongly OPPOSE

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<span data-sheets-userformat='{"2":769,"3":{"1":0},"11":4,"12":0}' data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":"These policies are NOT about privacy, dignity, or respect. They are rooted in transphobia and will harm trans and nonbinary kids. As a parent, I am horrified that the government of Virginia would consider these policies. They will create a hostile and potentially dangerous school environment for both students and educators. As a public school employee, I know how important it is to have a welcoming and accepting environment for all students. Children should feel safe in school to explore who they are and who they want to be. These policies would take that away from them. This affects all children. The harm to nonbinary and trans students will indirectly effect their peers. Those children will see adults not protecting their friends. This erosion in trust will affect all schools if these policies are enacted. I believe these policies are not only morally wrong but also illegal. It would be a terrible mistake to let these policies become standard in Virginia."}'>These policies are NOT about privacy, dignity, or respect. They are rooted in transphobia and will harm trans and nonbinary kids. As a parent, I am horrified that the government of Virginia would consider these policies. They will create a hostile and potentially dangerous school environment for both students and educators. As a public school employee, I know how important it is to have a welcoming and accepting environment for all students. Children should feel safe in school to explore who they are and who they want to be. These policies would take that away from them. This affects all children. The harm to nonbinary and trans students will indirectly effect their peers. Those children will see adults not protecting their friends. This erosion in trust will affect all schools if these policies are enacted. I believe these policies are not only morally wrong but also illegal. It would be a terrible mistake to let these policies become standard in Virginia.


Oppose

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I oppose this transphobic, discriminatory, and damaging guidance.


Strongly Opposed

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I am strongly opposed to Governor Youngkin’s dangerous transgender policy. How dare he play political ping pong with these children and their rights. One year you matter, but now you don’t??? How dare he!! These are children with real feelings and what he is proposing is horrific! Transgender children already have a high rate of suicide and self harm and this will only amplify this statistic!! This will solely be in this governor and his administration’s  hands. Listen to the medical professionals when they tell you what this will do to these children. The experts, who actually work with them on a daily basis, not power hungry politicians who will destroy anyone who stands in their way.  I have lived in VA for 38 years and I have never felt embarrassed to say I live here, but that has certainly changed since Youngkin came into office. What he is doing to our state is downright shameful!


I strongly oppose these harmful proposed policies

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I strongly oppose the harmful “2022 Model Policies” proposed by Gov. Youngkin.

The vision of the Virginia Department of Education is that Virginia will maximize the potential of all learners.

The mission of the Virginia Department of Education is to advance equitable and innovative learning.

These statements are taken directly from the Virginia Department of Education website https://doe.virginia.gov/about/index.shtml.

Any proposed changes to policy should further the mission and vision of the VDOE, and these proposed policy changes do the exact opposite. How does one "maximize the potential" of a learner who is forced to be deadnamed and misgendered? How do these policies "advance equitable and innovative learning" when school personnel are openly allowed to discriminate against students? Trans students will suffer as a result of these proposed policies.

Consider the following from research from the voices of transgender youth https://www.thetrevorproject.org/survey-2021/:

Transgender and nonbinary youth who reported having pronouns respected by all of the people they lived with attempted suicide at half the rate of those who did not have their pronouns respected by anyone with whom they lived.

LGBTQ youth who had access to spaces that affirmed their sexual orientation and gender identity reported lower rates of attempting suicide than those who did not.

75% of LGBTQ youth reported that they had experienced discrimination based on their sexual orientation or gender identity at least once in their lifetime.

More than half of LGBTQ youth reported that they had experienced discrimination based on their sexual orientation or gender identity in the past year.

Listen to trans kids. Protect trans kids. The VDOE has an obligation to students first.


Protect all kids!

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Strongly oppose this policy!!!


Strongly oppose.  Please stop playing politics with VA's most vulnerable kids.

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<span data-sheets-userformat='{"2":769,"3":{"1":0},"11":4,"12":0}' data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"I oppose the model policies because they do not respect MY parental rights and because they are detrimental to children.   They are against my Christian religion and they violate the spirit and intent of the law. \nGovernor Youngkin and Secretary Guidera - please stop focusing on political dog whistles and get back to the business of educating our kids. This policy does nothing but create a time consuming media circus. It distracts from the very real business of helping kids learn - most especially to make up ground from the pandemic. I was so hopeful when you were appointed, Secretary Guidera - many people in the education world thought you were a tried and true leader who would stay above the political fray and focus on teaching and learning (the job we are paying you to do).  I am horribly disappointed in your leadership, in your misguided foray into the political realm. You're an embarrassment to the kids of VA - they deserve better from you than creating a political fracas with no real purpose except to serve the political ambition of the person who appointed you. Shame on you. "}">I oppose the model policies because they do not respect MY parental rights and because they are detrimental to children. They are against my Christian religion and they violate the spirit and intent of the law.
Governor Youngkin and Secretary Guidera - please stop focusing on political dog whistles and get back to the business of educating our kids. This policy does nothing but create a time consuming media circus. It distracts from the very real business of helping kids learn - most especially to make up ground from the pandemic. I was so hopeful when you were appointed, Secretary Guidera - many people in the education world thought you were a tried and true leader who would stay above the political fray and focus on teaching and learning (the job we are paying you to do). I am horribly disappointed in your leadership, in your misguided foray into the political realm. You're an embarrassment to the kids of VA - they deserve better from you than creating a political fracas with no real purpose except to serve the political ambition of the person who appointed you. Shame on you.


STRONGLY OPPOSE - THE LACK OF EMPATHY IS ASTOUNDING!

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<p>With a teacher in the family who has seen first hand the anguish that LGBTQ students experience trying to find themselves, it is really sad that these rules want to make things that much harder. The children will be ostracized and confused even more.  Bullying, depression, and suicide are already prevalent and this will just make things worse!  </p>


Proposed policies contradict their own "guiding principles"

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<span data-sheets-userformat='{"2":769,"3":{"1":0},"11":4,"12":0}' data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"I oppose Youngkin's new 2022 Model Policies. I read through the proposed policy, and while many of the guiding principles seem sound, the proposed policies are in direct opposition to those guiding principles. For example, there's no way to reconcile guiding principles \"Schools shall respect all students\" and \"Schools shall serve the needs of all students\" with the Sample Policy III.D.2 \"[School Division] personnel shall refer to each student using only (i) the name that appears in the student’s official record, or (ii) if the student prefers, using any nickname commonly associated with the name that appears in the student’s official record.\". This sample policy is also in contradiction to the guiding principles \"Schools shall defer to parents to make the best decisions with respect to their children\" and \"Schools shall respect parents’ values and beliefs\" in the case where the parents support their transgender kids, and the parents want the schools to use the child's preferred name and pronouns, even if they haven't been legally changed yet. \n\nI am a parent of two, and while neither of mine is transgender, they have several friends who are, and I worry that if those kids stop feeling supported at school (because their teachers aren't allowed to identify them using the names and pronouns they use at home) it will cause huge emotional stress. \n\nThese proposed policies represent a giant step backward for kids and families who have a hard enough time navigating the world as it is. I urge you to reconsider. \n\n"}">I oppose Youngkin's new 2022 Model Policies. I read through the proposed policy, and while many of the guiding principles seem sound, the proposed policies are in direct opposition to those guiding principles. For example, there's no way to reconcile guiding principles "Schools shall respect all students" and "Schools shall serve the needs of all students" with the Sample Policy III.D.2 "[School Division] personnel shall refer to each student using only (i) the name that appears in the student’s official record, or (ii) if the student prefers, using any nickname commonly associated with the name that appears in the student’s official record.". This sample policy is also in contradiction to the guiding principles "Schools shall defer to parents to make the best decisions with respect to their children" and "Schools shall respect parents’ values and beliefs" in the case where the parents support their transgender kids, and the parents want the schools to use the child's preferred name and pronouns, even if they haven't been legally changed yet.

I am a parent of two, and while neither of mine is transgender, they have several friends who are, and I worry that if those kids stop feeling supported at school (because their teachers aren't allowed to identify them using the names and pronouns they use at home) it will cause huge emotional stress.

These proposed policies represent a giant step backward for kids and families who have a hard enough time navigating the world as it is. I urge you to reconsider.


I oppose

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I oppose any policy that discriminates against transgender students and tramples on their rights as individuals. They have the right of self-determination to identify as they see fit.


Government should avoid deciding what is best for a citizen just so the Gov gets airtime on Fox

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The government should stay out of business of deciding the pursuit of happiness for each citizen.

My Unitarian Universalist faith affirms as its first principle the inherent worth and dignity of every person. The proposed policy on transgender students in Virginia schools violates that practical moral principle and I am therefore compelled to oppose it. Every transgender student is a natural person with the inalienable dignity of individual agency and a right to privacy which is denied to them in this proposed policy. Each of these transgender person’s worth is inherent to their person, not residing in the mind of, or by force of, another person, even a parent.

Transgender students deserve the informed guidance and compassionate counsel of trusted adults, denied them under this policy, as they navigate their personal authentic experience. We all hope that the trusted adult in a child's life is a parent but the plain reality for time immemorial has been that children often confide in an aunt or uncle, a religious educator at church, or a teacher at school. Implementing this regressive policy will not change that dynamic of childhood development.

The fifth principle of my Unitarian Universalist faith affirms the right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large, which I also believe to be violated by the irregular process by which this proposed policy has been brought. Some provisions of the proposed policy are already plainly federally unconstitutional under Grimm v. Gloucester.

As a matter of conscience, I will continue on the side of love in defense of the inherent worth and dignity of all people and in firm opposition to this proposed policy which I believe does harm to transgender students.


Strongly Oppose

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These policies will kill trans kids. Absolutely disgusting.


Protest Trans Kids

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<p>Please rescind this proposed policy.  All students belong in VA.  Please don't make kids feel less worthy or not normal.  All students include trans have the right to feel welcomed and loved in their community. </p>


Concerned Parent

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All people should have access to an equal education without fear of being subjected to undo psychological or physical harm. School should be a place to grow and mature safely. This policy seeks to injure the most vulnerable in our community. Vote no to this policy.


New policy is wrong

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<span data-sheets-userformat='{"2":769,"3":{"1":0},"11":4,"12":0}' data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":"Aside from its questionable legality, this new proposed model policy flies in the face of everything the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Psychological Association, and many other professionals serving children and youth know to be true about meeting the needs of individuals with different gender identities. There is nothing about this policy that supports family choice. In fact, it stifles choice, incites fear, and endorses bullying behavior on the part of individuals who are homophobic and transphobic. We need to support individuals of all genders. The current model policies should stand and school districts should adopt them across the board."}'>Aside from its questionable legality, this new proposed model policy flies in the face of everything the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Psychological Association, and many other professionals serving children and youth know to be true about meeting the needs of individuals with different gender identities. There is nothing about this policy that supports family choice. In fact, it stifles choice, incites fear, and endorses bullying behavior on the part of individuals who are homophobic and transphobic. We need to support individuals of all genders. The current model policies should stand and school districts should adopt them across the board.


I OPPOSE Commonwealth-sanctioned policies that endanger trans kids

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<span data-sheets-userformat='{"2":769,"3":{"1":0},"11":4,"12":0}' data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":"Acc to the Amaerican Academy of Pediatrics, trans and non binary youth have markedly higher rates of suicide ideation, attempts and death by suicide than their cis peers.  In order to create a safe school environment for these youth, best practices must be used that create safety in the classroom ESPECIALLY if their home environment is not supportive.  Requiring parental permission to address children by their chosen name and pronouns puts the lives of trans kids unnecessarily at risk. I FIRMLY oppose this proposed policy."}'>Acc to the Amaerican Academy of Pediatrics, trans and non binary youth have markedly higher rates of suicide ideation, attempts and death by suicide than their cis peers. In order to create a safe school environment for these youth, best practices must be used that create safety in the classroom ESPECIALLY if their home environment is not supportive. Requiring parental permission to address children by their chosen name and pronouns puts the lives of trans kids unnecessarily at risk. I FIRMLY oppose this proposed policy.


Governor's 2022 education update

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We support Governor Youngkin's 2022 update keeping the family informed of their children's health and educational content.


We have to do better for students

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<span data-sheets-userformat='{"2":769,"3":{"1":0},"11":4,"12":0}' data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"As an adult who attended a NC public high school in the past I was witness to the struggle of an LGBT+ classmate and friend in taking care of his mental health. His attempts at finding support from his family and school counselor were met with deafening silence. In my teens I was not there for him the way I should've been. Thankfully he was a particularly strong person, so he was able to meet his goals and go to college to become a teacher. Though I'm sure they're better than my generation, we can't rely on other kids to be the sole support for trans and nonbinary students; they are dealing with their own problems. The adults around them and the policies they follow should do everything they can to make life easier for the students who often struggle the most. For this reason I oppose the proposed changes. We have to do better for those students who aren't fortunate enough to have someone like my high school friend as their teacher."}">As an adult who attended a NC public high school in the past I was witness to the struggle of an LGBT+ classmate and friend in taking care of his mental health. His attempts at finding support from his family and school counselor were met with deafening silence. In my teens I was not there for him the way I should've been. Thankfully he was a particularly strong person, so he was able to meet his goals and go to college to become a teacher. Though I'm sure they're better than my generation, we can't rely on other kids to be the sole support for trans and nonbinary students; they are dealing with their own problems. The adults around them and the policies they follow should do everything they can to make life easier for the students who often struggle the most. For this reason I oppose the proposed changes. We have to do better for those students who aren't fortunate enough to have someone like my high school friend as their teacher.


Oppose

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I oppose this proposed policy. This policy will put trans kids’ lives in jeopardy.


Support it 100%

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Our kids need protection from this trangender agenda at such young ages. I cannot believe allowing this is being considered, what's next? Allowing kids to smoke, drink, etc. at 5, 6, 7 y/o?? I hope and pray that saner heads prevail. Have a great day!


Support Gov Younkins proposed policy

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<p>I support the governor </p>


Who does this help who does this hurt

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I am strongly opposed to this policy. All this will do is hurt trans kids, and helps no one.


I oppose the VDOE Model Policies that harm trans and non-binary youth

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My name is Lily Eisner and I oppose the draft policies that harm trans and non-binary youth. I want the VDOE to reject them.


Strongly oppose!

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<p>Support trans youth </p>


I strongly oppose

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I oppose this piece of legislation


Oppose


Support Youngkin's Policies

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In the 21st century we are inventing self-selection of sex? Sex and gender are determined at conception, and as rational citizens we need to continue to accept the science of biology and natural order.

Mental health problems, including suicidal tendencies, caused by gender dysphoria, need to be treated as other mental health problems. No mental health problem, including gender dysphoria, is solved by professionals giving in to the patient's self-developed thoughts about gender.

Secondly, to have boys claiming they are girls and demanding the use of girl locker rooms and bathrooms has already been proven to be disastrous, including rape in two Loudoun County high schools, and more recently, a pregnancy in a New Jersey state prison. Why would we invite more such problems?


Trans Policies


Oppose

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<span data-sheets-userformat='{"2":769,"3":{"1":0},"11":4,"12":0}' data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":"The school system should be focused on the needs of the people actually in it, not parents. While they do play an important role in students’ lives, parents should not be allowed the ability to remove their child’s identity at will. Outsiders do not have the right to tell another person who they are or what name they are allowed to use. This new policy is both unreasonable and highly dangerous. Children who are forced to stay in the closet, or conversely forced to come out of it because they were exposed by teachers or fellow students, are far more at risk for severely damaged mental health. Suicide or self-harm are not unlikely in these circumstances. \nBeyond the absurdity of this policy, there is question as to its importance. There is no harm in allowing a child to explore their sexuality and identity in a free and safe manner. Damage is done when children are not allowed to ask questions and develop their identity. If America was made to be a free country, then how dare we try to snuff out such a simple freedom?"}'>The school system should be focused on the needs of the people actually in it, not parents. While they do play an important role in students’ lives, parents should not be allowed the ability to remove their child’s identity at will. Outsiders do not have the right to tell another person who they are or what name they are allowed to use. This new policy is both unreasonable and highly dangerous. Children who are forced to stay in the closet, or conversely forced to come out of it because they were exposed by teachers or fellow students, are far more at risk for severely damaged mental health. Suicide or self-harm are not unlikely in these circumstances.
Beyond the absurdity of this policy, there is question as to its importance. There is no harm in allowing a child to explore their sexuality and identity in a free and safe manner. Damage is done when children are not allowed to ask questions and develop their identity. If America was made to be a free country, then how dare we try to snuff out such a simple freedom?


Support Governor and Parental Rights

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I support the Governor and Parental Rights.


FCPS ALUMNUS - STRONGLY SUPPORT

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Let common sense prevail.


appalled at these policies

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I strongly oppose these model policies. As a gender queer individual in Virginia I am disgusted by the suggested treatment of trans youth in our schools. Let trans kids be kids and let schools be a safe place. Have a heart you despicable monsters


Oppose

I OPPOSE the guidance. It Is rooted in transphobia and seeks to further harm trans and nonbinary kids. It seeks to erase trans and nonbinary youth from the classroom. It would create a hostile & potentially dangerous school environment.It would require teachers and school staff to forcibly “out” students to their parents against their will in some circumstances, such as where a student seeks counseling. It would prohibit teachers and school staff from supporting trans & nonbinary students, such as using a student’s affirming name & pronouns.

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<span data-sheets-userformat='{"2":769,"3":{"1":0},"11":4,"12":0}' data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":"I OPPOSE the guidance. It Is rooted in transphobia and seeks to further harm trans and nonbinary kids. It seeks to erase trans and nonbinary youth from the classroom. It would create a hostile & potentially dangerous school environment.\nIt would require teachers and school staff to forcibly “out” students to their parents against their will in some circumstances, such as where a student seeks counseling. It would prohibit teachers and school staff from supporting trans & nonbinary students, such as using a student’s affirming name & pronouns."}'>I OPPOSE the guidance. It Is rooted in transphobia and seeks to further harm trans and nonbinary kids. It seeks to erase trans and nonbinary youth from the classroom. It would create a hostile & potentially dangerous school environment.
It would require teachers and school staff to forcibly “out” students to their parents against their will in some circumstances, such as where a student seeks counseling. It would prohibit teachers and school staff from supporting trans & nonbinary students, such as using a student’s affirming name & pronouns.


Support Youngkin's model policies

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Parents have the primary responsibility of guiding their children through many facets of life.  It is odd that advocates of so-called LGBTQ "rights" have chosen sexual identity of a child as the one topic that schools should NOT inform parents about.  Should schools not inform parents if a child identifies as Superman and attempts to step in front of a speeding bus?  Should they not inform parents if a child identifies as immune to drugs and confides in a school counselor that they regularly take heroine?  Should they not inform parents if a child gets a D on a test?  Different parents might be "unsupportive" of those things, yet some only claim to care about the children's safety when the issue is about a social behavior they want to normalize.  I dont hear calls to normalize heroine or bad grades.  Shame on us for putting our kids in the middle of our disagreements, and shame on the previous model policies that enabled our school systems to interject themselves into matters that are not related to education.


STRONGLY OPPOSE- Support Trans Students

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These proposed policy changes are not only transphobic and fear-mongering, they are dangerous.

Trans students already face discrimination, bullying, and violence at school, as well as higher rates of depression, anxiety, and suicide. Research has found that depression and suicide rates drop when trans and non-binary youth feel safe and accepted in their homes and at school. If we want to keep youth safe, let's create environments that support and affirm them, not shame them into hiding and self-hatred. Governor Youngkin's proposed policy changes will be harmful to youth, all in the name of hate and misinformation about trans identities.

All students deserve to feel safe and welcome at school. Trans and non-binary youth deserve the same.

I urge you to oppose these policy changes, there will be dangerous consequences in the lives of LGBTQ youth if you do not.


STRONGLY SUPPORT THIS COMMON SENSE POLICY


Strongly OPPOSE, protect LGBTQ youth

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<p>We all deserve to be called the name we want.  We all deserve to use bathrooms where we feel safe.  This policy, so called “solution” will cause grave consequences for an already marginalized group of kids.  Please listen.  </p>


Oppose

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<span data-sheets-userformat='{"2":769,"3":{"1":0},"11":4,"12":0}' data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":"This proposal creates a protocol to spy on, hunt out, and endanger children. As a politician why are you actively looking for ways to enforce pain for children? Focus instead on education bolstering through increased pay for teachers, mental health support in all schools, and promoting local business collaboration with schools with write offs for businesses that volunteer/support to a certain degree. All kids deserve to feel safe in school! Do your part and revoke this proposal."}'>This proposal creates a protocol to spy on, hunt out, and endanger children. As a politician why are you actively looking for ways to enforce pain for children? Focus instead on education bolstering through increased pay for teachers, mental health support in all schools, and promoting local business collaboration with schools with write offs for businesses that volunteer/support to a certain degree. All kids deserve to feel safe in school! Do your part and revoke this proposal.


Vehemently opposed

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<p>The 2022 proposed model policies are dangerous to transgender and nonbinary youth. As a healthcare worker and a parent in Chesterfid Virginia, I am vehemently opposed to these policies and believe they should be rescinded. Trans and nonbinary youth deserve safety and protection. </p>


Trans Rights are Human Rights!

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<p>This policy ostracizes and demonizes trans children who may not find needed support at home. This is not an attempt to involve parents, it is just placing another obstacle and hurdle in the path of a harmless decision. Ban guns not names. </p>


All children deserve to feel safe and supported. Children first, politics last in our schools!

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<p>I disagree with this proposed policy change on so many levels. What I find most disturbing is a policy where school staff are required to "out" students to their parents. In many cases if parents are unaware of their child's gender identity, pronouns or preferred name there is a reason for that. It could be a fear of rejection or in some cases known rejection and abuse.  Home should be everyone's "safe" place where they are loved, accepted and can be themselves without judgement. Sadly for many of our youth that simply isn't the case. These policies rob students of what may be their only safe place. What do you hope to gain by taking their safety and protection away? There is so much to lose and nothing to be gained other than the admiration of parents who put their own feelings and opinions above their children's health, happiness and in some cases existence. Perhaps the real root of this repugnant policy is parents can vote and minors can't. Our children have been drug into the disgusting world that we call politics. Parents and policy makers can't claim to encourage our children to be independent thinkers and then put on the brakes when that differs from their own views. Give these kids a chance to be themselves, to have a safe place and a fighting chance at reaching their potential! Decisions about our schools should be made without regard for our governors political aspirations. </p>


Full Support

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I fully support the Governor's policy initiative to support parental rights and involvement in their children's education, eliminate "wokism" from public schools  and protect all children's rights. Jim Starkey, Richmond, VA


Support of Trans and non-binary students

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Why does an individual’s sexual orientation or lack of bother anyone? It is an individual right and their individual decision. Allowing kids to be who they are without fear and punishment saves lives. That is what matters. Keeping kids alive is our job and to love them as they are, not for who we want them to be.


In Opposition of the Virginia Department of Education's Proposed 2022 Model Policies

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As a parent of a child in Virginia public schools and a life long Virginia resident, I write today in strong opposition of the Virginia Department of Education's Proposed 2022 Model Policies on the Privacy, Dignity, and Respect for All Students and Parents in Virginia's Public Schools.

As a parent directly impacted by these changes in policy, I urge the Governor and the Department to not implement the proposed steps that restrict the rights and safety of transgender, gender fluid, and nonbinary youth in our school systems, but instead continue forward with policies that affirm the rights of all students in public schools to be able to authentically identify themselves. Allowing such expression in no way harms any other individuals - children and adults alike - but instead creates an environment of respect in which true learning can take place.

I am in strong opposition of policies that restrict a student's right and ability to use affirming pronouns and names and that restrict access to facilities and extra-curricular actives that correspond with a student's gender identity. Providing these rights to students does not take away my rights as a parent.

I urge the Governor and the Department to withdraw the draft 2022 Model Policies. The policies are not needed and they would create a harmful and discriminatory educational environment and system.


Strongly oppose the 2022 model policy

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<span data-sheets-userformat='{"2":769,"3":{"1":0},"11":4,"12":0}' data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":"I am a 23 year old transgender man living in Richmond and I strongly oppose this proposed policy. If this policy were in effect while I was in school, it would have made my life utterly miserable. Everyone deserves the basic respect of being called the name and pronouns they asked to be called. Young trans students with unsupportive family deserve for school to be a safe place where they can be respected. It can mean the difference from growing up to be a healthy, happy adult and becoming another tragic suicide statistic."}'>I am a 23 year old transgender man living in Richmond and I strongly oppose this proposed policy. If this policy were in effect while I was in school, it would have made my life utterly miserable. Everyone deserves the basic respect of being called the name and pronouns they asked to be called. Young trans students with unsupportive family deserve for school to be a safe place where they can be respected. It can mean the difference from growing up to be a healthy, happy adult and becoming another tragic suicide statistic.


Oppose

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This proposal will negatively impact a very vulnerable population. It does not support transgender youth - it puts them in harms way.  Many transgender youth (including nonbinary individuals) do not have a home life that is safe for them to express this very important aspect of who they are.  School has long provided a safe environment for youth to learn about their world and themselves - this should not exclude a population that needs gender identity supportive measures.

I would encourage all to truly educate themselves on this matter by reading research that speaks to this (one example below), rather than act on or stoke fear in constituents to change public policy.    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32345113/


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I stand with trans kids, strongly oppose this policy.


Support parental involvement

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<p>Please do not keep parents in the dark. Parents are the guardians of children and will need all information given to make best decision for children. Can offer family therapy to help facilitate conversations in a safe place. </p>


Don’t like the policy? Just make believe whatever policy you want it to be. You know how to pretend.

Make up what u want and force everyone else to affirm it or cancel them.

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<p>Tired of this garbage </p>


Oppose

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This is dangerous and in some cases deadly for trans and non-binary students. They deserve rights and freedoms and it’s not up to the governor to control this


Transgender policy

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I strongly support our Gov Glenn Youngkin’s transgender policy.


I SUPPORT Gov. Youngkin's policies that protect parents' rights.

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<p>Uphold Gov. Youngkin's parental rights policies. </p>


Oppose

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I DONT NOT SUPPORT. THIS IS SO DUMB


100% oppose

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It is the department and professional educators responsibility to ensure the safety and success of ALL students. A public institution shall not side with or promote any religion. If a parent wishes to instill those ideas to their child, they may do so from the HOME. It is not the responsibility of the department or teachers to confirm to parental "religious rights".


Protect Emotionally Vulnerable Children and Parental Rights!

Dear Virginia Dept of Education,

Schools should never secretly socially transition students and keep the child's new name, pronouns and gender identities from their parents. I am pleased and relieved that the Virginia Department of Education's revised model policies support parental rights and ensure that school employees don't cut parents out of critical decisions that are being made for their children.

The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) issued "model policies" in 2021 that encouraged every school district in Virginia to hide a child's new gender identity from their parents who choose to affirm the child's biological sex. Under Governor Glenn Youngkin's leadership, the VDOE's revised policies make it clear that all children should be valued and parents' rights and beliefs should be respected. The 2022 Model Policies on the Privacy, Dignity, and Respect for all Students and Parents in Virginia's Public Schools keep parents involved in major decisions in their children's lives.

The 2021 VDOE "model policies" encouraged schools to create "a plan (that) may include addressing the student at school with their name and pronoun consistent with their gender identity while using the legal name and pronoun associated with the sex assigned at birth when communicating with parents or guardians."

I strongly support the revised policies that end this practice. Virginia schools should not drive a wedge between parents and their emotionally vulnerable children. Virginia school districts, including those who have already communicated their plans to ignore the 2022 revised model policies, should put an end to secretive Gender Support Plans now.

Sincerely,
Michele Tennery
2930 S Buchanan St
Arlington, VA 22206

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Dear Virginia Dept of Education,<br /><br />Schools should never secretly socially transition students and keep the child's new name, pronouns and gender identities from their parents. I am pleased and relieved that the Virginia Department of Education's revised model policies support parental rights and ensure that school employees don't cut parents out of critical decisions that are being made for their children. <br /><br />The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) issued "model policies" in 2021 that encouraged every school district in Virginia to hide a child's new gender identity from their parents who choose to affirm the child's biological sex. Under Governor Glenn Youngkin's leadership, the VDOE's revised policies make it clear that all children should be valued and parents' rights and beliefs should be respected. The 2022 Model Policies on the Privacy, Dignity, and Respect for all Students and Parents in Virginia's Public Schools keep parents involved in major decisions in their children's lives.<br /><br />The 2021 VDOE "model policies" encouraged schools to create "a plan (that) may include addressing the student at school with their name and pronoun consistent with their gender identity while using the legal name and pronoun associated with the sex assigned at birth when communicating with parents or guardians." <br /><br />I strongly support the revised policies that end this practice. Virginia schools should not drive a wedge between parents and their emotionally vulnerable children. Virginia school districts, including those who have already communicated their plans to ignore the 2022 revised model policies, should put an end to secretive Gender Support Plans now.<br /><br />Sincerely,
<br />Michele Tennery
<br />2930 S Buchanan St<br />Arlington, VA 22206<br /><img src="http://admin.phone2action.com/email/open/leg/657523/148805819" width="1" height="1" />


Strongly Support

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<p>Protect our children from extreme “progressive” ideology; keep it (and their “instructors”) out of our public schools.  </p>


STRONGLY OPPOSE

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<p>Parents don't have the right to control every aspect of their child's life, especially their name and identity. </p>


Support policy

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Parents should have a say in how their children are educated.


opposed to this plan


Oppose this bill

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Oppose this bill to help protect our students


Strongly oppose

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<p>As a clinical social worker I can tell you that not being inclusive towards all in classroom settings causes so many mental health problems that could be avoided. Our children and teens need to feel safe in their own skin. And schools need to be safe spaces. Encouraging violence in already frightening  school settings will only deteriorate society further. I wish youngkin could see what I witness in a night at work. Kids are being bullied for being trans and non-binary and their parents are worried about their  lack of rights and protection. Maybe our healthcare systems wouldn’t be so backed up during covid if we treated these kids like the human beings that they are. They wouldn’t need to come into emergency rooms and hospitals in droves for mental health services.  </p>


Gov Youngkin's Transgender Policy Affirmations

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<p>1- Upholds parental rights over their children 2- Does reflect my feeling </p>


Youngkin support - Children belong to their parents. I have a personal example of why I support this

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Parents need transparency with these issues with their children.  My son attended Wilder Middle School last year where the guidance counselor for his program supported gender fluidity, had a gender unicorn poster in her office, and was non-binary using they/them pronouns.  This counselor gave my son a permission slip form to join the GSA group after he had general questions about sexuality and gender (not for his personal sexuality and gender, but general confusion about what was going on in current culture).  We made an appointment with the counselor to let her know that we (his parents) did not want our child involved in GSA nor receiving any kind of school counseling/advice/opinions for gender and sexuality and that if our child were to question those things again, we requested that he be directed back to his parents for that discussion.  Thankfully, we had a really good conversation with our child about his general questions and avoided him being influenced by someone who didn't have our same family values.

It's not our concern if other adults including his counselor are LGBTQIA +, but we want the ability to raise our child in our belief system and to have full transparency when these issues surface.  Children belong to their parents, not the government nor education system.


Vehemently oppose

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I can't believe in this day and age there are people who have so little compassion for those who are different from them that they need to make their life a living hell. These policies are designed to identify a tiny portion of the population and make them suffer even though they have done nothing wrong.


If u don’t like the policy just pretend they’re something different. You know how to pretend.

Make believe what policy you want. Problem solved. Make others accept it.


Support Youngkin's policy

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I support the rights of parents to be informed and involved in every aspect of their children's schooling and support the updated language in Youngkin's policy.


oppose


SUPPORT YOUNGKIN!  Dementia Joe and his abusive policies don't belong in VA!

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Thank you for sensible decision making, common sense policy and protecting ALL kids.  The hateful Libs and their shameful, disgusting promotion of abuse towards our children has no place in VA.


Trans rights are human rights!

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Trans rights are human rights!


Strongly Opposed to New Policy

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As a current student with many transgender friends, I am strongly opposed to the proposed policy. Schools should be a safe place for EVERY student to be able to express themselves in a way that makes them feel confident. Schools, first and foremost, are a place for education, and a student's gender identity and expression has no effect on their ability to be in a classroom. The proposed policy would knowingly put many students in danger, either at school, home, or both, and would be detrimental to their educations. "Outing" students to families puts them directly in harms way, as an unsupportive family often leads to mental distress, abuse, or even homelessness.

Using names and pronouns is a privilege that cisgendered people often don't realize they have. The power a name holds is indescribable, and when the wrong one is used consistently and on purpose, it causes an insecurity that goes bone deep. Using a student's preferred name and pronouns does not disrupt the classroom, and not allowing this basic form of human respect does not allow a student to continue to learn unharmed. Every student deserves the right to feel safe at school, regardless of gender identity and expression.


Oppose

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I don’t suppose this law & it shouldn’t be passed


Oppose

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Please do not implement this new policy. It puts our trans kids in danger, and the suicide rate among this group is already too high. It shouldn’t matter to anyone what name people use. It none of your business!


Supporting parents = supporting kids

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<p>I fully support Gov. Youngkin's policy on requiring parents to be informed about any gender-related issues in schools.  Claiming to support children while separating them from their parents who know and love them best, is disingenuous.  Parents know what is best for their children: not teachers, politicians, or anybody else.  Helping children keep secrets from their parents, and even encouraging them to do this is NOT in any way supporting children.  This policy is simply common sense, and anyone who opposes it clearly does not have children's best interests at heart. </p>


I oppose this policy

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<p>This bill harms transgender students that might not have support at home. I strongly oppose this policy. </p>


Strongly support parents’ rights

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The activists in this nation have jerked the rights of parental control of our children right out of our hands. They have no right to determine how early our children are told about sexual matters and I beg Governor Youngkin to proceed with his plan as presented. The Virginia teachers union has passed way beyond their authority limits and in the process of supporting their extremists views have forgotten to educate our children in the subjects they were hired to teach.


Oppose

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<span data-sheets-userformat='{"2":769,"3":{"1":0},"11":4,"12":0}' data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"There is a lot we as Virginians don't agree on, but this one issue should be a given no matter your politics: School should be a safe place for ALL kids. Let's keep our focus on the children — this is my main point. We all know children are faced with bullying, harassment, and discrimination. Unfortunately, this is nothing new as school kids can be immature and thoughtless. Then you have these other \"issues\" such as CRT and transgender policies. I dare say, kids don't find such things as offensive as adults think they do, but they're hearing adults shout about it and therefore they become victims of an adult problem. They mimic what they hear. Adults fighting over politics often forget that children bear the brunt of this drama. Certain legislators, who are proposing these policy changes, act as if they're protecting some children by discriminating against others, but I ask, who wins in this situation? Who is being protected from whom, and what message are we sending to those who now will suffer further discrimination simply over who they are? Who is suffering so greatly over these existing policies that the entire state needs to take action against a child? These proposed policies are based in fear and ignorance and will only serve to shine an even brighter spotlight on non-binary children under the guise of protecting students who don't even feel threatened by their classmates' genders. I don't pretend that this isn't a tricky issue, and there are definite gray areas which need to be thoroughly explored. And there needs to be more discussion on how to properly implement evidence-based policies that protect ALL children in our school systems across the state. We need to listen to each others' concerns, but more than that, we need to listen to our children! What are they saying about this? They're the ones we are supposed to be protecting after all. But this discussion needs to be held in a respectful, truthful, mature way. We need to show our children that good changes can happen calmly and properly, that we are looking out for their best interests, and that their worth isn't dependent on their sexuality. Let's be adults and set a good example for ALL children, starting now."}">There is a lot we as Virginians don't agree on, but this one issue should be a given no matter your politics: School should be a safe place for ALL kids. Let's keep our focus on the children — this is my main point. We all know children are faced with bullying, harassment, and discrimination. Unfortunately, this is nothing new as school kids can be immature and thoughtless. Then you have these other "issues" such as CRT and transgender policies. I dare say, kids don't find such things as offensive as adults think they do, but they're hearing adults shout about it and therefore they become victims of an adult problem. They mimic what they hear. Adults fighting over politics often forget that children bear the brunt of this drama. Certain legislators, who are proposing these policy changes, act as if they're protecting some children by discriminating against others, but I ask, who wins in this situation? Who is being protected from whom, and what message are we sending to those who now will suffer further discrimination simply over who they are? Who is suffering so greatly over these existing policies that the entire state needs to take action against a child? These proposed policies are based in fear and ignorance and will only serve to shine an even brighter spotlight on non-binary children under the guise of protecting students who don't even feel threatened by their classmates' genders. I don't pretend that this isn't a tricky issue, and there are definite gray areas which need to be thoroughly explored. And there needs to be more discussion on how to properly implement evidence-based policies that protect ALL children in our school systems across the state. We need to listen to each others' concerns, but more than that, we need to listen to our children! What are they saying about this? They're the ones we are supposed to be protecting after all. But this discussion needs to be held in a respectful, truthful, mature way. We need to show our children that good changes can happen calmly and properly, that we are looking out for their best interests, and that their worth isn't dependent on their sexuality. Let's be adults and set a good example for ALL children, starting now.


Support Gov Younkins policy of parental involvement

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Please oppose the lunacy of the government parenting.  Parents are the most single part of a child's life and values cannot be led by government.  Parents lead government, not th eother way around.


Parents know their children best; I support Gov. Youngkin!

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Parents know their children best! ??


Oppose


A PARENT that supports Gov Younkin!

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<p>As an ACTUAL PARENT of a child in the VA Public School system I whole heartedly support Gov Younkin! Those who DO NOT have children in the public school system have NO RIGHT to speak on behalf of those of us whose children are being subjected to this Left Wing agenda putting OUR children in a position of danger and fear!  Stay in your lane, this is an issue for PARENTS!! </p>


Support Governor Youngkin's Model Policies 2022

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I fully support Governor Youngkin's Model Policies 2022.  The policies put parents back in the driver's seat and protect the majority of children while also making reasonable accommodations where appropriate.  This is exactly the type of common-sense adjustment Governor Youngkin was elected to make.


If u don’t like the policies, just pretend they’re something else. U know how to do that

Why can’t you just make believe about the rules too. Problem solved


Teacher since 2001

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As teachers, we must all remember to do what is best for EVERY student!


Discrimination

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This policy will allow for outright discrimination for Trans youth. This is against the law.


STRONGLY OPPOSE 2022 "Model" Policy

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Transgender and LGBTQ+ youth need protection, not further stigmatization and isolation. The 2022 Model Policies put forth last month are empirically unfounded, and will lead to significant harm of transgender and LGBTQ+ youth. The intention of the General Assembly's law was to require that schools put policies in place that provide protection for ALL students. The 2022 iteration does the opposite. It plays on unfounded fears about what might happen to a cisgender person in a bathroom or on the sports field, where there is zero evidence from research to support these claims. In contrast, research is incredibly clear about the risks for transgender and nonbinary youth:

Transgender adolescents experience significantly disproportionate levels of childhood abuse compared with cisgender peers. 73% report psychological abuse; 39% report physical abuse; and 19% report sexual abuse (Thomas, Rezeppa, Choukas-Bradley, Salk, & Marshal, 2021).

Fewer than 1 in 3 transgender and nonbinary youth found their home to be gender affirming. (Trevor Project, 2022)

1 in 5 transgender and non-binary youth attempted suicide in the past year

Trans and nonbinary youth have significantly greater odds of experiencing homelessness or housing instability compared with cisgender youth (Trevor Project, 2021)

28% of transgender youth whose pronouns are not affirmed attempted suicide in the past year (Trevor Project, 2022)

Transgender and nonbinary youth whose schools prevent them from using the restrooms/locker rooms that best matched their gender identities were significantly more likely to have been sexually assaulted (26% greater risk for transgender males; 149% greater risk for transgender females) (Murchison, Genoro, Reisner, & Watson, 2019).

Trans-inclusive sport policies do no harm to cisgender youth, yet trans-exclusive policies cause substantial harm to transgender youth (Goldberg & Santos, 2021)

We also know what works:

LGBTQ youth who found their school to be LGBTQ affirming reported lower rates of attempting suicide (Trevor Project, 2022)

Transgender and nonbinary youth who reported having their pronouns respected by all more most people in their lives attempted suicide at half the rate of those who did not have their pronouns respected. (Trevor Project, 2022)

Trsansgender and nonbinary students in schools with inclusive policies were less likely to miss school and reported higher levels of school belonging (GLSEN, 2021)

"Although our data continue to show high rates of mental health and suicide risk among LGBTQ young people, it is crucial to note that these rates vary widely based on the way LGBTQ youth are treated." - Dr. Myeshia Price, Senior Research Scientist with The Trevor Project

Many adults believe that they think they know a student's authentic identity better than the student themself. A longitudinal study published in the journal Pediatrics followed transgender youth who had begun a social transition (e.g., dressing in clothes that matched gender identity, identity-affirming pronouns) (Olson, Durwood, Gallagher, Devor, 2022).

5 years later:

94% of the indivduals who had begun their social transition at the time the study began continued to identify with that identity 5 years later

3.5% of the individuals identified as nonbinary (instead of transgender)

and 2.5% were living as cisgender youth.

The data is clear. Policies like the 2022 "Model" policies do nothing to protect cisgender youth or their families, and signfiicantly increase the risk that transgender and nonbinary youth will experience assault or abuse, will be kicked out of their homes, will lose what is potentially the only place they feel safe and affirmed, and in far too many cases, will die by suicide.

I STRONGLY encourage the administration to rescind this guidance document.


Youngkin and the VDOE's policies for trans students are incredibly harmful.

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I am a transgender student in Fauquier County. These policies are incredibly dangerous to trans students and a step in the wrong direction for Virginia. These policies will make it easier for trans to me discriminated against and bullied. If the Department of Education and Governor Youngkin truly care about the well-being of students, they will not go through with these policy changes


Oppose

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These proposed model policies are contrary to state law and will be extremely harmful to transgender and nonbinary kids. Protect and respect trans and nonbinary kids. RESCIND these model policies.


Opposed

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That the Governor of Virginia is taking state time and resources to address a non-issue should be deeply concerning to voters everywhere and demonstrates the Governor using divisive platforms to ensure his political future, rather than to benefit the well-being of the people of our state. Less than 5% of people are transgender and even fewer of those people are youth. The highly reported stories of transgendered people taking over sports or challenging social norms are sensationalized political rubbish--using trans youth as a pawn in political aspirations, not in good governance. Transgender youth are already disproportionately represented in rates of youth suicide, homelessness and sex abuse. To attempt to create law and policy based on making these kids even more vulnerable is a disgusting effort to guarantee a spot in GOP stardom and aligns this state with the very worst of emerging American trends. Keep kids safe and out of politics. If the Governor is truly interested in family cohesiveness, he would engage in policy work that leans on best and evidence based practice programs that help families to address challenging dynamics within the family unit--dynamics that exist regardless of the presence of transgender identity or not. This is political theatre at it's absolute worst. A great way to demonstrate one's self as an ineffectual governor is to engage in policy that addresses non-issues rather than address the true issues that affect our lives and wellness. Shame on you, Governor. In this time of true crisis after true crisis, you leveraged the cultural wars for your own professional longevity, not to improve the lives of Virginians. Leave trans kids alone, you bully.


I strongly support the proposed policies.

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<p>I strongly support the proposed model policies and thank you for courageously affirming parental rights and student well-being. </p>


Strongly Oppose

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I strongly oppose this proposal for many reasons. Many of us with school aged children know the issues that currently exist within public schools, and the lack of adequate teachers in schools, funding, supplies, teacher pay, etc. With all of the major issues that our schools face, it makes no sense to target a specific group of students and take away their rights. This is not about parental rights at all, but about a specific group of people not understanding transgender children and targeting them. With so much hate in our country at this time, this lack of tolerance makes zero sense. Many transgender children already face an uphill battle, and making it more difficult for them does nothing but harm them. Parents of transgender children are not trying to impose or indoctrinate anyone's children, but are simply trying to navigate this journey with their children and family. My daughter is 6 years old and has a transgender friend. She doesn't even think twice about it, she just knows that she's her friend. It seems that our children could teach the adults a thing or two about tolerance, empathy and understanding. I sincerely hope that this proposal is not put into place.


Strongly Oppose

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I vehemently oppose. These proposed policies fundamentally undermine the well-being of thousands of students in Virginia. Schools should be safe spaces for our kids so they can learn without their basic worth being questioned. These proposed model policies do not model empathy or increased "parental choice," which is an amorphous and empty concept meant only to fire up people into believing something is being taken away. In reality, the only behaviors these policies model are bullying and bigotry.

This policy would actively work against promoting safety in Virginia's schools. The data is all there. Having at least one accepting adult can reduce the risk of a suicide attempt among LGBTQ young people by 40 percent. A 2021 peer-reviewed study by The Trevor Project’s researchers found that transgender and nonbinary youth who reported gender identity acceptance from teachers and peers had significantly lower odds of attempting suicide in the past year. A 2020 peer-reviewed study by The Trevor Project’s researchers, published in the Journal of Adolescent Health, found that transgender and nonbinary youth who experienced bathroom discrimination had more than 1.5 times the odds of attempting suicide in the past year compared to those who did not experience bathroom discrimination.

If you don't believe in the validity of trans folks, this comment probably won't change that. But your discomfort with the fact that trans and non-binary people exist in the same world as you should not prevent those trans and non-binary students from living and learning in a school that acknowledges their worth as humans. Virginia cannot be a welcoming place to all if it only supports the safety of some.


Don't penalize ANY child

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I do not support penalizing sny child for being different. There is room for ALL kinds of people and we have no right to be judmgental. I am proud of my sttate's current stance on the transgender situation and do NOT support Youngkin's stance.


Discrimination

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This policy will allow for outright discrimination for Trans children.


Support Restored Parental Rights

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<p>This does not take away rights of any child, trans or cis, but restores parental involvement.  Apply here the principle of subsidiarity and thus incorporating the family social unit which parents are head is of utmost importance. Rejection of parents is not helping the child gain self worth or peace in their life. Parents and families should be free to seek counseling and feel encouraged on their own to seek help to support their child and educate means of which should work out the best in the long run. Government and schools should not be free to butt in and steal children from their parents drugging and performing surgeries on them without parental involvement. </p>


Differences Matter!

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<span data-sheets-userformat='{"2":769,"3":{"1":0},"11":4,"12":0}' data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"It's not easy to put yourself into someone else's shoes and feel how they feel. School age children are still discovering themselves and deserve the opportunity to feel comfortable as they grow. We as a society need to support all our children through this process and let them be their authentic selves in a caring and understanding environment. There is no room in our society for bullying over how a person should BE. BE YOU!"}">It's not easy to put yourself into someone else's shoes and feel how they feel. School age children are still discovering themselves and deserve the opportunity to feel comfortable as they grow. We as a society need to support all our children through this process and let them be their authentic selves in a caring and understanding environment. There is no room in our society for bullying over how a person should BE. BE YOU!


I strongly oppose this

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I strongly oppose this. The children of Virginia, especially the transgender kids, should not be subject to this.


We stand for health freedom and protecting children from genital mutilation.

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Please follow the money involved in the transgender agenda.  Genital mutilation can not be disguised.

Respect your God-given body and respect the rights of our constitution.  We have free speech--and that means no enforced speech.


Strongly Oppose

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<p>All people, regardless of age, deserve to be comfortable in their own skin.  Allow children the ability to explore their gender identity in an accepting, and inclusive place.  They will grow to be inclusive and accepting adults building a stronger community for all Virginians. </p>


Protect Parents Rights

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Parents are the first teachers of their children and have an irreplaceable role in guiding them and ensuring their well-being. (CCC, 2221). We support Governor Youngkin's administration to restore parental rights. VDOE’s newly proposed Model Policies on the Privacy, Dignity, and Respect for all Students and Parents uphold parents’ God-given and constitutional right to guide their child’s development. The new policies also protect the First Amendment rights of students and staff.

The new policies honor the sacred role of parents in the care of their children during school, athletics and other activities.

Parents know their children’s needs better than anyone. If children are struggling with gender dysphoria, they need guidance and emotional support from parents. Under the new policies, school officials must keep parents fully informed, and require schools to enforce laws, regulations and policies that prohibit and deter bullying or harassment.

The new policies protect the fundamental religious liberty interests of personnel and students.


I oppose the governor’s policy

I oppose Gov Youngkin’s proposed policy because it will endanger transgender students in Virginia. This does not promote education but leaves the door open for more bullying of these students who have done nothing wrong. Let them be who they are.
An every-time voter,Paula Hillery

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I oppose Gov Youngkin’s proposed policy because it will endanger transgender students in Virginia. This does not promote education but leaves the door open for more bullying of these students who have done nothing wrong. Let them be who they are.

An every-time voter,
Paula Hillery


STRONGLY SUPPORT GOVERNOR YOUNGKIN!

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STRONGLY SUPPORT THE GOVERNOR! Back parental rights and protect the children.


Support

          I submit this comment in support of the Virginia Department of Education’s (VDOE) 2022 Model Policies on the Privacy, Dignity, and Respect for All Students and Parents in Virginia’s Public Schools. The model policy, which provides guidance to Virginia public schools on handling gender nonconforming students, should be an example to other states that are attempting to balance the interests of students, parents, and school officials in a way that will create an inclusive school environment for everyone.

The model policy’s primary guiding principle is to ensure that parents have control over “decisions with respect to their children.” Specifically, it upholds the rights of parents under the Fourteenth Amendment by allowing them to take the lead in working with their school to determine the appropriate response to a student’s expressed gender nonconformity. The model policy also protects the First Amendment rights of teachers and students by prohibiting schools from mandating that they adhere to the ideological belief that gender identity is subjectively determined.

The vast majority of Virginians share the goal of preventing any student—including gender nonconforming students—from being treated as less deserving of respect than their peers. They also recognize that many issues surrounding gender identity are complicated and involve multiple legitimate interests that frequently conflict with one another. The VDOE’s 2022 model policy does an exemplary job of balancing those competing interests by recognizing constitutional rights while at the same time reaffirming the commitment to creating a welcoming school environment for gender nonconforming students.


Strongly Oppose

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I strongly urge Governor Youngkin's administration to reverse course on the new, harmful model policies for transgender youth. Transgender children are humans with rights. They have a right to feel safe at school, to use a bathroom that aligns with their gender identity and presentation, and a right to be called by the name that they use in everyday practice. Your administration claims to be pro-parent and pro-kid, but these policies are a huge step backward. Governor Youngkin, you also claim to be a small-government conservative, but all I see here is government overreach.

As the parent of a nonbinary child attending Montgomery County Public Schools, I can assure you there is nothing to fear from our child using a name and pronouns they chose themselves. Our child informed their teachers of their pronouns and the name they want to be called, and that was an end to it. I do not welcome the government stepping into this interpersonal matter!

In regards to bathrooms, in our family, people of all genders use the same bathroom. Families have done so for generations. You lock the door, you do your business, you go about your day. An all-gender restroom shouldn't be that difficult of a concept. Why does the government need to check my papers before I use the bathroom?

The sports participation question should really be a nonstarter. Only a tiny percentage of high school athletes nationwide identify as trans athletes. This "issue" is a ginned-up controversy that has little to do with reality. The "issue" is so small, you should simply allow schools to deal with it on a case-by-case basis. Again—this is government overreach.

Finally, as to the informing parents issue. In a perfect world, informing parents would not be a problem, assuming all parents are good, loving, supportive caregivers. Unfortunately, we do not live in a perfect world. Straight, cisgender students and teachers have nothing to fear by using a student's chosen name and pronouns. Unfortunately, many trans kids have a lot to fear from their parents. Every year, thousands of trans and LGBTQIA++ kids suffer abuse at the hands of needlessly fearful, angry, unaccepting parents. Many are kicked out of their homes and join the ranks of the unhoused youth in Virginia. The policies you propose would endanger the most vulnerable youth, while doing nothing useful, necessary, or even educational for parents, teachers, and other school personnel. This is needless government overreach. I recommend instead that you focus your efforts on the educational problems that really matter: increasing funding for our schools, recovering the skills gaps that emerged due to the pandemic, training and hiring and paying for excellent teachers, and upgrading our schools and facilities.

In closing, stop trying to use trans youth to make political points. Support all Virginia kids and students by supporting educational efforts that provide concrete benefits for our children. Retract these harmful, unnecessary policies.


Strongly oppose proposed policy

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<p style="text-align: left;">I strongly oppose the proposed policy towards transgender students. Although  touted as a way to protect the rights of parents, the policy puts at risk those most vulnerable—trans youth. LGBTQ+ youth suffer from discrimination and have higher rates of suicide. Outing children against their will is a direct act of violence. </p>


Strongly oppose this policy

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The proposed policy is dangerous for LGBTQ+ students. LGBTQ+ youth need supportive policies to combat discrimination which can lead to higher rates of suicide. Outing students against their will is harmful. Schools must be a safe place for all students.


Discrimination

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To:  Glenn Youngkin, the Honorable Governor of Virginia

Discrimination has many manifestations. I encourage you to reveal the breadth of your service as the governing leader of all - all - citizens and residents in Virginia. Each of us represents in common with our neighbors near and far the full breadth of the creative powers that bring us to life. It is our noble duty to embrace the diversity of creation. I am grateful that our circles of inclusion are widening to include embracing the full range and conditions of humanity. Your governance of this Commonwealth must be wide and  wise enough to honor our diverse multitudes.

Sincerely,

Muriel Elizabeth Hagen Smith,

1600 Westminster Avenue #321,

Richmond, VA 23227


Completely support!

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I strongly support these policies!! The idea that schools ( ie:the state) was ever told to purposely cut out parents should have never happened. Parents are not the enemy or the threat.This proposal helps fix this wrong. It also still allows kids to transition, but recognizes parental involvement and that there are biological differences that do not disappear when someone identifies as something different than their biology. You should never force a young boy or girl to share a locker room with someone of the opposite sex, no matter what they identify as. A biological girl or boy has a privacy right just as much as a trans boy or girl. Single bathrooms are an easy solution to that.

Regarding sports, again because of that pesky biology that doesn’t disappear,  as the kids get older there is a big difference in athletic capability of males and females. This needs to be taken  into consideration when it comes to females sports because of the large difference.


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We are Doorways, a community-based nonprofit serving the Arlington community since 1978. Doorways prevents and creates pathways out of homelessness, domestic violence, and sexual assault, empowering our clients to achieve safe and stable lives.

Doorways concurs with the Virginia School Counselor Association (VSCA) and opposes the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE)’s 2022 Model Policies on the Privacy, Dignity, and Respect for All Students and Parents in Virginia's Public Schools as they are currently proposed. We agree with VSCA that the 2022 model policies create barriers to privacy, dignity, and respect for Virginia’s students and seek to undermine previous legislation (i.e., § 22.1-23.3. Treatment of transgender students; policies) that works to create safe and supportive environments for our most vulnerable youth.

Doorways agrees with ACLUVA that schools are critical safe havens for students; that the 2022 Model Policies will not create a learning environment that is safe for all students; and that adoption of these policies would result in rampant violations of the rights of students, parents, and school personnel, and will inflict serious harm on transgender and nonbinary students.

At Doorways, we know that safe havens save lives: LGBTQIA+ youth are particularly vulnerable to violence, housing instability, and homelessness, comprising 40% of young people experiencing homelessness in our region and nationwide. Supporting and providing safe spaces for LGBTQIA+ people is an essential part of Doorways' efforts toward achieving our vision of a community where all people live free of violence and have safe and stable housing. We believe that supporting and providing safe spaces for LGBTQIA+ people is equally essential to the VDOE's vision of maximizing the potential of all learners, and its mission to advance equitable and innovative learning.

Doorways opposes the 2022 Model Policies in their entirety and demands that the VDOE rescind them, leaving the existing 2021 Model Policies in place.


Strong Support for this from Northern Virginia

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This is the last day for the comment period, in the interest of time I will keep my comments brief.  I strongly support this initiative by the Governor to ensure parents' rights are protected.


GENDER-INCLUSIVE POLICIES SAVE LIVES - THE PROPOSED WILL HAVE THE OPPOSITE IMPACT

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<p>These proposed model policies are contrary to state law and will be extremely harmful to transgender and nonbinary kids. Protect and respect trans and nonbinary kids. RESCIND these model policies. </p>


Support Parent Rights

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I am fully support of new policies to protect the fundamental rights of parents and the religious liberty rights of personnel and students.  Governor Youngkin won his election in large part by taking on the teacher union cabal who kept schools closed and usurped parental rights.  T

From conception, a child's gender is determined biologically male or female.  If a child is confused about what it means to be a male or female, it is the parent's right, not the schools to navigate that issue.


Parents must be involved

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<p>Parents are responsible for their children's life style. The school is responsible for part of the children's education. Let the parents parent and the teacher educate. Acceptance of a lie is not love, it is the opposite. Any child with gender disphoria should be helped. Affirming a falsehood is not help. If a child is bulimic we don't help them vomit; we talk to them, love them, get them true help, not exacerbate their delusion and confused thought process. Let common sense prevail. A male is a male. A female is a female. One can have their unique personality, it does not change their gender. </p>


Support the Governor and the model policies

Biology is real.  DNA cannot be changed.  It is harmful to tell children otherwise and potentially harm their bodies.Each gender deserves a biologically determined bathroom, Biologically determined sports teams, Biologically determined changing areas.Parents have the right to know about all decisions made about minor children.  Minor children should not have a discussion about their sexuality with school staff.  Teachers should only be allowed to teach essentials. They need to keep their options on sex and politics out of the classroom.

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Biology is real.  DNA cannot be changed.  It is harmful to tell children otherwise and potentially harm their bodies.
Each gender deserves a biologically determined bathroom, Biologically determined sports teams, Biologically determined changing areas.
Parents have the right to know about all decisions made about minor children.  Minor children should not have a discussion about their sexuality with school staff.
Teachers should only be allowed to teach essentials. They need to keep their options on sex and politics out of the classroom.


Do not do this.


Strong Support Youngkin's Model Policy

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CRT makes a racism against white people and students official school policy.  There has been no systematic racism in the US since at least 1970.  The best paid African population in the world is in the US. Transgender is a sad disability and should not be promoted by the state.  Male and Female are distinct categories that are and can be scientifically validated.  Sexuality is a matter for the family and not the school system.  Parents are in control of their children's education and not the state.


Support Parental Rights

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I agree with the updated 2022 policies to honor the sacred role of parents as they should be the first teachers and caregivers for their own children. This includes being fully informed of things that occur during school, athletics, and other activities where the parents are not present. Many times parents are not even aware that their child acts differently at school than they do at home or are experiencing bullying and/or harassment from others.

If children are struggling with gender dysphoria, they need guidance and emotional support from their parents/guardians. I believe that the only moral and correct way of working together in the best interest of the child is for school officials to keep parents fully informed. Schools should enforce laws, regulations, and policies that prohibit and deter bullying or harassment and parents need to do their part at home to help reinforce proper behavior, kindness, no bullying/harassment, and also how to respond appropriately if that is happening at school.


I Oppose this strongly

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I strongly strongly strongly oppose this change.  How terrible to be told you don't belong. This has nothing to do with the rights of parents with cis children and everything to do with the prejudices of people who don't want to be parents to non-binary children. Non-binary kids have enough to deal with mentally, at home, in their own heads!! Why would you make schools an unsafe place for them? Protect children! Not the small minds of their parents!


Give rights to Parents

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I believe that sex should not be taught to students before age 11. That is a parents right.


Im with Youngkin on this issue. Support parental rights!

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I'm glad to support parental rights and a sense order in our schools.


Vehemently Agree with Gov Youngkin

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<p>I agree 100% with Gov. Youngkin. </p>


Respect for Children -- Respect for Science -- is Good Policy (Not this Policy)

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Over the last two decades Science has explored the gender continuum  and made great strides in understanding -- read Robert Sapolsky's work in this field (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QScpDGqwsQ).  The two-sex bias of the world came about when there were no neurologists, biologists, endocrinologists to inform on gender ... only very scared humans who demanded conformity and the resulting people who hid their differences due to the ugly condemnation and physical abuse if they dared stand out.  Great Britain condemned one of their foremost mathematicians and war heroes to hell with enforced drug treatments ( Alan Turing, Computing Genius And WWII Hero, To Be On U.K.'s New 50-Pound Note : NPR )  because of his sexual preferences.  He committed Suicide. What an ugly world an ignorant world can bee.

The genie is out of the bottle – Science knows that there are people in the "wrong body" for their gender -- and most studies show that this awareness can start early in childhood.

Virginia Public Schools need compassion and science to inform their decisions about trans youth and other LGTBQ+ orientations.

I oppose this punitive and uninformed policy.  New school architecture going forward can address issues of bathrooms (Starbucks has solved this problem from its inception).  Old buildings can be renovated.  Sports can be rethought -- for instance forming teams in terms of size, musculature and body mass to determine eligibility (as an example).  At an agreed upon age, children's gender preference can be private and not involve Government, Schools, and parents.

These children are human beings -- Parents are responsible for them, but if a child's relationship to their parent is fraught with difficulty (even fear), they should not be forced into a world of denial.  How many more Alan Turings will there be before Science is allowed to inform policy instead of politics?


Strongly Oppose Guidelines

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<p>I strongly oppose these guidelines. </p>


Strongly Support and Welcome this Policy

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Please do not shoot this the governor's guidance down.  Parents did, do, and will know what is best for their children on the issue of gender acceptance or choice.  Social engineering at government level should be rare.


Protect the rights of parents

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<p>Parents have the right to know what is happening with their children at school; it's really that simple. Any school administrator/employee who willingly defies the law and withholds this information from a parent should be fired, immediately. </p>


oppose

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<p>I strongly Opposed these changes </p>


The Model Policies will contribute to bullying and mental anguish for trans students

Kiera Goddu, Virginia Collegiate Queer Collective

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The 2021 Model Policies prohibited “any and all discrimination, harassment, and bullying based on an individual’s actual or perceived . . . sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by law.” The 2021 Model Policies also required that “[a]ny incident or complaint of discrimination, harassment, or bullying shall be given prompt attention” and that “[c]omplaints alleging discrimination, harassment, or bullying based on a student’s actual or perceived gender identity shall be handled in the same manner as other discrimination or harassment complaints.” Finally, the 2021 Model Policies required the establishment of a school contact for both students and parents should the complaint be “not resolved at the school level.”

The 2022 Model Policies make disappointing and harmful changes to bullying, harassment, and discrimination policies. First, it removes the explicit protections for sexual orientation and gender identity. Instead, the only gender identity term it protects explicitly is “sex” which is defined by the 2022 Model Policies as “biological sex.” While the bullying, harassment, and discrimination prohibitions also protect “any other characteristic protected by law,” the removal of sexual orientation and gender identity as explicit categories sends a clear message: VDOE does not care about LGBTQ+ youth being bullied, harassed, or discriminated against.

Second, the 2022 Model Policies require that “[s]chool personnel shall be trained annually on health and mental wellness support to, and safety of, all students.” This is a drastic change from the 2021 Model Policies which required “[a]ll school mental health professionals shall be trained annually on topics relating to LGBTQ+ students, including safety and support for LGBTQ+ students.” The 2022 Model Policies therefore explicitly erase required training for staff on LGBTQ+ health and mental well-being.

Thankfully, the 2022 Model Policies keep the language of the 2021 Model Policies that “[a]ny incident or complaint of discrimination, harassment, or bullying shall be given prompt attention, including investigating the incident and taking appropriate corrective and/or disciplinary action, by the school administrator.” It also keeps the language that “[t]he [School Division’s Designated Contact] shall be available to hear concerns from students and parents when complaints are not resolved at the school level.” It also adds additional language that “[b]ullying of any student by another student, for any reason, cannot be tolerated in our schools. Intervening immediately to stop bullying on the spot can help ensure a safer school environment for all students.”

Stopping bullying for any student is an important goal for Virginia’s K-12 public schools. My concern is that gender identity and sexual orientation are no longer explicitly protected classes under the 2022 Model Policies and that school personnel are no longer required to obtain LGBTQ+ specific health and mental wellness professional development. In fact, it feels like VDOE is bullying the very trans kids they are claiming to protect by removing resources and policies aimed at supporting and protecting them.

This is wrong because it will put trans and gender expansive students at risk of mental health issues and suicide, two things that these students are already at much higher risk for.

This affects me because my mother is a teacher in Virginia schools who does not want to cause harm to her students which this policy would require.

For these reasons, I ask you to repeal the 2022 Model Policies and reinstate the 2021 Model Policies.


Kids will die!

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Reject this proposal!  As a parent of a transgender student, this proposal has significant impact on my family.  We support our child's decision however, we know many do not.  Even as we are supportive, our child has experienced depression and suicide attempts.  This will be extremely upsetting to children that are trying to find themselves.  It will also be upsetting to our child if they are forced to use the bathroom of their birth gender.  As a former teacher, I agree that teachers should be allowed to teach.  This proposal will prevent that by preventing some students from focusing on their education.  The recent math scores in the state show that teachers need to focusing on teaching and students on learning.  Creating barriers to learning doesn't help anyone.  As far as the name issue in the classroom, I don't see a difference between calling a trans student by their preferred name and a non-trans student wanting to go by Chris instead of Christopher.  So if this proposal is passed, then we need to not all nicknames in school period for all students.  After all, that was the name chosen by the parents.  Again, REJECT THIS PROPOSAL!


Gov. Youngkin's proposal

          Good morning:

I am writing to express my wholehearted support for Gov. Youngkin's proposed changes.  Gov. Youngkin has the best interests of both parents and students. His proposed regulations give authority back to parents - where it rightfully belongs.  I believe that Virginia can be a model to the rest of the nation with respect to the issues addressed in the proposed regulations.  Thank you, Gov. Youngkin!


oppose policies, protect our children

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<p>my son has been struggling with school ever since hes come out to me as transgender, one month it was very bad and every day he would come home sobbing to me about how no one was there for him, everyone was mean and no one understood, i was the only person in his life that had any respect for him. if glenn youngkin wants children to be extremely depressed then this policy is definitely going to achieve. trans children are already more likely to be depressed and commit suicide. why do we oppose science and kill our children? save them </p>


I support Gov Younkin's changes whole heartedly

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I support Governor Younkin's proposals to overhaul transgender policies for students in public schools. Parental involvement is imperative in all aspects of a child's life, development and education. Parents should be made aware of any issues concerning  their children, including any questions about their gender identity.

All students should be protected from being subjected to transgender children's issues including "fluidity, regarding bathroom usage, showers, and lodging for away events.  The health, safety, and rights of all students must be paramount, not only those of the minority.


Oppose

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I oppose the new guidance.


STRONGLY OPPOSE

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Trans kids are humans that deserve human rights, respect, and to make the choices that make them most comfortable. They are not hurting anyone and it is hateful and close minded to strip them of their human rights.


SUPPORT

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<p>I support Governor Youngkin's pro-parent policies! </p>


Strongly oppose these proposed policies

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For some students, schools are the only place they can be their most authentic selves.  If school employees have to out trans or gender nonconforming students, they may be putting those kids in danger.  Not everyone has an accepting home.

Additionally, some parts of these policies are just unworkable.  Who decides if a nickname is close enough to a legal name to be used?  What will the process be?  What avenues for appeal will there be?  What school officials have time to deal with that nonsense?


Support for Trans Kids

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Trans Kids need to be supported.  They don't need the government trying to block that support.


These comments have incorrect definitions and cannot be adopted

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The 2022 Model Policies define far fewer terms regarding gender identity than the 2021 Model Policies. The 2021 Model Policies defined eleven scientifically-backed and LGBTQ+-inclusive terms surrounding gender identity. The 2022 Model Policies define only two terms regarding gender identity: “sex” and “transgender student.”

Neither of these definitions meet the evidence-based best practices as is required in Va. Code § 22.1-23.3(A). Sex is defined as “biological sex” in the 2022 Model Policies. The 2022 Model Policies also define “transgender student” as “a public school student whose parent has requested in writing, due to their child’s persistent and sincere belief that his or her gender differs with his or her sex, that their child be so identified while at school.” Both these definitions use outdated and scientifically incorrect terminology in defining the trans identity. The 2022 Model Policies’ definitions and terminology cannot meet the evidence-based best practices requirement.

Notably, the 2022 Model Policies define being trans as depending on parents’ recognition instead of the student’s self-identification. They further call being trans the student’s “belief” which reinforces the false narrative that being trans is a choice as opposed to a deeply held knowledge and realization of one’s identity. It further operates on a male/female binary by using the term “his or her” that is demonstrably and scientifically false as it erases the existence of intersex and nonbinary people. This shift in definitions completely strips trans children of the self-determination of their identity in Virginia’s public schools.

This is wrong because it does not respect that gender identity is something that someone knows and creates for themselves.
This affects my friends who are currently students in Virginia Public Schools as I have been a Virginia public school student for nearly 20 years and made gender expansive and trans friends during that 20 year career. They deserve equal access to a public education that I have been receiving since I began kindergarten in Virginia public schools.

For these reasons, I ask you to repeal the 2022 Model Policies and reinstate the 2021 Model Policies.


Oppose the proposed transgender policy

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<p>As a physician I do not support the proposed policy towards transgender students. While being promoted as a way to protect the right of parents the policy doesn’t protect the rights of the students.  The proposed policy endangers the lives of children. LGBTQA+ youth suffer from discrimination and in turn have higher rates of suicide. Outing children against their will is inhumane. </p>


STRONGLY OPPOSE

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I strongly oppose these 2022 proposed policies and that our trans and non-binary youth will NOT be erased, and that they belong and deserve to thrive in our communites.


Strongly Oppose

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I am writing today to share my extreme opposition to the proposed policies. They will only bring harm to trans and non-binary youth and the people who love them. Creating intentional obstacles for young people to have gender affirming care in school, one of the biggest facets of their lives, is shameful. Young people deserve to safely explore and express their identities in all places, and it is not the state’s place to define or put limits on any person’s identity. This proposal must not pass.


I SUPPORT TRANSGENDER & NON BINARY YOUTH IN VIRGINIA

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I support Transgender & Non Binary Youth in VA.  The Governor's proposed regulation is disrespectful towards the lives of children who are vulnerable to bullying, depression, and suicide. It is self-serving and wreckless.

Sandy Glotfelty

10308 Collingham Drive

Fairfax, VA  22032


Oppose

among the many issues here, I'd like to cite 3:First, this is literally a matter of life and death. Suicide rates among trans students are high and public polices that make life even more difficult for these kids can only exacerbate that problem. Anyone who claims to be pro-life should support policies affirming it-- not extinguishing it.Second, I understood that Gov. Y supported parental rights in school. But his policy contradicts that, by encouraging teachers to override the express wishes of parents who support their trans kids. Third, the job of a public school teacher today is already extremely difficult. A policy that pressures teachers to override the wishes of parents and students makes the job even more burdensome. For life, for parental rights and for supporting teachers, I believe Youngkin's policy is damaging and misguided.

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<span data-sheets-userformat='{"2":769,"3":{"1":0},"11":4,"12":0}' data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"among the many issues here, I'd like to cite 3:\nFirst, this is literally a matter of life and death.  Suicide rates among trans students are high and public polices that make life even more difficult for these kids can only exacerbate that problem.  Anyone who claims to be pro-life should support policies affirming it-- not extinguishing it.\n\nSecond, I understood that Gov. Y supported parental rights in school.  But his policy contradicts that, by encouraging teachers to override the express wishes of parents who support their trans kids.  \n\nThird, the job of a public school teacher today is already extremely difficult. A policy that pressures teachers to override the wishes of parents and students makes the job even more burdensome.  \n\nFor life, for parental rights and for supporting teachers, I believe Youngkin's policy is damaging and misguided."}">among the many issues here, I'd like to cite 3:
First, this is literally a matter of life and death. Suicide rates among trans students are high and public polices that make life even more difficult for these kids can only exacerbate that problem. Anyone who claims to be pro-life should support policies affirming it-- not extinguishing it.

Second, I understood that Gov. Y supported parental rights in school. But his policy contradicts that, by encouraging teachers to override the express wishes of parents who support their trans kids.

Third, the job of a public school teacher today is already extremely difficult. A policy that pressures teachers to override the wishes of parents and students makes the job even more burdensome.

For life, for parental rights and for supporting teachers, I believe Youngkin's policy is damaging and misguided.