Oppose in the Strongest Possible Terms

Alex (I work for an employer based in Virginia)

The proposed regulation is equal parts poor policy, poor understanding of the law, and poor execution of the VA constitution. Forcing agents of the state- in this case, educators and school staff- to put the lives and well-being of children at risk in the name of "parental rights" is at best tactless, and at worst, evil.
There are likely enough emotional and experiential arguments being levied against the proposed regulation, hence I will rely on the law. The rule change in question would violate principally 1) Section 1 of the Virginia Bill of Rights, and 2) United States Supreme Court Precedent vested in Tinker v Des Moines, and affirmed in Morse v Frederick.
Section 1 of the Virginia Bill of Rights states that "That all men are by nature equally free and independent and have certain inherent rights, of which, when they enter into a state of society, they cannot, by any compact, deprive or divest their posterity; namely, the enjoyment of life and liberty, with the means of acquiring and possessing property, and pursuing and obtaining happiness and safety." Effectively, all persons entering the "state of society" of Virginia, have the ingrained, and un-assailable right to life, freedom, and whatever brings them happiness, and safety. Does the Governor's Office truly believe that this right does not extend to students in the classroom? Is denial of the right to use the facilities one most feels comfortable with the fair exercise of a Virginian's guarantee to liberty, and personal safety?
How would the Governor feel if he were a Virginia student, and the school and his parents were insistent by calling him by his middle name, "Allen?" Would Allen- sorry Glenn- sorry, Governor Youngkin sit back and let that continue? No, the argument that would be made before courts is that his name is "Glenn," he goes by "Glenn," and he's not "Allen Youngkin," even though his parents might think so. Are you truly to deny Virginians the basic freedom to identify themselves, as guaranteed- again- by your own bill of rights. "All persons have the right to freedom and whatever brings them Happiness and Safety." What if, in this hypothetical, Youngkin felt unsafe using the name "Allen," or if it brought him great personal or emotional distress? "Allen was the name of the uncle that got drunk one night and ate my favorite horse." Why would we insist that we retraumatize Governor Youngkin in remembrance of his beloved pony? Is that not the state denying him his basic rights?
The next argument: The Supreme Court of the United States has twice affirmed the rights of students in similar circumstances as per Tinker v. Des Moines, and Morse v. Frederick. In Tinker, SCOTUS found that students have the right to "express their rights to free speech, so long as it does not interrupt the due course of education." This was modified in Morse, because "bong hits 4 Jesus" likely interrupts the due course of education, in that having a banner that says "do drugs" at a school-sanctioned event, interferes with the due course of learning. Likewise, forcing a student to use the facilities or the name- that as stated above, would cause serious emotional harm- interferes with that student's ability to participate in the due course of education.
I know where the counterargument will come from, and allow me to dismantle it in the clearest way I can: a transgender or gender non-conforming student using the restroom that closely corresponds with their identity, or using the name and pronouns that do the same, does not interfere with the school's ability to teach. The people who say "well what about people who lie about being transgender so they can be creeps in the bathroom" appear to lack the facilities to understand that they'll be able to tell when someone's lying about their identity so they can be creeps. A trans kid that wants to pee is a trans kid that wants to pee. The state (commonwealth, whatever) has no business in needlessly over-policing that student on the assumption that they MIGHT be stating that to do something malicious. Or does the presumption of innocence not apply to transgender Virginians? The over-policing of a student's identity represents the clearer and more present threat to their ability to learn. The state is more than capable of adequately identifying and punishing people who abuse the system, and the assumption of good faith.
As far as the "role of the parent" goes in this argument, the aforementioned court cases affirm the dual roles of the state in taking care of children when educating them, and what the roles of parents are. The assumption is that the school will take care of a child's basic needs- food, shelter, safety, and the rights granted to them by state, local, and national law. The reality herein, is that the role of a "parent" changes when a child is at school. Fulfillment of basic needs still applies- but because the school is an agent of government, it must afford the student the rights that government guarantees: life, liberty, health, and safety among them.
To use the earlier analogy, Governor Youngkin's parents insisting that his name is "Allen" is of no issue to the state, when it is out of the jurisdiction of the state. However, as soon as the Governor steps into a public school, he is, by extension, under the care of the state. Hence, the state cannot levy discomfort and emotional harm to him by insisting that his name is "Allen," forcing him to re-live the trauma of finding his succulent slow-roasted pony that fateful day.
In summary, the regulation proposal is bad. Like, really bad. For these basic reasons:
1) it will cause undue and unnecessary harm to students that
2) likely violates the VA bill of rights, insofar as it denies the rights to liberty and the pursuit of happiness, and
3) likely violates SCOTUS precedent in that the policing of a student's identity denies the right to an education as affirmed in Tinker and Morse.
As a point of personal privilege, I would like to address the Governor directly. Mr. Youngkin, I don't know who is in your ear saying that you can become a Senator, or a Cabinet Official, or the President of the United States, but they are lying to you. Yes, they are lying to you. You're a wealthy guy- I'll give you that, you'll probably see more money in the next couple of years than I can even imagine touching in my lifetime. But you need to fire the consultants who say that pandering to the most vile elements of the right-wing, and levying violence on children- children in MY community- is politically good for you. You are not going to do well in the 2024 or 2028 Republican Primary. You're going to finish a distant second or third place in New Hampshire on 10, 11 percent, because the GOP heart wants what it wants- and it wants Donald Trump again, or it wants Ron DeSantis. Hell, maybe even Ivanka or Don Jr. It doesn't want Glenn Youngkin. They're going to see you as an out of touch rich guy from a liberal state. Yes, Virginia is a purplish state, but you're going to be given the same treatment as my governor, Larry Hogan. You're already a RINO. You're already old news, a guy who just doesn't get it. Spare yourself the embarrassment and the guilt, and take a lesson from your Republican Governor colleague a state away. Heed the advice of a Spencer Cox, an Eric Holcomb, hell even a Doug Burgum, in understanding that there is no business of the state levying due harm on the people it is called upon to serve. Bear witness to the good nature of everyday Americans, who just want people to live their everyday lives. Be the better person, or be swallowed by the maelstrom of evil that envelops all who think they can tame the jungle that is the eschatology of the 25 percenters. The choice, ultimately, is yours, Governor. Don't hurt kids.
AlexSilver Spring, Maryland

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The proposed regulation is equal parts poor policy, poor understanding of the law, and poor execution of the VA constitution. Forcing agents of the state- in this case, educators and school staff- to put the lives and well-being of children at risk in the name of "parental rights" is at best tactless, and at worst, evil.

There are likely enough emotional and experiential arguments being levied against the proposed regulation, hence I will rely on the law. The rule change in question would violate principally 1) Section 1 of the Virginia Bill of Rights, and 2) United States Supreme Court Precedent vested in Tinker v Des Moines, and affirmed in Morse v Frederick.

Section 1 of the Virginia Bill of Rights states that "That all men are by nature equally free and independent and have certain inherent rights, of which, when they enter into a state of society, they cannot, by any compact, deprive or divest their posterity; namely, the enjoyment of life and liberty, with the means of acquiring and possessing property, and pursuing and obtaining happiness and safety." Effectively, all persons entering the "state of society" of Virginia, have the ingrained, and un-assailable right to life, freedom, and whatever brings them happiness, and safety. Does the Governor's Office truly believe that this right does not extend to students in the classroom? Is denial of the right to use the facilities one most feels comfortable with the fair exercise of a Virginian's guarantee to liberty, and personal safety?

How would the Governor feel if he were a Virginia student, and the school and his parents were insistent by calling him by his middle name, "Allen?" Would Allen- sorry Glenn- sorry, Governor Youngkin sit back and let that continue? No, the argument that would be made before courts is that his name is "Glenn," he goes by "Glenn," and he's not "Allen Youngkin," even though his parents might think so. Are you truly to deny Virginians the basic freedom to identify themselves, as guaranteed- again- by your own bill of rights. "All persons have the right to freedom and whatever brings them Happiness and Safety." What if, in this hypothetical, Youngkin felt unsafe using the name "Allen," or if it brought him great personal or emotional distress? "Allen was the name of the uncle that got drunk one night and ate my favorite horse." Why would we insist that we retraumatize Governor Youngkin in remembrance of his beloved pony? Is that not the state denying him his basic rights?

The next argument: The Supreme Court of the United States has twice affirmed the rights of students in similar circumstances as per Tinker v. Des Moines, and Morse v. Frederick. In Tinker, SCOTUS found that students have the right to "express their rights to free speech, so long as it does not interrupt the due course of education." This was modified in Morse, because "bong hits 4 Jesus" likely interrupts the due course of education, in that having a banner that says "do drugs" at a school-sanctioned event, interferes with the due course of learning. Likewise, forcing a student to use the facilities or the name- that as stated above, would cause serious emotional harm- interferes with that student's ability to participate in the due course of education.

I know where the counterargument will come from, and allow me to dismantle it in the clearest way I can: a transgender or gender non-conforming student using the restroom that closely corresponds with their identity, or using the name and pronouns that do the same, does not interfere with the school's ability to teach. The people who say "well what about people who lie about being transgender so they can be creeps in the bathroom" appear to lack the facilities to understand that they'll be able to tell when someone's lying about their identity so they can be creeps. A trans kid that wants to pee is a trans kid that wants to pee. The state (commonwealth, whatever) has no business in needlessly over-policing that student on the assumption that they MIGHT be stating that to do something malicious. Or does the presumption of innocence not apply to transgender Virginians? The over-policing of a student's identity represents the clearer and more present threat to their ability to learn. The state is more than capable of adequately identifying and punishing people who abuse the system, and the assumption of good faith.

As far as the "role of the parent" goes in this argument, the aforementioned court cases affirm the dual roles of the state in taking care of children when educating them, and what the roles of parents are. The assumption is that the school will take care of a child's basic needs- food, shelter, safety, and the rights granted to them by state, local, and national law. The reality herein, is that the role of a "parent" changes when a child is at school. Fulfillment of basic needs still applies- but because the school is an agent of government, it must afford the student the rights that government guarantees: life, liberty, health, and safety among them.

To use the earlier analogy, Governor Youngkin's parents insisting that his name is "Allen" is of no issue to the state, when it is out of the jurisdiction of the state. However, as soon as the Governor steps into a public school, he is, by extension, under the care of the state. Hence, the state cannot levy discomfort and emotional harm to him by insisting that his name is "Allen," forcing him to re-live the trauma of finding his succulent slow-roasted pony that fateful day.

In summary, the regulation proposal is bad. Like, really bad. For these basic reasons:

1) it will cause undue and unnecessary harm to students that

2) likely violates the VA bill of rights, insofar as it denies the rights to liberty and the pursuit of happiness, and

3) likely violates SCOTUS precedent in that the policing of a student's identity denies the right to an education as affirmed in Tinker and Morse.

As a point of personal privilege, I would like to address the Governor directly. Mr. Youngkin, I don't know who is in your ear saying that you can become a Senator, or a Cabinet Official, or the President of the United States, but they are lying to you. Yes, they are lying to you. You're a wealthy guy- I'll give you that, you'll probably see more money in the next couple of years than I can even imagine touching in my lifetime. But you need to fire the consultants who say that pandering to the most vile elements of the right-wing, and levying violence on children- children in MY community- is politically good for you. You are not going to do well in the 2024 or 2028 Republican Primary. You're going to finish a distant second or third place in New Hampshire on 10, 11 percent, because the GOP heart wants what it wants- and it wants Donald Trump again, or it wants Ron DeSantis. Hell, maybe even Ivanka or Don Jr. It doesn't want Glenn Youngkin. They're going to see you as an out of touch rich guy from a liberal state. Yes, Virginia is a purplish state, but you're going to be given the same treatment as my governor, Larry Hogan. You're already a RINO. You're already old news, a guy who just doesn't get it. Spare yourself the embarrassment and the guilt, and take a lesson from your Republican Governor colleague a state away. Heed the advice of a Spencer Cox, an Eric Holcomb, hell even a Doug Burgum, in understanding that there is no business of the state levying due harm on the people it is called upon to serve. Bear witness to the good nature of everyday Americans, who just want people to live their everyday lives. Be the better person, or be swallowed by the maelstrom of evil that envelops all who think they can tame the jungle that is the eschatology of the 25 percenters. The choice, ultimately, is yours, Governor. Don't hurt kids.

Alex
Silver Spring, Maryland


Strongly oppose

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<p>I strongly oppose this effort to harm vulnerable kids for political gain. </p>


trans kids deserve respect

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it costs zero dollars to allow trans kids to be themselves. it costs zero dollars to call trans children by the name and pronouns they want. there is absolutely no reason for these guidelines except to reinforce hate. trans kids deserve hope and respect.


Oppose

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These policies are going to make sure that the most vulnerable children will end up depressed, bullied, or worse. Vouching for this bill is cruelty nothing short of unspeakable.


Oppose this horrible legislation!

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This policy is harmful to trans kids and families. I am a youth development researcher with first hand knowledge of how these types of policies contribute to depression, anxiety, and suicidality for trans students. All students deserve to feel safe, respected, and experience a sense of belonging at school. Teachers and school staff also deserve to be able to provide a positive school climate for their students. I absolutely oppose this harmful legislation.


Strongly oppose

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I think Governor Youngkin's proposed policy affecting trans students in Virginia schools is a vast overreach. Why is it the business of the governor to discourage anyone, at any age, from experimenting with their gender expression? Trans people aren't hurting anybody, they're just trying to live their lives. If the parents of their fellow students have a problem with their own non-trans kids being exposed to this- a fear that I don't think is reasonable to act on, you can't hide the world from your kid forever- they can change schools or homeschool. I'm willing to bet my next paycheck that the problem is all the parents' and the kids don't care much; kids are resilient and open-minded. Maybe the parents making such a big stink about the possibility of their kid ever coming into contact with a trans person are just afraid they won't have complete control anymore over whose humanity and dignity their child is capable of seeing and accepting. Trans people are PEOPLE. Governor Youngkin should not seek to restrict individual liberty like this, especially in our PUBLIC schools.


oppose


STRONGLY OPPOSE

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<p>As a Virginia mother, I strongly oppose this policy. Trans kids should be respected and supported in a learning environment. This is a backwards policy that seems hateful and geared towards earning  political points with bigots to further the Governor’s national aspirations, not what is best for the school children in the state. Virginia’s kids deserve better. </p>


Support the 2022 policy

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The new policy returns some balance to the treatment of all children in our education system. The requirements for recognition of transgender status are not onerous, but rightly involve the parents as well as the child. These policies recognize that non transgender students also have rights - including the right to bodily privacy. No general locker room, group showers, lodgings, or other such facilities should require a child of one sex to be exposed to or in front of a child of the other sex, regardless of the chosen gender identity. The 2022 policy factors in the nature of many school facilities and the need to protect the individual rights of all students. In addition, the requirement to include parents in any accommodations is a protection to the child - just as requiring parental consent prior to medical treatment or even being out of school for an activity.

The 2021 policy was geared to enlarge the role of teachers in guiding children - regardless of parental choice. This needed to be changed for the good of families.


We have bigger things to worry about

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We have more important issues in this state to worry about than taking support away from a minority group of children.  I understand pandering wins elections but let's focus on making this state better not this garbage.


Strongly oppose

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Policies that take back the existing rights of children are cruel and politically-motivated, not done with evidenced-based consideration of the best interests of the children. Youngkin’s proposed policy will hurt children’s mental and physical health, and potentially lead to the cascading effects of bullying, including increased suicides, all of which can be avoided.


Conservatives Are Despicable Transphobic Slobs

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<p>Let trans children handle their own identity and continue to support their transitioning. The fact that you insane monsters continue to meddle in the affairs of children’s sexuality is proof to me that children’s genitals are always on your minds. </p>


This attack on trans people is immoral

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<p>This is big government getting in the way of individual rights. Also Jesus loves everyone </p>


Unnecessary and incredibly harmful

Why are you going out of your way to ostracize a bunch of emotionally vulnerable young people who've done nothing wrong to you?This is a myopic, cynical plan that does nothing but turn a bunch of young people who need support and help into "the other." Everyone involved with drafting this should be ashamed of themselves.

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Why are you going out of your way to ostracize a bunch of emotionally vulnerable young people who've done nothing wrong to you?

This is a myopic, cynical plan that does nothing but turn a bunch of young people who need support and help into "the other." Everyone involved with drafting this should be ashamed of themselves.


I agree with Youngkin!


Strongly oppose

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<p>Forcibly outing kids to their parents is a terrible and dangerous idea. This will not help trans youth and will only help transphobic parents in harming their kids physically and emotionally. </p>


Protect Trans Kids

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<p>I strongly oppose this policy. I stand in support trans and all LGBTQIA youth. </p>


Opposing this harmful measure

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I'm writing to voice my strong opposition to this measure which will only bring further harm to already vulnerable and marginalized kids. We should be doing all we can to protect young trans people in meaningful ways by welcoming their full participation in school and society, and guaranteeing their access to affirming care. Curtailing the rights and abilities of trans kids, their parents, and doctors foes nothing to protect anyone, and will ultimately cost lives.  The only reason for this kind of legislation is to build political power on fear and ignorance, using conservative voters as pawns in much the sane way the kids themselves are being used. It is craven and vampiric, and will be remembered as corrupt and manipulative. Build a legacy of real care, not phony concern, and trash this bill.


Strongly support.

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This is a common sense approach and makes realistic accommodation for the 1% of our population who are transgender and without taking parents out of the educational process to do so!


Strongly oppose

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As a Virginia resident I would like to express my absolute disgust with the newest education policy guidelines regarding transgender youth. I am sickened to see the safety and education of Virginia’s children being scarified to score cheap political points. This is a blatant attempt by the state to invade the lives of marginalized children and their parents. This is also a blatant attack on the public school system which has always been founded on being open and accommodating to all.

This is change in policy is nothing more than attempt to further demonize and politicize the very existence of trans youth in Virginia schools.

The Virginian government and the department of education should be ashamed of itself for favoring the political ambitions of our governor over the safety and education of our children


Please don't allow "gender affirming" surgery!!

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Hello, I would like to comment on the proposal for transgender policy in our school system.  No human has ever changed their gender or altered it in the slightest. Chromosomes determine gender at conception. One's gender is expressed in every cell in one's body. There's no way to change one's chromosomes. So the scientific reality is that the 'transgender' movement is a FRAUD. Kids should not be taught the falsehood that their gender is fluid or flexible.

An even more serious problem is the fact that Biden's administration has okayed "gender affirming" surgery. This is a very dangerous and damaging procedure that should be outlawed in all cases. There's no way to affect one's gender through surgery! That's an absolute fiction. All surgical alterations are COSMETIC ONLY! And they have many negative side-effects, including sterility. Please outlaw this surgery!

Thank you, Joe Silva


This is ridiculous and dangerous!!

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<p>Stop singling out trans people and trying to put a chokehold on their rights! Everybody deserves autonomy and the right to live their life comfortably. Trans rights are human rights. </p>


STRONGLY OPPOSE

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<p>I strongly oppose Governor Youngkin's policy regarding Trans kids.  These policies hurt children. The only reason he's doing this is so he can run for President in 2024.  It's sick to use kids as political props to score points with the Fox News crowd. Do your actual job instead of touring around the country propping up election deniers and coming up with these ridiculous policies! </p>


Strongly oppose / Trans kids deserve respect and safety

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<p>It is deeply inhumane to target trans and nonbinary people who are simply trying to live safely as their full selves. It is also deeply sinister and harmful to present queer people of ANY age as threats, particularly those who are most at risk of violence and stigma. I vehemently oppose this policy -- we should be protecting trans and queer people, not demonizing them and denying them fundamental rights. </p>


PROTECT TRANS KIDS

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This is just cruel to trans kids. this helps no one. STRONGLY OPPOSED


Strongly oppose

Stop feeding into the fear and paranoia of uninformed and misguided people.Trans rights are human rights. Help ALL children to feel safe in their own identity. And let the ignorant adults learn about compassion for ALL people.

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Stop feeding into the fear and paranoia of uninformed and misguided people.
Trans rights are human rights.
Help ALL children to feel safe in their own identity.
And let the ignorant adults learn about compassion for ALL people.


Oppose

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<p>Unnecessary and unhelpful. All children need to feel safe in school. This creates exclusion and cuts support systems for children who need it. </p>


Schools are for education, not social engineering

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How about schools get back to teaching kids the 3 R’s and actual life skills?


Strongly agree with the Governor

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The rights of students not wanting to use the same bathroom/locker room with biologically different sexes have been dismissed. Or don't their rights matter anymore.

What qualifies a teacher to tell a student they are gay, trans or anything.

Portions of the government are trying to remove parents from raising their own children. It has to stop.


Good job! Parents Are In Charge

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<p>Thank for you this much needed change. It is vital that we support parents and protect kids from activists attempting to influence children away from the instructions of their parents. </p>


Strongly Support.


Strongly oppose. Support trans children

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Trans kids exist. It’s just a fact. Attempting to legislate them out of existence is bigoted and narrow and most important severely damaging to these children. Please support children and oppose Youngkin’s guidance.


I vehemently oppose the governor’s discriminatory policy

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<p>Trans kids deserve to feel safe while attending school </p>


Strongly Support

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It is the PARENTS who are the rightful caregivers of their children. I strongly support Gov Younkins efforts on this matter and wish for schools to concentrate on EDUCATION!


Strongly oppose this anti-LBGTQ+ policy

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Reversing existing human rights policy and law as proposed by the Governor will harm students. There are substantial mental health benefits associated with using the pronouns and names people prefer. Intentionally disrespecting pronouns s d deadnaming students will increase depression, anxiety and suicidal ideation.
Simply put, respecting the preferred names and pronouns of students are powerful suicide tools. Do not inflict harm on our children by reversing established rights.


Protect trans kids

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Trans rights are human rights and children’s feelings and right to live as themselves should be protected. Human and lgbtqia+ rights should be taught and present in schools.

taking away kids’ rights to be themselves can be detrimental to their health. 82% of transgender individuals have considered killing themselves and 40% have attempted suicide.

if you’ve chosen to be a parent you have promised to love your child no matter what, so don’t reject them for trying to be who they are


Protect trans youth, don't attack them

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<p>As the parent of a trans young adult who came out at the age of 12, I know that if we'd lived under the cruel rules put forward by Youngkin, my son would not have survived. We also house three additional young trans adults who were made homeless by unsupportive parents years ago - and they were lucky to make it out alive. Life is incredibly hard for most trans youth - and small-minded bigots like Youngkin are just looking to score political points by painting a target on the backs of an already-suffering group of kids. Shame. Shame. Shame. </p>


Oppose

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I oppose this absolutely. Trans children should be protected, not outed. You have no idea or comprehension the danger you’re putting these children in by doing this.


End discrimination against transgender students

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Restore the 2021 Model Policies. Transgender students are human beings and deserve to be treated with the same dignity and respect as all other students. Enforcing policies that prevent them from being addressed by their preferred name and pronoun and forcing them to use inappropriate restrooms is equivalent to enforcing policies the require that cisgender students be misgendered, referred to by names other than their own, and forcing them to use bathrooms they wouldn't chose to. It is child abuse. It is intentional cruelty. The 2022 Model Policies are far more guilty of forcing a political ideology on staff, students, and parents, than the previous one. They promote oppression and harm to the oppressed. They do no good for any decent or moral person.

There are no grounds for discriminating against transgender people.


Mind your own business

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Mind your own business you ing s.  republicans.


Strongly oppose!!!

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<p>As a parent I am appalled that this policy is being suggested. It is malicious and cruel to target trans youth. They deserve our protection! I oppose this policy! </p>


Stop this unevidenced pogrom against TGD youth

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The proposed replacement of sensible, evidence based model policy for the treatment of transgender and gender-diverse children (TGD) in schools is without scientific merit and will lead to lasting harm and death. The proposal, offered entirely without evidential support, appears to be the result of politicians attempting to curry favor by sacrificing a vulnerable and powerless minority to bigots in exchange for their support. Not only should this proposal be rejected, everyone involved in drafting it should be subjected youth to Nuremberg-style trials.

The World Professional Association of Transgender Health (WPATH) has released standards of care (SoC) based on a thorough review of the available evidence concerning TGD persons (https://www.wpath.org/soc8). This guidance is at odds with nearly every aspect of the proposed model policy.

Where the WPATH SoC regonizes the importance of respecting individuals' chosen names and pronouns, the model policy forces deadnaming and misgendering for some TGD youth and allows deadnaming and misgendering by any member of staff who feels like it.

Where the WPATH SoC reccomends that "institutional personnel establish housing policies that ensure the safety of TGD residents without segregating or isolating these individuals," the proposed guidance takes a separate and unequal approach, attempting to relegate TGD youth to either wrong-gender-associated facilities or isolated facilities that would only serve to stigmatize youth who use them.

Where the WPATH SoC notes that youth with unsupportive parents might require care from third parties, the model guidance aims to let bigoted parents prohibit TGD children from even expressing their gender identity openly at school. The SoC elaborates: "Helping youth and parent(s)/caregiver(s) work together on important gender care decisions is a primary goal. However, in some cases, parent(s)/caregiver(s) may be too rejecting of their adolescent child and their child’s gender needs to be part of the clinical evaluation process. In these situations, youth may require the engagement of larger systems of advocacy and support to move forward with the necessary support and care."

Promoting the opposite of an evidence-based policy will have disastrous effects for Virginia's TGD youth. Again, per the SoC: "Russell et al. (2018) found mental health improvement increases with more acceptance and affirmation across more settings (e.g., home, school, work, and friends). Rejection by family, peers, and school staff (e.g., intentionally using the name and pronoun the youth does not identify with, not acknowledging affirmed gender identity, bullying, harassment, verbal and physical abuse, poor relationships, rejection for being TGD, eviction) was strongly linked to negative outcomes, such as anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, and substance use (Grossman et al., 2005; Klein & Golub; 2016; Pariseau et al., 2019; Peng et al., 2019; Reisner, Greytak et al., 2015; Roberts et al., 2013). It is important to be aware that negative symptoms increase with increased levels of rejection and continue into adulthood (Roberts et al., 2013)"

This proposal clearly violates the Virginia code's requirement for an evidence-based policy. Since the proposed policy can only harm TGD youth for no conceivable benefit, it is reasonable to conclude that it commits that harm deliberately. The people who had anything to do with formulating this should be removed and forever banned from holding any positions of power: they have faced a moral test and failed spectacularly, whether by instigating this violence towards TGD youth or by failing to prevent it.


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Trans kids have the right to feel safe at school!!!


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<p>I'm devastated by any threat to trans and non binary students, and heartbroken to live in a place where it is possible. Students should be treated with respect, called by their chosen name, and be able to participate in extracurriculars. Trans and non binary students need a safe space to thrive and build a future we all can be a part of, I am opposed to this action by our governor.  </p>


Transphobia has no place in law.

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This move is nothing more than an attempt to make the lives of LGBT youth more difficult than they already are. It is not even barbaric, it is calculated cruelty designed to force young people back into the closet because small minded angry reactionaries cannot stomach the idea that some people have wildly different life experiences. This is not the 1820s, we should not shackle ourselves to the whims of a society that refuses to learn and grow.


Strongly oppose: attack on freedom and liberty

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Hello Governor,

Your restriction of the rights and freedoms of transgender individuals is anti American and immoral. Your party claims to be the party of small government and freedom, and yet this restriction is big government and will cost more money to put these restrictions in place. You identify as a Republican, and your party supports the rights of Christians and their right to identify as such, which there is no scientific evidence that Christianity is biological. You are going to get innocent people killed, as the rate of suicide of transgender teens is way too high, and the cause of it is lack of support from parents and the community. Transgender people are shown to improve in their happiness level when they are shown support. Biological sex by itself does exist but there is nothing biological that forces women to act feminine and men to act masculine. Jesus would not support your transgression against the trans youth of Virginia.


This policy doesn't protect children

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I fail to see how this policy does anything but put children in harm's way. This is just playing politics with vulnerable kids--Youngkin is making children's lives political because he is greedy and he is ambitious. Please don't let his moral failings cloud your judgment.


Strongly oppose

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This policy is cruel.  All LGBT+ kids should feel safe in their schools.  They should expect that their teachers and administrators will treat them with kindness and respect.  They should expect the same from their fellow classmates.

Allowing a teacher to mis-gender or deadname a student because of free speech rights is asinine.  Would it be OK for a teacher to refer to a student with the “n” word because the teacher has free speech rights?  An absolutely ridiculous contention.

This policy will harm students.  It is misguided and mean.  I strongly oppose this policy.


VEHEMENTLY OPPOSE ERASURE

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<p>This new model policy does nothing to supposedly “protect parents rights” as some of these commentators claim. It will in fact do the opposite. It will endanger trans kids and have a statewide chilling effect on kids discovering who in a safe environment. You have blood on your hands </p>


Teachers don’t want this

Teachers are trained in child care and development. Respectfully, sometimes (emphasis on some) we know your children a bit better than you do and know what will be conducive to their learning. If a student is shrouded by anxiety over gender or body dysmorphia, it may impede their willingness to participate or to socialize, and eventually could lead to serious mental health crises. I’m certain you would rather have your child alive than dead because you couldn’t possibly let them have some say in their own identity at school.Students are not accompanied by their parents at school (but rather are surrounded by their friends) and often act like a “truer” version of themselves. They are learning to be individuals in this setting, and learning what their boundaries are and what their identities and morals will become. Let them continue this exploration and trust that the teachers and administration will notify you if anything truly disturbing or out of line happens.
Teachers care. Teachers want your children to succeed. We want your children to feel safe and comfortable in school, and we want to focus on the actual learning rather than worry about who is using which pronouns.

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Teachers are trained in child care and development. Respectfully, sometimes (emphasis on some) we know your children a bit better than you do and know what will be conducive to their learning. If a student is shrouded by anxiety over gender or body dysmorphia, it may impede their willingness to participate or to socialize, and eventually could lead to serious mental health crises. I’m certain you would rather have your child alive than dead because you couldn’t possibly let them have some say in their own identity at school.
Students are not accompanied by their parents at school (but rather are surrounded by their friends) and often act like a “truer” version of themselves. They are learning to be individuals in this setting, and learning what their boundaries are and what their identities and morals will become. Let them continue this exploration and trust that the teachers and administration will notify you if anything truly disturbing or out of line happens.

Teachers care. Teachers want your children to succeed. We want your children to feel safe and comfortable in school, and we want to focus on the actual learning rather than worry about who is using which pronouns.


Trans rights are human rights

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Schools should be a safe place for children to express and explore their identities. Allowing them autonomy over their names and pronouns hurts nobody. This policy will kill children.


Shameful and hateful

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As someone who had previously been seriously considering a move to Virginia, this policy now makes it an undesirable place to live. I would be ashamed to know that my elected representatives have so much hate in their hearts, and I see it as my duty to protect children, all children. What you propose is the opposite of protection. Transgender children not only exist, but deserve love, support through a variety of means, and a community that not only acknowledges their existence but celebrates it.

Anyone competent in simple and basic research who hasn’t been poisoned by conspiracy theorists can see that no young children are being given hormones or offered surgery, that puberty blockers have been used for decades in the case of precocious puberty with no ill effects, that only a small minority of children identifying as transgender change their mind and that they experience no damage from the freedom of self-determination,, that children who are supported are less likely to experience major mental health crises, and that the movement to mark the transgender community as groomers is nothing more than a self-revealing bid by the far-right to pin blame on a community they don’t understand. We have more cases of ELECTED MALE OFFICIALS committing assault and misconduct in single-sex bathrooms than we do cases of people pretending to be transgender for the purpose of assaulting women and girls in any same-sex bathrooms  Ask yourself why that is, and what values the right holds that could lead to this phenomenon.

Lastly, take a look deep down and ask yourself who is really protecting children, and who wants to keep their subjugated under their thumbs for further exploitation.

Luke 10:25-37


Support all Youth!

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This proposed law is terribly unfair and immoral. To force these laws upon these kids who are already having a hard enough time is incredibly dangerous and unfair.  We need to support trans youth and help them and anyway we can. Do not vote for laws that criminalize being trans!! The separation of church and state is one of the most important principals we have as a nation!


Strongly OPPOSE

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Glen Youngkin is using anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric and policies to rile up his political base. I strongly oppose this action that clearly stigmatizes and isolates our most vulnerable children, further placing their lives at risk. Protect trans kids.


Policy should not be implemented

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These model policies are crap. They are hateful, bigoted garbage. They will harm kids. They are illegal and unconstitutional. They should be rejected in their entirety and the 2021 model policies should continue to be used.

Children are human beings imbued with agency and with the right to determine their own identity; they are not property of their parents. Any education policy should begin with respect for students. These abominable policies would require educators to misgender, deadname, and out transgender kids--the opposite of respect.


Protect Trans Kids

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Every child should have the right to be safe in school, safe from bullying by other children and safe from bullying by teachers and administrative staff. Youngkin is proposing changes that make all of our children less safe, including those who are not trans or nonbinary. Any time a government allows or supports oppressing a group of people, bullying and violence follows. Bullying is harmful to transgender and nonbinary kids, obviously. But it's also bad for the children and adults who do the bullying, making it difficult for them to acquire healthy social skills and maintain healthy relationships that help them get better jobs and avoid prison.

The American Academy of Pediatrics and many other medical groups oppose discriminatory policies like Youngkin's because they know that transgender and nonbinary children need support from their parents and communities. Transgender and nonbinary children who are loved and supported have a much better chance to not only survive, but thrive. We must stop Youngkin from turning our schools into places where some children are forced to hide and some children are encouraged to bully others.


About time!!

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I 100 percent agree with the proposal!!!!!

Why do you think Youngkin won!!

Patents are speaking!!


Strongly Oppose

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<p>Strongly Oppose </p>


Strongly Oppose this hateful, cruel, childish bill

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I'm a new resident to Virginia, but I have been proud to call the Commonwealth my home for the past months that I've lived here. This bill is disguising discrimination in the language of "religious freedom", and if families feel they truly must raise their children in cruelty, they are more than welcome to pull their children from schools and educate them as they see fit away from us in the 21st century.

I see no need to stain the name of the Commonwealth in service to discrimination and hatred against children.

I oppose this bill and the hatred in the hearts of those who have presented it.


Strongly Oppose This Cruel & Unnecessary Policy

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"The Supreme Court has upheld the right for LGBTQ+ people to live and work without fear of harassment, exclusion, and discrimination – and our LGBTQ+ students have the same rights and deserve the same protections."**

This proposed policy is a cruel and unnecessary policy to restrict the rights of transgender students in Virginia. It serves no purpose beyond isolating a minority of students who are already at a higher risk for suicide and depression. There is no educational benefit to this policy, which violates of the spirit of Virginia's own law "passed on a bipartisan basis, that required the Department of Education to develop model policies — and later required all school districts to adopt versions of them — for the protection of transgender students."* In addition it violates the US Department of Education's guidance letter that Tittle IX protects students from discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

"The Department makes clear that all students—including LGBTQ+ students—deserve the opportunity to learn and thrive in schools that are free from discrimination...As OCR recently reported, LGBTQ+ students often face additional challenges in schools, including disproportionately experiencing persistent bullying, harassment, and victimization. ... Equity in education means all students have access to schools that allow them to learn and thrive in all aspects of their educational experience... it is essential that OCR acts to eliminate discrimination that targets LGBTQ+ students."

* Washington Post

** US Department of Education


Protect trans kids

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The proposed guidance puts trans kids in danger. Please leave unnecessary cruelty out of your politics and focus on solving real problems. Trans children deserve the same love, respect, and protection as cis-gender white kids.


This Policy Facilitates Child Abuse and Encourages Bullying

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This policy will force trans kids to undergo undue scrutiny and places many in an unsafe situation where they may be forcibly outed to transphobic parents. Furthermore, children frequently look to adults as examples, and if they see adults bullying trans kids by outing them to their parents, singling them out from their cisgender peers, and deadnaming and misgendering them, then children will feel empowered to do the same. Do not be facilitators of child abuse and bullying. Oppose this dreadful and sadistic policy.


This will make climate change even worse!!!!1


Trans kids deserve dignity!

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OPPOSE POLICIES THAT HURT TRANS KIDS!


Oppose

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There is no point to this other than Cruelty.  And the extension of this thinking is intolerance and hatred and more invasion of privacy.  It is enacting a restriction for a problem that does not exist except in the sad minds of those fearful people who cannot accept anyone "different".  If it begins here, where will it end?


Strongly oppose- this hurts children and puts them at risk!

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<p>These model policies do nothing to provide a welcoming environment to trans children. Scientific research on this topic shows time and again that trans children are at high risk of suicide due to unwelcoming environments at school and the home. These policies do not protect parents, they only hurt children. </p>


Strongly Oppose Govt Overreach.

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<p>Who is asking for the government to impose onto parent's decisions, especially those that do not harm or effect others? This certainly isn't what I voted for. This isn't the party of small government, this is overreach. I strongly oppose. </p>


Stop using kids for political points

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<p>It’s shameful that you would endanger children for the sake of politics. I strongly oppose this policy. </p>


STRONGLY OPPOSE

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The proposed policy is cruel. This isn't about the protection of children. It's a political ploy that will cause more damage to vulnerable kids who need support & guidance.

It's also extremely weird for the government to be so focused on children's developing bodies.


I strongly oppose this legislation

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I understand that parents have certain rights in determining how their children are educated. However, no one has the right to demand complicity in abusing their child. The commonwealth of Virginia recently prohibited conversion therapy, with the following included in their definition: "any practice or treatment that seeks to change an individual's gender identity, including efforts to change behaviors or gender expressions..."

The new guidelines require teachers to help parents when they seek to forcibly change the gender identity of their children. This activity is illegal in our state and unethical under any circumstances. We can save lives by letting children pursue safe, social gender transitions as soon as they feel prepared to do so.


You are killing trans kids

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<p>You are the modern-day nazis. </p>


Strongly opposed to these model policies

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As the parent of public school children in Virginia, I strongly oppose these proposed 2022 model policies. The policies purport to support privacy, dignity, and respect for all students in Virginia. In fact, in the purpose it explicitly states "All students have the right to attend school in an environment free from discrimination, harassment, or bullying." All students includes trans and non-binary students. The guidance document further states that "The Department is mindful of constitutional protections that prohibit governmental entities from requiring individuals to adhere to or adopt a particular ideological belief." The existence of trans and non-binary people is NOT an ideological belief. To say that teachers and staff are permitted to misgender a student because of personally held beliefs is not compatible with providing an educational environment "free from discrimination, harassment, or bullying" for all students. Section 22.1-23.3 of the Code of Virginia, held up in the guidance document under statutory authority and requirements, instructs that "The Department of Education shall develop and make available to each school board model policies concerning the treatment of transgender students in public elementary and secondary schools that address common issues regarding transgender students in accordance with evidence-based best practices." The proposed 2022 model policies are in direct conflict with well established evidence-based best practices related to trans and non-binary youth. These policies will harm children, and more specifically children who are already marginalized and often struggle to find acceptance in a world that increasingly uses them for political grandstanding purposes.


Trans rights

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I hope to live in a country where transgender children are treated with respect.


I Strongly Oppose This Course Of Action

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When speaking about transgender people, we have to acknowledge that there are some people who will engage in violent behavior with them when unprovoked. Forcibly outing transgender people will make them targets, and can lead to loss of life. Also, preventing these transgender people from engaging in use of preferred pronouns and names only harms the transgender people. It does nothing to protect anybody and only serves to delegitimize transgender people's lives and existences. As for bathroom policy; if your fear is that someone will prey on others in a bathroom because of there attraction to the people in that bathroom, are you going to interrogate all students and force them to out their sexuality to you and then prevent homosexuals from using the bathroom of their preference? And more importantly, people go to the bathroom to use the bathroom, and we all go to the bathroom.

This policy will only cause harm to transgender people and give peace of mind to bigoted people. It also brings up more questions, and possibly restricts more people from being able to live true and free in our society. Please do not enact this policy!


Strongly, Strongly opposed.

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This is just evil.

No more needs to be said.


Strongly Oppose 2022 Model Policies on the Privacy, Dignity, and Respect for All Students and Parent

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To Whom It May Concern,

Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the 2022 Model Policies on the Privacy, Dignity, and Respect for All Students and Parents in Virginia’s Public Schools. I am the Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for Waynesboro Public Schools.

I would like to raise serious concerns regarding these model policies.

In my locale, there are approximately 90 transgender and gender-expansive students. These policies would directly negatively impact their daily lives by denying them the ability to safely express themselves and be affirmed for who they are. These students are deserving of protection and support.

The suicide rate for transgender youth is already extremely high. 52% of trans youth seriously considered suicide, while 21% attempted suicide in the past year. This problem is preventable, but the new model policies would exacerbate the issue by denying students life-saving social transitions at school. The Trevor Project explains that “transgender and nonbinary youth who reported having pronouns respected by all or most people in their lives attempted suicide at half the rate of those who did not have their pronouns respected.” This statistic shows that honoring students’ chosen names and pronouns is a crucial form of suicide prevention.

Moreover, as much as we would like to imagine that all parents are supportive of their children no matter their gender identity, educators see that this is unfortunately not the case: Transgender youth are at a higher risk of experiencing homelessness, in part because they are often kicked out of their homes or abandoned by caregivers due to their trans identity. The Trevor Project states that “38% of transgender girls/women, 39% of transgender boys/men, and 35% of nonbinary youth reported housing instability and homelessness.” By requiring educators such as teachers and guidance counselors to automatically inform parents of their child’s transgender identity if the student comes out at school, the state puts young people in a position where they must either suppress their identities entirely or risk the roof over their heads.

In summary, these new policies would in reality deny students the privacy, dignity, and respect they deserve. Schools have an important role in supporting the mental health and safety of their transgender and nonbinary students. As an educator dedicated to creating learning environments where everyone can thrive, I urge you to reject or, at the very least, substantially revise these model policies to protect trans youth.

Sincerely,

Kendra Jones Carter

B.S.ed/M.T.

https://www.thetrevorproject.org/survey-2020/?section=Introduction

https://www.thetrevorproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Trevor-Project-Homelessness-Report.pdf


Oppose this policy that will hurt kids

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<p>Trans kids are among our most vulnerable, facing ostracization, bullying and shunning for being who they are. This policy to remove protection from one place they might feel safe is cruel. I strongly oppose it. Leave protections in place. </p>


strongly opposed

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The 2022 proposed model policies will harm trans youth in our Virginia schools. These kids need our support and gender-affirming care. The proposed policies are exclusionary and unnecessarily cruel to an already marginalized community. I strongly oppose these policies.

As a pastor, with trans kids in my congregation, I cannot support anything that would further hurt or demean these beloved children of God. As a mother of two children in Virginia schools, I want my children to learn in a school environment that teaches them how to respect and care for their fellow students by honoring their diversity and creating supportive, safe classrooms for ALL students.


Support Parent Rights

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I strongly support gov Youngkin and upholding parental rights.


This Will Kill Children

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<p>These proposed changes will be detrimental the mental health and general well-being of trans/GNC kids.  They don’t need more rules about how and who they should be, these kids deserve love, support and kindness.  These proposed changes are a HUGE step backwards in terms of LGBTQ+ rights.  </p>


Trans rights are Human rights: Oppose the policy changes.

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I am tempted to refer back to the comment subject and say, that's it. That's the comment. But there is more than that. 64% of transgender students have reported avoiding a class because they feel unsafe. Is it, or is it not, the policy of the Commonwealth to guarantee all children a safe place to receive a public education? Because these policies will force students into a place where they feel unsafe and unsupported, and these youth will feel compelled to skip classes or leave school altogether - you are effectively denying them their right to an education by not providing them a safe place to learn. Policies that deny trans youth the right to express their true identity are policies that lead to more than half of transgender and non-binary youth to attempt suicide in the last year. The policies proposed will kill children. Meanwhile there is basically zero evidence to show that allowing transgender or nonbinary students access to bathrooms or locker rooms that match their identity will have any negative effect on other students, whereas there is very real evidence that forcing transgender youth to use facilities that don't match their identity puts them in danger of bullying and harassment, up to and including assault. Don't do it. Don't roll back important protections for transgender youth.


Younkin

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<p>I support Governor Younkin on this fully. </p>


Parents support this policy, woke teachers (perverts/groomers) do not

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<p>Thank you Governor Youngkin! This is exactly why we elected you! Parents have a fundamental rights to their childrens education and thank you for giving us the power back! Only a sicko pervert teacher would want to keep secrets from parents. And considering a new pervert/groomer is discovered almost weekly within our schools, this policy will help ensure that parents stay in the driver's seat, where they deserve to be. </p>


Strongly opposed

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Removing rules that were instituted to help kids due to YOUR beliefs is shameful and filled with hubris.


This isn't small government

This isn't small government, this isn't what you were elected for.You were not elected to impose into individuals decisions, made by individuals, that do not harm or affect other individuals.

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This isn't small government, this isn't what you were elected for.

You were not elected to impose into individuals decisions, made by individuals, that do not harm or affect other individuals.


SUPPORT YOUNKIN

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<p>I am totally behind Gov. Younkin on this matter. The parents should have control over this situation. As a former teacher, I am shocked at what has transpired over the last 15 years in VA. school systems and what is coming down from Richmond.  You are what you are when you are born and "attempting to change that is not going to  help" </p>


OPPOSE

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<p>STRONGLY OPPOSE </p>


SUPPORT OUR STUDENTS

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As a school counselor, I strongly oppose this new guidance.  You say you want to empower parents, but how is rolling back protections for transgender students helping?  When I started as a school counselor in my current district, I will never forget the moment I met a Dad who told me that his son was transitioning to a female.  I was caught off-guard, but also impressed with the fact that this Dad was supportive of his child.  I was also impressed with her transition because she felt safe to do so.  She had an amazing Junior year and is currently a Senior.  To imagine her having to deal with this stress right now as a Senior is unfair!  Why are we singling out these students?  Why does Governor Youngkin think it’s ok to roll back protections that haven’t interfered with these students educationally?  Why are we even having this discussion right now?  You are causing more harm then help!  Stop being selfish and think of all parties involved.  Virginia should be progressive, not regressive.  Please leave our students alone!!!


This helps nobody

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This is a purely hateful policy, it achieves almost nothing but there is a near guarantee this will lead to trans children taking their own lives, will you take the blame for their deaths? Protecting trans kids protects all children.


Strongly oppose, more harm than good

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This legislation was originally invented to protect transgender students from discriminatory behavior. Governor Youngkin has taken it and turned it into guidelines that do the exact opposite. These guidelines restrict our students rather than give them personal autonomy, create dangerous situations rather than avoid them, and generate conflict between educators and administration, students, and families rather than mitigate it.

Why must we waste educators' and administrators' time by forcing them to police every student attempting to use the restroom? Why are we creating guidelines that, with their broad strokes and verbiage, essentially require educators to make a phone call home when even Thomas wants to go by Tommy? When did our schools become less of a haven for students, and more of a battlefield within which our students have to fear consequences for simply living their truth?

It is proven fact that transgender students are more at risk for depression and suicide than their cisgender counterparts. If we allow these guidelines to go into affect, we are not "giving parents their constitutional rights back". We are, in fact, not only stripping our students of the right to safely learn, but we are directly risking their health and wellness.

This is a direct invasion of privacy and an overextension of the rights of school officials. It is an overextension of the rights of the office of the governor, frankly. I strongly oppose this legislation. I do not believe it reflects the majority opinion of Virginians. I believe it is a reckless, frightening interpretation of government control, and should be reconsidered immediately.


I strongly oppose.  Trans rights are human rights.

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I strongly oppose this document for the well-being of not only transgender youth, but all youth, and all people.  Trans rights are human rights.


WHEN PARENTS, TEACHERS, AND MINORS ARE IN THE KNOW THINGS WORK BETTER

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<p>I STRONGLY SUPPORT THIS NEW MODEL. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT PARENTS ARE FULLY INFORMED OF THIER MINOR CHILDRENS BEHAVIOR AND DESCIONS. I AM NOT SURE WHO IN THE WORLD COULD BE AGAINT THIS. </p>


Strongly Support

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Parents should always be involved in their child's education. The biggest aspect missing from the previous admin's model policy was that the school and teachers could make unilateral decisions about a minor child's "gender" without parent permission or notification. This new policy fixes that issue. Thank you for protecting our vulnerable children and affirming parent's rights.


Oppose!

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<p>I oppose the new guidance which would forcibly “out” trans students and forbid them from being their true selves at school. I worry that this policy would put children who aren’t out to their parents at risk of being kicked out of their homes or worse. And I’m deeply concerned that these hostile policies will put vulnerable young people at risk for suicide. The best medical evidence shows that allowing teens to transition increases their chances of becoming a happy, well-adjusted adult. I don’t understand why Virginia would enact a policy that robs children of that chance. </p>


You will have blood on your hands

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You do not love these kids or care for them if you think this is the way to help them. It is abuse and no one deserves this treatment.


Strongly Oppose

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<p>Leave political partisanship charged by radical ideology out of public schools, spaces, and forums. Children need to develop critical thinking skills in an open neutral environment to get the most out of their educational experience. </p>


This hurts kids

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This policy will likely lead to children self-harming or worse.  It is the job of government, in my opinion, to protect those who are most vulnerable and this policy is will hurt them.


Oppose this Legislation-Protect Transgender Students

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I oppose this legislation. I am a Christian, a member of the Episcopal church, and a mother of a teenager.  This legislation removes protections for transgender students and those who wish to help and support them.  This also targets transgender persons as unnatural and predators.

They aren't hurting anyone! Let them explore who they are. Trying to force a child into a specific gender identity – either by denial, punishment, reparative therapy, or any other tactic – is not only ineffective; it is dangerous. It can do permanent damage to a child’s mental health. This legislation will lead to more trans youth being targets of hate crimes or trans youth becoming depressed and suicidal.

My daughter has 2 friends who are transgender. One has a family that fully supports the transition and one whose family firmly does not support it at all.  We have watched these 2 families deal with trans issues for nearly a decade. The supports at schools, and the SAFE environment at schools in Fairfax county have- LITERALLY-saved the lives of their children. For the family that did not support their child being trans, the counseling and care their child received saved them from suicide. While speaking to the mother, even though her faith does not recognize trans or homosexuality, she is glad that her child is alive, and she concedes that without the help of the school system, her child would have died.

This law will kill children if passed. Allow them the space they need to discern who they are, while they are safe.


Strongly oppose

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As a parent of two elementary-aged children in public school in Virginia, I strongly oppose these model policies. Transgender people exist and deserve equal rights, and no amount of legislation or policy will prevent that from being true. I am raising my children to be respectful and understanding of differences, and to show compassion towards their fellow human beings, and I expect the same to be modeled for them in their educational setting. If implemented, these policies will only further harm and marginalize transgender children, and the policies themselves run afoul of current state law. The GOP is creating a narrative around transgender people that is nothing but lies and is intended to create panic and fear, just as they've done with critical race theory, immigration, etc. Trans kids have my full love, support, and acceptance, and I want Virginia public schools to be a place where all kids can grow and participate fully as themselves. Parents matter, and this parent strongly opposes the discriminatory radical Youngkin/GOP/conservative Hate agenda!


Parental Oversight and Protection for All Students

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<p>Regarding Proposed Guidance for Treatment of Transgender Students:  The public school system in many jurisdictions has demonstrated an inability to protect the students in their care and has been reluctant to afford parents their natural god given right to care for their children.  Schools have been guilty of forcing an agenda on their students, while keeping parents at arms length lest they object.  The relative small number of students suffering gender confusion need parental support and appropriate professional  counseling, not interference by teachers or school staff with a motive that is not necessarily in line with the best interests of the student.  Some comments make reference to hate, but the hatred originates with those forcing unhelpful radical agendas on impressionable youth who need compassion and parental involvement.   Bullying is already handled by appropriate policies and should be sufficient if enforced by administrators. Locker rooms and bathrooms must respect the privacy of students according to their biological sex.   Sports programs must adhere to participation rules that respect biological sex.  The biological differences between male and female are too profound post-puberty to allow for fair competition.  Female competitors are at a disadvantage and should not be cheated from their fairly won achievements. This guidance supports common sense policies that protect all students and ensures that parents are kept informed and involved in the lives of their children. </p>


This proposal is awful

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This proposal is abhorrent and archaic. Trans people, kids in this case, are just trying to be themselves in a learning setting. they should not be forced to be someone they are not because of what a few sheets of paper say (sheets of paper that were made when they had no input in what was to be written.)


I strongly support Gov. Youngkin and Parents

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<p>Thank you for upholding parents' rights in the schools and protecting the conscience of the people who are working in the schools.  </p>


You’re going to cause children to commit suicide.

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These policies are going to put children in abusive households in impossibly difficult and horrific situations. Make no mistake, this will directly lead to the suicide of kids who feel trapped. Suicide rates & attempts in trans kids are much higher than any other demographic of child and the only way to help is to provide gender-affirming conditions.

These kids are our future. “Pro Life” my ass.


Complete Misreading and Misuse of the Consitution

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Governnor Younkin Has misread and misapplied the First and Fourteenth Amendments. This guidance is completely disrespectful to Transgender youth, does not offer excellent education to all students.  It simply provides a religious minority with undue influence.  It damages people. Reject this guidance.


STRONGLY OPPOSE

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<p>I oppose this horrible, bigoted and harmful thing. Protect our trans kids. </p>


As a trans former student in Virginia, I oppose this action

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I am a transgender women who was taught in the Virginia Public School System several years ago, and it was already hard enough existing as a trans person in the hostile school system. This document, if it becomes official, will make life harder for trans kids who are just trying to live their lives as their authentic selves; and will almost certainly result in more deaths and more suffering as kids are made to bear the violent burden of bigotry. If you are a person with a beating heart and soul, then please oppose this document from becoming official.


Oppose Youngkin's bigoted, legally flawed, counterproductive model policy

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This policy is bigoted, legally flawed, bullies children, and creates the very problems it seeks to remedy.

1) This policy defines "sex" as "biological sex" (which this admin thinks means assigned at birth) and therefore fails to afford students equal rights. Such a definition is legally flawed and inherently biased. To be clear - this policy is discriminatory on its face.

2) This policy creates the very problems this flawed policy seeks to prevent. It would result in boys who were assigned female at birth to compete with girls and go to girls' facilities.

3) This policy bullies trans and non-binary children, when studies show that those children need the most support.

This policy is a shameful, partisan document that reflects neither reality nor policy needs. It exposes the VA GOP as an organization (and Governor Youngkin as an individual) bereft of real policy positions. Instead they seek to punish and bully the vulnerable.

This policy would be a disservice to all Virginians, parents, children, and non-parents. It would make the Commonwealth weaker and less inclusive.

I strongly oppose it in this comment and I strongly oppose all the bigoted politicians who support it.


STRONGLY OPPOSE

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This bill will do nothing but harm children for expressing themselves and their needs. Stop vilifying trans people, and let kids do what they need to do in order to make it to adulthood. Trans bans kill kids.


Human Rights Are Trans Rights

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I am a religious leader, a person of faith, and a follower of the Divine.  A human being is worthy of all rights, protection, affirmation, liberty, and love.  People who are Trans are human beings and need to be free to live their lives, fulfilling their unique identity.

Those who are elected to be our community leaders must uphold human rights and enact laws that support the worth and dignity of all.  Children must be allowed to do their own naming and discover their own identities.  The role of the government and schools is to protect children's growing up, offering safety, support, and respect.

I vehemently oppose the current efforts of the Youngkin administration to harm children by denying them autonomy and protection.


Transgender policies

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<p>With regards to the transgender guidelines, I’m wondering what is the percentage of students that they actually effect? I’m guessing it’s quite small. So it seems ludicrous to me that entire schools have to upend their curriculum to accommodate a few kids. I don’t remember high school being that inclusive. It’s no supposed to be. It’s a place of learning for everyone, and part of that learning is dealing with people who look and think differently than you. Stop making thing so easy for kids. They need to learn to deal with tough situations. Maybe if our schools were #1 in the nation, they’re not, we could have time for these discussions. Our schools should be worrying more about their primary job of educating our children and less about what pronouns they use. </p>


Parents rights above government

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<p>I support the proposed bill which protects parents rights to make decisions in raising their children. The children do NOT belong to the educators, state or government. </p>


Protect trans youth

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Protecting trans, nonbinary, and all LGBTQIA youth is an evidence based practice. We all have a responsibility to help grow happy and healthy children into happy healthy adults, and we know from scientific, academically rigorous research that affirming these key parts of their identifies is crucial to this goal.


Strongly oppose this dangerous, cruel policy proposal

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I strongly oppose the new policy proposed by Governor Youngkin.  It will cause irreparable harm to transgender children.  Forcing a trans child to undergo this type of humiliation at school is beyond reprehensible-- it is downright evil, and governor Youngkin and his staff should bow their heads in shame for what they are going to do to this most vulnerable underage population.  This willingness to hurt children for political gain is beyond my comprehension.


Protecting Trans Kids Protects All Kids

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As someone who grew up in Virginia and spent all of my K-12 education in the Fairfax County Public Schools, I strongly oppose the changes to the Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia's Public Schools proposed by Governor Glenn Youngkin. All children, including transgender/nonbinary/questioning children, have the right to live their lives and go to school without fear of discrimination, bullying/harassment, or breach of their privacy.

By outing students or forcing them to out themselves before they desire is an act of violence. Not only does it make them more vulnerable to harassment, bullying, discrimination, and gender-based violence...it also makes the student themselves more vulnerable to depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts.

If you are worried about other cis-gender students and their safety, there is NO reliable evidence that allowing all students to use the bathroom/locker rooms/other spaces that align with their gender identity results in any more violence than forcing students to use the bathrooms of their sex-assigned-at-birth. However, forcing transgender students to out themselves or disrespecting their gender identity will result in the injury and death of children.

No matter what you think about parental rights...a parent's right to know anything about their child does not supercede a child's right to live. Governor Youngkin, I encourage you to listen to the will of the Virginia people and NOT change the 2021 Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia's Public Schools.


Strongly oppose

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I can’t believe we’re still trying to oppress the most vulnerable and never learn our lessons… and from the party (cult) of “small” government no less


Oppose with every fiber of my being

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<p>This type of legislation is evil at its core. Putting trans children and denying them any avenue of support or safety is unbelievably horrendous. </p>


Love how most of these "goncerned parents"....

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Are either from Charlottesville (Virginia's version of Berkeley) or NOVA (which is know to the rest of va as communist country) with last names like berg or stein or 'insert precious metal here'


CHILDREN HOSPITAL BOMBERS ARE ANT-TRANS

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Anti-Trans people keep voting for Republicans that have consistently stole taxpayer money wages, social security, and tax returns from most people. They love inflation and recessions because they hate marginalized people more than their fellow citizens, including themselves. They are traitors.

Anti-Trans people support CHILDREN HOSPITAL BOMBINGS, citing Matt Walsh and Chaya Raichik from Libs of Tik-Tok bombers, who have something in common with the UNABOMBER and the AL-QUAEDA Terrorist OSAMA BIN LADEN, who first did Bomb threats, Bombed locations, and did September 11.

Fox News and anyone who supports Anti-Trans Legislation support Children Hospitsl bombings, and by extension, University Bombings, as if Mass shootings in these places weren’t bad enough. ANTI-TRANS people and politicians SUPPORT SHOOTINGS.

Anti-trans people are radical and dangerous enough to children that they vote for politicians who went on record thinking protecting grandkids mean SHOOTING GRANDCHILDREN. They are deranged and ignorant backstabbing liars.

These same terrorists are also associated with January 6th, like Fox News was, that had lead to the deaths of numerous people. Destruction and pooping on property. So know this, any company, any person, any politician who supports or legislates or donates to anti trans orgs will be associated with Children hospitals bombings by the public.


Strongly oppose

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<p>Kids life is challenging enough right now. With new policies, children living under bigoted/intolerant households will lose the freedom to live their lives in peace outside of those households. Let's make life easier for all, not put up unnecessary hurdles. You don't have to agree, or even understand others to give them peace. Also, we don't need bs political stunts impacting our kids. </p>


Governor Youngkin is endangering children

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Governor Youngkin’s policies are an extreme danger to LGBTQIA youth. LGBTQIA people, even if they are children, are the only ones who should make the decisions whether they will come out as LGBTQIA, when to come out, and to whom they will come out. Teachers, school administrators, peers, and even parents cannot make these decisions for anyone other than themselves, even children entrusted to their care, not least because they may (intentionally or unintentionally) expose another person to harm.

Requiring children to use restrooms of the gender they were assigned at birth, without  whether they are safe in those restrooms, will embolden bigots to hurt LGBTQIA kids and/or force LGBTQIA kids to avoid bathrooms, leading to physical pain and even long term complications. LGBTQIA children, no less than anyone else, deserve to use restrooms in which they will be safe from bigotry, harassment, and violence. They, not the governor in his faraway mansion, should be the ones to decide in which bathroom they will be safest.

Requiring teachers and others to consult parents regarding the names and pronouns children want to use in school  means that LGBTQIA children will be subjected to psychological and/or physical abuse, even expulsion, from any parents they were unsafe coming out to. A large percentage of LGBTQIA minors live houseless either because their parents ejected them from their homes or because they could no longer bear the psychological and/or physical abuse to which bigoted parents subjected them. A significant number of LGBTQIA minors are killed by bigots or commit suicide because they can no longer bear the psychological and/or physical abuse to which they are subjected by parents, other authorities, and/or peers. Governor Youngkin’s policies do not create more safety for LGBTQIA children, but more dangers. LGBTQIA people, even if they are children, are the only ones who should make the decisions whether they will come out as LGBTQIA, when to come out, and to whom they will come out. They, not Governor Youngkin, not their teachers or school administrators, are the best informed about the relative safety of their own individual circumstances.

Of course some LGBTQIA people make mistakes. A girl may think it’s safe to tell her mother she is trans, a boy may think it’s safe to tell his teacher he is gay, and learn too late that it was not actually safe to tell the person they chose. But it is far, far and away more dangerous to compel the sharing of personal LGBTQIA information without any regard for children’s safety, as Governor Youngkin’s policies would do.


Strongly oppose these harmful policies

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These proposed policies put the health and safety of trans students in Virginia schools at risk. It is our job as parents, teachers, school administrators and elected officials to do our utmost to provide a healthy and safe learning environment for ALL students. These highly immoral new guidelines will have the opposite effect and should never have been introduced as an option.


Strongly oppose as it harms all kids

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This draft policy change will do untold harm to our kids. Not only does it create an dangerous environment for trans kids, but it creates an avenue for weaponizing the school system against a kid that is accused of being trans, whether or not they are.

I strongly, strongly oppose this reprehensible update.


Oppose Oppose Oppose Oppose Oppose

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Please stop bullying our kids. Focus on needed changes like: increasing teacher pay, increasing funding to our public schools, creating a free lunch program for every student in every school, fully staffing each school with nurses and guidance counselors and support staff.

This attempted distraction doesn't work - parents/Virginians are struggling and need tangible relief - not made up culture wars.


Fully Supportive

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<p>My husband and I are fully supportive of this new legislation. It provides protection to girls in particular. Clear cut guidance also allows for little miscommunication between educators and parents. </p>


Absolutely not!

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<p>These policies will harm our children more than help them! Children are curious by nature, let them explore in a safe environment before they reach adulthood, where it may not be as safe anymore. </p>


OPOSSE PROTECT TRANS KIDS

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<p>Protect trans kids. They’re just people like you and me </p>


Strongly oppose new proposed policy

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<p>I strongly oppose the new policy proposed by Governor Youngkin.  It will cause irreparable harm to transgender children.  I cannot imagine how distressing it would be for a transgender male child, who was born female but has consistently identified as male, to suddenly be forced to respond to his given female name or to be forced to use the girls' bathroom.  Forcing a child to undergo this type of humiliation at school is beyond reprehensible-- it is downright evil, and governor Youngkin and his staff should bow their heads in shame for what they are going to do to this most vulnerable underage population.  This willingness to hurt children for political gain is beyond my comprehension.  </p>


Please withdraw this proposal

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Please withdraw this proposal and work over the next year to reach out to all families, students and schools about real needs. This proposal with damage kids and families and allows us to discriminate under the veneer of lawful action.


opposed- policy do not relate to education

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This policy isn't important to the education of children, only oppressing them


Completely Oppose

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<p>This proposed policy change is cruel, discriminatory, and serves no purpose other than to demonize and further marginalize trans kids. </p>


Agree With The Change

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<p>The past few years have been unreal in the educational field.  We spend more time talking about gender and pronouns than we do educating these kids.  The classroom should be about educating kids, and parents should absolutely know what is going on in the classroom setting with their child.  The school system has done an excellent job at eroding the trust of society over these social issues.  The new rules aren't anti-trans.  They simply spell the standards of conduct and give the parents back the right to know what is going with their minor child in school. </p>


“You’ve Got to be Carefully Taught”

Rogers & Hammerstein said it best:
"You've Got to Be Carefully Taught"
You've got to be taughtTo hateAnd fearYou've got to be taughtFrom yearTo yearIts got toBe drummed in your dear little earYou've got toBe carefullyTaught

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Rogers & Hammerstein said it best:

"You've Got to Be Carefully Taught"

You've got to be taught
To hate
And fear
You've got to be taught
From year
To year
Its got to
Be drummed in your dear little ear
You've got to
Be carefully
Taught


Opposed to this policy

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<p>Please don’t treat marginalized children as pawns.  Studies show that LBQT children are already at higher risk for suicide - please don’t make this situation worse.  Treating these children as “others” is a cruel policy, not befitting of the great state of Virginia in the 21st century.  </p>


Against this regulation!

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This a completely ridiculous policy. This would not have been passed for any other group of people. They directly stated that their job is to protect children, but they are directly creating legislature that puts children in harm's way. They are leaving the decision up to the parents when we have seen that not all parents have their child's best interest in mind. There is an entire department of the government that was created to protect children from their parents, and now we are leaving a major personal decision to parents who can be abusive or uneducated when it comes to trans rights. Also making children come out to their parents to get their basic rights addressed could put them at risk for abuse. School is supposed to be a safe place, and you are making it another place that children have to hide their true selves. This is a completely backwards idea that makes me ashamed of the state that I have decided to call home, and it scares me to think of what they may restrict of take away next.


Stop Hate, Stop this action!

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How can you study when you are mocked, discriminated against, forced to fear your schooling environment and your teachers, forced to stop or slow your development as a person? School should be a safe place for children, not a place of hatred towards minorities. Stop this bill, let kids live and be happy, happy with themselves, and learn to be good to the people around them, as others are good to them.


Thank you Youngkin, for protecting our kids from groomers.

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<p>....since they know they can't reproduce by any other means...</p>


PROTECT ALL KIDS

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<p>Stop bullying trans kids. It’s disgusting. Stop being obsessed with kids and their gender identities. It’s creepy. You are lying to parents. PROTECT TRANS KIDS. LOVE ALL KIDS. This crusade against CHILDREN is abhorrent and the LOWEST and HOTTEST places in Hell are reserved for YOU and people who don’t support ALL KIDS. </p>


STRONGLY OPPOSE

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<p>I strongly, adamantly oppose the model policies. As the parent of a transgender child I know how important it is that the school environment is supportive and gender-affirming. The idea that schools would allow and/or REQUIRE the misgendering of my child, or force them to use the wrong bathroom makes me literally sick to my stomach. My child and every child in the Commonwealth deserves a positive, supportive, and affirming educational environment. If these policies go into effect, transgender children will suffer. These policies have nothing to do with the welfare children, and they must NOT take effect. </p>


Strongly oppose, this will put trans kids in harm's way

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How dare you even consider such a thing!


Stop playing politics with our kids

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<p>This isn’t going to help you become president. This law is completely unnecessary and harmful to children. </p>


Strongly Oppose

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<p>I strongly oppose these policy changes as they will harm children and strip them of their rights to privacy and self determination. </p>


Strongly Oppose new guidelines - Please trust educators.

Please support the youth of the commonwealth and teachers.Please oppose these new guidelines.

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Please support the youth of the commonwealth and teachers.

Please oppose these new guidelines.


I strongly opposed your point of view

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<p>Virginia is an inclusive state.  We should represent what is best about people and that includes all people.  The idea you at promoting, that trans kids are somehow ‘other’ is repugnant to me.  They are kids who deserve as much love and compassion as anyone.  Maybe more so because they face such hatred.  Your policies promote division, paranoia and fear.  What are you so afraid of, Governor?  </p>


Stop bullying trans kids!

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If you don’t like what somebody else IS…too bad.

You do not get to point a finger at anybody and decide, “That’s a boy,” or “That’s a girl.” Each person gets to decide for themselves. Who died and made you king of the world?

Maybe the rest of us should start labeling YOU. How about “fascist”?


I OPPOSE this policy

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I strongly OPPOSE this policy. Multiple peer reviewed and published studies have demonstrated that trans and non-binary youth are at increased risk of suicide and mental health issues directly related to not being accepted.

I am a school employee and a mother. In both of these roles I oppose this policy! There is no long lasting damage to allowing a student to use their preferred pronouns, name, bathroom, or sports teams but there is long lasting damage, sometime lethal, to denying this to a student! My students need acceptance and support. Denying them use of their preferred pronouns or name is a level of disrespect that no person deserves. Just in the past year I have worked with individuals who were born female but identify as male who go into deep depression, and have panic attacks every month because they feel their body betrays them. This has led to psychiatric hospitalizations to help them cope with the fact that their identity does not match with their current body. These students are not going to “change their minds” one day  this is very real for them and to tell them they need to use female pronouns and their birth name would just be cruel and worsen their mental health symptoms. Thankfully they currently go to a supportive and inclusive school and I have witnessed them grow and blossom into confident young adults since they started here. THAT is what inclusion can do for a child and is exactly what I would want for my children.

This is a huge overstep of government in a dangerous way.

I STRONGLY OPPOSE THIS POLICY.


OPPOSE THIS—This is bad for Virginia

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This set of policies is a huge step backward for Virginia — for its schools and larger culture. Upholding acceptance, dignity, and respect for all humans is always the "right" thing to do, yes (and these proposed policies do not do this). But it's also the American thing to do. This country was built on the concept that all citizens possess full rights and autonomy; these policies fly in the face of that ideal. They are anti-American, obviously bigoted, and clearly designed to pander to the far right, which craves more control of public school culture and what's being taught in schools, and how — essentially, so they can ban important, and thought-provoking literature and slice out inconvenient sections of history books (slavery, Colonialism), fundamentally teaching kids that as Americans we do not have to reckon with the past, but instead can move smugly forward with no understanding of how this country was built. As a mother of two in Fairfax Public Schools, I strongly oppose these policies, for our students and Virginia.


Parental Notification/Trans Student Policy

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Rolling back the trans protections given to students in Virginia public schools is dangerous. Adding to that a parental notification policy and barrier to entry for trans students whose parents affirm their identity names and pronouns shows this has nothing to do with a parent's rights but the targeting and dehumanizing trans students.

If a parent says yes to a student's name and pronoun change that should be enough to change the students name and pronouns on the rolls, in powerschool, and on student records which is the standard. Having a birth certificate and legal name change is a costly and lengthy process. This should not be the reason a trans child is denied a safe education.

Affirming trans students is not only what's best for the students but the community as a whole. 82% of trans youth have considered suicide, these rates go down considerably with access to gender affirming health care, and adults who are affirming and supportive. This creates an environment that gives all students the best tools for learning readiness.

I am also the parent of a trans son. For two years before my son came out I loved in fear of finding him dead when I went to wake him up everyday. He was in therapy and in distress until he finally came out to me and his father. We love and embrace him and his trans experience. I do not want another parent to live the nightmare I lived for those two years. Though it's been four since my son came out I still have nightmares about his distress and self harm that not living fully as himself brought on. It is truly hell on Earth.

We owe teachers the chance to teach without the added stress of potentially outing students to unsafe home environments and putting students in mental distress by forcing them to deadname their students. Teachers are there to teach and give social and academic tools for the students to carry into adulthood. This policy hinders that, and good educators will go elsewhere. That is will effect everyone in every community. Public School is the great equalizer and every student deserves an education that will prepare them for the future. This starts with quality educators and safe learning environments.

There is a safer way if we must insist on parental notification, by utilizing the help of school counselors and mental health professionals, and listening and honoring when parents fully affirm their trans children.


All kids are equal.

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<p>Support all kids. Strongly oppose the bill. </p>


Fags and traps, stop using our kids to promote your demonic agenda.

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Go touch a kid somewhere else then go jump in a flood so we can get the real rainbow back


Mr Youngkin is clearly more interested in bullying children then running out state gov.


Protect our kids

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<p>This policy is harmful and so backwards. Why in the world would we make the LGBTQ+ community a target? Youngkin has been a nightmare to any progress in this state. To the parents of LGBTQ children, I am so sorry that you are living this hell because of politics and fear and uneducation. </p>


Strongly Opposed

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At best, this is misguided from a lack of understanding and information, and at worst this a malicious attack on people due to bigotry. At no point does it make sense to remove the rights of citizens who've nothing but exist.


Oppose these changes

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I oppose the proposed policy changes by the youngkin administration. As a mother of 4 children in the Virginia public school system, I want to make sure that all children that are questioning their identity or are transgender are protected even if it means that their privacy is protected above my knowledge and access to every discussion or request.  This puts kids at risk and I don’t understand how anyone who wants to protect children would consider removing or changing these policies.