Support for 2022 Model Policies

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First, I appreciate that this guidance recognizes the importance of parental rights. Parents should have the ability to make important health and wellness decisions regarding their children. This includes decisions involving gender transition. While research about the benefits of youth gender transition—including social transition—is generally of low quality, the few studies that exist that ascribe benefits to childhood social transition have only looked at children who make these changes with family support. Schools that help transition children without the knowledge of their parents are wading into uncharted territory, making a psychosocial intervention that they are not qualified to make. Teachers and school support staff do not have the expertise to make these sorts of interventions, especially without any knowledge of potential effects and without familial support.

Compounding this issue, independent reviews of child gender transition conducted in several European countries suggest that social transition—changing a name, changing pronouns, allowing a child to use the opposite sex restroom or changing facilities—is not a neutral act. For example, the Cass Review in the UK calls social transition an "active intervention" that "may have significant effects on the child or young person in terms of their psychological functioning" (p. 62). This report also states, "it is important to acknowledge that social transition is not a neutral act" (p. 63) It may be the case that social transition helps crystallize a transgender identity, starting children and adolescents on the path to medicalization. It is not appropriate for schools to be intervening in this way.

Second, I commend these model policies for recognizing that schools must serve the needs of all students. I believe that it is important for schools to support students who are experiencing gender dysphoria; this guidance acknowledges that such students may require special services and facilities, for example individual occupancy restrooms. However, the guidance also sets forth that students should use restrooms in accordance with their biological sex. This is important for the safety and dignity of all students.

Finally, I agree with the guidance's position on sex segregation in sports. Competitive sports are separated, at minimum, into two biology-based categories: a male category and a female category. This separation is in recognition that males experience significant physical advantage over females, especially after puberty. Male and female categories in sport are not reflective of how respective members of each group feel about their sex—boys don’t compete in one group because they “feel” male, nor do girls compete in a different group because they “feel” female. Rather, these categories reflect objective, empirical differences between two groups of people. It would be unfair, and potentially unsafe, for girls to be required to compete against boys.

Overall, these policies seem humane and well-considered, balancing the rights and interests of many stakeholders.


STRONGLY OPPOSE

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This policy will make it impossible for schools to support LGBTQ+ youth.  We need to support all of our children and make schools and counselors a safe place.  This will increase stress and suicide rates among our children.   We already have a mental health crisis in the country.


Strongly oppose!


Support the 3R's

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Social problems and trends have no place in our education system.  Kid's need to learn life is not a walk in the park, and hard knocks still exist for all of us. Let's stick with prepping kid's for the real world , not Lalaland.  Wake up parent's !!


Youngkin Support for All Children

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As a parent I support all of our children, but why do we have to make changes to support a small group at the detriment of the many? I have no issue with a Trans student. I don’t support a trans student using the restroom of choice.  You wouldn’t want a non Trans student using whichever they choose, just because they want to.  Don’t put my child at risk to give your child a choice.  The needs of the many out weigh the need of the few or the one!


Strongly Opposed

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<p>I am strongly opposed to this proposed policy.  As an educator, I see firsthand the damage that this policy can have on students and staff.  Stop making human rights political.  Trust that schools are here to serve students and families.  </p>


strongly oppose

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we easily allow others to use 'nicknames'  Bob for Robert, Sue for Susan.  How is a name change for anyone else any different?  If we can not as a public entity accept all humans we are increasing the differences between the have's and the have not's.  Suicide rates in members of the LGBTQ+ community are far higher than any pother group in our country.  Most who have attempted and thankfully, failed to kill themselves note that they do not feel accepted or like they belong anywhere.  At least at school allow these people to belong and feel accepted.  without that they will stop attending and will develop further concerns for society to deal with.


Thank you Governor Youngkin for making it possible for parents to remain fully involved in the education of their children through the 2022 Model Policies. Without a doubt, I want my children to be in a society and educational environment where they are taught to bring encouragement and care for those around them. Throughout our lifetime, we will be around people who do not share our same values, or we have opposing viewpoints on a controversial topic, but everyone deserves to be listened to and shown respect and compassion. We must all learn how to do this and encouraged to work on it daily.“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” ??1 Peter? ?4:8? ?NIV??The biggest lessons are often learned through tough discussions with love, which builds character and allows room for growth and change. The 2021 Model Policies denied parents the right to be informed and involved in the decisions their children are working through and set families and their children up for long-standing conflict and heartache (at a time when they need to be listening to one another and communicating the most). Respectful debate and conflict resolution needs to be taught and developed in schools and within families and relationships, not exclusion, deception and lies. As a parent, I always want to be there for my children (even if I don’t agree or understand their viewpoints - which happens in every relationship), but this can only happen with love and open dialogue with my children and their educators (and counselors). Please continue to help our schools work WITH parents and their kids, not against them.I support the proposed 2022 model policy changes (withdrawing the 2021 Model Policies).

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Thank you Governor Youngkin for making it possible for parents to remain fully involved in the education of their children through the 2022 Model Policies. Without a doubt, I want my children to be in a society and educational environment where they are taught to bring encouragement and care for those around them. Throughout our lifetime, we will be around people who do not share our same values, or we have opposing viewpoints on a controversial topic, but everyone deserves to be listened to and shown respect and compassion. We must all learn how to do this and encouraged to work on it daily.

“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” ??1 Peter? ?4:8? ?NIV??

The biggest lessons are often learned through tough discussions with love, which builds character and allows room for growth and change. The 2021 Model Policies denied parents the right to be informed and involved in the decisions their children are working through and set families and their children up for long-standing conflict and heartache (at a time when they need to be listening to one another and communicating the most). Respectful debate and conflict resolution needs to be taught and developed in schools and within families and relationships, not exclusion, deception and lies. As a parent, I always want to be there for my children (even if I don’t agree or understand their viewpoints - which happens in every relationship), but this can only happen with love and open dialogue with my children and their educators (and counselors). Please continue to help our schools work WITH parents and their kids, not against them.

I support the proposed 2022 model policy changes (withdrawing the 2021 Model Policies).


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<p>Support this policy and the role of parents. </p>


Strongly Support Governor's Proposed Policy

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If public schools are such a safe place, why are so many of our children being place in a private school?  Public school enrollment has been declining for years due to past, poorly constructed, policies.


governors transgender policy:::  I am vehemently opposed to this

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<p>I am vehemently opposed to the  Governor’s transgender policy.  It is hurtful and will lead to such great pain and even risks suicide.  Do not implement this policy.  </p>


Concerned teacher

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I'm worried that some of the language in Section II, A2 and A3 implies that educators are required to "out" students to their parents against students' wishes. This would damage trust between students and teachers and possibly create unsafe conditions for students at home. No one deserves to be forcibly out-ed when they're not ready. From experience, I know that sometimes students test out revealing vulnerable info about themselves with a safe adult. Coming out to a teacher can be like a rehearsal for coming out to family, where the stakes are higher. That can be an important step for students, and if we quickly call families before students have the chance to share, we're robbing them of an important moment where they choose when and where and even IF they tell their parents.

It's cruel to make coming out even more difficult for trans young people, who are already so vulnerable and stigmatized. It's also cruel to call students by a name/pronoun that makes them highly uncomfortable. It's a simple thing for teachers to do. So many of my students ask to be called by nicknames, especially in middle school. Is it really necessary to double check with parents that I can call Ariana Ari (a less feminine form) if that's what they request?


Our 1st grade daughter suffered through assaults and bullying for a year

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My daughter was physically assaulted three times by fellow first graders for expressing her gender identity. She was bullied repeatedly throughout the year. Certain members of that school’s administration and staff lied about the facts and did nothing to protect our daughter. We had to unenroll and flee from that school, not because she was “groomed” but because she was in danger. This debate is not about “ideology”, but one of fundamental human rights and decency. Trans kids are among the most vulnerable and at-risk kids in our schools. No child would choose to be beaten, bullied, or persecuted; they express who they are at the risk of great physical and mental harm.

Show me one case of a trans kid harming another, and I’ll show you a hundred examples of trans kids being attacked for who they are. Show me one case of a boy pretending to be a girl just to win at sports. No child would choose a trophy over being attacked and harassed. This isn’t a choice, lifestyle, or trend. They are innocent human beings being who they are.  There is nothing to be afraid of here. Please consider their humanity and safety before speaking out against them or enacting policies that harm and endanger them.


Quit bullying children and using them to pander to your MAGA base!


Support…Children belong to their family, not the government.

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When children are struggling with difficulties in their life, they need the love and support of the people who love them most…their parents. Please give back parental rights.


Oppose

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It’s un-Christian like to bully!


Strongly oppose

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<p>You keep saying "small government". You should probably demonstrate small government, then. Children die due to policies like this. </p>


Start paying attention to the important things

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Instead of inventing moral terrors about who children should be, whipping up fear among people who don't pay attention to education unless you've scared them, and traumatizing librarians, the governor should be working on improving outcomes for all public schools, and especially investing time and effort into poor and substandard districts. It's criminal that kids have to bring their classrooms tissues and chalk. It's criminal that you're investing so much into some demonizing children and leaving others without breakfast or lunch, as if hunger ever made a kid learn better. It's insane that (grand)parents are blathering on about banning books they've never read but someone told them it might contain a bad word or an independent thought but have no trouble screeching those same bad words in public.

Please. Just stop this nonsense. It's criminal that the governor built an entire election strategy around victimizing kids. But you can turn it around and salvage something out of your despicable politicization of children by doing the much harder work of actually educating children. Once you understand that public education will never be a profit center for a hedge fund investor but is absolutely essential for a functioning democracy, it gets easier to do the right thing.

That is, assuming the right thing is what you had in mind.

Thousand of children in the Commonwealth depend on how you answer that.


Strongly oppose

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Cruel and bullying to children.


Strongly oppose


Strongly Oppose


Kids just want to feel safe. You people are disgusting.

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Sad sad people. I feel sorry for you.


Oppose

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Worst governor error. Just a Trumper in disguise.


Oppose


Model Policies For The Treatment of Transgender Students


Vehemently oppose

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Quit exploiting kids as a political stunt.


Vehemently oppose


Transgender policy

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<p>I absolutely support a thoughtful, reasonable and fair policy for all students, related to transgender issues. All opinions must be considered and included in any such policy. Parents raise, support, and love their children; they must be involved and consulted on any significant issue in their children’s lives. Our public educational system should be educating not putting itself in a parental role. </p>


Strongly Support Proposed Policy - Take back our rights as Parents

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Don't cave to socialists - current policy takes away rights, proposed policy restores them.


Transgender

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<p>Support parent rights. More students will be withdrawn from public schools and homeschooled if parents don’t feel their rights are upheld. </p>


Let parents parent!

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Thanks for this policy guidance. As a parent I think I deserve to know what is going on in my child’s school. Teachers and administrators have no right to keep vital information from parents. As the parent of a young girl I certainly don’t want her exposed to boys using the same restroom as her. We need to stop letting others set agendas for parents.


Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia’s Public School

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I strongly support the proposed policy - Time to take back our schools and give parents their right to bring up their kids.


Strong support for policy and parents

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<p>Gov Youngkin is sticking to his promise that got him elected.   I support this policy.   </p>


Don’t cave to todays fads

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<p>I support the new policy. Students are following a trans fad that can cause irreparable harm to themselves and others. Parents need to remain fully involved in any and all issues affecting their children. </p>


Education policy changes

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<p>This policy revision puts an undue financial burden on parents to jump through hoops (legal documentation) to support a child’s sincere belief’s about who they are. It costs nothing for a teacher and school to recognize a student’s identity. Transgender youth are already burdened with psychological issues. By refusing to acknowledge their identity, parents do their children a disservice, and children already struggling are put MORE at risk. There are too many parents who don’t deserve the children they have. This is a policy built to infuse more discrimination into the school system and show children that the government does not support them. Governor, stop putting your conservative values on people who don’t agree with you. </p>


I strongly oppose the new proposed policy.  must move forward, not back because of a few loud voices

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We are headed to be on the wrong side of history. We need to move forward on matters of inclusivity and not backwards.


I do not support this hurtful policy.

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This policy is hurtful to children who need our support-not our hate.  Meet children where they are is what teachers are told to do in their academics.  We have to meet them their emotionally as well.


New VDOE Policies

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I am in complete support of the Governor's new education policies. Every child and parent needs to be protected not just a small minority.


I fully support this sensible policy

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<p>It protects all students and harms none.  </p>


Oppose as a child psychiatrist

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<p>This policy is barbaric and cruel and summarizes everything that’s wrong with our country. I work with trans and non-binary kids every day in my psychiatric clinic so I know first-hand how much they are already struggling; I can’t imagine them having to deal with what this proposal would allow. Why can’t you just let people live their lives? Their choices have virtually nothing to do with you. </p>


Strongly opposed

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<p>This is deeply immoral. </p>


Oppose

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<p>I oppose this guidance document. </p>


Strongly Oppose

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My family and I STRONGLY OPPOSE the Governor's plan re transgender students. School is supposed to be a safe space where our children can learn and thrive and discover how to be their best selves. Having personally mentored many students in Virginia and heard their heartbreak at being rejected by their parents, for being their authentic selves, I know just how dangerous this potential policy would be. Not all families are the Brady Bunch. School must be a safe place for ALL students.


Strongly Support

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I am proud of our governor for bringing some common sense back. This Insanity has got to stop!


Agree with the Governor

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Agree with the Governor


Leave Trans Kids Alone!  Strongly Oppose! ??????

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Leave Trans Kids Alone!  Strongly Oppose! ?????


Fully support new policy

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Children belong to the parents, NOT the state.


Strongly oppose

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<p>A parent’s most critical job is to protect the well-being of their child, and guide them to grow into the best adult they can possibly be. This requires empathy and an open heart, both of which are glaringly absent from these mandates the governor is proposing. If Governor Youngkin believes that the previous administration overreached, then simply roll back the mandates and do not add additional harmful requirements against our vulnerable students. </p>


Oppose

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<p>I strongly oppose these new policies in regards to the subject matter. Although I do agree that parents have a right, but students also have a right. </p>


Strongly oppose

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These proposed model policies are contrary to state law and will be extremely harmful to transgender and nonbinary kids.  I strongly oppose these transphobic policies.


Parental Rights in schools

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It should be the parents right to be informed by the school of any changes that regard their child , period. It is not the schools position to pick and choose what the parents are notified of. The parents are their child’s guardian. Governor Younkins policies and mandates should be upheld in the schools and right now some are choosing to make their own. Parents and teachers need to work together.


Totally Support 2022 Revised Transgender-Issue Policies

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Parental Rights were one of the campaign issues Gov. Youngkin ran on and thank you, Governor, for delivering! Your common sense approach to protecting the rights of all students, teachers, and parents, is exactly what is needed in Virginia!


Strongly Opposed

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This proposed policy will put trans kids at higher risk of physical and emotional abuse


Oppose.

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<p>This should be illegal let alone up for conversation. You are putting children’s safety as risk. </p>


Strongly oppose

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<p>Students have rights too and deserve a safe place to be themselves. If parents want this much control then they should home school. Teachers have a hard enough job as it is, don’t make it worse. </p>


Oppose Youngkins Policy

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<p>I oppose Youngkins policy. Protect Trans Youth. </p>


I agree with the Governor

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I agree with the governor.


Agree with Governor Youngkin

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We need erase the idea that schools and only schools are the teachers  Parents are the the ultimate teacher THEY should have the final right to decide everything about their child until the age of 18.  Confusing a chld about their biology is criminal.  Their are two biological genders male and female.  Those that dont want that have my empathy and compassion but should not confuse a child about the two genders.  After 18 a new adult can do whatever they want.  If they wish to multilate their body and "change" gender have at it.


Support new measures

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<p>As a parent and employee of FCPS, I support the Govenor's new school\student guidelines.  Personally if something is going on with my child, I want to know. This does not explicitly apply to transgender issues, but should be across the board. That is my right and my responsibility to love and support my child with what they need. We are legally responsibile for our children until (and beyond) they become adults.  It is wrong to cut parents out.  FCPS teachers have enough on their plates and do not need more to handle.  They have their own families to take care of, I don't want them butting into my mine.  It's pretty simple.  Thank you Gov. Youngkin for caring about parents and children. </p>


Strongly Oppose

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This is harmful to our children who need extra protections. If this gets approved, we're going to lose some of our kids!


Agree

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Parents should be notified of ANY situation that affects the health & education of their children. Are there any medical conditions other than gender dysphoria where the schools should be able to withhold information regarding the diagnosis and treatment or well being of their children? There is an ugly political agenda behind the opposition to this common sense policy.


Support trans rights

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<p>Transphobia should not be tolerated or pushed by politics. I support trans rights and believe students in VA should be supported by having these rights upheld. </p>


Antithetical to Education

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<p>This bill will result in student suicide. Dear lawmakers, will you be able to wash the blood of children from your hands? Have compassion for your constituents, abandon this destructive culture war, and return to making policy </p>


Agree with Governor

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Thank you, Governor.  Parents need to know and approve.  We are talking about children/youth.


Oppose!

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Stop hurting trans kids!


Strongly Oppose.

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I strongly oppose these measures.


Misogyny & sexist stereotypes promoted by Youngkin. Child safeguarding removed.

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Promoting misogyny and sexist stereotypes is not progressive. Removing safeguarding from schools will end in disaster. Teaching a deeply religious & regressive ideology in lieu of objective science is dangerous. Allowing boys & men to force their way into women & little girls spaces is disgusting


I support Youngkin!

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Save our children from this madness!


Absolutely not.

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Fairfax County resident with school age children here.

Parents' rights is a red herring argument to codify discrimination in our schools The purpose of public education is to prepare our children to be able to function in society and not to appease parents' personal beliefs. All this model succeeds in doing is to harm Trans students and give a legal footing for that harm.


OPPOSE - children should have a safe place to identify how they choose

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Children should be able to advocate for themselves, what they need, and how they identify. Trans/non-binary children with parents incapable of empathizing with them and giving them the understanding and support they need will need the support of their educational leaders. We know that children in these situations experience more bullying and face higher rates of suicide, and these policies just make everything worse.

At the end of the day, people who support this kind of policy have no other justification than wanting complete iron-clad control over their children. They fear their child will lie to them because they know their child won’t ever be comfortable speaking their truth to them. And their transphobic views are not backed by modern science or ethics.

Trans/NB go through enough. OPPOSE.


I support the Governor and parents rights

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<p>Thank you so much Governor Youngkin for bringing back sanity to the Commonwealth of Virginia.  Faculty, staff, and students should not be coerced into accepting and promoting an agenda that  goes against their conscience. Also, parents have a right to protect their children from this transexual and homosexual agenda.  Children should not have to be afraid to use the restroom for fear of the opposite sex being there.  Teachers should not live in fear that they may lose their jobs.  And parents should not have to wonder if this agenda is being promoted in their child's school.  </p>


Strongly Support!

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It is the right thing to do!


Strongly oppose!

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<p>This is not equality and does not protect our youth and their right to be who they are without judgment. </p>


Let kids be kids

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<p>There’s a word for teaching kids about this kind of crap in school. Let kids be kids without shoving this nonsense down their throats. There are girls and boys and that is it. We don’t need to be confusing young children with this crap. School is for learning academics. Not for teachers to try and shove  your beliefs down their throats. As a teacher myself, this disgusts me. And as a mother, this enrages me. </p>


Support. Parents love kids more than schools do!

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This knowledge must rest with parents. Parents have the prior right to guide the education of their children, according to the UN human rights declaration.


Oppose!


Keep your agenda out of schools - agree w Youngkin

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<p>Stop the indoctrination and DO YOUR JOB. Our kids have been losing out on a decent education for YEARS now. </p>


Oppose

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<p>As parents with kids in the school system, I oppose this guidance document. </p>


Super opposed!

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<p>Governor Youngkin should focus on more important issues. Protect all transgender humans!  Kids should be themselves. By putting these restrictions, you are damaging so many emotionally, physically and mentally. Protect trans people and their rights! Home of the FREE. Home of the BRAVE! </p>


I support this update

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This is how the process should have been done initially. All parties should be involved in this decision, not have a blanket regulation issued. Please stop acting as if "you" know the proper way to handle issues and implement without feedback.


Agree with our Governor

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Completely agree with parental inclusion in such a complex decision for young people.


parental rights

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I support 100% the Governors policy on parental rights.

The schools have been indoctrinating not educating.  Thank you.


This harms trans students. OPPOSE

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No one's parents are being lied to. Trans people, regardless of their age or even whether they're sure, are entitled to their identity. No one else is. Parents will find out when the child is ready to share!


I support parental rights

Parents of Rockingham County Facebook Group

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I support Youngkin and the VDOE guidance to notify parents of a name change. Parents should be involved. Period. I’m a parent to 3 boys in Rockingham County public schools. Their take after voting down a board members policy to notify parents of a child wishing to be called a different name than what is on power school is the following:

1) They believe that if you parent better the child will notify you. If your kid isn’t telling you things then obviously you are not parenting correctly. I’m so glad we have such outstanding board members that have never lied or hid things from their parents. Ever…

2) Parents who wish to be notified could become abusive. I have a big issue with this statement. If it is true that parents could be abusive if notified of a name change it must also be true they could be abusive over being notified that  their child was fighting, bullying, making bad grades, skipping class, etc. It seems as though all other notification is ok but once a kid expressing gender dysphoria we must pump the brakes and re-evaluate a parents judgement here. That’s nonsense. I’m not asking to be notified to “pray the gay away” or to change my child. The suicide rate for trans community is 40%. I should have to be notified for concerns of mental health. I want my kids to bury me, not the other way around.

Regardless, these are conversations where parents should have a seat at the table and we shouldn’t have to ask the schools if it’s ok if we sit here! Put some teeth on this policy so parents WILL be notified.

Thank you

Zac Nicholson

moderator of parents of Rockingham county public school Facebook group

2400 members and growing.


Oppose the hatred!

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Support trans kids.  They are at such high risk of suicide and mental health issues, why pick on them for political gain?


Support the Governor and our parents indivisible rights.

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Do not indoctrinate our children with this ridiculous and fact-less based ideology. Words and meaning and with that structure society would have limited direction. We wouldn’t be able to delineate truth and lies. This issue becomes a problem when those single individuals perceptions/outlooks/beliefs start to politically encroach on the rights and beliefs of societal  norms. I support all children education and opportunities. I support woman sports. I support   Individuality and personal beliefs, but not when they are imposed on other. There are men and woman only. Words are not malleable and they have meaning. The structures that support that meaning should align with that intent. Support parent rights, stick to academics not indoctrination or attempting to institutionalize our children in this fact-less and delusional mindset. You have my attention.

20+ years Military Veteran.


OPPOSE

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Transgender persons are a protected class and should remain this way. Treated fairly.


Oppose

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As a parent and educator, I oppose this legislation.


I strongly support Governor Youngkin

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I strongly support Governor Youngkin. This is an outrageous policy for a select few.


The model policy change puts no one at risk

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The proposed changes put no children or adults at risk. They put the responsibility on the PARENTS or legal guardians to be involved in their child's life and make changes to their child's official record with the school/school division to identify as anything other than their biological sex.  Anyone who opposes these changes is encouraging children to hide things and/or lie to the adults who are responsible for raising them.

I encourage everyone to read the model policy instead of making degenerate comments based on assumptions.


APPROVE

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STRONGLY SUPPORT GOVERNOR YOUNGIN'S PROPOSED CHANGES

As a parent, I should never have to beg to be informed about anything regarding my minor aged children.  How did we get to this point anyway? Let's do better.


STRONGLY OPPOSE

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<p>You are putting these children in harms way.  This will cause way more bullying than there is already.  This will allow school personnel to disrespect and belittle transgender students by refusing to use the name that conforms with their gender identities, even in some cases when parents have made an official request. This will also spike the depression, anxiety, and suicide rate among these children. </p>


Is this even legal?

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Not supporting trans folks means that we have to know which ones are trans, and that means prioritizing a person's genitals over who they are. Pretty sure it's illegal to discriminate on the basis of sex. Shame on y'all


Is this even legal?


KEEP YOUR BOYS OUT OF THE GIRLS ROOMS

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TAKE CARE OF YOUR LITTLE BOY OR HE'LL GROW UP TO BE A CRIMINAL.  WE WILL GET THEM!


Strongly Oppose

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This policy will only harm children who feel unsafe in their homes and that parents won't accept them. Schools should be safe places where students feel comfortable sharing their experiences with teachers, who are entrusted by the state as mandated reporters, yet not trusted to do what's best for kids. We need to protect ALL children!


Fully support Gov. Youngkin

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I support the new VDOE guidelines for schools. It’s time to get back to reading, writing, and arithmetic and stop the woke nonsense. Pushing pronouns on kids. Allowing children of the opposite sex in bathrooms and locker rooms is beyond ridiculous. Thanks you Governor Youngkin for bringing sanity back to our schools.


PROTECT MY DAUGHTER FROM MALITIOUS BOYS GOING INTO THE GIRLS BATHROOMS

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NO BOYS SHOULD BE ALLOWED INTO THE GIRLS BATHROOMS. PERIOD!


Oppose


Horrible! Strongly oppose!

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Using the bathroom is a basic human dignity. Science completely agrees with letting transgender people use bathrooms/pronouns/names/sports teams that are affirming to them. Shame on everyone in favor of this and shame on Youngkin. You're supposed to be doing what's best for Virginia, and I doubt that you actually believe marginalizing an already marginalized group is a good thing. People are dying.

Parents, remember that there are some households that aren't safe to come out in! Just because you would want to know doesn't mean it should be a requirement, because some families are a lot more abusive than yours. You are not the only family in the state of VA. Home is not a safe place for everyone.


OPPOSE


AGREE


OPPOSE!!!

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Oppose so called Governor's new policy. Give this guy and inch and he'll take a mile. Which one of your rights will he try to take away next? Be careful, it could be you next!

Leave these kids alone. Republicans have nothing left except to stir up fear and hatred with their culture wars.


I support Gov Youngkin


Modifications for consideration

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Comments regarding the "model policy"

I understand the need to have parents involved, however it would be nice if there was a way for students to apply or claim "safe harbor" if you will.  Many of my son's friends who are struggling with gender identity feel more welcome at school and with their teachers or counselors talking through their concerns.  How might we ensure they have a confidential place to express those concerns?  If there is some process they could apply for and could be documented that they are in extreme mental distress or safety issues then perhaps those that really are at risk could be helped?

Parents need to be in the know but sometimes they are doing the damage themselves by not creating that environment at home.  For those cases where the parents are not supportive or worst abusive, how can we help our youth feel safe?  The policy needs to leave room for that.

Regarding sports, I also understand the need to have traditional teams separated by the traditional sexes.  What about opening up the need for gender neutral sports.  For example, our local flag football team allows both sexes to play together.  Perhaps they are more club sports than competitive to start but it does allow for inclusion in traditional activities.  And even in the regions where the sports teams are so competitive that those who can't make the teams still have a way to play.  Not all families can afford the private youth club sports.  And participation in middle and high school sports further generates a sense of inclusion and belonging to your school and peers.

I do hope that state does not let fear and hate rule its policies.  It is so hard to see the hateful comments and watch parents spew such vitriol to kids who are just trying to find themselves.  The world is better when our youth are who they are meant to be and they feel safe enough to be themselves.  Research clearly shows that when you are not ruled by fear you will contribute your best ideas!


Transgender student support

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Strongly oppose.

The proposed policies seek to erase trans and non-binary youth from the classroom and create a hostile and even dangerous school environment, restricting restroom access and sports participation for transgender and nonbinary students and prohibiting teachers and staff from supporting trans students in a range of ways, including blocking them from using a student’s affirming name and pronouns.

The Virginia Department of Education is rejecting those values and advancing a policy that would target trans and non-binary kids for bullying and mistreatment just because of who they are.


Vehemently opposed.

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We are all God’s beloved children and are entitled to dignity, respect and equal treatment.


Strongly Support the 2022 Policy - Large % of the opposed entries are from bots

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It's certainly Constitutional and will remove 'educators' from family matters with regard to sex and gender. Schools should have no role in parental issues other than to identify potential abuse.


Parents know better than children

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Thank you, Governor Youngkin, for hearing parents.  We need to route out the madness of misnaming things and engaging in fantasy.  Every student shouldn’t be exposed and indoctrinated with transgender ideology just to fulfill a policy built on fetish.

Thank you for defending the sanity and pushing back against the far left.

RME

Great Falls, VA


Strongly Oppose

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I strongly oppose this new policy - by “giving rights to parents” you are stripping people of rights. This policy stemmed out of bias, ignorance, and fear, is multiple steps backwards in ensuring equal rights and a fully inclusive environment for all. I’m very disappointed and find it laughable that Governor Younkin is so threatened by transgender students.


Protect our kids and support the Governor

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<p>Protecting our children is the most important jobs we have as parents. </p>


Strongly Opposed

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<p>No policy should require outting a student (or anyone else) when it is not their wish. Nor should any policy ban nicknames or simple expression of gender using correct pronouns. The proposed 2022 school guidance policy directly targeting trans students is medieval. </p>


STRONGLY OPPOSE TRANSPHOBIA

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I am all for supporting people from all walks of life. This America is an abomination of human rights abuses. I strongly oppose transphobia and this ridiculous government as a whole. Get a grip you poor excuses of adults.


STRONGLY AGREE WITH 2022 PROPOSED POLICY

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Thank you for correcting the ill-conceived rules of the past governor and state elected officials and rewriting the 2022 standard policy.  The 2022 policy is extremely fair to all.  There is NO reason transgender students (or any others) should have more rights than the majority of students.  CRT and WOKE ideas should not be included in administrative policy or teachers curriculum.  Parents have the right and responsibility to oversee and govern how their children are raised.  Teachers, school boards, and administrators have no rights to corrupt our children.  Their job is to teach standard curriculum!


Youngkin’s policies amount to bullyimg trans students. STRONGLY OPPOSE.

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As a high school teacher I serve trans kids - many whiose parents do not support them. Giving them a safe space to live their lives as they wish gives them hope and comfort. These new policies cause them ancient & depression possibly leading some to take their own lives. And these are all to score political points. It is shameful to use these children as political props. Leave them be - this causes more harm than good!  I strongly oppose these heinous policies.


STRONGLY OPPOSE!


I support Younkgin, Say NO to Compelled speech demanded by those with Gender Dysmorphia

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Gender dysmorphia is a sickness. Man is man and woman is woman.  The tranny movement is against God and I'll vote out any clown who supports it.

Stop this satanic movement.

No to trannies yes to the Bible


I stand with Governor Youngkin!

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<p>Stop pushing this nonsense on our children.  </p>


Approve

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<p>As a parent of 3 school aged children I approve of this policy. Parents are the legal guardians of their children and are responsible for them until they are 18. We should never have to have a policy giving us the right to be informed of anything while are children are in school. </p>


Strongly Oppose

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This new model policy is disgusting. It's using our children as political bargaining tools and taking away what makes them who they are. This will seriously increase the number of children being abused or thrown out by family because of who they are, as well as increasing the suicide rate. Trans kids deserve a place to be safe in who they are.


Approve

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Please protect my children.


OPPOSE


Leave you suckers in the dust

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<p>"I just think people need to use the bathrooms for what race they are" is just as regressive of a statement as what we're seeing today regarding the continuing persecution of our transgender friends, community members, and family. We hopefully look back in disgust at how this country has treated and continued to treat Indigenous, Black, Jewish, and the queer community, and host of other groups for not conforming when God-fearing society has deemed them abominations, when all people want is to feel comfortable in their own skin within a society that loves them. This war against our queer relatives is looked at in disgust and will continue to be as the slow march of acceptance moves forward and bigots are left in the dust.</p>


I oppose


SUPPORT PARENTS RIGHTS

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Children are minors and in the care of parents, not teachers. Children should not have to be subjected to competing in sports or dressing in locker rooms with the opposite sex. This is immoral and a dangerous road for girls and youth sports. Transgender agendas should not be forces on minors by teachers in the classroom or by means of locker rooms, bathrooms or on the playing fields.


OPPOSED - Stop bullying Trans Youth.

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OPPOSED - Stop bullying Trans Youth. Trans youth are at the greatest risk for depression and suicide, they do not need to be further victimized by Trump-minded far right bigots for political clout.


Youngkin’s proposed policies are illegal and would be overturned in court

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I am writing in strong opposition to Governor Youngkin’s directive proposing to eliminate and replace the current Virginia Department of Education policy on transgender youth. Based on the directive, schools would be required to classify students by their “biological sex” in allowing or disallowing the students’ use of facilities or participation in school activities. In addition, the directive would require schools to refuse to use a student’s requested name or pronouns without parental permission. And it appears that the directive requires schools to notify parents of their child’s transgender status and related issues.

Others will address the extraordinary and life-threatening impact of such policies on children who are especially vulnerable to bullying or to abusive reactions in the home. Still others will question the cynicism and cruelty of a governor with naked national political ambitions using such children as political cannon fodder.

Instead, I will address some aspects of the blatant illegality of these proposed policies under federal and state law. Whether Governor Youngkin or Jason Miyares likes it or not, the fact is that discrimination against transgender persons is illegal discrimination on the basis of sex. As recently as 2019, the United States Supreme Court in Bostock v. Clayton County, Georgia held that Title VII of the Civil Rights Act’s  prohibition of discrimination “against any individual . . . because of such individual’s … sex” applies to discrimination against transgendered persons. Bostock v. Clayton County, Georgia, 590 US , 140 S.Ct. 1731, 1740, citing 42 U. S. C. §2000e–2(a)(1). As Justice Gorsuch noted in the Bostock decision, “it is impossible to discriminate against a person for being homosexual or transgender without discriminating against that individual based on sex.” Bostock at 1741.

And just last year the United States Department of Justice expressly applied the Bostock holding to gender identity discrimination in the schools, stressing that Title IX of the Civil Rights Act prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity in educational settings just as Title VII prohibits such discrimination in workplace settings. SeeUnited States Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, Application of Bostock v. Clayton County to Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Mar. 26, 2021) (saying in part that “[a]fter considering the text of Title IX, Supreme Court caselaw, and developing jurisprudence in this area, the [Department of Justice] has determined that the best reading of Title IX’s prohibition on discrimination ‘on the basis of sex’ is that it includes discrimination on the basis of gender identity and sexual orientation”).

Moreover, in 2020 the Fourth Circuit held in Grimm v. Gloucester County School Board that requiring transgender students to use multi-user bathrooms different from their gender identities violates both Title IX and the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment, saying that “At the heart of this appeal is whether equal protection and Title IX can protect transgender students from school bathroom policies that prohibit them from affirming their gender. We join a growing consensus of courts in holding that the answer is resoundingly yes.” Grimm v. Gloucester County School Board, 972 F.3d 586, 593 (4th Cir. 2020), as amended (Aug. 28, 2020), reh’g en banc denied, 976 F.3d 399 (4th Cir. 2020), cert denied, June 28, 2021.

Three other circuit courts have reached similar conclusions to that reached by the Fourth Circuit in Grimm. See. e.g., Adams v. Sch. Bd. of St. Johns Cnty., 968 F.3d 1286, 1305 (11th Cir. 2020); Whitaker By Whitaker v. Kenosha Unified Sch. Dist. No. 1 Bd. of Educ., 858 F.3d 1034, 1049–50 (7th Cir. 2017) (transgender student likely to succeed on claim that school district violated Title IX by excluding student from boys’ restroom); Dodds v. U.S. Dep’t of Educ., 845 F.3d 217, 221–22 (6th Cir. 2016) (per curiam) (school district that sought to exclude transgender student from girls’ restroom unlikely to succeed given Title IX prohibition on discrimination based on sex stereotyping and gender nonconformity).

On the basis of the case law of these four federal circuits – including the Fourth Circuit, which includes Virginia – Youngkin’s directive is in blatant violation of federal law. See Youngkin’s “Sample Policy,” which expressly states that

“Student participation in sex-specific school activities and events and use of school facilities …  For any school program, event, or activity, including extracurricular activities that are separated by sex, the appropriate participation of students shall be determined by sex … intimate spaces used for school-related activities and events shall be based on sex … Students shall use bathrooms that correspond to his or her sex, except to the extent that federal law otherwise requires.”

Moreover, Youngkin’s directive stands in direct violation of Virginia’s Human Rights Act, which states in part that “[i]t is the policy of the Commonwealth to … Safeguard all individuals within the Commonwealth from unlawful discrimination because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military status, or disability in places of public accommodation, including educational institutions.” Virginia Human Rights Act, Va. Code § 2.2-3900 (emphases added). O

On this basis, when the Youngkin directive insists that “[School Division] personnel shall refer to each student using only the pronouns appropriate to the sex appearing in the student’s official record - that is, male pronouns for a student whose legal sex is male, and female pronouns for a student whose legal sex is female” (emphasis added), the directive unlawfully discriminates against transgender students’ right to choose their pronouns. Where the Youngkin directive refuses to allow a transgender student to make a declaration of gender without a note from home, saying that “[t]he phrase ‘transgender student’ shall mean a public school student whose parent has requested in writing, due to their child’s persistent and sincere belief that his or her gender differs with his or her sex, that their child be so identified while at school,” the directive unlawfully discriminates against the transgender student’s right to make an affirmation of gender. And when the Youngkin directive says that transgender students are restricted in their extracurricular participation based on their biological sex, saying that “[f]or any athletic program or activity that is separated by sex, the appropriate participation of students shall be determined by sex,” the directive again flies in the face of both federal law and Virginia statute.

There is little if any question that these policies – if adopted – will inevitably be struck down. And they will be struck down after the Commonwealth of Virginia has spent exorbitant taxpayer resources attempting to defend a prima facie illegal policy – for no other purpose than to further its current Governor’s political ambitions. Surely the taxpayers of the Commonwealth would be better served were the Office of the Attorney General to spend its time prosecuting criminals instead of hounding, bullying, and harassing the Commonwealth’s transgender students to please Fox News?


Strongly Oppose!

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Strongly oppose this bill!


Totally support this language to stop the nonsense.

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<p>Totally support this language to stop thXEe nonsense. </p>


New Guidelines for Transgender Students

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I STRONGLY SUPPORT Gov. Youngkin’s new guidelines for transgender students. Parents deserve and need to be involved in their students education.


Strongly oppose modification

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I strongly oppose any change to current policies as it is both cruel and dangerous. Research shows that gender affirming environments SAVE LIVES,, and that conversely refusal to affirm a child's identity results in a HIGH FREQUENCY of child/young adult SUICIDE. Younkin will have blood on his hands if this policy change happens. Absolutely abhorrent and unacceptable!


Strongly Oppose!

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<p>Protect the youth. </p>


Respect Parents and Families

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The Governor’s current policy respects all families and First Amendment rights.  Leave it alone.


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I Oppose modification or replacement of the established policy.


SUPPORT Govenor Youngkin and Parental rights.

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First I wonder how many of these anonymous comments are repeat by someone who has figured out how to auto comment!

My daughter used to attend public school in Broadway VA. She was admitted to the hospital for mental health issues-By the school. We did not find out till she was already at the ER. The school never communicated with me letting me know she had been in to the guidance counselor on several occasions. My daughter and I talked but she wanted to keep it secret. Once we were made aware  we were able to work with her and help her throigh..  She is not graduated, married, has a good job, ia a mother and is living a joyful life in which we continue to talk! If the school would have communicated earlier the hospital trip fiasco and drama could have been avoided.

When a child is in daycare reports of every little bump, bruise and scrape are required to be made known to parents on an immediate or at least daily basis. Why not highschoolers trips to the guidance counselor or mental bumps and bruises?! This btw was not even a gender identity crisis- but I can imagine many of the kids going through these difficult fads also need Parental involvement more than they can admit. Please keep parents informed.

The rest of our children are pulled out of the public system and will remained homeschooled. We will not "co-parent" with the government or sign away our parental rights  to the schools.


Oppose

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<p>Strongly oppose this hurtful legislation </p>


I support this policy.

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<p>Thank you for supporting parents rights. Involved parents are key to helping our youth navigate the world. The school environment should provide a safe space for all youth, no matter how you identify to learn.  However, making  others conform to a belief you do not subscribe to and then pushing it on my children crosses the line.  Problems arise when politics enter the school zone making it no longer about educating the future but about adults promoting their agenda.  I support this new policy and appreciate the work that was done to make it happen. Thank you. </p>


I support this policy.


Oppose


Strongly oppose the 2022 Model Policies regarding trans kids in schools

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It is horribly damaging to our kids to be forced to pretend to be something they are not. Trans kids need to be affirmed, loved, and respected for who they are. Those whose parents fail to do that need school to be a safe space even more.


Support Governor Yunkin

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Strongly support Governor rewriting transgender policy. This nonsense has gone on long enough. Teachers need to be teaching reading, writing, and arithmetic. Any teacher who brings up a students gender or sex life and encourages their students to walk out of school over so called “trans rights “ should be fired. There’s only two genders!


I Oppose modification or replacement of the established policy


Strongly oppose this terrible proposal

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<p>This is an utterly cruel and inhumane proposal, and only does harm to trans kids and teachers. There is zero benefit to this bill for anyone. </p>


Strongly Disagree. We need to protect Trans/Enby Youth!

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Being misgendered is kind of like this:

Imagine you're dressed as Sleeping Beauty for Halloween and almost everyone keeps telling you they like your Rapunzel costume. You're kind of annoyed but Sleeping Beauty isn't as popular and it's a closet costume after all, so you understand and move on. After a while though, you start to get really annoyed because almost everyone thinks you're Rapunzel.

So you go home and revamp your costume. You spend extra time making sure you have the important details right. You even put on a name tag that reads "Aurora." You look in the mirror and you're happy and confident in your costume. "Surely people won't be so confused now," you think. "This looks great!"

But when you go back out, almost everyone is still calling you Rapunzel. Some of them pause and you can tell they're trying to figure out if you really are Rapunzel. Some of them even look directly at the name tag. But most people still tell you they like your Rapunzel costume. Maybe one person will see the name tag or recognize the costume and get it right, and *gosh* does that make you happy if it happens.

But still, you go home feeling defeated and frustrated and maybe a bit depressed, wondering what the hell you did wrong or what you could have done differently. You did everything you could to show that this was *not* a Rapunzel costume but it made almost no difference.

Now imagine this is nearly every single day of your life.


Support

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Being aware of the way so-called 'supportive' transgender policies have been misused in UK schools, I fully support the move to involve parents and recognise parents' responsibilities to their children.  The USA is fortunate to have those responsibilities and the associated rights supported by a written constitution.

The international experience with in-school policies that support 'affirmation' models for students who are thought to be transgender has shown that such policies do not promote students' welfare, and frequently lead to negative outcomes. See the UK's recent interim Cass report for some examples. Keeping such policies secret from the people who should be most interested in children's welfare is a bad idea.

Any policy that encourages children to keep secrets from their parents is also open to abuse by any bad actors within the system.


Fully support parents’ rights and Youngkin’s model policy

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Please read the policy in detail - this is about protecting minors and the responsibilities of parents


The 2022 Model Policies are misguided and I oppose them.

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Having read this policy fully, I have multiple criticisms. I would firstly like to note that, compared to the relatively unbiased descriptions of many of the other proposed policies on this page, the Commonwealth has decided to put a great deal of energy into promoting this policy. Rather than providing a simple description, the government feels the need to spoon-feed its citizens with reasons as to why the proposed policies are supposedly beneficial.

My main reason for attacking this policy is the foreseeable outcomes. Studies show that transgender children who are allowed to socially transition have far better mental health outcomes than those who are not. Pragmatically, disallowing children from transitioning to their identified gender will lead to higher rates of suicides, self-harm, depression, and anxiety. A transgender student at my school died by suicide a few years ago, and the pain that reverberated across our community was immediately noticeable and long-lasting. Rather than allowing these students to contribute to a more vibrant Virginia, these policies push students away from a more open future.

The reason for my focus on the mental health outcomes of socially transitioned children is the obvious impact of school upon a child's mental health. Any parent will know that a large part of a child's emotional well-being between the ages of 5 and 18 is largely predicated on their happiness at school. Students whose parents are allowed to decide how their child is addressed and gendered at school may not be able to use their preferred name and pronouns, causing the student gender dysphoria and mental distress. The policies provide for a draconian level of parental control over student life that is not seen anywhere else in the school system. I personally have many classmates who, if their parents were allowed to control their gender expression at school, would have to socially de-transition, which would cause them serious mental anguish.

If these Model Policies were to be enacted, schools would also be required to keep the parents informed of the child's gender identity while at school. The Commonwealth's teachers work very hard to provide the students of Virginia with a quality education despite the extra paperwork that they are required to complete. The burden of informing parents of their child's gender identity would almost certainly fall on the teachers, who would have to bear the brunt of the parent's possible anger.

The Policies state that respect for the First Amendment is tantamount. It certainly is, but the policy's interpretation of it is not. Having to respect people's preferred pronouns is not a breach of my First Amendment rights. The school division says I must address my teachers with a title and their last name and that I mustn't bully other students by addressing them with rude nicknames. How is addressing someone by their preferred name and pronouns at all different? People with religious backgrounds are still quite capable of respecting those that they disagree with.

The "Additional Related Laws" section cites the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, which protects the privacy of student records while also giving parents the right to review such records. It, however, makes one critically flawed assumption that undermines the legitimacy of the paragraph. It says that "information related to sex or gender may constitute [student] personally identifiable information."  The key word 'may' is rather important here, as it shows that school divisions are not in violation of Commonwealth or federal law by not disclosing a student's at-school social transition to possibly-unwelcoming parents.

The Policies state that "empowering parents is necessary to improve outcomes for children." However, in this instance, empowering parents to have willy-nilly control over their child's gender and gender expression will actually hurt student outcomes. What problem do these policies intend to solve? These policies only serve to make student's and teacher's lives more difficult than they have to be. I see no problem in allowing schools to be a student's safe space. If schools are prevented from respecting their students, many who are in need of a helping hand through a difficult time in life will instead face a cold slap.


People are firgetting this one simple fact.

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<p>People are forgetting this one simple fact. Rules governing a public space have nothing to do with your personal belief and ideology.  These rules are put in place so we can all get along.  Putting rules in place doesn't govern your thoughts and feelings.  It governs your speech and actions.  If you hate transgender folx, people of color and other groups that you aren't affiliated with, you are free to think however you want, and behave however you want in private.  But while you are in these public spaces you are going to talk to and interact with these people like you would anyone else.  Those that you hate are expected to do the same for you.  Getting along in public spaces is a price we pay for living in a civilized society.  </p>


STRONGLY OPPOSED

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<p>Children need safe spaces away from abusive or radical/fanatical households and families and to many, school is the ONLY safe space they have. Removing that in the guise of "parental rights" is disgusting. Would you allow teachers to keep children from having food of their parents thought they were too fat? No way! The idea in itself is deplorable. This is a different side of the same coin. Don't further make queer childrens' lives harder than they already are by forcing teachers who are trusted to out children to families who likely will abuse them. It's a horrible thing to do. Period. </p>
<p> </p>


Agree


STRONGLY OPPOSE

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<p>Support trans youth </p>


Strongly AGREE

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Parents raise their kids. If their child is struggling with gender it should be told to the parents


Support 2022 Policy

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<p>I support the proposed 2022 model policy. Thank you for respecting parents and students and allowing parents to fulfill their proper role in their children’s lives. </p>


Strongly oppose. Parents raise their kids

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It's not the schools job to raise children. If kids are questioning gender it should be discussed with their PARENTS.


Protect Trans and Nonbinary Youth

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As a permanent resident of Virginia, who is genderqueer and has spent the entirety of my K-12 education in Virginia, I cannot support the proposed policy changes regarding the treatment of transgender students. The VDOE claims to support the right for each student "to attend school in an environment free form discrimination, harassment, or bullying;" however, it is impossible for the VDOE to fulfill this if they pass the proposed policy changes.

The policy changes are intended to allow "parents to have the right to make decisions with respect to their children," but this fails to understand the dangerous repercussions that are involved with requiring parental consent to "make the best decisions with respect to their children." Transphobia exists. Transphobic parents exist. Forcing schools to disclose a student's gender identity, in regards to pronouns/preferred name/preferred restroom/etc., to parents implicates the safety of the student.

If a student does not want their parents to know that they are exploring their gender expression, then there must be a reason that they feel that their parents should not know. Genderqueer students will tell their parents when they are comfortable. It's irresponsible for schools to out students to their parents, and would demonstrate inherent disrespect/disregard for the student, their needs, and their emotions. Children and teenage students are people too. Their emotions, needs, and wishes should not be neglected based on the idea that their parents automatically know what is 'best' for the student.

Schools can provide one of the few safe spaces for many queer/trans/black/indigenous people of color. You cannot take away another safe space from these students. Schools are where students spend a majority of their waking moments, so by forcing genderqueer students to adhere to their assigned gender is dangerous to the mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing of genderqueer students.

These policy changes are written so that "shall respect all students" and "serve the needs of all students." BUT:

The VDOE cannot respect students and serve student needs without acknowledging that genderqueer youth exist. The VDOE cannot respect students and serve student needs if you do not acknowledge that transphobia still exists. The VDOE cannot respect students and serve student needs by passing these blatantly transphobic policies.


Youngkin’s Transgender Policy

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I strongly OPPOSE.  We need to do better. This is not the way.


Strongly Opposed

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<p>Strongly oppose </p>


Strongly opposed

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This policy update will hurt trans and non-binary children. It is a huge step backwards for the rights of an individual in the commonwealth to live as they feel most comfortable. Supporting the identity of a transgender or non-binary child costs nothing. Make no mistake, there are parents that will punish their children for having identities they do not support or believe in. I could not oppose this more strongly.


Support trans youth!

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It's disgusting to use children as political tools. Children should be allowed to express themselves and being trans is of no harm to anyone. Anything anti-trans is just a scare tactic meant to create divisions. Let's focus on the real issues instead of traumatizing children.


Strongly opposed

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<p>I’m strongly opposed to the proposed changes to transgender student policies.  They discriminate on the basis of sex and promote harm to transgender youth. </p>


Strongly oppose.

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I oppose this law as it subjects children to political violence and could very likely harm their sense of identity, which is being developed at what should be a very nurturing and educational time for them. As someone who wants to teach one day, I believe that it cannot be stressed enough that classrooms should be made more inclusive and as a place of solace for children, as it should be to ensure that they grow in a healthy and safe environment.


Strongly oppose.


Oppose


Strongly oppose!

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This is wrong! Keep our most vulnerable kids safe!


STRONGLY IN FAVOR OF BILL

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As parents of two middle and high school children, we strongly are advocating for this bill. We believe there are two genders and when our children go to school, we expect them to get excellent public education; as we did growing up in Virginia.


STRONGLY OPPOSE!


Strongly oppose, His policy endangers children.

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This policy is very dangerous.All children should be respected.


I support Youngkin

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Although I support trans rights in general, I feel like that is a choice that should be made when you are old enough to understand the implication of such a choice.. kids are not capable of understanding those kinds of decisions, their brains are still developing. Plus the parent should know what is going on in their child’s life, if they support their child, then they can go through the legal process of changing their name and all that. It is best for the child and their protection if the parent knows what is going on. Therefore I support Governor Younkin’s law and believe it should be passed. I don’t think the government or education system have the right to get between a child and their parent. Their parent is their guardian, it is their job to know what is going on so that they can protect their children.


Fully support!


These kids are our future. Strongly oppose.

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How dare the DOE and Youngkin legislate away the safety of students in Virginia. If education is mandatory, then requiring teachers to out their students to is state-sponsored child abuse. I am disgusted to see this news from my state. Shame on anyone who wrote this tyrannical proposal.


STRONGLY OPPOSE

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<p>This will subject children who are already vulnerable to additional violence and discrimination. </p>


Why would you puts students lives at risk? Strongly oppose.

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Requiring schools to reveal sexual identity to legal guardians or parents will get kids killed and abused. You should be ashamed to have a brain at this point, trying to push your ignorant white privileged and dangerous policies onto people who are already struggling. I hope you find some effort to think about what you have done, and the danger that your particular brand of ignorance brings.


Support this policy!


Transgender Policy.

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Strongly oppose, His policy doesn't help children, it endangers them. Sad!


Protect trans students.

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PROTECT TRANS STUDENTS!!


Opposition to this measure

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According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, trans and non binary youth have markedly higher rates of suicide ideation, suicide attempts and death by suicide than their cis peers. To combat the grim reality of these statistics, best practices must be implemented that create a safe environment in the classroom ESPECIALLY if their home environment is not supportive.

Requiring parental permission to address children by their chosen name and pronouns puts the lives of trans kids unnecessarily at risk. I FIRMLY oppose this.


Oppose. Keep our all our children safe.

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Proposed change in policies for transkids.


Fully support Youngkin

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Parents Right Matter

Fully support Gov Youngkin

Parents are required to engaged to their kids life, and decision

Intrusive government should stay out of school.   Let kids be kids. Let them learn math, English, biology and etc instead of having them worrying about what’s between their legs and who they should be.   It’s not the teacher’s job to teach kids about sexuality and their gender.   If it is a sex education, then it should require parents’ permission

No politics and activist on school ground

Stop the grooming, stop the dummying and return back to academics


This policy is cruel. Oppose.

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Children deserve respect and support, not heavy-handed state attempts to control who they are and how they interact with the world. Let kids be themselves - everyone will be better off not trying to police other people's expression and identity.

Also, pushing this through in the name of parental rights is disingenuous. I am a parent of two Virginia school kids. I love and respect them for who they are, and would want their identity respected by others the same. If we're going to make this about parents' rights rather than children's, this tramples all over the rights of the parents who support their trans kids.

I oppose this entirely.


Oppose

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Governor Youngkin’s proposal harms kids, their families, and our schools. Teaching hate and a disregard for bodily autonomy and identification has no place in Virginia’s schools.


I support this 100%

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I strongly support this, it is up to the parents to educate their kids, they have every right to be involved in such huge decisions regarding their child.

It should not be up to these activist teachers.


Support parents, and support Governor

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Biology is binary. Just ask any parents who’ve made a kid. Since the parents made the kid, they get the choice of how life goes for that mid (barring illegal behavior) until they’re legal adults. Keep transgender theory where it belongs, in social studies not science because every kid in the school was made by a male and female component which is only capable of producing a male or female component (or mutation which cannot reproduce— what happened to biology 101 people?


Strongly Oppose: This does not help children, it endangers them.

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This policy threatens to directly enable the abuse of at-risk youth, how anyone could support it is beyond me. Queer youth deserve to be safe at school, end of discussion.


Strongly oppose

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You expect them to act like adults but give them no chance to make their own choices. You're denying children the right to self expression, when in reality, they have a better of idea of who they are than any in their generation before them. However, these generations are 'responsible' for making their decisions for them.

If high schools weren't so involved in sports, this issue would be little noticed. The argument always goes back to this and it doesn't make sense.


Oppose

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Not only is this potentially dangerous for trans kids, but it's a waste of time and energy for everyone involved. We could be out here helping people and innovating better teaching methods and creating better environments for our children and instead we're out here making garbage legislation that perpetuates a useless and insipid culture war.


Strongly Opposed

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<p>These proposed model policies are contrary to state law and will be extremely harmful to transgender and nonbinary kids. It’s antithetical and flies in the face of “policies” to keep kids safe. </p>


Very much agree with proposed 2022 trans policy update— support parents

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my argument for support of this document change is simple: if we assert that children have governance over their gender identities before our legal age of emancipation, a consideration which is so fundamentally tied to personal agency, then we likewise assert that children are completely in control of all aspects of their body. This is, by virtue of their lack of maturity and incapability, a dangerous falsehood. By this logic, a child is no more expected to be able to self-medicate, consume alcohol, or procreate than they are to make choices about something as complex as their identity. A dysphoria is not a justification or rationale for agency— quite the opposite. If a child had vertigo, would we want them climbing on the roof? We don’t let children make these choices for a reason— not because we don’t respect their human dignity— they do not have the capacity to make these decisions on their own. It is the duty of parents to grow that decision making power and to form that child in a way in which they will be functional choice-makers. Parents are the primary teachers, not schools. I am an educator of nearly two decades and I would never presume that I am qualified to instruct a student superseding a parent’s authority. How would you feel if I taught your child something you didn’t agree with entirely without your knowledge or consent?

Leave the raising to the parents. Parents make kids, they pay for their lives, they get to choose, not school systems.


Be someone your child can trust

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You shouldn't need a law to force a teacher to out your child.  Be someone your child can trust enough to come to you.  This will put some trans children in a dangerous situation.


I support the Governor on this!

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<p>What parent would not want to know what’s going on with their kids? </p>


100% Agree!

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Parents have the right to say what is best for their child and to not be kept in the dark!


Keep current policy

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Keep current policy. What is the problem? Needs more study and discussion by students, parents, teachers, and administrators.


100% Support

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<p>Totally 100% Support. </p>


Strongly Opposed

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This isn't and shouldn't be a side or political agenda.

This is acknowledgement of a vulnerable population's need for safety and support.

Public school is for all students. All students include trans students.


Oppose Youngkin’s School Gender Guidance

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Re: Youngkin Proposal on Trans Youth/Gender Regulations

I strongly oppose the latest proposal disrespecting trans youth and total disregard for the safety of children who identify with the opposite gender not assigned at birth. School is a place where all children need to have a safe space to learn, grow and feel supported in their personhood. All bathrooms should be non gendered and private, just like at universities. If a child is forced to use a bathroom based on their gender assigned at birth, although they live and behave as the other gender, is it possible for you to think about how that daily stress affects the life of a student? Your proposal is archaic, restrictive, against the law and most of all, its punitive and mean. You are bullying the students in need of the most support for their very sensitive life situation. LGBTQ/Trans youth deserve rights and protection not the degrading policy that Youngkin slickly claims to be about parental rights. Its about making others feel bad for who they are to make yourself more righteous and gain votes. You don’t have my vote ever. As a retired teacher from FCPS and still working in a private school, your policy does not reflect the views of any modern school environment that seeks to support the many needs of students.  I expect better but realize for narrow minded and self righteous people like you in government, this is a long shot. I guess you forgot the words from the Bible that say, “For God so loved the world…” The world, meaning everyone, including the most vulnerable of who was created, LGBTQ/Trans youth. How about if you trade places with a trans youth and decide that if YOU were that youth, how YOU would like to be treated. I am sure it would most certainly NOT be under your policy proposals. I will continually oppose your hateful agenda cleverly packaged in fake ‘parental control’ and ‘fairness’ language, which most of us clearly see for what it is. Targeted discrimination instead of necessary inclusion. Shame on you.


STRONGLY OPPOSE


Are there more comments on this board then there are VA residents?

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<p>Strongly support parental rights and Youngkin. </p>


Parenting

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Parents belong in parenting.


STRONGLY OPPOSE!

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I oppose this proposed policy. This proposed policy will be extremely harmful to transgender and nonbinary kids.


Strongly Oppose Youngkin Transgender Policy

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I strongly oppose the administration's proposed transgender policy. It is written in a very insensitive way and will serve to marginalize trans and nonbinary kids, creating a hostile and potentially even dangerous school environment. Requiring teachers and school staff to forcibly “out” students to their parents against their will in some circumstances, such as where a student seeks counseling, is wrong and harmful. Prohibiting teachers and school staff from supporting trans and nonbinary students (such as the simple practice of using a student’s affirming name & pronouns) is also wrong. Lastly, the policy creates bathroom and sports policies that prohibit access and/or participation in activities consistent with their gender identity, which is stupid and probably illegal. Please cease this ill-advised effort.


Oppose

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<p>Trans kids are a threat to no one. This policy is absurd. This is a callous political stunt that should never have been taken seriously by public officials entrusted to act in the interest of the public good. </p>


Strongly Oppose

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<p>Strongly oppose. This policy endangers some of our most vulnerable students. </p>


OPPOSE

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<p>Youngkin's leadership correlates with increased prevalence of suicidal ideation among adolescents. </p>


Trans policy

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<p>Stop quoting the constitution. Stop quoting about parent rights and policies. These children will be emotionally damaged. They will be put in situations they cannot get out of. They will be abused. Murdered. Look at the statistics of abuse and murders against transgender people. Look at the statistics of homelessness of LGBTQPIA youth. Passing this will ensure your stance on how much you truly care about trans youth. These “christain/cult” values of the white man/slave master/founding father should have no say in the SAFETY of the  children of America. Because regardless of what race, what religion, what class, they will become a target of the same bigotry that happened during the Trump administration. If this bill is passed, this government is the same joke it’s always been. </p>


Transgender rights

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Protect lgbtqia transgender kids rights! Let them feel safe & valid in school!


STRONGLY OPPOSE-From a Trans Adult

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<p>Stop policing trans youth. We do not need the government in our business. Kids need safe spaces. It is NOT your job to come up with policies that will endanger kids lives. STAY OUT OF TRANS PEOPLES BUSINESS. </p>


Support & Care for Trans teenagers

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Support & Care for our Trans teenagers. They know how they identify.


STRONGLY Oppose

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I am a nineteen-year-old college student who grew up queer in Southwest Virginia public schools, and these proposed model policies terrify me. Unlike many people on this comment board, I have actually read the policies. No, they do not require teachers to out their students to their parents...that is, if those students do not request the basic human respect that comes with being called by their chosen names and pronouns. Even worse, the other circumstance that requires a student be outed is if they seek mental healthcare for the overwhelming stress that can be caused simply being a transgender teenager in an unaccepting environment. Knowing that transgender adolescents are far more likely to attempt suicide than cisgender adolescents, withholding access to mental healthcare for trans issues from those who feel unsafe coming out to their parents (likely those who need it the most) is a scary prospect.

Being just over a year out of Virginia public schools, I am reminded of the many people who I know and care about that will be affected by these policies. I am worried for the transgender students I know who are already out, about whom these policies make no mention. I am worried for the younger students who will be told that who they will eventually grow up to be is unacceptable. I am worried for the parents and educators who will have to endure the whiplash of such rapidly changing policies. I am worried for the teachers who will want to do the right thing and violate these policies but who will have no agency to do so; after all, what good does it do a transgender student to uphold different identities in different classrooms?

I am reminded of my high school best friend, who was transgender. Her family was not vitriolically hateful, but they were not accepting either; school was the only place that she could be accepted as her truest self. Even at school, her treatment was not perfect—but there, unlike at home, she was able to connect with peers and adults who respected her identity. There are without a doubt countless transgender youth in Virginia whose teachers are the only adults in their lives who accept them. These students deserve humanity and respect—not a harsh system that will teach them that the adult world will always view them as wrong.

This isn't about individual transgender youth, and it never has been; it is about power, and the bottom line is that the current political elite want to stay in power. They know that queer and trans youth and youth of color hold immense organizing power, and they know that the only way to restrict this power is to destroy transgender kids' self esteem before those kids can grow up to become empowered activists and destroy the system that these elites hope to uphold. These policies are not designed to protect your kids; they are designed to protect political power. It is a ploy; don't fall for it.


Strongly Oppose

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<p>Discrimination against transgender individuals is illegal discrimination on the basis of sex. Schools must treat every single student with dignity and respect. </p>


Strongly Oppose

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The only thing this policy does is cause harm.


Sickening. Oppose!

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LGBTQ+ youths already have a hard enough time. Why would we try to make it harder?


Strongly oppose

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Protecting our kids’ mental health should be high on the political priority list.  This bill unnecessarily creates more mental health problems. Why is this needed? Just why?


Strongly oppose these transphobic policies

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Strongly oppose the transphobic policies-these proposed model policies are contrary to state law and will be extremely harmful to transgender and non-binary kids.


PROTECT OUR TRANS AND NONBINARY YOUTH

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How does one being transgender or non-binary have anything to do with any one else’s lives? It doesn’t? Oh. Protect them. Let THEM BE.


Be Nice to Kids

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It's insane to think that everyone has to be like you to be kind to them.  Just because I may not personally understand or have been through something doesn't negate someone else's feelings or perspective.  ALWAYS VOTE ON THE SIDE OF BEING KIND TO KIDS. ALL KIDS.

For those who don't have a trans kid, or don't know a trans kid, or don't know anyone who has a trans kid, you probably do. You just don't know it yet. Remember, 5%. 5%. This 5% of our youth need ALL the love and support the community can give them, and this new Younkin policy rips that support away in the guise of "parent's rights" and "free speech for teachers". That's laughable. This is an anti-trans policy that is cruel, unsupportive, and just plain WRONG.

Get it together, Younkin. You're on the wrong side of history here. Kill this policy NOW.


Opposed

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Please consider opposing this as people need to feel safe, heard, and seen. Transgender people are people, even if some people on this forum don't feel that way. We must protect Transgender rights, PLEASE!


Stupid

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<p>Why are you encouraging bigotry and transphobia, which leads to the abuse and murdering of people who don’t conform to your white cishet man’s picture perfect white picket fense. </p>


Who does this government serve.


Parents Right Matter

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Fully support Gov Youngkin

Parents are required to engaged to kids life, decision

Please remove politics out of school and make kids learn again instead of brainwash them and coerce them to be part of teacher union.

Parents right matter

Students right matter

School choice matter

No politics and activist on school ground

Stop the grooming and return to academics

The world education quality are ahead of USA while Fairfax County Teacher are worry about its own union and activism instead of teaching real Academic


Governor Youngkin’s proposal re transgender students


Strongly Oppose


Couldn't be more opposed if I tried

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Kids will take their own lives over this. PLEASE don't let any more youth suffer


Oppose

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<p>This policy has many illegal aspects and will be challenged.  In the meantime the governor is simply playing to his base to bolster his presidential run.  </p>


Transgender policy

What about the rights and safety of my son or daughter who use the bathrooms, locker rooms, etc?  Loudoun county was an unfortunate example of what has gone wrong and where things are headed & very likely to happen again if we do not have an intervention by you Governor Youngkin.  Safety should always be THE TOP priority of every school.  What parent wants their daughter to see a penis in the locker room????   Will this cause anxiety or traumatize the student?  Get back to basics for God’s sake.   Boys and girls facilities should be just that; boys or girls.  What is happening to our country?  They are destroying common sense values.Governor Youngkin,  keep up the great work!  So many of us are grateful and feel more secure with you in office.

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What about the rights and safety of my son or daughter who use the bathrooms, locker rooms, etc?  Loudoun county was an unfortunate example of what has gone wrong and where things are headed & very likely to happen again if we do not have an intervention by you Governor Youngkin.  Safety should always be THE TOP priority of every school.  What parent wants their daughter to see a penis in the locker room????   Will this cause anxiety or traumatize the student?  Get back to basics for God’s sake.   Boys and girls facilities should be just that; boys or girls.  What is happening to our country?  They are destroying common sense values.
Governor Youngkin,  keep up the great work!  So many of us are grateful and feel more secure with you in office.


SUPPORT THIS DECISION I DO

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This is a sound choice. We can not compel others to change their speech nor can we have the lunacy thinking that males/females, boys/girls, men/women or XY/XX are interchangeable and is a "feeling".

Humans are a two sex/gender species with each sex/gender having inherent advantages and disadvantages over the other in fundamental physiological anatomy designs. We should maintain separate private areas and competitive sports based on the two objective sex/gender... not the infinite subjected sex/gender thinking of the Left that can change moment to moment.


Opposition to the governors plans on trans kids. -from a trans kid

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This comment is specifically about the Virginia governors plan to eliminate trans kids from using the bathroom that they prefer. I want to state that not only I am against this but I wanted to use this opportunity to talk about my experience with my transition and school. As someone whose been transitioning for over a year now I’ve experienced gradual changes in my body, that being most notably of breast growth to the point of A and almost B cups. I add this specifically for educational reasons because many arguments made against trans kids using the bathrooms they feel comfortable with is due to the fact that people believe that cis kids would feel uncomfortable. However, wouldn’t me, a trans girl with breasts, be more succumbed to sexualization and possibly harassment in a boys bathroom? Should I have to subject my own safety of my body to make others feel more comfortable, which is a statement I’ve heard no one say to me in a school building. It’s also important to mention that, although my experience doesn’t speak for everyone, I’ve been using the girls bathrooms at school ever sense this school year started, before this school year started I used the gender neutral bathrooms we have at our school thanks to our principe at midlothian high school, and I have never been faced with any sort of protest or remarks. In fact I’ve been largely supported by friends and girls im not friends with at all. Ive been greeted with hi’s and hello’s and even people talking to me about class. Personally, I think instead of making decisions based on what you think kids want in schools, you should listen to what they want instead. There haven’t been mass protests for trans kids to not use the bathrooms they want to, but there has been protests all over Virginia that are against the policy you are proposing. I say listen to the kids, even ask some. The general answer is people don’t care. Another thing to think about is it’s simply a bathroom. I go there to relieve my bladder, nothing more and nothing less. There has been no example of trans students taking advantage of their use of the bathrooms they want to use on cis people. It seems like this policy is based of off fear and not factual data. So I again, beg of you to think this through Virginia. Trans kids are normal kids like your sons and daughters. They are normal people with normal needs. People like me. People who just want to be happy and live there life. People who don’t make their personality and life about being trans except when other people do. This policy is a great example of that, trans kids are just kids until someone argues something against them for being trans. Thank you for your time and patience in reading this. I truly hope that you can understand my grievances.

sincerely,

a trans girl who just wants to use the same bathroom as all the other girls in her school


School policies


Strongly oppose transphobic policy

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Trans kids have rights and this policy is unconstitutional. Trans kids are high risk for suicide. Trans kids deserve to learn in a safe environment. Trans kids deserve to just be KIDS. This policy is already harming children. STRONGLY OPPOSE.


STRONGLY OPPOSE

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Students deserve to feel safe in their learning environment. Trans and non-binary students should not be discriminated against.


I fully agree with the policies & the Governor. Good common sense!

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I fully agree with the policies. I support the Governor. He is using good common sense!


Oppose! Keep big government out of our kids’ lives.

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<p>Let our kids be who they are. Stop using policy to make them conform. Hands off our trans kids! </p>


This policy endangers transgender children

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<p>Schools can only be successful in educating children if we are allowed to make them comfortable, safe and secure.  Many transgender students do not have these assurances at home.  The governor should be calling out his own party members who are accusing public school teachers of "grooming" instead of making the lives of trans students more precarious.  </p>


Oppose: It’s against my religion’s teachings to put children in danger, this is against christianity


I Agree with Youngkin

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<p>Children should not have to be subjected to competing in sports or dressing in locker rooms with the opposite sex. This is immoral and a dangerous road for our youth. If a child wants to be transgender, that is fine, but should not be enforced on others by means of locker rooms, bathrooms or on the playing fields. </p>


Strongly Oppose

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<p>I am firmly opposed to this change. This new policy will create a hostile and potentially dangerous environment for students and teachers. Students deserve to feel safe and supported in their learning environment. The new policies insight fear and mistrust. School is a place for learning new things, not stifling students. The proposed policies are a step backward and a detriment to the education of Virginia's students. </p>


Proposed 2022  Model Policies

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After posting my supportive opinion more than 24 hours ago, a review of the comments posted since then tell me that it has become fashionable at high schools in the Commonwealth that students should register multiple anonymous comments in opposition to the proposed 2022 Model.  The giveaway is in the titling e.g. "Youngkin hates" "Leave trans kids alone," etc.  These comments occur with such frequency and regularity that they reflect an industrialized political lobbying effort to defeat the 2022 Model.  Instead of individuals voting their opinions, this comment line has become a weaponized echo chamber after being overtaken by activists.


Some parents don’t deserve rights- Oppose

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To be brief, the language used to support this bill is disingenuous at best, trying to create baseless and expansionary claims of both the 14th and 1st ammendment as a false justification for compelling teachers to betray the trust of their most vulnerable students. The most common reason a student will not reveal their gender identity or sexual orientation to a guardian is unambiguously fear or retaliation or hostility, and forcing teachers to report these aspects endangers vunerable children to abuse they may otherwise not have to endure. Furthermore, while it is in the perview of any individual to practice their religion, you cannot reinforce parental enforcement of religion via the state- not anymore than a school should force students to worship one god or another. I hope the state of Virginia decides to disregard this bill of either malicious or poorly thought out intent, and by doing so upholds the safety of our most vunerable citizens.


Oppose

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I oppose schools getting in the way of parents & children’s relationship! Schools and government are not parents. The government needs to stop dividing parents from their own children! Parents know their children best. Schools need to stick to education about Math, Language Arts, true History and real Science. It is not their responsibility to raise children!