Thank you for bringing common sense back to VA, Governor Youngkin.

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<p>Thank you for standing up for the rights of parents and the protection of teachers’ religious beliefs. </p>


Teachers aren’t psychologists

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As a FCPS teacher I am shocked by the number of my peers who believe they are qualified and empowered to be mental health counselors to adolescents. By all accounts my peers believe they are more qualified than the child’s parents and seek to inject themselves into kids lives daily.

Teacher training DOES NOT make you qualified to do this.


Support trans youth

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<p>We should be supporting trans youth! This proposal is harmful. Trans students existing and being treated fairly isn’t hurting anyone. </p>


Strongly oppose this guidance - support and protect trans youth

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Our schools need to protect and support all students, including and especially trans students, who may not have appropriate support at home.  No one is harmed by allowing students to express and live by their own identify - this should including using bathrooms that are appropriate and having their names and pronouns respected.

As a parent with a student in Alexandria Public Schools, I believe this guidance is an embarrassing step backward for the state of Virginia, not to mention a violation of the Virginia Human Rights Act.


Treatment of Transgender and non-binary students in public schools

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<p>Do not reverse the policies in place regarding trans and non-binary students. It is not the job of educators to “out” students to their families. This is an incredible overreach by the party that used to be known for less government intervention. Stop trying to socially engineer schools. </p>


Compromise and allow public input

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While I agree that parents have rights when dealing with children, there are many who don't know what is going on with their own kids.  Schools can be a place where kids can find help and get information that parents are not equipped to provide.  Sometimes the schools need to step in to help protect the children.  By creating these policies in a vacuum you are ignoring the educators who work with kids every day and have great ideas on how to keep them safe and allow them to become functioning members of a community.  Teachers/nurses/counselors that work in schools are parents too and work in the best interests of the child - who sometimes are in abusive home environments.  Please trust the educators to work with the children and their parents to come to the best result for the children.  Create a policy that allows some flexibility and nuancing when it comes to dealing with these delicate issues.


This is a step backwards!

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As a grandparent of a dozen children in Virginia schools I am very concerned that this action will be followed.  My children agree.  Their Children, my grandchildren need to feel safe in school and to not be looked down on and have additional actions put on them just because of how they were born, how God made them.  I don't care if they identify as LGBTQ+ or straight. Let them find out who they are and enjoy a safe environment!  This proposed policy change will cause many children to hide who they are which is hard on them mentally and will not allow them to attain the full knowledge they are capable of in an accepting society.

Dani Butler


I support protecting children from predatory LGBT members

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As someone who is gay - I have noticed a ocncerning trend by the community to go after children to spite the right and conservatives. There are serious ramifications from this behavior and the best recourse is to reciprocate back with the same aggression. To leave kids out of this and to cut off exposure to this sub culture in America.

There are many gays, lesbians and trans who do not affiliate with that community and belive it has transformed into a cult of hate, spite and malice. There is no reason for a child to be exposed to this culture other than to confuse and open themselves up to exploitation by the LGBT community. Youngkin must do as mich as he can to stop this community from doing as much damage as they plan on doing to the state of Virginia.


Gov. Younkin is putting youth in danger

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As a queer, nonbinary person myself, gov. younkin's actions are putting our community in danger. Apart from the harmful rhetoric about trans people in general (who are overwhelmingly more likely to be the victim of a crime than the perpetrator of it) both forcing people in or out of the closet is going to have costs. Being forced in the closet can feel oppressive, as you are forced to act a part for everyone with no reprieve to live authentically (an experience glenn will never have to understand) on the other hand, being outed before you are ready can set people (youth especially) up to face physical and emotional violence at the hands of family and peers. LGBT people, especially trans people, already have much higher rates of eating disorders, mental illness, self harm, and suicide then the general public. More so in communities that make it clear that they are not safe and welcome. youngkin is fine letting youth suffer to feed a lie passed on by people with power and prejudice.

Someone's personal gender or queer identity is no business of the state, apart from changing one's name on official documents. This should go doubly for youth, who's gender transition consists of nothing more than a new name and wardrobe - something many youth queer or otherwise will experience. If Abigail wants to go by Abby and dress goth that is seen as youthful exploration of identity, however if Abigail wants to go by Elliott and dress more masculine they are "indoctrinated" or are somehow in danger or putting their community in danger. Exploring your identity is essential to growing up, and queer youth deserve to do so safely without fearing that adults who are supposed to protect them will put them further in danger.

The choice to not capitalize gov. youngkin's name is purposeful - bigotry does not earn the respect of capitalization.

To any queer youth (or young at heart) that may be reading this looking for any kind of support - it does get better. Our community will welcome you with open arms by any name or label that you choose. Seek community, pass on as much love as possible, and build other's up in a world that constantly wants to tear us down. Queer existence is radical, and no person should have to align their identity to fit within the confines of the wishes of the state. There is no one mold for being human, there are centuries of queer people standing with you, and millions waiting to welcome you into our community today.


Strongly Oppose

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I strongly oppose Governor Youngkin's anti-transgender student policy. I want to raise my child in a state where school will be a safe and affirming place for them, not a place where they fear for themselves or their friends' safety based on their gender identity.  This proposed guidance is a tool of a reactionary far right administration pandering to their base by erasing trans and nonbinary children and obstructing their constitutional right to an education.  If this model guidance is adopted, I would not in good faith be able to raise my child in Virginia out of fear that they would be persecuted in a school based setting.  Because I would prioritize my child's safety, my family and I would leave Virginia, taking our tax dollars with us.


OPPOSED

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Instead of illegally denying the rights of a tiny number of students and their parents, Virginia should be spending their resources on improving education for all.  Raise teacher salaries.


Opposed

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This guidance goes against the rights of students, some of whom are figuring out who they are. Some are also dealing with family challenges and family disapproval, and to not allow them to seek help and solace at school will harm them. Some may give up, and that doesn’t need to happen. Let’s lean toward kindness, not fear and hate.


Support for the existing school policy on LGBTQ youth

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<p>A Virginia parent here with cis-kids. If my child had a life-threatening issue (like dismissing gender dysphoria can be) and they did not feel safe to go to me, I would be grateful there were other trusted adults who could support them. The 2021 policy threatens no one, while allowing for better mental health outcomes and protecting basic human rights. </p>


Protect children

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The new guidance is shameful and distressing.

 Kids should feel free to be who they are and not who their parents want them to be. Schools should provide a safe environment for all and not just heterosexual kid. The Governor claims this guidance is for "parental rights" but this is not true. The guidance says that even if a parent provides approval for name change, the school can not accept it. This isn't about "parental rights" but causing fear and shame to the LGBTQIA youth of VA.


Strongly Oppose

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<p>This proposal is made for the sole purpose to target those whose beliefs, ideologies, and even down to their identity as a person, you disagree with. This is political grandstanding made to appeal to those who are so filled with hate. </p>


Do not support this cruel measure

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Being trans is not a fad. People who experience difficulty with their assigned gender at birth face a challenging road of self-discovery even when they do not have to contend with an entire political party doing everything in its power to vilify their support network and their choices. Carrying out this policy is a blatant political ploy that will result in harm to children, and those who support this policy have received ample warning about what it will do. To be clear, Republicans did not suddenly become concerned about trans children overnight. They already hated trans people and they found a way to legitimize and disguise their straightforward bigotry.

If you implement this policy, any harm that comes to trans children is blood on your hands. If you really care about helping children, you should think long and hard about why you think it's OK to side with the group that are perfectly fine seeing trans children suffer and won't even concede that whatever their concerns about cis children, some kids really are trans and need our help.

Have a heart. Have compassion. Choose caring over cruelty. Do not let this policy be enacted.


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I strongly support this common sense approach.


Strongly oppose

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Children are entitled to having a safe space at school


Support, Encourage and Love One Another!

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Good morning and thank you for the opportunity to share my opinion.  As a gay man, growing up in South Boston, VA in the 1970’s, I can share with you my horrible experience of being bullied, beat up and called gay, sissy,  at school.  I stayed to myself, didn’t bother anyone, was closeted, however knew I was gay and knew God made me and doesn’t make any mistakes.  I am so grateful I never struggled with religion and being gay.  I went to school everyday scared.  We need to support kids and education them and parents on we are all different and celebrate our differences.  I encourage you to support Trans kids and all kids.  We need each other!


STRONGLY opposed

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I strongly oppose this proposed policy.  This proposal would create a hostile and potentially dangerous school environment for our VA transgender and nonbinary youth, requiring teachers and staff to forcibly “out” students, prohibit staff from supporting trans and nonbinary students such as using a students affirming name and pronouns, and prohibit access or participation in activities consistent with their gender identity.  All our students deserve a supportive and affirming school environment, especially our vulnerable and marginalized populations like our transgender and nonbinary youth


oppose Trumpkins trans policy

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Once again I find myself astounded at the level of hate that Gov Trumpkin is waging against the students in Virginia.  This policy, while alleging parental rights as a premise, does the exact opposite in regards to parental involvement.  This policy makes the state the policy maker, not the parent.  Where in these policies are trans kids parents represented?  But just another cheap shot from a Governor who ran on being a moderate, who continues to travel around the country supporting the most radical gubernatorial candidates that his mentor, Donald Trump, is supporting.  Let kids learn where they feel safe and supported; Virginia's public schools.


protect transgender youth

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Transgender people have always existed, and they have always been discriminated against. I have transgender friends and they aren’t different or weird, and they haven’t been indoctrinated or brainwashed. Nobody is telling them to be trans, it’s feelings they are discovering on their own that they are then finding out isn’t uncommon, or abnormal. Youngkin is directly targeting transgender youth, a minority where 82% of them already have thought about suicide, because they aren’t being accepted. Being transgender isn’t hurting anybody, Youngkin IS. We need to protect transgender youth, not alienate them even more.

Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32345113/


Opposed!

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<p>I strongly oppose these anti-trans policies. </p>


OPPOSED! These kids may choose suicide if passed

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<p>This is an ignorant proposal. Trans kids deserve respect and understanding. “Whistleblowing” on these kids is disgusting and ignorant.  Support our kids, don’t traumatize them to score cheap political points. </p>


Oppose changes due to certainty of student harm

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I am a lifelong resident of Virginia, and I oppose the proposed changes to this guidance document.

Transgender children are at a great risk. The life they must lead is inherently difficult, and can be made much worse by humiliations and hostility from their community and the adults responsible for their care and education. This can unfortunately lead to severe mental health struggles and even suicide. It is very important here to take the position supported overwhelmingly by science: affirming the gender identity of trans people dramatically reduces their suffering, and their risk of suicide.

Respectfully, giving transgender people this basic degree of dignity is far more important than the "rights of parents" to be bigoted and reject someone's very self, religiously motivated or otherwise. The former is life-saving. Respecting a transgender person's identity is not an ideological position or an opinion; it's a matter of fundamental humanity and respect, if you care at all about the well-being of that person (as demonstrated by scientific consensus). Therefore, to systematically insist that a transgender person is not who they are (as these proposed guidelines would allow school staff and students to do uninhibited, through condoning the use of incorrect pronouns and names, or by requiring trans students to share intimate spaces with members of the wrong gender), in complete disregard for the negative consequences this will have on that person, is an act of inhuman malice. These new guidelines would cause a large amount of harm to vulnerable students, and for this reason, I strongly oppose the changes.


Strongly oppose!

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As a transwoman who was raised in a family environment that was not safe to be trans, policies such as this remove the school as a safe place for trans kids and endanger the safety and welfare of children like me.


In support of trans & non-binary youth

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<p>I stand in support of and advocate for the rights of trans & non-binary youth in VA. I oppose the anti-trans policies put forth by Youngkin- they go against evidence-based best practice. </p>


I oppose this legisltaion

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As a teacher, parent, and even more importantly, a human being, I oppose in no uncertain terms this legislation being proposed. While there is plenty of data to show that trans, and other LGBTQ+ youth already suffer from enough ostracism and rhetoric that purports their needs as not real, and their identity as made up, it should suffice enough to simply say that legislative decisions such as this one are inhumane. I cannot imagine a world in which any person, my own child or otherwise, telling me they identify as LGBTQ+ would cause me to then treat them as LESS of a human. And as a teacher, I know all too well the reality that school is the safest place for many of our students. I will not be forced by bigoted political legislation to put my students in danger either by “outing” them to someone who does not support who they are, or by making them feel they must hide who they truly are in order to not be “outed”. I cannot believe that we have come so far as a society, only to be actually discussing taking such a major step back.

Come on Virginia. We can do better. We MUST do better. Let’s show that we do truly respect and welcome all people.


Strongly Opposed to the law

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Coming from a family with a trans woman in it, why would you try to take rights away when it doesn't affect or harm you or others? They arent going in the restrooms to peek or anything, they are trying to be who they were meant to be. Taking that away from them is pathetic and honestly sad. I just want to say that its sad that you are so insecure and unconfident in yourself, that you have to take other peoples rights away to feel good.


Strongly Oppose.

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<p>This policy is abhorrent, amoral, and likely illegal under existing law which the Governor cannot unilaterally overturn. We must protect those children who most need protection. Trans and LGBTQ children who do not feel safe telling their parents must be protected by their teachers and educators. </p>


Strongly Support

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There's no such thing as a trans child. Activists have hijacked education and are flooding it with critical queer and gender theories. Both are bankrupt academic ideologues that've been laundered out of college and labeled "research". Very soon they're going to start crumbling due to expose. Most of these kids who identify as trans suffer from a variety of mental health issues. Listen to the kids who are de-transing. Don't let the professional activists and agitators sway you. Parents matter. Schools and government cannot hide things from parents. Children can't make decisions about puberty blockers and life-altering decisions. Do not let the professional left scare you. You are correct in what you're doing.


Strongly support the new policy.

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I support Youngkin’s new policy.


Strongly Oppose

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<p>I strongly oppose these new policy guidelines. No doubt plenty of other comments will include facts and data surrounding how harmful these are, so I won't include them again here. I understand aspects of fear concerning bathrooms and safety, but this policy goes beyond any debatable safety concerns and stands to just do harm to students that desperately are hoping to live their lives. </p>


I strongly oppose this policy

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I would prefer that taxpayer dollars be used for something productive, rather than harassing children.


Strongly Oppose

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The new policy is a cheap political attack on vulnerable Trans children. School should be a safe haven for all students. I'm so disappointed that the governor and his administration is pushing this cruel agenda.


Strongly Oppose

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I strongly oppose these proposed policy changes. Trans kids have the same rights as any other kids and deserve to be treated with respect.


This is the wrong move

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This is definitely not okay, it’s more important to listen to kids and give them a space to grow and be safe than adhere to parents wishes. Parents do not own their kids, and their kids should never be forced to blindly follow them. Kids deserve the same respect adults do to make decisions in a safe environment, which is exactly what this isn’t doing. Protect trans kids!!!


strongly oppose

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I am strongly opposed to the proposed guidelines. As the parent of a transgender child in the Virginia public schools, I know that this proposal puts my child at risk of physical and mental harm. Having been part of initial consultations that resulted in the former guidelines, I also know how much care was taken to support children like mine to ensure that they can thrive and succeed in their education as much as cisgender peers; she has thrived under those guidelines, getting all As and Bs when previously her report card was full of Cs and Ds. The new guidelines being proposed take all that concern for her safety and mental health away for a mythical idea of "parent power" that the Governor seems to have decided is a vote-getting strategy. Everybody knows that parents don't always make best decisions for their children, especially when it comes to LGBTQ+ kids -- if they did, we wouldn't have conversion therapy or high rates of suicide and homelessness among that population.

The proposed guidelines are cynical and shameful politics at their worst, putting a child like mine at risk to appease the Governor's political base. I oppose these guidelines in the strongest terms.


Support this policy

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<p>Do not waffle. Leftists are going to flood this commenting period because you're doing their job. We don't need leftist-indoctrination in our schools. Get political ideology out of schools. Stop allowing school admins and teachers to think that they know more than parents. Critical queer, gender, and race theory have no place in our school. They're Marxist indoctrination posing as academic theories and can all be easily falsified. Parents deserve better. Our tax dollars deserve to be spent in a wise way that benefits society. Not in a way that tears at the thread of society by placing government in between families. </p>


Not an appropriate change - Opposed

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<p>It is not appropriate to remove protections for children based on non scientific, religious beliefs of one ideological persuasion. This will affect any child who wants to go by a different name or is exploring their identity in an age appropriate way. It will make teachers jobs more difficult and could lead to emotional harm for children of the LGBTQ community. Compassion for other is what is needed not discrimination. </p>


Strongly OPPOSE the guidance

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I am friends with transgender and nonbinary people. They are human beings that deserve the same rights and respect as any other human being.

The full inclusion, protection, and celebration of transgender and non-binary youth, including access to extra-curricular activities such as athletics and to school facilities, safe and inclusive school environments, accurate and inclusive curriculum, and gender-affirming school health services. We need to reject the bigoted, ignorant, mean-spirited, and discriminatory policies currently being considered by far too many state legislatures that seek to exclude transgender people and make these members of our communities invisible. Targeting and excluding transgender and non-binary students from participation in school programming, including athletics programs, alongside their cisgender peers is harmful to all students and undermines the learning environment for everyone. If schools mark some students effectively as outcasts, they foster an environment where no student is included and safe.

I oppose the draft policy and request that the VDOE reject any anti-trans policies in schools.


Finally some common sense

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I am so happy common sense is prevailing. Trans right often infringes on women's/girls rights. They have a right to feel safe in the bathroom/camp/changing rooms. I understand it is detrimental to some trans to not be able to use the bathroom they want to use, but it cannot be at the risk of all girls. Trans are not the only ones with feelings and it is time we stop telling girls and women to suck it up and be uncomfortable and unsafe. Accommodations should be made but it is not the answer to force girls to share spaces with biological men. And nothing should be hidden from parents ever


Support diversity equity and inclusion

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Vilifying children for their choices and decisions is abhorrent.  The government has no right to interfere in private family discussions, nor is it their right to dictate how a student should think, feel or express themselves.  We all have a right to privacy- keep it that way.


Oppose Governor Youngkin's policies

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The individual's choice of affirming who you are is a natural right. I don't think you should be sided or retagged for who you identify as. Just put yourself in that person's light. How would you want to be treated? Consider. We are all humans. We all need protection at one point in time.


I OPPOSE THE PROPOSED 2022 MODEL

I OPPOSE the proposed 2022 Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia’s Public Schools. This document will only hurt transgender students and will undo all the progress we have made to protect them from bullying and harrassment. 1. This proposal requires teachers and staff to forcibly “out” students to their parents. This is extremely dangerous, as many parents are not accepting, thus creating a hostile home environment. This will also prevent transgender students from speaking to an adult whom they trust at school. Teachers are not only there to teach; they are there to provide support and guidance when a student needs it the most.2. Teachers and staff are prohibited from using a trans student’s name and pronouns unless given permission from their parents. Studies have proven time and time again that using a trans person’s correct name and pronouns significantly improves their mental health and can help prevent suicide. By forcing staff to use a student’s deadname and incorrect pronouns, you are creating an extremely stressful environment for them. In addition, cis children have been allowed to use nicknames that are different from their legal names forever; how is a trans child with a different name from their records any different? 3. This model requires transgender students to play on sport’s teams that align with their assigned sex at birth. This is also dangerous for not only transgender students but every student. How is this going to be enforced? I fear that genital inspections will become the norm. There has also been a news story where a parent wanted to check if a girl who beat their child in a sport’s competition was transgender. This is a complete invasion of privacy. Sports in schools are also about fostering a sense of teamwork and community. You are taking this away from transgender children.Overall, this model will only HARM transgender and non-binary students. It does absolutely nothing to protect them in a place they are required to attend every day. It also goes completely against all the guidance from medical professionals and statistics that show how trans children’s mental health significantly improves when we respect them. Please do not let this pass if you truly care about children and teens.

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I OPPOSE the proposed 2022 Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia’s Public Schools. This document will only hurt transgender students and will undo all the progress we have made to protect them from bullying and harrassment.

1. This proposal requires teachers and staff to forcibly “out” students to their parents. This is extremely dangerous, as many parents are not accepting, thus creating a hostile home environment. This will also prevent transgender students from speaking to an adult whom they trust at school. Teachers are not only there to teach; they are there to provide support and guidance when a student needs it the most.

2. Teachers and staff are prohibited from using a trans student’s name and pronouns unless given permission from their parents. Studies have proven time and time again that using a trans person’s correct name and pronouns significantly improves their mental health and can help prevent suicide. By forcing staff to use a student’s deadname and incorrect pronouns, you are creating an extremely stressful environment for them. In addition, cis children have been allowed to use nicknames that are different from their legal names forever; how is a trans child with a different name from their records any different?

3. This model requires transgender students to play on sport’s teams that align with their assigned sex at birth. This is also dangerous for not only transgender students but every student. How is this going to be enforced? I fear that genital inspections will become the norm. There has also been a news story where a parent wanted to check if a girl who beat their child in a sport’s competition was transgender. This is a complete invasion of privacy. Sports in schools are also about fostering a sense of teamwork and community. You are taking this away from transgender children.

Overall, this model will only HARM transgender and non-binary students. It does absolutely nothing to protect them in a place they are required to attend every day. It also goes completely against all the guidance from medical professionals and statistics that show how trans children’s mental health significantly improves when we respect them. Please do not let this pass if you truly care about children and teens.


Support this revised policy

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I fully support the proposed 2022 Guidelines.  The 2021 Guidance put schools in the position of severing the parent-child relationship, of deciding what is best for a child and of unduly influencing a minor child.  While supportive schools are essential, and the rights of every student are equally important, parents know, love and care for their children far more than schools, which are transient in a child's life.  The previous 2021 guidance went far beyond State and Federal Law in wresting decision-making and authority away from parents and handing it over to schools and non-guardians.

This new guidance appropriately revokes the deceit authorized by the 2021 guidance, which in practice directed schools to conceal its interactions with a minor child, whether over counseling or use of pronouns, facilities etc. This deceitful aspect of the 2021 guidance was one of its most problematic and dangerous features.

The previous guidance put girls and women in harm's way by allowing males into all their safe spaces.  While the intent of the 2021 guidance is to allow transgender students to chose facilities, the practice in the way it is worded disallows questioning of any male entering a female space.  Further, the population of girls and women who have been victims of sexual assault is far greater than the population of transgender students, and it is wrong and dangerous for these women to have to fear males entering private spaces with them. There are reasonable and fair ways to protect transgender students without taking away the right to privacy and safety of every female in the system.

Further, the former guidance unlawfully compelled speech as to pronoun usage, again going far beyond both State and federal law.  Every child deserves equal respect, but the law does not grant them the right to compel the speech of others.

Every school will have to work out ways to respect and support transgender children, including for children who may face danger at home. It goes without question that support, compassion and respect are essential to caring for transgender children in schools. The answer, however, is not a blanket order affecting all families by unlawfully removing parental authority and involvement from a child's life, as was the effect of the previous guidance.  Schools and counselors should be partners with children and parents, not usurpers of parental roles.

This policy is a great step forward in removing the excesses of the 2021 Guidance.

I borrowed these words from another supporter because they said so eloquently what I too wish to say and why I support these revisions. Please support parental rights and what’s good and just for kids.


Strong Oppose

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These policies will end up killing kids. Kids are required to go to school because parents don’t equal good treatment. Every kid that ends up being abused and kicked out, and any kid that commits suicide, is because of Youngkin and his policies. He was elected by a few but should be creating policy for all. These kids are too young to vote, so we must protect them. Youngkin should be representing everyone, not just straight Christians. Do not enact these policies!


Strongly Opposed, Cruel and Abhorrent

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The proposed policies are cruel, abhorrent, and unconstitutional in singling out vulnerable minorities for persecution. Kids have enough to deal with in the complex process of growing up, why go out of your way to make them more miserable? Are we next going to start policing kids’ diets, saying that kids with allergies aren’t fully capable of participating in schools or that they should be forced to eat school lunches designed for kids without their needs? Or demanding their parents be told when a kid chooses not to eat their vegetables?

Our government was set up to protect the powerless and give voice to the vulnerable. Trans kids, queer kids, kids figuring themselves out — these are the definition of vulnerable and exactly who we should be working to shield from hatred and intolerance.


STRONGLY agree, protect children and women’s rights

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I fully support these model policies because the trans movement has obliterated reality right along with the rights of parents, and the rights to privacy and fairness for women and girls. Children are being lured into the false belief that they can change their biological makeup, and instead of giving children the support they need to deal with reality and help them through the emotional turmoil they are experiencing, schools and even doctors are encouraging this lie and destroying lives in the process. Meanwhile, the rest of the world is being forced to play along with this insanity. It’s well past time we put an end to this movement that is destroying families, putting girls in danger, and taking the hard fought fairness in women’s sports and throwing it out the window. No one has the right to hide information from the parents of a child, and no male should have the right to be in women’s private spaces or compete against females in girls and women’s sports. Enough with the trans insanity!!


Strongly Oppose

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The proposed changes to this policy would deeply harm trans children. These policy changes may forcibly out a child and put them at risk of further harm and harassment. Every person deserves to be addressed by the name and pronouns of their choosing. Gov Youngkin’s proposal takes power away from the student and the teacher — keeping them from providing a safe and supporting environment to ALL of their students. I strongly oppose the proposed policy changes.


Absolutely oppose

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If you do this, kids will die. It is unconscionable.


Opposed

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This is a misguided effort with zero benefits and in fact will harm vulnerable youth at a time when they need support.


I oppose this trash policy

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Liberty for one requires liberty for all. This is selling out innocent children because a certain group of people feel mildly uncomfortable at having to make small accommodations to treat others as equals. This places an undue burden on a minority group just because those in power would rather harm them than deal with their own inner issues. It's absurd and hypocritical, and those pushing this policy wouldn't stand for it if the roles were reversed.


Opposed

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Republicans seem so concerned about children, but only until they're out of the womb. Then it's 'parents' rights' while exposing trans kids to even more danger. Youngkin's lackluster, fear-based pandering policies are unacceptable.


Oppose Legislation

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<p>I oppose the legislation that abolishes the trans-student rights established last year. These protections for trans-students create a safe learning environment for students, which is a basic right. Trans-students are no different than any other student, and should be treated with the same respect and equalities as all humans. </p>


OPPOSED trans rights are human rights

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As a trans kid in school, having another peice of stress on our backs is terrible

Strongly opposed


VA IS FOR LOVERS OF ALL KINDS -  PROTECT TRANS KIDS

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The governor’s new guidance on how to treat LGBTQIA+ and specifically Trans children in schools is cowardly, and does not address any actual problems or barriers that directly affect lives of children and those who work hard every day to keep them safe. Make VA a great state for ALL people, ALL lovers, ALL children, all WORKERS, and NOT by limiting the rights of some to appease the dollars and cents of the few who backed you, Youngkin.


Opposed to these changes.

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<p>Rather than changing public policy due to I’ll-informed and misguided hysteria,please think of children’s well-being instead. Students today have a lot to deal with, and we should do what we can to ease their mental burden in these uncertain and changing times. Please reconsider these changes for their sake. </p>


Trans is beautiful

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<p>I have a trans student this year. As a third grade teacher, I don’t expect to have many trans kids, but I know that kids start identifying with gender as early as the age of 3. It is my job to make all students feel safe and included in the classroom. If they aren’t feeling included, they won’t learn. Simple as that. I think this executive action by the governor is disgusting, goes against anti discrimination laws, and will not only keep trans kids from learning but will affect their mental health in a detrimental way. Teachers MUST affirm their trans students, say their chosen names, and use their preferred pronouns. This action by the governor isn’t about giving parents more rights over their child’s education. It’s about discriminating against trans students in the place where they spend the majority of their day. </p>


Oppose

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The new policy fails because it:

Betrays trust between educator and student

Forces faculty to mis-gender and deadname students

Forces faculty to out students against their will

Denys a student accesses to facilities and activities appropriate to their gender.

Adds barriers to parents seeking to have their student's identity respected.


Strongly Oppose 2022 Model Policies

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The submitted new policies (2022) return our education system to the 1960's or earlier. Virginia needs to move into the 21st C and politicians need to educate themselves on child development, psychological advancements, and most of all be concerned for the welfare of our children. Not all families are as portrayed in sitcoms of the 50's and 60's, not all homes are safe. All are created in the image of God. Vote no for this new policy restricting that image.


Terrible

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<p>I’m a young trans kid and this policy is straight up bullying. I would expect this behavior from some of my peers but not from the governor of Virginia. These policies are hateful and unnecessary. Why does it matter what name and pronouns I use at school? What’s so scary about me using He/Him pronouns and the name Matteo. How am I a threat? I’m extremely lucky to have accepting parents, but even then these policies affect me. I have to go get a legal document saying I can use my preferred name and pronouns. </p>


strongly oppose

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trampling trans kids freedoms to be and identify as themselves in the guise of religious morality represents everything wrong with our country. protection of parent's "right" to discriminate and teach their kids to discriminate i would expect to find in florida or texas, not virginia. this is garbage.


Oppose

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The new policy fails because it:

Betrays trust between educator and student

Forces faculty to mis-gender and deadname students

Forces faculty to out students against their will

Denys a student accesses to facilities and activities appropriate to their gender.

Adds barriers to parents seeking to have their student's identity respected


I support this measure

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There really shouldn't be anything that schools, school systems, or individual teachers are legally able to hide from a child's parents, other than information that should be handled by law enforcement.


Protect trans youth

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I strongly oppose this bill. It will harm more kids then it'll help. Please protect children and not politics.


Vehemently Oppose

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I, as a parent of school aged children and a Virginia resident, am extremely opposed. This is not about parental choice. Rather it is an attack on children as individuals entitled to express their true selves in a safe environment. We need to respect each child as a person and give them a supportive place to be who they are. Not every child is lucky to live with supportive family members/caregivers. The very least we can do is give them a safe and welcoming place in our public schools where they are seen for who they are - that includes their chosen names, pronouns, and expression of their gender identity. I absolutely have rights (and responsibilities) as a parent - but they do not supersede my childrens’ rights as people nor the schools’ responsibility to respect those rights.

Meghan DuFrain, Cumberland, VA


Strongly Oppose

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Parents “rights” are not more important than our children’s lives. This policy will hurt kids. Transgender students are already a population with high risk factors. The 2022 policy is not based on evidence or research. In fact, the evidence and research runs contrary to the 2022 policy:

56% of transgender youth reported a previous suicide attempt and 86% reported suicidality. School belongingness mitigates these risks and is a significant predictor variable for reducing suicidal ideation and attempts among transgender youth (Austin et al., 2020).

Transgender and nonbinary youth whose schools prevent them from using the restrooms/locker rooms that best matched their gender identities were significantly more likely to be sexually assaulted, 26% for transgender males and 149% for transgender females (Murchison et al., 2019).

28% of transgender youth whose pronouns are not affirmed attempted suicide in the past year. In fact, when pronouns are respected, transgender youth attempted suicide at half the rate of those who did not have their pronouns respected (Trevor Project, 2020).

Transgender adolescents experience significantly disproportionate levels of childhood abuse compared to cisgender adolescents and experience greater levels of homelessness as a result of being kicked out or abused (Thoma, 2021).

Thank you for your time and consideration.


Opposed - Let parents be decision makers

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This guidance will not help parents make decisions for their children.  Parents should be able to choose what schools call their kids.  What if a child has a nickname?  Are we not going to call the kid by their nickname?  This is ridiculous and government overreach.


Oppose this policy- support our vulnerable Trans population

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I oppose this policy revision. The Supreme Court upheld the right of trans students to use the restroom of their choice. We need to support these students and prevent discrimination. We need to support these students by using their names and pronouns and showing respect for them as people. Teachers/staff who have religious beliefs that tell them LGBTQ people are committing sins can hold those beliefs but not enforce them on others. Follow Jesus's command to love one another. Please protect our children from bigotry.


New 2022 Model Policy is Discriminatory! Strongly Oppose!

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Governor Youngkin and VA Board of Education,

The 2022 Model policy released last week is a thinly veiled political move to supposedly protect parental rights and uphold the dignity and respect of all public school students.

I believe this is nothing but the Governor's personal desire to impose a set of ideological beliefs on all students. It is yet another cruel attempt on the part of the Youngkin administration to use these kids in their culture wars to score political points.

Virginia and our kids deserve MUCH better. This policy is so misguided and flat out WRONG.


This is unreasonable

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I have many words for you governor, but none of them are truly productive so I'll save them for another time. For now, I only have a few things to say, and I pray to whomever is up there that you'll listen. Your actions could have grave consequences. This is not an exaggeration. If you look into the rates of suicide in trans youth, you'll see how your actions impact people's lives. One of the most proven ways to protect our lives is by using the correct name and pronouns. Now, you're making it illegal for schools to do that. The blood of children is on your hands, and I hope you'll realize this


Strongly against

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<p>Youngkins new policy proposal on the rights of transgender students is horrible. It hurts access to education and student safety. This is not a parents rights issue, it’s a human rights issue, and Youngkin and the rest of his party are on the wrong side of it. </p>


Trans Youth Need Support

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Trans youth need our support and understanding. The Governor's proposed policies take us backwards to a dark place where our kids can't get the support they need from the people who are meant to be guiding them. Not being able to be recognized by your chosen name or your gender, is painful and uncomfortable.  Teachers and staff should be able to support these kid's identities. Being transgender at school should not be a reportable item to parents, either. This puts being a transgender child into the realm of being a problem child, a misfit, or mentally ill.

Please, please do not adopt these harmful policies. Protect our kids and give them a safe place to learn. Protect their school allies choices to support them too.


Strongly oppose

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Let kids be kids and teachers be teachers. This “guidance” sets up trans kids for bullying when they are unable to express and be who they are. If you are so concerned about who uses which bathroom or locker room, perhaps instead you should consider how schools are built and make all bathrooms with single stalls or single showers instead of the barbaric communal showers and urinals we have now. Then no one would know or care whether your genitals matched your gender. And have mandatory training for all about what transgender means and why that is a necessary choice for some people. Religion has no role in this and should not be used as an excuse for limiting children’s rights. Compassion and understanding, not fear and bullying, should be the goal of our schools.


This will harm children

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I am strongly opposed to this proposal as it will unduly harm children. Forcing children to be outed and not respecting a child to be referred to as they wish is cruel and serves no value. Do not purport “safety” when you are in fact making children less safe.


Sick and wrong

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<p>STOP going after LGBTQ children and treating them like cannon fodder for your twisted views. This is wrong. </p>


Absolutely Oppose

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This is not progress or protecting anyone.  This policy will lead to a decline in mental health and safety of trans people in Virginia.  You should be ashamed of yourself as a human being, Governor Youngkin.


Trans kids will die because of this cruel decision

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It is not overstating things to say that this policy makes it more likely that trans kids in VA will resort to self-harm or suicide. To keep a kid alive through a vulnerable time, just one adult who sees them and supports them can make a huge difference. This guidance makes it harder for trans kids to feel safe at school. It basically condones bullying them, by misgendering them and deadnaming them, and it prevents trans kids for whom home may not be a safe place from feeling safe confiding in a trusted teacher. This policy is abusive to a population that's already vulnerable and at greater risk of suicide and self-harm than young people overall.

Virginia has a governor more interested in bolstering his conservative bonafides for a presidential run than keeping kids safe and alive. What a tragedy that is for vulnerable young people in VA.


Strongly Support Parents Rights and New Policy

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Parents need to be involved in every aspect of their children's education.  Teachers and school administrators have no right to start a process of gender transition which ultimately leads to sterilization without the knowledge of the parents.   Schools need to educate children, not get involved with gender confusion.


Strongly oppose

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This will harm more children than it helps. It is cloaked in language of parent choice and parental rights but that is a red herring. In cases where a family is supportive, this causes undue administrative burden to manage. In cases where a family is not supportive, this puts the child in danger.


I am opposed to this policy!

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<p>First let me say that I am strongly opposed to the new proposed Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia’s Public Schools that reverse current policy.  As the mother of a transgender child, I believe it is NOT for the better of the child and panders to the insecurities of adults who cannot or will not take the time to understand what these children go through on a daily basis.  You will be subjecting them to bullying and abuse by the very people that are supposed to be protecting them!  Ignorance and fear have shaped this policy and it has no place in our Educational system.  These children have a hard enough time coming to terms with who they are, they should not be made to live in fear.  School should be a safe place for them to learn and grow, and if they seek counseling of their own accord, it should be kept confidential.  They may be minors, but they have rights too!   OPPOSED!! </p>


Fully Support - THANK YOU!!

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I fully support this updated policy; it is a correct, common sense approach solution for ALL parents and families and the state of Virginia.

The vilification of the MAJORITY of people who simply don’t want to be dictated to by political activists and special interest groups has got to stop and I applaud the Youngkin administration for taking decisive action to correct the atrocities that have been seeping into the fabric of our academic culture.

Get back to ACADEMICS and END this perverse overreach that propagates “fad” body dysmorphic disorders instead of actually helping kids who require individual support between parents and teachers.

Keep the indoctrination OUT of taxpayer funded schools!!!


This is wrong, oppose.

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There are several parts of this proposal that I'd like to go over. For one, forcefully outing kids to their parents is setting up some of them to be abused and murdered by relatives that don't understand or choose not to. Their suffering would be on you. Furthermore, not every kid who thinks they might be trans actually is, they could be just seeing how different styles or pronouns fit them in the safety of school. And by forcefully outing them, you might take away that experimentation, putting even cis kids in danger. Also, where is the line drawn? If a young cis girl isn't performing femininity to your standards, does she get "outed" as trans? Is she no longer allowed to use the bathroom that she feels most comfortable using? Is she kicked off of her sports teams? It doesn't make any sense, and is frankly just a disgusting way of controlling kids.

As for the restriction of using a preferred name, that also makes absolutely no sense. I remember so many kids asking to be called nicknames or something other than their legal names, and more often than not that made it easier on the teachers. Many kids asked to be called something else if someone shared their first name in the class. This proposal would completely take that possibility from them, leading to more issues. Then there's the fact that some people never even really go by their legal names. I knew someone who, from being a small child, they had a nickname and pretty much everyone called them by it. And none of that is even taking into account the fact that being called your deadname on a daily basis, hurts. It frankly should be avoided at all cost, or the person will just come to associate that name with terrible things. That's what happened with my deadname. My mom refuses to use my name, and I feel genuine hate towards that name instead of just thinking that it wasn't for me, like I used to.

Protect trans kids, protect cis kids, but those protections DO NOT have to come at the cost of the other. Actions like this will end in suffering and death for far too many children.


Protect LGBTQ students

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School should be a safe, supportive place for LGBTQ students to learn.


Save girls sports

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<p>Competing against bio males is unfair and insane.  </p>


Cruel and hurtful

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<p>I oppose this policy. </p>


Oppose this Guidance

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As a parent of a young child attending Virginia public schools, I oppose this guidance. It is clear in reading the comments in support of this guidance that this "parents rights" or "parents choice" language is a guise. The guidance seems to me to seek to shame and delegitimize transgender and other nonbinary identities. Commenters in support of this guidance make claims around the physical and sexual safety of children - saying that to keep children safe from predatory behavior, this guidance must be approved. Commenters state that transgender or nonbinary identities are not scientifically or emotionally valid, that they don't exist and should not be recognized by society. This is what is at the heart of this bill, not parent involvement. No one on either side of this debate wants parents to be eliminated from important decisions and discussions related to their children. To suggest otherwise is a perfect example of gaslighting. Our current school system and guidance allows me, as a parent, to be as fully involved as I need and want to be in important decisions concerning my child. This bill is an attempt to push back on the visibility and dignity of transgender and nonbinary people. I don't approve of this.


Strongly Oppose

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this is a violation of student’s safety and privacy! Protect trans kids!


Support!   Thank you

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<p>These are our kids.  Not the states.  Parents are only asking to not be cut out by the schools.  </p>


Abhorrent and Cruel

This policy was written without any basis of fact. It goes directly against all best practices when it comes to the wellbeing of our very vulnerable trans youth. Reading the “support” comments for this policy you can see that the people pushing this are ignorant of the daily struggle these students go through and are all to happy to push these kids into even more precarious situations because the existence of trans individuals ruins their concept the world. However on the merits of this policy, it’s all garage, made by people who clearly did not seek the input from the affected communities. What has been proposed is a reactionary and cruel political stunt that will harm kids throughout the Commonwealth. If  you were to consult with people that work in this field and you will find just how backwards and damaging these policies can be. Being trans, discussing the transgender community, and affirming trans people is not pollical it is empathy and this policy is quite devoid of that.I WHOLHERATEDLY DISSAPROVE OF THIS POICY PROPOSAL!!!

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This policy was written without any basis of fact. It goes directly against all best practices when it comes to the wellbeing of our very vulnerable trans youth. Reading the “support” comments for this policy you can see that the people pushing this are ignorant of the daily struggle these students go through and are all to happy to push these kids into even more precarious situations because the existence of trans individuals ruins their concept the world.

However on the merits of this policy, it’s all garage, made by people who clearly did not seek the input from the affected communities. What has been proposed is a reactionary and cruel political stunt that will harm kids throughout the Commonwealth. If  you were to consult with people that work in this field and you will find just how backwards and damaging these policies can be. Being trans, discussing the transgender community, and affirming trans people is not pollical it is empathy and this policy is quite devoid of that.

I WHOLHERATEDLY DISSAPROVE OF THIS POICY PROPOSAL!!!


Strongly Oppose

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<p>The new restrictions on transgender students in schools is horrible. As Macaulay Porter wrote in a statement: “It is not under a school’s or the government’s purview to impose a set of particular ideological beliefs on all students.” By not giving students the respect that all human beings deserve, you are imposing your own ideological beliefs on all students. It is incredibly harmful to not respect individuals enough to call them by their name and pronouns. Every death of a student if these policies go into place are because of Youngkin. If this was about respect of beliefs, then these policies would not exist. If a student prefers to be called by a certain name, it does not harm you to respect that. </p>


Strongly Oppose—Protect Trans Kids

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Young kin’s proposed ban is another example of conservatives clawing back human rights in the name of… what exactly? Why does this administration want to promulgate fear and hatred towards children? All children deserve the freedom to express who they truly are, I dont want to see any other trans or queer children hurt or worse from the judgement and policing of people who have no understanding of their feelings and struggle. I strongly oppose this bill and will continue to fight it—this ban has no place in our schools. Youngkin, why dont you pick a school issue that hits closer to home (maybe like gun violence?).


Strongly Oppose

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This model is being used under the guise of parental rights.  However, it is not about parental rights, but about transphobia and misinformation.  If you are being an active parent, then your children will come to you.  If you aren't, why are you only now taking a weird stance on being involved?  Transphobia.  There is not a single peer-reviewed study that suggests lack of support discourages a person from being trans.  None.  There are several that say a supportive environment curbs suicidal thoughts and lessen depression and anxiety.  If you truly want schools to focus on reading, writing, math, and science, and only those things, then schools need to stop providing food, clothing, transportation, extra curricular activities that are not solely academic.  None of those things fall under reading, writing, and arithmetic.  Compassion is the bedrock for all religions (who seem to be the ones in support of this bigotry) and yet instead of trying to alleviate the pain in our neighbor's lives, we instead want to deny their existence and their right to exist.  Your children are watching the way you are behaving and they see what you are saying about them, their friends, their cousins.  You are doing way more damage to your parent-child relationship than this policy ever could.

I strongly oppose this policy and any similar policies that do not allow common courtesy and basic human respect for someone we may not understand.


Finally,common sense in our government.

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We need parents to be very involved in what is going on in our schools. The state does not own our children.


Absolutely horrendous

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<p>Why in the world would anyone vote for this horrendous piece of legislation? </p>


Reject or heavily amend the proposal. Respect trans kids.

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As the father of a transgender child and also a former legislator, I ask that you reject these changes.

It is a matter of opinion and not of fact that "The 2021 Model Policies promoted a specific viewpoint aimed at achieving cultural and social transformation in schools."  While respectful, I was pretty ignorant of trans issues before my son came out. To that end, I think the most helpful thing to realize when reviewing these new guidelines is that a young adult is not "changing their gender", rather those around them have a new realization of their gender.  That is, for a true trans child their gender has been the same all along, it is merely the adults perception that has changed.

I would also like to point out that this model policy doesn't separate schools and parents, it injects government into the life of parents and a child.  Asking teachers to police nicknames is just silly and waste of time... Christopher, a male, now goes by Chris and has long hair. Maybe the child is transitioning. Government to the rescue! Call the parents!

Maybe next we should have teachers contact the parents if their kids are dating another child because it might be a violation of the parental rights that their child dates someone...

In fact the proper teacher response to a gay or trans child is: Are, are they "coming out"?!? Who cares! Do they have poor grades and seems depressed... that is when you care and reach out to a school counselor.

There are many tricky issues around this topic but they involve permanent life decisions such as surgery. The school system won't be involved in these in any regard and the parent should have every traditional right over an unemancipated minor in these cases. Everything else is - names, dress, etc is transitory and not the government's business.

Albert Pollard

Irvington VA 22480


Strongly Oppose

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<p>I strongly oppose the adoption of the 2022 Model Policies and urge the Youngkin administration to stop all efforts to undermine trans rights in the commonwealth. </p>


Strongly Opposed

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The policy released for transgender and non-binary students is extremely dangerous and cruel. Children know who they are, and as adults we should trust them to show their true selves. This policy absolutely does not protect children and parents’ rights. This protects bigots who are afraid of people different from them. When we don’t allow students to be their true selves, we risk their safety and mental health.

As a teacher, currently on child rearing leave, I can assure you that students can only learn and thrive in a place where they feel safe, loved, and valued. Teachers must first ensure that Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs are met so that children can learn. Part of this is ensuring a child’s safety.  By forcing families to provide permission and documents to support their children, and forcing children to out themselves in potentially unsafe situations, you are doing the exact opposite of these things. Follow the research, which these policies are wrong on a human and educational level, and state law. Trans and non-binary students are valued and deserving of a space to learn where they can truly be themselves, without interference and permission from an adult.

As a parent, if my children choose to use a different bathroom or pronouns they will be supported and loved. I expect the same from any classroom and school my child enters. This would not be the case, should these policies be in place.


In Support of the Updated Policy

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<p>The revised policies now take into consideration the protection of all children and parental rights. These are two very important aspects that were not considered or deemed important by the previous administration. Thank you for upholding parental rights and for considering the safety of all children! </p>


Strongly Support

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Both of my children at one point thought they might be trans. Their entire friend groups thought so too, and I noticed the contagion aspect of it all, so I just gave them the room to feel out the identity without any pressure to do something about it on my end. I approached it the same as I would have if they shared their interest in a new band or hobby. Low and behold, they both grew out of it. I'm lucky in regards to having close relationships with my children who feel comfortable enough to speak openly about things they are going through, but had they not had that, I can imagine them getting further caught up in going down a road that isn't actually who they are, because that's exactly what the schools are creating.

They've both told me of the pressures of being anything other that "cis" and "white." How it's the worst of the worst and schools have made them feel unworthy of their humanity due to their innate sexual nature/preference and their skin color. So, it's no wonder when one in a friend group says they're trans and the schools are constantly pumping out trans/queer talking points, the whole group starts experimenting with the label, as it's an easy way to escape the stigma of being an "oppressor." That's absolutely the environment being created in schools currently.

For what it's worth, up until all of this trans ideology started getting pushed, I had been a staunchly democratic voter. I just can not anymore with where the left is going. Seeing what I've now seen, I know if I was a teen currently, I'd be caught up in it all too. I was a tomboy that grew into a confident woman because no one cared that I was gender non-conforming and preferred playing with the boys. Were I in schools now, I'd be pressured and fast tracked into a trans identity because I guess we're going back to sexist stereotypes.

Thank you, Governor, and the entire administration who played a part in drafting these new guidelines. It's the absolute right move.


Strongly Oppose Changes to the model policy put in place in 2021

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The model policy put in place in 2021 was extremely useful and very supportive of students and families. As a school professional who is connected with other school divisions around the state, I have heard of no true, verified problems created by this 2021 policy (only the solutions and protections it put in place.) To the degree that there are any real (not imagined or theoretical) issues raised by the 2021 model policy, then the next step would be to proposed very specific adjustments, not a wholesale roll-back.

During the 2021 comment period, I reviewed the public comments. Among those who were afraid of supporting trans and non-binary students, all to many literally used phrases such as "bring back bullying." In proposing a reversal to the 2021 model policy, I am afraid that Virginia is listening to such fear-based, irrational, and hateful voices.


Protect Trans Kids

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As an adult trans woman I oppose this rule. I spent my teenage years suffering in silence, thinking nobody else could possibly understand, or that there was no way I would ever be accepted at school—and that was before there even were rules about this at the state level. I was unspeakably depressed, and it really only got worse as time went on and I continued developing without any intervention. I grew to hate my body and hate myself, all because I knew I could never reach my ideal. And reaching my ideal was the only option—otherwise I knew I would be rejected and abused by society.

The solution to this problem was not learning to accept this misery, learning to play this role I had been assigned without complaint. The solution was realizing that I had control over my own life, that I had a say in who I grew up to be. That is what trans kids need. They don’t need to be silenced and denied and shamed. They need to know that there is a chance for them to be who they want to be.

Reject this new rule. The 2021 guidance was the correct policy and should not be negated.


Strongly oppose

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Strongly oppose your policies on this topic


Re: 2022 Model Policies on the Privacy, Dignity, and Respect for All Students and Parents in VA

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To Whom It May Concern,

Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the 2022 Model Policies on the Privacy, Dignity, and Respect for All Students and Parents in Virginia’s Public Schools. I am an English teacher at Waynesboro High School, and I participate in many school activities as a class co-sponsor and as a part of the theater department.

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

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

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

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

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

Sincerely,

Kayla Chonoles

Masters of Arts in Teaching, 2019

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

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


Strongly oppose


Strongly oppose

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This is unacceptable and victimizes trans kids


No Rollback on Transgender Students Rights

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As a constituent of Charlottesville City, alum of Albemarle County Schools, sexual/domestic violence preventionist, and queer adult, I wholeheartedly disagree with the proposed changes to this policy. Transgender students deserve to be safe.

Having one’s name and pronouns accepted is a well-researched method of lowering suicide risk in transgender youth (Bailey et al., 2014; Bauer et al., 2015a; Haas et al., 2011; SPRC, 2008).

Forcing staff to only use a students' legal name/deny them access to school bathrooms will negatively affect the mental health of both parties (the student, for being denied such a basic right as to be called what they want to be called, and the staff for being mandated to break trust with a student). The policy also creates pointless issues for non-transgender students - in my middle school class in Virginia, several students went by nicknames that had nothing to do with their legal names ("Carrie" went by "Morgan", Xiang Zhi went by "John"). This policy puts an undue burden of cost, time, and money on parents and youth to legally change the child's name in order for them to be identified appropriately on the day-to-day.

Single-stall bathrooms are few and far between, especially in rural counties where all students might attend a single middle or high school; facilities such as stadiums and locker rooms; or campuses that are spread across multiple buildings. Policies that state transgender and nonbinary youth can only access single-stall bathrooms or else be forced to use bathrooms aligned with assigned sex is therefore an access issue.

Mandating staff to out students to their parents puts youth at risk for abuse from unaffirming family members. The harm from this action can be anything from the guardians pulling the student from school counseling, to kicking them out of the home entirely, to physical abuse, suicide, or even murder of the child.

Children thrive when they feel safe in schools - all changes should be rejected.


Trans Children deserve safety and autonomy

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Trans children deserve the same safety and autonomy afforded to their cis peers. Trans youth face extremely high rates of suicide attempts because they already feel excluded, different, and unsafe in their own bodies, in their own homes. This policy will have a direct effect to make that WORSE for trans children in Virginia schools, make no doubt that if enacted this will be responsible for a higher rate of suicide among queer kids. Blood will be on your hands, Glenn.

Trans kids deserve better than this. They only want to be themselves and you're so ing threatened by that, you'd rather silence them into the grave. This is cowardice. This is not liberty. This policy must not stand


Proposed new regulations regarding  trans students in public schools

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I am a retired Virginia public school teacher (33years) and the mother of 2 daughters who graduated from Virginia public schools.  There is no data that reflects the need for any of these new policies and restrictions.  The fear and concern surrounding the acceptance and accommodation of LGBTQ students are based in fear, rather than any actual problems.  I am very disappointed that politicians in Richmond are willing to use unfounded concerns and fears as a way to further their careers.  Virginia Public Schools should be committed to honest, data-based policies.  Furthering unfounded myths and fears is the absolute opposite of the ideals of education.  Please support and protect ALL of Virginia’s school children.  It is the right and principled way for Virginia  is to face the future.


Strongly Oppose These Policies that will Harm Children

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These policies are rooted in transphobia and seeks to further harm trans and nonbinary kids. Forcing children to out themselves to non-supportive parents will harm children.  Forcing parents and children to make legal decisions while a child is still developing and growing will harm families. Respecting every individual is not hard to do and can be accomplished with the original model policies that the General Assembly and the last administration put together.

The actual studies around transgender/non-binary school policies does not support the bathroom and sports policies that this administration is proposing.  These policies prohibit access and/or participation in activities consistent with their gender identity without real evidence that any other children are harmed by inclusion.

Hiding transphobia and hatred of what is different from what you consider the norm behind some vague notion of parental choice is absurd.  These policies are an intrusion into families' choices, not a support for each parent making choices for how they raise their children.  It is laughable to call these supportive of parental choice.

I implore the Board of Education to reject these reject these policies as they are fueled by hatred and do the exact opposite of what they claim to do--they restrict parents choices on how to raise their children and make it harder for teachers and faculty to support parental choice for parents of transgender and non-binary children.


Trans rights

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I am a mom of a trans young adult. These kids need MORE support, not less. Study the research. Suicide and substance abuse disorder are higher in the trans youth population. They need help, love, support, acceptance. Wake up, Governor


Strongly Oppose— it will cause harm

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<p>Policies like these proposed changes, when implemented in other states, have led to higher suicide rates among trans kids. As a licensed professional counselor with personal and professional experience working and relating to trans kids, gender affirming care improves their quality of life and protects against psychological trauma and developmental challenges. There is, absolutely no data to support the idea that gender affirming care harms anyone. </p>


An act of violence towards the trans community

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This is an act of violence for political gain for some small subset of Virginia voters. People thought in 2021 that they had two moderate candidates, that because Glenn wore a sweater vest that they made him "nice" and "moderate."

I have shared on Reddit and I will say today. This is an extreme act of war from a vest-wearing governor who is leading Virginia into dark territory.

Let this entire executive action be a lesson to ALL of those "swing voters" who went for Glenn last year, only for him to continue wading into a deeper cesspool of far-right policies.

This is where democracy goes to die. Little regard for civil rights, a disdain of intellectualism, and an Executive who is leading a wave of actions towards a community that struggles with being accepted in the United States by such actions as this.

Never again we will we forget this and the various other alt-right acts that the Republican Governor continues to focus on, hurting the trans community, and in the end of the day, basically promoting violence towards a community that needs lifted up -- not trampled on.


Strongly Oppose

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Please do not weaponize public schools to target vulnerable children.  This is a political solution in search of a problem, not a way to actually help Virginians.  Trans kids are already at increased risk of suicide, why on earth would you bring the power of the state to contribute to the bullying?  Disgusting.


Treatment of Transgender Students

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Youngkin's proposed policy is not merely wrong, it is despicable

First, the proposed policy is probably illegal and is simply a political stunt that diverts attention from serious matters.

More important, all children are susceptible to bullying and trans children are even more vulnerable. They should not be subjected to emotional and physical bullying over bathroom use.

The policy would force trans children into more progressive private schools which are not affordable to all.

The proposed policy is totally inconsistent with the values and wishes of Fairfax families which are expressed in our current policies.

in addition to legal challenges the proposed policies must be rejected by the people of Fairfax,


Oppose. This policy is discrimination.

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<p>This "model" policy is discrimination. Students deserve to be recognized how they see themselves. Our job as educators is to create a safe space for students. This policy is dehumanizing and disgraceful. </p>


I strongly oppose

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<p>Children of all races and genders no matter how they identify have the right to go to school and not feel afraid to be who they are. Everyone has that right under the constitution.   Anyone who supports this action is cruel. </p>


This is an attempt to harm students and schools

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Students are NOT solely the property of their parents and do have rights granted to them that Virginia is attempting to ignore. It is NOT the responsibility of schools to out queer students to parents; if parents have put any work into their relationship with their children, than they would know already if their child wants to use different names. The parents who applaud this expect the school to take over their parental responsibility to build a relationship with their kids. Furthermore, if most who want this policy actually spent time in school activities with their kids, they’d find out very quickly what their child is going by and their child’s thoughts. This is the government overreaching into schools for parents too lazy to actually parent their child and create a loving environment at home for their own children.

It will also place undue burden on teachers and open the schools for liability when a name is forgotten to be passed on or a parent accuses an unknowing teacher of hiding a name that the kid told their friends, but never explicitly told the teacher.

For the kids who will be outed to unsupportive or bigoted parents, the results can end in death, homelessness, and physical or emotional abuse. Studies show repeatedly that queer kids are not inherently more likely to be suicidal than their peers EXCEPT when faced with unsupportive family or school environments. Per the Trevor Project and the UCLA and Williamson Center, students in supportive environments fair significantly better than students who are forced into unsafe and unsupportive environments.

Stop using children and public education as pawns in your political games. Stop trying to damage public education.


Trans children deserve to feel safe

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<p>All children deserve a safe learning environment and having teachers and administrators concerning themselves with the genitalia of the children is sick. Respecting children's personal autonomy is a huge part of helping them grow into great adults. This has nothin to do with religious beliefs being violated and everything to do with fear of the unknown. The welfare of the child should come before the personal beliefs of a single ff. This policy will foster a hostile environment for trans and non-binary children making it impossible to learn. </p>


LGBT Mom of LGBT Children Supports This Measure

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Let me begin by saying that I am an openly gay mother of several openly gay children that I would give my last breath for. I have been very active in their school life since 2009 when my oldest began kindergarten in Spotsylvania. I have not always agreed with things that have happened in their schools, eg; taking away Spanish as an elective, using the taking away of playground time as a form of punishment, to name a few, but I stand by the staff at my children’s schools because I come from a long line of teachers myself and I have seen first hand the love and dedication it takes to be an educator.
That being said, those educators are not my children’s parents, I am.  Those teachers are not their healthcare providers, the medical teams I have carefully selected over 19 years and have been charged with giving the level of care my children need, are. They are also not the therapists or psychiatrists in charge of my children’s mental health, again, the team I selected and they agree to, are. If there is an issue I need to be made aware of, especially when the consequences of keeping it a secret could be life altering, it is my right as a parent to know so that I can go to the medical teams and address it with the appropriate authorities so my children can receive the care they need.
While I understand not every parent is as understanding and loving as myself and my husband, I still believe it is the parents right and the schools obligation to inform parents  of concerns involving their children, from poor grades, bullying, to medical concerns. I also understand that there are concerns of potential abuse stemming from “outing” a child, I take them seriously as we all should, but school administrators, teachers, and guidance staff are all trained court mandated reporters. This means the door will open for getting children out of homes that are dangerous for them.
As Virginians we should be concerned for a movement that seeks to keep parents for being involved in their children’s lives, especially considering how some counties have covered up sexual assaults or other issues like riots and large scale fights among other things. Where does it stop? When do parental rights end and those of the educational system begin?


Trans Kids Have Rights - Just Like YOU

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<p>I am so angry about this movement towards making Trans kids feel less than.  I am angry about Youngkin trying to out them, trying to control them, and trying to put some religious spin onto the situation.  Just because you can't imagine what it must be like to feel incomplete doesn't mean you get to legislate LGBQT+ students.  They are just kids. They are just trying to get through life and you making them feel less than is horrible. We will fight you on this.  Everyone - KIDS INCLUDED - deserve the same rights as everyone else. That means right to privacy.  I know that Youngkin wants to be like Iran and have morality police but we will not stand for it.  My kid may be graduating soon but my votes, my money, and my fight will always go towards supporting ALL kids.  I do not support anything that takes rights away. I do not support anything that brings hate against LGBQT+ kids. I do not support any politician who supports Youngkin and these backward policies. </p>


Very opposed.

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This will cause more suicides and more depression in vulnerable youths who are simply trying to be who their brains and bodies are meant to be.


Strongly Oppose Guidance Proposing Hate and Discrimination

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The proposed policies will purposefully create a hostile and dangerous school environment for trans and non-binary youth. They restrict restroom access and sports participation for transgender and nonbinary students, require faculty and staff to “out” trans and nonbinary students to their parents, and prohibit teachers and staff from supporting trans students in a range of ways, including blocking them from using a student’s affirming name and pronouns. How filled with hate do you have to be to do this?


Strongly oppose

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<p>I have to say it again, I strongly oppose this new policy. </p>


support transgender students

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<p>All of the research points to a need to be inclusive and support transgender students. The world is not binary. The world is changing. Have you talked to any youth lately? They are pushing back against the patriarchy in ways that are threatening I guess to the Republican Party to the status quo, but they are identifying themselves that is consistent to who they are. If parents do not know who their child is, that is a different problem that does not require legislation. Get to know your children.  Trust research which shows how best to protect transgender people, but especially youth. Learn to be open minded and empathetic. Be kind. All of the cliches apply. The only thing this policy will do is to harm children. It seems like another thoughtless political ploy from the Republican Party playbook. </p>


Strongly apposed

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<p>Such a small group of people who need protection not discrimination. </p>


Reject the proposed policy

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I oppose the draft policy. VDOE should reject the proposed model policy


Strongly support parents right.

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For the safety of our kids I am IN FAVOR of Younkin's policy.


Wrong side of history

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Your grandchildren will look back at this change the same.way we today look back at the photos of our grandparents opposing integration. You're on the wrong side of history, and you're going to get kids killed. Oppose this disgusting measure.


leave trans kids alone!

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People are trying to live their lives. Restricting their lives based on your ty ideals is wrong. Let trans kids be trans kids!


Fairfax parent - strongly support

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Fairfax parent - strongly support


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<p>Please do not do this. It will hurt our kids. School should be a safe place for them to learn. </p>


Strongly oppose

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<p>Stop trying to interfere with progress. This is a dangerous bill.  Trans youth are already at high risk for depression and suicide. Adding pressure on an already complicated time of life especially for these kids is heartless and irresponsible.  </p>


misinterpretation

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"No student shall be required to participate in any counseling program to which the student's parents object." only refers to counseling required by the schools, not to counseling requested by the student and does not in any way justify this hateful, divisive, and discriminatory policy: "Parents must be informed and given an opportunity to object before counseling services pertaining to gender are given " This must be fixed before this travesty is published.


Opposed

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I strongly oppose this proposal. It is damaging to children. The proposal itself has stoked fear and confusion for both the children affected and their families. It seeks to divide, not support our communities. It reeks of political grandstanding at the expense of our most vulnerable youth.

The announcement that the original proposal will go into effect at the end of the 30 day period suggests this comment period is merely theater and is mocking our democratic process and good governance.


I OPPOSE the guidance

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<p>I have 2 kids in public school in Virginia, and trans affirming school policy matters to me. This is why I oppose the draft policy and urge the VDOE to reject them. My kids have a transgender friend, and their friend deserves to feel safe and attend school in an inclusive environment for all students. Their parents should not have to worry about whether or not they will need to leave the state of Virginia in order to find a safe environment for their at risk child. Let's not forget these are CHILDREN we are talking about, and they deserve loving support from the adults around them.  </p>


Protect lgbtq+ students

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This is a horrible thing that will kill kids


Lgbtq+ rights

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<p>this is disgusting this will do nothing but hurt lgbtq+ kids </p>


Oppose - stop using kids as pawns your evil political game

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This policy will result in the death of children, it is evil at its core, and it is clear to most people this is a ploy on Youngkin's part to pander to his base. It has no legal standing and will simply terrify families of gender diverse kids, lock schools and resources into litigation to defeat it. It's political pandering at the expense of our most precious and vulnerable population.


Strongly Oppose Governor's Proposed Policy

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Every parent hopes our laws will ensure our children’s safety, protection, and freedom. But 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.

The proposed policies seek to erase trans and non-binary youth from the classroom and create a hostile and even dangerous school environment. They restrict restroom access and sports participation for transgender and nonbinary students, require faculty and staff to “out” trans and nonbinary students to their parents, and prohibit 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 effect can be devastating to these youth -- not only increasing the incidence of bullying, but increasing depressions and other mental health issues and possibly even suicide.

Hate does not belong in Virginia schools – and trans and non-binary students deserve the safety to thrive, no matter where they are.

This Proposed Policy needs to be rescinded.


Youngkin Out of Touch

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Youngkin and his education team are out of touch and Tess trans policies are a step back that expose kids to discrimination and bullying.  But, clearly an Administration that hates the word equity wants that for innocent kids.


Strongly oppose

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<p>I strongly oppose this discriminatory policy and its significant effects on mental health for these students.  It is also completely hypocritical to base the decision on parent choice when you are ignoring the choice of parents who are very concerned with discrimination against their children and want policies to protect their children. </p>


Oppose this policy

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<p>As a parent of two public school children in Virginia I strongly oppose this Bill and all efforts to demonize any of our neighbors for the Governors political ambitions. The idea that teachers or schools contribute to a person's gender or sexuality is absurd. Our teachers are here to support our students no matter what their strengths or weaknesses and regardless of gender and/or race. Government needs to focus on getting more resources into our schools and communities.  </p>


Thank you!

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<p>Thank you! lets bring common sense back and keep indoctrination and gender craziness out of our schools. Respect all genders - but dont influence our kids in schools into this gender idealogy. This is a fad - and will disappear soon. Keep kids safe, keep girls spaces safe, keep girls sports safe. Thank you! </p>


Trans rights are human rights.

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<p>I oppose the changes that the governor wants to make that would make life for young trans lives more difficult. </p>


Strongly support

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<p>I strongly support this policy, as it affirms the rights of parents to raise their children without government overreach. </p>


Strongly oppose new policy

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<p>I strongly oppose the new school policy affecting our trans children.  Do not make life any more harder for them.  Please leave them alone.  </p>


Trans kids

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My 10 yr old grandchild is trans and lives in VA . Don’t make her life more difficult.


Strongly OPPOSE this Guidance

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I am a parent of a young child and a concerned community member.  Trans and gender diverse children deserve our love and protection like all other children, and Gov. Youngkin's proposed policy will actively harm these children.

In my pro bono volunteer experience helping trans and gender diverse individuals change their name and gender markers on legal documents, I have seen firsthand how gender-affirming care and services can absolutely change peoples' lives and allow them to live with dignity.  There is no reason to deny gender-affirming support to children, and such a denial will result in serious developmental and psychological harm to these children.

Before accepting the proposed policy, I urge you to speak to children and the parents of trans and gender diverse children who would be affected by this policy, and hear their stories.

I strongly OPPOSE the draft policy and ask that the VDOE reject the policy.


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<p>Strongly oppose. Enough with the culture wars. Your post campaign self does not represent Virginia. </p>


Leave our Youth Alone

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Trans youth have it hard enough without you using them as a political pawn. Are you trying to push children to suicide? Because that's the likely outcome.


Keep schools a safe place for ALL our kids

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Schools protect kids in many ways. They offer the hungry food. They are a conduit to Family Services for kids who abused, unhoused and/or in need of help. School counselors, teachers and staff are resources for kids. They are places of safety and acceptance. What the Governor is proposing goes against everything we know about what is best for the kids. Let him leave practice his religion in his church, not in our schools.


Let students be themselves. Stop rejecting progress.

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As a long-time Virginia resident, I strongly oppose telling children they cannot be who they are or discuss their true selves in what should be a safe space: their classrooms with peers and teachers.

I know the quiet pain and fear of not being accepted - or even being bullied - that my LGBTQ+ friends and family lived with more than 25 years ago. My hope was this would change over time to encourage acceptance of ALL students being who they are in the fullest sense. I have seen great progress since then but this is a massive step back and it disappoints me to my core.

Mr. Youngkin: As Governor of an entire state, you have a responsibility to govern for ALL Virginians, whether they voted for you or not. This is not limited to only the people who share your personal views - or to benefit your long-term political goals.

Please consider that a year into your role as Governor, your aim should be to support Virginians, not to make vulnerable communities and young students feel more marginalized. These hurtful proposed policies could have serious negative impacts on young children for years to come. The long-term effects of not feeling accepted as who you are during a vulnerable time in your life will not go away in the short-term.


Strongly oppose

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This policy change will kill children. This isn't melodramatic hyperbole. Policies like these proposed changes, when implemented in other states, have led to higher suicide rates among trans kids. But this is the price Republicans will pay to rally their base — the lives of other people's kids.

If this policy is implemented I will work to remove every GOP politician from office in Virginia.