VEBA Strongly Opposes the 2022 Model Policies

October 26, 2022
The Virginia Equality Bar Association submits this letter to express our strong opposition to the Virginia Department of Education’s 2022 Model Policies on the Privacy, Dignity, and Respect for All Students and Parents in Virginia’s Public Schools (the “2022 Model Policies”). As described in greater detail below, our opposition to the 2022 Model Policies is based on the following well-established facts:

There is no legal document that durably reflects sex assigned at birth, or supposed “biological sex,” in Virginia.
There is no reasonable legal basis for requiring a legal document to change a student’s sex in official school records.
The 2022 Model Policies ignore legally established sex/gender designations.
The 2022 Model Policies implicitly require intrusive physical examination of students’ bodies, which would not serve any rational interest and would make youth more vulnerable.
The 2022 Model Policies ignore the fact that intersex people exist.
Adopting the 2022 Model Policies will knowingly lead to protracted and expensive litigation despite already inadequate levels of funding for public education.

About the Virginia Equality Bar Association.
The Virginia Equality Bar Association (“VEBA”) was founded in 2013 to secure equality for the LGBTQ community and oppose discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. For nearly a decade, we have provided legal education, resources, and information to the legal community and the public.
VEBA is an expert in legal name and gender marker changes in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Since 2014, a major component of VEBA’s work has been its award-winning Name and Gender Marker Change Clinics (the “Clinics”), which have provided pro bono legal services and free trainings for lawyers across the Commonwealth of Virginia. The Clinics offer pro bono legal services to both adults and youth, assisting clients with name change applications, petitions for changes of sex on birth certificates, DMV and social security record updates, DD214 (military discharge record) updates, and answering questions regarding these proceedings and processes. VEBA has sponsored approximately 30 Clinics, at which more than 500 clients have been served. Additionally, through the Clinics, VEBA has trained over 150 volunteer attorneys and law students to provide these pro bono legal services. VEBA is recognized as an expert in legal name and gender marker changes in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Our work with these clients has shown us that legal affirmation of a person’s identity on government-issued ID and other records can have positive, life-altering effects. The 2022 Model Policies are harmful and are seemingly based on a flawed understanding of the state and federal legal landscape concerning gender and sex designations, the process for changing these designations, and the science these legally established processes reflect.
There is no legal document that durably reflects sex assigned at birth, or supposed “biological sex,” in Virginia.
As a shaky foundation to their harmful substance, the 2022 Model Policies seek to draw a distinction between “legal sex” - referenced in sections (III)(C) and (D) pertaining to student records - and “biological sex” - referenced as sex[i] in section (III)(G) related to sex-specific activities.
Despite relying on this imagined distinction as a cornerstone for the 2022 Model Policies, no singular legal record exists to facilitate such a distinction or the required determination. In 2020, Virginia amended its legal process to update sex on birth certificates and eliminated any requirement to provide evidence of a medical procedure.[ii] To amend a birth certificate, the Virginia Department of Health – Division of Vital Records requires a certification from a healthcare provider that the person has undergone “clinically appropriate treatment for gender transition.”[iii] Gender affirming therapy and other non-medication and non-surgical treatments meet this standard. Once a birth certificate is reissued, an individual’s sex, as assigned at birth, is indistinguishable from their “legal” sex.
Since the Division of Vital Records transitioned to printing abstracts of the birth certificate on the short-form version of the certificate many years ago, notations about changes and amendments to the record are not actually visible to those viewing the abstract printed on the paper birth certificate form. This was confirmed when the Virginia statute was updated in 2020 to explicitly remove the old requirement for such a notation on the paper birth certificate in the Division of Vital Records’ files. Accordingly, reviewing a birth certificate – even an old one – does not necessarily provide definitive proof of a person’s “biological sex” as assigned at birth. This aligns with Virginia’s legal process, which necessarily seeks to establish an affirmative record of an individual’s “legal sex” designation on a birth certificate. As discussed in greater detail below, this inconsistent and imprecise use of language in the 2022 Model Policies that creates such ambiguity between its chosen terms “legal sex” and “biological sex” will unfortunately lead to practical realities that violate a student’s privacy when school officials attempt to enforce these problematic rules.
There is no reasonable legal basis for requiring a legal document to change a student’s sex in official school records.
There is no one controlling legal designation of sex or gender. Instead, there are a myriad private, state, and federal identification systems with records reflecting sex and gender designation, all of which are maintained and updated through separate processes. Many of these processes, like those of the Virginia Department of Health discussed above, have been simplified to reduce requirements around medical proof for gender transition. Still, distinct processes and standards remain. For example, updating gender markers on U.S. passports[iv] and Virginia DMV-issued identification no longer requires documentation from a health care provider, but rather merely “checking the box” that is appropriate for the applicant’s gender. Amendments to a Virginia-issued birth certificate or Social Security marker, meanwhile, require a health care provider’s certification of clinically appropriate treatment for gender transition.
These various government-maintained records are not required to align with one another; in this way, a person can have multiple “legal sex” or gender designations at a single time. Despite this, the 2022 Model Policies require the submission of one of these - potentially conflicting - legal documents prior to updating a student’s legal name and sex.[v]
The 2022 Model Policies purport to further the Fourteenth Amendment interests of parents in directing the upbringing of their children. However, the documentation requirements of the 2022 Model Policies effectively prevent parents from exercising custody and control with respect to their child. If the parents and their child all request that the student’s intended name and gender/pronouns be respected, the 2022 Model Policies mandate that this cannot occur absent additional external approval (i.e. state issued legal documents or a court order). At best, this is a paradoxical outcome, but at worst, an indication of animus. What is the harm to the child that the state believes it has an interest in preventing by thwarting the express and aligned intent of both a child’s parents and that child?
School records are one of many government-maintained records including a sex or gender marker and form an essential element of social affirmation for those who experience gender dysphoria. The process of legal affirmation, such as obtaining identification documents that accord with an intended name and gender, can be time-consuming and costly despite recent administrative and legislative changes that have lowered barriers to accessing accurate identity documentation.
Requiring deference to one of a myriad of state-issued documents that include a sex or gender marker over the explicit intent and requests of a parent is a meaningless and harmful administrative burden. This requirement in the 2022 Model Policies is diametrically opposed to the 2022 Model Policies’ first and second guiding principals to “respect parents’ values and beliefs” and to “defer to parents to make the best decision with respect to their children.”
The 2022 Model Policies ignore legally established sex/gender designations.
The 2022 Model Policies fail to reflect the legal gender designation of nonbinary (or “other”) that is available on Virginia DMV-issued identification[vi] and U.S. passports[vii] and indicated with an “X” by mandating the school personnel only use male or female pronouns to refer to students.[viii]
In addition, students born in other jurisdictions may not have a birth certificate that conforms to the male/female binary. For example, a birth certificate could identify the person to be male, female, intersex, or undesignated/non-binary, and as more jurisdictions expand these options, potentially otherwise such as with an X marker in lieu of an M or F.
Specifically, the 2022 Model Policies require schools to disregard an otherwise legal gender designation of nonbinary as indicated by an X on Virginia DMV-issued identification or U.S. passport. In fact, even when a parent’s expressed intent for their child aligns with the legal designation of their child’s gender, the 2022 Model Policies will require a school to defy the law and the parent’s wishes to use “they/them” pronouns for that student with an “X” gender marker. This defiance of a student’s “legal” gender marker and parent’s wishes is directed by the very 2022 Model Policy that purports to require respect for, and indeed deference to, the student’s “legal” sex. The 2022 Model Policies fail to meet their own explicit goals and standards by prohibiting the use of “they”/”them” or other pronouns applicable to these gender options, which are legally recognized genders by both the Commonwealth of Virginia and the federal government.
The 2022 Model Policies implicitly require intrusive physical examination of students’ bodies, which would not serve any rational interest and would make youth more vulnerable.
As there is no single legal document that would conclusively prove “biological sex” for any given student, it is unclear exactly how the Virginia Department of Education proposes a school determine a student’s “biological sex.” The 2022 Model Policies imply that additional evaluations of the child’s body will be necessary to determine biological sex. But the 2022 Model Policies do not even suggest any specific method of determining “biological sex” or identify who is qualified to render that decision, if not the child’s own parents and/or medical provider. Indeed, a medical provider participated in the issuance of the student’s birth certificate; and if the child was born in Virginia, in any amendment of the sex indicated on the certificate. If a provider’s certification is insufficient in this respect, the 2022 Model Policies are unclear as to what additional documentation would suffice to “prove” biological sex or who would be qualified to make that determination and how, if at all, that decision could be reviewed.
Documenting a student’s “sex” under the amorphous “biological sex” standard would therefore require examination and documentation of the child’s body. Legislative proposals such as Ohio’s H.B. 134 show the end result of such approaches: requiring invasive medical examinations of student’s “internal and external reproductive anatomy” if their gender is disputed. The 2022 Model Policies do not suggest that local schools implement any constraints on the authority that would be required to implement and enforce the distinction of “biological sex” or who (or what document) would be the final arbiter of biological sex. Rather, the 2022 Model Policies intentionally embolden those who reject the scientific and legally recognized fact (referred to as a “particular ideological belief” by the 2022 Model Policies) that an individual’s gender identity and the sex they were assigned at birth may not be aligned.[ix]
When the student has already been evaluated by a healthcare provider, this sort of additional screening can only serve prurient interests and/or serve to embarrass, humiliate, harass, and otherwise ostracize the student. Additionally, it is unclear whether all students would be subjected to screening for an “accurate” categorization, or only those transgender or nonbinary students that personnel believes may be transgender. If the policy is to be selectively implemented, those who are motivated by ill-will could use the policy to target students they dislike or want to embarrass with intrusive physical examination where the process and/or results are evident to the student’s peers.
The Commonwealth has neither an interest in, nor should it have any role in, sanctioning this conduct by any actor under color of law. Transgender and gender nonconforming bodies are constantly under threat, and this particularly vulnerable population should be protected from intrusive and unnecessary evaluations, not subjected to the constant threat of state-sanctioned invasions of their bodily privacy.
The 2022 Model Policies ignore the fact that intersex people exist.
The 2022 Model Policies either acknowledge that there is no singular determinant for a binary understanding of “biological sex” or they callously disregard the existence of intersex students whose sex is incongruous with a singular notion of binary (male/female) “biological sex.” Indeed, biological sex is a combination of primary and secondary sex characteristics. If sex were a simple concept, the 2022 Model Policies would not need to vaguely reference “biological sex.” Likewise, intersex students’ anatomy may never have conformed to a singular binary sex option or their anatomy may have been made to conform to a single binary option externally, but that anatomy does not or may not conform to a singular binary sex option internally. Intersex individuals, whose “biological sex” is not clearly male or female may come to identify as nonbinary in the Commonwealth of Virginia, which is a legally recognized gender designation. The 2022 Model Policies ignore that intersex individuals exist, perhaps because the existence of intersex individuals proves that “biological sex” does not exist in a simple binary as the 2022 Model Policies suggest.
Adopting the 2022 Model Policies will knowingly lead to protracted and expensive litigation despite already inadequate levels of funding for public education.
Ill-defined metrics in the 2022 Model Policies, such as the undefined “biological sex,” invite violations of students’ bodily autonomy and privacy, not to mention parents’ rights to consent (or to refuse to consent) to intrusive intimate examinations of their children’s anatomies. The 2022 Model Policies’ unworkable standard is likely to be applied in a selective fashion, and therefore is a clear route for local school boards to end up in protracted and expensive litigation at a time when the Commonwealth continues to chronically under-fund its schools. According to the statewide Fund Our Schools Coalition,[x] state funding for Fiscal Year 2024 currently falls $365.7 million short of what would be necessary to fully fund the Virginia Board of Education’s prescribed “Standards of Quality” and an additional $279 million short of what would be necessary to fund support staff positions (such as instructional specialists, technology professionals, administrative assistants, and custodians) as prescribed by the Virginia Board of Education. Our local school systems’ money is best spent educating our Commonwealth’s children, not defending policies that likely violate the law and opportunistically target some of our most vulnerable students for political gains.[xi]
The 2022 Model Policies are harmful, not based on a complete understanding of existing Virginia or U.S. law, and thwart parents’ ability to determine what is in the best interests of their children.
VEBA calls on the Virginia Board of Education to reject the 2022 Model Policies and for school boards across the Commonwealth to decline to adopt the 2022 Model Policies. They are legally unsound and cruel and will undoubtedly cost the Commonwealth precious money and energy defending these overtly illegal policies in court.
This letter highlights certain core legal issues with the 2022 Model Policies, but is not a comprehensive analysis of all the reasons for which the 2022 Model Policies should be rejected outright. Please feel free to reach out to VEBA if you would like to discuss further based on our years of experience working in this area.

[i] “The word “sex” means biological sex.” 2022 Model Policies, Appendix 1, (II)(B). “For any school program, event, or activity, including extracurricular activities that are separated by sex, the appropriate participation of students shall be determined by sex.”2022 Model Policies, Appendix 1, (III)(G)(1)

[ii] See Va. Code § 32.1-261. (https://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?201+ful+CHAP0466)

[iii] https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/content/uploads/sites/93/2020/07/VS42_Gender-Designation-Form.pdf

[iv] https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/need-passport/selecting-your-gender-marker.html

[v] “[School Division] is required to maintain an official record for each student that includes the student’s legal name and sex.” 2022 Model Policies, Appendix 1, (III)(C)(1). “[School Division] shall change the legal name or sex in a student or former student’s official record only if a parent or eligible student submits a legal document, such as a birth certificate, state- or federal-issued identification, passport, or court order substantiating the student or former student’s change of legal name or sex.” 2022 Model Policies, Appendix 1, (III)(C)(2).

[vi] Virginia has issued more than 5.600 nonbinary driver’s licenses and IDs since 2020. (https://www.virginiamercury.com/blog-va/virginia-has-issued-5600-nonbinary-drivers-licenses-and-ids-since-2020/). Additionally, 22 states and Washington, D.C. now allow residents to list themselves as “X,” or nonbinary, on state-issued identification (https://www.lgbtmap.org/equality-maps/identity_document_laws).

[vii] https://www.state.gov/x-gender-marker-available-on-u-s-passports-starting-april-11/

[viii] “[School Division] personnel shall refer to each student using only the pronouns appropriate to the sex appearing in the student’s official record - that is, male pronouns for a student whose legal sex is male, and female pronouns for a student whose legal sex is female.” 2022 Model Policy (III)(D)(3) (emphasis added).

[ix] “Practices such as compelling others to use preferred pronouns is premised on the ideological belief that gender is a matter of personal choice or subjective experience, not sex. Many Virginians reject this belief.” 2022 Model Policies, Section V.C.

[x] https://www.fundourschoolsva.org/

[xi] For example, Grimm V. Gloucester County School Board (addressing bathroom access by transgender students in Virginia public schools) was filed in June 2015 and was litigated through July 2021. In finding that the school’s policies discriminated against the plaintiff in violation of the Equal Protection Clause and Title IX of the U.S. Education Amendments of 1972, Gloucester County was ordered to pay $1.3 million to plaintiff in attorneys’ fees and costs, which was in addition to their own legal fees and expenses.


It is a grave mistake to pass this.

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It is a grave mistake to pass this.


At Stone Bridge HS a boy put on a skirt, entered the girl's bathroom and raped a girl

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What about girl's rights? - SUPPORT


Opposing this bill

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Trans rights are human rights. Acknowledging trans individuals existence and allowing them to healthily express themselves and their identities, especially children and teens, reduces teen suicide and depression. If you believe in freedom and small government you will not try and legislate away freedom of speech.


Leave school policy to educators

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Governor and state officials need to keep hands out of local schools.  Stop letting the whacko parents who just want to see themselves on tv influence outcomes in our schools.
Let the educators who know about education make the school policies, not politicians!


Virginia Department of Education’s New Policies for Trans Students

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<p>I oppose these proposed policies because they interfere with the free exercise of basic human rights by persons who happen to be residents of Virginia. </p>


Big supporter.

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<p>I am a big supporter for the new policy. That other policy was crazy wrong. School officials don’t really care about the kids just about showing their power and influencing them instead of their parents. </p>


Strongly Oppose

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<p>Our family strongly condemns the 2022 Model Policies promulgated by the Youngkin administration. We believe schools ought to be places of safety where children and young adults can reflect on, choose, and be supported in whatever identity they feel is most befitting to them and yes, even without getting permission from their parents. In particular, we take issue with the language in Appendix 1, Section III, Part D.4: "Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraphs (2) and (3) of this section, [School Division] personnel shall refer to a student by a name other than one in the student’s official record, or by pronouns other than those appropriate to the sex appearing in the student’s official record, only if an eligible student or a student’s parent has instructed [School Division] in writing that such other name or other pronouns be used because of the student’s persistent and sincere belief that the student’s gender differs from his or her sex." This is a pretty clear violation of the First Amendment, in particular that Congress (and in this case the Commonwealth government, which is elected to uphold the Constitution of the United States) shall make no law abridging one's right to free speech. Please stop this madness and let people express themselves for who they are and instead provide resources for children, young adults, and their families to understand the weight of their gender expression. </p>


A girl got hit so hard by a bio man volleyball player she suffered a concussion and neck injuries

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What about a girl's right to play sports?  SUPPORT


New policy will Save Children From Indoctrination and Is Science Based

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Please for the sake of children and their parents, make the change ! It will save children from indoctrination and possible mutilation.  Thank You!


Strong Oppose to new policy

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It's a stupid and dumb and stupid proposed policy


Model Policies Regarding Transgender Students

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Finally, a common-sense policy that protects ALL children, lets parents be parents, and allows teachers get back to teaching academics, not whatever ideology is trending at the moment. A great deal of misinformation has been fed to the public regarding "danger" to transgender students. It is unthinkable that parents would be prohibited from discussing issues of sexuality with their kids and helping them make informed decisions. Strongly support Gov. Youngkin's policies!


I agree with the proposed document

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I agree with the opposed document.


Protect transgender kids!

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<p>The rights and wellbeing of transgender students are being disrespected with the proposed new guidance document. Students’ well-being is more important than the political views of parents or politicians’ desires to win points. Disregarding students’ declared gender identity or informing parents of their requests for support will lead to bullying, depression, and suicides. I strongly urge you to overturn this change and support and protect transgender students in Virginia’s public schools. </p>


I APPROVE.  Math, science and english in decline, but CRT, transgenderism and socialism are soaring.

It's way past time that education once again focused upon academics, and allowed parents to parent - not socialist, anti-American propogandists posing as teachers.Next, get social engineering out of ALL branches of government.

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It's way past time that education once again focused upon academics, and allowed parents to parent - not socialist, anti-American propogandists posing as teachers.

Next, get social engineering out of ALL branches of government.


Strongly oppose

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<p>STRONGLY oppose - this will harm trans kids. Trans rights are human rights. </p>


Strongly oppose

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ALL children have rights!


Charlottesvillian supports Gov. Youngkin’s policy

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I live in Liberal Charlottesville but I support Governor Youngkin’s new policy.  Families are in charge of their children not school officials who don’t love them.


Opposition to the 2022 Model Policies

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I write today as a graduate of the Virginia public school system and the parent of two children currently enrolled in Virginia's schools to urge the Department of Education to rescind the proposed 2022 Model Policies. These policies are inherently discriminatory, violating both state and federal law (including recent Supreme Court and 4th Circuit precedent concerning sex and gender discrimination). Moreover, these policies demonstrate a total lack of compassion for transgender children and nonbinary children and threaten their personal autonomy to make decisions concerning their identity. Finally, the Department must rescind the 2022 Model Policies because these policies lack any evidence-based rationale in science or fact. For these reasons, I strongly oppose the 2022 Model Policies and urge the Department to rescind them.


Strongly Support - Thanks governor for normalcy and against barbarism

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<p>- Thanks governor for normalcy and against barbarism</p>


Strongly agree with proposed document

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I agree with the proposed document


Trans Rights are human rights

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It is important for all our children to feel safe and accepted, and this includes when they are at school.  If children who identify as a gender other than their gender at birth are made to feel that this is not acceptable, they cannot help but experience confusion and, ultimately, depression.  Our schools need to be open to the needs of all their students.


I oppose the guidance

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<span data-sheets-userformat='{"2":769,"3":{"1":0},"11":4,"12":0}' data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Hello. I oppose the guidance and feel very deeply that by putting in place policies that can potentially harm children's lives we are bringing unnecessary evil to America. Children who grow up in environments that don’t support them and have policies that make them feel as though their identity is not important or acceptable are at greater risk for suicide and self harm. Children in America should not be subjected to such an environment and we as a country should do everything in our power to let children know that who they are is okay and we support them. Being a better country is about loving the citizens that run it- including transgender youth."}">Hello. I oppose the guidance and feel very deeply that by putting in place policies that can potentially harm children's lives we are bringing unnecessary evil to America. Children who grow up in environments that don’t support them and have policies that make them feel as though their identity is not important or acceptable are at greater risk for suicide and self harm. Children in America should not be subjected to such an environment and we as a country should do everything in our power to let children know that who they are is okay and we support them. Being a better country is about loving the citizens that run it- including transgender youth.


Oppose

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Biological sex is inherent in our bodies even before we are born.  It is not something that is "assigned".  Any policies that would allow biological males to be in the same bathroom with my seven year old daughter unnecessarily burdens her and potential endangers her.  I care about her and I want policies that consider her safety and wellbeing.


Protect the children from you crazy people

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Every person is worthy of respect and dignity but how about you all start protecting these children from your twisted distortion of reality while ignoring the rights of others!

You all adults and parents are sick and need physiological help!


Strongly oppose

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


What about a girl's right to be safe in the bathroom?

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SUPPORT - Girls have rights too


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I support trans students and I strongly OPPOSE this policy and want the VDOE to reject it!!


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<span data-sheets-userformat='{"2":769,"3":{"1":0},"11":4,"12":0}' data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":"I OPPOSE the draft policy and want the VDOE to reject them. As a trans adult, I am immensely grateful for the affirmative school environment I had in my youth. I credit gender affirming teachers with saving my life when I felt I wasn’t affirmed at home. School was a place of solace and comfort and I could learn most fully when I was my true self. School is about learning. School is about safety. Let trans kids have the space to learn while feeling safe in their identities."}'>I OPPOSE the draft policy and want the VDOE to reject them. As a trans adult, I am immensely grateful for the affirmative school environment I had in my youth. I credit gender affirming teachers with saving my life when I felt I wasn’t affirmed at home. School was a place of solace and comfort and I could learn most fully when I was my true self. School is about learning. School is about safety. Let trans kids have the space to learn while feeling safe in their identities.


don't go backwards

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<span data-sheets-userformat='{"2":769,"3":{"1":0},"11":4,"12":0}' data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":"As a society, we are becoming more open, inclusive and understanding and these qualities are critical for a LEARNING environment. If we want to raise creative, resourceful whole adults who contribute positively to this world, we need to be open to providing environments where they feel psychologically safe, including how they choose to identify their gender and the BASIC NEED of restrooms that they feel safe to use ."}'>As a society, we are becoming more open, inclusive and understanding and these qualities are critical for a LEARNING environment. If we want to raise creative, resourceful whole adults who contribute positively to this world, we need to be open to providing environments where they feel psychologically safe, including how they choose to identify their gender and the BASIC NEED of restrooms that they feel safe to use .


I oppose


I OPPOSE the guidance

As a trans person and mental health professional who works with adolescents and adults in the DC-VA-MD area, I know that supportive and gender-affirming environments are extremely beneficial for children. Young people who identify as trans, nonbinary, and gender expansive know who they are and need and deserve educational environments that allow them to be just that.As more kids and adults make the brave decision to explore their identity and come out as trans and gender non-conforming, our schools and community spaces should be able to welcome them -- not impose bigoted policies that erase and degrade them.

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<span data-sheets-userformat='{"2":769,"3":{"1":0},"11":4,"12":0}' data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":"As a trans person and mental health professional who works with adolescents and adults in the DC-VA-MD area, I know that supportive and gender-affirming environments are extremely beneficial for children. Young people who identify as trans, nonbinary, and gender expansive know who they are and need and deserve educational environments that allow them to be just that.\n\nAs more kids and adults make the brave decision to explore their identity and come out as trans and gender non-conforming, our schools and community spaces should be able to welcome them -- not impose bigoted policies that erase and degrade them."}'>As a trans person and mental health professional who works with adolescents and adults in the DC-VA-MD area, I know that supportive and gender-affirming environments are extremely beneficial for children. Young people who identify as trans, nonbinary, and gender expansive know who they are and need and deserve educational environments that allow them to be just that.

As more kids and adults make the brave decision to explore their identity and come out as trans and gender non-conforming, our schools and community spaces should be able to welcome them -- not impose bigoted policies that erase and degrade them.


Oppose Gov Youngkin's new policy

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<span data-sheets-userformat='{"2":769,"3":{"1":0},"11":4,"12":0}' data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"I am a recently retired middle school teacher. I strongly oppose the new policy and urge the VDOE to reverse course on this and to continue to support transgender students at school as is directed in the 2021 policy. Trans and nonbinary students are a vulnerable population who deserve to be treated with respect and support in order to validate their humanity. During my years in the classroom, I learned that what kids need the most is to be listened to and to feel like adults care about them. The new policy draft is discriminatory and targets trans youth for abuse. My 22 year old son has recently graduated from a college in Boston where in his final year, he had been living off campus taking public transportation to school. He takes after my father especially in his small, slight stature. He had a frightening experience on the bus when a stranger wrongly assumed that he is a transgender man (originally biologically female), we think because he is only 5'3 and his beard is kind of sparse. While he is not trans, he was targeted and threatened as if he was trans. He chose not to respond to the man and spent the entire ride taking verbal abuse while becoming quite frightened for his safety. This is what trans people experience every day in this country and your new policy, by not providing a safe environment for trans students, is telling teachers and students that trans people are not to be tolerated or supported. Your policy should be trans-affirming to show that schools are safe for ALL students, that discrimination will not be tolerated. I strongly oppose the draft policy and urge you to support ALL students by rejecting it."}">I am a recently retired middle school teacher. I strongly oppose the new policy and urge the VDOE to reverse course on this and to continue to support transgender students at school as is directed in the 2021 policy. Trans and nonbinary students are a vulnerable population who deserve to be treated with respect and support in order to validate their humanity. During my years in the classroom, I learned that what kids need the most is to be listened to and to feel like adults care about them. The new policy draft is discriminatory and targets trans youth for abuse. My 22 year old son has recently graduated from a college in Boston where in his final year, he had been living off campus taking public transportation to school. He takes after my father especially in his small, slight stature. He had a frightening experience on the bus when a stranger wrongly assumed that he is a transgender man (originally biologically female), we think because he is only 5'3 and his beard is kind of sparse. While he is not trans, he was targeted and threatened as if he was trans. He chose not to respond to the man and spent the entire ride taking verbal abuse while becoming quite frightened for his safety. This is what trans people experience every day in this country and your new policy, by not providing a safe environment for trans students, is telling teachers and students that trans people are not to be tolerated or supported. Your policy should be trans-affirming to show that schools are safe for ALL students, that discrimination will not be tolerated. I strongly oppose the draft policy and urge you to support ALL students by rejecting it.


Speaking as a parent...

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I'm a parent of a transgender child who attends a Virginia public high school.  I confess that I knew little about the subject when they first broached the topic with my wife and me several years ago.  I struggled with using "they" as a singular, I mourned the loss of the beloved name we'd chosen for them at birth, I wondered if it was a phase, and I worried about what sort of bigotry and even violence they would face.  Those first three concerns quickly faded but I fear that last one more than ever.  This new policy makes that fear even more pronounced as it will provide more cover to malicious bigots both inside and outside the schools.

My child was fortunate enough to transition under the current model policies.  Their school's have been terrific at addressing the name change, helping with the bathroom issue, etc.  It's helped them blossom into a confident and empathetic teenager.

If adopted these new policies will lead to genuine harm. It will lead to more bullying, more mental distress, less learning, and, yes, the research certainly suggests that suicides will increase.  And for what? The governor's proposal is simply shameful.


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<span data-sheets-userformat='{"2":769,"3":{"1":0},"11":4,"12":0}' data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Youngkin would have us believe that he has no other important business than to stomp on defenseless vulnerable children who are already hanging on to life by a thread. \n\nI am a parent of a trans youth. My son is no longer in public school because it was impossible for him to focus on his studies. All day, every day, all he could think about was how he was going to use the restroom. He had to plan it out in such a way that didn't out him. He was told to use a staff restroom, which student's aren't allowed to use, so he had to use it while other students were in class so that he wouldn't be reported by students to administration. That meant he was always late to class. The teachers thought he was a bad student and treated him as such. It was an everlasting life of anxiety and fear. And that was with the current rules in place. The proposed changes are a literal attack on these children. The proposed changes mean that no trans child can possibly survive in public school. We can expect more suicides, more runaway homeless children, and more hate crimes and murders perpetuated by these proposed policies. \n\nTrans children are the last to misbehave in the restroom because they don't want to be found out. Trans children want to use the restroom without fearing for their life. It breaks my heart to imagine a trans child having to live in a worse world than the one they have to live in today."}">Youngkin would have us believe that he has no other important business than to stomp on defenseless vulnerable children who are already hanging on to life by a thread.

I am a parent of a trans youth. My son is no longer in public school because it was impossible for him to focus on his studies. All day, every day, all he could think about was how he was going to use the restroom. He had to plan it out in such a way that didn't out him. He was told to use a staff restroom, which student's aren't allowed to use, so he had to use it while other students were in class so that he wouldn't be reported by students to administration. That meant he was always late to class. The teachers thought he was a bad student and treated him as such. It was an everlasting life of anxiety and fear. And that was with the current rules in place. The proposed changes are a literal attack on these children. The proposed changes mean that no trans child can possibly survive in public school. We can expect more suicides, more runaway homeless children, and more hate crimes and murders perpetuated by these proposed policies.

Trans children are the last to misbehave in the restroom because they don't want to be found out. Trans children want to use the restroom without fearing for their life. It breaks my heart to imagine a trans child having to live in a worse world than the one they have to live in today.


Oppose.

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I OPPOSE the guidance !


No to anti-trans, anti-nonbinary "guidance

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<span data-sheets-userformat='{"2":769,"3":{"1":0},"11":4,"12":0}' data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"I am the proud parent of a nonbinary school-aged child.  I couldn't be more proud of my child for being who they are, proudly, every day, even in the face of ignorance and hatred.  For too many generations so much of our society has forced people of all ages into binaries and categories that don't fit them.   I was so happy when Northam's trans and nonbinary protective model policies were developed and adopted by many school boards around the Commonwealth.  Setting these policies and expectations is important to protect all of our kids and model for them they are seen and valued.  Going to the school with my child when they changed their name and pronouns was a big milestone to allow them to feel fully themselves at school and called the correct name and pronouns by their teachers, administrators and peers."}">I am the proud parent of a nonbinary school-aged child. I couldn't be more proud of my child for being who they are, proudly, every day, even in the face of ignorance and hatred. For too many generations so much of our society has forced people of all ages into binaries and categories that don't fit them. I was so happy when Northam's trans and nonbinary protective model policies were developed and adopted by many school boards around the Commonwealth. Setting these policies and expectations is important to protect all of our kids and model for them they are seen and valued. Going to the school with my child when they changed their name and pronouns was a big milestone to allow them to feel fully themselves at school and called the correct name and pronouns by their teachers, administrators and peers.


Parent 100% opposed

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<p>Do not misunderstand - there WILL be dead children to show for this if it's passed. Trans children are already at huge risk for suicide. For many of them, school is the only place they are safe. You take that away, and the result will be more dead children. </p>


I OPPOSE THIS GUIDANCE

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I strongly oppose this guidance!! Transgender youth are at a high risk of suicide. This guidance will do much harm to transgender youth and push them further toward depression and suicide. As a licensed mental health professional, this guidance is unacceptable and disgusting. We can actively do something to prevent trans-youth suicide: do not pass this policy!


Strongly oppose!

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<p>These proposed model policies are contrary to state law and will be harmful to Transgender and non binary kids. They need and deserve protection. VDOE rescind these model policies now. </p>


As a child abuse survivor, I oppose these policies

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<span data-sheets-userformat='{"2":769,"3":{"1":0},"11":4,"12":0}' data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Trans youth deserve better. Children in Virginia deserve better. They should not have to worry about being harassed by teachers or administrators, outed by their school's counselors, or banned from playing sports with their peers. (Like all humans) children should have the freedom of self expression and that includes something as basic as the clothes they wear, the pronouns they use, and the name that they feel best represents them. This is not about taking something away from parents, it's about making sure that children can live their lives free from harassment and abuse. Our government has a duty to provide a safe environment for children while they are in school. Growing up trans (I identify as nonbinary), I did not feel safe, or loved, or understood and that caused me immense difficulty. Instead of focusing on school and building relationships with my peers, I was terrified all the time. I was suicidal and in pain on a daily basis, and as a result, I am in my late 20s and still struggling with chronic health issues and post traumatic stress. Imagine that this was your child, or your family member. Maintaining protections for children in schools across Virginia is necessary to save the lives of countless trans youth. These are children who are very susceptible to suicide and other mental health difficulties because of the way they are treated by those in power. If these abhorrent policies go into effect, Youngkin will be responsible for so much needless pain and suffering. Trans youth deserve better."}">Trans youth deserve better. Children in Virginia deserve better. They should not have to worry about being harassed by teachers or administrators, outed by their school's counselors, or banned from playing sports with their peers. (Like all humans) children should have the freedom of self expression and that includes something as basic as the clothes they wear, the pronouns they use, and the name that they feel best represents them. This is not about taking something away from parents, it's about making sure that children can live their lives free from harassment and abuse. Our government has a duty to provide a safe environment for children while they are in school. Growing up trans (I identify as nonbinary), I did not feel safe, or loved, or understood and that caused me immense difficulty. Instead of focusing on school and building relationships with my peers, I was terrified all the time. I was suicidal and in pain on a daily basis, and as a result, I am in my late 20s and still struggling with chronic health issues and post traumatic stress. Imagine that this was your child, or your family member. Maintaining protections for children in schools across Virginia is necessary to save the lives of countless trans youth. These are children who are very susceptible to suicide and other mental health difficulties because of the way they are treated by those in power. If these abhorrent policies go into effect, Youngkin will be responsible for so much needless pain and suffering. Trans youth deserve better.


Religion is the biggest propagater of hate

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All religions teach "us vs them" where them being others of different thought or beliefs.


Society Should be Kind and Never a Never Mind

Times have changed, and it is time for Society to catch up with the Fluidity of Personalities, the Neurodivergent, the non-Binary, and the “so-called non-conformity” of the flourishing of new Gender Identities, that Society must align itself with the current views of those of our kind.It as far past time that the faux Society ceases and desists the marginalization and harm that is unjustly put upon those of our kind.Six feet under should be buried the archaic actions of Society that transparently exist in false beliefs that are transparently hidden beneath a translucently webbed veil of futile denial, which is no other than is an egregious attempt to acknowledge the very existence and suffering of those of our kind.Every human being has their own personal right to choose who they are and who they see themselves and identify.Numerously, we are the current and future state of the very definition of Society, as the evidently increasing variations of Personal Identity of all kinds have long since arrived, as has the personal choice of our own volition to define the current widely held views of the current meaning of the Fluidity of Sexual Orientation, the Fluidity of Personality, the Fluidity of Gender Identity, and the Basic Right to Choose exactly who we are, and the Right to Choose How We Identify as a Person, both of which are the very apparent trends of current times and of future times yet to be.Society should be kind and never a never mind.When it takes everything we've got not to be defined by someone else, we can start by showing kindness to ourselves.

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<span data-sheets-userformat='{"2":769,"3":{"1":0},"11":4,"12":0}' data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Times have changed, and it is time for Society to catch up with the Fluidity of Personalities, the Neurodivergent, the non-Binary, and the “so-called non-conformity” of the flourishing of new Gender Identities, that Society must align itself with the current views of those of our kind.\n\nIt as far past time that the faux Society ceases and desists the marginalization and harm that is unjustly put upon those of our kind.\n\nSix feet under should be buried the archaic actions of Society that transparently exist in false beliefs that are transparently hidden beneath a translucently webbed veil of futile denial, which is no other than is an egregious attempt to acknowledge the very existence and suffering of those of our kind.\n\nEvery human being has their own personal right to choose who they are and who they see themselves and identify.\n\nNumerously, we are the current and future state of the very definition of Society, as the evidently increasing variations of Personal Identity of all kinds have long since arrived, as has the personal choice of our own volition to define the current widely held views of the current meaning of the Fluidity of Sexual Orientation, the Fluidity of Personality, the Fluidity of Gender Identity, and the Basic Right to Choose exactly who we are, and the Right to Choose How We Identify as a Person, both of which are the very apparent trends of current times and of future times yet to be.\n\nSociety should be kind and never a never mind.\n\nWhen it takes everything we've got not to be defined by someone else, we can start by showing kindness to ourselves."}">Times have changed, and it is time for Society to catch up with the Fluidity of Personalities, the Neurodivergent, the non-Binary, and the “so-called non-conformity” of the flourishing of new Gender Identities, that Society must align itself with the current views of those of our kind.

It as far past time that the faux Society ceases and desists the marginalization and harm that is unjustly put upon those of our kind.

Six feet under should be buried the archaic actions of Society that transparently exist in false beliefs that are transparently hidden beneath a translucently webbed veil of futile denial, which is no other than is an egregious attempt to acknowledge the very existence and suffering of those of our kind.

Every human being has their own personal right to choose who they are and who they see themselves and identify.

Numerously, we are the current and future state of the very definition of Society, as the evidently increasing variations of Personal Identity of all kinds have long since arrived, as has the personal choice of our own volition to define the current widely held views of the current meaning of the Fluidity of Sexual Orientation, the Fluidity of Personality, the Fluidity of Gender Identity, and the Basic Right to Choose exactly who we are, and the Right to Choose How We Identify as a Person, both of which are the very apparent trends of current times and of future times yet to be.

Society should be kind and never a never mind.

When it takes everything we've got not to be defined by someone else, we can start by showing kindness to ourselves.


Oppose this legislation, support all kids

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I am a parent of two and have been working in education for almost 20 years. I am lucky enough to have known and learned from many amazing trans people in the course of my career, some closeted, some out. I have a trans family member who is loved and supported, and is in turn a loving and supportive member of his community. Trans people are just people, and trans kids are just kids- vulnerable, like all other kids. This legislature sets them up to be targets for bigotry and othering. It creates bureaucratic roadblocks and adds red tape to situations that can be handled privately, by the people who know and care about a child. Schools should be safe places for all students. This "show me your papers" line of governing has terrible precedent, and I fully oppose it.


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I OPPOSE the draft policy. Please protect our vulnerable trans and nonbinary students.


Protect our trans and non-binary youth

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<span data-sheets-userformat='{"2":769,"3":{"1":0},"11":4,"12":0}' data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":"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.”\n\n"}'>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.”


Younkin transgender policy

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<p>I strongly support Gov Younkin and this law. I find it ludicrous that people here think it is OKAY to get between parents and their children. Why the lying? Why behind parents’ backs? How about focusing on teaching English, Mathematics, etc. We have kids who can’t read or write and test scores are way down. </p>


Rescind this Harmful Proposal

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<span data-sheets-userformat='{"2":769,"3":{"1":0},"11":4,"12":0}' data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"This proposed policy has already caused harm and will cause only more if implemented-based in evidence. The moral and loving middle ground here is to rescind this proposal to ameliorate the harm it has already created. What harm? Just read some of the comments from supporters-\"controlling\" children, minimizing suicide, pretending that trans people have not existed since before Christ was born, dehumanizing people. The hyperbolic misinformation is staggering. Nothing in either the current policy or the proposed policy bears upon gender surgery in any way whatsoever. None of those moaning about transgender people using the facilities they are constitutionally entitled to use (Grimm v. Gloucester) propose an equitable or reasonable alternative-who's going to be checking people's genitalia? Were these really the \"thoughtful comments\" you were looking for DOE to support this hateful policy? If the comments in support reflect the level of information that parents have, or what they think they are \"entitled\" to, that is all the evidence you need DOE to abandon this poorly considered policy that damages the people, the business climate, and the educational success of the Commonwealth. No one was harmed by the current policy evidenced by the fact that no Virginian has managed to scare up demonstrated standing to legally challenge the policy. That's because it harms no one, contrasted to the proposed policy which will be instantly litigated on ample standing of demonstrated harm. I'm really some parent's feelings are hurt that their children don't trust them enough to share their authentic selves with them. That is not the state's problem, that's a parenting problem. You cannot legislate away people's dignity, privacy, and agency."}">This proposed policy has already caused harm and will cause only more if implemented-based in evidence. The moral and loving middle ground here is to rescind this proposal to ameliorate the harm it has already created. What harm? Just read some of the comments from supporters-"controlling" children, minimizing suicide, pretending that trans people have not existed since before Christ was born, dehumanizing people. The hyperbolic misinformation is staggering. Nothing in either the current policy or the proposed policy bears upon gender surgery in any way whatsoever. None of those moaning about transgender people using the facilities they are constitutionally entitled to use (Grimm v. Gloucester) propose an equitable or reasonable alternative-who's going to be checking people's genitalia? Were these really the "thoughtful comments" you were looking for DOE to support this hateful policy? If the comments in support reflect the level of information that parents have, or what they think they are "entitled" to, that is all the evidence you need DOE to abandon this poorly considered policy that damages the people, the business climate, and the educational success of the Commonwealth. No one was harmed by the current policy evidenced by the fact that no Virginian has managed to scare up demonstrated standing to legally challenge the policy. That's because it harms no one, contrasted to the proposed policy which will be instantly litigated on ample standing of demonstrated harm. I'm really some parent's feelings are hurt that their children don't trust them enough to share their authentic selves with them. That is not the state's problem, that's a parenting problem. You cannot legislate away people's dignity, privacy, and agency.


STRONGLY SUPPORT

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<p>I STRONGLY SUPPORT THIS PROPOSAL! This proposal is simple common sense, something that is sadly lacking in our chaotic and confused world today. </p>


I OPPOSE the governor's guidance

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<span data-sheets-userformat='{"2":769,"3":{"1":0},"11":4,"12":0}' data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"I OPPOSE the governor's guidance titled, \"Model Policies on the Privacy, Dignity, and Respect for all Students and Parents in Virginia’s Public Schools.\" This new policy is transphobic and dangerous. We know a non-binary / gender non-conforming child who is struggling with depression and suicidal ideation resulting from their gender dysphoria and bullying from peers. There are very real consequences for not supporting children's gender identity, and this toxic policy harms children and families."}">I OPPOSE the governor's guidance titled, "Model Policies on the Privacy, Dignity, and Respect for all Students and Parents in Virginia’s Public Schools." This new policy is transphobic and dangerous. We know a non-binary / gender non-conforming child who is struggling with depression and suicidal ideation resulting from their gender dysphoria and bullying from peers. There are very real consequences for not supporting children's gender identity, and this toxic policy harms children and families.


Protect Trans & Non-Binary Students

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Just let kids be who they want to be, its not harming anyone.


strongly support

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I support the constitutional right s of all.


I Oppose

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<span data-sheets-userformat='{"2":771,"3":{"1":0},"4":{"1":2,"2":16773836},"11":4,"12":0}' data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":"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."}'>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.


Strongly Opposed

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<p>As a parent in the commonwealth I strongly oppose these proposed changes, and any policies that single out and punish trans and nonbinary children. I want to know that my child, and every child is safe at school, and these changes would make a subset of children expressly unsafe in their school environment. Trans and nonbinary kids are already at much greater risk of mental health struggles and suicide. Most of the population, the medical establishment, and common sense says to lift up and celebrate these children, not to punish and isolate them further. This bigotry has no place in our schools. </p>


Strongly opposed

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I am outraged by this proposed policy. At 70 years of age, I have come to know that old traditions, mostly promulgated by men, are obsolete and misguided. This is 2022, not 1822. Time to recognize human progress and rights for all, including children.


Support policy protecting kids & parents from angry activists

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<p>I support families from strangers trying to mess with their kids. </p>


Teacher Strongly Supports

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<p>We do not have the right to hold information from the parents. We should spend are time teaching not being a social warrior. The school system can’t handle teaching now because of all the feel good policies it has adopted. We need to get back to just teaching are subject. </p>


Strongly Support!

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<p>Please don't let those with the agenda of those promoting/encouraging transgenderism influence common sense policy that actually protects children. </p>


Oppose

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I OPPOSE THE GUIDANCE !


I do NOT support this change in policy

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This effort to increase parents influence in schools is largely motivated by political gain and is shaped by ideology, not current research.  It does not meet the needs of students, particularly those that are in need of help and support, and fails to empower youth as unique individuals in a complex society, a fundamental goal of public education.  This policy will have negative effects on students lives and the effectiveness of our schools.


Protect Trans Youth

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Bills such as this one are directly shown to harm trans-youth by drastically increasing suicide rates. It is a transphobic bill that seeks to hurt the people it fears. If it is passed, thousands of young kids across the state will feel attacked, without a space to be themselves, and will suffer severe mental health problems.

For proof, see these studies:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5178031/

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

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2789423

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamasurgery/article-abstract/2779429

https://williamsinstitute.law.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/Trans-Suicide-Summary-Sep-2021.pdf

This bill will kill kids. Don't pass it.


I support this effort

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I support this measure. Parental rights are being eroded each day. Parents need to be aware  of what is going on and give their consent.


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<p>I support parents taking the responsibility to be involved in their kids lives. </p>


We are all equal


I Oppose

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I OPPOSE the guidance .


Strongly opposed

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The language contained within this proposed policy harkens back to the days of Jim Crow era language of government institutions maintaining the status quo of harm towards those they do not approve of. This policy does not enhance anyone's rights and only further brings harm to youth are just trying to live their lives, figure out who they are, and get an education. The policies are harmful to already vulnerable youth and exasperating the political divisiveness that has permeated our society, all hidden behind faux language of "parent's rights." This proposal is going backwards, is a disgrace on this state, and should not be approved.


New Parental Rights Policy in VA

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I support the new parental rights policy which reinforces Freedom of Religion by NOT forcing a child to affirm anything against their religion and requires parental notification and permission before initiating gender counseling in shcools. School should be for education, reading, writing ,math and science NOT for social for political issues.


Oppose


Absolutely Yes to  ew Policy

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Absolutely!  I support Governor Youngkin and his common-sense policy.


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All those who support this decision should be deeply ashamed. Attacking children and policing their identities is cruel, pathetic, and inappropriate. As a trans student, these policies cause irreparable harm to vulnerable people and exist as a form of bullying.


We need safe schools

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<span data-sheets-userformat='{"2":769,"3":{"1":0},"11":4,"12":0}' data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":"As a teacher in the public school system, I oppose to the guidance. Every day I am welcoming in my classroom middle schoolers that are in a crucial phase of their identity search. I have students that are transgender and the policy drafted by Youngkin on September 16th means to deny them completely when they need extra support and encouragement to final affirm who they are. We need to save trans lives."}'>As a teacher in the public school system, I oppose to the guidance. Every day I am welcoming in my classroom middle schoolers that are in a crucial phase of their identity search. I have students that are transgender and the policy drafted by Youngkin on September 16th means to deny them completely when they need extra support and encouragement to final affirm who they are. We need to save trans lives.


Support our trans and non binary youth

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I oppose the proposed rules that would put trans youth at risk in Virginia. Please work to ensure that our schools are a place for everyone to thrive. Growing up is hard enough so please don’t make it harder for trans youth.


Oppose this bigotry

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<p>It’s tough enough being a teen, and these bigoted policies will just make things worse for the kids and better for the homophobic bigots.  As a parent, I know many LGBQT kids who are just trying to live their lives and figure things out.  Their gender identity is their business. If you’re a parent and your kid is afraid to share their identity with you, then guess what you have done a poor job as a parent. Don’t make the rest of us complicit in your bigotry. </p>


I Oppose


I oppose this policy.


Parental rights do not overwrite human rights

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Parents have the right to raise their children how they want, but only to the degree that the way they raise the child doesn’t bring harm to the child. For example, if a parent is physically abusive towards a child, it is generally agreed that this is not “within their rights as a parent” because their right to “raise their child however they want” is overriden by the child’s rights as a human being not to live in constant fear of physical harm. The same thought process should be applied to respecting the identities of trans kids. There is a ton of research proving that denying trans kids the right to identify as their true selves  is incredibly psychologically harmful and can lead to severe depression, self-harm, social withdrawal, and even suicide. Kids are people too and have basic human rights, the very most basic of which is the right to live in an environment where they feel safe, both physically and psychologically.


People are born trans

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<span data-sheets-userformat='{"2":769,"3":{"1":0},"11":4,"12":0}' data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"People are born trans.  Even with almost no visibility, no one else in the world to look at, the thoughts and feelings will be there in trans children.  By taking away the evidence, you're only isolating children and making their lives worse.  I felt like I was the only one in the world that felt the way I did when I was young.  It took me almost 30 years to undo that damage.  Imagine how many children's lives could be destroyed by your policies.  How many would believe they're worth nothing to anyone, and that their existence is an accident?"}">People are born trans. Even with almost no visibility, no one else in the world to look at, the thoughts and feelings will be there in trans children. By taking away the evidence, you're only isolating children and making their lives worse. I felt like I was the only one in the world that felt the way I did when I was young. It took me almost 30 years to undo that damage. Imagine how many children's lives could be destroyed by your policies. How many would believe they're worth nothing to anyone, and that their existence is an accident?


I have a senior in high school in Roanoke City who has thrived by coming out as gender queer. They have a beautiful soul and so much to offer this world with their determination, humor and compassion. We are 100% accepting of them and who they are as a gender fluid human. Not all teens or even adults are a part of families who feel the way that we do in accepting our child for who they are. This proposal is dangerous and will create a toxic environment in schools. One, because outing kids as trans or non binary to parents who will object to their children being this way could expose these teens to violence, verbal abuse, and being ostracized by families and friends. If you think that it won't, you haven't been paying attention to statistics on teen and trans suicide.Secondly, putting this responsibility of informing parents on teachers and counselors is absolutely ridiculous. We already ask way too much of teachers. Their job is to provide a safe judgement free learning environment where students can succeed and be prepared to enter adulthood. Many of these kids already live in unsafe homes, why would you ask teachers to jeopardize the only safe place some of these kids have?Finally, kids who come out as gender queer, trans, gay....whatever the situation are not going "through a phase.' They are not out to harm anyone. They are human beings. They want love, fun, acceptance , understanding and to thrive in society like any of the rest of us.

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<span data-sheets-userformat='{"2":769,"3":{"1":0},"11":4,"12":0}' data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"I have a senior in high school in Roanoke City who has thrived by coming out as gender queer.  They have a beautiful soul and so much to offer this world with their determination, humor and compassion.  We are 100% accepting of them and who they are as a gender fluid human.  Not all teens or even adults are a part of families who feel the way that we do in accepting our child for who they are.  This proposal is dangerous and will create a toxic environment in schools.  \n One, because outing kids as trans or non binary to parents who will object to their children being this way could expose these teens to violence, verbal abuse, and being ostracized by families and friends. If you think that it won't, you haven't been paying attention to statistics on teen and trans suicide.\n Secondly, putting this responsibility of informing parents on teachers and counselors is absolutely ridiculous.  We already ask way too much of teachers. Their job is to provide a safe judgement free learning environment where students can succeed and be prepared to enter adulthood. Many of these kids already live in unsafe homes, why would you ask teachers to jeopardize the only safe place some of these kids have?\n Finally, kids who come out as gender queer, trans, gay....whatever the situation are not going \"through a phase.' They are not out to harm anyone.  They are human beings.  They want love, fun, acceptance , understanding and to thrive in society like any of the rest of us. "}">I have a senior in high school in Roanoke City who has thrived by coming out as gender queer. They have a beautiful soul and so much to offer this world with their determination, humor and compassion. We are 100% accepting of them and who they are as a gender fluid human. Not all teens or even adults are a part of families who feel the way that we do in accepting our child for who they are. This proposal is dangerous and will create a toxic environment in schools.
One, because outing kids as trans or non binary to parents who will object to their children being this way could expose these teens to violence, verbal abuse, and being ostracized by families and friends. If you think that it won't, you haven't been paying attention to statistics on teen and trans suicide.
Secondly, putting this responsibility of informing parents on teachers and counselors is absolutely ridiculous. We already ask way too much of teachers. Their job is to provide a safe judgement free learning environment where students can succeed and be prepared to enter adulthood. Many of these kids already live in unsafe homes, why would you ask teachers to jeopardize the only safe place some of these kids have?
Finally, kids who come out as gender queer, trans, gay....whatever the situation are not going "through a phase.' They are not out to harm anyone. They are human beings. They want love, fun, acceptance , understanding and to thrive in society like any of the rest of us.


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<span data-sheets-userformat='{"2":769,"3":{"1":0},"11":4,"12":0}' data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"I think this new policy is the absolute height of hyprocracy. The Governor Youngkin campaigned on a promise to let parents have more say in their children's education and to ensure that we have good quality schools for everyone. Now, the governor and the Department of Education appear to have decided that this promise to ensure all children receive a good education only extends to certain children. This policy is nothing short of state-sanctioned bullying and hate against a protected class of children.  Why on earth would anyone believe that it is a good policy to subject certain children to such torture, simply for being who they are? The Department of Education should stop trying to impose certain values onto our educators and children, not to mention, all the parents of these children. Stop turning our schools into political tools. Stop using our schools to teach hate or place additional burdens on our teachers. Instead, why not focus on something that matters, like ensuring teachers have the support and resources they need to succeed or improving the quality of education that is received in our schools? Or, even better, why not find ways to build up students who are different and may require additional support to ensure their success.  So many Virginia children face so many barriers in life as it is - poverty, hunger, abuse - why does the Department of Education think that putting up more barriers to a child's success result in better schools? It simply doesn't. You should be doing everything in your power to make sure that children feel safe and cared for at school, not another scary place. Children do not success in environments where they do not feel they can be their own selves; something I'm sure the Department of Education knows full well.  Please drop these hateful policies and instead use my tax dollars to do something that actually improves schools and education in Virginia. Stop playing politics. Put Virginia children first; all children, not just the ones who align with your vision of what a child should be and focus your energies on something that will actually add value/improve the educational system in Virginia."}">I think this new policy is the absolute height of hypocrisy. The Governor Youngkin campaigned on a promise to let parents have more say in their children's education and to ensure that we have good quality schools for everyone. Now, the governor and the Department of Education appear to have decided that this promise to ensure all children receive a good education only extends to certain children. This policy is nothing short of state-sanctioned bullying and hate against a protected class of children. Why on earth would anyone believe that it is a good policy to subject certain children to such torture, simply for being who they are? The Department of Education should stop trying to impose certain values onto our educators and children, not to mention, all the parents of these children. Stop turning our schools into political tools. Stop using our schools to teach hate or place additional burdens on our teachers. Instead, why not focus on something that matters, like ensuring teachers have the support and resources they need to succeed or improving the quality of education that is received in our schools? Or, even better, why not find ways to build up students who are different and may require additional support to ensure their success. So many Virginia children face so many barriers in life as it is - poverty, hunger, abuse - why does the Department of Education think that putting up more barriers to a child's success result in better schools? It simply doesn't. You should be doing everything in your power to make sure that children feel safe and cared for at school, not another scary place. Children do not success in environments where they do not feel they can be their own selves; something I'm sure the Department of Education knows full well. Please drop these hateful policies and instead use my tax dollars to do something that actually improves schools and education in Virginia. Stop playing politics. Put Virginia children first; all children, not just the ones who align with your vision of what a child should be and focus your energies on something that will actually add value/improve the educational system in Virginia.


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I work in public schools in VA and I strongly oppose this policy.


Support for my non-binary students

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I highly support the current legislation supporting trans and non-binary students in our public schools. Research has shown that discriminating against them has serious implications to their physical and mental health. The position against this policy is political grandstanding and serves no purpose for our students.


Gender affirmation saves lives

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<span data-sheets-userformat='{"2":769,"3":{"1":0},"11":4,"12":0}' data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Respect and dignity are basic human rights. These values can help save children's lives. Respecting a minor's wishes of autonomy is the decent thing to, as long as it does not result in serious harm to the child. It is normal for any child to formulate their identity in school age years. Calling people by gender affirming hormones will not encourage folks to be trans. They already ARE. It will will cause undue harm.  For any human being, it is kind and respectful and right to refer to someone in the way they wish."}">Respect and dignity are basic human rights. These values can help save children's lives. Respecting a minor's wishes of autonomy is the decent thing to, as long as it does not result in serious harm to the child. It is normal for any child to formulate their identity in school age years. Calling people by gender affirming hormones will not encourage folks to be trans. They already ARE. It will will cause undue harm. For any human being, it is kind and respectful and right to refer to someone in the way they wish.


At Stone Bridge HS a boy put on a skirt, entered the girl's bathroom and raped a girl

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What about a girl's right to be safe in the bathroom - SUPPORT


Respect and Support

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This policy does not respect our children, or promote a healthy space where they can learn.


I strongly oppose this policy.

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<span data-sheets-userformat='{"2":769,"3":{"1":0},"11":4,"12":0}' data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"I strongly oppose this policy. Having grown up in the 90's/2000's I saw first hand how the Dont Ask Dont tell policies harmed my loved ones around me in my family and friends. In high school and even college, I had too many friends who where LGBTQIA+ who didn't have families that were supportive - and would have been abusive had they known that their children were queer of any sort.  \nI am now married to a non-binary person who still as an adult has a hard time telling their family that they are non-binary. If my spouse who comes from an incredibly loving and supportive family doesn't feel comfortable telling/correcting their family, then how can we force young adults to be outed against their will? Schools are a place for learning and exploration, both of conventional education but also for cultural and social education. Schools need to be a safe space for youth to explore and experiment without fear of retribution or fear to express themselves at all. \n"}">I strongly oppose this policy. Having grown up in the 90's/2000's I saw first hand how the Dont Ask Dont tell policies harmed my loved ones around me in my family and friends. In high school and even college, I had too many friends who where LGBTQIA+ who didn't have families that were supportive - and would have been abusive had they known that their children were queer of any sort.
I am now married to a non-binary person who still as an adult has a hard time telling their family that they are non-binary. If my spouse who comes from an incredibly loving and supportive family doesn't feel comfortable telling/correcting their family, then how can we force young adults to be outed against their will? Schools are a place for learning and exploration, both of conventional education but also for cultural and social education. Schools need to be a safe space for youth to explore and experiment without fear of retribution or fear to express themselves at all.


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<span data-sheets-userformat='{"2":769,"3":{"1":0},"11":4,"12":0}' data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"I knew I was transgender at the beginning of 11th grade. I had been questioning for a long time before, discovering what it meant and that it was even a possibility and option for even longer, and the signs were present ny whole life. In ny situation it wasnt my school that wouldnt allow it (I went to a very progressive international private school) but my parebns wouldnt allow it. They didnt want other parents to gossip, they didnt want my brothers to be teased, they didnt want me to change. I was depressed and hated myself. I knew what I wanted and I knew who I was, but knew I could have that, couldnt be me, yet at that point in time. I stopped caring about school. Started trying to break my arm or leg in the bathroom so I wouldnt have to go to class/school. Tried cutting myself with anything from scissors in my backpack to a nail I found on the ground so that I wouldnt have to got to class/school. I stopped caring about school work. Then I stopped going to class. I was miserable and in emotional hell. I felt so trapped and so hopeless. I didnt go to my prom because I couldnt go as who I wanted. Didnt go to my high school graduation because I didnt want to be recognized and remembered as someone I hated and didnt want to be. I didnt get to wear a dress or have long hair in my high school graduation photos and it killed me inside. I hated myself. I graduated high school in 2016. In Oct. 2022 I am now 24 years old, have lived as a woman for a year and a half. I've been on hormones for just as long. I love myself. I love who I am, who I have become, and who I am continuing t9 become. I am more authentic. I allow myself more freedom to think and to feel and to explore and to hope and to love and to believe. I love who I see when I look in the mirror. Being misgendered hurts still, but I know its either unintentional or if it is is intentional its because the people who do so dont know how to be happy themselves. Or they have one of several personality flaws that they need to worked on (if you believe your beliefs are superior to those of another and invalidate their beliefs and identity, that to me sounds like someone woth extreme narcissism and control issues). But I dont let it get to me because I know I am me, I am happy, I love myself, and I am living my best, truest life. And while it wasnt a school forcing me into the closet in the early years, I was a teenager in high school who was being forced to lie about who I was and stay in the closet. Nobody should be forced to go through that. High school and being a teenager is hard enough without small minded adults telling kids they are wrong, they are sick, or they dont matter. Let anyone, of any age, be free to express themselves. Being forced to stay in the closet as a high schooler nearly killed me. Transitioning allowed be to love myself and life. So to anyone who wants to force any kid/teenager/youth to deny themselves abd make them feel wrong, alienated, sick, abd unloved just fir being who they are I ask you to stop trying to kill the kids. Because thats what it too often can be."}">I knew I was transgender at the beginning of 11th grade. I had been questioning for a long time before, discovering what it meant and that it was even a possibility and option for even longer, and the signs were present ny whole life. In ny situation it wasnt my school that wouldnt allow it (I went to a very progressive international private school) but my parebns wouldnt allow it. They didnt want other parents to gossip, they didnt want my brothers to be teased, they didnt want me to change. I was depressed and hated myself. I knew what I wanted and I knew who I was, but knew I could have that, couldnt be me, yet at that point in time. I stopped caring about school. Started trying to break my arm or leg in the bathroom so I wouldnt have to go to class/school. Tried cutting myself with anything from scissors in my backpack to a nail I found on the ground so that I wouldnt have to got to class/school. I stopped caring about school work. Then I stopped going to class. I was miserable and in emotional hell. I felt so trapped and so hopeless. I didnt go to my prom because I couldnt go as who I wanted. Didnt go to my high school graduation because I didnt want to be recognized and remembered as someone I hated and didnt want to be. I didnt get to wear a dress or have long hair in my high school graduation photos and it killed me inside. I hated myself. I graduated high school in 2016. In Oct. 2022 I am now 24 years old, have lived as a woman for a year and a half. I've been on hormones for just as long. I love myself. I love who I am, who I have become, and who I am continuing t9 become. I am more authentic. I allow myself more freedom to think and to feel and to explore and to hope and to love and to believe. I love who I see when I look in the mirror. Being misgendered hurts still, but I know its either unintentional or if it is is intentional its because the people who do so dont know how to be happy themselves. Or they have one of several personality flaws that they need to worked on (if you believe your beliefs are superior to those of another and invalidate their beliefs and identity, that to me sounds like someone woth extreme narcissism and control issues). But I dont let it get to me because I know I am me, I am happy, I love myself, and I am living my best, truest life. And while it wasnt a school forcing me into the closet in the early years, I was a teenager in high school who was being forced to lie about who I was and stay in the closet. Nobody should be forced to go through that. High school and being a teenager is hard enough without small minded adults telling kids they are wrong, they are sick, or they dont matter. Let anyone, of any age, be free to express themselves. Being forced to stay in the closet as a high schooler nearly killed me. Transitioning allowed be to love myself and life. So to anyone who wants to force any kid/teenager/youth to deny themselves abd make them feel wrong, alienated, sick, abd unloved just fir being who they are I ask you to stop trying to kill the kids. Because thats what it too often can be.


I oppose the Youngkin's policy guidance

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Please support trans and non-binary students in Virginia schools. Trans and non-binary children have always been part of our community. Please support them and help them gain and retain autonomy in their gender identity and expression.


VDOE 2022 proposed model policies

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I OPPOSE the guidance. Trans youth are entitled to privacy and to have their gender identity treated with respect and acknowledgement, which this policy would rob them of.


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I am tired of politicians trying to police kids genders. Outing kids can literally get them killed, and you don't care because they're not like you. Despicable.


Support Trans Youth

I oppose Youngkin's new horrific school policies. If passed, they will undoubtedly contribute to increased mental health issues and suicide in trans kids of Virginia. As a trans adult, I know that affirming a person's gender is critical to their health.Thank you.

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I oppose Youngkin's new horrific school policies. If passed, they will undoubtedly contribute to increased mental health issues and suicide in trans kids of Virginia. As a trans adult, I know that affirming a person's gender is critical to their health.
Thank you.


STRONGLY OPPOSE

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<p>Whether or not you understand trans youth, these laws are proven to raise depression and suicide rates in children. This is absolutely not the way to make positive change for our kids.  Please take into consideration the young lives that will be lost as a result of these changes, and choose to work towards creating an environment that helps children feel safe enough to grow and thrive. </p>


Oppose

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<span data-sheets-userformat='{"2":769,"3":{"1":0},"11":4,"12":0}' data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":"My kid came out as nonbinary/trans in May. Overnight, they became happier, freer, more confident in themself for being true to their self-image. They did not, overnight or at any point since, undermine society; lure cis teens into becoming trans; menace other users of public or shared restrooms; frighten small children; partake of or promote antisocial behaviors in any way. They are simply maturing into their wonderful self on their own terms. Anyone who feels threatened by a child’s comfort with their self-expression is surely fragile in their own self-understanding. There is nothing harmful or shameful about my kid, or any trans kid, simply because they don’t identify with the societal expectations placed on their assigned sex and associated gender at birth."}'>My kid came out as nonbinary/trans in May. Overnight, they became happier, freer, more confident in themself for being true to their self-image. They did not, overnight or at any point since, undermine society; lure cis teens into becoming trans; menace other users of public or shared restrooms; frighten small children; partake of or promote antisocial behaviors in any way. They are simply maturing into their wonderful self on their own terms. Anyone who feels threatened by a child’s comfort with their self-expression is surely fragile in their own self-understanding. There is nothing harmful or shameful about my kid, or any trans kid, simply because they don’t identify with the societal expectations placed on their assigned sex and associated gender at birth.


I support this policy!

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<p>All children have the right to be protected and parents should be 100% involved in their children's lives! </p>


Support!

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<p>Fair and unbiased education is a must. </p>


Opposed to this Policy

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<p>I strongly oppose this policy. We need to protect all transgender and non-binary students. </p>


Oppression, Shame, Guilt, and Self-hatred

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This will continue the tradition of oppression, shame, guilt, and self hatred that children feel when denied the ability to understand their identities freely.

How about improving mental health support instead of promoting heteronormativity and transphobia onto children?

- Pharamacist in Alexandria, VA


Strongly Oppose Proposed Policies

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My name is Austin Mueller, and I am a graduate student currently living in Virginia. I am writing to express my vehement opposition to VDOE’s 2022 Model Policies and ask for the reinstatement of the 2021 Model Polices. The proposed policies are wrong, because they will lead to incredible harm and harassment against LGBTQ+ students and trans, non-binary, and gender non-conforming students particularly. The lack of support for LGBTQ+ students has very real, tragic consequences. As a student in New Jersey public schools growing up, I distinctly remember the death of Tyler Clementi. Tyler’s death placed a spotlight on the need for more protections for LGBTQ+ students and led to the overwhelmingly bipartisan adoption of a stringent anti-bullying law to better protect students. I am incredibly proud of New Jersey for the step it took then, and the steps it has taken since, to provide a supportive environment for all students. Virginia should be equally dedicated to its LGBTQ+ students. I do not want to see protections taken away that I know will help to both save lives and maintain a high-quality public education experience for everybody.


Oppose

I absolutely OPPOSE the model policy. I aman ally/friend to transgender and non-binary students. The proposed policies are cruel, unwarranted and dangerous to the mental and physical health of children. Reject the proposed policy!

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I absolutely OPPOSE the model policy. I am
an ally/friend to transgender and non-binary students. The proposed policies are cruel, unwarranted and dangerous to the mental and physical health of children. Reject the proposed policy!


I strongly oppose this action

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I strongly oppose this action, school is often a safe have for trans students, you cannot assume parents are a safe place for students and forcing parent involvement will significantly harm trans students.


Oppose

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I strongly oppose Governor Youngkin‘s 2022 proposal! It puts marginalized students at risk for further persecution, bullying, to say nothing of potentially creating a hostile environment for which all students should be free from!


Save the Future

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<span data-sheets-userformat='{"2":769,"3":{"1":0},"11":4,"12":0}' data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":"No one understands how hard it is to be a young trans person besides trans people. You get outed, bullied, looked down upon. You get the weight of dysphoria, potential homelessness, abandonment. You get thoughts of suicide due to either not being born in the right body or not being accepted. \nThe governor will never understand what it feels like to be trans, therefore he shouldn’t have any say on our community. He has never experienced attempted suicide due to dysphoria. He has never experienced being bullied for his identity. He has never experienced the lifelong trauma of being transgender. \nI’ve always known, since I was able to process gender, that I wasn’t born in the right body. I never thought of myself as male or female. I wore both feminine and masculine things. I played with feminine and masculine toys. Thank god I had parents who let me do that. \nI went to elementary, middle and high school in Virginia. I was bullied for my interests and not being “feminine enough.” When I was 13, I found out that being queer and non-binary was a thing, and i adopted the labels secretly. I came out to a few friends in middle school, and they kept my secret. Then, in high school, I had a friend I thought I could trust with this information, and he outed me to everyone. I was bullied and mocked so badly that I attempted suicide more than once - this was also due to crippling dysphoria. \nWe need to educate kids about LGBTQ+ things and tell them it’s perfectly normal. It’s not “grooming” or “sexualizing kids”, it’s something in life that needs to be taught correctly. We need to allow kids to explore their gender in a safe space, away from parents who could potentially abandon them. We need to let LGBTQ+ people be heard or else more of the community could end up dead."}'>No one understands how hard it is to be a young trans person besides trans people. You get outed, bullied, looked down upon. You get the weight of dysphoria, potential homelessness, abandonment. You get thoughts of suicide due to either not being born in the right body or not being accepted.
The governor will never understand what it feels like to be trans, therefore he shouldn’t have any say on our community. He has never experienced attempted suicide due to dysphoria. He has never experienced being bullied for his identity. He has never experienced the lifelong trauma of being transgender.
I’ve always known, since I was able to process gender, that I wasn’t born in the right body. I never thought of myself as male or female. I wore both feminine and masculine things. I played with feminine and masculine toys. Thank god I had parents who let me do that.
I went to elementary, middle and high school in Virginia. I was bullied for my interests and not being “feminine enough.” When I was 13, I found out that being queer and non-binary was a thing, and i adopted the labels secretly. I came out to a few friends in middle school, and they kept my secret. Then, in high school, I had a friend I thought I could trust with this information, and he outed me to everyone. I was bullied and mocked so badly that I attempted suicide more than once - this was also due to crippling dysphoria.
We need to educate kids about LGBTQ+ things and tell them it’s perfectly normal. It’s not “grooming” or “sexualizing kids”, it’s something in life that needs to be taught correctly. We need to allow kids to explore their gender in a safe space, away from parents who could potentially abandon them. We need to let LGBTQ+ people be heard or else more of the community could end up dead.