Opposed

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While I would personally fully support my child in their gender exploration, there are parents across the Commonwealth of Virginia who would not. The children of those parents will be harmed by this policy.
The research about this subject have found that lgbtq+ people who are not accepted and supported, have significantly higher rates of self harm and suicide attempts than their peers who are not lgbtq+. This policy will force these kids to further struggle by being outed to potentially unsupportive parents. Rates of self harm and suicide will increase. That is what the research has discovered.
Do not implement a policy that harms this already vulnerable population.


I oppose this fully.


Fully Support!


Why does Youngkin hate LGTBQ kids

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<p>Stop attacking trans kids you garbage human </p>


I am strongly opposed.


No!!!!


Do not do this.


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I oppose this in the strongest possible manor.


Fully support! Thank you for preserving the parents’ right to raise their child.

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Those who oppose this seek to influence a minor for a political agenda


Strongly Oppose

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For some kids who have gender dysphoria, school is the only place that they can truly be themselves and that is the one thing that helps them survive to adulthood, which I’m sure is why the policy is what it is right now.

Sure there will be plenty of trans kids whose parents/guardians will sign the form that allows them to continue to do that, but there are lots whose won’t. And we will lose many of those kids if this policy is allowed to go into effect. I don’t know about anyone else, I want all kids, including trans kids, to make it to adulthood, and we need to support the things that experts say and decades of research show do just that.

I also don’t understand why anyone is trying to introduce sweeping policy changes like this without consulting relevant subject matter experts. There is no basis for this in the medical and scientific literature, which indicates that this is driven by something else, probably religious views and the fear of people who are different. That is no way to develop laws and policies for use with a free and democratic society made of up of such a diverse group of people.


Strongly oppose

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<p>I am appalled by this policy. It only hurts kids. I find it to be  small-minded and mean spirited. Leave parenting to parents and stop policing gender expression. It's not your business. No one comes to the realization that they're trans without a lot of pain and anguish, and the state has NO place in this at all. </p>


It is a grave mistake to pass this.

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It is a grave mistake to pass this.


Absolutely opposed

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<p>I am absolutely opposed. </p>


It is a grave mistake to pass this.


This will bring harm to trans kids.

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This will bring harm to trans kids.


Strongly oppose


I am completely opposed.

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I am completely opposed.


Absolutely abhorrent

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As somebody who's trans and was a student just a few years back in the VA public school system, I feel nothing but anger about the growing actions being taken against trans kids. Others' comfort and ignorance shouldn't dictate the rights and respect trans students deserve as just normal people. This mistreatment will only lead to further discrimination and harrassment to the very children adults like to act like they care about. How dare you.


Fully opposed

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<p>Have a heart please. These kids deserve love and protection. The rollback of trans kids protections  is wrong. Do the right thing. </p>


This policy is dangerous for trans and nonbinary students.

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<p>I am in the trenches with these students every day. I see the positive impact on students when they enter a room they know they can be 100% authentically themselves in and not be judged for it. Isn't that what everyone deserves? Our trans and nonbinary students don't always get that at home. I have had countless students tell me their parents refuse to recognize their gender identity or sexuality. I have had students who were hospitalized because of it. To make it a requirement for teachers and school staff to address students only by the name and pronouns in the computer and not the name and pronouns with which they feel most seen, valued, and represented is to force teachers to treat students as nothing more than a name on a roster, a number on a screen. It is to force teachers to out their students, possibly endangering them in the process. We are told again and again to focus on building relationships and seeing each student as an individual. How are we to do that if we are not allowed to listen to and respect who the student tells us they are? We are told again and again to quell bullying and harassment in our schools. How are we to do that if we cannot stand up for a student being intentionally misgendered, harassed, or worse by their peers and even by staff members? How are these students who have come to be accepted one way by their peers and educators supposed to deal with now being forced to go by a name that was never theirs? I have already seen bigots growing bolder in the wake of this policy. Educators and students alike proudly proclaiming they won't respect the pronouns of others because it goes against their beliefs. It's only going to get worse. This policy will insight violence. It will instill fear. It won't make trans or nonbinary kids go away, but we will hear from them less. Their voices will go silent, because they will no longer feel heard. How can a child respect an institution that doesn't respect them? How can they learn from people who refuse to learn? </p>


PROTECT TRANS KIDS

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I am non-binary. I have seen first hand how policy 8040 supported and protected students in LCPS. These policies of calling someone by the name and pronouns they identify with are critical to respecting everyone. Schools are a safe place in our communities and they need to remain that way. Parents want their children alive. The rights of parents should not threaten the mental and physical well being of children. These policies DO NOT speak for the students that it actually affects. How are students supposed to learn, how are students supposed to study and take tests and prepare to become functioning people outside of school if they aren’t safe inside of school and are taught that’s there’s no place for them in society? How does this create a setting of inclusion and respect within schools if students are being threatened by their identity? No matter how much you try to “protect the rights of parents” with your “model policies”, you aren’t actually protecting anyone. You are risking the lives of students, the jobs of teachers and school staff. Youngkin’s policies are teaching kids and adults alike that certain people who are different don’t have a place in school, home, or the state. Your policies are creating a culture of distrust, exclusion, danger, and furthering a small group’s personal ideals and religion. You are putting a limit on critical thinking, communication, open discussion. You are telling children that if they are a certain way they don’t belong, and that is not and will never be what schools are for. Stop using our public education system as a weapon when you could be using it as a tool of knowledge, curiosity, a safe place for students to learn about themselves, others, and the world around them. Stop sitting in your privilege, talk to students and school staff from all sides of the aisle, and put the lives of the children of these parents you care so much about at the forefront of your policies. No student is going to magically wake up and not be transgender because of your “model policies”, but they might wake up and feel like they don’t belong. Or, they could wake up and go to school able to focus and participate and answer a peer’s question about their gender, sharing that it is normal and they are who they are and belong. But that can’t happen like this. I am terrified and I’m not even a LCPS student anymore. This can’t become our reality. Please overturn or stop this legislation and listen to the stories of students, teachers, parents, and community members who are begging you to keep their children safe. Not allowing kids to be their true selves at school and creating a threatening environment is so dangerous and will have astounding negative effects on so many lives. TAKE STEPS TO PROTECT TRANS KIDS NOW!!!


Please stop this nonsense

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<p>Opposed to these proposed guidelines. We do not want this governmental interference. Our public school system is one of the best in the country.  Don't mess with success.  </p>


Leave current regulation in place - do not agree with change.

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According to many religions, a child becomes accountable for their choices and actions in life by the age of 13.  A student should have the freedom at that point, to express themself and have the right 'to be'.  The purpose of education is to learn and respect oneself as well as others. Most importantly and initially, one must know how to love and respect themself first.


VDOE Drafted Policies

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<p>This is unconstitutional. We need to protect trans and queer individuals. </p>


Thank you

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<p>I appreciate the efforts of the Department of Education to restore parents /guardians rights to help raise and guide their children.  Teachers focus needs to return to educational needs, not guardian directors of gender and certainly teachers need to be allowed and encouraged to  share all of the curriculum studies with parents/guardians.  These sensible and logical conclusions are welcomed. </p>


I'm opposed


Opposition to the Youngkin Transgender Policy

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<p>People who identify as transgender deserve the same rights to privacy and freedom as each other human being.  Whether conservatives want to admit it, transgender individuals are human beings and God’s children also.  Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. </p>


I oppose this fully.


This is a terrible policy decision.

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This is a terrible policy decision.


Death Will Reap The Lives Of Innocents

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By passing this, you will be harming trans children i. irreversible ways. The reason they should be able to be called the right thing at school without parental permission is because not all of them are as privileged to be supported by their parents as others. It makes home dangerous for them. Dangerous homes means dangerous emotions. Suicide, abuse, etc. You are supporting the deaths of thousands of innocent children, who only want fundamental rights, because you are too blind to see how much they already suffer. You are the horseman of death, and your mistakes will leave behind the bodies of those who deserve the world.


I am strongly opposed.


Leave Northams decision alone.

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Making this change will only harm Trans kids. There is no good reason for it. Getting political points is not a good reason for possibly destroying a child's life.


I am completely opposed.


Strongly Oppose

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<p>82% of transgender individuals have considered killing themselves and 40% have attempted suicide, with suicidality highest among transgender youth.  What you are proposing is cruel and you are only doing it to raise your political profile.  STOP using transgendered kids to further your ambitions.  You are harming people.  Real harm.  There is literally no reason to do this other than to pander to your base.  It's pathetic.  Stop trying to turn Virginia into Texas or Florida.  </p>


Do not do this.


Strongly oppose.


I strongly oppose this

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Beside the fact that this will destroy the positive relatjonship between students and teachers and counselors, it will put the teachers and counselors in a bind.  The trust that they develope with the students will be destroyed.  These children will have no one to confide in when they are already in states of not only high anxiety  but quite possibly highly depressed due to their home life.  They will have no protection from incresed bullying and hazing by other students. They will have no one to turn to for help and you could see an increase in suicides.  Once again this governor is purposely turning back the clock and opening the door for more hate and violence.  It shows that he has no tolerance for anybody different than him. The old south of pre-civil war is where he wants good ole  Virginia to be.


This will bring harm to trans kids.


No more MAGA policies

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Terrible policy by Governor Trumpkin. Evil and harmful!


As a parent and an educator I oppose this

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Trans kids deserve to be respected, protected, and recognized. They are already far more likely to commit suicide than cis-gendered kids. What is the point in making their lives more difficult? Nothing but scoring cheap political points. This policy is unfounded and has no educational, psychological, or scientific merits. We do not live in a theocracy.

For many students, school is their safe space. All students deserve that. Teachers and school counselors should not be hampered in their job to create a safe learning environment for ALL students, regardless of their gender identification.

If we allow this to happen, blood is on our hands.


This is a terrible policy decision.


I oppose this fully.

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<p>These policies are trying to make an enemy of literal children. They are not protecting anyone. They are hurting and attacking children. This is invading privacy. </p>


Democracy

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<p>The Constitution states separation of church and state. Glen Youngkin is a fascist and has no right to chose what others do with their body. </p>


I fully support the new policy

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<p>I fully support this policy. Parental rights and input are critical, especially when transgender treatments cause irreversible consequences. Children go through many different identities as they are developing and being pushed in to surgery and drugs by third parties could cause harm without parents knowing.  Families will be responsible for the long term care of these kids, because they will be on hook to provide long term care for these kids. </p>


I oppose this fully.


This will bring harm to trans kids.

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This will bring harm to trans kids.


Oppose


These are common sense policies I support

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I'm no "culture warrior", to me these policies are just common sense. If my child is having an issue that could require surgery, that should not be hidden from me by the public school system.

I worry for my daughter having to see a penis for the first time in the girls bathroom. I don't know what the world is coming to, but this banana town nonsense didn't exist even 20 years ago. Society is falling into disarray. Policies like this can at least slow the decay of common sense.

I support these policies.


STRONGLY OPPOSED

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<p>Setting aside the violation of rights and subjection to humiliation and discrimination. The policies surrounding the outing of LGBT+ minors to their parents, guardians, or other adult authority figures are not only blatantly homophobic and transphobic, but dangerous to their well being. This is not in the best interest of any child. This is not going to help anyone. This is simply government regulated discrimination. Refusing to acknowledge the dangers that outing a closeted LGBT minor presents in school and at home is irresponsible on the part of the government. </p>


Guidance Document Transgender students

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I am completely opposed.


Strongly Oppose

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All this will do will hurt Trans Children and cause childhood suicides to rise.


There is no male and female. We are all one in Christ. Galatians 3:28

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And while we're at it, don't forget...

All Scripture is God-breathed. 2 Timothy 3:16

Yes that even includes the Scripture that defends trans people.

Jesus loves them. Do you?


Opposed

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<p>I am opossed trans kids need support not hate and unfair treatment they just want to be able to go to school and be themselves not worry all the time about being outed </p>


I am strongly opposed.


OPPOSE

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Using correct pronouns and name are suicide prevention. This will only bring harm to transgender students. Nothing good can come of this.


Do not do this.


Thank you

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Gov.

Thamk you for your support and helping families return the teaching of morales to the household.  In the last two years we have seen at least three young women raped as a result of these reckless policies implemented by a morally decrepit man (northam).

It is the states JOB to provide our children basic safety when at school.  The idea that parents have to worry about there kids committing suicide because of the radical, unscientific, abusive curriculum being pushed by big business in the schools is heart breaking.

The people messaging in oposistion either have no children are are delusional.  Regardless of who I talk to and their political officiation, they are shocked by what is occurring in the class room.  You are helping right this wrong.


This policy will actively harm trans youth

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<p>I was lucky to grow up in Virginia in a loving and accepting home, however, not everyone is this fortunate. This policy would actively put trans youth in harms way if they have a family that is not accepting of their identity. School should be a safe place that helps protect an already severely marginalized group of people. This group already has one of the highest levels of suicide due to lack of acceptance and this would severely compound that issue. We are simply asking you to show a basic sign of respect, it shouldn’t be this difficult. </p>


Opposed


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Keep kids SAFE…LOVE THIS BILL!! THANK YOU!


I am completely opposed.


I oppose this political posturing that will harm our children.

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<p>This is political posturing at its worst. Calling this returning power to the parents is laughable; just buzzwords to get votes. This is blatantly pushing a homo and transphobic agenda at the expense or the mental health of our students. </p>


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I oppose this in the strongest possible manor.


This law does not solve a problem, it creates one for political gain

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<p>My family strongly opposes this law, which allows the governor and others to appeal to and exploit the fear and/or intolerance of some voters toward difference, at the expense of a young people's mental and physical health. </p>


Strongly oppose.


It is a grave mistake to pass this.

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It is a grave mistake to pass this.


I oppose this fully.


Strongly opposed.

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Strongly oppose. This will bring harm to transgender kids in Virginia. They would be in extreme danger if this policy goes into effect.


I oppose this policy. Please vote against it.

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I oppose this policy change.


Strongly oppose


This will bring harm to trans kids.

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This will bring harm to trans kids.


It is a grave mistake to pass this.


I am strongly opposed.


I oppose this cynical political stunt

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This policy, like the governor's entire campaign and policy platform, is a cynical ploy to offer red meat to the far right base rather than craft constructive solutions to real problems. Attacking transgender children, who already suffer from high suicide rates, is a disgusting exploitation of the vulnerable to advance Youngkin's political career. This policy is antithetical to the recommendations of psychological, educational, and medical experts, but the governor already knows this. I cannot fathom how to reason with someone so cruel and power-driven, but I hold out some hope that widespread opposition might pressure the governor to retract this damaging policy.


Strongly oppose

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<p>This will harm trans kids. </p>


Oppose

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<p>Using people’s correct pronouns is suicide prevention. </p>


This will bring harm to trans kids.


Strongly Opposed

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<p>I am a resident of Loudoun County (20175) and strongly oppose the proposed guidance for how schools should approach LGBT students in classrooms contained in this document. These proposed policies will put Virginia students in physical danger through the requirement of schools and teachers outing students to their parents. Not all families are loving and not all families are safe. One of my close friends, who grew up in Buckingham County, was kicked out of his home and left homeless his entire senior year of high school after his parents discovered he was gay. Another friend, who grew up in Prince George County, was continuously physically abused by his parents for two years in high school because of his sexuality. Other people in my life were "luckier," they managed to graduate and move out of their parents house before being excommunicated, emotionally and financially, from their families. If these policies had been in place when they were in school, its quite likely that their stories would have been much like the first two I provided. If school officials had reported their sexuality or gender identities to their parents, they likely would have been abused or homeless as well. Schools should be a place to learn, where teachers spend their time teaching their students, not wasting public time, resources, and money on terrorizing vulnerable youth. Virginia's youth are citizens in their own right, not the property of their guardians. Students deserve to have agency over their own lives and common curtesy directed towards them, especially by educators. This policy instead weaponizes the education system to harass, intimidate, bully, out, and eradicate the rights, personal agency, and individual autonomy of young Virginians. These policies will, directly or indirectly, lead to the injury and deaths of Virginia students. Schools must be a place of education, a place for learning, not a place that students fear. These proposed policies are wholly unrelated to the purpose of schools and the mission of the public education system: equipping students with the core knowledge needed to succeed in life. Everything beyond that mission that schools and teachers are forced to do takes away from the efficacy of that mission. There is limited time in a school day; every minute focusing on non-educational issues is time stolen from education. Every dollar spent on non-educational issues is money stolen from education. </p>


No

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Please do not do this - we believe that all children are made in the image and likeness of God, and our community should be a safe and welcoming place for them.


Strongly agree to parental rights.

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Parents raise the child and care for every need from birth to adulthood hood. Schools do not have the right to put a wedge between the child and their parents for political gain. Decisions on gender should wait until frontal lobe is developed.


OPPOSED

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I strongly oppose this bill. This is vile and disgusting. Please don't do this to these children who need our love and support.


I oppose this guidance

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Keep trans youth safe and supported.


Do NOT Pass - OPPOSE

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This hurt and targets students.  Do NOT pass.


I strongly oppose

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I'm a transgender individual who currently lives in Virginia and went to high school and college in the state of Virginia. The proposed policy changes by the VDOE are dangerous and are helpful to no one and harmful for everyone. Parents do not always act in the best interest of their children. Forcibly outing transgender students to their parents will cause many of the students to experience hostile treatment from their parents and potentially be disowned. My own experience with attempting to come out to my parents was awful.

The process of socially transitioning and using a transgender individual's chosen name and pronouns that best align with their gender identity is one that helps alleviate gender dysphoria. Forcibly preventing teachers from using a student's chosen name and pronouns is like forcing a teacher to call everyone by their legal name instead of a nickname. That literally makes no sense at all. Stop forcing teachers to juggle inhumane policies like this and the "Don't Say Gay" legislation in Florida.


“Guidance”

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<p>New “guidance” nothing but a naked political ploy by Gov. Youngkin. Should be ashamed of of these games with students’ actual lives. Obvious he lives in a bubble of his own choosing. Resign. </p>


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I oppose this in the strongest possible manor.


VA does not support MAGA

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This policy has Trump written all over it. Virginia hates Trump and all MAGA stands for. Don’t let the Bigots win. Oppose this evil policy and MAGA Governor.


It is a grave mistake to pass this.

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It is a grave mistake to pass this.


SUPPORT FULLY

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<p>Governor, I fully support this model document. It appears to be consistent with the US Constitution and Virginia law. It provides a policy which protects the rights of all citizens, acknowledges the rights and responsibilities of parents, and encourages respectful treatment for all. I fully support its adoption. </p>


I fully oppose this.


I support this!

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This law promotes the dignity and respect of ALL children and recognizes the rights of parents. Fairfax County Public Schools have completely overstepped their bounds in this area.


It is a grave mistake to pass this.


I am strongly opposed.


opposed


I am completely opposed.

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I am completely opposed.


I am completely opposed.


I strongly oppose this.

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<p>I am opposed to this as it will bring harm to trans and non-binary children. </p>


Strongly oppose


No to the DOE’s proposed policy

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I strongly oppose this proposition. The lives of trans students are put at risk when schools engage in sanctioned transphobia. Let trans kids thrive.


Fully SUPPORT not allowing an 18 to man in the bathroom with a 14 yo girl

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<p>Who in their right mind supports males (some 18 and older who still attend high school) going into the girls bathroom? Ever heard of autogynephillia? Or an 11 year old boy in the bathroom with a 5 year old girl? This legislation is to PROTECT KIDS, not harm them. Trans kids ( whom are mostly born female- look it up) chose the girls bathrooms most of the time anyway. It's always the trans identifying males who want into female spaces. Look at the prison system in California.... it's only males (mostly sex offenders) who claim to be female that want into womens prisons but never a women who claims to be a man wanting into med prisons. Why is that? Come on people, you've been gaslighted by men who stand to gain from this info believing it's inclusive when really it's all just harmful to womens and girls. </p>


I strongly oppose

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<p>This policy is dangerous </p>


This is a terrible policy decision.

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This is a terrible policy decision.


I am completely opposed to this change

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This change to the 2021 model school policy encourages school administrators and teachers to disrespect and bully children. It completely ignores modern science and medicine to support a particular political view. This policy does absolutely nothing to improve the quality of our children’s education and makes them less safe by exposing them to mental and emotional anguish imposed by the school system. And, by the way, no organized religion has a fundamental belief around pronouns. If someone’s religion prohibited them from looking directly at a student, would that be allowed? Using preferred pronouns is a sign of respect and one expected to be followed in most business settings today. Please don’t take use back to the era of witch hunts.


This will bring harm to trans kids.

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This will bring harm to trans kids.


Strongly Oppose

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<p>This would cause harm to transgender students who are already at higher risk for bullying, abuse, and suicide. </p>


Do not do this.


Stop pandering

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Why is this a priority? Our schools aren't even staffed. Also, Virginia isn't a border state.


This will bring harm to trans kids.


It is a grave mistake to pass this.


This is a terrible policy decision.


Strongly oppose.


I oppose this guidance

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<p>I strongly oppose this guidance. It will harm students and betray what little trust they have in the public education sector to keep them safe. </p>


I oppose this

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<p>Leave trans kids alone, they’re not hurting anyone. </p>


I oppose this fully.


I Oppose This Policy

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Equal Rights means equality for ALL regardless of your religion and personal beliefs.

separation of church and state!


Support

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<p>I have read this policy 2-3 times. I fully support letting parents know what is going on with their student at school.  </p>


What about the rights of the child?

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If this guidance document is going to invoke the 14th Amendment, it needs to strongly take into consideration of the child to their right to life, liberty, and equal protection under the law.

Here is an analogy of life as a trans person.  Imagine you had all the skills, talent, and innate abilities to be an investment banker, but your parents decided you should be a baker because that is what you were born into.  However, you always got baking soda and baking powder confused.  It was uncomfortable for you stand long hours in the kitchen baking and the heat and pressure to create culinary masterpieces was unbearable.  Would that weigh on your soul that you weren't living up to your potential?  Would you sneak a look at the Wall Street journal from time to time?  Would you struggle with the idea that you could really help your parents out of their financial debt in their bake shop?

Though not the strongest analogy, I know, but the point is trans children do not just decide that want to be another sex, there are genetic and hormonal differences that we know in science direct sexual development.  There are some cases in which children have been assigned the wrong sex at birth because of agenesis of their genitalia.  In the past, doctors and sometimes parents determined the sex of the child out of convenience when it wasn't clear.  We also know that sex is determined by the sex chromosomes.  Someone who is sexually a female has 2 X chromosomes and someone who is sexually a male has an X and Y chromosome.  However, some babies are born with 2Xs and a Y.  This can impact their genital development causing confusion at birth with sex assignment.

If a child is raised as one gender, but is genetically, hormonally, or psychologically another sex or gender, we know they are at risk for child abuse, mental health issues, bullying, violence, and at an exponentially higher risk for suicide compared to their peers.

Children have the right to live a life free of abuse and violence.  Their liberties should be protected by the State and equal opportunities and protections under the law should be exercised.  Adults are protected under the law against discrimination.  Why are children any different?


I am strongly opposed.


Oppose

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


FULLY SUPPORT


this is a terrible idea

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<p>This is a terrible idea that will hurt many kids deeply. Kids should nit be afraid to be themselves and should be able to learn in an environment that is accepting. By passing this, so many kids will be in even more dangerous positions. It will also lead to more bullying. No one should have to fear going to school for any reason at all. this one included. </p>


I can’t believe people oppose parents rights!!

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<p>It’s crazy to think that this is even being debated. Parents have a fundamental right to know what’s going on in regards to their children.  </p>


This bill will harm children and help no one. Strongly oppose.

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As a private citizen and Virginia voter, I do NOT support this policy. As a teacher and someone who actually cares about the well-being of children and actually spends time in schools, I CANNOT support this policy.

This extremely disappointing yet unsurprising act of government overreach into schools will cause harm to children who have every right to express themselves in schools and feel safe in their identities. Schools should be places that children feel safe and feel comfortable expressing themselves. If teachers are asked to establish a relationship of mutual respect, the baseline of this relationship is calling students by their preferred name and pronouns. There is no issue with anyone calling cisgendered children by a nickname, because that is their preferred name. This should be no different—they only want to be recognized for who they are.

While we would all love to believe that every child comes from an environment that would accept them no matter what, this is not true. Some children would face judgment, punishment, or even abuse for expressing their true identity at home. Please do not force children to choose between being themselves and facing harm at home. Additionally, some children who are in the process of discovering themselves and coming out into their true identity might explore in a safe setting (school) before telling their family. Please don’t take this safety away from them. In a world where children are already facing an EXTREME mental health crisis, and the LGBTQ+ community is especially at risk of this, your policy will put these children in more danger. YOUR POLICY will remove their safe space and those consequences will be your fault. You should absolutely be concerned about the self harm and suicides that will result because of THIS POLICY.

Virginia schools have done so much work over the past few years to create safe and welcoming environments for all students. Students are so much more tolerant, welcoming, and accepting of ALL people now. Creating hateful policies will undo this work.

Practically, your policy doesn’t even work. How can you force teachers to not call students by certain names? What about nicknames? Can we call no student by a name other than one that their parent personally gives me permission to? Can I breathe, exist, or operate as a professional without the permission of all 300 parents of my 150 students? You are ultimately already facing a crisis with teachers leaving the profession. Many more of us will go if you do not put a stop to this parental obsession with trying to control every second of every day in school. Ultimately, I’m sure this message is fruitless. I do not believe you have the interest of schools, students, or teachers in mind. Still, I beg you to reconsider, and think about how much you could save by NOT implementing this senseless and harmful policy. Please, for once, actually put the kids first.


Strongly agree! Spreading gender confusion to children is manipulation.

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Strongly agree with this policy to protect the family from the intrusion of those who only seek to push an agenda to expose children to multiple genders which is harmful to their well being.


This is cruel and illegal

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<p>I'm a Virginia resident of over 20 years and I adamantly oppose this policy which will bring harm to transgendered youth. Furthermore this is illegal - discrimination against transgender individuals is illegal discrimination on the basis of sex. </p>


Oppose

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George Wallace's "Segregation Now" speech will be sixty years old next year.  What will students study about us in 2081?  If this policy passes, I'm sure it will be one of the many examples of grievous mistakes we have since come to disown.  We can be on the right side of history, but we have to stop doing things like this.


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I oppose this in the strongest possible manor.


Strongly oppose.

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Strongly oppose. This will bring harm to all transgender kids in Virginia, who would be in extreme danger if this policy goes into effect.


I fully support this; previous policies interfered with parents

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<p>This policy is reasonable and does not endanger "trans" students as feared by others commenting. Their language is hyperbole and present a false dichotomy. This policy returns rights to parents while still protecting all students, including those supposedly protected by the 2021 policy. </p>


In agreement! Thank you for protecting children.

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<p>First, there is a very small percentage of children with unique needs and they can be respected without affecting the majority. No one is saying they aren’t accepted but as a parent the school does not dictate what my child does or the choices that we as parents make. As most children do they can change their minds so I do not want that confusion. In my college course there is one person using they / them pronouns out of 435 of my cohort. Should the 434 change life as they know if for one person or can a reasonable accommodation be made? I think we know and I am in full support of this. </p>


I disagree with this.

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This is governmentally sponsored discrimination and should not be enforced, especially on children.


Do not do this.


Yes, please pass this!

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<p>Thank you for protecting our students and standing strong to your promises.  This bill is in the best interest of all parents and children.  </p>


This will bring harm to trans kids.

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This will bring harm to trans kids.


Comments in Opposition

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<p>The administration should reconsider this policy. This policy could have very harmful consequences for students in the Commonwealth and put Transsexual students, their peers, teachers, and parents in impossibly difficult positions. Forcing school staff to refer to students by their name and pronouns in the official record unless parental consent is granted is especially concerning, particularly for high school aged students who may have been going by their transitioning name or pronouns for years. There are also several elements of the policy that are not well thought out. Forcing teachers to choose between respecting their students by referring to them by their preferred pronouns or name and potentially facing disciplinary action is an impossible decision and could risk driving much needed teachers out of our public schools. The policy could also force teachers to be put in positions where they would have to out their students to parents, a decision that should only be made when the student is comfortable doing so. It is also unclear what the policy would be if only one parent agreed to granting permission to refer to the student by a different name or pronouns., potentially exposing students to abuse from intolerant parents. If the administration is serious about protecting the safety and well-being of all students this model policy should be discarded in the best interest of students and teachers. I grew up and have spent my entire life in Virginia, graduating high school in 2018 after spending all but one year (kindergarten) of my education in Virginia Public Schools. This model policy is an embarrassment to the Commonwealth and a disservice to the hardworking teachers and vulnerable students who help make Virginia the special place that it is. </p>


I am completely opposed.

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I am completely opposed.


Strongly oppose.


I am strongly opposed to this

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This policy is potentially dangerous to transgender students. If a trans child is not ready to come out to their parents, then they shouldn’t be forced to do so by the schools. If they are in a sensitive situation at home, being outed to their parents could lead to them being harmed. Additionally, restricting the bathroom a trans student can use to that of their assigned gender at birth will likely lead to the student being harassed and bullied. Please, do not implement this policy.


Restore parents rugh t’s!!

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THANK YOU for restoring parents rights! We appreciate you!


Nope

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Strongly opposed to this


It is a grave mistake to pass this.

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It is a grave mistake to pass this.


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FULLY SUPPORT!!! THANK YOU GOV. YOUNGKIN!


I fully oppose this.


No

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Could you maybe not? This is a harmful policy with no evidence that it keeps kids safe.


Opposed

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Do something better with your time.


I am completely opposed.


I am strongly opposed.


I oppose this fully.


Strongly oppose

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I strongly oppose the change of the policy.


This will bring harm to trans kids.


I stand with many others and say I firmly oppose

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<p>I strongly oppose these proposed policies because I have no doubt they will only harm and  alienate transgender and non-binary children. </p>


It is a grave mistake to pass this.


STRONGLY oppose

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how transgender people choose to their lives cannot be dictated by a governing body


I oppose this measure

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To pass the proposed measure and enforce it in schools would be an act of government overreach beyond defense. Individuals who recognize they are not living authentically and who decide to take action to do so deserve support in that process even if that support is simply the removal of obstacles.
The supposed dangers of straight male predators posing as trans individuals is not based in fact or research and  is used as a fear tactic to harm a truly marginalized group of people who simply wish to be happy.
listen to the majority of your constituents and do not proceed with this attack.


This is a terrible policy decision.

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This is a terrible policy decision.


I oppose- this will harm trans students. Research/evidence has already shown this.

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<p>I oppose-This will harm trans students- research / evidence has already shown this. </p>


Oppose

Kevin Paquette, Charlottesville City Schools

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I strongly oppose this proposal. I think it will harm the mental health and well being of the students who are entrusted to our care in schools. Students who are discovering their sexual identity and finding that they do not identify the way the majority does need our understanding and support. This proposal does not do that. Instead, it stigmatizes them and singles them out for treatment that does not allow them to live their lives as they truly feel they were intended to be.


Do not do this.


Completely Oppose

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<p>As someone in the LGBT community, I have many trans and non-binary friends, who almost all have unsupportive or less understanding parents. Having teachers and other peers address someone as the correct gender and pronouns, and correct name as to which someone identifies is a blessing to many that cannot get that affirmation at home. Taking this source of protection from students AND teachers alike is exceptionally discriminatory and wrong. This policy will harm many students, and is going to cause many more issues that they already face, such as depression, anxiety, and body dysmorphia for instance. </p>


Strongly oppose

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This policy would bring direct harm to the scores of beautiful transgender children and their families who are already in the VA public education system, not to mention those who have not yet self-identified. These children will be shamed by this ignorant policy that denies the validity of their experience and identity. They do not need a government that denies their right to live their lives--and their parents' right to parent them authentically. Rather, they need the full-throated support of their communities. Do you know what that means, Governor Youngkin? It simply means writing into policy the sense that you respect a child's right to live in their gender identity without shame or harm. That's it. Leave the rest up to educators and -- you guessed it -- parents.


Schools Should Educate First

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I support any and all legislation that doesn’t allow any school to intervene between a child and a parent without first getting consent to do so. Schools are education centers and should defer children with issues at home to social workers. Our kids need a first class education at school and that’s it.


Nay

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This proposal is an embarrassment to all of Virginia. Hate-mongering and persecution of minorities are unforgivable in all forms, and this proposal is most certainly a form of both. Withdraw it before you do any more damage to our fellow citizens (not to mention the governor’s career, though that ship has likely already happily sailed).


Strongly oppose

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I strongly oppose this dangerous, harmful policy.


Opposed

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<p>Strongly opposed </p>


Town hall comment: trans kids

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This policy is a stepping stone to discriminating against all manner of people. This is an awful AWFUL devious decision.


I fully oppose this.


I am against hate and I am opposed to this passing.

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<p>Preying on our children and their well-being is gross and immature, not to mention extremely ignorant. I am pro-child and support any and all children and feel they deserve any and all room to grow and become whomever they need to be. I am against adding to any angst or ill-will, or any actions that would cause an unnecessary death or self-harming. I think it is Governor Youngkin who should be banned. Especially since he doesn’t even know that the state he “represents” is nowhere near the border. He’s not a person who should be making any type of decisions for anyone. </p>


Strongly Support


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I oppose this in the strongest possible manor.


This policy will hurt children.

Adrian Hayes, 20+ year educator & parent

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<p>This policy is based on the (deliberately) misguided premise that gender identification is ideologically driven. There’s a reason the very best pediatric medical facilities in the world are providing transition care to children. Peer-reviewed research supports lifesaving care for trans children as determined by their parents and doctor. The schools have no place granting teachers and staff the freedom to misgender and marginalize trans kids. </p>


Completely opposed

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<p>Completely opposed </p>


Please Stop

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This is cruel. Support our Trans and Non-Binary students now!


It is a grave mistake to pass this.

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It is a grave mistake to pass this.


All students are important, not some. Abide by the constitution

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This policy violates the rights of students all across Virginia. The VDOE cannot afford special privileges to certain students (a very small percentage at that) while stepping on the rights of others (over 98% of the student population.) This is a constitutional violation. I fully support these changes and suggest that this policy be abolished all together. A person is free to live their life as they like, but they must not impose their way of thinking or lifestyle on others especially whey it violates their constructional rights. No one has the right to enforce this type of policy and that includes the VDOE.

 All students have the right to attend school in an environment free from discrimination, harassment, or bullying. The VDOE has the responsibility to protect and encourage respect for all students and this includes non-transgender students. The VDOE must fully acknowledges the rights of parents to exercise their fundamental rights granted by the Fourteenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and Virginia state Code {Parent Bill of Rights) to direct the care, upbringing, and education of their children. Empowering parents is not only a fundamental right, but it is essential to improving outcomes for all children in Virginia. The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution guarantees religious freedom and prohibits the government from compelling speech that is contrary to an individual’s personal or religious beliefs. Further the Virginia State Code prohibits indoctrination of students in schools. The 2021 Model Policies disregarded the rights of parents and ignored other legal and constitutional principles that significantly impact how schools educate students.

This policy is an affront to Virginia students and parents. Schools have no right to tell student or parents what they should think or how to live. The school’s job is to teach students to think critically and nothing more. Give the power back to the parents and stay in your lane VDOE.


I am completely opposed.

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I am completely opposed.


FULLY SUPPORT THE POLICY

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Governor's Youngkin new model policy affirms the dignity of every student no matter how they see themselves. Previous policies discriminated agains children that see themselves as God made them, boys and girls and do not have any doubts on who they are. Biology can be changed with medications and surgeries, but that is not nature, that is man-made. We had made so much progress with affirming women and their abilities in sports, work, school and life. However with the previous policies we destroyed this progress. Allowing non-biological women in biological women sports, is causing women to lose; lose in scholarships, lose opportunities in getting leadership positions, etc.

Girls these days are afraid to go to restrooms in schools because a boy may show up in the girls bathroom saying that he feels to be a girl. Who can confirm that that is true and that boy is not an impostor? We should not seek respect only for one group of kids, but for all them. The previous policies when seeking to impose rules to respect the decisions of those that see themselves differently from what they are biologically, it disrespect and imposes severe burden on those kids that see themselves as they are. Youngkin's guidance policy respect all kids, boys and girls that feel boys and girls and those that feel differently.

Further, only parents were given the right from God to teach and raise their kids. Teachers are there to help with education but not to make decisions and overtake the upbringing of the kids. Only parents should make decisions for the education and upbringing of their children and not teachers, schools administrators or the government.

I fully support Governor Youngkin's DOE guidance policy.

I Urge you to implement the "On the Privacy, Dignity and Respect for all Students and Parents in Virginia's Public Schools" as written and restore the right and responsibility of parents to make the best decisions for their children.


Support the parent’s right to raise their own child. Strongly agree.

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School staff are not doctors. They are not there to diagnose children for gender dysphoria. They should not be allowed to deceive parents and manipulate children.


This will bring harm to trans kids.

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This will bring harm to trans kids.


Trans children need to be protected not attacked

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Outing trans children is an attack on them it does not help protect children


This will bring harm to trans kids.


Strongly oppose the 2022 model policy

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<p>Schools should support and protect all children.  This policy change will harm trans and non-binary children.  </p>


I strongly oppose. We should be protecting and respecting vulnerable children.

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<p>Transgender children are among the most vulnerable and likely to be bullied and mistreated. These changes use religious freedom and parental choice as a guise for allowing disrespect and cruelty toward these children. </p>


ABSOLUTELY NOT

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<p>These changes would endanger LGBTQ+ kids in schools where they should feel safe, protected and supported. Keep religious zealots out of our education system. No teacher should be able to disrespect or out a student against their wishes. This is disgusting. </p>


Support New Policy

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<p>I support the new policy that keeps parental rights intact! </p>


Oppose


I fully oppose this.


I oppose this policy.

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<p>Please trust teachers, children, and parents to put kids first. I oppose this action </p>


Not "Parents' rights", just Bigots' wishes. Oppose.

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I oppose this, of course, because I'm mentally healthy. This is a vile, repugnant policy meant not to honor parents' rights (after all, trans and gay kids have parents too!) but to honor the desires of fearful bigots to control people. And that's all I see when I look at the Governor and the Liberty Moms. Bigots. Their kids will see the same, someday.

As for you, Governor- see my first statement. If you and your 'friends' stress this much over someone else's bathroom usage, or whether you say he/she/they/it etc., you need therapy, not a law.


I strongly oppose this harmful policy. Protect trans kids!

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<p>Trans kids deserve to be protected. The proposed policy is extremely harmful and will have devastating effects on our community. </p>


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I oppose this in the strongest possible manor.


It is a grave mistake to pass this.


Be Best

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I do not like this policy, as former First Lady. My 'Be Best' campaign says that we should not be to bully the children. This policy is being bully the children, who have done nothing to deserve the bully from overgrown Jonah Ryan look-alike Glenn Youngkin. He should understand, as tall, goofy person what it's like to be bullied. When he was young, the children probably tried to stuff him into locker, but his giant head and body would not fit. Now he takes it out on transgender children who are harming no one. Be Best and repeal this policy.


Strongly oppose.


Opposed

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<p>This policy will kill kids. Full stop. We KNOW - there is abundant evidence - that acceptance is the best thing for trans kids. They need to be accepted at home, at school, and in their communities. What goes a long way towards acceptance? Trust. And this policy quite simply means that kids can’t trust the adults in their schools. This policy is misguided, dangerous, and anathema to what most parents actually want, regardless of how it’s framed politically. </p>


I am strongly opposed.


Oppose

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I fully oppose due to the harm it causes to our trans and non-binary children


Trans bill

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<p>I am opposed as this will cause harm to trans students </p>


This is a terrible policy decision.

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This is a terrible policy decision.


Fully support Gov. Younkins policy to protect kids and restore parents' rights.

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<p>So grateful to Governor Younking for protecting children from brainwashing, indoctrination, and grooming by teachers and staff and for restoring parents' rights. </p>


I oppose this fully.


It is a grave mistake to pass this.

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It is a grave mistake to pass this.


Pediatrician with strong opposition to proposed rules regarding trans/nonbinary students

To whom it may concern,
I am a pediatrician in Virginia writing to you to express concern for the new proposal on how to treat transgender and nonbinary students in Virginia public schools. There is so much research that shows that LGBTQIA+ children and teens are more at risk for suicide and mental illness, and that providing safe, welcoming environments for these children is strongly protective. I stand with the American Academy of Pediatrics, which strongly supports affirmation and compassion for gender-diverse individuals. As the Pediatrics article I have attached notes, in transgender and gender-diverse students between kindergarten and 8th grade, "54% were verbally harassed, 24% were physically assaulted, and 13% were sexually assaulted; 17% left school because of maltreatment." Schools are an important place for children, and we must work to make sure they are safe from bullying and harassment.

I see individuals in my practice regularly who are part of the LGBTQIA+ population. Unfortunately, many are scared to share this part of themselves with their loved ones due to fear of punishment or misunderstanding. The most important action I can take at those times is to show my patients, through my actions and words, that I am here for them and value them. Using the pronouns with which they identify and the name they prefer is a small, compassionate gesture that makes them feel welcome. My goal is to help them feel secure, and find the courage and feel safe to share their identity with their parents. Teachers often play a similar role for students-- students build trust in their teachers and may feel comfortable discussing these issues with them prior to sharing with their families. Why would we ever take an action that takes away that source of comfort?

The reason why I chose pediatrics is because I am passionate about helping every child grow up and be a happy, healthy adult. I encourage vaccinations because they prevent hospitalizations and death. I screen for lead toxicity because taking action on that prevents lead poisoning and intellectual disabilities. And I talk about mental health, gender identity, sexual orientation, along with many other topics (drugs, sexual activity, safety) with teenagers in the hopes of preventing suicide, risky behavior, and abuse.

There is a concern from some that the mere mention of gender identity and sexual orientation can lead to gender confusion in children, and that there is a "social contagion" aspect to this issue. Some would rather avoid discussion and not "enable" the behavior by using appropriate pronouns and names, providing safe gender-appropriate bathroom and locker room access. However, as the Pediatrics article also points out, the level of acceptance or rejection from families ultimately has little bearing on a child's gender identity. Rejection and unsupportive environments do, however, have a significant impact on rates of suicide and mental health:

"[S]uicide attempt rates among 433 adolescents in Ontario who identified as “trans” were 4% among those with strongly supportive parents and as high as 60% among those whose parents were not supportive. Adolescents who identify as transgender and endorse at least 1 supportive person in their life report significantly less distress than those who only experience rejection. In communities with high levels of support, it was found that nonsupportive families tended to increase their support over time, leading to dramatic improvement in mental health outcomes among their children who identified as transgender"

Support at school would be a protective factor against suicide and serious mental illness in these children. Shouldn't that be our ultimate goal?

Sincerely,
Bethan Fanning MD

https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/142/4/e20182162/37381/Ensuring-Comprehensive-Care-and-Support-for

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To whom it may concern,

I am a pediatrician in Virginia writing to you to express concern for the new proposal on how to treat transgender and nonbinary students in Virginia public schools. There is so much research that shows that LGBTQIA+ children and teens are more at risk for suicide and mental illness, and that providing safe, welcoming environments for these children is strongly protective. I stand with the American Academy of Pediatrics, which strongly supports affirmation and compassion for gender-diverse individuals. As the Pediatrics article I have attached notes, in transgender and gender-diverse students between kindergarten and 8th grade, "54% were verbally harassed, 24% were physically assaulted, and 13% were sexually assaulted; 17% left school because of maltreatment." Schools are an important place for children, and we must work to make sure they are safe from bullying and harassment.

I see individuals in my practice regularly who are part of the LGBTQIA+ population. Unfortunately, many are scared to share this part of themselves with their loved ones due to fear of punishment or misunderstanding. The most important action I can take at those times is to show my patients, through my actions and words, that I am here for them and value them. Using the pronouns with which they identify and the name they prefer is a small, compassionate gesture that makes them feel welcome. My goal is to help them feel secure, and find the courage and feel safe to share their identity with their parents. Teachers often play a similar role for students-- students build trust in their teachers and may feel comfortable discussing these issues with them prior to sharing with their families. Why would we ever take an action that takes away that source of comfort?

The reason why I chose pediatrics is because I am passionate about helping every child grow up and be a happy, healthy adult. I encourage vaccinations because they prevent hospitalizations and death. I screen for lead toxicity because taking action on that prevents lead poisoning and intellectual disabilities. And I talk about mental health, gender identity, sexual orientation, along with many other topics (drugs, sexual activity, safety) with teenagers in the hopes of preventing suicide, risky behavior, and abuse.

There is a concern from some that the mere mention of gender identity and sexual orientation can lead to gender confusion in children, and that there is a "social contagion" aspect to this issue. Some would rather avoid discussion and not "enable" the behavior by using appropriate pronouns and names, providing safe gender-appropriate bathroom and locker room access. However, as the Pediatrics article also points out, the level of acceptance or rejection from families ultimately has little bearing on a child's gender identity. Rejection and unsupportive environments do, however, have a significant impact on rates of suicide and mental health:

"[S]uicide attempt rates among 433 adolescents in Ontario who identified as “trans” were 4% among those with strongly supportive parents and as high as 60% among those whose parents were not supportive. Adolescents who identify as transgender and endorse at least 1 supportive person in their life report significantly less distress than those who only experience rejection. In communities with high levels of support, it was found that nonsupportive families tended to increase their support over time, leading to dramatic improvement in mental health outcomes among their children who identified as transgender"

Support at school would be a protective factor against suicide and serious mental illness in these children. Shouldn't that be our ultimate goal?

Sincerely,

Bethan Fanning MD

https://publications.aap.org/<wbr/>pediatrics/article/142/4/<wbr/>e20182162/37381/Ensuring-<wbr/>Comprehensive-Care-and-<wbr/>Support-for


Treatment of transgender students

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<p>I strongly oppose this policy. Please reconsider. </p>


This is a terrible policy decision.


Opposed

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Opposed. Think of safety for all students.


Yes to parental rights

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I support this! Thank you governor!


Do not do this.


I fully oppose this.


THANK YOU ALL FOR COMMENTING, YOU'RE ALL LOVELY PEOPLE (TRANS RIGHTS!)

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Honestly, this is more directed to all the other comments on the page rather than to the Virginia board of education. Y'all will do what y'all will do, but I want everyone who actually took the time to come to this page and make a difference to be proud of yourselves, because we stand together for the rights of our trans students here and forever.

Protect trans kids.


I oppose this fully. It will harm all children.

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<p>For the life of me I can’t understand why given the terrible effect on children's mental health the pandemic has caused that the governors response is a deep dive into actions and policies that have been shown to hurt children.  It’s seems scoring political points with a extremist minority are more important than our children's well being.  Shane on Our governor. </p>


Biological Girls Deserve To Feel Safe in Schools

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<p>Thank you for creating a policy that supports every female student, who will no longer have to worry about biological males in her bathroom anymore. A young woman was raped in a Chesterfield County School because it was perfectly acceptable for a male student to walk into her bathroom. Will every student take advantage of another when given the chance? No. But this policy will eliminate opportunists from doing so. This also will protect students who don't want to participate in compelled speech and pronoun nonsense. Some of these kids are changing their pronouns daily for attention. What they need is the attention and engagement from their parents, so they can be treated for gender dysphoria. </p>


Protect Trans Kids

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<p>Protect Trans Kids </p>


Thankful for putting the power back in parents hands where it should be! Strongly agree!

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Parents are parents for a reason. We should have a say in what our minor children are being taught. Thank you Governor for good ole’ common sense. Strongly agree!


Strongly support!!!! Thank you Youngkin!

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<p>Strongly support Youngkin’s updated policy. </p>


Don't Harm Trans Kids!

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This proposed policy brings harm to trans students, full stop. The Commonwealth proposes to deny trans kids basic decency, rights, and protections. This is not a policy based on any science or compassion, but merely on a right-wing scare campaign that has already taken a huge toll across the country. I urge the Commonwealth to do the decent and right thing, not implement this guidance, and rather institute guidelines that prioritize trans' kids safety, well-being, and dignity.


Protect trans youth from a failed governor trying to become president

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Trans rights are human rights and should not be used to mask a failure of a governor.


Children will die.

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You cannot possibly say that you have the best interest of children in mind when suggesting something so incredibly harmful and life-threatening. Transgender youth are at a much higher risk of suicide than their cisgender peers. Gender dysphoria is deadly. Being forced to conform to a false narrative of an identity that simply is not theirs will result in so much grief and trauma that will take a lifetime to undo— if they survive it.

Being forced out of the closet not only dramatically increases the risk of suicide, but also hate crime and literal murder by peers and even family members. Blood will be on your hands.


I am strongly opposed.


It is a grave mistake to pass this.


I fully oppose this.

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These proposed policies seem to be regressive in nature and innately oppressive towards any individual that doesn’t conform to the stereotypical binary. As an aside, transgender or not, it’s weird that grown adults have such a big issue respecting an individual’s choice of name/pronoun/gender identity.

Also, have any one of the writers of this thing ever even talked to any transgender student?


This is a terrible policy decision.

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This is a terrible policy decision.


This is a terrible policy decision.


i strongly oppose this policy

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<p>I strongly oppose this policy </p>


I support


I oppose this fully.


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. I oppose the proposed changes. </p>


It is a grave mistake to pass this.

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It is a grave mistake to pass this.


Oppose


This will bring harm to trans kids.

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This will bring harm to trans kids.


This will bring harm to trans kids.


Vehemently opposed: Will harm students and educators alike

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As a former school counselor and current educational researcher, I find this proposed legislation to be misguided, ethical, and potentially dangerous. Requiring counselors to report gender identities to parents and to include parents in sessions with transgender students runs entirely counter to the American Counselor Association and American School Counselor Association code of ethics. While parents should absolutely be actively involved in supporting the wellbeing of their children in schools, the profession of a different gender identity does not constitute the potential for harm that would allow a counselor to break student confidentiality. Furthermore, the provisions in this law would make schools considerably less welcoming spaces for transgendered students, who are far more likely to commit suicide than their cis-gendered peers, which can be ameliorated when they perceive their schools to be affirming of their identities. This law includes language claiming to protect the wellbeing of students but clearly accomplishes the opposite.


OPPOSE; This is an embarrassingly uneducated and harmful proposal

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The terminology used in the documents is exceedingly worrying especially with the state of the current society. The ideas within are even worse: Things such as personnel only being permitted to address students by legal names, their corresponding nicknames, and gendered pronouns, students being forced to participate in gendered activities and use gendered restrooms regardless of their presentation, and others. I would be embarrassed as a student to show myself in a facility which blatantly disrespects me and my wishes in this way. We do not stand for this as young adults and as teenagers and as children. We will not sit back and watch as our friends and our siblings get disrespected. OPPOSE.


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I oppose this in the strongest possible manor.


I am completely opposed.

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I am completely opposed.


OPPOSE

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


I strongly oppose

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I cannot state bluntly enough how opposed to this potential policy I am. It is not only morally wrong but goes against the research and best practices for protecting children


Opposed to this Guidance

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I strongly oppose the Guidance and instead support Arlington County’s position as follows:

“Arlington Public Schools continues to support the rights of our transgender, non-binary and gender fluid students and remains committed to providing school environments that are welcoming, safe and supportive for all students.”


It is a grave mistake to pass this.


Parents should have more rights over their child than the school system

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Thank you for affirming parent's rights over the state to raise our children. To each their own, if you agree with encouraging your child to disconnect from their body and allow chemical castration or cosmetic surgery then okay. Some of us prefer body positive messages and want to teach our children that it is normal for teens to feel uncomfortable in their body and there is nothing wrong with them. The state and schools should not be allowed to secretly decide and push one agenda over another.

Trans ideology vs. Gender critical ideology should be a parent's choice.


Do not do this.


Strongly oppose.


100% Supported

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Teachers and Parents have thier own roles in a child’s life. Don’t take those God given roles away from them. God had made it to be that it is the sole responsibility of the parents to care for thier child. To lead them and guide them. Teachers need to stay in thier lane. Politics should stay away!
Please pass this bill to honor the natural order of things. It’s how God created it!

Proverbs 22:6

Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.


I am completely opposed.


I completely OPPOSE this "Guidance" document

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Please focus on YOUR job and we will raise our children


I am Walter Hartwell White and I fully oppose this.

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I am Walter Hartwell White. I live at 308 Negra Arroyo Lane, Albuquerque, New Mexico, 87104. I fully oppose this legislation.


Strongly Oppose

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Children are people too. We do not have the right to do whatever we want with them. In fact, it is our duty to protect them. Stop exposing transgender children to danger just to make a few parents comfortable. All children deserve protection as a right, not just the ones we deem worthy of it.


I fully oppose this.


strongly oppose.

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<p>Why are we working against our kids and families? I strongly oppose this and hope that VA will look to ways to be inclusive. We need to find ways to support ALL of our families. </p>


This will bring harm to trans kids.


I support.

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Support wholeheartedly.


No Child has the wrong body

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<p>What’s harming Children is the abusive lie that some suddenly have wrong body by accident. Child abusers fraudulently funded Transagenda knowingly intending harm to ALL INVOLVED. </p>


I oppose this fully.


Please don’t do this. Strongly oppose.

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My sister is trans and already experienced enough persecution in the Loudoun County school system. We should be teaching understanding and acceptance, not making the lives of these children harder than they already are.


I am strongly opposed.


OPPOSE

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<p>OPPOSE!!! OPPOSE!!! OPPOSE!!! </p>


I oppose this

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I oppose this. Students and their families wishes should be respected. Do not use a vulnerable minority of children as political pawns.


Support this move. Need to still consider how to handle transphobic parents & keep trans kids safe.

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<p>As a VA resident, I welcome and support this move. We do, however, need some guidelines in the policy that protect trans kids from transphobic/unaccepting parents. </p>


STRONGLY OPPOSE

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Strongly oppose this harmful policy!


This will bring harm to trans kids.

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This will bring harm to trans kids.


I oppose any legislation or directives that out Trans students.

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<p>Staff at schools should not be made to “out” Trans students. This is unsafe. Check the statistics on the high rate of suicide in the Trans community. This change is for a political agenda and does NOT consider the safety of these students (mental and physical safety). </p>


Trans rights are human rights

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The right wing is dangerous and it needs to be kept out of schools


Children Will Die From This Bill

As a school counselor, I oppose 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 as they are currently proposed. The 2022 model policies create barriers to privacy, dignity, and respect for Virginia’s students and seek to undermine previous legislation (i.e., § 22.1-23.3. Treatment of transgender students; policies) that works to create safe and supportive environments for our most vulnerable youth.
Virginia school counselors recognize that:

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

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

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

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

Fewer than 2.5% of transgender youth re-transition to cisgender (Olson et al, 2022).

Virginia school counselors work to remove barriers and support the social, emotional, and mental health needs of all students. VSCA Ends Policies state that “Virginia School Counselors are committed to working with and advocating for marginalized groups, promote the mental health and wellness of all students, adhere to the ASCA Ethical Standards for School Counselors, and actively work to dismantle destructive systemic inequities.”
Additionally, Virginia school counselors follow the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) Position Statement on The School Counselor and Transgender and Nonbinary Youth (Adopted 2016, revised 2022) that states:

School counselors work to safeguard the well-being of transgender and nonbinary youth. School counselors recognize all students have the right to be treated equally and fairly, with dignity and respect as unique individuals, free from discrimination, harassment and bullying based on their gender identity and gender expression.

Finally, Virginia school counselors seek to create environments that are not only inclusive and equitable for all students, including our transgender, nonbinary, gender non-conforming and gender-fluid students, but that celebrate the full scope of their identities, allowing them to thrive and reach their fullest potential. Furthermore, Virginia school counselors commit to dismantling any and all forms of inequity in Virginia’s public education system and fully support LGBTQ+ students. Every Virginia student, regardless of their gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation, has a right to learn free from discrimination and harassment.
Against this background, it is my stance that the 2022 Model Policies on the Privacy, Dignity, and Respect for All Students and Parents in Virginia's Public Schools are empirically unfounded and are not in accordance with evidence-based best practices concerning the treatment of transgender, nonbinary, gender non-conforming and gender-fluid students.

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As a school counselor, I oppose 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 as they are currently proposed. The 2022 model policies create barriers to privacy, dignity, and respect for Virginia’s students and seek to undermine previous legislation (i.e., <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://vsca.org/EmailTracker/LinkTracker.ashx?linkAndRecipientCode%3D1NPMOsRnym3Ax4o4aRFLF%252bZYlwvtdnAQicbWsX8Q79pX69ER%252fqGpEFpS2RdOb1SK9In578RK%252f%252fSYUDgc5Ntrdvyj3G4WJtPPoqBYDor4Yoo%253d&source=gmail&ust=1664329658280000&usg=AOvVaw3kqngufuhSwmMyg-IrjL0m" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" x="https://vsca.org/EmailTracker/LinkTracker.ashx?linkAndRecipientCode=1NPMOsRnym3Ax4o4aRFLF%2bZYlwvtdnAQicbWsX8Q79pX69ER%2fqGpEFpS2RdOb1SK9In578RK%2f%2fSYUDgc5Ntrdvyj3G4WJtPPoqBYDor4Yoo%3d">§ 22.1-23.3. Treatment of transgender students; policies) that works to create safe and supportive environments for our most vulnerable youth.

Virginia school counselors recognize that:

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

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

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

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

Fewer than 2.5% of transgender youth re-transition to cisgender (Olson et al, 2022).

Virginia school counselors work to remove barriers and support the social, emotional, and mental health needs of all students. VSCA Ends Policies state that “Virginia School Counselors are committed to working with and advocating for marginalized groups, promote the mental health and wellness of all students, adhere to the ASCA Ethical Standards for School Counselors, and actively work to dismantle destructive systemic inequities.”

Additionally, Virginia school counselors follow the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) Position Statement on <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://vsca.org/EmailTracker/LinkTracker.ashx?linkAndRecipientCode%3DL6RTA1gphhP9lBTZtbUiGvxeQOLbjXsPKpJN13NN0Zo8kkVn9ejvlz%252fn4XyBFOsZgTloe78%252fR8z5%252for4lfVQAEE4Tu4NzIvAddu8JtCpNTU%253d&source=gmail&ust=1664329658281000&usg=AOvVaw3WU2rZ_c9_M9UxHl7qFeTw" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" x="https://vsca.org/EmailTracker/LinkTracker.ashx?linkAndRecipientCode=L6RTA1gphhP9lBTZtbUiGvxeQOLbjXsPKpJN13NN0Zo8kkVn9ejvlz%2fn4XyBFOsZgTloe78%2fR8z5%2for4lfVQAEE4Tu4NzIvAddu8JtCpNTU%3d">The School Counselor and Transgender and Nonbinary Youth (Adopted 2016, revised 2022) that states:

School counselors work to safeguard the well-being of transgender and nonbinary youth. School counselors recognize all students have the right to be treated equally and fairly, with dignity and respect as unique individuals, free from discrimination, harassment and bullying based on their gender identity and gender expression.

Finally, Virginia school counselors seek to create environments that are not only inclusive and equitable for all students, including our transgender, nonbinary, gender non-conforming and gender-fluid students, but that celebrate the full scope of their identities, allowing them to thrive and reach their fullest potential. Furthermore, Virginia school counselors commit to dismantling any and all forms of inequity in Virginia’s public education system and fully support LGBTQ+ students. Every Virginia student, regardless of their gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation, has a right to learn free from discrimination and harassment.

Against this background, it is my stance that the 2022 Model Policies on the Privacy, Dignity, and Respect for All Students and Parents in Virginia's Public Schools are empirically unfounded and are not in accordance with evidence-based best practices concerning the treatment of transgender, nonbinary, gender non-conforming and gender-fluid students.


This is a terrible policy decision.

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This is a terrible policy decision.


Strongly oppose

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Shortsighted and bigoted


This is a terrible policy decision.


TRANS RIGHTS ARE HUMAN RIGHTS

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Stay in your lane and stop dogwhistling this as “parents rights”. Parents want to see their kids happy if they have a shred of a conscience. Thanks.


I fully oppose this.


I strongly oppose this measure.

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<p>I strongly oppose this measure. All people deserve to fully express themselves. Being transgender does not impact the ability of other kids to learn or participate in school. In fact, socially transitioning is usually followed by a marked increase in mental and physical health of the transgender person. Free practice of identity is crucial to a free and democratic nation. </p>


Strongly oppose! Protect trans kids.

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<p>Strongly oppose! Protect trans kids. </p>


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

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I Completely OPPOSE this in ever conceivable way. You (educators) are not entrusted with the care of our children you are ONLY entrusted with the education of the children in the approved text. If you truly care for the rights of the child please explain how you care for the rights of the mother and father that are and should be responsible for raising them. If you desire to raise children, raise your own, just educate ours in the arts, sciences and actual history of the world and our country. I honestly have no idea how you sleep at night.


A damaging and undemocratic proposal

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Enacting this policy will strip rights from parents, and needlessly endanger children.  Trans youth have extremely high rates of suicidal ideation, but ensuring they have a space to use their self identified name and pronouns can cut that in half.

In addition outing students to their parents will lead to unsafe situations and homelessness.

This is not a policy that would pass in the legislature and it isn't a policy that Youngkin should be allowed to single handedly enact.


Strongly oppose.


I am completely opposed.

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I am completely opposed.


It is a grave mistake to pass this.

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It is a grave mistake to pass this.


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I oppose this in the strongest possible manor.


Oppose

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<p>Strongly oppose. </p>


I completely oppose this…

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<p>I completely oppose this policy for numerous reasons. The most fundamental is the safety of trans students. To ignore the suicide rates among the trans population is to be wholly negligent. We will rob trans students of a safe space in which children can learn and grow. Students requiring written parental permission are particularly vulnerable when they have unsupportive parents. There is not a documented incident of a trans student assaulting a cis student. On the contrary, trans students are harassed and bullied everyday for simply existing.  Please do what is right FOR THE SAFETY OF STUDENTS and do not implement this dangerous policy. The consequences will regrettably be irreversible, in some cases. </p>


VDOE must reject these discriminatory policies to protect our transgender & non-binary students

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I come from a long line of educators who have fought to support the rights of all students, and I too believe that every school should protect transgender students rather than endangering their lives and limiting their ability to live a free and nondiscriminatory life.

The Anti-Defamation League has written extensively about how schools and educators can fully protect, respect and support all students, so I would like to share these valuable aspects in the hopes the VDOE will NOT impose these transgender restrictions and dangerous policies that will only serve to harm our children.

Virginia Educators MUST:

Teach. From an early age, introduce all students to the concept of what it means to be transgender through reading some of the wonderful children’s and young adult books available on the topic, by using current events to highlight people and topics relevant to the transgender community and using examples of transgender people in your everyday study of our society and world.

Promote Safety. Promote a safe learning environment for all by establishing classroom guidelines at the beginning of the school year and have a periodic check on those. These can include items like students speaking from their own experience, maintaining confidentiality, respecting others, sharing airtime, no name-calling, etc. If you want to have specific discussions around transgender identity and issues, assess the extent to which your students have the maturity and readiness to engage in talking about the topic, re-visit the ground rules and be mindful of and sensitive to the fact that there may be students in your class who are transgender, whether you know it or not.

Be an Ally. Be an ally by educating yourself with background information and accurate language about being transgender or gender non-conforming. When interacting with students, don’t make assumptions about them, use correct pronouns and names, and listen without judgment. Be aware that if a young person is out to you, that doesn’t mean they are out to others, including their parents. Therefore, maintain confidentiality and discretion.

Intervene. Challenge offensive and derogatory language whenever you hear it. This conveys an important message to all students that it will not be tolerated and it is not okay. This includes off-hand remarks, jokes and transphobic language. Intervene and address it immediately and publicly. If you hear other students standing up to biased language, acknowledge and support them.

Create School Policies. Advocate for and help to shape school policies. The most comprehensive laws, policies and guidelines focus on three areas: (1) harassment and bullying of transgender and gender non-conforming students, (2) addressing gender-segregated spaces in school such as bathrooms, locker rooms, and line formations, and (3) dealing with records and rules such as names/pronouns, official records, identification, privacy and dress codes.

In these challenging times—especially for transgender youth—educators are on the front lines and can make a positive difference in the lives of one or many young people, and as a parent… I must demand that the VDOE reject Youngkin’s proposed model policies against transgender and non-binary students!!


I am completely opposed.


Destructive, heinous policy on transgender students

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The Governor's proposed policy will do irreparable harm to a very vulnerable segment of the school population. As a retired teacher, I can attest to the need for students to see schools as safe places and to see teachers as trusted adults. For some students, the sad reality is that school is the only safe place in their lives and teachers are the only safe adults to talk with.  The proposed backward facing policy is reminiscent of Iran's morality police. The proposal is completely contrary to American values and to reality.


I oppose this fully.


Do not do this.


STRONGLY oppose

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<p>The proposed policy changes are bigoted & do not protect the best interest of children in Virginia. All children deserve to feel safe, seen, and valued in the fullness of their humanity and that includes LGBTQ+ children. The proposed policy changes are harmful and may lead children who are already marginalized to suffer more. Targeting LGBTQ+ students is wrong. Some LGBTQ+ students are not comfortable or safe revealing their gender identity or sexuality to their parents for fear of being ostracized or kicked out of the home. The proposed policies would do nothing but put them in danger. We need to put the care of students FIRST and these policies do NOT do that. I strongly oppose them. </p>


Opposition to anti-trans model policy

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<p>As a parent and educator, I strongly oppose the proposed model policy. Young people who are struggling with their identity deserve respect and support, not policies that deny their true selves and drive them toward dangerous marginalization. </p>


I Strongly Support and Thank You

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<p>Thank you for fighting for parent's rights. Often times the educational system and educators need to be reminded that they are our employee, hired to teach our children Math, English, History and Science. We pay them to teach our kids the things they need, to be productive adults and prepare them for life outside of the school system. It is the parents that is responsible to raise our children as we see fit. Educator's need to stay in their lane and teach. Leave the parenting to the parents. No adult should hide things from the parent, and if you feel you need to, it means you have an alternative motive. This is not in the best interest of the child. Thank You Governor Youngkin for understanding the importance of a parent's role in their child life and the confusion it causes when educators lose sight of that.  </p>


Support our trans and nonbinary youth -- no to Gov. Youngkin's transgender hate

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This anti-transgender policy will cause irreparable harm to children and their families, and most specifically trans and nonbinary children.

School should be a place where ALL children are welcomed, regardless of their differences, and Gov. Youngkin's proposal will only cause more discrimination toward children who may already be struggling.

Studies show that 1 in 5 transgender and nonbinary youth have attempted suicide in the last year. These horrifying numbers will continue to grow if children and teenagers are not given safe spaces in which they can freely express themselves. I can assume we all care about children's lives. Can't I?

In addition, this move is despicably political in nature. Gov. Youngkin is using the current panic around transgender and LGBTQIA students to propel his own career. He is putting real children in harm's way as a result.  I would hope that all Virginians consider themselves pro-children. This policy is not pro-children, it is pro-Youngkin, pro-hate, and pro-fear.  PLEASE consider these children, and think about why Youngkin and his colleagues want you to be afraid of them.


I fully oppose this.


Leave our children alone

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I strongly oppose this.


I strongly oppose this

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This will cause harm to trans students


This will bring harm to trans kids.

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This will bring harm to trans kids.


This is a terrible policy decision.

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This is a terrible policy decision.


This is a terrible policy decision.


Strongly opposed

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I strongly oppose this misguided policy. All students deserve support and nurturing, and this anti-trans policy would make life so much harder for these vulnerable kids. Transgender adolescents face a 7.6 times higher risk of suicide than their peers, and this would only make them suffer worse. This is a blatant political stunt that puts the lives and wellbeing of kids in jeopardy, just to use a "wedge" issue to drive people to the polls.


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This bill will harm trans children. STRONGLY OPPOSE


Strongly Oppose

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This policy will very significantly negatively impact transgender youth in our state.  I am opposed to it.


Strongly Oppose

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<p>This policy does not protect children who are trans and non-binary. It will put these children in more challenging situations and cause greater harm such as, increasing depression and suicide ideation, feelings of rejection and alienation, placing at more risk of harm by others. This policy is created to bring harm not protection. Schools are supposed to be safe places for kids and this will make it dangerous. Stop this now. </p>


I oppose this bill with everything I have.

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I am writing from Charlottesville, VA to oppose these model policies. If implemented, they would severely harm transgender students.

These policies do not protect parental rights - forcing counselors and teachers to out students to their parents has only the effect of causing harm and stress to students, not increasing the agency of parents over their children. In fact, these policies are likely to endanger students with unsupportive parents, and encourage bullying from teachers and peers.

The model policies will create direct harm to transgender students and violate their privacy and liberties. Forcing kids to use names, pronouns, and facilities which do not reflect who they are causes long term negative effects, and studies show that transgender students who are not able to safely express themselves at school are at much higher risk for depression and suicide.

Overall, these policies are set to create immense harm to an already vulnerable group of students. I oppose these measures wholeheartedly, and believe they should not be implemented.


Support: What about the rights of girls abused by males?

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<p>Children, in particular girls sexually abused by males, also have rights. Thank you for thinking of them too. Most children are going through a transgender phase. Don't encourage this. Support those who are truly going through trauma. </p>


Transgender student policy

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<p>The new guidelines are abhorrent and take Virginia backwards. </p>


Strongly oppose.


This will bring harm to trans kids.


OPPOSE

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<p>strongly oppose this policy. Infringes on civil rights, parental rights, human rights </p>


Lol, bots posting over and over about how feelings are valid, but they are actually worthless

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Please know these are bots posting over and over again


I oppose this fully.


I am strongly opposed.


Policy

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<p>This policy change is hurtful to our students and their families. Youngkin is using them as pawns to further his political ambitions. </p>


Strongly oppose

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This change to current policy puts kids already struggling with their identity in a terrible position.  It is bullying and abusive to NOT provide appropriate resources and support for these children. It is shameful to retract the current safeguards for these children.


Oppose Restrictions on Transgender Students

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<p>I oppose the restrictions Gov Youngkin proposed on transgender students and the action of informing parents. Students have a right to be addressed the way they want and not be forced to conform to the ideaology of the religious right. It is called freedom of expression and identity. </p>


Strongly opposed - this policy will jeopardize kids’ lives

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<p>All children should be able to feel safe and supported at school as they juggle the monumentally difficult tasks of growing up and learning. Judging, policing, and otherwise intervening with a child’s self-affirmed gender identity has no place in school. The proposed policy is hateful, anti-science, and comes at a frankly baffling time, when there are so many legitimate issues facing schools that require intervention. This policy is not pro-family; it is divisive and dangerous. </p>


I am completely opposed.

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I am completely opposed.


Absolutely 100% Opposed

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This is the most backwards, hateful legislation and I'm entirely opposed to it. Trans rights are human rights.