Librarian and former teacher disagrees with policy changes

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I am writing as a former teacher, as a current librarian, as a resident of Virginia, and as a member of the LGBTQIA community. There are many factors at play that make the new Model Policies problematic at best and very dangerous to the livelihood of students at worst.

First, consider that trans students are not the only students who socially change their name at school. Have you ever had a student named Tim who goes by Timmy, or Jordan who has a middle name of Kevin who prefers to go by Kevin, or a Tjaden who goes by TJ, or a Robert III that prefers to go by Rob? Calling a student by their preferred name has been happening for eons and yet it is never questioned until the name sounds like a name of another gender (and who decides that a name has a gender anyway?). When a student arrives at school and has a name that is more complex but culturally significant – it doesn’t matter if it is difficult to pronounce at first, the teacher would be in the wrong to refuse to call a student by their name, they would try to get it right because it matters to the student. It would be insulting to have someone refuse to call you by your preferred name just because they didn’t want to or didn’t agree with it. It’s rude and harmful. A child socially changing their name doesn’t cause the hassle that a legal name change does. It gives them time to see if they like it, to see if a change fits, if it is indeed something that feels right or not. Wearing new clothes, even those perceived to be of a different gender, is also a change that doesn’t cause harm. A person trying on new clothes or trying on a new name is not making a permanent change and they get to see if permanent changes are even something they want when they have the agency to make those choices. This new policy is too rigid to allow for that self-exploration of identity that is part of the growing and developmental process – but this matters most to kids who are exploring a different gender identity for themselves and the harm that it causes to refuse their tenuous understanding of themselves leads to kids taking their own lives.

Second, consider that this policy hinges way too much on biological sex. It completely refuses to consider that intersex individuals exist and as they are not assigned a binary gender at birth, they have a nonbinary gender identity unless they transition to a binary gender identity. Schools often separate bathrooms and gym classes and dress codes according to a binary that leaves intersex students and trans students feeling left out of the conversation (and this assumes their parents are supportive of their trans students’ identities – many are not).

Third, the requirement to share trans students’ gender identities with parents can be dangerous. Consider that there are kids who experience abuse, neglect, and generally unsafe homes and parents who do not have their best interests in mind. For a student who may feel safe and accepted as themselves at school, they may face abuse at home for being themselves. Students who are “out” at school aren’t doing this as part of a phase or a fad, they face potential harm and exclusion from their peers but may still find that safer than their home environment.

Last but not least, dress codes shouldn’t be gendered either. Women have been wearing pants for decades. Men wear kilts. Both wear tank tops, crop tops, pajamas and short shorts. As long as they can still learn in the clothes they are wearing, let them be comfortable. It would be reasonable to say that genitalia should be covered, that the bottom and breast areas (on all persons) should be covered, but beyond that, let’s pick our battles for more important things. Clothing itself isn’t gendered. Cloth is literally cloth. Patriarchal and capitalistic societal norms have assigned arbitrary genders to clothes and we’re starting to wake up as a society to the fact that these are arbitrary – so more people want to try expressing themselves in different clothing options. They may be the next pro fashion designer because they dare to express themselves and think outside of the box or the clothing ads that are shoved at them. Let kids be individuals, let them learn to think for themselves – these are life skills. If we are more concerned about “what people are wearing” that might make others uncomfortable or act poorly – we should be examining why it makes them uncomfortable and why someone would act poorly based solely on the clothing on someone’s body. It’s a terrible precedent to set and one that’s been around for ages. If you’re going to make changes, make changes that make sense!


Virginia Children Deserve Better

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Virginia schools and education need to step back a generation.

My children attended Fairfax County public schools when they were among the highest rated schools in our country.  Between 1986 and 2004 my children attended public schools that offered a Gifted & Talented program beginning with third grade students and continuing through high school with a choice of Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate curriculums.  By high school graduation they already had transferable college credits. Today they are successful independent adults, one is a successful writer and one is an internationally known and highly regarded forensic accountant who speaks four languages.

In 2017 when my grandson was old enough to start kindergarten his parents were horrified by the complete failure of Fairfax Public Schools and made the decision to home school rather than subject their son to the dysfunctional environment of public school.

All children thrive in a school environment that believes children have the ability to learn and advance beyond everyone's expectations when they are challenged.  But, that only works when schools strive to succeed, hire the best teachers and focus on education with strong parental involvement.

Virginia public schools need to return to simply educating children with the goal of providing the best education possible to all children.  In order to do that, based on current events, we need to eliminate school boards and return to PTA's; return to an environment that rejects agendas and politics and focuses on learning; and teachers should be rewarded based on their classroom success while unqualified teachers are easily removed, not protected by a union.


Governor's new policy returns sanity and safety to our public schools

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<p>From reading many of these comments it is clear that hysterical, agenda-driven, virtue-signaling opposition to our Governor's well considered proposal ignores the rights of parents and the safety of all students.  </p>


Strongly Opposed

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I am strongly opposed to the 2022 revision to the Model Policies drafted by the new members of the VDOE.

The new 2022 VDOE Model Policy is clearly illegal. Virginia Code 22.1-23.3, which was passed by the General Assembly in 2020, directed the VDOE to create the original Model Policy. The General Assembly law states that the policy drafted by the VDOE must protect student privacy and the confidentiality of sensitive information, which the new Model Policy violates by forcing schools to inform parents about their child's LGBT status. Provisions in the new policy on bathroom use violate existing federal precedent from the Grimm vs Gloucester case.  The Virginia Human Rights Acts also prohibits discrimination based on gender identity. VDOE policies and governor executive actions do not trump federal precedents and state law. This new policy will be challenged in court and lose, but in the meantime will distract from real issues in the state of Virginia.

This new VDOE model policy will harm transgender and nonbinary children in the period of time that it is in effect. Transgender and nonbinary children thrive in affirming environments, and have a well documented risk of suicide in environments that are not affirming. Requiring schools to out LGBT children to their parents puts kids at risk for physical violence, emotional trauma, and homelessness.

The new VDOE policy emphasizes the rights of parents. However, what is more important than rights is parental responsibilities. It is the responsibility of parents to create a relationship with their child where that child is comfortable talking to them. It is not the job of the schools to provide sensitive information about children to parents if the parents have failed in this most basic of parental responsibilities. Children have rights as well, and the right of children to privacy and safety must also be weighed. You are also ignoring the rights of a different set of parents, who want to have their children be able to attend an affirming public school.

I hope that the Governor and his new VDOE administration consider the input from the people of Virginia and create a policy that works for all of the population of Virginia. Have a conversation with a transgender/nonbinary child or their parents, and you will see quickly the harm that this policy will produce.


Trans youth

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I support trans youth! Trans rights are human rights


Public Policy to Shame Children Who Are Different Is Wrong

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I wholly oppose Youngkin's proposed changes to school policy regarding trans and non-binary children. He claims this protects parents' rights, but that is a lie. All it does is shame children who neither fit into nor conform to Youngkin's narrow views of who they are. I am ashamed my Virginia tax dollars are being used to enforce such a horrible policy.


Oppose

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I vehemently oppose this proposal. Trying to outlaw people for any reason is against current VA code and any moral and ethical standards we should hold ourselves to as a commonwealth.


Support

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I support Conservative christian values. I support Youbgkin


You want dead kids?  This is how you get them.

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Study after study shows that allowing young people to actually be who they are and express themselves leads to lower suicide rates.  Stop trying to hurt children.  I do not care about parental rights when the parents are harming their children.


I support this proposal

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I am a grandparent who has worked previously with moms and babies for years. Thank you Governor Youngkin for your understanding of parent's rights. Inherent in this bill is also an understanding of child development. In child development there are "psychological developmental tasks" common to each age group, and is it typical that children will ask questions about their sexuality. This fact is normal. However, it is NOT normal to assume that as children ask questions that this means they have to change their gender and that we should go along with this! THEY ARE CHILDREN, PARENTS SHOULD BE THEIR GUIDE AND SOURCE OF STABILITY. Please, please, allow parents to guide their children through their maturing process, and quit introducing sexual topics to children at ages before they are psychologically able to handle them. Again, Governor Youngkin, I am thankful for your focus.


Support Children and Parents

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Thankful for Governor Youngkin's policies that protect children and their parents. Time to enact them now.


Wildly unethical, I oppose

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This isn't protecting anybody. Only worsening conditions for people who already have it tough. Get your head out of your butt, Youngkin


Strongly Oppose

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<p>I oppose these proposed guidelines because I feel they are disingenuous. They pretend to respect students’ individuality but they single out transgender students and will make their already difficult and at risk lives more difficult. Please don’t change these guidelines. </p>


Guidance Document

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Let parents make the choice what our children learn! I strongly oppose transgenderism!


Do the Right Thing for the Right Reasons

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I am writing to add my support the new policies’ removal of language that encourages school officials to follow procedures to essentially deceive parents when their children are making potentially life-altering decisions regarding their gender identity in a school setting.  The existing policy has language that creates a wedge between parents and their child, at a time when they need to have more communication—and I support the new update that removes this barrier.

The purpose of the Dept of Education is to ensure a safe environment, while still respecting the rights of all students. That’s why it’s important schools have the freedom—as this updated policy allows— to address bathroom/privacy issues on a case by case basis with parents—and not through a one-size-fits-all pressure tool that treats all districts/communities the same.  Every child is different and every parent knows the child best.  The parent MUST be the ones that make these kind of major life changing decisions AND have responsibility for the ultimate welfare of their child.

Our society has allowed the construct of the family to break down.  The solution is NOT to tear it apart further, but to build it back better and stronger.  We must strive for the betterment of the child while protecting parental rights and our children’s safety rights!

Thank you for updating these policies to restore protections for basic parental rights and ensuring that parents are no longer cut out of the process—especially when it concerns how gender and sexuality issues are handled with our kids at school.


Support LGBTQ+ Youth - Oppose These Guidelines

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I oppose the “Model Policies on the Privacy, Dignity, and Respect for All Students and Parents in Virginia’s Public Schools.” The policies will compel school staff, regardless of their desire to protect students, to “out” transgender students, exposing vulnerable students to emotional and physical abuse from unaccepting parents. Disregarding students’ genders and forcing them to use school facilities and programs matching their birth sex regardless of how they present or what path they are following with support from health care providers is harmful. Allowing staff and fellow students to bully and harass transgender students by not using their names and pronouns is also incredibly harmful to their emotional well-being. These policies will also create additional barriers for students to change their names and genders at school.

These policies are a stark and distressing deviation from the 2021 model policies developed and informed by community partners serving LGBTQ+ youth, the Virginia Department of Education, and over 9,000 public comments. Abruptly shifting course at this point appears to be a political stunt, not one based in science or research.

My children are FCPS students. They have LGBTQ+ friends and classmates, and they do not understand why adults would want to make those children's lives harder. The kids are overwhelmingly supportive of one another, but they see the harm that happens when a teacher or classmate violates core principles of being inclusive, kind, and welcoming.

Respect for the inherent dignity and worth of all people is a core tenet of my Unitarian Universalist faith. I urge this administration to look in their hearts for the love that we should all offer to one another and extend it to the LGBTQ+ children in our communities.


Oppose Youngkin's new policy

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Oppose Youngkin's new policy.


Oppose Youngkin's new policy

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<p>Oppose Youngkin's new policy. </p>


Support God and Youngkin


I do NOT support Younkin

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As a retired teacher I know first hand how important it is for kids to have a safe adult to confide in when they do not have support at home regardless of the issue.


Protect Trans Kids.

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I strongly oppose this new policy and it saddens me to see that such mean spirited policies will be put into place. The majority of Virginia's rural communities are classified as Mental Health Professional shortage areas. Research suggests that among LGBYQ youth, only one third experience parental acceptance, with an additional one third experiencing parental rejection and the final one -third not disclosing their LGBTQ identity until they are adults. (Katz-Wise et al., 2015). Young adults who report high levels of parental rejection are 8 times more likely to report attempting suicide and six times more likely to report high levels of depression (Ryan et al., 2009)

You should be more accepting and train school personal in how to support trans youth rather than out them to become victims of mental anguish. This new guideline doesn't create an environment where students have support from school or, in many cases, from home.

Do your research! Learn the science and protect these kids from possible suicide and/or harm from bullying and harassment. Have we really become so judgmental of anything we consider different that we put them in harms way? Do NOT put this policy in place and work toward better mental health for all the kids.


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

First Unitarian Universalist Church of Richmond, Member

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Transgender are People too. They deserve the same treatment as any other student.

This proposal is similar to the old effort to force a left handed person to learn to write Right handed.

This proposal is designed to be so demanding and difficult  that most are unable to comply.

Many transgender individuals have issues at home which will make it impossible.

Do you think that Transgender individuals are insincere in their desire to be allowed to follow their feelings?

The transgender individuals that are members of our church are treated equally and are an asset to the community.

Retired US Navy Commander and Viet Nam Veteran


Governor Youngkin

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I strongly support Governor Younkin's decision that restores basic parental and student-safety rights.  We should not have to capitulate to students who want to thwart his efforts. I believe he is on the right track in keeping parents involved and protecting all students.


Anti-trans policy

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Strongly oppose anti-trans policy.


This is a load of barnacles!

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If you are a good parent who cares about your child's well-being, you shouldn't feel the need to give consent to their teachers before their pronouns, name, and bathroom preference are respected. Parents of cisgender girls who don't want "boys" in the girls bathroom, get yo life right


This is a load of barnacles!


Lifelong teacher supports Governor's Guidance

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No responsible educator would cut parents out of fundamental issues regarding their children. Governor Youngkin's guidance simply restores common sense to Virginia's policies regarding public education. It will also go a long way towards restoring public confidence in our public schools, where politics should play no role in teaching the young.


Support parents rights

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Support the updated policy.


Strongly Support Youngkin’s Changes

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Strongly Support Youngkin’s Changes

As a parent I found the statements being made concerning & decided to investigate the legislature for myself. I found nothing that would actually “harm” a child. I believe the parent-child relationship is very important & teachers should not be allowed to hide the entire identity of a student from the student’s own parent. Please vote yes to enact Youngkin’s proposed changes.


Male and Femail

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God created Male and Female to inhabit the earth and to multiply. When a woman becomes pregnant with a child is a blessing from God and it's up to the mother to start teaching that child right from the beginning. Both parents can start teaching by singing and reading to their unborn child. They are responsible for that childs learning up until they enter the school system. After that, it is up to the parents and educators to continue developing the child's mind. Whatever happened to the teacher-parent conferences where they would discuss the education of our greatest asset, our children? Teachers go on to higher education institutes to learn how to teach our children and to become leaders as they have. Parents start the learning process. When there is an additional problem, a trained professional person, trained to handle it needs to take over, but work with the parents for a good solution. The parent is the caretaker of that child and if outside help is needed to start the child in the right direction, then it is up to them. The church is the best resource to teach the Parent to teach the Child. Teachers are to further the child's education in reading, writing, and math. The Parent is responsible for the rest, and if they need help, it's up to them to seek it. Our culture has turned away from He Whom created us, God. Put God back into the equation and see the blessing start to flow. I am for the supporters that will accomplish it. We are a great nation and need to protect and preserve our greatest assets and help them grow.


Support

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<p>I support governor Younkin in protecting the rights of parents making decisions for their own children ! </p>


Oppose

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It would be wonderful if we lived in a world where all parents acted in the best interests of their children. We don’t. That’s why we have mandated reporter laws. Teachers and other school personnel are sometimes the only safe adults for students. Transgender students are at an especially high risk for abuse. Forcing teachers to out students to their parents is harmful.

Using someone’s preferred pronouns, isn’t a violation of anyone’s religious beliefs. You don’t have to agree with them to use them. It’s a matter of basic respect.


Support for Updated Policy with Suggestion

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Thank you for the opportunity to read the updated language. I find it to be sensitive both to the rights and responsibilities of parents and the support and inclusion of all children. Our role as parents is to keep our children safe, teach them right from wrong, support them through their physical, emotional and social growth, then launch them to become successful members of society. Parenting is hard and growing up is hard. My experience as a mother of 2 kids (one with special needs), I've found that a foundation of routines with rules and consequences, combined with open two-way communication, helps create a stable environment. All children need and rely on that support to grow, to have the opportunity to find their unique selves and learn to navigate where they belong in the world. Easier said than done! This language supports what I believe to be a successful approach. I suggest that, in coordination with this policy, training or other independent support be available for families who need it to get through communication blocks that parents and children often have, especially on the most sensitive topics such as gender status.


Oppose the new LGBTQ+ model policies

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<p>Don't we always say schools are the safest places for children? Students who are abused at home find solace at school. For some students the only person who smiles at them or give them a hug is a teacher.  Many LGBTQ+ children are not supported at home. Now, they will not be supported at school either. Where will these children find inner peace and acceptance from now on? These new model policies will cause many LGBTQ+ students have depression and even commit suicide. </p>


Support for Governor Youngkin

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Children are born either a girl or a boy. They can not change their mind. That’s no how it works. Please fight for the parents. I do not want my daughter using the bathroom where a boy can come in or vice versa. I pray for our children daily that morals will come back into play. I support our Governor!!!!!!!!!


Strongly oppose

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<p>This policy is anti human. Listen to children. </p>


A Cruel and Cynical Ploy

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Youngkin's cruel anti-trans policy is a cynical ploy designed to curry favor with fundamentalists and the MAGA crowd. He should be focusing on what is good for our children, not on what's good for his presidential ambitions!!!


NO TO GLEN

SLK. A 9th grade student from Open High School.

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Have you ever thought about kids that live in very toxic homes so school is their safe place. You say that my name and pronouns are distracting, but so is you calling me my dead name. I deserve a school where I feel safe and loved, not a place that im being forced to go to by law.


Parental authority in schools

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Regarding the issue of parental guidance in the public schools, this is the foundation of a civil society:  parents are the first teachers of children beginning at birth. This cannot be confiscated by the State. When parental authority is diminished, then family structure also is diminished. One can truthfully say that this likely the objective: break down the family, build the power of the State. Can’t continue on this dangerous path!

Delia Laux

 Charlottesville, VA


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I strongly support the Governor's policy.


Truth of how we are created

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<p>Male and female, He created them. God made a helpmate suitable for Adam. Evil exists because good men and women have done nothing and in some cases continue to do nothing. </p>


Protect Every Child's and Parent's Rights

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Thank you for updating these policies to restore protections for fundamental parental rights and ensuring that parents are no longer cut out of the process—especially when it concerns how gender and sexuality issues are handled with our kids at school. I support the new policies’ removal of language that encouraged school officials to follow procedures to deceive parents when their children are making potentially life-altering decisions regarding their gender identity in a school setting. The original policy had language that created a wedge between parents and their children, at a time when they need to have more communication—and I support the new update that removes this barrier. I support the updated language that acknowledges students and teachers can’t be forced into compelled speech that violates their constitutional rights, including First Amendment and religious freedom protections. I support the updated language that empowers schools to make their own decisions on how to best protect kids—especially when it comes to protecting vulnerable students in a state of undress in locker rooms or overnight sleeping quarters for school field trips. Middle and High School years can be very challenging, so I’m glad we already have comprehensive bullying policies to ensure a safe environment, while still respecting the rights of all students. That’s why it’s important schools have the freedom—as this updated policy allows— to address bathroom/privacy issues on a case-by-case basis with parents—and not through a one-size-fits-all pressure tool that treats all districts/communities the same. Please finalize these updated 2022 model policies as written without removing any of the key protections to restore parental involvement in the process and protect children’s privacy and safety rights.


I STRONGLY OPPOSE this policy

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<p>I am a Fairfax County parent. This policy is hateful and dangerous  to some of our most vulnerable students. It is couched in language to make it look like it protects children, but, in actuality, it put the lives and well-being of gay, lesbian, and transgender and nonbinary students at risk. Not all students have a safe home life and forcing staff to disclose private counseling information potentially puts students in jeopardy. Shame on anyone who supports this. </p>


Restroom/Gender

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Thank you Governor Youngkin,Im glad someone wants to support parents in schools. Please get this problem taken care of,no opposite sex should be in the others restroom. Thank you


Strong Support for Gov. Youngkin's Policy

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I strongly support the belief that the parents have the right to make decisions with respect to their children. No policy contrary to, nor weakening that position should ever be implemented, nor even considered.


Strongly Support Youngkin’s Changes

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<p>As a parent I found the statements being made concerning & decided to investigate the legislature for myself. I found nothing that would actually “harm” a child. I believe the parent-child relationship is very important & teachers should not be allowed to hide the entire identity of a student from the student’s own parent. Please vote yes to enact Youngkin’s proposed changes. </p>


I oppose this bill!

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Instead of focusing on what’s under their clothes and which bathroom they use, Virginia’s citizenry would be better served by focusing on safety from gun violence, access to technology, access to mental health resources, access to nutritious food at school so kids don’t go to school hungry, teaching empathy, and civics for good citizenship


Yes.  Let kids be kids!

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I support the Governor's bill.


Support for transgender students

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Schools have the responsibility to provide equal education, with necessary supports for any student population that may struggle academically or even socially.

Similar to bullying programs that required everyone to comply with a set of safety rules, a set of rules is appropriate to keep transgender kids from being subjected to abuse.

HOWEVER, IT IS NOT THE RESPONSIBILITY OF SCHOOLS to mandate:

 - THOUGHT & SPEECH

The VDOE has no right to mandate what students/staff THINK

The VDOE has no right to mandate what words students/staff use when addressing one another, provided the words fit in with the actual curriculum (pronouns are taught in elementary school) and societal norm (our society speaks english and operates on a scientific foundation as it relates to biological gender), and further, do not violate the safety or rights of the "transgender" child.

I am a parent who respects transgender adults, and has only compassion for children being pointed down the transgender life "pathway" as a result of the nonprofit ecosystem that promotes an ideology they are susceptible to because of their age.

The term TRANSGENDER and the pushing of pronouns turns children with genders (biology) into children with SEXUAL IDENTITY. My children are male and female. They will develop their sexual identity when they reach legal age and maturity. Get this out of schools.


Support new guidance

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<p>I believe the 2021 guidance was political virtue signaling and should be repealed. I feel the 2022 guidance places a child’s education back in the rightful place. The parent control. </p>


I strongly SUPPORT Gov. Youngkin’s policy!

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<p>I strongly SUPPORT Gov. Younkin’s transgender policy </p>


Support.  Wake up people.

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I wonder if anyone else sees this as I do?

Looking back, we have removed  the Lord, prayer, and the Pledge of Allegiance  out of the school’s.

Now the left is wanting to take the role of parents out of the schools.

Students - you are being used as pawns in a chess game played by people with a much bigger agenda than what they are telling you.

Hope those teachers who are filling your head with this propaganda and who want to keep your parents out of your life are gonna be there for you later when the chips are down. And the chips will be down at some point.   That’s how life works.

Students - Ask your teachers -“What is your motivation for wanting me to keep things from my parents?”  Good luck students.  Sounds like you are gonna need it.


Mental help

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If kids are committing suicide because they are getting called the wrong pronoun then the answer is getting them the psychiatrist help that they desperately need. The answer is NOT to put these mentally unstable kids in the bathroom with my daughter.


STRONGLY OPPOSE

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<p>As a parent of a transgender child in VB public school system, I am opposing this measure. My child has struggled with coming out and living as his true self in fear of the retaliation from fellow students and staff at school. He decided he needed to for himself and for the most part he has been accepted by peers and staff. There will always be a few that do not agree and while they have not supported him, they also have not made the school environment unsafe. He has also respected others and does not make it unsafe for other students. The policy in place currently allows ALL students to be safe and should not be removed with this new measure. While our child has support and acceptance by family and friends, that is not always the case for some and this change could make it unnecessarily unsafe for them. Please keep hate out of our school policies. </p>


Strongly Oppose!!!

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I strongly oppose this bill! We need to protect trans kids


Comments on 2022 model policies for privacy and dignity of all students

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The proposed 2022 model policies rely heavily on parental rights to make “the best” decision for their children. There is no denying that the Fourteenth Amendment provides parents with a fundamental right to make decisions concerning the upbringing, education, and care of their children. While this fundamental Constitutional right is undeniable, the affirming caselaw in the proposed 2022 model policies are fallaciously cited for the proposition that parental decisions always withstand Constitutional scrutiny.

The parental rights construct is widely embraced by our society, and on its face, connotes reasonableness. However, this construct has been misconstrued in the proposed 2022 model policies to convey an unfettered right. In fact, parental rights is not without limits. The state, acting as parens patriae, will step in and substitute its judgement for that of a parent when necessary to protect a child from a parental decision that is abusive, neglectful, or otherwise harmful.

The current 2021 model policy acts as parens patriae because it encompasses a safety mechanism to protect the identity of transgender/gender-expressive students from parents who are not supportive of their child’s gender identity, and could cause the child physical or psychological harm, and/or housing instability. The 2022 proposed model policies removes this safety guardrail which is short-sighted, dangerous, and inconsistent with state and federal law.

Allowing minors to make certain autonomous medical decisions without the need for parental consent and involvement is strongly supported by Virginia law. Specifically, a minor is deemed an adult under state law for the purpose of consenting to medical or health services: (i) To determine the presence of or treatment for venereal, infectious, or contagious diseases for which there is mandatory reporting to the board of health; (ii) when needed for birth control, pregnancy, or family planning (except sterilization); and (iii) when needed for outpatient care, treatment or rehabilitation for substance abuse, mental illness, or emotional disturbance. (See Virginia Statute § 54.1-2969). Allowing students to autonomously assert their gender identity/expression while at school without parental consent and involvement is the kind of sensitive medical information that aligns with the spirit of this law, but was unevolved when the law was enacted in 1950.

Moreover, the state acts as parens patriae to protect the medical information of minors from parental access when it is unsafe for the child. Specifically, access to a minor’s health records may be denied if the minor’s treating physician or treating psychologist determines in their professional judgment that furnishing the records to a parent would be reasonably likely to cause substantial harm to the minor. (See Virginia Statute § 20-124.6). The current 2021 model policies embodies this type of professional judgement and aligns with state law.

The proposed 2022 model policies exclusively centers parental rights over the rights of the students to which the policy applies. By contrast, the protection of children is inherent in Virginia’s laws. By enacting these protective laws, Virginia legislatures have prioritized the rights of children when their safety is at risk, signaling a compelling interest in preserving and prioritizing students’ rights to privacy in their gender identity/expression, including privacy from unsupportive parents or guardians.

In addition, the proposed 2022 model policies makes a preposterous leap that the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS), in extending Title VII protections to transgender employees in Bostock v. Clayton County, “narrowly,” and “explicitly refused to extend this interpretation to other federal antidiscriminatory [sic] laws such as Title IX.” To the contrary, there is no such explicit language in Bostic. Further, it is well established that SCOTUS only decides the specific facts and issues currently before it. Finally, since Title IX protects everyone who interacts with a school receiving federal funds from discrimination, including parents and guardians, students, employees, and applicants from sex-based discrimination, regardless of their real or perceived sex, gender identity, and/or gender expression, it is highly improbably that SCOTUS purposely crafted the Bostic decision to block all Title IX discrimination complaints against schools by any plaintiff, or to limit school employees to suing only under Title VII.

In sharp contrast, the Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights (OCR) in response to Bostic noted that “courts rely on interpretations of Title VII to inform interpretations of Title IX.” OCR provided well-reasoned guidance for arriving at this interpretation to include noting the textual similarity between Title VII and Title IX. Specifically, OCR opined: “The Department issues this Interpretation to make clear that the Department interprets Title IX's prohibition on sex discrimination to encompass discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.” (See https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/06/22/2021-13058/enforcement-of-title-ix-of-the-education-amendments-of-1972-with-respect-to-discrimination-based-on).

In conclusion, the proposed 2022 model policies are inconsistent with state and federal laws, and endangers transgender/gender-expressive students. The current 2021 model policies conforms with state and federal laws, protects students, and should stand.


I support Youngkin's Protection of Kids

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Thank you Governor Youngkin for supporting parents like me and our ability to raise our kids up to the point where they can make their own decisions without the heavy weight of large organizations bent on only one outcome. Kids are very susceptible to manipulation up until a certain age and so I support the new policies’ removal of language that encouraged school officials to follow procedures to essentially deceive parents when their children are making potentially life-altering decisions regarding their gender identity in a school setting.


Thank you Gov Youngkin

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<p>Thank you for taking a stand to protect out children from these potentially abusive practices.  My family and I stand 100% behind you on this. </p>


We Support


Protect kids

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<p>It’s been proven by multiple studies that the lack of support and validation that trans kids receive is linked to higher rates of suicide. If this bill is passed, then some kids will be outed to non-supportive parents, or will be afraid to use the pronouns that they feel comfortable with, which will lead to the problem just stated. Parents should have rights over their kids in schools, but not when it comes to pronouns. Kids have control over who they are, not their parents. Letting kids use the pronouns they want in school doesn’t hurt anyone. In fact, NOT letting them use the pronouns they want DOES hurt. I know this bill is about parental rights and not about the schools, but we have to think about them too. This bill puts teachers and administrators in an uncomfortable situation. It goes against some people’s morals to out students to their teachers, so they either have to go against their morals and keep their job, or stand up for what they believe in and risk losing their job. No offense to parents, but this issue should not be up to them. </p>


Support children's mental health

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From SciMed Central's article "Suicide Risk FActors among LGBTQ Youth

Suicide and self inflicting injurious behavior in LGBTQ adolescents

are associated with mental health challenges that include lack of acceptance

from peers, discrimination, family rejection, and school failure.

According to the Youth Risk and Behavior Surveillance System

(YRBSS) 2015, among high school students who identified as

LGB, 60.4% felt sad and hopeless, 42.8% seriously considered

suicide, and 38.2% planned how they would attempt suicide;

29.4% attempted suicide one or more times, and 9.4% made a

suicide attempt that resulted in an injury, including poisoning

or overdose that had to be treated by a medical professional

The Trevor Project estimates that more than 1.8 million LGBTQ youth (13-24) seriously consider suicide each year in the U.S. — and at least one attempts suicide every 45 seconds.

The US Surgeon General has already identified that support from home and school greatly reduces the risk of suicide among LGBTQ youth. Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death in teens. LGBTQ youth are more than four times as likely to attempt suicide than their peers

And then consider the study in American Journal of Public Health,  "The Impact of Institutional Discrimination on Psychiatric Disorders in Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Populations: A Prospective Study"

depression and drug use among LGBT people have been shown to increase significantly after the passage of discriminatory laws

I understand that parents have very strong feelings about how their children should be presenting their gender as presented at birth. But the numbers - just look at the numbers. How can you morally and ethically be part of a problem that is literally killing children? Please consider that this isn't just an argument on a national stage for pundits to garner likes and votes. This is literally childrens' lives at stake. Let the parents be mad. But keep those babies alive. Let the children use their identifying pronouns they feel best suits them. Keep them alive long enough to escape their abusive parents who won't love them if they express themselves.


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

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We support Governor Youngkin and his education department in rewriting the transgender-issue policies in our schools.  In our opinion, the updated policies restore protections for basic parental rights and ensure that parents are no longer cut out of the process—especially when it concerns how gender and sexuality issues are handled with our kids at school.  Specifically, we support:

• The new policies’ removal of language that encouraged school officials to follow procedures to essentially deceive parents when their children are making potentially life-altering decisions regarding their gender identity in a school setting.

• Removing the language contained in the prior policy that created a wedge between parents and their children at a time when parents and children need to have more communication.

• The updated language that acknowledges students and teachers can’t be forced into compelled speech that violates their constitutional rights, including First Amendment and religious freedom protections.

• The updated language that empowers schools to make their own decisions on how to best protect kids—especially when it comes to protecting vulnerable students when undressing in locker rooms or overnight sleeping quarters for school field trips.

• The updated language providing schools with the freedom to address bathroom/privacy issues on a case-by-case basis with parents—and not through a one-size-fits-all pressure tool that treats all districts/communities the same.

Please finalize these updated 2022 model policies as written without removing any of the key protections to restore parental involvement in the process and protect children’s privacy and safety rights.  Thank you.


Please re-establish children’s safety rights along with parental rights in our schools & education!

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Thank you for updating these policies and their language  to restore protections for basic student safety and parental rights, ensuring that parents are no longer removed from the process—especially when it concerns how gender and sexuality issues are handled with our kids at school.

Parents and their children must be encouraged and equipped to communicate truthfully for best development of each student and family unit, from which our state and country will highly benefit.

Please finalize these updated 2022 model policies as written without removing any of the key protections to restore parental involvement in the process and protect children’s privacy and safety rights. Thank you and God Bless those who seek and labor to obey His/Our Creator’s design, intact families and children, despite temporary cultural costs!! There are eternal rewards.


Correction from earlier comment

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In my earlier comment I mistakenly typed religion belongs in public school, it does NOT.


Strongly oppose

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<p>All people deserve respect and to live in a safe supportive environment free from hostility and fear.  This proposed guidance takes that away from many trans gender people in schools.  Their gender identity needs to be recognized without any fuss being made of it.  If requiring parent permission might result in harm to any student that requirement is not providing a safe environment.  The student’s well being is the schools major priority. </p>


Transgender Issues in Schools

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This is such a well-thought-out and caring proposal.  It puts parents in the mix, just as they are for non-controversial health issues, and makes provisions for legitimate sexual differences.  It provides dignity and protection for all, without heavy-handed government interdiction.


STRONGLY support Gov Youngkin’s changes

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<p>I strongly support Gov Youngkin’s proposed changes with this legislation. </p>


I oppose this bill

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I agree with the document’s statement that “All students have the right to attend school in an environment free from discrimination, harassment, or bullying.” However, the proposed policies are in direct conflict with this stated goal. These policies do not reflect evidence-based best practices and will result in harm to trans and non-binary students, a group of children who are already marginalized and find themselves increasingly in the spotlight as the result of political grandstanding.

These policies threaten transgender students’ psychological safety. That is not supportive of transgender students.


Oppose policies and violate authority

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I strongly oppose the proposed 2022 Model Policies on the Privacy, Dignity, and Respect for All Students and Parents in Virginia Public Schools.  These Model Policies are contrary to state law and their adoption will result in rampant violations of the rights of students and will inflict serious harm on transgender and nonbinary students.  I urge the administration to retract the 2022 Model Policies.

The Model Policies violate state law and impermissibly infringe on school districts' constitutional authority to prohibit discrimination. They go too far in dictating policy that school boards should have the freedom to set based on the input of their elected board members and constituency.

As a citizen of Virginia, parent, and human being I believe that these policies are harmful to a population that already struggles and has higher suicide and depression rates. Please consider the health and well-being of all Virginians and support these basic civil rights to individual freedom and choice regardless of gender or sexual orientation.


Support

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<p>Parents need to have a say in the lives of their children. The government should not be the end all be all. They are our children and it’s our responsibility to raise them to be contributing members of society. When the government can undermine parents whenever they want, and not on the basis of actually protecting the children from abuse, that is overstepping the authority they should have. We need to protect our rights as parents so we can protect our children. </p>


Parental Rights

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Thank you to all those who fought so hard to help fight for parental rights in education within Virginia schools. Hopefully one day we will eradicate the federal government from any oversight and do things the Virginia Way by working together. The comments on this board highlight how left-wing organizations including the VEA Have infiltrated our public schools. The same liberals have thought sexualizing elementary school children is ok and opposed school choice at every turn. I for once and thank you Governor Youngkin for standing up and fighting back on behalf of Virginia parents.


Oppose! This is not supportive of transgender students and their psychological safety.


Strongly  support Gov. Youngkin's changes

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I could go on for hours about this subject. Suffice it to say I heartily disagree with usurping parental rights, going against all common sense and moral values. God gave children to parents not the government. When the government takes over our children we are stepping into a totalitarian society.


Oppose Government Dictating My Child’s Choices

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As the father of a 16-year old transgender (nonbinary) student, I OPPOSE this thinly-veiled proposal to disenfranchise my teenager’s right to self-expression. Gender identity is closely tied to self-esteem, sense of self, and mental well-being. For intelligent, thoughtful kids who have made the hard decision to come out as transgender, a policy insisting that schools use their “dead name” and binary sex is cruel, takes away their right to self-identity, and will negatively impact their self-worth and mental health. How does their self-expression harm other kids or other families? Let’s focus on respect and compassion for all, rather than trying to dictate how others should view themselves. America was founded on the primacy of individual rights and freedom from government oppression. By those principles, this proposal is un-American.


Parents are not optional in a child's life

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This shouldn't even be a question parents are solely responsible for their children from doctors to religion and even which school they attend if they have shelter food and are not being physically abused anything else is nobody's business especially not the school we need back our right to be a parent and teach our children the traditions that our parents thought us and make us the diverse Americans that we are


Strongly Oppose 2022 Model Policies - In Support of upholding 2022 Model Policies

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I strongly oppose the proposed changes to the way we treat students in our Virginia education system. Trans and non-binary students deserve protection from teachers, administrators, school boards, and the Virginia DOE.

Calling someone the name they prefer is not a new concept. If someone says their name is Peggy, we call them that even if their parents named them Margaret. Many people prefer nicknames or prefer to go by their middle name. A student named “Robert” at birth asking to be called “Rachel” is not really different. It only differs if we believe that someone’s gender has a bearing on who that individual should be or what they should do. Calling this individual Rachel Is respectful of their wishes, which has no affect on the person addressing them whatsoever. It does not cause them harm or pose danger in any way. It does not threaten their ability to practice their religion or take away their rights.  It is a simply matter of being polite, something adults in education should model for students in schools.

Trans and non-binary students are disproportionally affected by bullying and are at a much higher risk for self-harm and suicide. If calling someone Rachel and using she/her pronouns makes them feel more comfortable, why wouldn’t we? Would we rather contribute to that individual’s mental health struggles we can make a point? Possibly lead her to end her life? What a selfish way to live life, to believe that we should not do simple, easy things to make others feel welcome, included, and safe.

Those who fear that trans students will cause harm to others in a bathroom, locker room, or wherever, don’t actually fear trans students. They fear rapists and others who commit sexual assault. Believe me when I say you would not want someone who identities and presents in a masculine way (something you will never be able to change through law or policy) to enter the girls restroom, even if they were assigned female at birth. This person is not choosing their lifestyle, one with considerably more challenges and danger, to molest people in locker rooms.

We must protect ALL Virginia students.


Needlessly combative toward transgender students. Parental rights supremacy is problematic.

The document prohibits staff from addressing students the way both the staff and student prefer and empowers bigoted staff to bully transgender students. The bathroom provisions fall short as well.
There is a strong emphasis on individual parents imposing their will upon the school system and student. Surely the school cannot provide a bespoke environment for each student. I'm sure it is no coincidence that the wishes of a supportive parents of a transgender child have been preemptively counteracted by the rest of this document.The parent supremacy language also empowers the all-too-common abusive/controlling parent to terrorize their child in a place that should serve as a refuge. This doesn't serve these students nor the community.

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The document prohibits staff from addressing students the way both the staff and student prefer and empowers bigoted staff to bully transgender students. The bathroom provisions fall short as well.

There is a strong emphasis on individual parents imposing their will upon the school system and student. Surely the school cannot provide a bespoke environment for each student. I'm sure it is no coincidence that the wishes of a supportive parents of a transgender child have been preemptively counteracted by the rest of this document.

The parent supremacy language also empowers the all-too-common abusive/controlling parent to terrorize their child in a place that should serve as a refuge. This doesn't serve these students nor the community.


Protect girl’s sports in schools

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Thank you governor for taking initiatives to protect girl’s sports In schools. It is only fair for boys to compete against boys and girls to compete against girls. Men have enough advantages in this world. Please don’t let them take away girl’s scholarships.


Bullying is bullying

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The policy stresses anti-bullying, yet the bullying policy itself insists that children be referred to by school personnel only by their "legal sex" pronouns. Make things easier on these children. Call them by their preferred name if you cannot bear to use preferred pronouns; provide dignity to those trying to lead their lives in the way they know is best for them, not roadblocks.

[School Division] personnel shall refer to each student using only the pronouns appropriate to the sex appearing in the student’s official record - that is, male pronouns for a student whose legal sex is male, and female pronouns for a student whose legal sex is female.


OPPOSED TO IMPIMENTATION of proposed polices concerning transgender and gay students

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I taught in the Albemarle County public schools for 37 years.  Those years spanned a time when gay students were vilified, public homophobia was common, and the law did not allow gay couples to marry.  The Department of Education's proposals are a throw back to a less civilized, unjust. and less free time, and must not be implemented.  "Liberty and justice for all" is exactly what it means: "for al."  That is how I raised my two sons, that is what I taught in school; that is the type of society I wish to live in.


NO!

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Strongly oppose this right wing ultra conservative agenda.  Additionally, religion is a private and not public forum, religion does belong in school.


I support protecting parental rights and children's safety by the proposed education policy

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I support protecting parental rights and children's safety by the commonsense education policy proposed by Governor Youngkin. It is the parents who are responsible for bringing children into world and teaches them to live civilized lives. Governments are not designed to do that job. It is hard enough to raise a child well. It becomes even more difficult for parents when government, schools, and society interfere with parents' responsibilities. The proposed policy is a commonsense way to support parents and their children.


I support Gov. Youngkin's changes

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I support the updated language that acknowledges students and teachers can’t be forced into compelled speech that violates their constitutional rights, including First Amendment and religious freedom protections.

I also support parental involvement in all actions involving a student's sexual identity and the policies and choices that may impact them.


Support

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This policy affects me because I am a taxpayer. I support parental rights, not deception and manipulation by school staff.


First be kind; these are children

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Children have a very difficult time figuring out who they are and where they fit in the world. As adults we need to help guide them and support them. We do this even if we're not always aligned with their way of thinking. We do this because it's right it's kind and it's critically important to their well-being. When a child struggles with their gender identity it upends everything they've been taught. When they talk to their families about their understanding of themselves as being trans or non-binary they often face confusion anger sadness and sometimes violence. If they don't face it with their own family they will face it in the community and With Friends. At school children need to be safe. They need to feel safe so that they can grow and learn and continue to develop themselves into adults. You don't have to agree with their choices but as a parent as a community and as government leaders you must take their health and well-being and safety into account above any personal thoughts you have about being transgender or non-binary. Parents who support their children are so important in helping those children face the hatred they will be subjected to, likely their whole lives. The governor of Virginia and all citizens have a wonderful opportunity to be kind, to be supportive, and to keep these children safe. Let them grow and figure out who they are without the pressures of government policies and Community vitriol. I have watched this first hand with my own child. I'm terrified for what they might face. But I know that this is my child's identity and I will never turn my back on that child. I will never force my views on them and I will support them in any way that is needed to keep them safe and healthy and happy. That is my job as a parent. It is not to agree with every decision. It is not to choose who they love or who they see themselves to be. My child struggles with gender dysphoria anxiety and depression. I do everything I can to help them and it has been working. They are more comfortable being themself. They are advocating for themselves and others and they are trying to make the world a better place for all people. Please take these policies off the table. We will not follow them. I will not stand in fear of government penalties for taking care of my child. I will not show my child that they have to live in silence or shame. I celebrate everything about who my child is. I will not back down to policies of hatred. Focus on taking care of the child, the children, all children. Put politics and personal views on the back burner. This is about children's lives. Keep them safe


Discrimination is wrong, even when you try to wrap it up in "parents rights"

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Public schools are for everyone. Everyone should be treated with dignity and respect in public school.

Federal civil rights laws prohibit discrimination in programs or activities that receive Federal funds from the Department of Education: these laws prohibit discrimination based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, and based on age. Trans children are protected based on sex, and public schools can't discriminate. The Supreme Court has declined to intercede in three cases, not brave but implicitly indemnifying the law to protect trans rights. Gloucester County settled with Gavin Grimm for $1.3 million over bathroom usage.

These model policies put everyone in a tough spot. The policy has to be followed AND contradicts with federal law and existing state law. The districts may violate some law whatever they decide to do. The decision will be made in court, but until then, it will hurt many people. It will damage the kids trying to figure out who they are. It will force parents to make choices they might not be ready to make in order to protect the kids they love. All this is hard stuff.

Everyone keeps talking about parental rights in VA, but what about parental responsibilities and relationships? Perhaps some parents will choose to make their children comply with their wishes, as the policy allows. The window on that is limited; those kids will be 18 sooner or later, and what do you think will happen to the relationship? It's gonna hurt lots of families.

This is a wedge issue used by a novice politician to drum up support from a small base before an election with no consideration of the pain it will cause.

Discrimination is wrong. Legalized discrimination is especially wrong. This is legalized discrimination and it's a flat-out fantasy to think this will stand for long.


Restore parental rights

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<p>Please finalize these updated 2022 model policies as written without removing any of the key protections to restore parental involvement in the process and protect children’s privacy and safety rights. </p>


Strongly Opposed to Youngkin targeting trans kids in his culture war

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I am opposed to the 2022 model policies which are in violation of the Virginia Human Rights Act. As a parent, I believe in supporting and protecting the human rights of trans youth. It is unconscionable to ban students from using facilities that align with their gender identity, allow teachers to misgender them and call them the wrong name, and require teachers to out trans students to their parents, potentially subjecting them to abuse and homelessness. Unfortunately, these policies will increase bullying, exacerbate gender dysphoria, and ultimately raise suicide rates. If Governor Youngkin cares at all about trans youth, he will revoke this vicious attack on their wellbeing.


parents rights to affirm their trans kid

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This policy makes it much more difficult for parents who affirm their trans kid, allowing assignment of name/pronoun with the gender they identify vs what's on their birth certificate.


Strongly Support

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<p>Parents definitely need to know what is going on with their kids.  Schools should focus on education - reading, writing, and problem solving.  Not trying to sexualize children and promote political agendas.  </p>


Oppose

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Support the FREEDOM of students to be who they are.


Parents absolutely need to know what is going on with their minor kids:

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I believe the transgender fad we have seen grow over the last decade is going to be one of the worst medical scandals in human history.  A person CAN NOT change sex.  Period.  Transgender ideology is regressive, stereotypical nonsense.  We need to help young people feel comfortable and content in their natural bodies. Not try to fit into a narrow, 1950s view of sex roles.  This ideology attracts the neuro- diverse population in huge percentages.  It is harmful to all kids and young adults to medically and surgically alter their bodies with permanent, irreversible damage.  And the autistic, neuro-diverse folks are being taken advantage of by a unhealthy, unscientific, perverse ideology.  Parents are the most significant people in a child's life.  They are responsible for the total care of a child from conception through adulthood.  The school, facility, teachers, and other adults have no right to come between a child and parents.  If a kid socially transitions they are then on a tract toward medical interventions.  This is a family matter only.  The teachers should teach and mind their own business.  Frankly, I want to see law suits all over the country.  Any teacher, faculty or other adult who hides important information about a student from the parents should be sued and loose their job.


Protect kids from ultra left wing ideology

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Allow kids to be kids. Keep all that leftist ideology out of our classrooms and concentrate on math and science. Most importantly- allow girls to feel safe in their bathrooms.


Gov. Youngkin's updated SchoolTransgender policy & Parental Rights

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<p>I strongly support Gov. Youngkin's updated language to the policy of dealing with transgender issues in our public schools where parents play a vital role in the well being of their child and the safety of every child is important.  </p>


I'm a mom & STRONGLY OPPOSE

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<p>I am a parent and strongly oppose these policies in favor of protecting ALL kids. EVERY child should feel safe and protected in our schools. I ask the VDOE to reject these policies. </p>


I Support Parent's Rights in Education in Virginia

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I strongly support the Governor's proposal and oppose the previous policy. Parent's rights need to be upheld. It's time to take the radical left's agenda out of Virginia Public School's classrooms.


GENDER AND SEX ARE DIFFERENT!

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Stop using "boys" synonymously with "people with a penis." If an actual rape takes place in a girls' bathroom in a school setting, the perpetrator would be a little boy looking for attention. Trans girls just want to pee in an environment that alleviates their dysphoria. They are girls. Or maybe they're nonbinary and closer to being a girl, or something like that. "Male" refers to producing sperm, and has nothing to do with feelings regarding your identity or self-expression. Trans girls can (assuming no bigotry) use the girls' bathroom. Not boys.


Foster parent OPPOSED

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Gov. Youngkin,

I am extremely concerned about your directive. Whatever your intentions, it has the potential to cause so much harm, and treats children so cruelly. The truth is, transgender children are at risk of so much trauma and pain, and your proposed changes are dangerous to them. Your intent of protecting "the rights of parents" is understandable, but in truth, as a foster parent I understand all too well that parents are sometimes NOT the source of safety and protection that they ought to be. In addition, what does your directive achieve? Do you assume that whether a child is transgender or gay or otherwise queer identifying has anything to do with parental permission? Our children ought to have a right to privacy. They aren't merely extensions of ourselves, but their own individuals, responsible for their own direction in life. Your directive achieves none of the goals of protecting children, and in fact causes so much more harm. Please I beg you to reverse it immediately.

Sincerely,

Jennifer Anvari


transgender and parents rights in public schools

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Governor Youngkin:

Thank you for your stand for parents rights in public schools.  I support you in your stand.  Please continue to stand for righteousness and justice.

Thank you,

Mildred Layman


Protect our children

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I support Gov Youngkin plan to protect the children of Virginia from exteme socialist-communist-Marxist ideology.


Support Gov Youngkin’s education policies

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<p>I SUPPORT Governor Youngkin in supporting parents in the education of their children and in protecting ALL children and giving them a safe and comfortable learning environment. </p>


Support-No ? parents need to be involved

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As a retired school nurse, I have sat on the  bathroom floor with a young girl proud to be transitioning to a boy, only to have her wrists bleeding and have her crying in my arms that her life is a mess.  Affirming that she could be whatever she wanted was a lie and destructive to her mentally and physically.  Instead of having a disjointed group of adults with differing opinions speaking to a child (1-18 yrs), a parent should always be alerted and consulted about anything that has to do with their health, (or anything in that happens in school).  In every other institution, a medical professional is required to get permission from a guardian with regards to a child,.  It should be no different in the school system.

This is just 1 example of increasing number of children seen in the school clinics for medical/mental health issues.


Thank you for protecting our kids

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As a Virginia parent, it saddens me that the old policy tried to remove me from my child’s life.

The original policy had language that created a wedge between parents and their child, at a time when they need to have more communication—and I support the new update that removes this barrier.

 Thank you for taking much-needed action to protect our kids.


Opposed

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<p>The new guidance assumes that every parent accepts their child as the child truly is, instead of what the parent wants them to be. If a parent is against trans people and doesn’t accept it of their child the continuing psychological damage that will be caused by the enforcement these guidelines provide is astronomical.  </p>


Follow the data

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Please cite the data supporting this recommendation as in the best welfare of the child and use that as the basis of policy.  Despite the flowery wording of tHe document this is a thinly veiled effort to marginalize those who are not mainstream and permit their discrimination.  The data with which I’m familiar indicates implementation of this policy will result in more harassment, more divisive treatment, and more suicides.  I suspect it will also bolster the governor’s appeal to those narrow minded voters to whom this kind of bullying is just fine.

It’s a bad policy and without merit.


Oppose - we’re going backwards

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<p>I honestly can’t believe in the year 2022 I have to explain to people that trans kids are HUMAN BEINGS who deserve respect and rights. This policy is heinous. </p>


Mom of three strongly SUPPORTS!

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<p>I certainly do not agree with the governor on everything, but strongly support this measure. Parental decisions belong with parents, not teachers. Shame on schools for trying to keep parents out of their kids lives. Even if they disagree with the way a parent handles something, the state has NO RIGHT to interfere. </p>


Strongly OPPOSE for the safety and health of our children

The title “2022 Model Policies on the Privacy, Dignity, and Respect for All Students and Parents in Virginia’s Public Schools” is a misnomer. The proposed 2022 model policies substantively strip students of privacy, dignity, and respect. It actually endangers students.

The proposed 2022 model policies rely heavily on parental rights to make “the best” decision for their children. There is no denying that the Fourteenth Amendment provides parents with a fundamental right to make decisions concerning the upbringing, education, and care of their children. While this fundamental Constitutional right is undeniable, the affirming caselaw in the proposed 2022 model policies are fallaciously cited for the proposition that parental decisions always withstand Constitutional scrutiny.

The parental rights construct is widely embraced by our society, and on its face, connotes reasonableness. However, this construct has been misconstrued in the proposed 2022 model policies to convey an unfettered right. In fact, parental rights is not without limits. The state, acting as parens patriae, will step in and substitute its judgement for that of a parent when necessary to protect a child from a parental decision that is abusive, neglectful, or otherwise harmful.

The current 2021 model policy acts as parens patriae because it encompasses a safety mechanism to protect the identity of transgender/gender-expressive students from parents who are not supportive of their child’s gender identity, and could cause the child physical or psychological harm, and/or housing instability. The 2022 proposed model policies removes this safety guardrail which is short-sighted, dangerous, and inconsistent with state and federal law.

Allowing minors to make certain autonomous medical decisions without the need for parental consent and involvement is strongly supported by Virginia law. Specifically, a minor is deemed an adult under state law for the purpose of consenting to medical or health services: (i) To determine the presence of or treatment for venereal, infectious, or contagious diseases for which there is mandatory reporting to the board of health; (ii) when needed for birth control, pregnancy, or family planning (except sterilization); and (iii) when needed for outpatient care, treatment or rehabilitation for substance abuse, mental illness, or emotional disturbance. (See Virginia Statute § 54.1-2969). Allowing students to autonomously assert their gender identity/expression while at school without parental consent and involvement is the kind of sensitive medical information that aligns with the spirit of this law, but was unevolved when the law was enacted in 1950.

Moreover, the state acts as parens patriae to protect the medical information of minors from parental access when it is unsafe for the child. Specifically, access to a minor’s health records may be denied if the minor’s treating physician or treating psychologist determines in their professional judgment that furnishing the records to a parent would be reasonably likely to cause substantial harm to the minor. (See Virginia Statute § 20-124.6). The current 2021 model policies embodies this type of professional judgement and aligns with state law.

The proposed 2022 model policies exclusively centers parental rights over the rights of the students to which the policy applies. By contrast, the protection of children is inherent in Virginia’s laws. By enacting these protective laws, Virginia legislatures have prioritized the rights of children when their safety is at risk, signaling a compelling interest in preserving and prioritizing students’ rights to privacy in their gender identity/expression, including privacy from unsupportive parents or guardians.

In addition, the proposed 2022 model policies makes a preposterous leap that the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS), in extending Title VII protections to transgender employees in Bostock v. Clayton County, “narrowly,” and “explicitly refused to extend this interpretation to other federal antidiscriminatory [sic] laws such as Title IX.” To the contrary, there is no such explicit language in Bostic. Further, it is well established that SCOTUS only decides the specific facts and issues currently before it. Finally, since Title IX protects everyone who interacts with a school receiving federal funds from discrimination, including parents and guardians, students, employees, and applicants from sex-based discrimination, regardless of their real or perceived sex, gender identity, and/or gender expression, it is highly improbably that SCOTUS purposely crafted the Bostic decision to block all Title IX discrimination complaints against schools by any plaintiff, or to limit school employees to suing only under Title VII.

In sharp contrast, the Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights (OCR) in response to Bostic noted that “courts rely on interpretations of Title VII to inform interpretations of Title IX.” OCR provided well-reasoned guidance for arriving at this interpretation to include noting the textual similarity between Title VII and Title IX. Specifically, OCR opined: “The Department issues this Interpretation to make clear that the Department interprets Title IX's prohibition on sex discrimination to encompass discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.” (See https://www.federalregister.gov/.../enforcement-of-title...).

In conclusion, the proposed 2022 model policies are inconsistent with state and federal laws, and endangers transgender/gender-expressive students. The current 2021 model policies conforms with state and federal laws, protects students, and should stand.

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The title “2022 Model Policies on the Privacy, Dignity, and Respect for All Students and Parents in Virginia’s Public Schools” is a misnomer. The proposed 2022 model policies substantively strip students of privacy, dignity, and respect. It actually endangers students.

The proposed 2022 model policies rely heavily on parental rights to make “the best” decision for their children. There is no denying that the Fourteenth Amendment provides parents with a fundamental right to make decisions concerning the upbringing, education, and care of their children. While this fundamental Constitutional right is undeniable, the affirming caselaw in the proposed 2022 model policies are fallaciously cited for the proposition that parental decisions always withstand Constitutional scrutiny.

The parental rights construct is widely embraced by our society, and on its face, connotes reasonableness. However, this construct has been misconstrued in the proposed 2022 model policies to convey an unfettered right. In fact, parental rights is not without limits. The state, acting as parens patriae, will step in and substitute its judgement for that of a parent when necessary to protect a child from a parental decision that is abusive, neglectful, or otherwise harmful.

The current 2021 model policy acts as parens patriae because it encompasses a safety mechanism to protect the identity of transgender/gender-expressive students from parents who are not supportive of their child’s gender identity, and could cause the child physical or psychological harm, and/or housing instability. The 2022 proposed model policies removes this safety guardrail which is short-sighted, dangerous, and inconsistent with state and federal law.

Allowing minors to make certain autonomous medical decisions without the need for parental consent and involvement is strongly supported by Virginia law. Specifically, a minor is deemed an adult under state law for the purpose of consenting to medical or health services: (i) To determine the presence of or treatment for venereal, infectious, or contagious diseases for which there is mandatory reporting to the board of health; (ii) when needed for birth control, pregnancy, or family planning (except sterilization); and (iii) when needed for outpatient care, treatment or rehabilitation for substance abuse, mental illness, or emotional disturbance. (See Virginia Statute § 54.1-2969). Allowing students to autonomously assert their gender identity/expression while at school without parental consent and involvement is the kind of sensitive medical information that aligns with the spirit of this law, but was unevolved when the law was enacted in 1950.

Moreover, the state acts as parens patriae to protect the medical information of minors from parental access when it is unsafe for the child. Specifically, access to a minor’s health records may be denied if the minor’s treating physician or treating psychologist determines in their professional judgment that furnishing the records to a parent would be reasonably likely to cause substantial harm to the minor. (See Virginia Statute § 20-124.6). The current 2021 model policies embodies this type of professional judgement and aligns with state law.

The proposed 2022 model policies exclusively centers parental rights over the rights of the students to which the policy applies. By contrast, the protection of children is inherent in Virginia’s laws. By enacting these protective laws, Virginia legislatures have prioritized the rights of children when their safety is at risk, signaling a compelling interest in preserving and prioritizing students’ rights to privacy in their gender identity/expression, including privacy from unsupportive parents or guardians.

In addition, the proposed 2022 model policies makes a preposterous leap that the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS), in extending Title VII protections to transgender employees in Bostock v. Clayton County, “narrowly,” and “explicitly refused to extend this interpretation to other federal antidiscriminatory [sic] laws such as Title IX.” To the contrary, there is no such explicit language in Bostic. Further, it is well established that SCOTUS only decides the specific facts and issues currently before it. Finally, since Title IX protects everyone who interacts with a school receiving federal funds from discrimination, including parents and guardians, students, employees, and applicants from sex-based discrimination, regardless of their real or perceived sex, gender identity, and/or gender expression, it is highly improbably that SCOTUS purposely crafted the Bostic decision to block all Title IX discrimination complaints against schools by any plaintiff, or to limit school employees to suing only under Title VII.

In sharp contrast, the Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights (OCR) in response to Bostic noted that “courts rely on interpretations of Title VII to inform interpretations of Title IX.” OCR provided well-reasoned guidance for arriving at this interpretation to include noting the textual similarity between Title VII and Title IX. Specifically, OCR opined: “The Department issues this Interpretation to make clear that the Department interprets Title IX's prohibition on sex discrimination to encompass discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.” (See <a rel="nofollow" role="link" style="list-style-type: none;" tabindex="0" target="_blank" x="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.federalregister.gov%2Fdocuments%2F2021%2F06%2F22%2F2021-13058%2Fenforcement-of-title-ix-of-the-education-amendments-of-1972-with-respect-to-discrimination-based-on%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR0PJV5ZkW2D1pDrNqbdU90VkSS7dDQ8JZdsvmFLRgyqoUdamX6vQrFzb6o&h=AT1MCnwXmD0O-unb2LE7k0YLO4MNTujCyyUjdheQrDPTby8P2gesdFTU0nuTEU2PKOnYmbtnAlMIXpwt5gpCrM5Vzzyn_zF-7oHPS9N1nE18OAvXvIOlzo1cFNICE8c&__tn__=-UK-y-R&c[0]=AT3eh_1svXO-YmCpXf5IMSzRRk8PEolpZMWjpfYCAnqVOq8Y-SCnlNDdhWM4P0iA2qQpUPhMcwMOg7qhfCnpDEZk2br5UN8_-_B8k-nDi10vLdmTqjPpPsoU3pC1WSfuB3ON1aV9ztwC1ZQojSO2AmhIqp5BxcRHLJeaqtu5tyOOjc30HJpuXud6h0iXBLZl7ToUEdEhI_oph_kGHkZmqeW5dpO6YHs6L_LR_SyvFRY">https://www.federalregister.gov/.../enforcement-of-title...).

In conclusion, the proposed 2022 model policies are inconsistent with state and federal laws, and endangers transgender/gender-expressive students. The current 2021 model policies conforms with state and federal laws, protects students, and should stand.


Support Protecting Parents' Rights

Parents are their children's best protectors the majority of the time. Schools hiding things from parents is not okay. Separating children from their parents is what predators do, actually.Thank you, Governor Youngkin, for protecting children and families. Government-run schools are off the rails, behaving like child predators in the service of people and organizations that are raking in billions of dollars (search "Sex Reassignment Surgery Market Report") by medicalizing healthy children for life. Schools are more than complicity in this: they are one of the primary drivers of it.https://www.advocatesprotectingchildren.org/post/schools-children-caught-in-the-transgender-industry-s-web

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Parents are their children's best protectors the majority of the time. Schools hiding things from parents is not okay. Separating children from their parents is what predators do, actually.

Thank you, Governor Youngkin, for protecting children and families. Government-run schools are off the rails, behaving like child predators in the service of people and organizations that are raking in billions of dollars (search "Sex Reassignment Surgery Market Report") by medicalizing healthy children for life. Schools are more than complicity in this: they are one of the primary drivers of it.

https://www.advocatesprotectingchildren.org/post/schools-children-caught-in-the-transgender-industry-s-web


Governor Youngkin

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Strongly support Governor Youngkin in preventing transgender playing in sports of the opposite sex


Parental rights

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<p>State, local, and federal government should not have any part in decision making for children.  That authority is upon parents only!  </p>


It’s time to turn back

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<p>This country and our government were founded on biblical morals and laws. The further we pull away from Him, the more He gives us over to sinful lusts and desires. We’re One nation under God, but we keep living like God is beneath us. This is why we’re in this mess. Governor Youngkin’s plan looks to take us a step back in the right direction!  </p>


Protect Parent's rights

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<p>Parents should be the primary people who take care of their children - NOT the schools.  Parents should teach their children their beliefs - NOT the schools.  Parents must know what is happening at the schools with their children - if a child wants to be a different gender - parents must know.  </p>
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Strongly support this, and Gov Youngkin’s effort to respect parental rights for their children.


Opposed


Be yourself but not in my bathroom

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I am happy for kids to be themselves. But I kindly request for boys to stay out of my locker room, out of my bathroom, and off of my sports teams. Thank you.


Support! Roll back the nonsense


Strongly appose - dangerous policy that will lead to more discrimination - protect trans kids

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<p>Strongly appose - this is a dangerous policy that will lead to more discrimination and suicide of trans kids - please protect them </p>


I support The Governor’s policies on parental rights

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Thank you for having the courage and moral fortitude to update these policies to restore protections for basic parental rights and ensuring that parents are no longer cut out of the process—especially when it concerns how gender and sexuality issues are handled with our children  at school.

I support the new policies’ removal of language that encouraged school officials to follow procedures to essentially deceive parents when their children are making potentially life-altering decisions regarding their gender identity in a school setting.

The original policy had language that created a wedge between parents and their child, at a time when they need to have more communication—and I support the new update that removes this barrier.


Strongly Support Youngkin on this One

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As a parent and grandparent I strongly support the Governor's approach to educational guidance for all of Virginia.


PROTECT TRANS KIDS

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<p>Children go to school to feel safe. Sometimes it is the only place where they have adults who are on their side. As a public school educator, I am disgusted by the possibility of schools becoming a hostile place for already marginalized children. They need a haven, not another place to be scared. The policies must be struck down so that our children feel safe enough to be themselves and grow their brains. </p>


Guidance Document

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<p>I strongly SUPPORT  PARENT’S RIGHTS with regard to their children, and Gov Youngkin’s effort to protect them!  </p>


Support Changes

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I support the changes to the educational language regarding transgender issues.

Teachers are hired to teach, not indoctrinate, and students attend school to learn the necessary skills to become productive members of a free society.


Strongly oppose the 2022 guidance

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I am against the new guidance. Let young people figure out who they are safely.


I support Gov Youngkin

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I support Gov Youngkin and parents’ rights.


Strongly support parental rights and Youngkin's proposal

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I strongly support parental rights and involvement in the education of our youth and specifically Youngkin's proposal


Vehemently opposed

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I absolutely opposed the new guidelines installed by Governor Youngkin. They are based on bigotry and put kids in harms way. I’ve never been fearful of a queer anyone but I have been very fearful of a straight male. Stop making these kids lives even harder.


STRONGLY SUPPORT GOV YOUNGKIN- PARENTS MUST BE INVOLVED!!!!

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<p>I STRONGLY SUPPORT our amazing governor!  Parents must be involved in their children s lives.  They are our kids not the states!!!  Bravo to Youngkin for standing up for parents rights.  </p>


I support Gov. Youngkin’s policy to protect parental rights

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<p>Protect parental rights and student dignity.  The schools are not children‘s parents. </p>


Strongly Opposed

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

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


Protect the Innocent

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   I strongly Support any and all policies that will protect our kids from sexual grooming or give them privacy in their bathrooms and dressing rooms.

I Support our Governor and State Legislature in these efforts. Do the Right Thing.


Support parent’s right to support their child

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Support parents rights to support their child


Anti-Woke Regs

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Thank you for updating these policies to restore protections for basic parental rights and ensuring that parents are no longer cut out of the process—especially when it concerns how gender and sexuality issues are handled with our kids at school.

• I support the new policies’ removal of language that encouraged school officials to follow procedures to essentially deceive parents when their children are making potentially life-altering decisions regarding their gender identity in a school setting.

• The original policy had language that created a wedge between parents and their child, at a time when they need to have more communication—and I support the new update that removes this barrier.

• I support the updated language that acknowledges students and teachers can’t be forced into compelled speech that violates their constitutional rights, including First Amendment and religious freedom protections.

• I support the updated language that empowers schools to make their own decisions on how to best protect kids—especially when it comes to protecting vulnerable students in a state of undress in locker rooms or overnight sleeping quarters for school field trips.

• Middle and High School years can be very challenging, so I’m glad we already have comprehensive bullying policies to ensure a safe environment, while still respecting the rights of all students. That’s why it’s important schools have the freedom—as this updated policy allows— to address bathroom/privacy issues on a case by case basis with parents—and not through a one-size-fits-all pressure tool that treats all districts/communities the same.

• Please finalize these updated 2022 model policies as written without removing any of the key protections to restore parental involvement in the process and protect children’s privacy and safety rights.


Strongly support Governor Youngkin

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Thank you for caring about the children of Virginia and the role of parents


Support the governor

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I strongly support the governor and am shocked at anyone who doesn’t .


Support Gov. Youngkin

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I support Gov. Youngkin to keep parents rights in the schools and ideology out of the schools.  Protect the students from making life changing/medical decisions without giving them the real facts.


SUPPORT! Family first- schools are not parents

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<p>Please finalize these updated 2022 model policies as written without removing any of the key protections to restore parental involvement in the process and protect children’s privacy and safety rights. </p>


This policy will only hurt children. Definitely oppose.

Not every parent is a good, supportive parent with their child's best interests in mind. Look at CPS, what social workers and police see and deal with on a daily basis. We already know children go through all sorts of phases to figure out who they are and will be as adults. Something like this may or may not be a phase, but the best thing one can do is support the children as they go through this. When they are not supported, studies show it leads to depression, potential self harm, and suicide. Absolutely no one is performing permanently altering surgeries or giving medicine that permanently changes their bodies as children, under the age of 18. There are safe ways to make sure the child feels supported, loved, and safe, and isn't that what everyone wants for children? To feel supported, loved, and safe? (Example: how to use a chest binder safely...and these can always be taken off if the child decides they don't want to wear it anymore.) Unsupported children who do not feel safe will attempt suicide, and many will be successful. We should not be encouraging children to die while claiming we care about them at the same time.Anecdotally, some of my parent friends have teenagers who, at under 13, attempted suicide because they were so scared of coming out as transgender or nonbinary (yes, multiple children this happened to). Their schoolmates were bullying them for it and other parents were encouraging the bullying. But my friends stood by their children and got them the help they needed (transgender-friendly therapy, medical care, clothing, haircuts, wigs, chest binders) because they're loving parents who don't want their kids to die. Not every parent is like this, unfortunately.

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Not every parent is a good, supportive parent with their child's best interests in mind. Look at CPS, what social workers and police see and deal with on a daily basis. We already know children go through all sorts of phases to figure out who they are and will be as adults. Something like this may or may not be a phase, but the best thing one can do is support the children as they go through this. When they are not supported, studies show it leads to depression, potential self harm, and suicide. Absolutely no one is performing permanently altering surgeries or giving medicine that permanently changes their bodies as children, under the age of 18. There are safe ways to make sure the child feels supported, loved, and safe, and isn't that what everyone wants for children? To feel supported, loved, and safe? (Example: how to use a chest binder safely...and these can always be taken off if the child decides they don't want to wear it anymore.) Unsupported children who do not feel safe will attempt suicide, and many will be successful. We should not be encouraging children to die while claiming we care about them at the same time.

Anecdotally, some of my parent friends have teenagers who, at under 13, attempted suicide because they were so scared of coming out as transgender or nonbinary (yes, multiple children this happened to). Their schoolmates were bullying them for it and other parents were encouraging the bullying. But my friends stood by their children and got them the help they needed (transgender-friendly therapy, medical care, clothing, haircuts, wigs, chest binders) because they're loving parents who don't want their kids to die. Not every parent is like this, unfortunately.