STRONGLY OPPOSE!

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I strongly oppose this proposed policy. All our students deserve a supportive and affirming school environment, especially our vulnerable and marginalized populations like our transgender and nonbinary youth


Opposed - 2022 Model Policies are the exact opposite

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Why does the Governor of Virginia and his followers continue to trample on the rights of families all over the Commonwealth?  It's one legislative travesty after another.  Calling this assault on kids a Guidance Documents is criminal. Virginia Department of Education - Do Better!


100% oppose

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


Parents rights

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All for the rights of parents. These are minors, the parents need to know.


STRONGLY OPPOSE ON RELIGIOUS GROUNDS

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My religion is kindness. We need to be kind to children who are going through difficult times.


Oppose fully

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<p>This policy is so discriminatory and harmful to trans kids. </p>


The Kids are Not Alright: No to psychological violence on Kids. OPPOSE.

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I vehemently oppose Youngkin's latest draconian policy on trans student policies in VA public schools. The proposed policies are transphobic and hateful of trans-kids. As a professor of educational foundations with expertise in youth development, be warned that this is a grave mistake. Identity formation is a natural part of human development– which is a central milestone in the still short lives of the developing schoolchildren. To stifle, to erase and replace, to deny youth any part of their human developmental process will create deep psychological trauma and likely, spur a life of dysfunction, anxiety and depressive symptoms---including risk of suicidal ideation.

In addition, our undervalued and underpaid public school teachers and administrators are forced into an impossible situation due to the politicized nature of the policies in question. Indeed, these policies are laden with hypocrisy. The proposed Youngkin state “guidance” on transgender student accommodation will forcefully OUT Trans kids, while simultaneously doing indelible harm to their developing psyches. The updated “guidance” states that teachers cannot be compelled to refer to transgender students by their names & genders if it goes against “their (the teacher’s) constitutionally protected” free speech rights. Really? Now the State is concerned with “teacher protected free speech” in this instance?. Yet at same time the STATE is currently CRIMINALIZING TEACHERS via  the Youngkin SNITCH LINE when those teachers exercise their own free speech when compelled to lift the veil on the white-mythological history they are forced to teach, for example, the Virginia Fourth Grade textbook on the History of Colonial Virginia. How can Virginia colonial history be taught without centering settler colonial greed, trafficked and enslaved African men, women and children, the enslavement and genocide project on Indigenous Peoples?. Or... how does your version go again? Oh right, the white supremacist version that is fed to VA K-12 students in our public schools.

The hypocrisy that grounds Youngkin’s “guidance” on the reversal of any transgender student accommodations and protections is backward, provincial, and draconian and only serves the cultural values of the political Christian right. Claiming free speech violations when it’s really a cover for the forced coupling of church and state in schools. Youngkin’s dog-whistle politics are gaining momentum from the Christian ultra-right at the expense of children with marginalized identities. This is criminal.

In closing, I would like to invite Virginians and critically thinking Americans to consider the following question---- and think well and hard about your answer. Were your Civil Rights GIVEN to you (and/or your ancestors) through a court order? Unless you identify as a White, cis-gender, heteronormative and Christian male, your answer is YES. Yes the majority of us, our ancestors, your ancestors were “given” their civil rights through a court order.

If you identify as a Woman—whether White, Black, Indigenous, Asian, Chicana—you were “given” civil rights, but only after centuries of protest and resistance -- your right to vote and to marry whom you love (anti-miscegenation laws; bans on gay marriage) was a battle. You or your ancestors had to fight for them. Now attacks on children? What is next?  I don’t know about you, but I am thinking that since they giveth---they can certainly taketh away.

Consider recent voter suppression legislation in states with large communities of Black (Georgia, Michigan) and Chicano (Arizona) voters—and the far right gas lighting around a supposed “stolen election”. Consider the Anti-abortion laws, English only laws, Muslim Bans and the role of poll taxes and literacy tests in US (not so far back) history.

 While this began as letter against the heinous state “guidance” around trans-youth protections, it has morphed into a jolt, a rib-jab, a wakeup call to action. It is our civic duty to protect all children by standing up against these types of policies that deeply harm children, families, educators, and Virginia communities.

Your voice and your vote count. Midterm election voting period is open now. It is not too late to register to vote. Same day registration available in Virginia.  https://www.elections.virginia.gov/

In solidarity with Trans-Youth,

Dra. Gómez


Strongly disagree


FIRMLY OPPOSE

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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 and is just incredibly cruel to children for no reason other than politics. I FIRMLY oppose this proposed policy.


Agree

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Gender dysphoria is a diagnosable medical condition listed in the Diagnostic Statistical Manual (DSM) 5, and should thus be brought to the attention of any parent whose child is presenting symptoms of said condition, just as any other medical condition would. As a parent, I would want to know so that I could seek the appropriate care my child needs.  Me, the parent, not the school faculty.


Agree


Yes To Parental Consent  and  No to Transgender policies

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Youngkin is a wise man.  Strongly Support Parent Choice


Oppose the transphobic policy

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The policy that requires teachers to out their students to the students’ family is a disaster waiting to happen. We’ll have homeless teens, physically and emotionally abused teens, and kids who planned to attend college without the parental support they’d hoped for. If they haven’t told their parents, THERE’S A REASON.

Also, this far oversteps the bounds of a teacher’s or school’s responsibility.


Support Trans/Non-binary students

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Strongly oppose the Governor's policy. SUPPORT the LGBTQ+ community, not HARM. These policies will put kids at-risk and make their lives even harder than they already are.


All in Favor

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<p>I strongly support Governor Youngkin’s proposal.  As a father he is keenly aware of what is in a child’s best interest.  </p>


Support Policy Change

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<p>Previous policy was nothing more than social engineering.  All I have to say is Loudoun County. The school system, Loudoun Counties Commonwealth Attorney and GA members who voted for the hands off policies regarding school reporting should be held to account for endangering students.  Interesting that most libs believe your children are not adults until 26 yrs old. Obama era insurance yet a 12 yr old girl can say  she feels lije a boy and school system cant tell their parents. Which way is it?  What is most interesting is the LBGT community says they don't want be noticed yet they can't go without telling you of their sexual preference, interesting.  School scores are declining and this is what most important.  </p>


Oppose, do not make life harder for transgender students.

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The proposed new policy will only have negative impacts on transgender students.  Growing up is difficult enough without the government telling you that there is something wrong with you and that your rights are inferior to others.


Strongly Oppose

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<p>Trans and non-binary kids deserve our love and support and should be empowered to bring their authentic selves to schools. This proposed policy has life or death implications for the young people of Virginia. I strongly oppose this proposed model policy. </p>


STRONGLY OPPOSE!

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I believe that everyone, especially trans and no binary kids, should have a right to education without fear!


STRONGLY OPPOSE


Strongly Oppose

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The Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia’s Public Schools that was put in place in 2021 is in every way better than the new proposed policy. There is a lot of talk in the new proposed policy about the rights of parents, but nothing about the rights of children.


I strongly oppose

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<p>I strongly oppose these cruel policies which center parents who sadly often do not support LGBTQ kids. </p>


Opposed

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Kids in general have a hard enough time growing into their own. Especially children who feel their life is wrong compared to what is "normal". This puts so much more pressure on these kids, just leave them alone. They need more support not more bigotry.


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Oppose. Prefer to acknowledge the rightful agency of youth.


Your policy hurts and endangers children

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As Governor you must take into consideration all Virginia.  LGBTQ children need support in the schools.  Your policy removes the safety net for them with their teachers and counselors.  Every child does not have parents who understand. Children are in danger by your actions.


Strongly Oppose

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All children and youth in our schools deserve respect.  They and their parents have the right to decide how they are treated and how they can live a safe and comfortable life.  According to their their own physical and emotional needs.  These children and youth are very vulnerable and deserve to be supported, not maligned and mistreated,


Oppose policies and oppose parents that don’t support their trans kids.

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Trans kids matter and your policies are damaging.


Strongly oppose

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<p>Strongly oppose to youngkin’s policy on transgender youth and schools </p>


Parents informed


Fully Support

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<p>Parents must be kept informed of issues with their children. Thank you for standing up for parents rights. </p>


Strongly support parental rights & proposed policy

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I commend this move to protect children and solidify parental rights. Fundamental decisions in the life of children should be in the hands of their progenitors until the child reaches sensible maturity to handle making decisions on their own. Currently children in schools are being exposed to age inappropriate and sexually explicit content at younger and younger ages. This is absolutely detrimental to their formation increasing vulnerability to predatory behaviors by adults. There’s more than one logical reason to rate and restrict activities based on age, such as driving, voting, smoking, drinking, even watching certain films. It is also a travesty to pigeon hole a child into valuing themselves solely on their understanding of sexuality. Schools should be centers of academic excellence nurturing a child’s intellect not curtailing it and all the other blessings they are gifted with!


Strongly Oppose

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<p>This policy will harm trans/non binary students in a big way by suppressing their ability to be their true and authentic selves in order to have a happy and fulfilling childhood/young adulthood. </p>


Oppose transphobic policies

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<p>These are horrible and discriminatory against Trans youth. </p>


Parents Are The Primary Educators of Their Children

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Parents are the primary educators of their children. There should be no room for the State of Virginia to overtake that space or drive a wedge between the parents and the children.

Communism and fascism and corporatism have thus in common. They want to devalue the relationship between children and parents so the state or the corporation can have more influence over and even control over the child. Virginia should be a state that holds the family as it’s sacred foundation and not one that cedes the rights of its citizens to teachers’ unions, school board officials, and corporations.

Loudon County School Board showed what a disastrous policy it is not to let parents’ rights and family sacredness not to be at the front of policy making. Two young women were raped and one of those girl’s fathers was subject to false arrest and imprisonment.


OPPOSE

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<p>This is unsafe and disrespectful towards lgbtq+  children </p>


100% Support!!!!

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<p>Tired of living in an episode of the Twilight Zone. Science, common sense, and a return to sanity please. </p>


Parent, strongly oppose

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<p>As a parent and educator I strongly this change. High school students need to be educated in a safe space where they are able to be themselves. They should be able to use their pronouns and chosen names. They should be able to use the bathrooms for their gender. Parents should not have to approve such basic needs.  </p>


Trans kids matter, they need to be protected


Absolutely oppose

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Leave trans kids alone! I absolutely oppose this horrific policy.


Oppose. Dangerous

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Likely a well meaning model, but the damage this could do to our trans and LGBT youth could be irreversable. I have heard horror stories from adolescents/young adults who were outed AGAINST THEIR CONSENT to their parents, and the parents reacted violently. Very religious parents who viewed their child's gender identity as a sin rebuked their children. Trans youth have been forced to couch hop or stay with friends because home was no longer safe for them.

For a lot of trans youth with transphobic or unaccepting family, school serves as a place of respite. I had a trans partner in high school whose mother was unaccepting of his gender identity, and thus he was only able to express his gender identity at school, using his preferred name and pronouns. The acceptance he felt from staff and friends in the school setting made up for the treatment he received at home.

Outing trans children to their parents is not a safe solution to bring about understanding. That is what it may sound like on paper- "bringing parents into the conversation-" but making a safe, accepting environment for trans youth is a more important priority. This model simply serves to hurt, exclude, and expose.


Strongly oppose

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This is such a step backwards. We should be supporting trans-kids. Suicide rates are already too high. This legislation is only going to result in more deaths.


Strongly Oppose


Oppose these policies

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<p>I strongly opposed to these cruel policies which center parents who sadly often do not support LGBTQ kids. </p>


This is not a middle ground policy - oppose

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We are deviating from what has historically been moral and correct in terms of protecting children. Children are not pawns and should not be used to promote the adult LGBTQ agenda. People have a right to do as they please when they are 18 but this grooming is wrong.


Vehemently Oppose.

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This is so harmful to some kids.  There are children who do not have saftey at home and only can find acceptance with their peers.  This is forcing these children back into hiding and shame and will lead to so much harm.  The other kids accept them for who they are.  Why can't the adults?


Vehemently oppose

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I strongly oppose these cruel policies which center parents who sadly often do not support LGBTQ youth.


Fully  agree

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Children are the responsibility of parents, not the state.


Strongly oppose

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<p>I strongly oppose these cruel policies which center parents who sadly often do not support LGBTQ kids. </p>


Let Trans Kids Be Themselves

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<p>It's important that we stand up for each and every child and that school remains a safe space for all kids. If there is a reason children does not want their parents to know their pronouns, it may be because it is not safe to come out at home or other reasons. It's important that we listen to kids and respect them and their decisions. Thank you for taking the time to read. </p>


WE OPPOSE

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We oppose this motion and will fight to protect kids and their innocence. Sex has no place in curriculum and is not out of parental oversight.


I oppose the proposed guideline change

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The current document that is in effect was very well written, and seeks to provide a positive environment for all students.

The proposed document seems to take great effort to call out certain students and restrict their right to their own identity.

School boards and our government have no business whatsoever to comment on, or even know or care about anyone's sex or gender.  Instead of this, we should focus more on enforcing the current bullying guidelines that are in every school system's code of conduct, but are rarely enforced.  Let's get that right, and then think about moving to something else.


Strongly Oppose

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<p>Strongly oppose. Trans youths deserve respect. </p>


2022 Model Policies For VA Public Schools

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Fully agree with the guidance document


Strongly oppose

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I strongly oppose this new policy.

I have met several trans people and they generally know who they are.  While every situation is different, we need to respect the choices that people make about their bodies, how they want to appear to the outside world, and what they want to be called.


Protect kids from the trans agenda!

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We do not support the trans agenda in schools, in libraries, in curriculum, and in away from parents approval and oversight. Parents have rights and kids come first!


Opposing Proposed Policy

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I strongly oppose this proposed policy. This proposal would create a hostile and potentially dangerous school environment for our VA transgender and nonbinary youth, requiring teachers and staff to forcibly “out” students.  All our students deserve a supportive and affirming school environment, especially our vulnerable and marginalized populations like our transgender and nonbinary youth.


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Strongly agree with the 2022 policy.


Strongly oppose

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<p>Strongly oppose </p>


Oppose


Protect Parental Rights

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The government and Virginia Department of Education do not have the responsibility to raise the children in place of their parents. Judeo-Christian families have a Biblical mandate to raise their children in the ways of the Lord. To usurp parental right positions the government above their God and religious beliefs. All children should be protected from bullying and abuse. Those two issues should be forwarded to law enforcement agencies.


Model policy Support!

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<p>Support the Gov. 100% and his 2022 Model Policy! </p>


Leave the kids alone

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What's wrong with you if the way someone wants to be called matter  THAT much? Leave them be.


Trans rights are human rights

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Trans kids do not need any more discrimination or harassment. Parents and medical professionals know that your hateful rhetoric and proposed policies will result in more suicide attempts and dead children. Stop it!


Strongly oppose


Stop using kids as political pawns

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<p>Trans kids are not hurting anybody, and their lives are their own business. This policy isn't trying to solve a problem, it's trying to create one. Youngkin is making a creepy move by making policies about what's in people's pants. </p>


Absolute Opposition

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It is time for progress and a society of acceptance.  Youngkin is completely backwards and misguided.   His policies will create hate and not inclusiveness and peace.  The data on acceptance of LGBTQ children speaks for itself.  These children need acceptance for who they identify as.  Creating backwards policies won't change the existence of these children, it will only make them angry, then they will become dangerous to themselves and possibly society.  Youngkin does not represent current times and he needs to come into this century or go back to the cave he belongs in where he can relish in his anti-scientific opinions and policies.   He needs to GO!


Strongly Oppose

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<p>As a parent who is trying to raise children that value inclusion and kindness, I find the updated policy disappointing. I strongly oppose the vaguely crafted Guiding Principles and certainly do not agree with the Sample Policy presented in the Appendix. The proposed sample policy fails to support and even jeopardizes the wellbeing of our youth and perpetuates a non-inclusive system. </p>


Strongly oppose

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This proposed policy takes VA in the wrong direction. Educators work hard to create safe environments for learning for all students, regardless of their culture, gender, sexuality, faith, or income. Schools should be places where our children are empowered to explore new ideas to gain understanding about themselves and the world. Just about every educator learns Maslow's hierarchy of needs in ed school - the premise is simple, if a person doesn't have their basic needs met, including safety, they are not available to learn. This policy attacks transgender students' safety.

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 cisgender 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. Keep schools safe for these citizens.

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.


Strongly oppose

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<p>This endangers the lives and health of our youth. Protect trans kids and all trans folks </p>


Strongly support this policy!

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<p>Thank you for protecting parents rights and the obligation of a parent to guide their child. No child should make this decision without parental input. </p>


I strongly oppose this policy!

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<p>As a resident of Virginia, I strongly oppose this policy. While not transgender myself, I know and love many transgender individuals and they deserve to live life as themselves without shame or discrimination. Public schools should be a safe place for these students, who often face discrimination in their own homes for simply wanting to be themselves. This policy will only harm these students. It is NOT grooming nor inappropriate to support teenagers who wish to express themselves differently from the genitalia with which they were born. If you don’t understand why this is so important, stop for a moment and be grateful that you’ve always felt content in your own skin, and always been comfortable being  automatically identified as the gender you were assigned at birth. Put yourself in the shoes of a child who doesn’t have this experience. Of a child who wants to know they’re wonderful just the way they are but are instead being told they are “groomers” or “pedophiles” or “sinners” or any other insult being thrown around. Have compassion. Oppose this policy. </p>


OPPOSED - PROTECT TRANS KIDS

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<p>Trans rights are human rights. It is our job to protect our fellow humans and to allow young people to develop and grow in a safe environment. There are serious problems in the world and in this country with which we should be concerning ourselves rather than preventing young people from expressing their identities. </p>


When you turn 18 you can do what you want.

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A prepubecent CHILD choosing their lifetime gender before puberty is akin to a blind person choosing their favorite color... neither one possesses a proper frame of reference...

A teenager whose brain and body is still developing is not much better off to make such life altering decisions.

We don't allow them to choose to join and commit the military before 18 because they are not mentally ready for such a drastic commitment.

We don't give teenage boys steroids to play better baseball so why would we give teenage girls steroids to become a marginal boy?

Lastly, this is all grooming that was started  decades ago by bad players in the gay community who snuck under the tent to recruit vulnerable children to be used as playtoys.

The left has been duped...


I Support This Reasonable, Respectful Middle Ground

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This new phrasing seems to support a reasonable, respectful middle ground between the values and expectations that parents hold for their children (on both sides) and the public school environment. It recognizes that families can hold diverse beliefs on issues of gender. It makes space for genuine medical issues around sex and gender. And it makes a sane way to minimize classroom/classmate power struggles and distractions happening within the current cultural obsession over pronouns and genders.


Strongly Oppose

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This policy will literally lead to more deaths of Virginia children. Children and everyone deserve to be respected for their identities especially in school. Putting barriers to this respect and acceptance is purely discriminatory and fear-mongering as there are no negative outcomes from calling people by their names and using their pronouns. Legal documents and parent intervention should not be required for children to be afforded this respect. This threatens the lives and livelihoods of trans children who are not able to safely come out to their families as statistically they are more likely to commit suicide without supportive people in their lives. Schools should be safe spaces for everyone. You and your conspiracy theories and hate need to leave the rest of us alone, all we are asking is to be able to peacefully exist and have the freedom of our peers. Stop creating false problems and spewing hate and tackle the real issues facing our society like poverty, homelessness, discrimination, and environmental degradation.


Fully Support

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Parents should be involved, included, and notified of what is happening with their children at school. Until students reach the age of majority, they are their parents responsibility. While it is unfortunate that some students will not have positive support from their parents, their parents are still responsible for them and have a right to know and make decisions on behalf of their minor children.
Youngkin is not taking away trans rights-he is making the schools transparent to parents-as they should be. Once trans teenagers become adults, they are free to make their own decisions and live how they want. It is not the schools place to covertly cater to the minors desire to make major decisions without the parents consent and knowledge.

finally-can we please get schools back to a place of basic learning and away from activism?


Strongly Oppose

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Transgender youth have a heightened risk of suicide attempts and we cannot continue to allow harmful and oppressive rhetoric to harm our youth.


Oppose these policies

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These policies are absolutely discriminatory, abusive and will KILL kids.  Although I can understand a negotiated resolution to who uses wet bathrooms and whether trans kids can compete in sports, I think all of these other policies are absolutely awful. Republicans say that they believe in parental rights and yet they are completely removing the rights of all parents of gay and transgender kids. They are also stigmatizing all of these kids and encouraging every turn to historical abuse and bullying. These poor kids have a tough enough time as it is and need acceptance and inclusion not state sponsored abuse.  The new governor needs to resend his ridiculous policies and restore Northam’s policies.


VA parent, strongly opposed

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This policy will harm children and restrict the rights of parents who want our children to be supported both at home and at school.


Leave trans kids alone - OPPOSE


Strongly oppose

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Students in Virginia deserve respect, especially and including transgender students in our k-12 public schools.  No one is "making kids trans" but we do want to keep our kids alive.  Affirming trans children and following their lead in their own coming out process is the recognized best practice and should continue to be followed in our state.


OPPOSED


Youngkin Hates

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This will hurt kids.  Don't be mean, Youngkin!


Leave Trans Kids Alone


Strongly Oppose


Youngkin Hates


Protection and respect for trans youth

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<p>Please base all state policies and rules governing gender, sexuality, and identity in young people on the scientific and social evidence that is readily available- not out of date, religiously-based, conservative “beliefs” that make moral judgments about people who are “different” and therefore needs to be controlled and changed. That is the opposite of  freedom. Let trans kids be themselves! As a parent, I fully support the policies of the Northam administration, and oppose Youngkin’s out of date, out of touch policies that disregard the rights and needs of trans kids and THEIR parents. Base your policies on evidence! Not ignorant sound bytes from FoxNews pundits! </p>


Fully support the proposed policy

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<p> A civilized societycannot survive without guiding principles that remain timeless. Parents have the right to remain fully aware</p>


Support the revised Model Policy

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I support that parents are ultimately responsible for the upbringing of their children. Schools are established to ensure children can read, write, and reason to become adults and citizens as they mature.
it is entirely appropriate for parents to have the first and last decisions regarding their children’s upbringing.
In addition, children are very impressionable and unbiased on their own. It is the parent’s right to decide how and when to address any gender confusion with their own child.
The policy is vague in addressing overall policy for children needing accommodation due to intersex or gender preferences. There may need to be other directives to more specifically ensure equal opportunity in the Academic environment with parental support and advocacy.


Great Bill! Fully support!

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<p> Thank you for your continued hard work for our children!  </p>


Strongly oppose - parent of children in school (the ones you listen to?)

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As a parent of teenagers in Virginia public schools, I strongly oppose this guidance. If parents truly have a loving house, they will know if their child wants to use different pronouns or a different name. If the child is afraid to tel their parents, it is likely for good reason and that child needs to feel safe at school.


Strongly Support Parent Choice

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<p> Thanks Governor Youngkin. I support parent choice in our schools. It’s our children and our tax dollars</p>


Yes to this


Callousness and Cowardice

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This policy's callousness is matched only by its cowardice.

It seeks to roll back existing protections and affirming policies -- ones that support children -- at a time when mental health and well-being is most crucial for students. It denies a student the name of their choice, and the pronouns of their choice. Who benefits from this? Who is made safer? Which students are more supported and accepted and cared for as a result? NONE. Furthermore, this policy cowardly approaches the changes under the guise of empowering parents, which adds additional insult to its transparent bigotry. This parent would like to make it clear that I expect Virginia schools to honor their students -- which means honoring their choices around their identity.

As a white, cisgender man, I don't check many "diversity" boxes. Which is why I want it to be clear and on the record that I wholeheartedly renounce this policy. I know and have known several trans people so far in my life, and one common theme in all of their threads is an incredible and painful struggle to come to the realization, despite societal and institutional pressure, that their identity is not what had been assigned at birth. I have known their joy as they have finally discovered and began living as their true selves. And I have seen the toll it has exacted on them and their families. Their story is one of bravery and resilience and an often painful journey of self-actualization.

I stand with trans people, and I want trans and queer youth reading this to know that you are not alone. You deserve to be yourself as you define, and no matter how this administration might try to couch it in other language, we see right through it, too. "These are good days for bad people", but your living your full lives well -- as your true selves, on your own terms -- will be the best revenge on these backwards policies and those who seek to implement them. Glenn Youngkin and his administration may fail you, but you may yet still thrive. May this policy and his administration be consigned to the rubbish bin of history where they belong.  And may you shine on.


I strongly support this policy.

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<p> I am a parent and a grandparent. I expect the school system to teach reading</p>


Support this Proposal to Restore Sanity to Virginia and Protect All Students

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<p> My 13 year old daughter became convinced she was transgender after attending a school presentation. Then the school changed her name and pronouns without our knowledge or permission and treated her like she was actually a boy. Several others in her class believed the same thing</p>


Strongly oppose

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I strongly oppose this change. Do not roll back the rights of transgender and nonbinary students!


FULLY SUPPORT - THANK YOU!

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<p> Fully support this! Thank you</p>


Strongly support

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<p>Strongly support </p>


Yes do this - I support science and biology

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<p> Schools should be for learning not social experimentation. I am for science and biology</p>


Leave Trans Kids Alone


Strongly Oppose


Please read if you support this

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As a high schooler, a trans person, and a friend of some Virginia public school students, I strongly oppose this policy. Preventing students from identifying how they wish - not by making permanent changes, but by simply being referred to with their correct pronouns - does nothing to benefit the students it claims to protect. Instead, it causes more problems, making trans and non binary students repress their identities at school or run the risk of being outed to possibly unsupportive parents. To say that allowing students to be referred to with their preferred pronouns is “pushing ideology” is wrong. Students should not be prevented from expressing themselves in a non-disruptive way, and asking teachers to use the correct pronouns does nothing to harm anyone. For the parents who say that this means students will make “big changes” that will affect their entire lives, this is completely false. A simple request of being referred to differently is not a permanent change and can just as easily. It’s about as big a change as asking to be called a nickname rather than your full name. Allowing students to be referred to properly without notifying parents does no harm; the greatest damage it can cause is minor confusion. Preventing students from being themselves, by denying them the ability to express their own identities, only isolates trans students and causes the feelings of uneasiness that you claim to protect them from.

I put a lot of time into writing this, so I hope I got through to at least someone. Even if I can’t change anyone’s mind, I want people to hear perspectives from a trans student.


Youngkin Hates


I support this policy this family-friendly policy

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<p> Our family is very much in favor of this proposed model policy from the VA DOE on the privacy</p>


Fully Support

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<p> Parents are the primary educators of their children. Parents should remain in control of decisions regarding their children. Fully support. Pass and implement!  </p>


Youngkin Hates

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This will hurt kids.  Don't be mean, Youngkin!


100% Support

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<p> It is the family's responsibility to raise our children not the government. Let educator's educate!  </p>


Support the policies

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<p> The new policies provide balance in caring for each student and the views and values of their parents. It returns the responsibility for children to their parents. It also respects and better balances the rights and dignity of each student. Children with gender dysphoria will receive more balanced care under the supervision of parents in partnership with school personnel as needed rather than the possibility that parents be excluded from the conversation. Overall</p>


Youngkin Hates

This will hurt kids.  Don't be mean, Youngkin!


Strongly oppose - this policy is abhorrent

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<p>These model policies strip transgender and non-binary people of their dignity, and their safety. All you are doing is creating an environment where more kids will feel lost, hated, outed when it’s not safe, depressed, and suicidal. We need to affirm these children and help them thrive - not go on a witch hunt after them.  </p>


I honestly don’t care about the name changes/pronouns, just keep males out of female bathrooms, etc


I support this 100%

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<p> Thank you for highlighting the importance of parents into this revised document. Parents having a say in the way their children are educated is of the upmost importance. I believe this document is fair towards all</p>


I fully support the revised policy

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<p> A review of the guiding principles illustrates the shift in focus to parents rights</p>


I support Youngkin and our children

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<p> I support Youngkin and our children. Parent's have rights over what there children are exposed to. Plain and simple. Transgenderism is a mental disorder.  </p>


Injurious to Students - Strongly Oppose

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In looking at the majority of comments by citizens posting on local news media pages, it is painfully clear that lots of people (including parents) decry the Existence of transgender peeps. Many claim anyone who isn’t cisgender suffers from mental illness. These are attitudes that have been prevalent  throughout history for numerous groups of people. Would Youngkin ban student saying he/she/they are gay without a guardian’s express, written permission? Perhaps not a rhetorical question, alas.

I’m vehemently opposed to this proposal as it puts a group of kids who are already at high risk at even greater risk. I had no hoops to jump through, as a cis, hetero female to be called by my preferred pronouns (she/her). No one should.


Support Gov. Youngkin

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<p> SWVA needs attention on the educational front. I feel like there is a lot of wasted time in school.  </p>


Leave Trans Kids Alone


Strongly Oppose


Fully support!!!

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<p> Our family fully supports this! Thank you Youngkin!  </p>


Youngkin Hates


Highly Support

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<p> I highly support this proposal. I do not co-parent with the school system. If children arenot considered adults until 18</p>


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<p>Thank you for supporting parental rights! </p>


Strongly Opposed. Bill Designed to Enable Child Abuse.

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


100% SUPPORT Governor Youngkin!!!!!!!  THANK YOU!!!!!!

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It’s VERY simple! At birth you either have a penis (boy) or a vagina (girl). That is what you are, what restroom you use, locker room you use, sport you play, etc. If an individual makes an INDIVIDUAL CHOICE to be something else, that is their decision and SHOULD NOT impact others! If a parent allows/supports a JUVENILE child to transform their body/mind when they are not even developed yet, the “parents” should be held ACCOUNTABLE!

Your decision CANNOT impact others (biological males playing women’s sports, biological girls showering in the boy’s locker room, etc.). We diagnose people all over the country for mental illness and an individual thinking it’s “normal” to change their sex should seriously be EVALUATED!


Strongly Support

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<p> I strongly support the involvement of parents with their children’s choices  </p>


SUPPORTED by this Virginian Family

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VA is my home and I support this!!


SUPPORTED by this Virginian Family


Removes unsubstantiated propaganda from the prior policy

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The new 2022 policy removes unsubstantiated propaganda that was in the 2021 policy version and replaces the purposefully incorrect description of court decisions with the actual decisions. This comment applies to:

2022 MODEL POLICIES ON THE PRIVACY, DIGNITY, AND RESPECT FOR ALL STUDENTS AND PARENTS IN VIRGINIA’S PUBLIC SCHOOLS

and

2021 Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia’s Public Schools


Strongly Oppose

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This will hurt kids.  Don't be mean, Youngkin!


Fully support

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<p> Thank you for keeping parents’ rights in place. Government schools need to worry about teaching mathematics</p>


Strongly in favor of the rights of parents

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Please maintain a common sense policy of not allowing teachers, guidance counselors or any other school official to override the rights of parents by not being transparent with respect to what is happening during school hours.  Parents and guardians can not be kept in the dark with issues involving their children, especially when it comes to sensitive issues such as so-called, gender identity.  This should not be controversial!  Do the right thing, even if the trendy thing to do right now is indulge this gender identity madness.


Support Our Governor

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<p> Strongly Support  </p>


You call yourself pro-life?

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<p>Unequivocally opposed to this. I can’t believe you would even consider a policy like this. These kids aren’t bothering anyone, not hurting anyone, and are causing no harm. They are struggling to figure out who they are and how the belong in the increasingly black and white world. It’s hard enough being a kid or a teen nowadays. DO NOT PASS THIS RIDICULOUS POLICY. </p>


Youngkin Hates

This will hurt kids.  Don't be mean, Youngkin!


Leave Trans Kids Alone


Strongly Oppose


Youngkin Hates


Fully support

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<p> Thank you Governor!  </p>


Strongly oppose

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This legislation is dangerous for vulnerable kids. Trans kids need all the support we can give them.


No to Youngkin's transgender policies

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<p>I am strongly opposed to Governor Youngkin's new school guidelines that will curtail the rights of transgender students in the schools. Many students have demonstrated against these policies too by walking out of class in protest. The kids, NOT the parents are the ones who have to be in school, day in and day out, and they would like a safe place to just be themselves. The pandemic alone has created many mental health issues for kids not to mention the fear of school shootings etc. They do not need divisive policies and parental watch groups policing their freedoms. Youngkin's new guidelines are also against human rights because it will discriminate against an individual's gender identity. This is also a  political stunt where we don't need politics dictating school norms. Supporters talk of "giving rights back to the parents" where for years upon years, schools have done quite well without this nonsense. There have always been ways to navigate what goes on in your child's school. Talk to a teacher, a counselor, a principal, but teachers and the students themselves should be the navigators and the educators. Not the parents. </p>


I SUPPORT THIS!!!


Fully Support

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<p> I fully support this model.  </p>


Fully support


Fully support! CHILDREN need their parents.

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<p> This is not about adults</p>


Strongly oppose

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<p>What’s in someone else’s pants is exclusively their own business. End of story. </p>


Fully support!!!

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<p> Our family fully supports this! Thank you Youngkin!  </p>


Fully support too


I completely support.


OPPOSE

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Oppose. This will do more harm than good.


SUPPORT

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<p> Let's get back to teaching academics in Virginia!!!!  </p>


I support this!

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


Leave Trans Kids Alone


Strongly Oppose


Youngkin Hates


Policy of Mistreatment

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The new policy toward Trans students,

From our Governor in a red vest,

Could turn their parents against them,

And increase bullying from all the rest.


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<p> FULLY SUPPORT!!! THANK YOU GOV. YOUNGKIN!  </p>


Youngkin Hates

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This will hurt kids.  Don't be mean, Youngkin!


VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION MODEL POLICIES FOR TRANSGENDER STUDENTS

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I FULLY SUPPORT the Model Policies for Transgender students as presented by Governor Youngkin.


We support the governor!

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<p> Great policy!  </p>


Totally agree with you

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You are right on target, Gov. Youngkin. Thank you for keeping parents involved and stop this craziness. Allowing teachers and school staff to lure underage children into thinking they should have mutilating surgery is child abuse. I have heard of quite a few cases where these kids get over these feelings and go back to their genetic sex, thankful for not making a radical decision.


Oppose new guidance

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The new guidance uses the language of "parents rights" and "teachers rights" but ignores the rights of students. Why a school would not want to support the students by respecting their identities is beyond me. A student who feels disrespected or unseen will likely be a less successful in school. A teacher treating a student with respect by addressing them as they wish to be addressed is not causing the teacher any harm - I'm sure there are many things students do that teachers put up with that are against the teachers' preferences but are part of the students' expression - but failure to do so CAN cause real harm to the students. This new guidance should be rejected and the current guidance retained.


Support

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<p> Parents need to be included in all aspects of their children's education  </p>


Support for Gov Youngkin and DOE

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<p> I strongly support Governor Youngkins and DOE plan. Any school unwilling to follow the laws of our Commonwealth</p>


Strongly support changes!

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<p> I don't want my grandchild to have any upbringing or influence which is against nature and God!  </p>


Youngkin’s Anti-trans law

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<p>Strongly opposed </p>


Against this policy

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<p>I am completely against this policy. Our children are already enduring so much following the pandemic, and this will add to additional mental anguish. This will allow for the trans kids to be bullied and as a result of bulking some children take their own lives. It’s okay to have our religious beliefs but it is not okay to force our religious beliefs on others. I am a Christian and I believe God loves ALL, and who are we to judge? I don’t condone this policy. </p>


Strongly support changes!


I support

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<p> This is not something that should be pushed in schools. No little girl should have to feel uncomfortable because men can go into same restrooms as them. If we allow this than in the future pedophiles will be able to demand same rights and that is unacceptable!  </p>


Leave Trans Kids Alone

This will hurt kids.  Don't be mean, Youngkin!


Strongly Oppose


Youngkin Hates


Leave Trans Kids Alone


Wholeheartedly Support!

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<p> Long past time schools got back to work and focus on what is important in the REAL WORLD! Pushing these nonsensical ideologies have only helped to lower our standing in the world and have done nothing to improve the education of our children. Ignore the woke</p>


Strongly Oppose

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<p>I strongly oppose the proposed changes. </p>


Strongly support our governor


Further attacks against our most vulnerable youth

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<p>Governor Youngkin, aren’t you supposed to represent all Virginians?  Why then are you targeting and harming some of our most vulnerable residents?  Already, these young people feel unsafe in the world, for simply trying to live in a way that feels most authentic to them.  Governor Northam’s policies afforded a level of safety and security for them while they were at school.  Now, you propose to take that all away.  You claim this is about “parent rights,” but what about the rights of the parents of transgender youth to send their kids to a school that is safe and welcoming for their children, no matter how they identify?  This supposed “model” policy is not trying to correct a problem that existed in schools.  Rather it’s just a hateful attack on kids.  Kids who we should be supporting.  Shame on you. </p>


I support


Trans kids matter

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I think governor Youngkin  needs to meet with the trans community and the kids who will be affected and let the kids explain why this policy will hurt them. Youngkin is giving in to the minority of parents who are afraid of what they don’t understand.
ALL kids have a right to go to school and be safe, this policy tell them that they don’t matter, that their mental health doesn’t matter, that they have to conform to the normal and not truly be who they are.
I hope parents who are agreeing with this policy never had to look their child in the face and watch them suffer with depression, gender dysphoria and suicidal thoughts.


I support Governor Younkin's position.

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<p> I support Governor Younkin's position on trans gender issues.  </p>


Let parents parent their children, and teachers teach.

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I agree with the policy shift 100% as it gives parents the constitutional rights they were robbed of with the 2021 policy.  Nobody wants to see children harmed, but I am not ok with biological boys going into the bathroom with my daughter.  That doesn’t make me transphobic…it makes me a parent.

I. think the bigger issue here is the mental health aspect.  Are we supposed to be okay with perpetuating a delusion?  Why are we not addressing the mental health issues.  We can do that all while fostering a safe and inclusive learning environment for everyone.


Strongly Oppose

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This will hurt kids.  Don't be mean, Youngkin!


Support

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<p> Parental rights and child protection  </p>


Support the governor


Treat Trans Kids with Dignity and Respect

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The 2022 Model Policies claim to address privacy, dignity, and respect for all students and parents. The problem is, the policies do just the opposite. Transgender students are not given privacy to be themselves if school staff are required to tell their parents. Parents who are supportive of their transgender children have to jump through hoops to get their child's gender in their student record, but respect for the student's preferred name and pronouns is absent if staff and students can refuse to use them.

I strongly disagree with these model policies and the divergence from the 2021 model policies that truly aimed to treat all students with privacy, dignity, and respect. Transgender students should not be vilified for who they are!

A Loudoun County Public School parent


Fully Support

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<p> Fully support all aspects of the proposed legislation  </p>


Parents rights must be protected

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<p>Parental rights should be respected and protected in all levels of government. </p>


Strongly Oppose


Youngkin Hates


Leave Trans Kids Alone


I support this policy

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Protect our kids. Reject schools using our kids as objects to carry out an agenda. Take your agendas elsewhere. Schools are for educating our children. Parent involvement is instrumental. Minor children are incapable of making decisions involving such things as surgery. I strongly resent anyone talking to my children about changing sexual identity. I believe that God created us male and female. I believe I have the right to teach my children this and not be undermined by the schools. Keep your left wing agendas our of our schools!


Strongly oppose

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This proposal is completely oppositional to the clear statements and wishes of the vulnerable students it claims to protect. It shows failure on the part of the governor to use scientific data to guide policy; there are plenty of published studies that demonstrate just how harmful these ideas are.

The proposed "Model" Policies on the Privacy, Dignity, and Respect for All Students and Parents in Virginia’s Public Schools will prevent teachers from supporting trans and non-binary students in meaningful ways and will detrimentally affect these young people who are already at increased risk of severe depression and suicide.

The proposal itself is traumatizing for teachers, students and parents alike.

Fully OPPOSE.


I support the 2022 Model Policy because parents have legal consent authority for their children.

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The issue in question is whether the rights of minors to determine the gender context with which they are treated override the rights of parents to know, and thus participate in, how their children are treated within the public school system. Both children and parents have legal rights, but since parents inherently have legal consent authority for their minor children, parental "right to know and participate" in issues of gender context must be supported by school policy.


Strongly SUPPORT the protection and safety of all children

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<p> I strongly SUPPORT the updated policy. ALL Children - especially young girls -deserve a safe learning environment. All students should be able to learn reading</p>


We only want to ram the trans agenda down every kid’s throat

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Why are people opposing us? We just want to ram this satanic agenda down the throats of all normal people and especially innocent children.


Strongly Oppose

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Dear Governor Glenn Youngkin and the Virginia Department of Education:

We are the healthcare professionals who take care of Virginia’s children and families, dedicating our lives to serving you and your children in your greatest moments of need. Rooted in our tenets of healing, beneficence, and self-determination, we are called to advocate for the transgender and gender-diverse youth for whom we care, who will be irreparably harmed if the proposed 2022 Model Policies on Privacy, Dignity, and Respect for All Students and Parents in Virginia’s Public Schools 1 comes into fruition.

Affirming a child’s gender identity, whether at home, at the doctor’s, or in school, is crucial to the child’s health and well-being. We know the statistics, that in 2021, over half of all transgender and gender-diverse youth considered killing themselves, and one in five attempted suicide. But for us, these statistics are more than numbers; they are the names and faces and memories of children we’ve met and cared for. In their moments of hopelessness, we find hope together knowing that when a child’s identity and pronouns are honored, their suicidality lessens.

Unfortunately, the aforementioned proposed school policy enacts dangerous barriers to the safety of transgender and gender-diverse children. First, in mandating schools to inform unsupportive parents of their child’s identity, this policy obliterates the one-affirming space a child may have and increases the risk of suicide and abuse by unnecessarily provoking parental hostility and rejection. Additionally, it bans any measure to affirm a child’s identity without written parental instruction by requiring school employees to use the student’s legal sex and name instead of affirming their pronouns and name. This extraordinarily harmful mandate has no legal basis. The referenced US Supreme Court cases of Troxel v Granville, Wisconsin v Yoder, and Pierce v Society of Sisters refer to matters of familial visitation and the right to withdraw from public school - not a parent’s right to deny their child’s identity and access to critical health services, such as gender counseling.

Furthermore, the proposed policy mandates students to participate in extracurricular activities and use bathrooms according to their assigned sex, despite legal precedent considering this unlawful discrimination. In fact, this proposed policy eliminates every effort in its predecessor to create a nurturing and supportive environment, apathetic to the psychological and physical consequences to our transgender and gender-diverse youth. This policy claims that “All students have the right to attend school in an environment free from discrimination, harassment, or bullying,” yet persecutes children by denying them their identity. Any policy that directs teachers and staff to mistreat their students in this way is discriminatory at best and deadly at worst.

As Virginia’s healthcare workers, we are the ones who see children in emergency departments when they decide their lives aren’t worth living anymore when the trauma in their bodies manifests as seizures or psychosis, or debilitating pain. We are the ones who listen to these children weep as we try to convince them that their future is bright and real, that the bullying will one day be in the past, and that acceptance of who they are will come. When we say that this proposed policy will devastate our children’s safety, we know from witnessing it ourselves. This policy will negatively impact the health and well-being of our children, leading to higher rates of suicide and self-harm, and we demand this proposal be denied.

In support of Virginia’s trans and gender-diverse children,

Caitlyn Snead


Strongly Oppose

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Hello,

As someone who is not native to Virginia and has no ties to the commonwealth. And could easily move to a surrounding state. This proposed guidance document change makes me ashamed to be a resident of Virginia. Other states make fun of this document. I struggle to justify supporting the commenwealth with my tax money as it is.


Fully support

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<p> Fully support Gov. Youngkin! Fully support!  </p>


Youngkin Hates

This will hurt kids.  Don't be mean, Youngkin!


Strongly Oppose

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<p>Trans kids need our love, support, and encouragement. </p>


Fully support this

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<p> Great step in the right direction!  </p>


Very Strongly Oppose

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<p>We should be affirming our youth for who they are, not discriminating against them. </p>


100% Supported

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<p> Teachers and Parents have thier own roles in a child’s life. Don’t take those God given roles away from them. God had made it to be that it is the sole responsibility of the parents to care for thier child. To lead them and guide them. Teachers need to stay in thier lane. Politics should stay away!Please pass this bill to honor the natural order of things. It’s how God created it!  Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old</p>


Youngkin Hates

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This will hurt kids.  Don't be mean, Youngkin!


Strongly Oppose


Youngkin Hates


Leave Trans Kids Alone


Support ALL children!

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All children deserve to be supported.  Not just the straight ones.


Strongly Support

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<p> I strongly support this  </p>


Strongly Oppose

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<p style="text-align: justify;">Trying to find support (from classmates and teachers especially) during the often confusing and scary time of transitioning is something this will take away. This will make it so much worse for trans kids in schools, especially those who do not have a support system at home - trans kids who have parents that will quite literally throw them out of the house or  punish them for just wanting to express themselves in a genuine way. I strongly oppose this hurtful policy. </p>


Strongly Oppose

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People don’t deserve to be treated like this. We’re all just humans.


I support

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<p> This is not something that should be pushed in schools. No little girl should have to feel uncomfortable because men can go into same restrooms as them. If we allow this than in the future pedophiles will be able to demand same rights and that is unacceptable!  </p>


Support Youngkin

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<p> I fully support Governor Youngkin. Transgender students NEED the help of their parents. They do not need to be further secretive about their identity crisis. Childten’s brains are not fully developed so why would any responsible adult allow a child to make a change as drastic as trying to switch genders or wanting to dabble in using new pronouns? How does being secretive benefit anyone? Being secretive is what people do when they’re being DECEITFUL. When we are honest</p>


I fully support Youngkin and parental rights

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This policy is a step in the right direction, and I fully support it.


I support this policy I support children


Oppose this legislation

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Let kids tell you who they are.


Fully support this


Fully support

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<p> While the majority of comments are negative</p>


Very strongly opposed!

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Support our trans kids always!


Strongly Support This New Approach

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<p> No matter one’s belief system</p>


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I strongly support the updated policy and believe it is common sense.


Strongly Oppose


Fully support this.

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<p> Parents should be in control of theirs kids. Not the corrupt govt. no boys should share private areas with my girls.  </p>


This is regressive policy veiled in parental rights

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<p>These policies do nothing but harm the youth of Virginia.  You claim that you are giving a voice to parents but this isn't your true agenda.  As a parent of two public school students, I have always had a voice in their education and have always chose to exercise this right.  This policy of  using "parental rights" as a rallying cry is just a mechanism to pass hate filled and regressive policies.  These policies are trying to set Virginia back and are literally  harmful to young people.  Please stop trying to trick people into thinking the agenda is parental rights when we all know this is a long game for political clout and as a way to pass harmful policies all while manipulating and using Virginia youth in the process.  I am completely against this policy.  </p>


Youngkin Hates


Strongly Oppose - Transgender Youth Are Under Attack

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Revealing the identities of transgender and queer students has a major impact on their mental health, safety, and potential for self-harm.

Outing a Student Increases The Risk That They'll Be Abused

Outing a Student Increases Their Risk of Becoming Homeless

Transgender and Queer Student Safety Needs to Come First


Governor Glenn Youngkin Here

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Hello this is Governor Glenn Youngcum here to say the only reason I support these guidelines is because I am a pedophile who likes to touch kids! I just hope it works! :)


Strongly Oppose

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I strongly oppose the guidance.  It is rooted in transphobia and seeks to harm trans and nonbinary kids.  It attempts to erase trans and nonbinary youth from the classroom.  It will create a hostile & potentially dangerous school environment.


Very Strongly Support!!

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<p> Stop the grooming and brainwashing of our children!  </p>


Leave Trans Kids Alone

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This will hurt kids.  Don't be mean, Youngkin!


Strongly agree

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Strongly agree.  Thank you!


STRONGLY AGREE

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I strongly agree with the proposed 2022 Model Policies on the Privacy, Dignity, and Respect for All Students. The new policy corrects a complete failure in governance that was pushing a radical agenda that NEVER belonged in our schools. Implementing the new policy will finally restore the safety, security and fairness our students deserve and give parents back their rights to have control over their child's education. I can’t agree with this policy any more strongly.


I strongly oppose this action!

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<p>Children that identify as LGBTQ face enough challenges in this country and acceptance and fair treatment at school should not be added to the list. Public schools are supposed to be places where ALL students can thrive and learn, not just the ones that fit in this administration’s tiny box. For some children school is their only safe space and that should not be violated by teacher’s breaching that trust and outing them to parents that could be bigoted or abusive. It is up to the child to “come out” when and if they are ready. These actions will not only be detrimental to the education of at-risk children but will be catastrophic to their mental health and well-being. </p>


Very Strongly Support!!


I Fully Support!!! Support!! Support!!!

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<p>Stop destroying these troubled kids, telling them they would be happy if they made these PERMANENT choices </p>


Don’t rollback protections for our most vulnerable.

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<p>Trans students are among our most valuable, with higher than average rates of depression and suicide attempts. Providing a safe harbor for students at school is essential. Don’t take Virginia backwards. Let the arc of history bend toward progress with responsible, humane policies that respect the dignity and worth of every human being. </p>


Leave Trans Kids Alone


Support

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<p> Strongly support affirming parental rights of parents and not the state! Thanks for common sense. How many of the other people actually read what these policies do? Hiding life altering decisions from parents is criminal and extremely arrogant and pretentious of the state to think they could have those conversations better.  </p>


Strongly Oppose


Strongly Support

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<p>The 2021 VA DOE’s policy decision to take away constitutionally protected rights of parents was an extreme overreach.  Why do schools think they should have this power in the first place? To even suggest reporting parents to Child Protective Services if they question their child’s decision to re-gender themselves was nothing but an outlandish abuse of power. As a parent of a public school student, I strongly support this policy as a means to return parenting to parents.  </p>


Support

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<p> As a school board official</p>


Youngkin Hates


Strongly Oppose - Trans Rights are Human Rights

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This legislation only serves to hurt those affected. Trans people are just trying to live their lives and be called what they want to be called, and their own government is trying to tell them that their lived experiences mean nothing. The lack of empathy or even critical thinking from our governmental body is astounding in this department. Do you want to make Virginia schools a safer and more prosperous place for everyone? It starts with including those who would traditionally feel shunned - LGBT+, straight, boy, girl, nonbinary, or whatnot, everyone should feel like they have a home in VA public schools. Once again, this only serves to the detriment of that mission.

The solution is not to shun people and make them feel like who they are and who they might be is something wrong. If "trans" really is just a phase, as insinuated in this proposed document, then there's nothing wrong with accepting the person as they present so they can find out what works for them. That way you also don't needlessly shun people that are living in the wrong body.


Disgusting

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This policy change will kill children. It is child abuse. No ifs ands or buts. The most vulnerable group of children are trans kids. They already have a high suicide rate. These policy changes will increase that.

If you believe that "Traditional" values mean you should put more children at risk, I would suggest that you have neither an understanding of the Bible or traditional values. We are called to love all others. It is not for us to judge others.  Traditional values didn't mention trans kids because in the traditional view, trans kids did not exist. Therefore there was no policy concerning them. This immoral policy goes well beyond not recognizing they exist and into ideas for making their lives more difficult. It has no redeeming social value and anyone who supports it is committing a sin against God.


Support traditional values.  Support Govenor Youngkin

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<p>Males are males and females are females.  PERIOD.  Why on earth would you want a male who decides he wants to be a girl into a girls restroom or locker room.  What about the 'real' girls rights.  Same goes for the opposite, i.e. a girls who decides she wants to be a boy.....let her into the boys locker room.  </p>


I oppose

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I STRONGLY OPPOSE this!


I support

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<p> I support this.  </p>


I STRONGLY oppose this policy!

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As a resident of Virginia, I strongly oppose this policy. While not transgender myself, I know and love many transgender individuals and they deserve to live life as themselves without shame or discrimination. Public schools should be a safe place for these students, who often face discrimination in their own homes for simply wanting to be themselves. This policy will only harm these students. It is NOT grooming nor inappropriate to support teenagers who wish to express themselves differently from the genitalia with which they were born. If you don’t understand why this is so important, stop for a moment and be grateful that you’ve always felt content in your own skin, and always been comfortable being  automatically identified as the gender you were assigned at birth. Put yourself in the shoes of a child who doesn’t have this experience. Of a child who wants to know they’re wonderful just the way they are but are instead being told they are “groomers” or “pedophiles” or “sinners” or any other insult being thrown around. Have compassion. Oppose this policy.


Support Trans Students!

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Support Trans Students!


I STRONGLY oppose this policy!


Support Trans Students!


Glenn Youngkin called me the N word

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I was in a bathroom Mr. Youngkin and he straight called me the n word! I think he just doing this whole bathroom business so he can finally segregate the stalls! Gosh darn it.


A Fully Support Governor Youngkin

Parent Of Kids Who Went To Public Schools In VA

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Fully support Governor Youngkin in his supporting parents with this bill. If public schools are to succeed parents must be treated as parents and given the opportunity and right to actually be the parent. These rights should not be taken over by the school or teachers with activist agendas. We are looking for our schools to educate our students, not indoctrinate and confuse them.


Strongly Oppose

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This will hurt kids.  Don't be mean, Youngkin!


I fully support this

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<p> I am in support of this.  </p>


Strongly oppose this effort to dehumanize transgender youth

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<p>Strongly oppose this proposal that dehumanizes transgender youth and is not backed by science and the medical profession. This is an overreach and violation of basic human rights. </p>


Leave Trans Kids Alone


Against Younkin- oppose this policy

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<p>I am a high school Junior at a rural Virginia school and I have seen the impacts of bigoted policies on my marginalized peers. I urge you to truly serve your Commonwealth and stop your arbitrary and regressive agenda.  You are only hurting the future of Virginia.  </p>


Strongly Oppose


Thank you!

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The government forgets that without parents there are NO children.  Family will always come before government and right after God.


Youngkin Hates


Fully Support

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Common sense. Thank you Governor and administration. I’m the mother of a high school senior and two grandchildren in Virginia public schools. Parents absolutely need to be aware of their child’s physical and mental well being. All students absolutely need to be respected.


Leave Trans Kids Alone

This will hurt kids.  Don't be mean, Youngkin!


Stongly support

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<p> Thank you Gov Youngkin for protecting our daughters. Female students have felt uncomfortable in the locker rooms and using the bathrooms due to the previous policies put in place.  </p>


Thank you for trying to right a bad policy

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Thank you for considering amending a policy that should not have been implemented.  Schools should never take over a parent's role by hiding important information about a child from parents. Schools should only be there to support parents and families, not bypass and exclude them.


I vehemently oppose this policy!

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I vehemently oppose this policy!


I vehemently oppose this policy!


Strongly Oppose

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<p>The current policy is adequate and protects the rights of students.  The proposed policy would ignore the same inalienable rights it proclaims to provide to parents.  Why does it matter how a person identifies?  I can think of no scenarios where such beliefs have any genuine impact on another person.  </p>


I Fully Support Gov. Younkin

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I fully support Gov. Youngkin!


Strongly oppose


Strongly Oppose policies that fail to protect students

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I strongly oppose these policies because they do not help to support the children of our state who already feel like they do not belong. Schools are meant to be a place where students can learn and grow, which cannot happen in a place where they do not feel safe and supported. I think it is unacceptable to actively prevent them from being themselves and forcing them into situations that could put them at harm in school and at home. Teachers are fantastic role models and shape young people more than we give them credit. Let's keep teachers as caretakers and mind-shapers and not as whistle blowers to marginalize certain groups. Every child deserves the best we can give them and these policies simply fall short of that standard.


IMPORTANT, PLEASE READ

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We've been trying to reach you about your car's extended warranty.


Fully support Gov. Youngkin's policy on gender ideology in schoolsjo

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Fully support Gov. Youngkin's policy on gender ideology in schools, particularly regarding parental rights.


FULLY SUPPORT THE POLICY

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<p> Governor's Youngkin new model policy affirms the dignity of every student no matter how they see themselves. Previous policies discriminated agains children that see themselves as God made them</p>


Outing Trans Youth is detrimental to their physical and mental health.

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When I was a child, my teacher told my parent about my bad grades and poor performance in class. While this is normal in most schools, regardless, this act led to my physical abuse by my parents.

In requiring teachers to expose trans youth to their parents, Governor Youngkin is directly putting the health and safety of transgender youth in imminent danger from abusive parents and other adults.

For that I strongly oppose this act by the governor.


Strongly Oppose

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<p>As a local Licensed Professional Counselor who works extensively with LGBTQ and cisgender adolescents, I strongly oppose this proposal. It is my experience that, in general, cisgender adolescents are not impacted by classmates in the LGBTQ community. The safety and education of cisgender students remains in tact. However, the extensive psychological, emotional, and potential physical damage that could be inflicted on LGBTQ students as a result of this proposal is unconscionable. LGBTQ students are not oppressing cisgender students, whereas this proposal does oppress LGBTQ students by restricting their privacy and their abilities to express themselves as is comfortable. The decision and act of “coming out” is multifaceted and heavily layered. Part of that transition is sharing one’s authentic self with society. Some individuals feel and are safer doing so in a school environment than at home. That decision should be respected rather than removed. Individuals in the LGBTQ community are much more likely to experience increased levels of mental health issues, including significantly higher levels of suicide than their cisgender counterparts. This proposal will increase that number and this proposal needs to be revoked  in order to save those students.  </p>


Leave Trans Kids Alone

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This will hurt kids.  Don't be mean, Youngkin!


Support Governor Youngkins

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<p>I am in support of Governor Youngkin's policies. I am a special education teacher in Fairfax County Schools. I firmly believe that parents should be informed if their child chooses to be known by a different gender/sex or use pronouns that do not align with their natural gender. There are so many educators that feel the same way I do. If you listen to the national media, you would think that most (teachers)oppose Governor Youngkin's but that is not true! Just today I was speaking with a fellow teacher who also believes that parents should be informed. Parents should know what is happening with their children. Once a child becomes an adult (18 years of age), then they are free to make their own choices. </p>


Strongly Oppose

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Youngkin leave our youths alone, stop trying to inflict your beliefs on them


Leave Trans Kids Alone


Strongly Oppose


Youngkin Hates


I support the changes to the current policy.

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Parents should have the primary responsibility for their child. The state should act as though parents love their kids until there is evidence to the contrary.
I agree that kids with gender dysphoria deserve love and support. The previous policy prevented schools from alerting parents to the existence of their own kid’s gender dysphoria. GD is a known risk factor for self harm and suicide, whether managed by social transition or not. GD is often found in kids with multiple emotional/developmental issues, including anxiety, depression, and autism.
It’s simply inappropriate for a school to manage these complex issues without trying to engage with parents. Imagine the repercussions of a child harming themself and only after the fact does the school reveal that they were aware of the situation but felt it was best to hide it from the parents.
Parents may be more or less supportive of these kids. Differences of culture and religion exist here in Virginia. We must remember to be sensitive to these differences.
This sensitivity would not excuse abuse and neglect. Cases of abuse can and wil be referred to child protective services.


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<p> FULLY SUPPORT!!! THANK YOU GOV. YOUNGKIN!  </p>


It takes courage to stand up for traditional values

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<p>It is very easy to allow ourselves to flow with the massess.  Today, if you do not allow for any new craze du jour, we are touted as bigots, sexists, etc., etc. Well, God created man and woman, did not create man and man, or woman and woman or even 2 "bodies" that would later decide what they felt they identified to.  The worst part is that the majority have to now conform to the wishes of the minority, our children now have to be told at school that they are to decide their "real" gender when they don't even know their home address.  </p>


Child abuse does not override the 14th; outing trans kids can lead to their death

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If a parent is physically abusing their child, but believes it to be in the name of their religion, is that allowable? If a Christian thinks its ok to beat their child with a rod every time they misbehave, how many of you reading this will out yourselves as willing to enact child abuse because of your culture and your religion?

Outing a trans kid to parents who are unsupportive can increase the risk of death by suicide to a dramatic number. Now if you’re a Christian, maybe death isn’t so scary for you. Maybe you’ve decided its more important to imbue your religion than it is to keep kids alive. But thats contrary to the principle of religious freedom; because here in the USA we dont legislate our religion, its not up to the government to decide what religion will guide us.

 If there is such a drastic risk to trans kids on outing them to their parents, then this policy is morally bankrupt.


The GOP Hates Children

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Youngkin's new policy is cruel, but as always with the GOP, the cruelty is the point.  Also, have any of these morons actually read the 14th Amendment?


Fully Support

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<p style="padding-left: 40px;">I fully support Governor Youngkin's transgender policy.  This should not be a political issue, but a personal/family one.  The previous administration had no right to shove their way into what is a parental issue and getting it out of our schools and back to the family/parents is the right thing to do.   God made two genders and for years we've followed that philosophy regarding bathrooms.  Allowing biological males to use biological female bathrooms because they are 'transgender' is ludicrous and a dangerous proposition.  Get this nonsense out of our schools and put it back with the parents.  And as God made two genders, the use of pronouns should be limited to their biological sex.   Our schools need to stop indoctrinating our children and get back to teaching the normal subjects. </p>


Youngkin Hates

This will hurt kids.  Don't be mean, Youngkin!


Support

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<p> Though we need to find a solution for Trans Rights</p>


Oppose on grounds increasing risk of childhood abuse and suicidality among transgender adolescents

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To the policymakers of Virginia and fellow citizens of the Commonwealth,

This policy poses numerous concerns I would like to discuss. Not only would it impose restrictions on gender affirming care within schools (preferred pronouns, facilities of correct sex), but particularly troubling is the requirement of schools to keep parents/guardians informed of all matter relating to the health of a child (including transgender identity). Already, transgender adolescents have higher rates of childhood abuse (In a recent study out of the American Academy of Pediatrics, 73% report psychological abuse (Odds ratio 1.81), 39% reported physical abuse (Odds ratio of 1.61), and 19% reported sexual abuse (Odds ratio of 2.04)

Disparities in Childhood Abuse between Transgender and Cisgender Adolescents, https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/148/2/e2020016907/179762/Disparities-in-Childhood-Abuse-Between-Transgender?autologincheck=redirected?nfToken=00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000).

A large percentage of the abuse many transgender teens suffer is familial and many kids choose to stay in the closet out of significant fear for their health and safety. With a lot of this abuse and neglect reported out of this community, it is vital that kids have someone with whom they can communicate, without fear of the loss of confidentiality (often school teachers or medical professionals). This bill would eliminate a large source of such persons (teachers).

Now one might ask, what about the question of parental rights? Don't parents have ultimate rights over the decisions of their kids? While there may be differing views, I think the majority would agree parents do not (nor should hold this right) I will give you 2 such examples in Virginia law. 1) Education: Parents do not have the right to withhold education of their child. They do not possess that right. This is a small but important example that in certain cases, the state has the right to interfere for the sake of a child if educational neglect is considered.  2) Health decisions of adolescents: While parents do have a significant amount of legal authority in making decisions and having access to an adolescent's health records. Adolescents do have the right to seek reproductive health, treatment of STIs, substance abuse, psychological treatment without parental consent (https://centerforethicalpractice.org/.../virginia-minors.../). Further, doctors and other health professionals maintain the right to withhold access to a patient's record from their parents if it is determined that knowledge would put them at significant risk (and if the above study on transgender childhood abuse is generalizable (which I suspect it is) then outing trans individuals could very well reasonably pose a significant threat to the physical health of an individual). This policy requiring schools to keep parents/guardians "fully informed about all matters that may be reasonably expected to be important to a parent, including, and without limitation, matters related to their child’s health, and social and psychological development" should not be implemented as it often will place the child in danger of abuse. I do not think it is unreasonable that confidentiality under teachers and other educators best judgement should be extended schools to protect students from being forcibly outed and risk physical abuse, sexual abuse, and neglect.

On a more anecdotal note, I have known multiple members of the LGBTQ community that have suffered neglect, homelessness, and physical abuse at the hands of their immediate family members upon coming out. It can be an incredibly traumatic event to lose your loved ones (also likely partially accounts for the increased rates of suicidality among transgendered individuals as there is a correlation between childhood abuse and self harm/suicidality. Suicidality Disparities between Transgender and Cisgender Adolescents https://publications.aap.org/.../Suicidality-Disparities..., Risk and Protective Factors for Self Harm in a Population-Based Sample of Transgender Youth https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/13811118.2018.1430639).

The reality is that this law could prevent children for seeking counseling in schools for what is an incredibly difficult season of their life, or worse, be outed by the teachers they should have been able to trust and very likely be subject to parental abuse and neglect that so many transgendered individuals are forced to endure on a day to day basis. Gender affirmation and gender affirming care has been shown to reduce the likelihood of depression and suicidality (Mental Health Outcomes in Transgender and Non-Binary Youths receiving Gender-Affirming Care https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2789423) and it is vital that this care be extended to the school system especially in cases where there is little gender affirmation at home.

I would challenge the authors of the changes to these guidelines to find scientific evidence that supports that the implementation of such policies would have a positive effect on childhood health outcomes (Specifically adolescent Abuse, Depression, Suicidality). In the absence of such evidence and considering the abundance of evidence that stands in opposition of this policy, I cannot support this change in policy given the clear evidence that this would put children at risk. I urge those who support this policy to reconsider.


Oppose. Youngkin needs to stop trying to force his extremist views on Virginians

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<p>I, like the majority ofellow Virginians, strongly oppose the governor’s proposal. LGBTQ students, like all students,  deserve respect and support. These proposed regulations help no one and actively endanger the lives and wellbeing of Virginia students. Governor Youngkin ran as a moderate, and needs to stop trying to push his extremist views on the people of the Commonwealth. We will not stand for it. </p>


Strongly opposed to this new proposed policy

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<p>I feel that the Governor’s proposed policy will only serve to alienate a group that is already at risk of suffering from bullying and anxiety/depression. I think the policy enacted previously by LCPS serves its constituents well and should remain in place. </p>


Not all parents are safe to come out to!!!!

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<p>Do not force a child to come out to their parents. It’s not always safe and can be life threatening for some kids if they were to be outed as trans to their parents by their teacher. Please don’t pass this law. Keep trans kids safe. </p>


I Strongly Strongly Support This


I Agree and support our Governor

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<p> I Agree and support our Governor</p>


Leave Trans Kids Alone


Strongly Oppose


Youngkin Hates


I oppose


Support 100%


I Fully Support the Proposal

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<p> As a parent of two school-age children who attend public school</p>


Transgender youth in the public schools

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I am totally opposed to Governor Youngkin’s  proposed changes to Virginia state regulations affecting transgender students in our public schools.  As a retired school psychologist, I know how fragile these young people are and how traumatic is the rejection they feel as they try to live authentic lives. They will become better educated and better citizens if they get all the support possible during their formative years.


Youngkin Hates

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This will hurt kids.  Don't be mean, Youngkin!


Strongly support

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<p> Thank you so much governor for returning common sense to our great state. Parents matter and must be involved and active participants in decisions regarding their children. Schools are there to support families</p>


support 100%


Gender Ideology

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<p>Keep gender ideology out of the schools. I support parental rights and agree with the Governor and his proposal to keep gender ideology out of the schools. There are only two genders - male and female. Students need to use the facilities that match their biological sex. Stop playing games with our children! </p>


Stop the insanity strongly support our governor


Please don't pass the Youngkin draft

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Why Youngkin thought that it was a good idea to change Virginia's transgender policy, I don't know, but what I do know is that the people this will affect won't feel safer because of it. This draft only diminishes the voices of trans people. If Glenn Youngkin believes himself to be a governor, then he should believe it's his civic duty to make the learning environment for students a better place for everyone. This draft only promotes a subconscious denial of liberty to students that identify as trans on the guidelines that it "says in the law trans people don't know what they're talking about". It's my personal opinion that giving excuses to hate eachother isnt progressing us as a country in the slightest, I consider it a treadmill of hate that gets us nowhere.

Yet, I could be wrong couldn't I? Shouldn't we think twice and attempt to understand one another? If Youngkin thinks transgender teens don't know better, that they're just going through a phase and shouldn't dare embarrass themselves with the notion that they're special, then I wonder if he truly understands what they feel. To be trans isn't to burn a flag or act above the legislation surrounding the educational system, to be trans is to ask a friend to understand you more than you might've understood yourself, and to trust that they'll do the same.

I'm not trans, but I want to be a friend to my fellow transgender Americans, so I'm left wondering why a teenager can do so, but a man of experience and age can't do the same.

Please hear our voices.

-C.M. Behm


Teacher who opposes the proposed changes

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I am concerned by the motivations of Youngkin and the Republicans of Virginia. In the first paragraph of this policy, it is written that "All students have the right to attend school in an environment free from discrimination, harassment, or bullying." The rest of the document does not hold true to this statement.

The currently active policy states that "Schools should provide a safe educational environment for all students and treat all students with dignity and respect, regardless of a student’s sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, or transgender status." Throughout the current policy, references are made to a right to exist free from discrimination based on gender. The proposed policy shifts the language to specify "sex" is the one category for school boards to focus on. Quote, "School division policies shall therefore implement the requirements of the Act in a manner that ensures no student is discriminated against or harassed on the basis of his or her sex." The shift in language gives a green light for discrimination based on gender, a word that the new policy does not dare to even name. This increases the likelihood of negative outcomes for transgender students.

Content Warning: Suicide

Many of the comments I have read that are in favor of this change write of protecting children. I understand that parents are concerned when they see the suicide statistics for transgender youth and desperately want to protect their children from that risks. Some parents have clearly misunderstood the best way to do that. The studies about transgender suicide are based on youth who self report their identity. It is not the case that students who are willing to voice their identity beyond a survey suddenly are at risk. It is the case that students who do not feel comfortable expressing themselves to others are the most at risk. Here is a link (https://www.thetrevorproject.org/survey-2021/?section=SupportingTransgenderNonbinaryYouth) for a survey with easy to understand charts on the topic, but it shows that people respecting pronouns correlates with lower chance that an LGBTQ child considered or thought about suicide. A supportive parent can help with this greatly, but other parents can do harm.

Including parents in a student's education is crucial. They are the best source of information a teacher has about a child. Oftentimes, the parent has known the student their whole life. The parent knows how their child reacts to different situations. They understand who they are and what makes their kid unique. It is also true that children understand their parents. We need to trust that students know their parents better than anyone outside of the family. If transgender youth do not think it is the right time to tell their parents about their identity, they are in a better position to make that decision than any parent.

p.s. I can't tell if the policy is supposed to allow teachers and students to call students by their dead names. The statements about not compelling any speech against a person's beliefs makes me feel like it would be interpreted that way. But, it is so vague that it feels like it means students can call others whatever they want. Also, since the proposed policy specifies only discrimination based on sex, could a school staff member be rude to ever boy/girl in their class as long as they are rude to trans boys and trans girls based on their gender identity since that would be discrimination based on gender, not sex? Last side point that I couldn't fit before, intersex people do exist. Just like maybe google "intersex."


I support Youngkin!

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<p>I 100% agree that parents should be aware!! </p>


I support Youngkin!


Have a heart

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As a resident of Virginia, a teacher, and a grandmother, I implore you to "have a heart."  Please give trans children the care, respect, and kindness they need desperately to navigate an already challenging life situation.  Show the residents of Virginia that you are a governor who wants to help, not hurt people.