Dear Virginia Dept of Education,

Schools should never secretly socially transition students and keep the child's new name, pronouns and gender identities from parents. I am pleased and relieved that the Virginia Department of Education's revised model policies support parental rights and ensure that school employees don't cut parents out of critical decisions for their children.

The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) issued "model policies" in 2021 that encouraged every school district in Virginia to hide a child's new gender identity from parents who choose to affirm the child's biological sex. Under Governor Youngkin's leadership, the VDOE's revised policies make it clear that all children should be valued and parents' rights and beliefs should be respected. The 2022 Model Policies on the Privacy, Dignity, and Respect for all Students and Parents in Virginia's Public Schools keep parents involved in major decisions in their children's lives.

The 2021 VDOE "model policies" encouraged schools to create "a plan (that) may include addressing the student at school with their name and pronoun consistent with their gender identity while using the legal name and pronoun associated with the sex assigned at birth when communicating with parents or guardians."

I strongly support the revised policies that end this practice. Virginia schools should not drive a wedge between parents and their emotionally vulnerable children. Virginia school districts, including those who have already communicated their plans to ignore the 2022 revised model policies, should put an end to secret Gender Support Plans now.

Parents have the responsibility to guide their children and help them be comfortable being what they are, as biologically male or female. Do not stand in the way of parents living up to their responsibilities.

Sincerely,
Peter Klee
1322 Arch St
Norristown, PA 19401

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Dear Virginia Dept of Education,<br /><br />Schools should never secretly socially transition students and keep the child's new name, pronouns and gender identities from parents. I am pleased and relieved that the Virginia Department of Education's revised model policies support parental rights and ensure that school employees don't cut parents out of critical decisions for their children. <br /><br />The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) issued "model policies" in 2021 that encouraged every school district in Virginia to hide a child's new gender identity from parents who choose to affirm the child's biological sex. Under Governor Youngkin's leadership, the VDOE's revised policies make it clear that all children should be valued and parents' rights and beliefs should be respected. The 2022 Model Policies on the Privacy, Dignity, and Respect for all Students and Parents in Virginia's Public Schools keep parents involved in major decisions in their children's lives.<br /><br />The 2021 VDOE "model policies" encouraged schools to create "a plan (that) may include addressing the student at school with their name and pronoun consistent with their gender identity while using the legal name and pronoun associated with the sex assigned at birth when communicating with parents or guardians." <br /><br />I strongly support the revised policies that end this practice. Virginia schools should not drive a wedge between parents and their emotionally vulnerable children. Virginia school districts, including those who have already communicated their plans to ignore the 2022 revised model policies, should put an end to secret Gender Support Plans now.<br /><br />Parents have the responsibility to guide their children and help them be comfortable being what they are, as biologically male or female. Do not stand in the way of parents living up to their responsibilities.<br /><br />Sincerely,
<br />Peter Klee
<br />1322 Arch St<br />Norristown, PA 19401<br /><img src="http://admin.phone2action.com/email/open/leg/657523/148255290" width="1" height="1" />


Protect Emotionally Vulnerable Children and Parental Rights!

Dear Virginia Dept of Education,

Schools should never secretly socially transition students and keep the child's new name, pronouns and gender identities from parents. I am pleased and relieved that the Virginia Department of Education's revised model policies support parental rights and ensure that school employees don't cut parents out of critical decisions for their children.

The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) issued "model policies" in 2021 that encouraged every school district in Virginia to hide a child's new gender identity from parents who choose to affirm the child's biological sex. Under Governor Youngkin's leadership, the VDOE's revised policies make it clear that all children should be valued and parents' rights and beliefs should be respected. The 2022 Model Policies on the Privacy, Dignity, and Respect for all Students and Parents in Virginia's Public Schools keep parents involved in major decisions in their children's lives.

The 2021 VDOE "model policies" encouraged schools to create "a plan (that) may include addressing the student at school with their name and pronoun consistent with their gender identity while using the legal name and pronoun associated with the sex assigned at birth when communicating with parents or guardians."

I strongly support the revised policies that end this practice. Virginia schools should not drive a wedge between parents and their emotionally vulnerable children. Virginia school districts, including those who have already communicated their plans to ignore the 2022 revised model policies, should put an end to secret Gender Support Plans now.

Sincerely,
Janet Butler
406 Forest Dr
Island Lake, IL 60042

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Dear Virginia Dept of Education,<br /><br />Schools should never secretly socially transition students and keep the child's new name, pronouns and gender identities from parents. I am pleased and relieved that the Virginia Department of Education's revised model policies support parental rights and ensure that school employees don't cut parents out of critical decisions for their children. <br /><br />The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) issued "model policies" in 2021 that encouraged every school district in Virginia to hide a child's new gender identity from parents who choose to affirm the child's biological sex. Under Governor Youngkin's leadership, the VDOE's revised policies make it clear that all children should be valued and parents' rights and beliefs should be respected. The 2022 Model Policies on the Privacy, Dignity, and Respect for all Students and Parents in Virginia's Public Schools keep parents involved in major decisions in their children's lives.<br /><br />The 2021 VDOE "model policies" encouraged schools to create "a plan (that) may include addressing the student at school with their name and pronoun consistent with their gender identity while using the legal name and pronoun associated with the sex assigned at birth when communicating with parents or guardians." <br /><br />I strongly support the revised policies that end this practice. Virginia schools should not drive a wedge between parents and their emotionally vulnerable children. Virginia school districts, including those who have already communicated their plans to ignore the 2022 revised model policies, should put an end to secret Gender Support Plans now.<br /><br />Sincerely,
<br />Janet Butler
<br />406 Forest Dr<br />Island Lake, IL 60042<br /><img src="http://admin.phone2action.com/email/open/leg/657523/148255177" width="1" height="1" />


Support transgender children/Oppose this policy

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Transgender people have no choice to what they are. Nature isn’t kind to everyone. God created us all. Be godlike and love everyone.


Strongly oppose!

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Don’t force Christian nationalism on all of us. These policies do nothing but promote hate and more stoke division. Is that the only playbook Republicans use these days?


2022 Educational policies

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Strongly support Gov Younkin’s 2022 Educational Policies!  Parents absolutely need to be a critical component of their child’s development and education. Thank you!


Dear Virginia Dept of Education,

Schools should never secretly socially transition students and keep the child's new name, pronouns and gender identities from parents. I am pleased and relieved that the Virginia Department of Education's revised model policies support parental rights and ensure that school employees don't cut parents out of critical decisions for their children.

The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) issued "model policies" in 2021 that encouraged every school district in Virginia to hide a child's new gender identity from parents who choose to affirm the child's biological sex. Under Governor Youngkin's leadership, the VDOE's revised policies make it clear that all children should be valued and parents' rights and beliefs should be respected. The 2022 Model Policies on the Privacy, Dignity, and Respect for all Students and Parents in Virginia's Public Schools keep parents involved in major decisions in their children's lives.

The 2021 VDOE "model policies" encouraged schools to create "a plan (that) may include addressing the student at school with their name and pronoun consistent with their gender identity while using the legal name and pronoun associated with the sex assigned at birth when communicating with parents or guardians."

I strongly support the revised policies that end this practice. Virginia schools should not drive a wedge between parents and their emotionally vulnerable children. Virginia school districts, including those who have already communicated their plans to ignore the 2022 revised model policies, should put an end to secret Gender Support Plans now.

Sincerely,
Barbara Evans
6342 Dogwood Pl
Falls Church, VA 22041

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Dear Virginia Dept of Education,<br /><br />Schools should never secretly socially transition students and keep the child's new name, pronouns and gender identities from parents. I am pleased and relieved that the Virginia Department of Education's revised model policies support parental rights and ensure that school employees don't cut parents out of critical decisions for their children. <br /><br />The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) issued "model policies" in 2021 that encouraged every school district in Virginia to hide a child's new gender identity from parents who choose to affirm the child's biological sex. Under Governor Youngkin's leadership, the VDOE's revised policies make it clear that all children should be valued and parents' rights and beliefs should be respected. The 2022 Model Policies on the Privacy, Dignity, and Respect for all Students and Parents in Virginia's Public Schools keep parents involved in major decisions in their children's lives.<br /><br />The 2021 VDOE "model policies" encouraged schools to create "a plan (that) may include addressing the student at school with their name and pronoun consistent with their gender identity while using the legal name and pronoun associated with the sex assigned at birth when communicating with parents or guardians." <br /><br />I strongly support the revised policies that end this practice. Virginia schools should not drive a wedge between parents and their emotionally vulnerable children. Virginia school districts, including those who have already communicated their plans to ignore the 2022 revised model policies, should put an end to secret Gender Support Plans now.<br /><br />Sincerely,
<br />Barbara Evans
<br />6342 Dogwood Pl<br />Falls Church, VA 22041<br /><img src="http://admin.phone2action.com/email/open/leg/657523/148254680" width="1" height="1" />


Hateful policies!

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<p>Have you heard of transphobia? If not, look it up. Don’t just care about your Christian nationalist base. Respect the rights of all. You are toxic for Virginia. </p>


Virginia is for haters with these policies!!

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From WAPO:

Contrary to statements that suggest otherwise, the 2022 model policies do impose a specific ideology. Christian nationalism is not relegated to churches, extremist groups or religious-political leaders; it exerts control and fosters political violence through public policies and institutions that seek to exterminate non-White, non-Christian, and non-heteropatriarchal thought from the nation.

Amen!


strongly disagree

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instead of finding more ways to oppress lgbtq+ youth, you should be working on how to help children, especially trans people who are not out to their parents yet and need that support. for children who have a difficult home life, school can be a safe space or a way to escape, and you are taking that away. you say that children are the future, so you need to find ways to support them instead of forcing them into conformity. these actions will greatly increase suicide and depression rates in transgender teens and will lead to a spike in child abuse from non-accepting parents. not only will it mean that transgender youth will feel repressed and unable to be themselves, outing them to their parents can have a significant impact on their physical health as well. all in all, this is a ridiculous proposition, as it will negatively affect children's mental and physical health, and make them more likely to end up with mental health issues and trauma.


Opposing commenters deny legal foundations of 'in loco parentis'!  Why? are they themselves abusers?

anti-violence advocate and child protection advocate

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Very many opposing commenters make accusations against parents, with only vague evidence, claiming that many parents are fiends who will beat, evict, or otherwise harm children in their care  if schools inform them of their child's gender dysphoria (a condition that has been adjudicated in the 4th Federal Circuit to be a 'disabling condition'.).

Clearly, reasonably, and with best interests of children in mind, a parent or guardian SHOULD be informed of a child's 'gender dysphoria' disabling condition!

And clearly, any parent(s) who harm children should be reported to Child Protective Services for some intervention, at least an interview.

Very many opposing comments make claims about public school's expertise in mental health assessment, mental health therapy, and mental health support for the disabling condition of gender dysphoria.  BUT they offer no evidence of this!  VDOE should establish - as a matter of fact -  if and how Virginia many public school districts have staff - or consultants - with mental health assessment expertise, mental health therapy expertise, and mental health support expertise  for the disabling condition of gender dysphoria.

Schools are required under law to be 'in loco parentis'  but many/most opposing commenters appears impressively UN-educated, UN-informed, or DIS-missive of 'in loco parentis'.  In any discussion of public education of minor children such ignorance or avoidance of 'in loco parentis' is not only ignorant but also unethical!

Here is one recent article in a law review regarding issues of in loco parentis:

https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4180593

"

First, courts must apply in loco parentis at public schools. The doctrine of in loco parentis recognizes the fundamental principle of American law that the educational right and duty originates in and lies exclusively with parents, and the state can only educate children once parents voluntarily delegate their educational right to the state. Second, given the educational changes occurring over the last 150 years, courts should construe the delegation of authority by the parent to the state much more narrowly, such that the First Amendment and parental rights constrain the state in public education wherever parents are not deemed to have delegated their authority. The Article argues that courts should never construe parents to have delegated their authority over matters that involve the Free Exercise Clause or “core” First Amendment Speech and urges courts to reassert basic parental rights in education, including the right to review curriculum, object to teachers, and opt out of certain curriculum.

"

Opposing commenters should directly address 'in loco parentis' and should discontinue claims of rampant child abuse among Virginia's parents.  If such abuse is so rampant one wonders if  some - or many? - of the commenters are themselves secret abusers? or colluding to protect secret abusers?

Persons who truly support transgender and gender expansive (TGE) youth should demand that EVERY possible child abuser be reported for investigation!  And of course be willing to pay for that through local taxes!  Persons who truly support TGE youth should demand that school districts have mental health assessment/therapy/support experts available!  And of course be willing to pay for that through local taxes!

It appears that very many opposing comments want some 'easy way' to feel good about supporting TGE youth while not actually committing to, and paying for,  resources: expanded Child Protective Services, more foster parenting teams and households, school based and community-based youth services, mental health staff in the school,  and other expertise.

Like so many 'progressives' who want to kill and throw away unwanted infants they want an easy way to feel good about TGE youth.


I oppose this new proposal

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Trans people, like physical hermaphroditism, should be addressed with the pronoun of their choosing. This minority has a right to openly and lawfully  exist.


Governor, please protect biological females in our schools

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Our children are being lead astray by adults with suspicious motives. Allow the parents to make decisions and not the teacher’s unions.


Wholeheartedly support. Force ALL schools to comply with the law

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And bring back police to Alexandria City schools!


Strongly Support Rights of Parents


Oppose

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<p>LGBTQ youth are significantly less likely to die by suicide if they have at least one supportive adult in their lives. When a young person is questioning their gender or sexuality, they need to have access to safe and supportive adults who will be kind, compassionate, and understanding. It's very normal for young people to question various components of their identities, and this policy takes away the right of school personnel to serve as a protective factor for vulnerable youth. I come from a family of educators, and I'm heartbroken to see that this policy and the rhetoric of this administration is pitting teachers against parents. Teachers and school personnel do what they do because they love children, and they show up every day, underpaid and under-resourced, because they are dedicated to young people. If a child discloses sensitive information to school personnel, the top priority of the school personnel should be to ensure that the child is safe. Sometimes it is safe to engage with the child's family at that moment, and sometimes it is not. LGBTQ youth are disproportionately represented in the foster system and are more likely to experience homelessness than non-LGBTQ youth because they often lack support at home. These policies send a message that our public school system is not a safe space for youth. I fully oppose these policies and encourage this administration to consider the data about the risks LGBTQ youth face in non-supportive environments. I've withheld my name from this comment because I'm a state employee and do not trust this administration to not retaliate. </p>


Get suicidal kids mental health care and new role models: not new pronouns

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Governor, please provide the valuable resources that are needed to get these suicidal kids the help that they need.


100% Support!  Thank you Governor Youngkin!

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We need a lot more conservative!


Strongly Oppose

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This policy proves that you care more about controlling children than protecting them. I am both disgusted and afraid because this policy will cause suicides and parental abuse to skyrocket. If you really cared about children, you wouldn't even consider putting in a policy like this. I'll see you in hell.


Strongly support.

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<p>Teachers should not be allowed or encouraged to hide information from parents. </p>


Thank you Governor Youngkin! Biological identity for bathrooms and sports!


Thank you Governor Youngkin!  Fully support!!!


We’re in this mess because we didn’t have enough conservative regulations!  Fully support!!!


Strongly oppose, this is child abuse

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Children should have rights. This takes away children's rights to privacy and autonomy. Children will be abused. They have already demanded to see the genitalia of girls who win in sports. These are adults trying to see children's genitalia.


Conservative policies kill

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<p style="text-align: right;">Gov. Youngkin's policy perpetuates transphobia and will be harmful to our children. </p>


This is going to get children killed.

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<p>Transgender students need more protections, not less. This will lead to higher suicide rates among literal children and parental abuse is going to spike. Parents who claim this is "Parents rights" do not love their children. Children need rights too. </p>


This is so stupid and will cause suicide attempts in young trans children.

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<p>It's well documented that trans kids are at a higher risk of suicide when they cannot present as the gender they identify as- not the one that they are assigned at birth. We have enough kids dying in school shootings or committing suicide from bullying and other factors.  Stop being an ass, grow up and become something other than a saturday morning cartoon villain. </p>


Oppose


Fully Support! Parents should have a say so!

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<p> I support this, I don't believe that just because little Sally walks into class and says because she is wearing a cowboy hat, that today you have to call her Saul, and she can use the bathroom of her choice, this is not the proper or correct.  This order will just revert back to the way it was before this bill was passed.  I don't remember the trans kids hurting or killing themselves before this bill, so it is just a ploy from the woke left to limit my rights as a parent in Virginia.  Thank you Governor!!</p>


School Education Focus

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I was a substitute teacher in Virginia for 25 years until Covid.  I watched student behavior and the curriculum decline, and experienced teachers walk away while Administrators tied the hands of teachers in managing their classrooms and content.  Test scores show that many of our students cannot read and comprehend sentence structure.   Classrooms are a circus atmosphere where those with behavior issues reign supreme, and those wanting to learn are forced to watch the spectacle.  Now, the Administrators want to shove additional garbage into the curriculum.  Best decision I ever made 20 years ago....home school.   I support the Governor's plans to redress the schools.


Strongly Support!


Youngkin’s New Policy

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I oppose Youngkin’s new policy.


I support Glenn  Youngkins

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God made Female and Male.  I support Glenn Youngkins new policy. I also support for all parent rights to pick their own schools outside of their district like we do for other things in our lives.  The schools work for the parents. The parents and caregivers are the one who pay taxes not the child. We need a say of what schools are children are going to.

Thank you for listening and reading this message.

Anonymous


Dear Virginia Dept of Education,

Schools should never secretly socially transition students and keep the child's new name, pronouns and gender identities from parents. I am pleased and relieved that the Virginia Department of Education's revised model policies support parental rights and ensure that school employees don't cut parents out of critical decisions for their children.

The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) issued "model policies" in 2021 that encouraged every school district in Virginia to hide a child's new gender identity from parents who choose to affirm the child's biological sex. Under Governor Youngkin's leadership, the VDOE's revised policies make it clear that all children should be valued and parents' rights and beliefs should be respected. The 2022 Model Policies on the Privacy, Dignity, and Respect for all Students and Parents in Virginia's Public Schools keep parents involved in major decisions in their children's lives.

The 2021 VDOE "model policies" encouraged schools to create "a plan (that) may include addressing the student at school with their name and pronoun consistent with their gender identity while using the legal name and pronoun associated with the sex assigned at birth when communicating with parents or guardians."

I strongly support the revised policies that end this practice. Virginia schools should not drive a wedge between parents and their emotionally vulnerable children. Virginia school districts, including those who have already communicated their plans to ignore the 2022 revised model policies, should put an end to secret Gender Support Plans now.

Sincerely,
Rosemary Leonard
11424 Fairway Dr
Reston, VA 20190

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Dear Virginia Dept of Education,<br /><br />Schools should never secretly socially transition students and keep the child's new name, pronouns and gender identities from parents. I am pleased and relieved that the Virginia Department of Education's revised model policies support parental rights and ensure that school employees don't cut parents out of critical decisions for their children. <br /><br />The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) issued "model policies" in 2021 that encouraged every school district in Virginia to hide a child's new gender identity from parents who choose to affirm the child's biological sex. Under Governor Youngkin's leadership, the VDOE's revised policies make it clear that all children should be valued and parents' rights and beliefs should be respected. The 2022 Model Policies on the Privacy, Dignity, and Respect for all Students and Parents in Virginia's Public Schools keep parents involved in major decisions in their children's lives.<br /><br />The 2021 VDOE "model policies" encouraged schools to create "a plan (that) may include addressing the student at school with their name and pronoun consistent with their gender identity while using the legal name and pronoun associated with the sex assigned at birth when communicating with parents or guardians." <br /><br />I strongly support the revised policies that end this practice. Virginia schools should not drive a wedge between parents and their emotionally vulnerable children. Virginia school districts, including those who have already communicated their plans to ignore the 2022 revised model policies, should put an end to secret Gender Support Plans now.<br /><br />Sincerely,
<br />Rosemary Leonard
<br />11424 Fairway Dr<br />Reston, VA 20190<br /><img src="http://admin.phone2action.com/email/open/leg/657523/148250373" width="1" height="1" />


Strongly Oppose the New Policy

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As a parent of a school age child in Virginia I strongly oppose this regulation. It is not the responsibility of the school system to enforce rules or regulations imposed by the parents at home in the name of "supporting parents' rights." Asking teachers and administrators to enforce and adhere to the gender identity preference of the parent represents an unreasonable burden with no scientifically demonstrable benefit to the child. In fact, most studies say that the opposite is true; being able to chose their own gender identity has been shown to be more beneficial to the child's mental and emotional well-being. This is no different than asking a teacher to regulate whether a child eats all their vegetables at lunch or doesn't eat any sweets during the day because that is the rule that the parents have at home. While teachers and administrators have a duty to speak to the parent when their child has discipline issues or was injured or otherwise in danger, discovering that a child is calling themselves by a different name does not represent a danger to the child or others and therefore should not be the teacher's or administrator's responsibility.

Also, just as a child is able to choose a nickname by which to go by they should be able to chose what name they are referred to as during school. How do you define the reasonable limits for enforcing these regulations? Can a child not decide to go by a middle name, or chose Liam as a nickname for William instead of Billy? Is the child not allowed to have any autonomy at all at school? Should the parents also be allowed to chose what food they eat, books they read, conversations they have? How does a parent's "rights" (a very legally dubious concept considering there are limits as to when a parent's "rights" trump the child's) extend to determining what the child calls themselves on a daily basis?

There is no evidentiary basis for imposing this regulation on already overburdened school systems.


Opposed, govt needs to leave our freedoms alone

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Complete invasion of privacy of our students!!


This makes me think that the US is becoming a third world country

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<p>To take away protections from children at risk of abuse and possible murder is criminally negligible at best.  At worst, everyone that condones this is actively evil. </p>


Fully support. Thank you Gov. Youngkin

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Thank you for empowering parents and protecting our young people in schools. Young men and women need privacy in changing rooms and bathrooms, and shouldn't be asked to compete against a person of the opposite biological sex. Common sense.


Support this policy if you support women' s rights

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Biological girls are losing their rights in schools. They now have mixed sports teams and mixed bathrooms. Women have come a long way in this country. Protect our rights.


keep up the good work Youngkin!

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I feel so much better with you as a governor and your decisions about our families. The overreaching laws of the last couple of years have been detrimental to schools as a whole. The protests last week were unsafe and unclear about their meaning .  Students randomly walked out of school not knowing what was going on and were looking for a break from school.  Let's all pull together and do the best for all our kids.  We all care about all kids, but pronoun and bathroom confusion is over the top.  Keep going in the right direction Virginia!  Don't stop!


Oppose

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<p>I oppose this legislation </p>


I stand OPPOSED to this HATRED

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In "defending parental rights" you equally deny parental rights of those parents of trans, non-binary, and gender expansive children in our schools. You deny the parental rights of people who SUPPORT the inclusion of LGBTQIA+ children, which is the MAJORITY of people.

You cannot selectively erase parts of the population by restricting their freedoms. Freedom of religion does not preclude freedom of identity, freedom of expression, and freedom of speech. Your policies are unconstitutional, both federally and within the Commonwealth.

Shame on you for targeting these VULNERABLE YOUTH. Shame on you for negatively impacting their already challenging childhoods. Shame on you for doing it in the name of anyone's freedom.


Let The Kids Decide For Themselves

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<p>Allowing children to determine their own identity and who that identity is shared with is crucial for the development of their well-being. Parents may not agree with their child’s identity, but the identity doesn’t belong to the parent, it belongs to the child. Studies have shown that embracing a child’s identity lowers their chances of committing self-harm, or worse, suicide. We should be celebrating diversity and inclusion in our schools and creating spaces for kids to be safe and secure in who they are. </p>


LOL-Allowing girls to change in the locker room in private is not a new concept. Support this policy

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The only thing that has changed is that the woke left keeps pushing the envelope. They have gone too far this time.


Protect Emotionally Vulnerable Children and Parental Rights!

Dear Virginia Dept of Education,

Schools should never secretly socially transition students and keep the child's new name, pronouns and gender identities from parents. I am pleased and relieved that the Virginia Department of Education's revised model policies support parental rights and ensure that school employees don't cut parents out of critical decisions for their children.

The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) issued "model policies" in 2021 that encouraged every school district in Virginia to hide a child's new gender identity from parents who choose to affirm the child's biological sex. Under Governor Youngkin's leadership, the VDOE's revised policies make it clear that all children should be valued and parents' rights and beliefs should be respected. The 2022 Model Policies on the Privacy, Dignity, and Respect for all Students and Parents in Virginia's Public Schools keep parents involved in major decisions in their children's lives.

The 2021 VDOE "model policies" encouraged schools to create "a plan (that) may include addressing the student at school with their name and pronoun consistent with their gender identity while using the legal name and pronoun associated with the sex assigned at birth when communicating with parents or guardians."

I strongly support the revised policies that end this practice. Virginia schools should not drive a wedge between parents and their emotionally vulnerable children. Virginia school districts, including those who have already communicated their plans to ignore the 2022 revised model policies, should put an end to secret Gender Support Plans now.

Sincerely,
Ken Lindberg
923 Holly Creek Dr
Great Falls, VA 22066

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Dear Virginia Dept of Education,<br /><br />Schools should never secretly socially transition students and keep the child's new name, pronouns and gender identities from parents. I am pleased and relieved that the Virginia Department of Education's revised model policies support parental rights and ensure that school employees don't cut parents out of critical decisions for their children. <br /><br />The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) issued "model policies" in 2021 that encouraged every school district in Virginia to hide a child's new gender identity from parents who choose to affirm the child's biological sex. Under Governor Youngkin's leadership, the VDOE's revised policies make it clear that all children should be valued and parents' rights and beliefs should be respected. The 2022 Model Policies on the Privacy, Dignity, and Respect for all Students and Parents in Virginia's Public Schools keep parents involved in major decisions in their children's lives.<br /><br />The 2021 VDOE "model policies" encouraged schools to create "a plan (that) may include addressing the student at school with their name and pronoun consistent with their gender identity while using the legal name and pronoun associated with the sex assigned at birth when communicating with parents or guardians." <br /><br />I strongly support the revised policies that end this practice. Virginia schools should not drive a wedge between parents and their emotionally vulnerable children. Virginia school districts, including those who have already communicated their plans to ignore the 2022 revised model policies, should put an end to secret Gender Support Plans now.<br /><br />Sincerely,
<br />Ken Lindberg
<br />923 Holly Creek Dr<br />Great Falls, VA 22066<br /><img src="http://admin.phone2action.com/email/open/leg/657523/148249121" width="1" height="1" />


Trans kids’ safety and mental health is more important than your conservative agenda.

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I am firmly opposed to this bill. It will only serve to harm the children it claims to protect.

When a transgender person is addressed by their birth sex, it can cause them extreme distress and anxiety. Changing how you talk about someone is very simple, and it helps the person’s mental health. Refusing to use the correct name, terminology, and pronouns for a person is just rude and tells them you would rather have them suffer than surrender your republican agenda.

If a queer child is outed to their parents, they could face abuse, physical violence, or their guardian could even kick them out of their house. This is why teachers in many places are required to respect a student’s wishes to have their parents not be aware of their queer identity. The proposed bill will put children in extreme danger at the hands of abusive parents.

In my experience as a high school student it is far more common for students to vape, film videos or destroy the bathroom itself than it is for them to do any kind of sexual act. Additionally, sexual assault still occurs in single-sex spaces, and in fact trans people using the bathroom of their birth sex puts them more at risk of being assaulted themselves. There is no reason that trans people shouldn’t be allowed to .


I didn't vote for you last time but I will this time if you protect our little girls.

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Girls should have their own safe places at school.


support parental rights


Oppose new policy

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This new policy seems to target vulnerable students unnecessarily. I ask that this proposal not be enacted.


Support

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I support this legislation


Guidance Document for new transgender policies in Va public schools

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<p>I strongly oppose this guidance document (Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia’s Public Schools). </p>


In support of Gov. Youngkin's policy

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Bottom line up front: I support our governor's policy. The previous administration's trans-gender policy was nothing more than an attempt in social engineering. Can a child get a tattoo or body piercing at such a young age without parental approval? No, of course not. Nor should they! Parents are responsible for their child's health care, not the schools. Our school's responsibility lies in educating and NOT manipulating our students. Any educator or school administrator who thinks they have the right to influence a child's sexuality is fundamentally wrong and should be shown the door.  Please consider making this issue a zero-tolerance policy.

Thank you, Governor Youngkin, for working to protect Virginia's children.

Mike


Oppose - This will only hurt the children you claim to protect

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Forcing trans children and teens to abide by heteronormative standards will only cause pain, not just for those children you so clearly wish to be rid of but others as well.

This won't get you the result you want, rather than forcing children to conform why not follw their lead in telling you where they want their school to go.


Opposed - This will cause irreparable damage to countless Transgender students.

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Taking away these kid's choice to be called the right name or use the right bathroom is so harmful for young transgender children. It will cause devastating emotional turmoil to these kids, especially if an unsupportive parent is told and becomes abusive. This will KILL kids. If you truly care about the safety of our students, DO NOT let this pass.

As a transgender man myself, I went through the pain of having to be referred to with the wrong name and pronouns, and it wore my mental health down severely to the point where I considered suicide. Do not let it come to this for these students.

Please, protect trans youth.


OPPOSE

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<p>I echo many sentiments in opposition already. To keep it brief, think of the children's mental health and what message this sends to them. Please. </p>


Thank you, Gov. Youngkin, for sticking up for parents' rights!

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A young girl was raped by one of these so called "transgender" students.  The school district hid this information and simply had the transgender student moved to another school where he promptly repeated his actions, raping another young girl. This is a safety issue that needs to be addressed.

As a parent and grandparent, who has taught in the public schools and has family members still teaching in the public schools, I am for parent's rights.  A child is not considered an adult until they are 18 years of age.  They are considered a minor until that time and their parents are held responsible for their actions.  Therefore, parents need to be informed of their child's requests to be treated as another sex.

Our schools are far behind in scholastic achievement when compared to other nations.  We need more emphasis on academics and not use the schools as a means to propagandize or indoctrinate our children. According to a Pew Research poll in 2015 (since COVID, I'm assuming the scores to be far worse) the US is 24th ranked in science behind Vietnam and Slovenia; 39th in mathematics below the average of all the nations in the survey, 24th in reading.  The schools are failing our children miserably.  How are they to compete with other countries with such miserable academic scores?  These scores are compiled in a chart at https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2017/02/15/u-s-students-internationally-math-science/

Thank you, Governor Youngkin for standing up to the very vocal, powerful but few far lefters who have an agenda to promote homosexuality in our schools and culture.  I ask you to bring back academics to our schools and not social agendas.


Oppose the new 2022 draft policy

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I vehemently oppose the governor's new policy draft. It should be evidence based but it is fear based. It should protect all students but it endangers a minority population. It should follow the law but it violates Virginia Code 22.1-23.3 that ensures the safety and dignity of all students. And to be honest, adults who are obsessed with bathrooms are frankly, quite creepy. Transgender females are not males in disguise trying to get into girl's bathrooms.  Please oppose this new policy and keep all students safe.


AGAINST. School is just as important for learning as it is for kids who need an escape from home.

To be in favor of this notion is neglecting the fact that there are kids who are abused by their parents for even coming out. There are kids who are forced to be homeless because of the treatment that follows after coming out. You are endangering more kids because of what? You deem them lesser for exploring life? For finding out that there's more than two molds to be in than what old science dictates?I am truly disappointed in how a bunch of people will decide that science suddenly matters when it is outdated and no longer useful. I am disappointed in how there is a willful ignorance of more recent science and research statistics like the suicide and depression rates of this group of children in particular. You say you care for children, but what children? The "normal" children? The "biologically agreeable" children? If you care about children and their future, you would listen to them. You would hear them out instead of forcing what you think is best. You don't get to pick and choose the children that you care about. It's either all children, or none. You're a horrible parental figure otherwise.
It's sickening to pick and choose a child's value like this while not caring of the obvious consequences in contacting the parents about it. Please rethink this.

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To be in favor of this notion is neglecting the fact that there are kids who are abused by their parents for even coming out. There are kids who are forced to be homeless because of the treatment that follows after coming out. You are endangering more kids because of what? You deem them lesser for exploring life? For finding out that there's more than two molds to be in than what old science dictates?

I am truly disappointed in how a bunch of people will decide that science suddenly matters when it is outdated and no longer useful. I am disappointed in how there is a willful ignorance of more recent science and research statistics like the suicide and depression rates of this group of children in particular.

You say you care for children, but what children? The "normal" children? The "biologically agreeable" children? If you care about children and their future, you would listen to them. You would hear them out instead of forcing what you think is best. You don't get to pick and choose the children that you care about. It's either all children, or none. You're a horrible parental figure otherwise.

It's sickening to pick and choose a child's value like this while not caring of the obvious consequences in contacting the parents about it. Please rethink this.


Strongly support protecting our youth from woke teachers unions.

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Our children deserve protection and safe places.


Strongly Oppose — Protect Trans Kids

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I work in the educational system, and I can tell you for a fact that these policy changes will lead to trans kids committing suicide or being killed by transphobic parents. The schools should be a safe place where student can openly express who they are. This does NOT treat transgender students with compassion. PLEASE do not put this harmful policy into effect. Thanks.


Support all efforts to allow biological females to use bathrooms without males present


This Will Cause Children To Be Traumatized If Not Abused Or Killed

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To start with the forcing of pronouns, gender, and policing of bathrooms students use will not cause trans students who have already examined, understood, and accepted themself in their identity will not result in these students 'reconserdering' social transition in the form of pronouns, address, and gendered utility, it will only cause harm in the form of othering, alienating, and targeting these kids for transphobic (and homophobic as they intersect) discrimination and hate. All this will cause immensely unsafe learning environments for trans and questioning youth who will not have any space to calm and gather their strength needed to face this danger of living knowing that who and what they are is- according to the messaging of this- is inherently wrong and dangerous. The policing of bathrooms only serves to harm trans people as they become a special to be scrutinized at best and harm them physically as they are seen as dangerous for daring to exist in school with the bodily need to evict waste while not looking like what is expected of a gender that is not even theirs or not claiming the gender ascribed on the sign. They will live life having internalized the message that who they are means nothing, this is traumatic and problematic to any relationships or goals they have.

Furthermore, considering most of these trans youth will have realized their gender around highschool or late middleschool this unsafe learning environment will have a detrimental affect on their opportunity to reach higher education or reach productive and fulfilling careers, this is due to the way witch unsafe learning environments have been proven across boards to stunt and increase difficulty learning, as well as how these are the years standard schooling is supposed to prepare students for college and the workforce. What are these kids supposed to do if they reach adulthood (and not succeed in the suicide that the constant messaging of you do not matter and you are dangerous done by the way forcing them to preform harmful acts inorder pretend to be a certain gender fully based on what sort of genitalia they where born with and exclusion of bathrooms under the rhetoric that they are indescribable from evil, rhetoric they will undoubtedly know) after having to fight in order to just exist in their school, the only thing you can learn in survival mode is what hurts and what pain you can ignore how then will they be able to enter adulthood healthily and productively? This will set them up for heavy amounts further trauma and dangerous situations each one capable of killing.

On top of this the reporting trans identity and gender nonconformity to parents will out students to potentially transphobic parents. Rates of homelessness and parental abuse after parents find out or are informed of their child's transness is very high, this is cause abuse either on the hands of the parents, at the school, or on the streets. The youth kicked to the street upon being outed by the school will be risking their life every day trying to get necessities.


Opposed

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It's a breach of freedom and confidentiality to pass such a bill. It won't protect anyone.


Proposed Policy Violates My Religious Faith

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My Unitarian Universalist faith affirms as its first principle the inherent worth and dignity of every person. The proposed policy on transgender students in Virginia schools violates that practical moral principle and I am therefore compelled to oppose it. Every transgender student is a natural person with the inalienable dignity of individual agency and a right to privacy which is denied to them in this proposed policy. Each of these transgender person’s worth is inherent to their person, not residing in the mind of, or by force of, another person, even a parent.

Transgender students deserve the informed guidance and compassionate counsel of trusted adults, denied them under this policy, as they navigate their personal authentic experience. We all hope that the trusted adult in a child's life is a parent but the plain reality for time immemorial has been that children often confide in an aunt or uncle, a religious educator at church, or a teacher at school. Implementing this regressive policy will not change that dynamic of childhood development.

The fifth principle of my Unitarian Universalist faith affirms the right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large, which I also believe to be violated by the irregular process by which this proposed policy has been brought. Some provisions of the proposed policy are already plainly federally unconstitutional under Grimm v. Gloucester.

As a matter of conscience, I will continue on the side of love in defense of the inherent worth and dignity of all people and in firm opposition to this proposed policy which I believe does harm to transgender students.


So you believe in liberty? Prove it.

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These policies get people killed. Be it from parental abuse and neglect or from suicide, bills like this are signed in blood. Do you not consider yourselves pro-life?

You teach your children to be upstanding Americans, and to abide by the constitution. How can you expect them to believe in it when you put such limits on their life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness? What message are you sending, that these certain inalienable rights granted by our Creator are only granted to them once they're no longer your problem?

I am appealing to you to recognize your children as individuals, as people, with the same rights to privacy and freedom of expression as you have and swear by. I will not appeal to you as a transgender person, as you will likely close your hearts, eyes, and ears to my experiences. Rather, I appeal to you on our common ground as Americans, as believers in free speech, to set an example for your state's children by granting them these same rights you hold dear.

If you want your children to be successful, well-adjusted adults, raise them that way. If you choose to strip your children of these rights, and raise them as property, invest in burial plots.


Is government overreach— new guidelines infringe upon right to life, liberty, & pursuit of happiness

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I believe that these policies constitute government overreach and infringe upon the rights of students’ rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Nowhere in the United States Constitution does it say that harassment is free speech. What logical reason is there for there for a parent to need to know about the decision of their child in regards to something as simple as pronouns? It’s government overreach. Students in many other states are also allowed to pursue sporting activities that align with their identity. This should be the case in Virginia as well. States should be revising their policies to reflect the guidances of the American Psychological Association, American Medical Association, and American Academy of Pediatrics—that people who identify as a gender different than theirs assigned at birth *are* whatever gender they identify as.


4th US Circuit: gender dysphoria is a disabling condition. PARENTS MUST be informed!

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Recent news reports that

"a three-judge panel of the Richmond-based 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals became the first federal appellate court in the country to find that the landmark federal law protects people with gender dysphoria, a condition that causes anguish and other symptoms as a result of a disparity between a person’s gender identity and their assigned sex at birth."

The court recently declined to re-hear the cast and let their earlier finding stand!

CLEARLY, PARENTS MUST be informed of any 'disabling condition'!  It is beyond sanity that so many commenters here think that disabling conditions should be kept secret from parents; or that licensed education professionals have a right to DECEIVE parents.

Many commenters appear to believe - and assume - that many parents will harm their children if so informed.  Some commenters claim that the new policy of informing parents will generate many cases for Child Protective Services; as if that is a bad thing!

Are these commenters insane?! or merely ideological hypocrites!  OF COURSE there should be many new cases for Child Protective Services IF, IN FACT, there are so very many abusive parents in Virginia!  The commenters should be demanding more CPS workers, attached to their public school systems, to investigate the  - allegedly - hundreds, if not THOUSANDS! - of abuse parents in Virginia!

https://apnews.com/article/health-richmond-gender-identity-virginia-41c0904e48a67028942285d874e91c1c


Strongly Oppose

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Do not use our children for your political gain.  This will bring harm to trans youth who need love and support.


strongly oppose

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strongly oppose. protect trans kids


Parents are responsible for minors

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<p>I support the policy change since I support children and parents. Children until the age of 18 are minors and are the responsibility of their parents. </p>


Pointless, intrusive, invasive waste of litigation & taxpayer money.

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Wasting administrative energy on pointless supervisory minutiae like Gov. Youngkin's transgender student policy proposals merely adds stress to faculty & students with no benefit. This snooping zealotry will not improve any educational or community outcomes.


Against!!

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if you wish to protect your students' health, safety, and lives, that means protecting ALL students, especially those who are transgender. STRONGLY OPPOSE these measures.


some ideas

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um anyways, another suggestion is a one-room changing room/bathroom in a school gym so queer kids don't have to go into a bathroom they don't identify with. I agree that both sexes changing in the same room is weird though.


Students will be hurt

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I think the parents might become abusive if they find out abt their child being trans or changing name/pronouns. Also, I think trans ppl should only be allowed to play sports of the opposite sex If they are on hormone blockers, testosterone, or estrogen shots. Maybe we could make sports like baseball, softball, and football able to be played by both sexes. We should also include LGBTQIAP+ history in our social studies curriculum. Not even a unit, just bring it up now and then. I hope this makes sense to you all! Have a blessed day!


Against the ruling

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This policy will kill your children. It will kill the children that have been outed to bigoted parents. It will kill children who don't look the way their birth gender is expected to, even if they are that gender and identify as such. It can kill any child who is being bullied because now bullies will have a new tactic: pretending their victim is transgender and getting them in trouble with the school and their parents. This policy is dehumanizing, disrespectful of schoolchildren, and highly inappropriate on any level, much less through the state.


Breeds institutional hate and intolerance - strongly oppose

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<p>This policy does not take the rights of children into consideration. There is more chance that a gay male student using the boys restroom is bullied and beaten that the chance of a girl getting assaulted by a transgender student in the girls restroom. This policy allows the education institution to not only tolerate hate but to encourage the practice by allowing transgender students to be bullied and not recognized as themselves by teachers and educators. School is often the ONLY place a LGTBQI+ student feels safe. Now you are taking away that safe zone. Parents are sometime the LAST people to know their child is LGTBQI+ because their child is so afraid of disappointing them by telling them who they are as a human being.  The rights of parents do not include the right to take away the sense of self and self worth from their child. Your policy is hateful and promotes emotional, mental, verbal, and, potentially, physical abuse towards LGTBQI+ students. </p>


anti trans student laws

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you are instigating abuse and crippling the mental health of already vulnerable peoples by proposing these laws. schools dont offer sex reassignment surgeries or hormones, its ing insane to put laws that can cost teachers their jobs and make kids want to kill themselves on the names and pronouns used in the classroom. this is honestly an overreach of your power to me. how does it harm you that these kids wanna die a little less because their teacher or classmate supports them? do better


This policy violates students' rights to life and liberty

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This policy will lead to students (both trans and cis) being harmed. It violates their rights to personal freedom and expression, and puts them in danger. This policy is evil, and I don't use that word lightly -- the attempts at control won't stop with trans students.


AGAINST. This will kill children, from depression, discrimination, and abusive parents.

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Let kids explore their identities. The statistics of trans people who prey on people in bathrooms do not match up with the fears of transphobic people. This will drive children to suicide, and excuse abuse from both their peers, school administrators, and abusive parents.


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

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I support, stop encouraging children to change something that cannot be changed


100% SUPPORT- no more bathroom sexual assaults in Loudoun County schools- remove our school board

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Remove our school board and superintendent! Enough is enough!


Support this policy; stop discriminating against biological females.

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Biological females deserve not to have their rights violated. The women's movement has made great strides in our country but we are currently at risk. We need to stand up for our rights and make sure the next generation is guaranteed that same set of rights. Starting with our youth, they deserve safe spaces at school and they deserve a competitive playing field within their sports programs.  Keep fighting for our biological females!


support parental rights

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Thank you governor. My family supports your legislation. We don't desire for teacher's unions to raise our kids.


STOP BLAMING NORTHRN VIRGINIANS

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Come to one of our school board meetings and you will find that this is not representative of Northern Virginians. There are a few attention seeking parents and teachers that want to bully people into their narrative. I am not friends or acquaintances with one parent that believes boys should be allowed in girl's bathrooms or locker rooms.


Fight the Right Wing Agenda - Transphobia and Anti-LGBT sentiment is NOT welcome

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This is a travesty of an idea, done to push a deeply anti-LGBT agenda by overly paranoid and selfish people who are only interested in controlling their children under the pretense of "protecting them", even if it means getting many of those children killed. Do NOT support this. NO ONE benefits from this.


Strongly Oppose

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This isn’t about parental rights. These guidelines specifically target trans kids and non-binary kids. As a parent in Virginia, I strongly oppose these guidelines.


Oppose. This is a terrible idea that will hurt trans children

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Trans kids deserve to feel protected and respected in school. Their existence isn't hurting anybody and they should be treated with common decency.


Proposed New Policy Regarding Transgender Students

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The first principle of my Unitarian Universalist faith affirms the "inherent worth and dignity of every person." The existing policy affirms respectful treatment of individuals who identify as LGBTQIA whereas the proposed policy ignores the evidence-based harm it would likely cause transgender students. Additionally, the proposed policy includes provisions federally unconstitutional under Grimm v. Gloucester. I see no evidence that any Virginian has been harmed by the existing policy that supports respectful treatment of transgender students. The proposed policy would deny the supportive resources available to transgender students whose families may not be supportive of them. As the proposed policy has the potential to put transgender students in harm's way, I oppose it.


Oppose. WE WILL NOT TOLERATE THE INTOLERANT

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This policy is nothing but a falsified wedge issue.

The "2022 Model Policies" are a ization of the rights it professes to protect. On one hand it claims to be standing up for religious liberties, while on the other using religious fundamentalism in order create laws that stand on the throat of transgender students with an iron boot. By the proposals own admission, the statement "Parents have the right to make decisions with respect to their children" INCLUDES transgender students.

Whose to say which parents get more of a say? That's where politics enter, isn't it?

The worst part is that the politicians supporting this farce DO NOT CARE. They will spew any hatred needed in order to maintain power, enriching themselves and their sycophants.

The politicians constituents could also care less. They refuse introspection. If using consideration for a moment, they would understand that the freedom of the individual to be who they are is the highest value in the United States of America.

SIC SEMPER TYRANNIS!


Support this guidance; save the children from the ultra left wing wokeness.

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Please keep our children safe. Don't let the woke northern Virginians continue to indoctrinate our children with their ultra woke ideology.


Support to protect ALL students lives

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Girls lives matter too.  Thank you governor.


Strongly support

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I STRONGLY SUPPORT this effort to restore parental rights and to protect our young women and all children. Do not listen to the vitriol from the other side. Let common sense and reason rule, please.


This will get children killed.

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<p>This is targeting trans children and teens, the likelihood of abuse skyrockets with measures like this, the governor should be ashamed to show such malice and cruelty to our children.  </p>


This will hurt kids.

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Trans kids deserve to be happy and respected. This will harm their mental health, parental abuse will increase, you will get people killed. Those are children they deserve life and happiness. This should not happen. Do some  research, trans people are not harming anyone, but you are harming them.


Restore Parental Rights in our Schools

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I fully support adoption of the revised (2022) Model Policies that restore parental rights and Constitutional protections to our education system.


This policy will get children killed

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Parental abuse will spike if this goes through and depression in trans teenagers will go up as well. There are hundreds of thousands of students who will be negatively effected by this and many lives may be ruined as a result. If you have any love and empathy for other people in your heart, I beg you to reconsider this policy and not to impliment it


Dangerous policy for trans students

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<p>Lack of support and confidentiality from k-12 school admin will increase depression rates and suicide rates in trans kids. Children deserve to have their identities taken with understanding and support, but this policy will force admin to treat students disrespectfully and paternalistically. </p>


Model Policy for Treatment of Transgender Policies in VA Public Schools

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I support Gov Youngkin's proposed policy to ensure parents are involved and informed about potential actions by the school.  I agree with II.A.2 "Schools shall defer to parents to make the best decisions with respect to their children."  While students are living with parents and agree with the policy's statement: "parents to exercise their fundamental rights granted by the 14th Amendment of the US Constitution to direct the care, upbringing and education of their children."

I agree with Gov Younkin that the parents know their children better than any other individual or institution including background, preferences, tendencies, struggles, and intellect.  Parent also love their children more than any teacher, principal, coach, or institution.  We must respect that experience and perspective when "life" decisions are made and this proposed policy requires that parental involvement.  We don't let people join the military or play sports earlier than age 18 without parental consent, yet if they want to make a life altering, irreversable decision that will shape their lives from that moment onward without consulting the parents we essentially say to them, "Go right ahead with whathever fad of the day is in vogue?"  We owe our kids and grandkids better than that.


Oppose Guidance Document

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Without protection & support from administration and superiors, gender non-conforming children will be attacked, bullied, and driven to suicide. Glenn Youngkin would rather let kids die than live in their own image.


Personal Liberty Applies to Trans People. Stop Taking it Away.

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There is No reason that Trans People should be singled out and Humiliated like this.


This will hurt trans students

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<p>This decision will hurt trans students and has no proven basis. It's born from assumption with no backing from any evidence and I implore you to reassess this policy. Respecting the use of a trans student's chosen pronouns, protecting their identity in the event of abusive family, and letting them use the bathroom consistent with the gender they identify is the most basic level of care, refusal to provide even that means an inherently hostile environment. </p>


This is discriminatory and dangerous

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<p>Transgender children are already at higher risks of suicide and are a vulnerable population. i urge you to stop putting the feelings and emotional outbursts of adults before children’s safety and well-being. The science on this issue is clear: transgender identities are valid and should not be targeted by the government simply because some people feel a certain way about it. Thank you. </p>


Women have been assaulted because of policies letting me in women's spaces

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It's bad enough what happened already in places like Loudoun county. To continue to allow such gender inclusive policies is dangerous and fits the literal definition of insanity. Girls shouldn't be endangered because of some guy's feelings.


This policy will get kids killed

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Transgender students need protection not hateful policies that will put them at risk for peer and family abuse. This will cause trauma and result in bullying, depression, and abuse!


Thanks Governor Youngkin! This is who I voted for you! We need normalcy!


In no way does this policy threaten kids. It protects them.

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Women have been raped because of policies forcing them to share intimate spaces with men. Gender ideology is the real threat.


Putting trans kids on risk

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This is going to get children who feel different than their peers and haven't figured out why yet to feel like there's something wrong with them. Let trans kids be trans, they don't hurt anybody by existing. It is incredibly damaging to be denied the treatment that affirms one's identity, don't hurt children by doing that! Do you really want to try to dissect children's identities because they don't fit with your worldview? Is it part of being an educator to force your ideas over children's well-being and suppress their individual development as a result?


Thank you Governor Youngkin!  I’m for additional restrictions!


Thank you Governor Youngkin!  Protect our Daughters!


100% Support!  Thank you Governor Youngkin!


Fully support! Biological identity for bathroom and sports! Only!


Fully support! Biological identity for bathroom and sports! Protect regular kids!


Oppose Governor Youngkin’s model policy

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The proposed model policy ignores the parental rights of parents of transgender and gender expansive students.  Schools should be required to use the preferred name and pronouns that students communicate and that their parents communicate. As written, even if a parent of a transgender child requests name and pronouns, teachers will not be required to use them.

The governor needs to not project their beliefs and religion on constituents.


This is common sense.

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If you need everyone to agree with you to avoid depression, the problem is your beliefs. You don't have a right to force your way into female only spaces.


2021/2022 Model Policy for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Public Schools

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Thank you Gov Youngkin! I support these changes.


I oppose this policy

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I oppose Governer Youngkin's reckless, harmful, and cruel actions towards trans children. I believe this policy will result in the deaths and shortened lives of children if allowed to go forward unopposed. Anyone who actually cares about their children should be strongly against this.


Good idea to get kids killed

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Scientific evidence shows that misgendering trans people and denying their gender identity has a direct causatory link with suicide and transgender teens are especially vulnerable. More concerning is that school staff would be required to out teens to their parents which can very literally get them murdered or abused in other ways. Children have rights safety over their parents having the right to force them into a box.


Incredibly firm opposition. Protect trans youth.

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The personal expression and mere existence of transgender youth is anything but predatory and has absolutely zero place being regulated by government policies like this one. EVERY child in this country deserves a safe place to be themselves and supportive adults who care for them. Many are not lucky enough to call this space home or these people their family, so they find this environment at school among teachers, counselors, and hopefully peers. Some people choose to be parents should not be, because no parent should ever love their children conditionally, based on their adherence to cisgender norms. Unfortunately, this is not the reality. So, the least we can do for trans kids in this situation is support their individuality, expression, mental health, and well-being in the school environment and not out them to parents. Outing children will lead to increased rates of suicide among trans youth resulting from the unbearable burden of abuse and discrimination experienced by these youth at the hands of their parents. It is zero exaggeration that this policy will kill trans kids.


Strongly Support 2022 Bill that includes Parents

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<p>I strongly support the new focus that will give my daughter the same rights and responsibilities for her children that I had 30 years ago raising my children.  It is inconceivable that students could change their preferred identity or physical attributes without including the parents.  I remember many helpful "back to school nights" where good feedback (not spying) was provided so my wife and I could make good "mid-course guidance" corrections to our children (especially true for sons). We as taxpayers would be guilty of any negative outcomes that could have been prevented via good parent discussion or counseling </p>


Telling kids that something's wrong with them isn't healthy.

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The real threat to mental health right now is gender activists telling kids that their bodies are wrong and they need to get surgery or transition to fix it. This is evil and this, not resistance to the radical gender ideology, is what's causing suicides.


Great idea. Gender ideology has gone too far.

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Stop the gender ideology takeover of schools


Model Policy for Trans students

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I strongly oppose the proposed model policy in several grounds: 1) The Code is clear on this issue already & an administrative directive cannot supersede the established law; 2) The proposal is discriminatory & damaging; 3) The proposed policy violates constitutionally protected free speech; 4) The proposed policy disrupts the community-based trust vital to our public schools.


Reject the 2022 Model Policies and Restore the 2021 Model Policies

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My name is Dr. Rachel Levy. I am a longtime educator and classroom teacher with a PhD in Educational Leadership & Policy from Virginia Commonwealth University. There are several serious problems with the "2022 Model Policies on the Privacy, Dignity, and Respect for All Students and Parents in Virginia’s Public Schools." I will detail those problems below.

These new policies are not legally compatible with the 2020 General Assembly law requiring school districts to adopt the corresponding 2021 Model Policies. They declare the 2021 Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) Model Policies extending rights to transgender and nonbinary students as "withdrawn," yet the law was predicated on the adoption of those exact policies. It does not seem likely that the Youngkin Administration can just fill in the blank with any policy they choose. If the 2022 policies are not lawful, then they cannot be implemented or enforced. Furthermore, the issuing of these policies represents Executive Branch overreach, an illegitimate attempt of Youngkin’s Executive Branch to legislate.

The 2022 Model Policies curtail civil liberties and rights. First, any/all references to nonbinary students that were in the 2021 Model Policies have been removed which makes it so that there is no option at all for gender-identity aligning pronouns to be used for non-binary students. Second, the set of policies privileges the First Amendment rights of some citizens over others. According to the 2022 Model Policies, school personnel cannot be compelled to address transgender students by their names and pronouns if they feel doing so goes against their First Amendment rights; at the same time, school personnel are prohibited in some cases from using the preferred pronouns and denied their First Amendment rights. Third, the Youngkin Administration's use of the word "rights" instead of "involvement" is problematic. Under the logic of this policy agenda, the Youngkin Administration is in favor of parents' rights at all costs and in all cases. This sets a precedent that could allow for child abuse, child neglect, and unregulated child labor. Under the Youngkin Administration's logic, a child is not a full person. In the particular case of transgender and non-binary students in schools, it is not up to the children or students who they are; it is only up to the parent, and in some cases up to school personnel. A child only is/is not transgender if the parents says so, and in writing. This also means that if a transgender child is not accepted by their parents, then school personnel are disallowed from recognizing or accepting that child as transgender, no matter what the child wants and says.

Even if we concede that this is a matter of parents’ rights, the Youngkin Administration privileges the rights of anti-transgender people over the rights of supportive parents of transgender students. The policy requires that parents legally change their child's name and that they change their child's sex on their birth certificate before the child will be recognized by that name and gender. With grudging exceptions for Grimm v. Gloucester County School Board and "federal law," student participation in school activities and events and use of school facilities is dictated according to what the Youngkin Administration deems as their biological sex--in those cases, even in-writing-from-parents and legal documents don't matter. In other words, under these policies, even *with* parents' permission/guidance, transgender students still cannot use school facilities or be on teams that align with their gender identity. Even *with* parents' guidance, school personnel and fellow students are permitted to defy using transgender students' and their parents' preferred names and pronouns. Until then, school personnel are prohibited from using pronouns, names, and nicknames not, or not related to, their legal name. This actually impacts all students. For example, if a student named Sarah has the nickname Coco, school personnel are prohibited from using that nickname unless the parent has given permission in writing.

Finally, the model policies very narrowly define transgender and "sex” and assume that gender is dictated by biological sex. Being transgender has one manifestation and one remedy. This goes against the findings of experts in the field of gender studies and child development. Furthermore, it treats the existence of transgender people not as a fact but as an "ideology" and implies that Virginia K-12 public school educators who respect transgender students' stated gender identity are promoting "ideology,” rendering the very existence of transgender and non-binary people as a political stance, rather than as existential. Just as granting parents the right to abuse and neglect their children, this, too, sets a dangerous precedent—the existence of any person in our public schools whose identity members of the Youngkin Administration do not accept or acknowledge, can be seen as ideological.

These 2022 Model Policies must be rejected and the 2021 Model Policies restored and enforced.


Transgender policy

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<p>I am in support of Governor Youngkin's recent transgender policy which reasserts the rights of parents. Parents are, and should be recognized as, the primary educators and overseers of their children's education and well-being.  </p>


This would have killed me

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As a trans person and a former student in a Virginia public school, if my parents had found out back then, I never would have made it to graduation. There are many students now who need the safety of a place away from their parents to exist as themselves in a way they cannot at home and for many children, school is the only place they have for that.

Trans children aren't hurting anybody, they just want to be themselves. This policy, however, will absolutely hurt these children.

This will lead to more child abuse. This will kill children. This would have killed me.


Strongly Opposed

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This policy is dangerous to the health and safety of children. Numerous studies have shown that not allowing children to transition leads to increased risk of suicide. Please allow them safe spaces.


Support gender-non-conforming youth

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I’m writing in support of trans kids, some of our most vulnerable children. These youth are doing what every other child does: trying to figure out who they are and where they fit. Straight girls do this when they determine that they like boys and vice versa; cis kids do this when they determine that the bodies they were born with match the gender they were assigned. By mandating AFAB and AMAB restrooms and locker rooms, you deny all children the autonomy to say who they are. What is more, you at best further “other” youth who are already differ from the bulk of their peers and at worst you label them predators. Students don’t say they’re trans so that they can peep at girls in the locker room- what a preposterous idea! Students that say they’re trans have given their gender and identity  a great deal more thought than most people and have come to the conclusion that the social implications of transition far outweigh the mental anguish that comes from staying closeted. Support trans/gnc youth- give them their title ix rights as you would every other child in your district.


This can get kids killed.

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This is not only reject kids of their bodily anatomy but can get them murdered, kicked out of their home or beaten. I demand this bill to be cast to a fire and let it's ashes be thrown to the sea. Protect Trans kids.


Barbaric Policy that is going to get vulnerable kids killed

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This is going to harm already endangered and vulnerable kids even more, instead of offering support and care for these kids this barbaric policy will, in no uncertain terms, result in many deaths and suicides of innocent transgender youth.


Strongly Oppose 2022 proposed model policies

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As a parent of a trans graduate of Virginia public schools, I strongly oppose these 2022 model policies. My child is an example of what happens when they are in a supportive school environment and family, where they are affirmed for who they are. They graduated high school with honors and went on to graduate with honors from university. All other trans and nonbinary students deserve that same support and opportunity. These model policies create a hostile environment that will distract from their education and focus on discriminating and harming trans and nonbinary students, training a negative spotlight on them, instead of acknowledging and respecting them for who they are, so they can then go forward focusing on education and achievement. Further, not all trans and nonbinary students have supportive families; respecting their lead on how they present at school v. how they choose to present at home is literally life-saving for trans and nonbinary students. Not following their lead is overstepping in these students’ personal lives and decisions. The schools must follow these students’ lead in how they’re named, the pronouns they use, and move forward with providing equal education – not focusing on questioning their personhood, not otherizing them and denying them dignity. That’s where the educational disruption occurs – who trans and nonbinary students are is not the educational disruption, the disrespect and direct targeting of these students is. Many educators and school support staff have gotten this acknowledgement and respect of trans and nonbinary students correct, and they should be supported in doing so. Allow trans and nonbinary students to thrive and learn as they are – and they will contribute to the commonwealth exponentially. We see this now with my other child’s peers in school who are supported – they thrive academically and are artistically gifted. They have expressed trepidation regarding these 2022 proposed model policies that target them and deny their personhood. Targeting children for who they are is dangerous, discriminatory, and overstepping in the school’s role in their lives. I urge these 2022 model policies to be rejected.


WTF? (part 3)

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THIS LAW IS STUPID AND YOUNGKIN IS A BITCH


Youngkin is an ugly ugly bitch (part 2)

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I am an ugly bitch and a whore because I think this law is good


Please Don't Get Kids Killed

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Forcing teachers to out and misgender transgender students could potentially get them kicked out, abused, or killed. Please don't make their lives harder. They don't deserve this.


Model Policies for Treatment of Transgender Students

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<p>I support the proposed common-sense education policy re transgender issues. It's crucial for Virginia to protect parental and student-safety rights. </p>


Strongly Oppose


Kids need autonomy, stop denying them

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If a child is having thoughts about the specifications of their gender identity, suffocating their ability to test the water will make it more stressful for everyone. What is important for a healthy environment is the space where such exploration is accepted. Both trans and cis children become stressed, and anxious about any aspect of their identity if it is banned in any way shape or form.

Children are not objects for us to own, they are just younger people. And people need the freedom to make the decision for themselves. Forcing someone to misidentify for years at the threat of punishment is cruel and unusual. If they wish to know who they are, school is the place to figure it out.


You want kids to kill themselves.

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<p>Everything I hear about this policy makes it clear you hate children and want them to suffer and die. You're conditional in your care about children, and only want ones you deem acceptable to live. You're a monster if you support this and think potential deaths of children are fine. </p>


Strongly oppose

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<p>This will not benefit a single cis kid, but will hurt thousands of trans kids. Strongly oppose. </p>


Strongly Oppose

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<p>There is no need to create a law that would  forcibly out children and teens to possibly bigoted/abusive parents, as well as give parents full control on children's personal expression. Please realize how dangerous this law would be. If a child is not presenting to their parents the way they are at school, there is most likely a reason for that. Please protect the safety and wellbeing of our youth. </p>


Very strongly opposed

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I don't know what else to say, other than I care about the wellbeing of human people. this is one of the worst ideas I've ever heard a governing body have in recent memory.


I am a real person and I FULLY SUPPORT this revision!

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<p>I am a grandmother of 12, and I believe Governor Youngkin's Model Policy revisions to the transgender policies are excellent. They give parents the ability to determine what is going on with their children in school, and it protects the rights of NON-transgender students. </p>


Doesn’t go far enough- should be a felony for a male to enter a female’s locker room.

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<p>Sexual assault is real. Keep it out of our schools. </p>


Shameful attack on transgendered student

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<p>The Youngkin administration is attacking students dealing with gender identity issues. Anyone who votes in support of this policy is complicit in the resulting damage to vulnerable young people. Forcing children to obtain approval from parents further endangers those children who do not have supportive and understanding families. ALL of the legitimate medical organizations in our country have strongly expressed their opposition to your draconian and dangerous attempts, like this, to impose your ChristoFascist beliefs on our citizens. History will be brutal to these measures and to the so-called leaders who enacted them. </p>


I implore VDOE to protect transgender students’ rights

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<p>Every student deserves to be protected and supported. Please do not let lack of understanding erase these students’ identities </p>


Support the 2022 Model Policy for Transgender Issues in Public Schools

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I encourage you to support this new “2022 Model Policy.”

I wholeheartedly concur with policy’s declared interest in protecting and encouraging respect for all students (including those struggling with their own spiritual or sexual identities) AND their parents.

I also wholeheartedly endorse this policy’s recognition of the parents’ right, role, and responsibility in raising and developing their own child/children (mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually) as they see fit, without interference from government or the public school system.

Children are not mentally or emotionally equipped to make certain decisions for themselves at the early stages of their development; that is precisely why they have parents and guardians.  Not too long ago, it was the policy that school children were not qualified to even choose the contents of their own lunches; yet in the previous 2021 policy, it was asserted that  five-year-olds could competently decide their gender.  The new 2022 policy is correct in its reinforcement of the Fourteenth Amendment’s provision that parents have a fundamental right to direct the upbringing and education of their children.” Children are not “communal property.”   Schools are not “partners” with the parents in raising our children.  The school exist to provide a service to the parents and their children, not serve a substitute for them or to insert itself as a proxy moral arbiter.  I absolutely agree with the “2022 Model Policy” and its guiding principle that “Parents have the right to make decisions with respect to their children” and that “schools shall respect parents’ values and beliefs.”

It is one thing to recognize the right and freedom of every individual to pretend to be whatever they may want to be (unalterable scientific and biological truths notwithstanding); it is quite another to insist that all other persons and institutions must pretend with them or be subject to penalties.  No individual has a right to force an entire population into a make-believe world of his/her choosing; nor could it or could/should it, with any rational legal justification.

I therefore support this policy’s recognition of the First Amendment protection against compelling speech that is contrary to a person’s individual or religious beliefs.  I believe that forcing people who have a biblically/scientifically/practically based belief in biologically assigned sex to refer to a biological male or female by some other term is a violation of that Constitutional protection.

The “2021 Model Policy” was myopic in its focus, and seemed to concentrate on what was viewed as the rights, safety, and well-being of a particular group of students with little or no regard for the rights, safety, and well-being of all others.  The new “2022 Model Policy” provides much-needed adjustment and balance.

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


Oppose this bill, which will only hurt children and teens.

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A transgender child whose parents are informed of their identity may be severely hurt and abused if their parents are bigoted. A child who hides something like this from their parents has good reason to do so, especially considering the negative mental health impacts of staying in the closet. Having schools force children into a dangerous situation is intolerable. Do not pass this bill.


Support Parents rights to care for their children

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Parents are responsible to care and lead their children. The state, here schools, are already overwhelmed and burdened with the education of our children. If the schools struggle with education, how can they be best suited to individually care for mental health of every single student? Can a teacher of 30 know what is best for a struggling child? Can a guidance councelor, who is already overwhelmed currently, be able to lead hundreds of children's mental health?

The school can help. The schools has helped. But the school is unable and not equipped to make such decisions without the parents. As a parent of a child in middle school, I have always heard how ESSENTIAL we are. Why is that different in these cases?


OPPOSe/Political Hatred and Ignorance

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Not about parents' rights. It is Youngkin and GOP pandering to religious voters whose own kids would be afraid to tell them they are transgender. Where is the governor? Somewhere increasing his exposure by rallying with extreme GOP candidates across the nation. He does not care about Virginia, or parents or, and especially, children.


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Parents should be concerned with their kids social media use.  Not this BS hatred of trans kids.


Terrible policy idea

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If you do this you'll be killing trans children. I strongly oppose.


Strongly Opposed

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This bill will put these children's lives in danger.


Policies on transgender-identifying students.

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I support Governor Youngkin's proposed educational policies on transgender-identifying students in public schools.


Strongly oppose

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I disagree with this policy. Pronouns are such a small thing to change, just like changing someone's last name when they get married, and it has a positive impact on the individual. So to only use the pronouns associated with someone's record is not only lazy but also harmful.

As for informing parents if it is suspected a child is transgender, that puts children in very dangerous situations. If many parents even suspect their child is trans they will treat their child differently and even abuse them. The child themselves should be able to control that information.

And bathrooms are such a small thing, all these kids what is to be able to be respected and treated like their peers. They should be able to use the bathroom like any other girl or boy, regardless of them being transgender.

If this policy is put into place children will get hurt and I just hope you take their lives, the lives of trans people into consideration.


STRONGLY SUPPORT TRANSGENDER MODEL POLICIES

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Supports parents by recognizing the primary role they play in their children’s education and upbringing. For example, the policy states “Parents have the right to make decisions with respect to their children,” and “schools shall respect parents’ values and beliefs.


Strongly oppose.

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In this land of the free, that was built on the individual rights of one person. How can a government tell anyone adult or child what to think or how to think. HX


Protect children by... trying to get them killed?

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What, are you going to have police at the bathrooms checking kids' genitals? Tell parents their kid doesn't trust them? Real good job protecting kids here, folks.


Schools are for protecting kids, including Trans kids.

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Trans kids deal with a load of bigotry in their day to day even without policies. Making it policy not to make it even remotely comfortable to be Trans isn't going to stop kids from being Trans. It will encourage those that make their lives difficult and incite violence toward them. Mandatory outing is extremely dangerous and could end up catastrophic in some cases. All of these measures against Trans kids will detrimentally affect mental health to an already vulnerable demographic.

Please, Trans kids need protected, they don't need stones put in the hands of authority meant to be there to protect them.