Students Deserve to Feel Safe at School

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This model will hurt students more than help them. I am just a student but from personal experience I know how this will hurt us. I am lucky enough to come from a home that would support me if I came out as trans and I feel safe enough to come too my parents with issues like this but I cant say the same for my friends. Some of my friends have come out as trans, they use different names and different pronouns and school because that is where they feel safe. As soon as we start talking to their parents we have to call them something different because my friend is too scared to come out to their parents. They know that if they do the best is that their preferred pronouns and name will be ignored by their parents and the worst is that they'll be kicked out of home. Maybe you think it's wrong to be transgender and that is your own opinion but you can not ignore how this will jeopardize students. We come to school hoping to feel safe, even now there are ignorant people who bully and harasses those part of the LGBTQ+ community. You use LGBTQ+ suicide rates to show that we are mentally ill when it is you who makes it so we don't feel safe or loved. Recently a girl killed her self at my school, right before a rally. When students came up to talk a group of boys threw water bottles at them and yelled mean comments at the speakers. A friend of the girl came. up to speak and what she said really struck me "It is because of ignorant people like you that my friend didn't feel safe enough at this school to live". We are not being Dramatic teenagers, we truly living through a crisis.


Judge finds transgender teen guilty of Loudoun County bathroom sexual assaults

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The Loudoun County School Board is absolutely disgraceful. Governor, please hold the superintendent and school board accountable. We send our children to school to learn math and science. The leadership at LCPS is more concerned with grooming and indoctrination to push their ultra woke liberal agendas. They are sacrificing children and putting children at risk to pass their agendas!!


Support Youngkin!


You're putting our children in danger

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I'll keep it short even though there is so much I want to say about how disgusted I am at your hatred and oppression against vulnerable populations--children even. I plead that these anti-transgender policies do not be passed.

1) Outing trans and non-binary children could make their home and school situations very dangerous. I expect a rise in trans children being targets of bullying, grade-school students commuting suicide, and homeless youth.

2)Targeting trans children by not allowing them to use the bathroom that aligns with their gender identity will lead to an increase of bullying outside of the safety of security cameras. An increase of sexual violence and harassment against trans children (who are already more vulnerable to sexual harassment and violence) is also a great risk, this goes for locker rooms as well. (Note that any disparity between girl and boy sports teams is young age conditioning and is not necessary to begin with.).

3) If you were called a different name or pronoun you would be extremely uncomfortable.

Simply don't make life harder and more unsafe for vulnerable populations. This is an attack from your end. Don't be on the wrong side of history.


Opposed

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This policy will only increase discrimination and suicide in a population already victim to disproportionately high rates of both. Affording rights to the trans community does not diminish any rights of others.


Thank you for protecting our children from LEFT INDOCTRINATION and their child abuse.

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YOUNGKIN FOR PRESIDENT.  THANK GOD WE HAVE YOU!


Loudoun County School Board is Disgraceful!

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The Loudoun County School Board is absolutely disgraceful. Governor, please hold the superintendent and school board accountable. We send our children to school to learn math and science. The leadership at LCPS is more concerned with grooming and indoctrination to push their ultra woke liberal agendas. They are sacrificing children and putting children at risk to pass their agendas.


Recall Youngkin for his transphobic policies!!

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What basis do you have to overrule all of the major psychological associations that have designed standards of care for trans minors over the last several decades?


YOUNGKIN FOR PRESIDENT!  Thank you for protecting REAL GIRLS

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<p>We are thankful to have you! </p>


These model policies make Virginia a total disgrace! I will never support hatred as these imply!!

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This is not about bathroom rights. It’s about human rights!

These policies take away the freedoms of transgendered children, while stoking the flames of transphobia. We are not all Christian nationalists. Quit forcing your shortsighted,  bigoted policies on all of us. You are a disgrace- the worst governor ever. The only freedoms you care about are those of straight, white, “Christian” men!


Model Policy on Transgender Youth

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We oppose this policy.  We believe that every child should be treated with dignity and respect.


My child, my choice....not the schools

The new policies honor the sacred role of parents in the care of their children during school, athletics and other activities.
Parents know their children’s needs better than anyone. If children are struggling with gender dysphoria, they need guidance and emotional support from their parents. Under the new policies,     school officials must keep parents fully informed, and require schools to enforce laws, regulations and policies that prohibit and deter bullying or harassment.
Student participation in sex-specific athletics, school activities and events should be determined by sex, e.g., for overnight travel accommodations and locker rooms.
Students should use the bathrooms that correspond to their sex. Single-user bathrooms and facilities should be made available in accessible areas and provided with appropriate signage, indicating accessibility for all students.
The new policies protect the fundamental religious liberty interests of personnel and students.


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,
Tammy Palmer
745 Union Valley Rd
Riner, VA 24149

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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 />Tammy Palmer
<br />745 Union Valley Rd<br />Riner, VA 24149<br /><img src="http://admin.phone2action.com/email/open/leg/657523/148778529" width="1" height="1" />


Governor Youngkin for President! Finally we have an adult in the room.

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<p>Thank you for not backing down to wokeness, insanity, leftist...whatever name you like to use.  </p>


Support


Virginia is definitely not for lovers with these policies!!!!!

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Republicans continue to strip away basic freedoms, and this is just another example. Think beyond white, “Christian” men, and find some compassion for all. These are bullying and hateful policies that are a disgrace to a large amount of Virginians. Cannot wait until you are out of office, and there is a return to basic human decency!

I was taught that we were all made in the image and likeness of God.


My child my choice....not the schools


In opposition

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As a retired educator and parent, I need to voice opposition. Youngkin is playing politics with the lives of young people and this will put them in an emotional tailspin. It should not be the role of educators to out students to their parents. In fact, students confide to their teachers and counselors because they trust and feel safe. It is the students role and responsibility to communicate with their parents. If students aren’t comfortable doing that, then it’s apparent that the student does not feel safe doing so. It is wrong to try to blame educators for family dysfunction.

Youngkin’s actions are shameful and unacceptable and will endanger students.


Not all of us want to be forced to live as “Christians”!!!!!!!!

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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.


Governor Youngkin for President! Thank you for protecting our children!

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Finally we have an adult in the room. Thank you for taking the necessary steps to protect our children from the indoctrination and grooming of the liberal teacher’s unions and school boards.


STRONGLY OPPOSE

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I have a loved one who is a transgender child.  They are in school right now and I cannot imagine the harm this would do if it passed.  Please do not pass the 2022 proposed model policies.  All children must be protected!!!


Virginia Dept of Education guidance document on treatment of transgender students

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I strongly support Governor Youngkins guidance document on  respectful treatment of transgender and all students.  Parents are responsible for the well being of their children and so is the state of Virginia.  It is frightening to think that young people should make the decision to be trans  at such a young age without the involvement of their parents and  detailed  medical advice. Many of the drugs used in gender therapy  can cause sterility.  Who among us at the age of 16 knew whether we wanted to have children years later. There is a very  real, legitimate reason doctors will not perform gender reassignment surgery  until adulthood- children can and often do change their minds once grown.


SUPPORT

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Stop the Insanity. I strongly support Governor Youngkin’s 2022 model polices on the privacy, dignity, and respect for ALL students and parents in Virginia’s public schools. These polices will insure that parents and school administrators are able to work together to provide a safe and accepting environment for all children. Children should not be socially transitioned at school without the knowledge of their parents who love them and care about their health and safety. Parents have the right to be informed about all aspects of their children’s education and I appreciate that the governor recognizes the importance the bond between parents and their children. These policies do not prevent a child from identifying as transgender in school and do not take away the rights of anyone. I strongly support these policies.


THIS IS A DISGRACE.

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<p>This is simply adults bullying children for being different then them. We teach our children to accept their peers and be kind. By passing this just tells them that because they are different it is okay to be treated differently. We already have a problem with young children committing suicide, you think this will make that statistic better? </p>


Oppose

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I am writing to state my position in strong opposition to the proposed guidance. Adoption of the proposed guidance would lead to policies that would target trans and nonbinary kids for bullying and mistreatment based on their gender identities and expressions. This is unethical and completely contrary to current well established scientific and medical knowledge. It will harm kids psychologically and open the door to physical harm as well. Bullying and discrimination should have no place in our schools.


Support

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The new policies honor the sacred role of parents in the care of their children during school, athletics and other activities.


“Parental rights,” my butt!!!!!!

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From WAPO:

If these so-called Christians want their children to be raised with their religious beliefs, then they should homeschool them or send them to religious schools. However, they won’t do that because they don’t want to make the necessary sacrifices. They’re “Christian” enough to try to impose their beliefs on everyone else, but not enough to give up the money or the time necessary to pay tuition or homeschool.


No Boys In Girls Bathrooms - Thank You Governor

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Thank you for protecting girls, I support bathroom policy.


Oppose the VDOE Proposal to Change Existing Public School Transgender Policies

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<p>I oppose the Governor's proposed policy changes. The existing policy safeguards parents rights.  Parents are invited, even encouraged to participate with their children and their local school educators to talk through these issues.  It's important to note also that parents have obligations to ensure that their children's privacy remain safe and secure in their school and homes. The Governor's proposed changes do nothing to help transgender kids, nor their parents.  The proposed changes risk hurting some vulnerable kids at school and at home.  Keep the existing Regulation.      </p>


Strongly opposed

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<p>Proposed transgender policy for schools. This is a poorly thought out, dangerously reactionary proposal that will hurt children who are already vulnerable to unwarranted hatred. I strongly object, and hope the citizens of Virginia join me in opposing this policy. Parents who do not wish to have their children in public schools already have the option to keep them home or send them to private schools. Don't impose this wrong-headed and heartless policy on our teachers, administrators, and school districts. </p>


OPPOSE! OPPOSE!! OPPOSE!!!!

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Stop trying to use coercion to steer us back to your hypocritical sense of “Christianity.”

"And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. Truly I tell you, they already have their full reward." Matthew 6: 5


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,
Nell King
5005 Fable Ave
Portsmouth, VA 23703

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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 />Nell King
<br />5005 Fable Ave<br />Portsmouth, VA 23703<br /><img src="http://admin.phone2action.com/email/open/leg/657523/148778184" width="1" height="1" />


Oppose 2022 proposed model

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<p>I oppose the proposed model by Governor Youngkin and the VDOE. Schools are supposed to be safe havens for children to learn and grow. Implementing policies that will not respect a student’s identity, remove supports such as counseling, and out students to parents is dangerous given the suicide rates among LGBTQ+ kids and shows a disregard for what’s best for students. Policies shouldn’t be made out of fear and ignorance of what’s “different”. </p>


Disgraceful, hateful model policies!!!!!

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Republicans continue to strip away basic freedoms, and this is just another example. Think beyond white, “Christian” men, and find some compassion for all. These are bullying and hateful policies that are a disgrace to a large amount of Virginians. Cannot wait until you are out of office, and there is a return to basic human decency!

I was taught that we were all made in the image and likeness of God.

"And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. Truly I tell you, they already have their full reward." Matthew 6: 5


In opposition to Youngkin's anti-trans policy

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<p>I oppose Gov. Youngkin's anti-trans policy that removes protections for trans students. These policies will harm the most vulnerable among us. Trans students should be shown compassion and not cruelty. Please allow them to live their lives with the support of the community. </p>


Oppose for the sake of transgender kids' lives

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This policy model is dangerous to transgender children.


VA GOVERNOR LOVES BABIES BUT HATES  LGBTQ+ PEOPLE!!!!!

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Don’t tell us how much you love all babies, then tell us how much you hate gay people as these policies imply.

Stop trying to use coercion to steer us back to your hypocritical sense of “Christianity.”

You ran on lies and deception. Pray for your soul. You are the worst governor ever!


Support Trans kids

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Support trans kids every child deserves to be loved and accepted for who they are.


Protect children and their parents

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Children belong to their parents, at least until they reach majority. They NEVER belong to the State, the school, the teachers, the neighborhood, or society. It is the parents job and right to raise their children how they want. It is NOT the role of the school to teach ethics or morality or to inculcate children into a particular mindset or philosophy.

Children are born with a gender. If they have a penis and testes they are male. If they have a vagina and ovaries they are female. There is no choice involved. Sport participating must be based on birth gender. Period. The fact that this has to be stayed is ridiculous. The bathroom used must be based on birth gender.

Schools must constrain their activities to education of the children in school subjects and nothing else. All teachers, administrators, and school board members are employees of the parents. They must be told what to do and how to do it by the parents and these matters are NOT up for debate or change. If they did not agree then it is time to find a new line of work.


Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students

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<p>Strongly support Gov. Youngkin and this policies. </p>


Strongly oppose

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This policy is extremely harmful for both students and teachers.

School should be a place where students can focus on learning, and teachers can focus on teaching. We should be trying to make school a comfortable and welcoming environment for both. Good teachers will feel deeply uncomfortable with a mandate to report about students’ gender identity to parents who may be abusive, and they may be driven to leave the profession. Teachers care about their students. Parents should as well. If your children don’t feel comfortable talking to you on their own about personal matters,  that’s on you as a parent. I am a parent, and I would  never want my child’s teacher to insert themselves into our parent-child relationship, as long as there is no danger to the child or others. Gender identity is not a danger, but forcing a student to hide their true self can lead to depression and even suicide.


Oppose

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<p>After reading the Proposed Document for 2022 policies, I have several concerns, a few of which are specifically about sections A (1) and A (2). While I understand the idea that parents values and beliefs should be respected, it is appalling that anyone at a school would be obligated to reinforce those values and beliefs or otherwise report back to a parent if their child does not conform to those values and beliefs. If a parent was vegetarian or vegan, would a school need to report to the parent if their child has chicken nuggets in the cafeteria, or talks about grabbing a milkshake with a friend after school? If a parent is an evangelical or believes their religion is the only correct one, would a student be reported for reading about other religions or if they began practicing Buddhism? One of the best things about going to school is the opportunity to establish an individual identity, especially if you have a home or family situation where not conforming is a bad idea. Students still return home after school, parents still have the opportunity to teach their own values and beliefs. A student may have their own values and beliefs, and those should also be respected, regardless of whether school personnel agree with them. </p>


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Finally we have an adult in the room. Thank you for taking the necessary steps to protect our children from the indoctrination and grooming of the liberal teacher’s unions and school boards.


Vehemently Opposed

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As a concerned citizen, I vehemently oppose this measure as written. It will only open children up for cruelty at home by parents and caretakers who refuse to understand or empathize with them.

Transgender youth only represent 1.4% of the youth population in the US. What is the point of targeting them if not bigotry or political theater? This policy plainly seeks to use an already marginalized population as a wedge issue for political gain.

Instead of legislating cruelty on an already persecuted minority in this country, use my tax dollars to adequately fund our public schools and give teachers the resources they need. The commonwealth will only continue to prosper if we can maintain a well educated population.


I am strongly opposed.


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

Rachel Sattler, Henrico County Public Schools

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I strongly oppose these "model" policies. They are based on hysteria whipped up by fear-mongering right wing extremists playing to their base in a desperate attempt to hold on to their power. They have absolutely no basis in anything remotely resembling fact. Across the board, Education professionals, Medical professionals and counselors agree these policies will further endanger an already vulnerable population by, in essence, painting a big target on their backs. In an ideal world, yes, parents should be supportive of their non- gender conforming children..this however is not  reality. This policy takes away a safe space in schools, vital for those who don't have it at home. Refusing to acknowledge and support ALL students will lead to more severe mental heath crises and higher rates of suicide among children, a group you're claiming you want to protect.


Support as proposed - Schools need to stay in their lane

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<p>I support the 2022 MODEL POLICIES ON THE PRIVACY, DIGNITY, AND RESPECT FOR ALL STUDENTS AND PARENTS IN VIRGINIA’S PUBLIC SCHOOLS as proposed. </p>


Don't model bullying behavior!

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I oppose! If you care about children, focus on child hunger, affordable safe housing for families, and stopping gun violence in schools.


Governor Youngkin for president!!


Strongly oppose

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<p>Trans and non-binary students deserve safety, privacy, affirmation and joy. </p>


Governor Youngkin for president!


Oppose

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I OPPOSE this guidance. Trans affirming school policies save lives.

I went to high school with one out trans student and saw how she was bullied and made into  a spectacle. School should be a space where students feel safe, especially when home doesn’t. Trans people are people and should be treated with same dignity and respect as everyone else.

I am a concerned Virginia resident and I OPPOSE this guidance and urge VDOE to reject them.


Oppose

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<p>Transgender students are human beings. They deserve to be safe and have access to an environment where they can learn. They need all the support that we offer every other kid, sometimes they need more. </p>


It is clear this bill is an overreach and breach of our freedoms.

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“The consequences of not affirming a child’s gender identity can be severe, and it can interfere with their ability to develop and maintain healthy interpersonal relationships. In the school context, that distress will also hinder a transgender student’s focus in class and ability to learn. The longer a transgender youth is not affirmed, the more significant and long-lasting the negative consequences can become, including loss of interest in school, heightened risk for alcohol and drug use, poor mental health and suicide.” Gender Spectrum et al., 2015, Schools in Transition—A Guide for Supporting Transgender Students in K-12 Schools 8 (2015)

“When transgender students are denied access to facilities that align with their gender identity, they often avoid participating in sports, gym and refrain from using the bathroom altogether. Bathroom avoidance is a common problem for transgender students and is linked to medical problems and diminished educational outcomes. For instance, in a 2013 study conducted by the Williams Institute, 54 percent of transgender respondents reported some sort of health problem related to bathroom avoidance, including dehydration, urinary tract infections, kidney infections and other kidney problems.”

“Students will not be the only ones harmed by the proposed guidance. Too often educators are required to enforce needlessly discriminatory policies by those who lack direct contact or relationships with the students and parents harmed by such policies. Policies that segregate

transgender students their peers are not self-executing: they compel individual administrators, educators, and other public school employees to carry them out. Educators suffer both professional and psychological harms when they are forced to watch, and participate in, the stigmatization and degradation that discriminatory policies inflict on children.”

“It has been shown that allowing students to use restrooms and locker rooms consistent with their gender identity is just one of a host of school policies that have been shown to improve the

educational experiences of transgender, gender nonconforming, and cisgender students.

In schools with policies that explicitly prohibit anti-LGBTQ bullying, students have

better relationships with staff and as a result feel safer in the school. When transgender students are respected, they are able to engage fully and equitably with the educational experience, and when that happens, transgender students, like all students, are able to thrive”

“School policies that respect transgender students not only benefit transgender

students, but also promote a positive school climate for all students. School climate—that

is, the “product of the interpersonal relationships among students, families, teachers,

support staff and administrators” that sets the “norms, values, and expectations that

support people feeling socially, emotionally, and physically safe” in school—is a key

predictor of student engagement, student mental and physical health, and academic

achievement, and is positively correlated with decreased absenteeism, dropout rates, and suspensions”

“Allowing discrimination against one group infects antidiscrimination efforts against others. Schools cannot embrace diversity, tolerance, and mutual respect in some ways, but

deny it in others and still obtain the benefits of inclusive classrooms. Students who see

their transgender peers being treated as “less than” justifiably fear that they one day will be treated as “less than” as well.”


Strongly Support Youngkin bathroom/locker room policy - thank you for protecting girls

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Thank you Governor for protecting girls. No Boys in Bathrooms.


Governor Youngkin for president!!

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Finally we have an adult in the room. Thank you for taking the necessary steps to protect our children from the indoctrination and grooming of the liberal teacher’s unions and school boards..


Youngkin win this election for a reason. It was to clean up our schools.


Opposed...students are autonomous people

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<p>I am a public school teacher in Virginia and I oppose this policy. This policy assumes that parents and or teachers know students better than students know themselves. This entire policy change is based off a false and non-existent concept that a student can someone be made trans or nonbinary, when in reality students know this about themselves before anyone else does and must discover it for themselves. I'd love for Youngkin's administration to find examples of actual students that were some how convinced they were trans by a teacher only to change their mind. This simply doesn't happen. What does happen though, are sad family situations where parents refuse to accept a child for who they are. That child then either denies themselves and who they are or if they're brave enough, they deny and defy their family. Sadly, the consequences of families own intolerance will have immeasurable impact on trans and nonbinary students, and the statistics of mental health issues for these students is well documented. </p>


VDOE PLEASE READ THESE - called LGBTQ+ “The small loud minority”

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I HOPE YALL READ THESE COMMENTS!!!

Someone else wrote:
Keep it up!   Thank you for supporting ALL students and not the small loud minority.

Uhhh…. Small loud minority??

First off, we’re not small! Any human being that is subjugated to someone else’s religious perspective or personal morals and opinion AS BEING REQUIRED BY LAW IN THEIR OWN LIFE is important. Even just one. Just like every woman and girl that is forced to give birth to a child. Or insert any other injustice to an entire culture or populous of people here from humankind or well even just US history. Your comment is absolutely disgraceful.

Secondly, the other model plan was supporting all people. This plan is far less specific and offers less guidance to districts. It strips rights away from human beings who just want to use the bathroom and be identified by a different name/pronoun. While those are not the only problems faced by my large group of strong peoples, not anywhere close to the only problems… if you could just be a decent human being and let our people have life, liberty, happiness… and justice for all.


Vehemently Oppose

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These new model policies are a travesty. The policies make frequent note that parents have a fundamental, Constitutional right to raise their children as they see fit, however, the rights of the children are consistently ignored. Given that Gov. Younkin is not an attorney, let me provide some guidance. There are numerous SCOTUS decisions upholding children's first amendment rights in schools (notably Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District). I see no discussion of these rights anywhere in this document. Parent's rights do not trump children's rights.

Furthermore, these policies will harm children. Many children live in home environments that are unsafe, especially to those that do not identify as cis-het. Outing those students to their parents open them up to significant abuse or neglect. That is unacceptable.

The policies indicate that "All children in Virginia have a right to learn, free from unlawful discrimination and harassment." Unfortunately, all these policies do is open up children who are not cis-het to state-sanctioned harassment.

Stop harassing children for political gain.


new policy

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I support the new policy as I see it as affirming parental rights


Strongly oppose

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As written, this proposed guidance will endanger already vulnerable children.

Trans kids are not a threat to their peers. They are, instead, the ones facing constant threats, both at school and potentially at home: of bullying; of violence; of depression; of suicide. The statistics are alarming. Nearly half of all trans children have been bullied on school property (compared to 18% of cisgender youth). Almost 30% of transgender youth have been threatened or injured with a weapon while on school property (compared with 7% of cisgender students). Most devastating of all, 29 percent of trans children have attempted suicide (compared with 7% of cisgender students). (https://www.hrc.org/news/new-cdc-data-shows-lgbtq-youth-are-more-likely-to-be-bullied-than-straight-cisgender-youth)

This proposed guidance intentionally increases these threats to trans youth by outing them to their peers and potentially to unsupportive parents / guardians. This proposed guidance will result in more children being bullied; more children being abused; more children being pushed and harmed and isolated to the point where they may consider and attempt suicide.

Any legislation that will increase the rate of childhood suicide should be immediately and wholly rejected by all.


Protect Trans Kids!

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It has been shown that allowing students to use restrooms and locker rooms consistent with their gender identity is just one of a host of school policies that have been shown to improve the educational experiences of transgender, gender nonconforming, and cisgender students.

In schools with policies that explicitly prohibit anti-LGBTQ bullying, students have better relationships with staff and as a result feel safer in the school. When transgender students are respected, they are able to engage fully and equitably with the educational experience, and when that happens, transgender students, like all students, are able to thrive.


Oppose

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Trans-Kids - or kids that believe they may be trans - deserve the support and care of school officials.  This is not about "parental rights" but rather the lives of children and young adults.  Having a school use the pronouns preferred by the child hurts nobody - and is not an endorsement of a person's transgender status - but it can make all the difference in the world for a child that does not feel supported at home. Schools are not actively recruiting kids to be transgender - a kid may just need time to work up the courage to have a conversation about their feelings with their parents. Let schools have the leeway to treat each situation appropriately.  Constraining schools from affirming a modicum of support to kids that may be at-risk by addressing them in a manner that meets their preferences is inhumane - and unbecoming of our great states.  Focus on improving schools, not advancing your social agenda.


do not adopt these transphobic guidelines

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These guidelines are transphobic and significantly harm any children unlucky enough to be born to unsupportive parents, like our governor and most of his supporters.  You should be ashamed of yourselves for proposing them.  You should all resign immediately, never hold a position of public trust again, and dedicate your life to something more worthwhile, like literally anything else.


Oppose

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I oppose this guidance. Slogan-based policy is not policy. It's an ad campaign. I do not stand by using children lives as advertisement for a presidential campaign.


I oppose the policy

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As a community member, I oppose Youngkin’s policy which is anti trans and makes school a hostile environment. Schools should be welcoming environments for ALL children.


Allow our children to thrive

I can't even find words to describe how upsetting I find Gov. Youngkin's anti-trans bill. As I write this, especially as my best-friend/former husband/life partner is undergoing life-saving gender affirming surgery. When she accepted she was transgender two years ago, it literally saved her life... and everyone who loves her is grateful.She knew she was a girl by age 6, but repressed it because society had no understanding of it. Growing up in a conservative Christian home, she knew she could never be who she was. So she buried it. That lead to a life of deep depression and self harm.I will never forget the day she came out to me. I watched a heavy weight lift from her. The journey has been hard, but her happiness makes it all worthwhile.All humans deserve to be happy. And the only way to be happy is to live openly as your authentic self.This bill represents the kind of hatred that causes these most vulnerable children to self harm. I believe this, and bills like it, will directly lead to the death of amazing humans. I have witnessed first hand how important it is to accept trans and non-binary humans as they are. We need to do and be better for our children.

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<span data-sheets-userformat='{"2":769,"3":{"1":0},"11":4,"12":0}' data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"I can't even find words to describe how upsetting I find Gov. Youngkin's anti-trans bill. As I write this, especially as my best-friend/former husband/life partner is undergoing life-saving gender affirming surgery. When she accepted  she was transgender two years ago, it literally saved her life... and everyone who loves her is grateful.\n\nShe knew she was a girl  by age 6, but repressed it because society had  no understanding of it. Growing up in a conservative Christian home,  she knew she  could never be who she was.  So she  buried it. That lead to a life of deep depression and self harm.\n\nI will never forget the day she came out to me. I watched a heavy weight lift from her. The journey has been hard, but her happiness makes it all worthwhile.\n\nAll humans deserve to be happy. And the  only way to be happy is to live openly as your authentic self.\n\nThis  bill represents the kind of hatred that causes these most vulnerable children to self harm. I believe this, and bills like it, will directly lead to the death of amazing humans. \n\nI  have witnessed first  hand how  important it is to accept trans and non-binary humans as they are. We need to do and be  better for our children.\n"}">I can't even find words to describe how upsetting I find Gov. Youngkin's anti-trans bill. As I write this, especially as my best-friend/former husband/life partner is undergoing life-saving gender affirming surgery. When she accepted she was transgender two years ago, it literally saved her life... and everyone who loves her is grateful.

She knew she was a girl by age 6, but repressed it because society had no understanding of it. Growing up in a conservative Christian home, she knew she could never be who she was. So she buried it. That lead to a life of deep depression and self harm.

I will never forget the day she came out to me. I watched a heavy weight lift from her. The journey has been hard, but her happiness makes it all worthwhile.

All humans deserve to be happy. And the only way to be happy is to live openly as your authentic self.

This bill represents the kind of hatred that causes these most vulnerable children to self harm. I believe this, and bills like it, will directly lead to the death of amazing humans.

I have witnessed first hand how important it is to accept trans and non-binary humans as they are. We need to do and be better for our children.


Oppose

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These guidelines prioritize the comfort of some people (mostly adults) over the physical and psychological health of others, including children. You are actively demonstrating that trans and non-binary lives don't matter. Nothing good ever happens from labeling some people as less worth of equality than others.


Support parents' rights

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<p>I support the governor in reforming the DOE guidance to restore parents' rights. </p>


Oppose

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Oppose. This guidance/policy will only further encourage bullying.


Strongly oppose

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I strongly oppose this policy...

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


Strongly Oppose

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I don't understand why this is a huge deal. Being kind and decent and generally accepting of someone else's truth is not weakness, it's strength. I'm very concerned that ideologues want to dictate how people live and where they find their truth...all while squealing about freedom. Freedom should be leaving people be and allowing people to be.


I oppose the proposed guidance.

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As an educator, I am horrified by this proposed guidance.

Students deserve to feel safe in our schools. If Virginia schools adopt this proposed guidance, you are risking the safety of our students. The statistics and reality of lives lost to suicide is overwhelming.   We know that students who have access to an affirming school report lower rates of attempts than students who did not. Please do not sacrifice the safety of the youth who will be effected by this policy.  Protecting students means rejecting this guidance.

We cannot afford to do anything but support and uplift trans students.  I strongly oppose this guidance, and urge the VDOE to reject the proposed guidance.

I’d like to close by reminding any trans youth listening or reading that you are loved and you are valued.


transgender policies

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<p>I am against introducing young school-aged children to transgender ideology. </p>


Oppose

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<p>As someone who has been harassed in a school bathroom while identifying as the gender I was assigned at birth i can say that this policy will only serve to harm all students involved. It create’s an environment where anyone can be accused of being in the wrong bathroom and put into an unsafe situation </p>


Power of the People to Create the Future

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Issues of sexuality strike at the very nature of our humanity and of what our particular culture has to say about our humanity. It is extremely relevant that many, many cultures throughout the world and throughout history have recognized more than the two/binary sexual identies that our culture has demanded.  At this moment in our cultural history, the binary structures imposed for so long are simply breaking apart and are simply no longer valid for many of us and for many of our children.

Rather than forcing people to make false choices, it is time for our culture to embrace diversity as a reality in our lives. Homosexuality has existed throughout time. And throughout time, many many people have experienced the reality of being male trapped in a female body or female trapped in a male body. At this point in our scientific and technological world, different choices can and will be made.

As a professional educator, I realize that structural and institutional change is difficult. I also know and understand that real change comes through education and the ability of our leaders to understand and accept that 'the times they are a'changing' (Bob Dylan). The current standing policy concerning transgender students was crafted by educators, parents, policy makers and 9,000 public comments.  To try to turn back time based on the ideas, not of parental rights, but of short-sighted fear mongers is not real choice.  It is pandering to a political platform that has no place in providing our children with the tool they need to build a future based on human rights and diversity.

Thank you for your time,

Sarah F. Soltow B.A., M.A, Ed.Counselor (retired)


I was a Hanover County Student

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<span data-sheets-userformat='{"2":769,"3":{"1":0},"11":4,"12":0}' data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":"I was a Hanover County student from 2007-2020. I am now a senior at Virginia Tech. Throughout my time in Hanover, I was a closeted transgender man. I did not feel safe enough to come out until college, but had known of my gender identity since I was in high school. I have won many awards through Hanover County and Virginia academically, including a Hanover County and Virginia DECA scholarship, top awards with Virginia DECA, and was a student with the Advanced College Academy along with involvement in many more capacities. The mental trauma that Hanover County and Virginia Public Schools implemented on me left me terrified to be who I truly was, because even being out as queer I faced harassment.  I was afraid that I would be treated differently by those in my academic career, and feared for my safety and the fact that I would not have excelled if faced with the anti-transgender views and policies implemented with Hanover and the Virginia Department of Education. I feel as though it is important to note that with support socially, but most importantly academically, transgender individuals can be successful - but especially with the freedom to live authentically and communicate about their gender identity and struggles. Now that I am out at Virginia Tech, I am a well-known advocate for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion; hold over 5 jobs; have a 3.58 GPA; and am a founding member of the first chapter in the ACC of a social fraternity specifically for gay, bisexual, transgender and progressive men. In order for transgender students in Virginia to be successful, they need the support from the public school system in every single capacity. I OPPOSE the guidance and draft policy."}'>I was a Hanover County student from 2007-2020. I am now a senior at Virginia Tech. Throughout my time in Hanover, I was a closeted transgender man. I did not feel safe enough to come out until college, but had known of my gender identity since I was in high school. I have won many awards through Hanover County and Virginia academically, including a Hanover County and Virginia DECA scholarship, top awards with Virginia DECA, and was a student with the Advanced College Academy along with involvement in many more capacities. The mental trauma that Hanover County and Virginia Public Schools implemented on me left me terrified to be who I truly was, because even being out as queer I faced harassment. I was afraid that I would be treated differently by those in my academic career, and feared for my safety and the fact that I would not have excelled if faced with the anti-transgender views and policies implemented with Hanover and the Virginia Department of Education. I feel as though it is important to note that with support socially, but most importantly academically, transgender individuals can be successful - but especially with the freedom to live authentically and communicate about their gender identity and struggles. Now that I am out at Virginia Tech, I am a well-known advocate for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion; hold over 5 jobs; have a 3.58 GPA; and am a founding member of the first chapter in the ACC of a social fraternity specifically for gay, bisexual, transgender and progressive men. In order for transgender students in Virginia to be successful, they need the support from the public school system in every single capacity. I OPPOSE the guidance and draft policy.


I Strongly Oppose This Policy

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

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Another commenter summed up my thinking best:

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


Strongly Support

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I strongly support the Youngkin administration's Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia’s Public Schools.

Not only do these policies respect the rights of parents, but they also help defend girls' sports, which have come under attack recently with biological males unfairly competing against biological females.

I also appreciate that these policies protect the freedom of speech of both students and teachers by not compelling either to misgender another person in a way that violates their personally-held religious beliefs.

Thank you, Governor Youngkin, for keeping the promises you made on the campaign trail. <input id="hippowiz-ass-injected" type="hidden" value="true"/><input id="hvmessage-toextension-listener" type="hidden" value="none"/>


I oppose this policy.

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<p>Stick with the policies set forth previously. They were welcoming to all, made it safe for all students. This new policy will allow bullying and harm. </p>


Teacher who opposes.

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<p>I’m a proud public school teacher who works with kids daily. I strongly oppose this. I fully support the 2022 guidance, which fully supports ALL students of the Commonwealth. </p>


2022 Model Policies on the Privacy, Dignity, and Respect for All Students and Parents

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I support the adoption of the 2022 Model Policies in Virginia's public schools.


I fully oppose this.


Lesson Taught at School SEAL lessons

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During elementary and middle school  students do not need more confusion. Just kindness and love of teaching. They were born the way they were born, and we appreciate who they are with respect that we are in school is a setting for learning not for expressing your body and sex. Have students focus on learning and  believing in themselves and respecting the class. Do not confuse students during class with confusing lessons about their body or sex. Is confusing and students are curious and can fall into was happening or what is popular. Make them curious about learning by providing more and more resources for students who are not at grade level, instead of confusing with these program that confuses them more and keeps them from focusing on their EDUCATION was important.


Oppose

Young people deserve to be treated with respect. The Governor's attempt to reverse the policy voted on the legislature to protect trans students, and hard fought in the courts, is using young people's lives as props in his political posturing.The school years are crucial in human development, discovering their voice and their identity, imposing the beliefs of one group upon another is unAmerican and cruel. Protect trans kids.

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<span data-sheets-userformat='{"2":769,"3":{"1":0},"11":4,"12":0}' data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Young people deserve to be treated with respect. The Governor's attempt to reverse the policy voted on the legislature to protect trans students, and hard fought in the courts, is using young people's lives as props in his political posturing.\n\nThe school years are crucial in human development, discovering their voice and their identity, imposing the beliefs of one group upon another is unAmerican and cruel. Protect trans kids."}">Young people deserve to be treated with respect. The Governor's attempt to reverse the policy voted on the legislature to protect trans students, and hard fought in the courts, is using young people's lives as props in his political posturing.

The school years are crucial in human development, discovering their voice and their identity, imposing the beliefs of one group upon another is unAmerican and cruel. Protect trans kids.


Oppose


OPPOSE THIS - Do you even read the comments here?

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VDOE - do y’all even read these comments???  At least a lot of the opposers show up with specific information and why this policy is bad.

it looks like these people don’t even think before posting

An AGREER’s comment:

Northam is history and thankfully his 2021 bathroom guidance is too!!!

The voters have spoken. They are fed up with this liberal nonsense in our schools.


Oppose

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<span data-sheets-userformat='{"2":769,"3":{"1":0},"11":4,"12":0}' data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":"I am a parent of a non-binary teenager who opted not to attend high school because they feared what that environment might have been like as a trans student. This was before Governor Youngkin’s anti-trans school models. As a PFLAG meeting facilitator, I hear many stories about school experiences. The most positive occur at trans-affirming schools that have teachers use correct pronouns and unisex bathrooms. They discourage bullying and celebrate diversity. This is much more helpful to one’s mental and physical well- being than anything Youngkin is proposing. I am fully against the proposed policy."}'>I am a parent of a non-binary teenager who opted not to attend high school because they feared what that environment might have been like as a trans student. This was before Governor Youngkin’s anti-trans school models. As a PFLAG meeting facilitator, I hear many stories about school experiences. The most positive occur at trans-affirming schools that have teachers use correct pronouns and unisex bathrooms. They discourage bullying and celebrate diversity. This is much more helpful to one’s mental and physical well- being than anything Youngkin is proposing. I am fully against the proposed policy.


Opposed

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Effectively guaranteeing each parent/guardian autonomy over their child's educational experience in Virginia schools is a misuse of the intended language, misleading, and impossible to accommodate.  This needlessly amplifies the burden on the Commonwealth's hardworking teachers, staff members, and administrators.

The Virginia Department of Education should not attempt to dictate when and to whom students disclose personal information about their sexual orientation and identity.  Nor, should they encourage school staffers to potentially endanger students by "outing" them.


You are loved!

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Students,
No matter your gender, race, pronouns, or station in life, YOU ARE LOVED. Keep your heads high!


Opposing Draconian Guidances

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It has been shown that allowing students to use restrooms and locker rooms consistent with their gender identity is just one of a host of school policies that have been shown to improve the

educational experiences of transgender, gender nonconforming, and cisgender students.

In schools with policies that explicitly prohibit anti-LGBTQ bullying, students have

better relationships with staff and as a result feel safer in the school. When transgender students are respected, they are able to engage fully and equitably with the educational experience, and when that happens, transgender students, like all students, are able to thrive


If a trans kid does not feel safe telling their parents, why is that??  Protect Trans Kids!

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If a child does not feel safe going to their parents about something, not just their sexuality or identity, that indicates they do not view the parent as a safe person. There are many abusive and controlling parents, we have no idea what goes on behind closed doors. Trust the children!  If parents are so concerned about secrets of any kind, then it’s up to THEM to work on that connection and build a relationship of trust.  Forcing trans kids to be outed will put them at risk of harm by others and all too often leads to suicide.  Parents- if your child does not feel safe to tell you then that is on you!

I oppose the 2022 Model Policies in their entirety and demand that the VDOE rescind them, leaving the existing 2021 Model Policies in place.


I Support This Guidance

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<p>Parents should never be shut out of the education of their children, and they should not be shut out from major decisions concerning their children by schools. I support this guidance. </p>


Oppose

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Let the teachers TEACH THE CHILDREN. Youngkin needs to stop creating false hysteria for parents. Public education needs support and funding and respect, not added drama and division.


Mom Supporting Transgender Rights

” thrown around without a second thought. No one admitted they were gay or bi or even a little bit confused. The ones at school that were openly “flamboyant” or “effeminate” were ostracized by their peers. Suicide was not uncommon. I later joined the military and entered the era of “Don’t ask, Don’t tell” and an environment that encouraged people to hide who they loved for fear of retribution. Again, suicide was not uncommon, nor was the random beating of soldiers assumed to be queer by his peers. \nI have spent my life being an advocate for those in the LGBTQ+ community, speaking out when they couldn’t, standing behind them and encouraging when they did. I have seen the world change for the better, although it has taken many years and the fight is far from over. This generation of kids know who they are, or at least allow themselves room to figure it out. They are accepting of each others differences, not afraid of them, and supportive in a way that teenagers from my generation never could have hoped for. These kids are not the ones complaining when they have to use pronouns or share a bathroom with a trans child, it is the parent whose mindset is stuck in an era from the past. My son corrects me when I say “her” instead of “they” because he knows that it hurts that person when I forget. He knows because they talk about it. He knows because he has empathy.\nMaybe it’s time us, as parents and educators, to catch up. We are raising a kinder, more open minded generation and that can only make this world a better place. We cannot revert back to making people hide who they are. We cannot force our children to be ashamed of their sexuality, nor can we force them to come out to their family members before they are ready. We are putting the comfort of a teacher who may not have accepted these changes, before the comfort of the child. There is no data that supports the idea that forcing young people to use different pronouns or names than the ones they choose creates a happier or healthier child, and that, after all, is our mission as the shepherds of this next generation, is it not?\n"}" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":769,"3":{"1":0},"11":4,"12":0}"> I am a Loudoun County mom to a 14 year old freshman at Tuscarora High School. I have watched my son, his friends, and my nephew, who is a 15 year old Sophomore at the same school, deal with the same pressures we all dealt with at that age. They are wading through the massive weight of hormones and social pressures and trying to figure out who they really are, all while being under the pressure to get straight A’s in their mostly AP or Honors classes, because you know, it’s Loudoun County. My nephew came out last year as gay to the family, but his friends had known for quite some time. It was hard for him, just to know that something was going to change when he said those words to his parents. They are open minded and accepting of his choices, but he was afraid of life being just a little bit different than what he was used to and he needed to tell them when he was ready. HE needed to tell them…not his friends, not his teachers, not his school counselor. He told his parents when he was ready and they looked him in the eyes and told him they loved him very much and that they were proud of his bravery and honesty. And then they hugged and life went on very much as it had been before. That was it. He is a very popular, well balanced, normal kid at school. I asked my son if he knew and he simply shrugged and said, “Of course, I thought everyone knew.” I can’t help but compare this to when I was a teenager in the 90’s and I watched my friends struggle with their sexuality as teens. TV was hyper sexualized with date rape scenes normalized in our teen movies and the word “” thrown around without a second thought. No one admitted they were gay or bi or even a little bit confused. The ones at school that were openly “flamboyant” or “effeminate” were ostracized by their peers. Suicide was not uncommon. I later joined the military and entered the era of “Don’t ask, Don’t tell” and an environment that encouraged people to hide who they loved for fear of retribution. Again, suicide was not uncommon, nor was the random beating of soldiers assumed to be queer by his peers. I have spent my life being an advocate for those in the LGBTQ+ community, speaking out when they couldn’t, standing behind them and encouraging when they did. I have seen the world change for the better, although it has taken many years and the fight is far from over. This generation of kids know who they are, or at least allow themselves room to figure it out. They are accepting of each others differences, not afraid of them, and supportive in a way that teenagers from my generation never could have hoped for. These kids are not the ones complaining when they have to use pronouns or share a bathroom with a trans child, it is the parent whose mindset is stuck in an era from the past. My son corrects me when I say “her” instead of “they” because he knows that it hurts that person when I forget. He knows because they talk about it. He knows because he has empathy.Maybe it’s time us, as parents and educators, to catch up. We are raising a kinder, more open minded generation and that can only make this world a better place. We cannot revert back to making people hide who they are. We cannot force our children to be ashamed of their sexuality, nor can we force them to come out to their family members before they are ready. We are putting the comfort of a teacher who may not have accepted these changes, before the comfort of the child. There is no data that supports the idea that forcing young people to use different pronouns or names than the ones they choose creates a happier or healthier child, and that, after all, is our mission as the shepherds of this next generation, is it not?

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<span ..="" alt="black box" data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":" I am a Loudoun County mom to a 14 year old freshman at Tuscarora High School. I have watched my son, his friends, and my nephew, who is a 15 year old Sophomore at the same school, deal with the same pressures we all dealt with at that age. They are wading through the massive weight of hormones and social pressures and trying to figure out who they really are, all while being under the pressure to get straight A’s in their mostly AP or Honors classes, because you know, it’s Loudoun County. My nephew came out last year as gay to the family, but his friends had known for quite some time. It was hard for him, just to know that something was going to change when he said those words to his parents. They are open minded and accepting of his choices, but he was afraid of life being just a little bit different than what he was used to and he needed to tell them when he was ready. HE needed to tell them…not his friends, not his teachers, not his school counselor. He told his parents when he was ready and they looked him in the eyes and told him they loved him very much and that they were proud of his bravery and honesty. And then they hugged and life went on very much as it had been before. That was it. He is a very popular, well balanced, normal kid at school. I asked my son if he knew and he simply shrugged and said, “Of course, I thought everyone knew.” \nI can’t help but compare this to when I was a teenager in the 90’s and I watched my friends struggle with their sexuality as teens. TV was hyper sexualized with date rape scenes normalized in our teen movies and the word “<img src=' style="border: 0px; vertical-align: middle">” thrown around without a second thought. No one admitted they were gay or bi or even a little bit confused. The ones at school that were openly “flamboyant” or “effeminate” were ostracized by their peers. Suicide was not uncommon. I later joined the military and entered the era of “Don’t ask, Don’t tell” and an environment that encouraged people to hide who they loved for fear of retribution. Again, suicide was not uncommon, nor was the random beating of soldiers assumed to be queer by his peers. \nI have spent my life being an advocate for those in the LGBTQ+ community, speaking out when they couldn’t, standing behind them and encouraging when they did. I have seen the world change for the better, although it has taken many years and the fight is far from over. This generation of kids know who they are, or at least allow themselves room to figure it out. They are accepting of each others differences, not afraid of them, and supportive in a way that teenagers from my generation never could have hoped for. These kids are not the ones complaining when they have to use pronouns or share a bathroom with a trans child, it is the parent whose mindset is stuck in an era from the past. My son corrects me when I say “her” instead of “they” because he knows that it hurts that person when I forget. He knows because they talk about it. He knows because he has empathy.\nMaybe it’s time us, as parents and educators, to catch up. We are raising a kinder, more open minded generation and that can only make this world a better place. We cannot revert back to making people hide who they are. We cannot force our children to be ashamed of their sexuality, nor can we force them to come out to their family members before they are ready. We are putting the comfort of a teacher who may not have accepted these changes, before the comfort of the child. There is no data that supports the idea that forcing young people to use different pronouns or names than the ones they choose creates a happier or healthier child, and that, after all, is our mission as the shepherds of this next generation, is it not?\n"}" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":769,"3":{"1":0},"11":4,"12":0}"> I am a Loudoun County mom to a 14 year old freshman at Tuscarora High School. I have watched my son, his friends, and my nephew, who is a 15 year old Sophomore at the same school, deal with the same pressures we all dealt with at that age. They are wading through the massive weight of hormones and social pressures and trying to figure out who they really are, all while being under the pressure to get straight A’s in their mostly AP or Honors classes, because you know, it’s Loudoun County. My nephew came out last year as gay to the family, but his friends had known for quite some time. It was hard for him, just to know that something was going to change when he said those words to his parents. They are open minded and accepting of his choices, but he was afraid of life being just a little bit different than what he was used to and he needed to tell them when he was ready. HE needed to tell them…not his friends, not his teachers, not his school counselor. He told his parents when he was ready and they looked him in the eyes and told him they loved him very much and that they were proud of his bravery and honesty. And then they hugged and life went on very much as it had been before. That was it. He is a very popular, well balanced, normal kid at school. I asked my son if he knew and he simply shrugged and said, “Of course, I thought everyone knew.”
I can’t help but compare this to when I was a teenager in the 90’s and I watched my friends struggle with their sexuality as teens. TV was hyper sexualized with date rape scenes normalized in our teen movies and the word “” thrown around without a second thought. No one admitted they were gay or bi or even a little bit confused. The ones at school that were openly “flamboyant” or “effeminate” were ostracized by their peers. Suicide was not uncommon. I later joined the military and entered the era of “Don’t ask, Don’t tell” and an environment that encouraged people to hide who they loved for fear of retribution. Again, suicide was not uncommon, nor was the random beating of soldiers assumed to be queer by his peers.
I have spent my life being an advocate for those in the LGBTQ+ community, speaking out when they couldn’t, standing behind them and encouraging when they did. I have seen the world change for the better, although it has taken many years and the fight is far from over. This generation of kids know who they are, or at least allow themselves room to figure it out. They are accepting of each others differences, not afraid of them, and supportive in a way that teenagers from my generation never could have hoped for. These kids are not the ones complaining when they have to use pronouns or share a bathroom with a trans child, it is the parent whose mindset is stuck in an era from the past. My son corrects me when I say “her” instead of “they” because he knows that it hurts that person when I forget. He knows because they talk about it. He knows because he has empathy.
Maybe it’s time us, as parents and educators, to catch up. We are raising a kinder, more open minded generation and that can only make this world a better place. We cannot revert back to making people hide who they are. We cannot force our children to be ashamed of their sexuality, nor can we force them to come out to their family members before they are ready. We are putting the comfort of a teacher who may not have accepted these changes, before the comfort of the child. There is no data that supports the idea that forcing young people to use different pronouns or names than the ones they choose creates a happier or healthier child, and that, after all, is our mission as the shepherds of this next generation, is it not?


STRONGLY OPPOSE

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Strongly oppose the new guidance.


Oppose

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<span data-sheets-userformat='{"2":769,"3":{"1":0},"11":4,"12":0}' data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":"This proposed policy is unlawful and illogical. It is rooted in sex-based stereotypes and exaggerations about what is happening with trans and nonbinary youth in schools. The reference to \"biological sex\" is a ruse: the policy does not respect the actual biological reality of trans minors, and is not founded in science. It is stereotype-based discrimination under the facade of biology. Instead of letting schools reasonably accommodate individual students—not to mention follow state and federal law—this policy would force schools to act against the best interests of children and their families. Why is Governor Youngkin trying to harm children? The policy is a mandate to discriminate. And it is a despicable attempt to use a vulnerable minority as a political punching bag."}'>This proposed policy is unlawful and illogical. It is rooted in sex-based stereotypes and exaggerations about what is happening with trans and nonbinary youth in schools. The reference to "biological sex" is a ruse: the policy does not respect the actual biological reality of trans minors, and is not founded in science. It is stereotype-based discrimination under the facade of biology. Instead of letting schools reasonably accommodate individual students—not to mention follow state and federal law—this policy would force schools to act against the best interests of children and their families. Why is Governor Youngkin trying to harm children? The policy is a mandate to discriminate. And it is a despicable attempt to use a vulnerable minority as a political punching bag.


I OPPOSE THE DIRECTIVE

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<span data-sheets-userformat='{"2":769,"3":{"1":0},"11":4,"12":0}' data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":"Although I am not trans, I cannot imagine trans youth rights being taken away. When I was in middle school and high school, we were all susceptible to bullying, depression, and anxiety and it would be 100% worse if the school system is forced to not support trans youth. Suicide rates in young tweens and teens is extremely high. The rates would only get higher if trans youth now has no safe space to go. Schools are supposed to be a non discriminated place where kids can go to learn and grow. They need educators who support them and can be trusted. With this directive, that will all be taken away and it will hurt a large community."}'>Although I am not trans, I cannot imagine trans youth rights being taken away. When I was in middle school and high school, we were all susceptible to bullying, depression, and anxiety and it would be 100% worse if the school system is forced to not support trans youth. Suicide rates in young tweens and teens is extremely high. The rates would only get higher if trans youth now has no safe space to go. Schools are supposed to be a non discriminated place where kids can go to learn and grow. They need educators who support them and can be trusted. With this directive, that will all be taken away and it will hurt a large community.


My Opinion.

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I feel as though Non-Binary/Trans are just as human as us. They should not be treated any differently from anyone. The government should be able to accept Non-Binary and Trans. It isn't fair that they have to wake up everyday just to get more put down and offended it's sick. I support Non-Binary/Trans 100%.


Oppose

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Kids are going to die because of this.


Oppose

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<span data-sheets-userformat='{"2":769,"3":{"1":0},"11":4,"12":0}' data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Just recently our school participated in a psuedo-walk out. We held an assembly addressing the new laws that are proposed and we're met with a full house auditorium and applauses. These new laws are despicable and the hundreds of people who showed up to detest these laws speaks for itself. These are children in the affected age range that know what they're getting into and know what's happening and fully support trans-affirming surgery, spaces, and freedom to simply live as the person they want to be. The event was organized by trans students for everyone else and I hope this combined with the entire rest of the states reaction to the proposals that it makes a difference and teaches Youngkin he can't use the \"save the kids!\" Rhetoric to get what they alone wants. The people you are trying to \"save\" despise you and the laws you try to pass that are harming trans students and to an extent queer people as a whole. Virginia is for Lovers, no matter who or what you are. Act like it."}">Just recently our school participated in a psuedo-walk out. We held an assembly addressing the new laws that are proposed and we're met with a full house auditorium and applauses. These new laws are despicable and the hundreds of people who showed up to detest these laws speaks for itself. These are children in the affected age range that know what they're getting into and know what's happening and fully support trans-affirming surgery, spaces, and freedom to simply live as the person they want to be. The event was organized by trans students for everyone else and I hope this combined with the entire rest of the states reaction to the proposals that it makes a difference and teaches Youngkin he can't use the "save the kids!" Rhetoric to get what they alone wants. The people you are trying to "save" despise you and the laws you try to pass that are harming trans students and to an extent queer people as a whole. Virginia is for Lovers, no matter who or what you are. Act like it.


Student rights do not end at the doorway. OPPOSE

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All students have rights…. The do not lose them at the doorway.

youngkin

your plan strips a protected class of citizens from its civil rights.

your plan is transphobic and hateful.

your plan is too generic and leaves too much room for interpretation.

your plan says it’s for parents but it feels and reads more like Christian Nationalism

your plan will contribute to drop outs, suicide rates, homelessness and more.


Trans Rights are Human Rights

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I strongly OPPOSE these model policies. They are rooted in transphobia. My child is trans and is entitled to every right their cisgender peers have. These model policies go against every guidance from medical professionals regarding gender affirming care. Stop making children political pawns and let them live their lives.


Strongly Oppose!!!!!

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<span data-sheets-userformat='{"2":769,"3":{"1":0},"11":4,"12":0}' data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"I write this as a professor of Women's & Gender Studies and a parent of two young children (one is a current Norfolk Public School student and the other is a future NPS student). I strongly oppose the policies proposed by Governor Youngkin. Trans youth suicide is a health crisis, and Youngkin's proposal only serves to escalate the crisis. The data is clear: gender affirming care is one of the most significant tools we have to protect trans youth. \n\nAs a parent, I hope that my children have teachers at school they can confide in while they process their identities; I send my kids to school because I trust trained educators to affirm my children and support them. Even kids from loving, supportive, LGBT families need time to understand themselves before coming out at home; the need is even greater for kids who have unsupportive or violent families. We need to give kids the space to understand themselves, to process their identities, and to be affirmed–not throw them back into the closet. \n\nThe policies Youngkin proposes will force trans, queer, and questioning kids into a den of despair and darkness. This is not hyperbole. We need to protect, support, and affirm our trans youth, so that they may grow into adults. "}">I write this as a professor of Women's & Gender Studies and a parent of two young children (one is a current Norfolk Public School student and the other is a future NPS student). I strongly oppose the policies proposed by Governor Youngkin. Trans youth suicide is a health crisis, and Youngkin's proposal only serves to escalate the crisis. The data is clear: gender affirming care is one of the most significant tools we have to protect trans youth.

As a parent, I hope that my children have teachers at school they can confide in while they process their identities; I send my kids to school because I trust trained educators to affirm my children and support them. Even kids from loving, supportive, LGBT families need time to understand themselves before coming out at home; the need is even greater for kids who have unsupportive or violent families. We need to give kids the space to understand themselves, to process their identities, and to be affirmed–not throw them back into the closet.

The policies Youngkin proposes will force trans, queer, and questioning kids into a den of despair and darkness. This is not hyperbole. We need to protect, support, and affirm our trans youth, so that they may grow into adults.


Protect Trans kids

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Trans kids are real and they live in fear of being forced into the wrong spaces. My daughter is 9 and all she wants is to be a kid. She doesn’t want to be forced to go into a boy’s bathroom.  Kids know what bathroom they feel comfortable in and we should let them make that choice. Please don’t conflate trans kids with people who do stuff they shouldn’t to other kids. Let’s not be afraid of gender identity and let’s love and accept our kids.


Oppose

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<span data-sheets-userformat='{"2":769,"3":{"1":0},"11":4,"12":0}' data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"I fully oppose the governor's proposed model school policy on transgender and nonbinary youth. This policy will cause direct harm to children who are more likely to feel unwelcome at school, be bullied by their peers, and may have negative consequences by being forced to come out to family members. Suicide rates among transgender youth are already far higher than among the population of large and this policy will make that even worse. Please stop trying to win political points at the expense of vulnerable children."}">I fully oppose the governor's proposed model school policy on transgender and nonbinary youth. This policy will cause direct harm to children who are more likely to feel unwelcome at school, be bullied by their peers, and may have negative consequences by being forced to come out to family members. Suicide rates among transgender youth are already far higher than among the population of large and this policy will make that even worse. Please stop trying to win political points at the expense of vulnerable children.


Strongly Oppose

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


Strongly oppose proposed policy concerning transgender students

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As the grandmother of a transgender student, I would like to register my strong opposition to Gov. Youngkin's proposed changes to the education policy regarding transgender students.

My grandchild was fortunate enough to attend a high school that accepted and supported him.  The students, faculty and administration were incredibly supportive providing a safe environment to learn and thrive.  Instead of persecution, they chose to love instead of judge as we are all instructed to do.  In addition, they listened and supported his parents wishes for their son.

Discrimination in any form has no place in public schools or our nation at large.  Hate and bigotry can start innocently enough and turn into full scale assault on persons who "are not like us."

Does this policy come from concern or intolerance?


Northam is history and thankfully his 2021 bathroom guidance is too!!!

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<p>The voters have spoken. They are fed up with this liberal nonsense in our schools. </p>


I'm a Mom in VA - Protect Trans Kids!

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<p>I am contacting you as the mother of an elementary school child in Virginia, the aunt to a transgender woman, and an attorney who represents youth ages 13-24 who are victims of crime. I firmly stand in opposition to Governor Youngkin's proposed policy that would harm our children. Forcing trans and nonbinary youth to be outed to their parents by teachers could cause gender-nonconforming kids to be harmed by their bigoted parents. As an attorney for youth, I have seen many LGBTQI+ children be forced into homelessness or be physically abused after being outed or coming out to their parents. LGBTQI+ youth are at increased risk of victimization, homelessness, and suicide compared to their straight/cis-gendered peers. Outing and ostracizing these youth is simply a path to increasing this violence, suicidality, and homelessness. Gender-nonconforming youth deserve to be treated with dignity, respect, and autonomy. I stand in opposition to this guidance and ask that the VDOE reject it. </p>


Oppose

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Everyone should be able to be authentically themselves and safe. Children should not be bullied by adults that students are expected to depend on.


Find something better to do

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Surely Virginia has other issues Youngkin could be solving instead of bullying children? Maybe focus on that and stop catering to those who simply hate and fear anything and anyone who doesn’t look or think exactly like they do. Get a new hobby. Mind your own business.


Trans & Non Binary Children are students too

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<span data-sheets-userformat='{"2":769,"3":{"1":0},"11":4,"12":0}' data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":"Article 8, Section 1 of the Virginia constitution states The General Assembly shall provide for a system of free public elementary and secondary schools for all children of school age throughout the Commonwealth, and shall seek to ensure that an educational program of high quality is established and continually maintained. \n\nSchools have an inherent duty to keep all children safe while under their care, we should be providing educators with the tools to navigate and protect the privacy of all students. The recommendations being presented will put Children’s lives in danger. \n\nStudent rights and privacy should apply to all students. \n\nBring representation of the affected community to the table to develop some common sense guidance instead of making decisions that isolate and ignore a group in our community."}'>Article 8, Section 1 of the Virginia constitution states The General Assembly shall provide for a system of free public elementary and secondary schools for all children of school age throughout the Commonwealth, and shall seek to ensure that an educational program of high quality is established and continually maintained.

Schools have an inherent duty to keep all children safe while under their care, we should be providing educators with the tools to navigate and protect the privacy of all students. The recommendations being presented will put Children’s lives in danger.

Student rights and privacy should apply to all students.

Bring representation of the affected community to the table to develop some common sense guidance instead of making decisions that isolate and ignore a group in our community.


Oppose

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<span data-sheets-userformat='{"2":769,"3":{"1":0},"11":4,"12":0}' data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Teachers are here to educate  students, regardless  of race, color, short,  tall, brown hair, red hair, male, female and sexual orientation. It is not  their job to police a students  sexual  orientation. Our teachers have more than  enough responsibilities besides  teaching  our students, such as  emotional comfort  and support . Let them teach and stop being big  brother  with eyes everywhere on something that  is nobody's  business  except  for the family."}">Teachers are here to educate students, regardless of race, color, short, tall, brown hair, red hair, male, female and sexual orientation. It is not their job to police a students sexual orientation. Our teachers have more than enough responsibilities besides teaching our students, such as emotional comfort and support . Let them teach and stop being big brother with eyes everywhere on something that is nobody's business except for the family.


Bringing back civility and common sense decisions, PARENTS SUPPORT THIS

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<p>Keep it up!   Thank you for supporting ALL students and not the small loud minority.  </p>


Support Trans/non binary

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Please please. I believe it’s important to support/treat trans and non-binary students just like any other student. Singling them out or “outing” them is so dangerous. Please just mind your own business.


Governor Youngkin for president!

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Finally we have an adult in the room.


ALL children deserve our love & protection

Every child deserves to learn in a safe and loving environment. Trans & non-binary kids need our protection as they contend with a backward society's judgement.Governor Youngkin and his wife should search their hearts and find the humanity and Christianity to show that they love and will protect all our children equally.

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Every child deserves to learn in a safe and loving environment. Trans & non-binary kids need our protection as they contend with a backward society's judgement.

Governor Youngkin and his wife should search their hearts and find the humanity and Christianity to show that they love and will protect all our children equally.


OPPOSE

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Oppose this plan!!!

I agree with this poster’s statement below:

Governor Youngkin:

The recently released proposed policy would require Virginia schools to discriminate against transgender youth, reversing evidence-based best practice trans-inclusive policies established in 2021.  The proposed policies seek to erase trans and nonbinary youth from the classroom and create a hostile and dangerous school environment.  They restrict restroom access and sports participation for transgender and nonbinary students, require faculty and staff to "out" trans and nonbinary students to their parents, and prohibit teachers and staff from supporting trans students in a variety of ways, including blocking them from using a student's affirming name and pronouns.  They infringe on the child's right to learn, free from discrimination and harassment, and they challenge the Virginia Department of Education's commitment to ensuring positive, safe and nurturing learning environments for all students.

I have compared and contrasted the 2021 and 2022 model polices.  I find the previous policy more complete and comprehensive and filled with up to date references on the sociology of gender and sexuality. The 2021 policy is science-supported and reflects modern social systems; the 2022 policy is politically motivated, based on medieval through Victorian Era pseudo-science and driven by paternalistic parent-centered family systems. In addition, the 2021 policy seems more actionable and clear (with many helpful suggestions for implementation) than the 2022 proposal.

The overwhelming majority of trans youth feel unsafe at school.  The proposed 2022 policies will increase those feelings.  I have seen this anxiety in the testimony and faces of students at a pre-meeting rally and at the Fairfax County School Board meeting on October 6, 2022.

Research also consistently shows that LGBTQ+ youth are more likely to attempt suicide than their peers.  The research also shows that rates of attempted suicide are reduced in safe and affirming environments such as schools which are welcoming and affirming of their identity.  I am afraid that if Virginia continues to march toward unwelcoming and unaccepting practices for LGBTQ+ youth, this more vulnerable cohort will be harmed.  They will feel bullied, excluded, othered, unvalued, or unwanted and respond with loneliness, inability to cope, deepening depression, suicidal ideation and eventually tragedy. We should not set ourselves up to loose any of the next generation this way.

This policy is fundamentally wrong.  Taking this step risks increasing unacceptable tragedy.  Many stand to loose; few, if any, stand to gain by imposing this new policy. This policy is certainly cruel, and it is clearly wrong.


Oppose - Children have rights, they are not property

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As a teacher I oppose the new proposed Transgender Student Guidelines in the strongest possible terms. I'm not under the slightest bit of delusion that my opinion, or even documented facts about Transgender, Nonbinary, or questioning students is going to make the slightest bit of difference in this debate, but I want it documented how many of us oppose this policy.

This isn't about giving parents rights - it's about removing the rights of children who are different from their parents.  It's not about student safety - it's about control.  Yes, parents have responsibilities to their children and should be involved in their upbringing and education, but parents do not get total control over their children - children are their own unique individuals and should be allowed to explore and embrace themselves without having to wait until they turn 18.  Mental health IS health - we don't allow parents to deny their children medical attention for physical conditions, so why would we allow them to deny counseling and other services to aid their children's mental health as they are trying to navigate the complex worlds of gender and sexuality?

The research is clear - adults (even parents) and other students are far more of a danger to trans and nonbinary students than those students have ever been to anyone else.  They are the ones that need protecting and are most vulnerable to being preyed upon.  If a child doesn't feel comfortable enough to talk to their parents about their gender and/or sexuality that is not a problem with the child or the school.  For some children, telling their parents they are questioning is literally a matter of life or death, and as a teacher the safety and wellbeing of my STUDENTS comes first, not the wishes of their parents.  That's how all schools should be.


Support Trans and Non-Binary students!!!

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The policy that Youngkin is proposing is very dangerous to trans and non-binary students. These students deserve to be treated with the same respect as all other students. They need to feel safe and protected by their teachers. It is none of our business what bathroom they use. I firmly oppose Youngkin’s proposed policy.


Oppose

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I oppose the guidance. Taking backward steps on protecting trans and non-binary youth is untenable. At best it is ill -advised, and at worst, it is violent.