Strong Support for the Governors Proposal as it stands

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We Strongly Support This Proposal Governor Yunkin.

It's about time we have leaders who are willing to stand up for the truth. There are only two sexes, male and female. Teachers and staff should not be subjected to having to sort out from the dozens upon dozens of gender titles that a child wishes to choose from. The child's brain, feelings, emotions and bodies haven't matured enough to be making such decision's before adulthood. It is also confusing to the rest of the class members while putting ideas into their minds that they are not mature enough to fully comprehend. Teachers, board members and unions should stick to basic education topics and not even be allowed to discuss the matters of transgenderism with students. These matters should only be discussed by educators with the parent or guardian in a privet setting without the child's input.


This new transgender policy is demeaning and undemocratic.

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<p>Just when our country was beginning to be accepting of all it's citizens, Virgina decides to go backward on the subject of accepting transgender and queer people.   I vehemently oppose this new policy that disrespects the personal choices of our youth as well as adults.   The pronouns ones chooses to be called as well as gender identification and sexality belong to the individual, NOT the state.  </p>


Support the State Honoring First Amendment Rights in this Policy

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I ask you to support this policy that acknowledges students and teachers can’t be forced into compelled speech that violates their constitutional rights, including First Amendment and religious freedom protections.


Children Need Our Protection Not Exposure to Perversity!

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I support the new policy that empowers schools to protect ALL our kids—especially when it comes to protecting vulnerable students in a state of undress in locker rooms or overnight sleeping quarters for school field trips.


Keep Children Safe - No to Encouraging Boys in Girls Bathrooms

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


Strongly Oppose

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<p>This policy is discrimination against transgender and non-binary youth and I strongly believe it should not be enacted. </p>


Thank You for the Policy Changes -Keep Every Single One of Them

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


Strongly oppose transphobic policies

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I support parents rights but not when their personal beliefs conflict with their child’s gender identity and desire to express this.  Teachers are not trying to change the gender identify if students, merely supporting those who express a change in identity. Research well supports gender affirming care decreasing mental health issues including decreasing rate of suicide.  Using preferred names and pronouns is an easy way to do this.


Strong opposition

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This is quite a way to increase suicide in our young students. It is not the school’s business whether a child is gay, transgender, etc., nor does it have anything to do with academics. This is so dangerous.


You have my 100% Support (Marxist want the state to govern their children not the parent)

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I 100% support this as the parents, not the state, should be the one's making these decision and having these conversation with "their" (not the state) children.  We are promoting rebellion in kids and exposing them to groomers and predators when we advocate empowering kids to keep secrets from their parents.


FULL SUPPORT

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Please do not allow the voices of those who cannot identify a woman or believe a child could be a cat run our schools. This seems like a compromise that protects our kids from those people and in some cases from themselves. Parents should be involved with all aspects of the minor children's lives.


FULL SUPPORT


I support this

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This time in history is the craziest I've ever seen! I can't believe the voices of people that can't identify a man or woman are seemingly running this nation! Let's go back to basics. Teaching scholastics and not training in sex.


STRONGLY SUPPORT!!!

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We strongly support this common sense policy!


Support this policy

Supporter of the truth about biological sex

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Strongly support updating this policy.  Schools should hide nothing from parents.  Teachers, principals and all school staff should not instill their values on a child, especially lying about their biological sex.


I support out our Governor 100 ??

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I support our Governor ?? percent. We are destroying girls right to privacy and safety.


Supoort for this change

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<p>Children are being victimized by all the looney leftists that believe sexuality belongs in school. Let's get back to reading, writing, and mathematics!  Thank you for protecting the kids! </p>


STRONGLY OPPOSED

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I am strongly opposed to my rights being taken away


SUPPORT THIS CHANGE

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I support this policy change.

Thank you from all that parents.


Strongly oppose

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This bill is genuinely harmful to transgender students. Transgender students are not going to just magically go away by trying to ignore their existence. This legislation is going to be harmful for trans kids. Not only do trans students deal with higher levels of depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts, but in many cases the only safe place for these kids to exist as themselves is at school. You are purposefully removing this, and thus specifically making the school an unsafe place for kids to be. You use religion as a scapegoat for bigotry and discrimination. I, as well as many other people, do nor support this bill. For anyone else reading this, please do not let this legislation pass. Don’t harm students further.


Strongly support!

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Thank you Governor for your stand on behalf of the children and parents in this matter.
Now this is what I call leadership!


Fair compromise

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I support the new policy that enables parents rights as well as allowing expression by the student. It also protects students on overnight trips from the potential problems that Fairfax County encountered.


STRONGLY OPPOSED

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Please for the love of god stop trying to take rights away from people. Everyone has the right to decide for themselves how to identify. It is none of our business and does not affect anyone else. I am so sick and tired of these horrible people trying to force their opinions on everyone else and make laws enforcing their backwards thinking on other people’s way of life.


School


Thank you! We Support the New Policy!

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Thank you to all who has a hand in the revision and development of the model policy! As a parent and teacher, I appreciate the validation of my authority as a parent and fully support this model policy over the prior policy, which left many of us in the community confused and despondent.

All students are guaranteed a safe learning environment, so that has not changed. If parents and their children are sincerely impacted by gender dysphoria, they have recourse and the formalization of this process prevents unnecessary and frivolous behaviors that mock teachers/staff, disenfranchise parents and devalue protections for students who may be genuinely impacted, as few as they may be.

Many of us parents and teachers are apolitical and only care about a safe learning environment that focuses on STEM and leaves the upbringing and instilling of moral values to the parents. Too often, teachers, school boards and others circumvent parents rights and cause substantial damage, as well intentioned as some may be.

this model policy is absolutely fair, impartial and common sense. Thank you for advocating for parents and families!


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Please withdraw your policy of hate towards transgender students. You are free to have your religious beliefs but, not to force them on others. As a retired educator, I firmly believe that young people find the move into adulthood tough enough without directing such unaccepting policies as you are decreeing. Please reconsider your policy.


Strongly oppose new transgender student guidelines

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As both a retired public school teacher and a parent, I submit that I am strong opposed to the new guidelines regarding the treatment of transgender students in VA public schools.  If you want to keep kids safe and mentally and physically healthy, this is absolutely not the way to do it. Keep your religion and transphobic ideology out of public schools.


STRONGLY OPPOSE

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It’s simply not the business of legislators. And how would they enforce it anyway.


I strongly oppose these changes

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<p>This proposal is harmful.  It will lead to abuse of people who are marginalized enough.  Please reconsider. </p>


SUPPORT

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As the parent of a middle school daughter, I strongly support these guidelines for allowing parents to decide how to handle sensitive topics in an age-appropriate manner. The school’s role is education, not indoctrination.


Strongly oppose - these policies will harm our children in irreversible ways

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<p>All children deserve to attend school in an environment that is safe, accepting, and allows them to be their full authentic selves. These policies send an irreversibly harmful message that our gender diverse children and their needs do not matter. This policy would be illegal and cause collateral damage to our most vulnerable. Stop this ongoing campaign of hate and intolerance against our children! There is no stopping a child from being who they are. There is only the path of acceptance and the path of intolerant hate. </p>


THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE; PLEASE KEEP PROTECTIONS FOR TRANS STUDENTS

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Schools should be a safe space for all students. They should walk into their school environment and feel protected and respected for who they are. Turning schools into yet another space where they cannot feel secure is not only heartless and ignorant, it is dangerous. This new policy will affect more than just the mental health of students. It poses a safety issue that could result in lost lives.

I work in a school currently. Throughout the week I have had to explain that our governor actively discriminates against trans youth in order to "protect" the first amendment rights of teachers on numerous occassions. It has been heartbreaking. Students are devastated and cannot focus. This policy is unjust, uninformed, and totally backwards.


Parental Rights

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<p>I fully support Gov. Younkin and his positions regarding our schools and students. Parental rights must over ride bureaucrats. </p>


Thank you Governor Youngkin

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It is unfortunate that we are at a point in our nation’s history when some people would endanger kids and expose them to physical and emotional harm in service of a political agenda. We are grateful to Governor Youngkin for reaffirming parents’ rights, standing against the fascists who are trying to compel speech, and making schools safe again for all children and teens. Thank you, Governor.


Support the Proposal

First off our family whole heartedly supports the new Model Policies. It brings back a sense of sanity to the Commonwealth's dealings with parents and will give us the power to confront hostile school leaderships who seek to manipulate our children under their care. We appreciate the the first guiding principle, "Parents have the right to make decisions with respect to their children"... this is true for discipline, for school choice, and yes for the sanctity of the nuclear family unit. Our children belong to the families until they are old enough to make their own decisions and even then they still revert back to what mom and dad my want. Despite the hysterical reactions of many who oppose this, if there is harm being done at home and the child truly feels endangered, then they should go to the proper authorities and make a complaint. Having agents of the state hide  issues about our children only seeks to harm the relationship at home and the relationship between the government and its people.

"Schools shall serve the needs of all students". We read this and were glad to see the acknowledgement that there is a difference between boys and girls. We saw the damage caused in Loudon County and the confusion and jokes made when Fairfax County decided that boys could use girls restrooms. When a child honestly feels confused about what their body is then there can be a work around but blanket policies again only seek to harm relationships.
"Partnering with parents". As it was before, if you were to be disciplined in school your school would call your parents. This is no different... if there are issues at home that are detectable at school then the school can step in, partnered with local police and speak with the parents or care givers. Otherwise, it is a subversive attempt to undercut families and seek to damage them even further. People are not above redemption and abusive behavior needs to be confronted and stopped.

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<p>First off our family whole heartedly supports the new Model Policies. It brings back a sense of sanity to the Commonwealth's dealings with parents and will give us the power to confront hostile school leaderships who seek to manipulate our children under their care. We appreciate the the first guiding principle, "Parents have the right to make decisions with respect to their children"... this is true for discipline, for school choice, and yes for the sanctity of the nuclear family unit. Our children belong to the families until they are old enough to make their own decisions and even then they still revert back to what mom and dad my want. Despite the hysterical reactions of many who oppose this, if there is harm being done at home and the child truly feels endangered, then they should go to the proper authorities and make a complaint. Having agents of the state hide  issues about our children only seeks to harm the relationship at home and the relationship between the government and its people. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>"Schools shall serve the needs of all students". We read this and were glad to see the acknowledgement that there is a difference between boys and girls. We saw the damage caused in Loudon County and the confusion and jokes made when Fairfax County decided that boys could use girls restrooms. When a child honestly feels confused about what their body is then there can be a work around but blanket policies again only seek to harm relationships. </p>
<p>"Partnering with parents". As it was before, if you were to be disciplined in school your school would call your parents. This is no different... if there are issues at home that are detectable at school then the school can step in, partnered with local police and speak with the parents or care givers. Otherwise, it is a subversive attempt to undercut families and seek to damage them even further. People are not above redemption and abusive behavior needs to be confronted and stopped. </p>
<p> </p>


This Is Bigotry Hiding Behind "Personal Belief" or Religion

Al Carroll, Assistant Professor of History, NOVA

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Would you allow the use of epithets, or allow teachers to address students as "colored," and then hide behind "personal belief" or religion? There are churches that forbid interracial mixing or are even white supremacist. This reasoning behind this policy is little different.

Everyone knows that Governor Youngkin got elected by pandering to the lower bigotry. His campaign, working with Fox News, spread hysterical claims that trans and gay people were out to rape children.

This new policy is simply continuing this pandering. I oppose it as a parent, Virginian, teacher, and as someone simply trying to be a decent human being. It not only panders to bigots, it forcefully outs trans and gay students and will lead to violent attacks and suicides.

Youngkin should be ashamed. Any followers of his who are not bigots like him should be ashamed they fell for bigoted propaganda.


I agree with the governor

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I support giving parents the right to more control over there child’s education. I support the governors new policies. Love all the children but with boundaries for a safe environment.


Parental rights

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We support the governor. We need to keep Virginia on the right track.


I Support Gov. Youngkin's Model Guidelines

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I strongly support the governor's Model Guidelines.  Medical professionals should exercise greater caution before supporting political and fad-based novel approaches to the science and practice we have been trained for.  Unenlightened adherants to modern superstitions of gender should not be leading cultural conversation and momentum on this issue.


Transphobic

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These policies are very transphobic. Glenn Youngkin claims to be on the side of transgender students and yet this is sure to increase suicide rates. By outing a child to their parents you are not only violating that child’s trust and making a decision that is theirs, you are potentially putting the child in a very dangerous situation.


Strongly oppose - this will do more harm

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This policy does not protect All students because it does not protect the students who should have the right to use the names and pronouns that they prefer. Research shows that transgender and nonbinary students feel more comfortable when they can express themselves without their rights being quashed.  We don't require parents to be notified if there is a case of abuse or neglect, so why should making this requirement be any different?  By putting this solely in the hands of parents who may not understand the current times and what our children are going through, you are violating the rights of those students who should be able to use the names and pronouns that they so choose and to use the restrooms that coincide with their identified gender.  It is ironic, also, that there is so much in the proposal about anti-bullying.  This policy will give the bullies more ammunition to lob at the students who don't fit into a nice little box because the bullies will know that the use of preferred pronouns are not supported in Virginia schools. By the way, using preferred pronouns is, in fact, a personal choice so that statement is false in the proposal. Additionally, this requirement is actually in violation of Code of VA 2.2 -3900 because this is discriminating against students based on gender identity.  This also smells of a political stunt in the making.  Finally, this policy will actually increase the Depression and Anxiety experienced by transgender and nonbinary students and I guarantee you that the suicide rate will increase exponentially.  Do you really want that on your hands, Gov. Youngkin and VA Dept of Education!? Please reconsider this proposal so that many of our Virginia students can be allowed to be who they want to be without barriers and discrimination.


This new policy make me want to riot

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Leave it to Youngkin to come up with a ridiculous plan


no such thing as non-binary

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you are biologically assigned at birth a gender. Any change after that is a mental health issue. Great job Gov!


Oppose

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We must protect our trans children from bullying.


Fredericksburg Parent - Strongly Support

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I'm not a bot or a nonhuman macro - I am a parent, and I am in charge of influencing my child's ideology - not educators.  I do not want the police, garbage collectors, US Mail letter carriers, educators, religious leaders, or elected officials of any sort or capacity encroaching upon my Constitutional right to raise my children.  This protects children from sexually-explicit language, unwanted sexual converation, and abuse that would never be tolerated in a workplace.


Thank you!

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Thank you Governor for making our schools safe again!


Strongly Oppose

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This is terrible and will lead to additional suffering for the most vulnerable members of our population.


Protect Trans Kids

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<p>These guidelines will only harm trans and non binary kids. We need to protect them and their mental health and these guidelines will not do that. The courts have spoken (Grimm) and the governor is wrong. </p>


Strongly oppose anti-trans policies

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<p>Using chosen name and pronouns is suicide  prevention. Outing anyone without their consent is harmful. Respecting youth and their agency to autonomy should be the goal- not discrimination. </p>


Re: New 2022 Model Policies

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“As a Virginian citizen, I fully support the 2022 Model Policies. Parents – not school employees – should be the only ones discussing sexuality and any gender-confusion with their child. No school employee should ever seek to undermine a parent’s right to decide what is best for their child – especially not to push harmful Gender Confusion Theory on an underage student. Furthermore, it is unfair and wrong to allow biologically male athletes to compete as and against female athletes. Not only does this create an unfair advantage that discourages female athletes from even competing, but it forces female athletes to share private facilities like locker rooms and showers with males. This is a gross violation of their right to privacy. On top of which, in such situations female students are forced to endorse the lie that the male athletes have actually changed their gender. It is always wrong and harmful to push lies upon young students. Gender is based in biology, not mental confusion or preference.”


Strongly Opposed

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<p>Strongly Opposed. </p>


Oppose


OPPOSE

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<p>Inhumane and takes rights </p>


OPPOSED

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<p>This is terrible and will lead to so much suffering for the most vulnerable. </p>


Sensible and Fair

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<p>I fully support this revision.  The updated document demonstrates an informed and well-defined guidance that servers all citizens of the Commonwealth.  The right of parents is a fundamental and necessary in the development of children.  The only role of public education it to develop basic skills and knowledge to mature children into good citizens.  In no way should public education be involved in a fundamental parental right such as gender identity.  Public educators are neither qualified or capable of making decisions for parents without their knowledge and consent.  </p>


Support for Guidance Document

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I am a parent of public school students in Northern Virginia and strongly support this Guidance Document.


I strongly oppose.

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This law will affect trans youth in an incredibly negative way. If this is passed, trans youth will be put in serious danger; suicide rates will rise, homeless youth rates will also rise.  We need to protect trans youth.


Youngkin bill

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I support!!! Go Youngkin


Strongly oppose

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I oppose this.  I stand with all students regardless of gender.


OPPOSE THIS INHUMANE POLICY!

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This policy endangers the mental and physical well-being of extremely vulnerable young persons. It further perpetuates inaccurate information and prejudice endangering the lives of children. As the 2022 Trevor Project Survey shows, 45% of LGBTQ youth seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year and LGBTQ youth who found their school to be LGBTQ-affirming reported lower rates of attempting suicide. The COVID-19 pandemic and record wave of anti-transgender legislation continue to negatively impact LGBTQ youth’s mental health.

This inhumane policy is not pro-life but the opposite. It is not only a violation of human rights but state and federal laws as well. It will create a hostile school environment that damages education for everyone. All children should be in affirming environments in school so that they are best able to learn. As a mom of a nonbinary teen, I can tell you - they have it hard enough as it is - please don't be cruel for a political agenda. These are children who deserve to learn in an environment that affords them dignity and respect. If you truly believe in your Christian values - behave accordingly and love your neighbor. Stop with the judgement and hatefulness. Each and every child in school deserves to feel safe. If parents have a good relationship and communication with their children parental "rights" are a mute point.

https://www.thetrevorproject.org/survey-2022


support

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How many real people are entering comments here and how many are copy paste.

Schools should not have a policy to keep secrets from parents. Just because a minor thinks his parents might not like something does not justify treating all parents with suspicion and as an enemy of the schools. The people who don't like open communication between parents and schools can always home school their kids. They do not get to tell me how to raise my child.


Parents need to make decisions for their children

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I support the Governor.


I oppose this change to student's rights

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I oppose the Youngkin Administration's revisions to the guidance developed per the Code of Virginia § 22.1-23.3. Treatment of transgender students; policies. This decision will cause significant trauma to some transgender students as many are already dealing with difficult family situations. The revisions that limit transgender students to those who have parental permission to use names, pronouns, etc. may cause tremendous harm to transgender students who have poor relations with their families or who have not come out to their parents as they fear rejection or being turned out to the street. These changes must be reversed to preserve the mental and physical health of these very at-risk students!


Protect trans kids

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<p>For many kids, school is the only safe place they have. Adopting this proposed policy takes away one of the few spaces where trans kids may find life saving support.  Conservatives always make it clear that they don't want to protect kids. Using their correct pronouns and refusing to dead and kids is the smallest thing we can do to protect students. </p>


STRONGLY OPPOSE.

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<p>Governor Youngkin's proposal to to roll back protections for transgender and non-binary students in Virginia schools is an egregious violation of human rights.  We must protect ALL of our children and ensure that they can live their lives authentically, with dignity and without dangerous stigmatization.  This type of policy would be extremely detrimental to our youth and put already vulnerable populations at further risk.  </p>


I support human rights

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I believe human beings have the right to choose a religion, and the Governor probably agrees with that. But kids don't get to choose to be trans or homosexual. I didn't choose to be born the way I am, a cisgender straight white woman. I just happened to be born in a way that meant I fit into the world. How outrageous it is that our Governor wants to make life even harder for kids who were born in ways that mean they don't fit into the world. How dare the Governor attempt to make school a dangerous place for kids simply because of the way they were born. I support human rights, and I strongly oppose these discriminatory and dangerous guidelines.


Boys in girls locker rooms?

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Thank you Governor Youngkin for protecting us from the ultra left wing nuts.


strongly oppose

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As a parent, I strongly oppose youngkins transgender guidelines. You're making up problems for your own political gain.


Live Free for Every Virginian

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This guidance document is out of touch with reality.  Young people do not choose a sexual identity or orientation. They have them both, and those traits  are not always going to comply with “traditional values “.  No amount of force or denial is going to change them.  What these young people need, and their peers, is to be taught how to live with each other with respect and dignity. Some parents have a problem with their children not complying to their expectations. That does not mean that their children can or should change, hide or comply. It does not endanger their mortal soul or that of others. Those parents need support in learning to except who their children are.  Stop commingling your narrow  religious views with state policy.


RPS parent: strongly oppose

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<p>The rollback of protections is putting thousands of children' life at risk for political purposes. The Youngkin administration should be ashamed. </p>


I agree with governor Youngkin

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I agree with youngkin. There are 2 sexs and that’s it. Stop trying to shove the other garbage down our throats and our Children’s throat.


Parents Rights

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Parents are the only adults that should influence a child. Schools should not go behind a set of parents to influence a child. It should be a crime to do so.


I oppose this hateful proposal

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<p>Transgender youth need to be protected from those who are too ignorant or bigoted to support them. Their lives are very challenging already. Let them be themselves and stop trying to dictate hate and persecution to these already very vulnerable children. </p>


Support of the Governor's new Guidance Document regarding transgender students

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The governor is courageous in supporting parental concerns about this issue. How can a student of any age, less than those legally defined to be adults -- those who can vote or serve in the military -- be qualified to choose their gender.  Gender was determined at birth.  Any student decision to challenge that decision is based on emotions and feelings. A proper level of brain development for maturity does not happen until ~22 years of age.  That is why there are parents, who have been though those growing-up years, are needed to guide their children and to assist them with such issues.

School time and resources need to be better spent on preparing students for what comes after school. Subjects that involve math, science, TRUE history, and English composition; along with sports. As a practicing engineer, who has written many research papers, the subjects cited above go a long way to make a student successful in a career.


Model policies for treatment of transgender students

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<p>Strongly support. </p>


Strongly oppose

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Children Deserve human rights. we need to respect people to be called by whatever name they choose.


Opposition to discriminatory proposal

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<p>Having taught middle school for 40 years  I know many students, trans and non-binary students among them, are trying to figure out who they are, partially by separating from their identity as children of their parents.  They need the space to be able to do just that, and there is no safer spaceport this than a school. Trans and non-binary kids who want to explore their gender identity without the knowledge of parents need to be able to do so, especially if they fear their parents' response.  We are talking about a very small number of kids who need this very big support. </p>


Concerned Educator

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We need to stand with ALL kids including transgender and non-binary kids and strongly promote the inclusion and protection of our youth. I stand firmly against any discriminatory policies against LGBTQI+ individuals and encourage all to do the same.


I oppose the homosexual agenda

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“As a Virginian citizen, I fully support the 2022 Model Policies. Parents – not school employees – should be the only ones discussing sexuality and any gender-confusion with their child. No school employee should ever seek to undermine a parent’s right to decide what is best for their child – especially not to push harmful Gender Confusion Theory on an underage student. Furthermore, it is unfair and wrong to allow biologically male athletes to compete as and against female athletes. Not only does this create an unfair advantage that discourages female athletes from even competing, but it forces female athletes to share private facilities like locker rooms and showers with males. This is a gross violation of their right to privacy. On top of which, in such situations female students are forced to endorse the lie that the male athletes have actually changed their gender. It is always wrong and harmful to push lies upon young students. Gender is based in biology, not mental confusion or preference.”


Shameful. Kids need us to support and understand them, not judge and out them.

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This has turned into a moral debate amongst adults when we should really be asking those whom this directly affects: the students.

Some students are not accepted by their families. They are afraid of being judged (or SIGNIFICANTLY worse) by their parents. School is one of the only safe places that many of them have.

People are wondering why they aren't included in their child's decisions to change their names/pronouns but they should really be reflecting on their own behaviors as to why their student did not say anything to specifically THEM.


Strongly Opposed-Hateful Policy

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This new policy has nothing to do with helping parents or families and is really more of an attack on the trans community. Trans teenagers need support at school and to be able to live their lives based on their real identities. The trans community faces extremely high rates of depression and suicide because they are not accepted. This policy needs to be blocked.


Support Governor Younkins proposal


I oppose this policy

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As a trans woman every day in our community every one of my sisters has discrimination committed against them. This policy would only increase hate speech, bigotry and violence towards those who already bear society’s ills.Protect our LGBT youth and send the proper message. That all humans were created equal, For this policy is a blatant attack on the rights of citizens.


Why is anyone's medical life he business of legislatures?

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It is hard to understand why people like Youngkin and others feel they have a right to have anything to do with a person's private medical life.

These matters are properly between a person and their healthcare providers and no one else's business!

Lynn 82-year-old mother of two, grandmother of seven, great-grandmother of 12


This is the right thing to do

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Children need the love and support of their families and keeping information from parents does nothing to help a child.  It hurts that child, it makes life worse for that child, and it is wrong for the schools to presume that they know what is best for a child.  That is the parents' job.


Support for this change and demand enforcement

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The state of Virginia should be applauded for putting decisions related to children back in the hands of the parent and should ensure that EVERY school district complies with this directive.  Trust but verify.


Strongly oppose

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This is a very frightening policy that sets our state back and violates basic human rights. If parents want to know every minute thing their child is doing, they should not be in a tax-pure funded school. Often this is the only safe haven for kids whose parents are not accepting of gender identity transitions, or even having gay children. Let’s not set the standard for the state by having a Stasi-like policy to prevent transgender kids from feeling accepted in all state-funded schools.


Only quack doctors would oppose, common sense. APPROVE!


Support and thankful

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Thank you for putting the rights of parents to be a part of any decision related to their child back on the table.  Parents need to know what is happening with their child.


Support

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Fully support the governor.


STRONGLY SUPPORT YOUNGKIN!

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Stop mutilating children’s body rs


support

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We have taken things too far, it's time for middle of the road policies


Parents have rights

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Parents have rights and thank goodness Gov Younkin is protecting those rights and frankly protecting children from the predatory behavior of the left.


Strongly support!

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<p>Parents agree to share the teaching of their children with their school teachers. This does not include discussing sexual orientation or gender with our children. </p>
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Oppose Political Ploy that Violates State Law

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The proposed model policies on the treatment of transgender & non-binary students violate Virginia code. The term "Parental Rights" hides harmful discrimination in the same spirit as "Massive Resistance" did. Shame on those promoting this.


from a trans doctor: this is a great way to hurt kids and delay development

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I strongly oppose this policy and it should be rejected. There is a plethora of scientific evidence supporting the idea that gender affirmation saves lives across the age spectrum, including in minors. This will hurt and kill children. This paper lays this out well with citations: https://www.srcd.org/research/gender-affirming-policies-support-transgender-and-gender-diverse-youths-health   This is going to be a personal comment from a trans adult who would have killed themselves if I had been a child in a school abiding by these guidelines.

First, regarding the rule that staff can refuse to call a child by their name and pronouns: Something I think cisgender people do not understand is that being misgendered feels terrible every single time it happens. Whether it was intentional or an accident, from a friend or a stranger, the first time or the thousandth: It HURTS. I don't care that it makes you "feel weird" or "it's hard though!" You are causing harm. And if the religious figures you follow are telling you to harm children, maybe consider doing some self reflection and making some changes to your beliefs.

These guidelines all but guarantee some LGBTQ kids will have no place where they can be safe to be and explore themselves. I grew up in the environment the proponents of these guidelines would support: conservative evangelical Christianity was my entire world. Nothing my parents did or said is illegal - they just made it clear that a person is not really lovable or human if they are anything other than cisgender heterosexual. There was no room for exploration or questions.

Because of this, I had no vocabulary for what I was feeling about myself and my body until well into adulthood. After I separated myself from my parents I began to finally explore who I am. I knew as a child I felt like I was playing a role for someone else, that parts of my body didn't feel like they belonged to me, that being called "she" felt wrong - but I didn't know how to express these feelings. I just felt like something about me was fundamentally wrong - which is a terrible feeling, particularly for a child. If I had expressed any of this to my parents I probably would have been put in conversion therapy. I was already struggling with suicidal ideation (imagine constantly feeling that you as a person were wrong - why would you want to continue living that way?). Despite being in psychotherapy and on medication, being outed to my conservative parents would have put me over the edge.

Part of childhood and adolescence (part of becoming an adult human being) is exploring oneself. Figuring out who one is, how one wants to live, how one wants to interact with the world. I wasn't able to do that until my late 20s and 30s. Underneath the Good Christian Woman role I played was an empty shell - a child unable to express myself and find myself. I grew up in the type of environment proposed by these guidelines and emerged lacking a sense of self and an understanding of how to navigate my body and the world. It delayed my development. I've spent my adulthood living out my adolescence. So many lost years to make up for, all on my own and without the support of affirming teachers.

If I had had an affirming school environment that exposed me to ideas concerning gender beyond cisheteronormativity I probably would have tried to start becoming Me sooner. I would have been the kid asking a teacher to call me "they" and a name other than the one on my legal documents. I would have asked my choir director to let me dress in pants at concerts. Under these guidelines, I would never have been exposed to these ideas because my parents would have opposed them even being spoken in my presence. And if I had been exposed to these ideas and started exploring myself, I would have been outed to my parents and squashed like a bug. These guidelines would have driven me to suicide as a kid. That means the world would be deprived of my valuable presence. One less beautiful person, one less doctor serving Virginia's veterans, one less worthy voice.


Strongly Support

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Parents have an absolute right to be the decision maker when it comes their children, regardless of the issue.


Opposed


Support 100%

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We strongly support including and involving parents in EVERY decision about their child, especially anything involving their mental and physical health.


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 students All students  deserve a supportive and affirming school environment, especially our vulnerable and marginalized populations like our transgender and nonbinary youth.


Guidence Document for Transgender Stludents

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<p>Strongly opposed to singling out LGBT children.  </p>


We echo Kathy Powers statement

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We completely agree with Kathy Powers’ remarks.  Governor Youngkin’s proposed policy is cruel and abhorrent, because it sets as its victims the most vulnerable young people in our society- children internally trying to understand what and who they are.  We know young people in this conflicted condition: “Am I a boy?  Am I a girl?  Why do I feel differently than what my body looks like?  Why do kids make fun of me?  Why don’t my parents understand?”

And so here come the unfeeling, cynical politicians, whose only care is being elected or re-elected, and who see this “strange” situation - a boy or girl struggling within themselves - and view the vulnerable child’s plight as a sure issue to rocket themselves into elected office.  Maybe this politician laughs at the complex transgender child and her/his plight as a throwaway joke for their next campaign speech.  Maybe this politician thinks such children are “anathema” in some of their constituents’ religious beliefs.

These kids are not jokes; they are not evil.  They are children of the same God who made you and me.  And their parents are struggling mightily to help their own vulnerable child make it safely through the journey of life.

Leave them alone.  Life is difficult enough for them without you pompously and cynically tossing them into the hell of culture war politics.


oppose


Vehemently Opposed to this Discriminatory Policy

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<p>Discriminatory policies have no place in Virginia!! Shame on politicians who support such legislation just to advance their own political careers.  </p>


Glenn Dunkin is a dick riding hoe. (excuse my french)

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Bro, this is dumb. Like you're more worried about students not having rights than Covid, or war or some . Like what is wrong with you? I oppose this stupid ass law or whatever.  you Glenn Dunkin.


Strongly oppose

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<p>I strongly oppose the proposed model guidance on the treatment of LGBTQ students in Virginia schools. </p>


OPPOSE

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My name is Gabrielle Kubi. I am a constituent of the 20111 zip code of Manassas. Adapted from the words of equalityvirginia.org, "On September 16th, Governor Glenn Youngkin and the Virginia Department of Education released a draft model policy that would remove and replace 2021's model policies on the treatment of transgender (trans) and non-binary youth in schools. The 2021 guidance assists Virginia's local education agencies in adopting a comprehensive set of policies that will protect transgender and nonbinary students from bullying, harassment, and discrimination in schools and create inclusive and affirming learning environments. [I OPPOSE] the 2022 proposed model policy." The state legislature should be ashamed of itself for even allowing this proposal to progress to the stage of public comment, and would be on the wrong side of history and of humanity if they were to allow this model to pass and proceed. I oppose it wholeheartedly, and urge others to do the same.


Parental Rights Supporter!

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<p>I agree that parents should have a say and right in what is going on with their kids’ lives. Congratulations to Governor Youngkin. That’s why Virginians voted for him. </p>


Strongly agree with Young king on this.

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<p>This policy is just common sense. I agree with this policy.   </p>


OPPOSE

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<p>Leave those kids alone!! </p>


STRONGLY Disagree with Youngkin

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<p>Youngkin needs to leave this alone. He is not helping trans kids. By making it mandatory to report to parents it could lead to abuse (mental, verbal, and even physical)of the child, them believing their only option is to runaway, and an increased risk of suicide. These kids want nothing more than to be accepted for who they are. The continual spread of misinformation about trans kids and when they can start their transitioning is not helping. Not every trans person wants to fully transition. The government has no place in making these decisions. Leave it to the trans person, their support system, and their doctors. Furthermore, not allowing trans kids to use the gendered bathroom that they identify with is ridiculous. It is fearmongering. Schools ignore bullying and sexual assault on a daily basis. Put your energy into that. Trans kids are more likely to be bullied. </p>


Strongly oppose - This policy endangers the lives and safety of young children

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Transgender students have a right to exist in this world. This proposed policy will tramatize and kill students if implemented. There is no place for bigotry in the world, especially state sponsored violence against marginalized children.

"...there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus." Galatians 3:28

Are all one in Christ? or just the ones that YOU decide?


100% Support

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This policy enacts parents rights as they should be and strengthens all children by allowing their parents to support them.  Any suggestion that the LGBTQ population is at risk seems to be a broad-based, bias, judgement without data


Let's approach this issue with mutual respect

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I have read both policy papers, and a number of comments submitted. It makes me concerned about the tone of the public debate. Let's turn down the temperature and try to see what is at the core of this controversy.

The previous policy put the child firmly at the center. The proposed one focuses on the parental perspective. Both are legitimate. But there are many cases where the child is not met with support and understanding from parents and peers. There is ample evidence of the psychological trauma that LGBTQ students are often facing. My conclusion is that we must side with the most vulnerable party: the student. The previous policy shows great care in doing so, and I support it. The proposed policy risks outing students and exposing them to retaliation and bullying. It represents a step back.


Oppose

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<p>There’s no reason to change the guidance that was put in place in 2020. It was based on best practices and promoted  respect to all students. These new recommended policies are ridiculous. Banning kids from using their preferred names at school is absurd. Misgendering people is just disrespectful. It has nothing to do with religious freedom, just bigotry. Shame on Youngkin and the VDOE. </p>


Stongly Support

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There is too much fear mongering out there on this policy suggesting that every LGBTQ child out there will commit suicide if this policy is enacted.  Most of these comments fail to present any data and suggest that every child lives in fear.  This policy does not subject children to any limiting behavior any more than traditional standards.


Support

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Transideology has warped the critical thinking skills of adults, causing them to believe that pronouns cause suicide, that the wishes of even ONE male automatically supersede the rights, dignity, and privacy of 51% of ALL females, and that parents are evil tyrants who hate their children.

It is not the job of the schools to "validate" anyone's delusions, nor to force children to validate teachers' delusions.  And any adult who insists on holding secret talks about a non-related child's sexuality should be suspended and investigated for inappropriate sexual behavior with students.


The lie that trans youth suffer mental health issues because their parents know they are trans

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I was reading a few comments about how trans youth are more likely to commit suicide because their parents know.  Their mental health issues are much more complicated than that so don't blame it all on parents.  There are parents that love and support their trans child and the child still has significant mental health issues and may still attempt to take their lives.

There are a lot of good things to support in this document.


The Proposed 2022 Policy Seems To Be Completely Reasonable

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The main change from the 2021 policy to the 2022 policy seems to be parental involvement.  When my children were in school, teachers always stressed the importance of parents participating in their child's education.

How are we supposed to support our children when we do not know what problems they are dealing with?


I Fully Support Gov Youngkin's Pro-Family Stance

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“As a citizen of Virginia, I fully support the 2022 Model Policies. Parents – not school employees – should be the only ones discussing sexuality and any gender-confusion with their child. No school employee should ever seek to undermine a parent’s right to decide what is best for their child – especially not to push harmful Gender Confusion Theory on an underage student. Furthermore, it is unfair and wrong to allow biologically male athletes to compete as and against female athletes. Not only does this create an unfair advantage that discourages female athletes from even competing, but it forces female athletes to share private facilities like locker rooms and showers with males. This is a gross violation of their right to privacy. On top of which, in such situations female students are forced to endorse the lie that the male athletes have actually changed their gender. It is always wrong and harmful to push lies upon young students. Gender is based in biology, not mental confusion or preference.”


Finding solutions

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<p>I applaud Gov Youngkin for finding a compromise that enforces a parent's right to raise their children and the student's right to express who they are. </p>


Agree with Governor Youngkin

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TOTALLY support Governor Youngkin on this matter.


Acceptable compromise

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Governor Youngkin has found a compromise that allows a student to express themselves and parents are involved. This keeps everyone protected. Good job!


Parents Rights

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I support Governor Younkgin and the revised policy for parents' rights.


Strongly Support New Guidance

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I strongly support Governor Youngkin's new guidance...the value and respect of all children...and full parental rights.


VA resident in support of the new policies

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I wholeheartedly support the new policies. As a VA resident and parent, I recognize the new policies to be more balanced.


Parents Rights

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Isupoort Gov Youngkin's change to gender policy in school. Kids will be protected and parents will be involved. This is an acceptable compromise.


I support the new policies!

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The new VA policies represent the a more balanced perspective than the previous policies!


Girls & Fairness--support for this document

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I support this document.  Girls should compete against girls, not transgendered girls.  It is unfair.  And that is why we have separate divisions.  Transgendered students maybe should be allowed to compete against others with the same biological sex they were born with if they want to be involved in a competitive sport.


I supoort this policy

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Parents have the right to know what their child is doing at school


Strongly support Gov. Youngkin

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<p>Genesis 1:27 says "male and female created He them". End of discussion. </p>


Strongly Oppose this misguided policy

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This policy is wrong, cruel, dangerous and fear based.  The only end this will achieve is to put LGBTQIA+ students lives in danger.  It will cause mental health problems certainly drive some to suicide quite literally putting lives in the balance. And all to what end? So that certain groups of people what who are afraid of anything that isn't familiar to them, don't have to feel uncomfortable. Shame on you. And quite frankly I think the worst part is that you don't care at all about the people on either side of the issue.  I think the truth is you are just doing whatever you think will get you reelected so I say again shame on you!


Opposing Proposed Policy

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I strongly oppose this proposed policy. This proposal would create a hostile school environment for our VA transgender and nonbinary youth. All our students deserve a supportive and affirming school environment, especially our vulnerable and marginalized populations like our transgender and nonbinary youth.


OK people let's be sensible

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My rights end where yours begin.  Your rights end where mine begin.

"The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution guarantees religious freedom and prohibits the government from compelling speech that is contrary to an individual's personal or religious beliefs."

No one is saying to trash or bash ANY young people.  School age children are not yet capable of making life-altering irreversible decisions.  Any adult with compassion should understand that waiting until said children are fully adult would be the wisest choice.  Part of the growing up process can be 'trying on' different identities.  It doesn't mean these will be final choices when the growing process is finished!

These policies have been sensibly updated.  Please keep them this way.


Parental rights

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Schools should not encourage children struggling with gender confusion.  That is a discussion for the family.  The school doesn’t know our kids better than we do.  They also don’t care as much about our children as we do.  No one at school loves our children more than we do.


Strongly Support Younkin's Policy!

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<p>The radicals would love to remove parental rights and supervision.  I won't stand for it!  Parents play a critical role in the lives of their children.  Younkin has this right.  I 100% support his policy.  I pray you will too.  </p>


Changedsvto Transgend school policy

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Parents should be in control of their children

and should be advised of gender related counseling!


STRONGLY OPPOSE

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I am strongly opposed to any policy that negatively impacts this vulnerable population. This is an intentionally hurtful proposal.


Our LGBT youth MUST be protected

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LGBT right are, put as simply as it can be, human rights. To assert that the rights of trangender youth should be infringed to protect the superstitious dellusions of ill-educated adults is, frankly, sick. To be in any way opposed to protecting the FULL rights of LGBT youth is to be staunchly against child welfare. All those who seek to curb the rights of the marginalized for the comfort of the privileged are, to put it charitably, willful and knowing enemies of the public good and indeed basic human decency.

Youngkin's hateful transphobic agenda is an assault on children who have already dealt with more adversity in life than his weak and privileged little hinder is capable of imagining. These travesties against human lives and the spirit of liberty are a declaration of war against everything this nation and the state of Virginia puport to stand for. Failure to support transgender youth fully is at best utter and weak-willed cowardice, and at worst an indication of treasonous or outright traitorous intent.


Strongly support

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I strongly support the Governor's proposal.


Oppose the change in model policy

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I would like the 2021 Model Policy to continue.  It is supportive of transgender and gender expansive students.  It recognizes that individuals might be in different stages of flux and as such have different needs.  It allows schools and teachers to recognize students in transition rather than waiting for any change to become a matter of law.

The proposed 2022 Model Policy requires schools and teachers to use appropriate pronouns or treat students according to their(and their parents') desires only when the change is established by law.

The 2022 Model Policy further forbids teachers to address students by a preferred name.  This  means that, in the extreme, students who use their middle name or have a preferred nickname must e addressed by their formal first name.  Would any teacher, let alone student want this?

The 2022 Model Policy also gives parents the ultimate say on curriculum materials used with his/her child.  If in Virginia we have a parent who is a member of the Flat Earth Society, does that exempt that student from a lesson in geography.  Or if we have parents of widely differing beliefs about historical events and they hold them as beliefs, must teachers teach that full array rather than generally held history?  Ridiculous.

I note also that while the 2021 Model Policy specifically is directed at the needs of transgender students, the 2022 Model Policy expands that for no apparent reason except to insert all parents into this discussion and restrict the responsiveness of schools to student needs.

I am a grandparent of children in Virginia schools, a taxpayer and I vote.

I believe you should let the 2021 Model Policy stand.


STRONGLY OPPOSE!!

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<p>This policy goes against all we have learned about the biology and psychology of gender identity.  If passed, it will lead to an increase in depression, anxiety, and suicide in our young people and an uptick in child abuse.  Policy should not be based on emotion, religion or personal preference - it should be based on facts.  Shame on this administration for attempting to take Virginia backwards at the expense of some of our most at risk citizens.  </p>


Youngkin’s Proposed Discriminatory Guidelines

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Regardless of the intentions Governor Youngkin had in drafting his new proposed guidelines, the actions following his policies are harmful to transgender students. While in an ideal world, every parents would be accepting and loving of their children, that is simply not the case. If Youngkin truly wanted to honor the “privacy, dignity, and respect” of all students he would not enforce laws that take away the agency of students, giving it to their parents. Again, while some parents may be accepting of their child, others may suppress their child’s expression which will cause much foreseeable  harm. In addition to this Youngkin’s rhetoric suggested belittlement of trans individuals as he says that they are able to be addressed as they please as long as they have permission from their parents, “due to their . . . persistent and sincere belief that his or her gender differs with his or her sex”. This verbiage suggests that being trans is just a belief that individuals have persistently convinced themselves of. In addition his binary language leaves no room for intersex students. This policy is not realistic to protecting the dignity of trans students, and in fact strips them of agency. It also forced teachers to out their students, which puts them in a challenging position. If we truly love our students, we will not force their hand to decide when they come out, nor will we give their parents the keys to their expression.


STRONGLY SUPPORT YOUNGKIN'S policy to protect biological females' rights to privacy & girl's sports!

Protect biol. female's rights' to PRIVACY & female sports competitons!

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Biological females should have the right to undress, shower, & use toilets without having biological males in the same room!   Also, it is PROVEN that biological males have more lung capacity, greater cardiac function, stronger bones, & other physical advantages, EVEN IF they take T-suppressing drugs.  You are ruining the lives of female athletes who have trained their entire lifetime for scholarships, etc., only to be unfairly beat by someone who's body has male chromosomes.

 SOLUTION: have a biological female category, AND an "OPEN TO ALL" category for sports competitions--that way trans students can compete without claiming to be female, male, or anything else--just to keep fairness in sports.  You can then have "unisex" bathrooms available as well.  Note: DNA cannot be changed through surgery, or wishing it away.  I wish I could be a supermodel, but life doesn't always give you what you wish for, so we need to all be resilient & make the best of who we are with what we have, mentally & PHYSICALLY.

Schools should not be encouraging students to go behind their parents' backs--it is very subversive and NOT a role model for honesty, resilient behavior.


Support Governors policies

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Strongly support parental responsibilities and associated rights to be actively involved in what kids are taught in school.

Strongly support prohibiting males competing in female sporting events as "transgender" females.  Using a term does not alter the physical reality.


I support parents right to know

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<p style="text-align: left;">I support parents right to know what is going on with their child. Parents deserve an opportunity to support the child of they are questioning life decisions. </p>


Strongly Opposed to this policy

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<p>I am the father of a transgender male.  I know from experience that this policy would be very harmful to transgender students; I strongly oppose it. </p>


I oppose this as a mental health professional and trans person

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<p>I do not like democrats, I do not like republicans. I am a mental health professional in the state of Virginia and I care about public health and I engage in issues that address such things. This policy will lead to the death, suffering, and homelessness. There are many more poor health outcomes that are implicated in the discriminatory treatment of trans youth, but these are the biggest ones. I know this as a mental health professional who has worked with trans youth in crisis. I also know this as a person who once was a trans youth in crisis. Had I not found community, safety, and a way forward to dignity in my young adulthood, I would have surely died. When I was 12 years old, I did not see myself alive past the age of 22. Hiding my self scared of retribution from parents be it violence or homelessness left my soul broken. At 22, I attempted to end my life and found myself hospitalized as a result. Matters of public health that affect the must vulnerable and marked for violence  should not be up for public comment or political debate. Medical and psychological research is definitive when it comes to the protective factor of an affirming environment on the health outcomes of trans youth. I oppose this strongly. This is a matter of life or death. Please pick another issue to engage in ridiculous blue or red politics with. </p>


Strongly Oppose

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<p>Schools should be a safe place for students. Many LGBTQ students are not out to their families for fear of retaliation because their parents and family are anti-LGBTQ. This is why so many of these kids are at such a higher risk of suicide, self-harm and depression. To force schools to get parents' permission to use a student's chosen pronouns could very well create dangerous situations at home. These young people know themselves. This should in no way be a political issue. This is about respecting our students and making schools feel safe for them. A student asking to be called by a pronoun or name is no different than a kid asking to go by their middle name, for example. Parents who are unaware of their child's sexual orientations and name/pronoun preferences are not involved parents, and as I've stated already, there is sadly a reason why they are in the dark. Regarding the bathroom 'issue,' forcing a trans student to use the bathroom of their assigned sex at birth only causes harm. A student is born male but identifies as female, and you force that kid to use the male bathroom. Doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out how that's going to go down. It's not the transgender student you have to worry about as far as acts of aggression. Bullying is very real. </p>


Transgender policies in VA public schools

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<p>Transgender students, which are few, should be treated with kindness and respect.  However, they should NOT be given special privileges that set them apart and elevate them.  Their parents NEED to be involved in all aspects of their lives and teachers and faculty should NOT facilitate secrets from the parents.  We all know that teens / young people will struggle with "identity" issues.   These come in all shapes and sizes.  Pimples alone can make a student not want to attend school.  Learning to overcome these emotionally challenging times takes patience and common sense from adults who care about all children. Caving into a teen's emotionally driven behavior is not helpful for the student nor for the adults involved. </p>


Absolutely Support !

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Thank you for this common sense policy.

As a mother of 4 girls I wish to have them protected from unfair and illogical practices dealing with individuals who claim status other than that with which they were naturally born.


Support - Good for children and parents

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<p>It is sad and mind boggling to me that anyone would want to sever the trust between children and their parents. This is a common sense way to protect the rights of all without harming the minority. </p>


Great policy! Need to drive LGBT kids back in the closet & their families out of the state.

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<p>This policy is in the grand tradition of Virginia which has rich history of descrimination toward the its most vulnerable citizens.  Why let Florida be the leader in LGBT-phobic policies that sow seeds of discord in public education. After this policy is implemented lets move forward with state sponsored book burnings in our public schools too.  </p>


I support the Dept. of Education's transgender student guidelines

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<p>As a Virginian who raised my children to be honest, upright Virginians, I do not in any way support transgender policies that encourage students to lie to their parents.  Those policies  are horrible for so many reasons.  Then, having teachers also lie to parents goes beyond all reason.  I applaud Governor Youngkin for promulgating common-sense, science-based policies based on biological sex of students, and not on anything that goes against biology and science.  </p>


I support this policy

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<p>I support the policy including parents in what THEIR children are doing in school. Parents have rights that are being methodiacally being stripped by crazy people and a government that carters to them. </p>


Trans policy

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Such a depraved political game that harms those you ostensibly lead. You know better! This is shameful!


Respecting others is Christian

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I strongly oppose the 2022 Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia’s Public Schools. Children are people who can think for themselves. It is cruel to tell someone who they are as a person is wrong and to be ashamed. Suicide is a massive problem in Virginia and this guidance will only make it worse. According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, suicide is the second leading cause of death for people ages 10-24. Gender-nonconforming people are at greater risk for suicide attempts. According to the CDC, 20 children between 5 and 14 years old died by suicide in Virginia in 2020 alone. What if that was your child? Focus on actual problems with the education system.


Strongly opposed. Places the needs of students dead last.

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This policy does not protect trans children. This policy seeks instead to prevent school districts from protecting trans children, especially those most vulnerable. While claiming to not tolerate harassment or discrimination, this policy allows teachers and students to engage in both, in the form of misgendering and deadnaming, out of deference to the First Amendment rights of those that refuse to accept the self-proclaimed identity of students. This ignores that expression and religious rights can't be used as cover for harassment, particularly by teachers acting on behalf of the school district. In case of students that lack supportive parents or guardians at home, this policy actually compels misgendering by staff. The 2021 model policy goes into some detail recognizing the importance of support at home for trans students, citing actual evidence in the literature, and recommending that treatment of students lacking such acceptance must be considered on a case by case basis. Governor Youngkin and his DoE dishonestly label that consideration "exclusion of parents" and seek to utterly disregard the needs of transgender students that lack parental support.

This policy is not evidence based. The DoE nowhere in this policy sets standards that it can show are beneficial to trans students. It is primarily concerned with protecting transgender students' teachers and classmates from being compelled to treat them with basic respect and dignity, and in putting a finger on the scale on the side of nonsupportive parents of minor students who are not accepted at home. Contrary to the 2021 policy, none of the resources listed by this policy concern the needs and wellbeing of transgender individuals. The law that this policy operates under requires the DoE to put out policies that are evidence based, and this policy illegally disregards that standard entirely. The definitions of "sex" and "transgender student," the practice of outing transgender students against their will, and the limiting of facilities and programming according to sex assigned at birth, among others, all fly in the face of the evidence.

This policy itself insultingly deprives transgender individuals of dignity. The definition of transgender student implies unmistakably that transgender individuals are, in fact, delusional, and the policy as a whole preferentially supports that ideological view. Far from meeting the needs of transgender students, this policy fails to take even a neutral view of them. While this policy is aware that federal regulations and case law require allowing access to facilities according to declared gender, it makes clear that such accommodations are only made under protest. This is petty, insulting to students, parents, and school staff, and beneath the dignity of the entire commonwealth. This policy must not go into effect, for the good of all students.


STRONGLY OPPOSED

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<p>This has never been, or will ever be an issue. Someone wanting others to refer to them in a way that they feel comfortable has never been an issue so we need to stop making “solutions” to “problems” that weren’t problems in the first place. We could be focusing on so much more right now, so many other issues and yet THIS is what we choose to focus on? </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>


Less government, not more

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If a student confides something personal to a teacher but hasn't shared that with a parent, that is not a problem the school should fix - that is between the parent and student.

Let's not add another administrative task to teachers that would also put the safety of a child at risk.


I support Parents Rights

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Thank you for supporting parental rights.


Strongly oppose

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This is unnecessarily cruel.


Please support transgender students.

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Please treat transgender students with respect and allow them the dignity to be addressed with their preferred name and pronouns. Follow the science as well as the recommendations of the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics and countless other medical organizations which recommend a gender-affirming environment as best practice. Transgender children show an alarmingly high rate of suicidal ideation, but studies have shown that when they are supported in their gender identities the rates of suicide and suicidal thoughts are no higher than non-LGBTQ students. Please stop making teachers lives harder, and allow them the space they need to earn their students trust and treat them with respect.

My number one goal as a parent has been for my children to grow up to be kind. These policies are cruel, and they are unnecessary. Do the right thing and support vulnerable students, many of whom are LGBTQ. Our children deserve to feel safe in school.


STRONGLY SUPPORT GOV. YOUNKIN'S POLICY

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STRONGLY support Gov. Younkin's policy

Parents involvement is essential in the life of children and the safety of all students matters.  Parents should be making decisions for their  children, which is a parents lawful right- not the GOVERNMENT.  That is why Gov. Younkin was VOTED in and is giving the parents back the lawful right of raising their children.   THANK YOU Gov. Younkin and may God bless you abundantly for doing this!!!!


Support The Family

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I support this proposed document. Parents and children alike should work together with the school system to ensure all students are treated fairly and educated well. Families have the final say on a student's upbringing. The school's role is to support the parents and families in educating and nurturing the children. Communication about transgender and other gender/sexuality issues should be open between the parents, student, and licensed professionals. Schools should NEVER hide information from parents but work with them to come to a decision that is best for all involved. In the end, it is the parent's right to raise their children and the school's right to educate them on facts in the subjects taught. We ALL should be protecting our children and speaking life into who they are. Schools need to focus on education and facts and remain neutral politically and socially.

Thank you.


Strongly support

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I strongly support parents having a say in their children's lives, especially in important matters


Yes strongly support.

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Please bring some sense back to the schools and empower families to guide their kids in a healthy and realistic way


I oppose the policies set forth in this guidance document

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These policies are an attempt to use vulnerable children as political pawns. Let's be honest, if there were other unprotected classes of people, they would be targeted as well. Shame on the governor for pushing such fear onto our families, and for going after children to score political points. Shame on everyone involved in drafting this for making people take time out of their day to leave a comment. Shame on anyone supporting this.


Support- what about rights of the other 98%

Stop sacrificing reality, truth, safety for the few misguided. Wake up

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Throw all logic and reason out the window to celebrate the few misguided.


I do not support this

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I do not support school officials being forced or even encouraged to reveal a childs gender identity to their parents. Too many children are thrown out of their homes due to parents not supporting their gender or sexual identity. These children often become homeless and/or have to drop out of school in order to survive. From a purely heartless standpoint, this makes them a drain on society as our tax dollars go towards supporting them. Why are we telling people how to live their lives anyway? Keep your noses out of people's private lives.


Save our kids frim the left

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<p>Please continue to protect our kids from the leftists that think they know better than a parent. </p>


Appalling

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I really don't understand how public "service" people don't recognize that trans people are part of your people, and often in more need of attention and care than others.  Listen to them!


Danger from liberals

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The only danger our children are being exposed to comes from the people who believe that child mutilation is acceptable. Medical intervention that is designed to change a person fron one sex to another should be done only for consenting adult patients.


Fully Support

Teacher, Mother, and Children's Advocate

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In my lifetime I've never seen anything like this.  Please restore some integrity by supporting this guidance.  The lunatics have run the asylum now for too long, and the children see it all.  We need to parent our children at home and within our communities of trust.  Not with public school employees nor elected officials.

Thank you for attempting to Right the Wrongs, we have work to do.


Strongly oppose

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This rule change is ridiculous. Protect trans youth and not tread in the rights of parents of trans kids. If this was actually about parents it would care about trans kids and their parents too. But it just wants to push us all further into the dark ages.


Model policy for transgender

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We support only parents should talk to children about sex in any form!!!


Strongly Oppose this Policy

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I strongly oppose this policy.

This proposed policy bases itself in transphobia, racism, and oppression of the next generation of Virginia residents. This policy not only attempts to erase the existence of trans and nonbinary students and youth but it would lead to more harm against young Virginia residents who identify as such and deserve to be seen, and protected. This policy attempts to speak repeatedly about the rights of parents but what about the rights of students and youth? What about their safety and protection? What about their quality of life? The parents rights argument and movement largely centers specific parents who align with transphobic, racist, xenophobic, and nationalist ideologies-it doesn't center all parents or their children, it doesn't care about all parents or their children.

The Virginia educational system has the responsibility of preparing the future leaders to think for themselves-not replicating and pushing radical, regressive, and harmful ideologies and worldviews of a select set of parents under the guise of "values and beliefs."

I implore you to reject this proposal and continue to uphold the 2021 Model Policies.


Oppose this model policy that places children in danger

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<p>By adopting a model policy that removes agency from children and from teachers, transgender and nonbinary children have increased risk of abuse at home, bullying at school, and lack of understanding of resources available to them. </p>


Strongly Oppose Rules Designed to Endanger Transkids of Transphobic Parents

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Gov. Younkin's 2022 model policy proposes a definition and policies that endanger trans youths of transphobic parents. The requirement that requests from a student to express themselves in a way that does not match their assigned gender at birth should be be reported to parents puts certain marginalized kids in extreme danger. In the worst cases, this can lead to expulsion from a household or even suicide.

If you support this action, ask yourself what possible benefits exist to justify the devastating worst case scenarios. If you're reporting to supportive parents, they likely already know. If you're reporting to non-supportive parents, the best case scenario is the child being forced by the parents to repress themselves.

If a kid is presenting trans and their parents don't already know, there are deeper problems in that family which is between the kid and their parents. School's must serve the needs of the kids, not the political needs of the current governor or the prejudices of the voters he wishes to court.


I strongly oppose actions that discriminate against LGBTQI people!

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I strongly oppose actions that discriminate against LGBTQI people, especially transgender and non-binary students!


Object to Youngkin's proposal to out LGBTQ students

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This proposal is not about parents' rights.  It is an effort to out LGBTQ students without their consent.  There are children who would not be safe at home if their parents knew about their gender preferences. School may be the only safe haven they have.  Youngkin's eagerness to showcase himself on the national stage is behind this. Until he decided to run for Governor, I doubt that Youngkin ever thought about the state of Virginia schools, or fairness for LGBTQ students.  All of his children went to pricey private schools in DC and MD. Like the CRT dog-whistle he used during the election, and then his "let's rat on teachers" efforts, this proposed policy appeals to his base of voters.  If parents want to know what is happening at their kids' schools, join the PTA, volunteer for school events, meet the teachers and talk to your children.  It is that simple!


Oppose the proposed 2022 policy

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The 2022 model policy for transgender students, in stark contrast to the existing model policy, prioritizes and protects parents, teachers and other students over the rights and best interests of transgender children. This is not supported by law, nor does it support the stated purpose of the model policy, namely to ensure that all students have a right to an environment free of discrimination, harassment, and bullying.

There are at least three fundamental flaws with the proposed policy. First, is that it contradicts established legal precedent which holds that transgender students may use bathrooms consistent with their gender identity (Grimm v. Gloucester County School Board).

A second fundamental fault of the proposed model policy is that it assumes transgender status and support for transgender students is an ideology and finds that the existing model policy was ideological in that it "promoted a specific viewpoint aimed at achieving a social and cultural transformation." The 2022 proposal thus contends that teachers and students have a First Amendment right to ignore the identity of transgender students and use inappropriate pronouns and names. But transgender status is not a political belief, it is a state of being tied to gender identity. The American Academy of Pediatrics recognizes that transgender children are part of the normal spectrum of human diversity. The Code of Virginia similarly acknowledges and accepts transgender identities in identity documentation such as drivers license and birth certificates. Both federal policy and federal courts accept and acknowledge transgender status. Use of preferred gendered or nonbinary pronouns and names is therefore a normal, logical collary of transgender status. Deliberately misusing pronouns and preferred names is therefore not an exercise of free speech but an act of discrimination and bullying and are prohibited under Virginia law and Federal policy. It is true that some people have an ideological or religious belief that refuses to recognize transgender as a status, but this does not grant them the right to treat transgender people in a discriminatory fashion in the classroom (just think about how you would feel if you were consistently and deliberately mis-gendered).

The third fundamental flaw in the proposed model policy is its support of parental rights over and above those of children. While it is true that the Fourteenth Amendment and Virginia law acknowledge that parents have a fundamental right to raise their children in accordance with their own cultural beliefs, children also have rights. Schools have an obligation to protect the rights of children even if it requires taking actions at odds with parents. Teachers are, for example, mandatory reporters of suspected parental abuse. Though being transgender is not itself an ideology nor an ideological belief, there are ideological beliefs about gender and transgender identities that can negatively affect transgender children. Requiring that parents be notified prior to teachers using pronouns and names preferred by a transgender child could potentially endanger the child. As a parent I understand that, ideally, this is something that children should feel comfortable discussing with their parent. But, because I am a parent and because I can recall my own childhood, even in loving and supportive homes, children may feel more comfortable establishing their gender identity among peers and in the context of the classroom before they do so at home. To know that schools are a place where children feel comfortable being true to themselves is, for me, the goal that every parent should support and should be a goal that the Commonwealth of Virginia supports. The present model policy, established in 2021 does this. The proposed 2022 policy does not.


Older brother oposes implementing new policies

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My little sibling is no longer here. And I only wonder if maybe he would be if they felt safe enough to be themselves without fear of beratement and harassment. In some ways I'm glad they didn't have to see this happen in their time, but after seeing firsthand the kind of blatant malice this "family values" government has towards our diverse and precious youth, I will stay silent no longer. My brother and so many others deserved better. You will repeal this, for you cannot begin to comprehend the loss of dignity, and life, and the grief that will befall families all over this state. I can cite a plethora of scientific peer reviewed studies of why this is a bad idea. But until those on charge feel the sting of loss and grief caused to their families and children's friends, those facts won't seem relevent.  I know because my family has felt it, and still feels it. I rest my case.


Support 100%

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“As a Virginian citizen atleast 50 years, I fully support the 2022 Model Policies. Parents – not school employees – should be the only ones discussing sexuality and any gender-confusion with their child. No school employee should ever seek to undermine a parent’s right to decide what is best for their child! – especially not to push harmful Gender Confusion Theory on an underage student! Furthermore, it is unfair and wrong to allow biologically male athletes to compete as and against female athletes. Not only does this create an unfair advantage that discourages female athletes from even competing, but it forces female athletes to share private facilities like locker rooms and showers with males. This is a gross violation of their right to privacy. On top of which, in such situations female students are forced to endorse the lie that the male athletes have actually changed their gender. It is always wrong and harmful to push lies upon young students. Gender is based in biology, not mental confusion or preference.” Thank you Governor Youngkin for getting Virginia back on the right track!


Transgender policy

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I am against rolling back protections for transgender and nonbinary students.


No one is talking about how cruel this is to teachers!

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Imagine a kid in your class being terrified because their home isn't a safe place to be themself. If they come out to you looking for help, you would have to either turn them down or out them to their parents. What a horrible position to be in!


Protect our trans kids!

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Under no circumstances should a parent be notified of their child's orientation or identity. Children are not slaves, they are not property. They have the right to express themselves. Many trans kids are closeted for their own safety, knowing their parents will abuse or disown them--parents who should be protecting them, instead destroy their children. Unsupported trans youth are far more susceptible to mental illness, suicide, and physical health issues. In order to protect these children, they must be able to divulge their true identity to mental health counselors without fear of their HIPAA rights being violated. These are people, not property, and they must be treated as such.


Parent and Educator Opposes New Policies: They Violate Federal Law & Disempower Supportive Parents

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I am a parent and an educator, and I strongly oppose these proposed policy changes for public schools. These policies violate the Civil Rights Act's prohibition against discrimination based on sex, which the Supreme Court has ruled also expressly prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender expression. (Previous commenters have also raised this legal issue.) Further, by privileging a narrowly conservative Christian belief about binary sex and gender, these proposed policies also violate the U.S. Constitution's protection of freedom of speech and free practice of religion for any students, staff, and parents who do not hold this specific religious view. These policies are unlawful and should be rejected wholesale. Keep the 2021 policies in place.

Public school employees should use students' preferred names and pronouns on this basis: to respect someone else's genuine belief about themselves is NOT the same as affirming that one shares that belief. To deny a student the right to determine how they are addressed in a public-school setting is to deny their agency over the most personal aspects of their own lives, violating their basic human dignity.

The proposed policies seem to be premised on the false claim that parents are being "kept out" of their children's lives by public schools. This is entirely inaccurate: parents have their rights already spelled out in existing public-school policies. It is also notable that this policy explicitly does NOT support the rights of all parents. This policy only supports the rights of people who wish to reject and suppress trans students' experiences: parents who believe and support their trans children have NO power, according to the proposed policy, to ensure teachers and staff don't intentionally misgender and marginalize their child in school. Clearly this policy only supports the rights of conservative parents -- not all parents, and certainly not all students.

It is also deeply troubling that these proposed policies seem to find students' anatomical characteristics more important than their intellect or their personality. No child's experience in public school should ever be determined primarily by their anatomy or by their sex label assigned at birth. Every individual student is complex and valuable and should be treated with respect for their complexity. The focus of any public-school policy should be on supporting each child unconditionally, no matter how they self-identify or present themselves. This policy's heavy-handed attempt to silence students' feelings and experiences will not change how any individual student perceives themselves, nor will it help any student to thrive and learn.

Reject these ill-advised and unlawful policies and respect every Virginian's right to engage equally in our public institutions according to our own sincerely held beliefs.


Oppose

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To whom this may concern,

I was a school counselor in Virginia for the last seven years.  This past spring I left my position and am now pursuing a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision at Virginia Commonwealth University.  I strongly oppose the proposed policy for Virginia schools as it does not promote parental rights and is dangerous to the health and safety of students in Virginia schools.

Rates of suicide and suicidal ideation among transgender youth are the highest of any group in the United States.  Nearly half of all transgender youth report attempting suicide in their lifetime compared with 17% of all youth.  For a political party claiming to be pro-life I would think any evidence based efforts to keep our students alive would be in the best interest of all involved.

What reduces suicidal ideation, attempts, and completion among transgender youth? Acceptance.  The ability to use the name and pronouns of their preference.  The freedom to express their first amendment rights to speech and expression.  Just as if a student named Thomas came into my office and let me know they wanted to be called Tom, I would like the ability to extend this same kindness to any student who request to go by a name other than the exact name printed on their birth certificate.

If this was about parental rights, then the process would not include a tracking system which creates the potential to expose students and their identities to those other than the parties involved.  Throughout virtual learning our school worked with our principal to adjust the names that presented on the screen for students who did not go by their name from their birth certificate.  This process included contacting the parent and requesting permission to change the name that appeared on the screen.  This was not tracked anywhere, simple permission was accepted and the name was changed.  This was done for students with a variety of concerns, some have used middle names since birth and felt strange using a name they'd never used, others felt strongly about a nickname, and some identified as transgender.  In the age of cybersecurity being an increasing threat I would think the state would be concerned about having a document that can be so easily access.

Especially since rates of murder for transgender people in the United States are so high that the transgender community advocated for a Transgender Day of Remembrance for those murdered in hate crimes.  This risk is especially great for transgender women who are Black or Latina. Having a document in every school across our state that has the potential to be accessed by anyone increases this risk for our students.

Advocating for or adopting a policy which has such blatant risks to the lives of our students is unconscionable.  In 2020 the Supreme Court upheld the rights of transgender employees.  Why would we not extend the same freedoms of expression and speech to our children?  Why would we risk their lives?


No no no no no. No stare-required transphobia

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If you're a teacher and you want to bully a kid by outing them to their abusive parents, as sad as it is, there's nothing stopping you. Requiring by law that this takes place is a whole new level of bigotry. This has nothing to do with 'parental rights.' If you're a good parent you already have rights.


Strongly Opposed; Parents don't have the right!

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Governor Youngkin has made the argument publicly and inherently within these '2022 model policy prescriptions that Parental Rights outweigh Child Welfare and self determination. His administration includes Attorney General Jason Miyares who voted against legislation to ban public funds for the use in conversion therapy. So, we have an administration that is OK with public funds and support for the public and private usage of a cruel, banned practice that harms LGBTQ+ youth... and are now demanding that parents have a 'right' to know and be involved in such things. To what end? To attempt to control, change or shame them in the home. To force queer folks, queer kids - into the closet at home and at school.

Parents do not have the right to suppress, manipulate or control their child's sexuality or gender identity. If that sounds inflammatory to you, allow me to return my shock ten fold because attempts to convert anyone (includint a child) are defined as literal psychological and physical torture. Speaking as a trans woman whose parents werent *that* bigoted and 'only trying to protect me', allow me to say that such 'protection' in the home is not and has never made me feel safe. Keeping information and support from me, forcing me into a role I resented only left me confused and informed by poor online sources.

As an adult and graduate of Virginia's public schools, as a former high school policy debate champion for the State of Virginia and as a proud trans woman it is my privelage to comment here today that these policies ahould be rejected in favor of the current model. That any policy changes should include trans voices in their crafting, and that these polciies are designed to be cruel yet appear 'reasonable' by appealing to parental rights. A cynical, euphemestic trick. Human autonomy, the right to define and be oneself, is not naturally and should not legally be restricted... to adults or children. Children are human people and deserve their rights protected over another person's whims or beliefs (even their parents).

Lastly, nothing horrifies me more than the idea children are being groomed, forced or coerced to be anything other than their authentic selves. These policies will only enable parents to do just that when we have still yet to stop the epidemic of parents abusing or cutting off their queer children because they cannot control them. That parental abuse, and child welfare, should be the center of the discussion about school and public policy - not bathrooms and pronouns.

sincerely,

Thea Ross


Strongly Agree and Stand with our VOTED in Gov. Youngkin

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<p>Leave parenting to parents.  Stop shoving the sexualization of MINORS down kids throats.  </p>