Can we focus on the REAL school issues?

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It's so frustrating that this transgender continues to be a priority for our Arlington school board.  Our kids are falling behind in writing, reading and math.  There's vaping and drug issues.  Teachers have to deal with students and their cell phones, yet this administration continues to focus on transgender rights.  My neighbor's 6th grade son had so much anxiety entering middle school this year because he was so worried about this exact policy..."what if he got approached in a bathroom, what if he doesn't have the same beliefs but isn't allowed to speak up?".   School districts are making this a priority for the entire school population, when it doesn't necessarily align with people's personal beliefs.  Why can't we focus on teaching our kids and helping our teachers?

Look at our SOL scores, look at our national school rankings and make learning a priori


Strongly agree

I work in a public school system in Northern Virginia. I have seen the multitude of issues that have arisen by us allowing students to change their names in all of our platforms when the reality is that a child's entire educational record is tied to their legal name. Furthermore, the notion that I could change a student's name on our platform without a parent knowing or giving permission is beyond comprehension as a parent myself.
In terms of equity, a constant phrase heard in our division, it is completely inequitable to students of diverse religious beliefs that they would be forced to use the same locker rooms or bathrooms as student of the opposite gender.I want to support our trans students, and make them feel safe and welcome at school. That being said, I am happy to see the current policies reversed. I do not believe that this will in any way compromise the safety of our trans students.

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I work in a public school system in Northern Virginia. I have seen the multitude of issues that have arisen by us allowing students to change their names in all of our platforms when the reality is that a child's entire educational record is tied to their legal name. Furthermore, the notion that I could change a student's name on our platform without a parent knowing or giving permission is beyond comprehension as a parent myself.

In terms of equity, a constant phrase heard in our division, it is completely inequitable to students of diverse religious beliefs that they would be forced to use the same locker rooms or bathrooms as student of the opposite gender.

I want to support our trans students, and make them feel safe and welcome at school. That being said, I am happy to see the current policies reversed. I do not believe that this will in any way compromise the safety of our trans students.


Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia's Public Schools

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This is a terrible policy. Why would VDOE further traumatize an already vulnerable group of students? Public school is not easy for transgender students and for VA schools to put out a policy to make school an unwelcome place makes these students more susceptible to depression and suicide. Also, how can students focus on grades and education when they are internally suffering and feeling like they don't belong. It would be great if VDOE focused on education and improving test scores and curriculum instead of tormenting transgender students.


VA is for lovers - not fascists like Glenn Youngkin

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<p>Oppose this nonsense. </p>


Strongly oppose this horrific proposed policy

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The primary responsibility of public school educators and administrators is to ensure all students are able to learn in a safe and supportive environment. This proposed policy would not only allow, but encourage public school educators and administrators to greatly overstep the appropriate level of authority and influence they would have in the private matters and decisions of the students and their families. The matter of gender identity is a personal one that should only be discussed with those the individual determines appropriate and safe. Empowering, and worse requiring teachers and administrators to become involved in these matters could cause detrimental and far-reaching repercussions on the personal well-being of the impacted student(s). As the parent of a child attending Virginia public schools, I whole-heartedly oppose this proposed policy, and fear for the countless children that would be affected by its adoption.


Strongly oppose

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<p>Strongly oppose… </p>


Strongly oppose

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<p>I strongly oppose this proposal which puts students at risk, does not support the rights of young Virginians, and is rooted in bigotry instead of facts. Grow up and support trans kids instead of spreading this hateful nonsense </p>


Homosexual and the Left

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<p>Start treating ALL mental illness and stop them from killing other people and themselves... </p>


Get back to basics.

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The purpose of every public institution is to serve the “Common Good”, not the perceived rights of special interest groups.

 A functioning society doesn’t need schools turning out social activists.   It needs schools turning out productive members of society.

 Parents are responsible for raising their children into becoming responsible adults.   They must teach their children to have respect for all authority figures.

 Parents have the right to know what their children are being taught and the right to question anything they deem is not in the best interest of their child.

 Teachers have the responsibility to educate not indoctrinate students. Schools are no place for social engineering.

 Every student has the right to be educated in a safe environment that is conducive to learning.  This means disruptive behavior of any kind, can’t be allowed and when appropriate must be disciplined.

Our Constitution guarantees that every student has the right to equal protection at the hands of authority regardless of race, religion, disability, or biological sex.    Nothing else, period.

If you want to effectively change the world, follow the Golden Rule.  It’s that simple.


Support for Updated School Transgender Policies

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I support the changes made by the Youngkin administration. These changes are an improvement over the previous guidelines issued by the Northam administration.


Thank you!

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Thank you Governor for common sense policies.


storngly oppose

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Strongly oppose. This is abominable.


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I have two children currently enrolled in FCPS high school. My subject line says it all: Strongly support the Governor and this policy


Transgeneder school policy

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Schools are there to educate and protect students, not parents. Governor Youngkin said he couldn't imagine there are families and households in Virginia with unsupportive parents. He obviously hasn't spoken to the Dept of families and child welfare. They could give him many examples of abusive and unsupportive families where students have good reason to fear being outed by their school.


Protect Trans Kids

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<p>Oppose this nonsense. Did Glenn Youngkin even attend public school? Or did he go to a private school and is now trying to control a school he had no experience in? Hypocrite corporate troll, go back under your bridge. </p>


Parent Rights- strongly support

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<p>I strongly support. Parents have the right to know everything that happens to their child in school. </p>


Strongly agree with Governor!!!

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If a student wants to change gender, parents must be informed. I will treat all students with respect and use their preferred pronoun. I will not withhold information from parents. FCPS staff was asked last year to withhold information from parents i.e. not let parents know that the student goes by a different name in class.  It made many of us feel uncomfortable. We also need to consider the rights of other students. My granddaughter is in high school. She does not want to use the bathroom with a student who is a biological male. I am so grateful to Governor Youngkin for bringing common sense back!


Sex education

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I strongly support the Governor's proposed guidelines on transgender students and other students. God created humans to be male and female and the Governor is just adhering to the Biblical principles God gave us. The Governor has graciously recognized that some students are confused about God's definition of humans and has made provision for them to be respected and protected. At the same time, the Governor has not let the radical left activists make the schools a place where cisgender students lose their rights and protection. The Governor's policy is fair, reasonable, and keeps parents in charge of their children as God has ordained.


IMPEACH GLENN YOUNGKIN - GROOMING CHRISTOFASCISTS

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Glenn Youngkin is an enemy to children and queer people everywhere.


Strongly support these common sense changes to 2022 model

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The changes to the 2022 Model Policies on the Privacy, Dignity, and Respect for All Students and Parents in Virginia's Public Schools are necessary reasonable and protective.  It allows parents to have control over their own children.  It prevents the practice that is more and more common for school teacher and officials to transition a student without parental knowledge or involvement. It prevents the unfair practice of allowing biological males to compete against females in sports.

Studies that are not biased or pushing a ideological agenda have shown that there is little benefit to those who are not psychologically damaged and great harm to the many who are damaged causing even higher suicide rates.  This does not even take into account the physical irreversible damage. Those that are opposing the changes to this model base their arguments on emotionalism, rights created out of thin air and unscientific claims that somehow it helps children.


THANK YOU Governor for the much needed rules to allow parents to have the rights they deserve.

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This is a much needed change for this state.

The state shouldn't overrule a parent on a child's gender identity.

A parent should be involved in all aspects of their child or children in the schools.

Thank you for stepping up for parents and the child's welfare.


Gender ideology

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Strongly agree with Governor Youngkin.  All students should be treated equally with love and acceptance but teachers should be focusing on school subjects not gender ideology . That should be up to the families to discuss. Biological males should not be in girls bathrooms or in girls sports and correct pronouns should be used not new made up ones that confuse and are not grammatically or scientifically correct. .


Transgender Policy

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<p> I SUPPORT  HONEST COMMUNICATION BETWEEN SCHOOLS, PARENTS,  AND STUDENTS.  NO ONE HAS A "RIGHT" TO TRY AND LEGISLATE OR LEGALIZE CHANGING THE SEX YOU WERE BORN WITH.</p>


I support this and parent's rights

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I support this modification as it restores sanity and reaffirms that parents know what's best for their children as far as education, medical, and personal matters.


the virginia department of education has lost its way.

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i am so sorry that the virginia department of education has lost its way by confusing the discomfort inherent in the educational process with divisiveness. they are different animals altogether. having difficult but productive conversations about race and gender are two issues at the heart of education in a free and democratic society. avoiding these topics or trying to place these conversations solely in the hands of parents is a “ one size fits all” solution to issues that require multiple avenues for the diverse population that constitutes our student body. sometimes its the parent, sometimes its a fellow student or students, sometimes its a KD advisor. all of these avenues must be open to a student during times of curiosity, questioning and discovery is shortchanging a student’s education. the student’s education, safety and well being are prime, not the parent’s comfort level or denial of difficult issues.

i hope that you will reconsider this mistaken politicized policy.


This bill will save children. Go youngkin

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<p>Thank you. Kids are raised by PARENTS </p>


Bring back real education- support this policy

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We need to focus back on education. Gender ideology is setting us back.Other places are focused on math,etc. And then we complain when our kids do not have jobs. Kids can recite all the pronouns and genders but can’t count or read!This is wrong! Our kids will never be globally competitive if they fixate on gender.


If you're a parent who supports this, you're probably a huge POS to your kids. Strongly oppose

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Any parent crying about "parental rights" can choke. Those kind of campaigns are only there to benefit authoritarian parents. These parents most likely have full submission of their children and now want to push their disgusting parenting style onto others. I hope this comment strikes a nerve with a lot of parents supporting this. You know what they say, hit dogs holler, so calling you a POS and you getting mad about it fits. Die mad and leave other kids out of your abusive lifestyle you clowns.


Protect trans students

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<p>School should be a space where all students can thrive, learn from one another, explore, and build self-confidence. Trans students are a vital part of any school community and should be treated with the upmost respect and dignity. Not only does this bill undermine student autonomy, it puts trans students in danger by ostracizing them and putting them in a potentially harmful situation at home. </p>


Oppose


OPPOSE this government overreach

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OPPOSE. This is government overreach.


Support (strongly)

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<p>All students need to be protected from aggressive behavior and bullying from other students and adults in the building. Parents must be informed about their child, period!  I feel the previous VA dept of Education over stepped their  boundaries, in many areas regarding our children's education. </p>


Thank you Youngkin!


Strongly oppose this policy change

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I am writing to voice my strong opposition to the proposed changes to the transgender policy in the VA education system.  As a father and grandfather, I have seen enough bullying and isolation of kids in our public school system who are perceived as different. While Gov. Youngkin may believe that all households involve parents that care deeply about their children, this is not always true. There are parents who rule the household with threats, beatings, verbal abuse and bullying. These children are the ones that will suffer under the proposed changes. The idea of endangering children who are transgender by forcing these kids to depend upon a threatening parent, simply to score political points, is not only wrong, it is criminal. I urge the governor to rescind these ideas, and allow transgender children the dignity and safety that they, and all children deserve.


Strongly oppose. Keep 2021 Model Policies

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Protect trans kids! The 2021 Model Policies will save lives and keep Virginia in the 21st century! Do we really want the reputation of Florida and Texas? We're not all white bigots here! Equality for trans and non binary students!


Strongly support parents and our Governor

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Everyone has a right to be who they wish to be or become, but not at the cost of impeding or ignoring parental rights. Teacher unions do not have the right to dictate what is being taught or how the child should be raised. Undrage students require their teachers to educate them on the fundamentals, not on life lessons.

Unions are trying to pull the rug from beneath the parents, alienating them and completely convert them into an alternate custodian vs the actual parent.

Shame on them.


Support

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I completely support and appreciate all of your hard work. We need someone willing to stand up for our children against the insanity.

Thank you- THANK YOU!!!


OPPOSE


Strongly oppose

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I really think this policy flies in the face of all the research and best practices about treating all children with respect and causing no harm.  Please don't adopt this.


STRONGLY OPPOSE

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<p>Let’s make schools a safe place for all children again! Students should not be scared to be themselves, however they identify. </p>


Concentrate on the basics

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Because of the Covid pandemic, students are way, way behind in competency levels in virtually every subject.  Kids need even more time developing reading, writing, math and science skills.  We can't have a competent, functioning workforce without mastering these basic skills.


This policy will harm people who are already vulnerable and have committed no crime.

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This bill is not just words on a page. If enacted, it will have tangible, harmful effects on people in our midst: fellow students, professors, staff, and community workers.

While we all ascribe to different ethical and belief systems, many of us agree that our greatest responsibility is to strive to reduce suffering in our world. This responsibility does not end with ourselves and our families and social circles; it extends to all. “Love your neighbor,” we read in the Jewish and Christian Bibles. In our Declaration of Independence, we are urged to respect others’ right to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”

Our first step toward alleviating suffering is to extend compassion to all suffering, including that of people who look, speak, and worship in a different way from ours.

I don’t know what it’s like to be a trans man like my nephew, Blake or a non-binary person like Elliot, who I had to learn is my nibling—a non-binary niece or nephew. But as a woman, I’m equally ignorant on what it feels like to be a cis man, like my husband and son. As a white, Jewish baby boomer, I can’t directly feel the pain of my young black male compatriots and their families. But all of us know what it is to feel pain, physical or otherwise. Our belief systems, whether religious, secular, or a combination, challenge us to stretch our empathy muscles, to understand, to the best of our ability, that someone among us is suffering, even if we can’t relate to their specific pain.

It gives me hope when I see people trying, even awkwardly, to walk a mile, as the saying goes, in the other’s shoes. How many thousands of young black males died needlessly before we white folks suddenly asked ourselves what it would be like to lose our sons, husbands, or brothers who committed no crime besides jogging or driving? We’re not close to ending that horror, but we’ve taken the first step in acknowledging it and protesting.

Conversely, I feel despair for the human condition when I see people—including myself--minimize the suffering of others. You don’t get why people keep going on about racism? That’s easy: you don’t get it because it’s not your problem. When all we can feel is our own pain, our world shrinks to nothing. Much as it hurts to open to the pain of the world, I’d rather stretch my heart and intellect than diminish to the point where, in order to gain my compassion, you, too, would have to be a white cis Jewish female nearly-sixty-five-year-old academic and writer.

Back to the matter in question (and on the legal docket): our trans family members, friends, colleagues. Granted, it helps to be trans to know exactly what it feels like to be trans. But we all know what it’s like to feel uncomfortable, awkward, or just to have that feeling: I don’t belong here. Whether you’re the only Jew at your friend’s child’s Baptism or the only Black in the room, we’ve all had this feeling of being other, being not at home, away from the comfortable and familiar.

However, and this is my main point, while I’ve felt scared being a woman on dark city streets, I have not felt wrong in my female body. The difference is obvious. You can walk out of that room where you’re the only one. If you’re a lucky woman, you can finish your nocturnal walk and get inside, where you’re safe. If you hate your uniform, you can get home and discard it. But discarding the body that feels like a bad Hallowe’en costume is more complicated. For many, discarding one body for another is not feasible.

In the past several years, I’ve watched family members, students, friends transition. I admit, it was a shock, especially at first. That’s to be expected of those who are cis and of an age when such transitions were not part of mainstream life. But my shock is irrelevant in light of the fact that these people now feel comfortable in their skin. If it took surgery and/or medications to help them bring their bodies into alignment with the person they know themselves to be, I celebrate with them the reduction of their suffering. If you feel the way I do, I urge you to write to our Governor.


Proposed policy protecting school children from trans manipulation

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I live outside VA but understand these policies that are so crucial to our next generations impact us all. I studied human behavior/cognition for decades, including developmental aspects. I’m appalled at the unscientific and frankly predatory stances that so many educators and administrators have taken regarding innocent children in their professional charge.

Trans ideology cannot be described as positive or life-saving by any honest measure. The outcome is a mutilated, neutered person now permanently dependent on drugs. Nothing about this permanent, life-degrading but profitable-to-the-butchers decision belongs in any children’s environment whatsoever and certainly not our public schools. Puberty blockers are not reversible. Surgery is extensive, painful, expensive and often falls short of what the misguided, confused child/teen has been dishonestly lead to expect. Long term outcomes for those who go through all of it are not better than for those who do not.

Children simply are not capable of understanding the implications of the dangers, risks, damage, permanency and future limitations imposed by these decisions, and any adult caught attempting to groom them into taking part should be fired, have their credentials revoked, and be investigated for predation.

Incompetent and hateful people who care nothing for the children and won’t be around to deal with the aftermath must never be allowed to subvert/supplant any parent’s involvement with and supervision of their children; only monsters in human skin suits would advocate for such a horrific policy much less attempt it in American schools.

All the science, all of our values, and basic human decency dictate that the proposed policy protecting children is appropriate and beneficial. It’s a crying shame that it’s so desperately needed. Protect the children. Fire and arrest the perverts. Deny Big Pharma/Big Med their lifelong indentured customers. Get this done, please.

J Werner, PhD


Support!

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


STRONGLY OPPOSE, TRANS RIGHTS ARE HUMAN RIGHTS

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<p>No hate like Christian love. Anyone with a heart or a brain would oppose this. </p>


This Policy Will Literally Kill Children

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Trans and non-binary children are already at great risk of self-harm and suicide without politically motivated adults working to actively put them more at risk.

As a teacher of a student who ended their own life THIS WEEK, this policy makes me absolutely sick. Children are far less likely to attempt suicide or self harm when they have a single supportive adult in their life and policies like this remove children's access to their full support network to prevent heartbreaking outcomes.

This kind of hate directed at children is heinous.


Parents get to know

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<p>Strongly support. Parents need to know what is going on with their children. </p>


Support!Bring back sanity to schools

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Please support this policy. This  gender ideology is taking so much away from what kids need to be learning. Girls should be able to play sports safely!Stop boys from taking sport opportunities from girls.Give the girls their bathrooms. Do not forget Loudoin.


Strongly support Governor Youngkin's change on rules for transgender students

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There isn't ANYTHING more aggravating than to be a parent, and to NOT HAVE A SAY over how a school administers their policies!  I have heard of parents who weren't told that their daughter was being groomed to change her gender by her teachers at school, and now they have to deal with the fallout of her indoctrination!  Having to spend thousands of dollars to pay for therapy to undo the harm of the former governor's policies, and this is horrendous!!!!  If the state allowed parents to have school choice, each person could chose what type of school their child was educated in, and choose the values that fit their family!  But we're NOT FREE to do this, so there needs to be SOMETHING that protects parental rights.

Sincerely,

Ms. Rhonda J Kestin


Strongly Support!

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I strongly Support this proposal!


No one cared when it happened to me.

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During a high school play, I was assaulted by 3 boys who snuck into the girls' locker room. I reported it to a teacher and to the principal. No one followed up with me, and as far as I know, no action was taken. No adult even asked me if I was okay. The boys were still permitted to participate in plays, so I had to drop out for my own safety. No adult protected me. No adult showed concern or outrage. During another play practice after school, a special needs student came into the auditorium sobbing because members of the football team assaulted him in the boys' bathroom. As far as I know, the teacher didn't report it and/or no action was taken.

The only reason this legislation exists is because Republicans have scapegoated transgender children to garner votes. The premise of sex-based policies is that it will prevent boys disguising themselves as girls to get access to ladies' bathrooms and assaulting the women inside. Those boys didn't need to put on dresses or take hormones or get surgery- they just walked in the door. No man has ever needed to disguise himself in order to hurt women. What happened to me is proof. Conservatives have been pontificating for years about hypothetical scenarios of perverts lurking in bathrooms, but where were they when it actually happened? Why were the perpetrators allowed to continue their extracurricular activities while being a danger to other students? This so-called concern for the safety of children is obviously and highly disingenuous.

Furthermore, the portrayal of transgender people, particularly women, as sexual predators is inaccurate, insulting, and frankly bigoted.Transgender people are much more likely to BE assaulted themselves than to commit assault. These policies are physically and psychologically dangerous. You can't fool me into thinking this is about the safety of girls.  Everyone deserves the dignity of being referred to in the way that fits them best. And how will these rules be enforced? Will physical exams be performed? Will the genitals of children be examined to ensure they are compliant? If a girl is found to be inadequately feminine, or a boy masculine, they could find themselves subject to scrutiny. Make no mistake, this policy will infringe upon the First Amendment right to freedom of expression, and any such exam would be an abuse of the power adults hold over children. This set of policies violates the rights and dignities of all students and must not be implemented.


STRONGLY OPPOSE. This is embarrassing for our state. Why do we continually fight progress?

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Every young person deserves the right to choose their identity and to explore who they are in the ways that make them feel safe and comfortable. If a student chooses to share parts of themselves in specific spaces and not others, it's likely due to a lack of safety in the place they feel they need to hide. Students already facing hardships at home and a lack of security from their families will feel even more unsafe at school- the only other place many may be able to form the necessary bonds for emotional growth.

People who feel this level of emotional insecurity and lack of support WILL struggle with mental health issues and likely substance abuse issues. We are setting up people for emotional struggles for the rest of their life. Where do you expect students to get their emotional needs met if they already feel they can't be themselves at home, and now are even more afraid of that in the place they spend almost as much of their time?

I just can't fathom why anyone cares so much about another person's identity. Why is it so scary to you all that life is not always (in fact, basically never) a perfect binary? Why can you not see that life doesn't have to be black and white, man and woman, husband and wife... Why is it so terrifying to just allow people to exist in a less constrictive way? Why do we need to control every minute detail of a person's life and identity to keep the status quo?

Can you please ask yourselves what you love about the past so much that you'll hurt anyone it takes to preserve the way things are (or were?). This conservative fairytale of "the good ol days" never existed- people have always felt neglected, misunderstood, pushed aside by society, and beaten down by oppressive ideas of who they should or should not be. What's changing is only the way we express that and who is allowed to express those feelings.

This will be another shameful mark on Virginia history that you will regret. I am reminded somewhat of Virginia's disgraceful resistance to desegregation and the unjust hurdles that were put up to purposely evade progress then. I beg you to reconsider and allow Virginians to move forward this time.


Many trans kids transition young, they are around and YOU ALL have no idea. Oppose!!

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These policies are ludicrous and very harmful. You will be responsible for a lot of fallout of trans youth health and life if they go through. You do not have my approval.


Support

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Please support. If this policy passes, I don’t have to live in fear in school for making a mistake of misgendering or misnaming my classmates and teachers. This is so confusing.it is hard to keep lessons straight as it is.. I just want to learn and not be in constant fear of being labeled a trans phobe.


Strongly Support

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Parents deserve the rights!


manifesting the worst possible thing for everyone who supports this. oppose

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protect trans kids from being killed. it's bad enough that you political s have normalized school shootings because you refuse to wake up to the reality of things. stop adding more anxiety and fear to these poor kids. they've been through enough the past 10 years. stop making them into a statistic for your own selfish gain.


Strongly Oppose - Embarrassing

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The fact that this even got this far proves how backwards this state and this nation is. How can you live with attacking someone's identity like this? You should be ashamed of yourselves. Don't do this.


STRONGLY SUPPORT

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"Between 1973 and 2003, a study in Sweden analyzed the long-term effects of sex reassignment in 324 transgender individuals, and found “the overall mortality for sex-reassigned persons was higher during follow-up than for controls of the same birth sex, particularly death from suicide. Sex-reassigned persons also had an increased risk for suicide attempts and psychiatric inpatient care.”

"In Brazil, a similar study was conducted on 47 male-to-female transgender patients. The researchers evaluated them using the World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment, before and after sex-reassignment surgery, in four areas: physical health, psychological health, social relationships and level of independence. The results were telling: participants showed “significant improvement” following sex-reassignment surgery in psychological well-being and social relationships, but this was short-lived as those who underwent additional surgery suffered a decline in these areas. Also, physical health and level of independence significantly worsened after SRS."

"In Denmark, 104 sex reassignment surgery patients were studied. Besides a higher incidence of cardiovascular disease among these patients, as well as a low average life expectancy (53.5 years), there was a surprising increase in suicide rate reported. The national suicide rate in Denmark is 0.01%, but the rate among the 104 Danish transgender subjects was 1.9%."


Strongly oppose, as a parent of a trans child, as well as someone with a heart and brain

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<p>As the parent of a child who didn't feel safe coming out due to his father's homophobia, I strongly oppose this. While I see that language has been used to make it seem like the point is to make sure parents are involved, that can be quite dangerous for a child who may not have supportive family at home. The current policies in place have been working for those it is intended to help: marginalized queer youth. Your religion and politics have no business in our schools. Let children be whomever they are, without adult prejudice, so they can all flourish, not just your Christian sons and daughters. </p>


Why this this is stupid

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Why is is that this is such an important issue in politics nowadays? What's the importance how does it really affect all people? Why is this a supposed needed rule? It shouldn't be a person should be who they want to be. Because renber during the pandemic with masks it was my body my choice but it can't be that way when a person is uncomfortable in their own bodies? What's the double standard here? Why do parents absolutely have to know? There are many right side parents who are so against children being in the LGBTQ community that they will physically and emotionally abuse their children if they find out. By making laws liking this you are putting hundreds of thousands of kids in extreme danger. Kids should be the priority not parents. Aren't people always saying kids are the future well don't take this future away by taking away the safe space of school for what? To get you agenda through? To have "God" grace every child? That's a little ridiculous if you can't care about your kids above your agenda.


Transgender policy

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I believe this policy will do irrevocable harm to transgender kids.


Do NOT go through with these policies!!!

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this policy will endanger and get transgender students killed if students are outed to their parents. this is full of bigotry and hatred against children! this is pronouns and different names - not hormone therapy or surgery. what about cisgender kids who go by nicknames of their full first names - why do they get that choice but not our transgender kids? let kids use the bathroom they feel most comfortable in - and that includes providing a gender neutral space as well.


Strongly Oppose

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Strongly oppose this policy!


STRONGLY SUPPORT!!!


STRONGLY OPPOSE THIS HORRENDOUS CHANGE

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<p>Proud sister of a trans sibling. This kind of legislation will not prevent people from coming out, it will just prevent parents from finding out organically & creates distrust. Kids just want to know they are loved and supported for who they are during a confusing time. This does the opposite of that! </p>


Support!More Research should be done. What is ROGD? Why is not anyone talking about it?

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why are researchers who are doing research on ROGD being silenced? why the uptick in trans kids? why is the school teaching gender ideology?why are there too many rainbow flags? why make majority of kids who are non-dysphoric uncomfortable? all students should have equal rights-not only trans identifying kids.all kids are brave!!!!!!please support this policy.


Strongly support the Governor !

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As a parent/ grandparent I strongly agree with the Governor!


Strongly oppose - attack on identity

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<p>School is one of the most formative and socially influential aspects of children's lives and can have a serious impact on the development of their identities. If trans students are constantly put under a microscope and not allowed to form their own sense of self without parental control, they risk losing the same developmental progress that their peers get just as easily. School systems are often better suited to educate children about these social issues than parents, via exposure to them or otherwise, and many parents are not equipped to provide a comprehensive education of modern social and gender dynamics. </p>


Support! No to boys on girls sports teams or in girls bathrooms. Wake up. People are tired of this

Reading math writing in schools. Keep bizarreness at home.

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<p>It’s good to be who you want. How about just being without pushing everyone else to accept and celebrate your choices. No one needs to accept or celebrate anyone else. Tolerance and getting along. </p>


STRONGLY SUPPORT changes to prior policy

Both my husband and I strongly support putting the power back into the hands of the parents and making educators accountable for, not only what is taught, but for any extraneous influence wielded that is rightly in the purview of the parents.It used to be that permission is required to dispense even so much as an aspirin, yet, today's staff and teachers try to upend parental teaching and moral values, many times behind the parents' backs.Despite a small mouthy minority, the majority spoke when Governor Youngkin was voted into office. We are behind him and totally support the changes he is attempting to implement to bring our schools back to accountability and normalcy.

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Both my husband and I strongly support putting the power back into the hands of the parents and making educators accountable for, not only what is taught, but for any extraneous influence wielded that is rightly in the purview of the parents.
It used to be that permission is required to dispense even so much as an aspirin, yet, today's staff and teachers try to upend parental teaching and moral values, many times behind the parents' backs.
Despite a small mouthy minority, the majority spoke when Governor Youngkin was voted into office. We are behind him and totally support the changes he is attempting to implement to bring our schools back to accountability and normalcy.


Equal rights to all humans

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<p>The proposed changes by our governor make our kids in school feel less safe, and dictates who they must be; which is the opposite of freedom. </p>


Strongly Oppose, Do Better

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This is a shameful attack on children, and it says a lot that this administration is more concerned about which bathroom kids are using or what they are calling themselves than safeguarding their basic dignity and ensuring their mental and physical well-being. Interestingly, the proposed policy takes note of the Grimm v. Gloucester County School Board case, in which the school board was found to be in violation of the Equal Protection Clause of the U.S. Constitution and Title IX of the U.S. Education Amendments of 1972 for denying a transgender boy the right to use the boy's bathroom. Yet the proposal intends to do just that, forcing students to use the bathroom of their assigned sex at birth “except to the extent that federal law otherwise requires,” which is a perplexing statement that is so vague as to be completely meaningless. According to the aforementioned case, federal law has already determined that exact sort of policy to be unconstitutional discrimination on the basis of sex. Any enforcement of further discriminatory policies, such as restricting sports participation or denying basic acknowledgments of students' humanity by using their names and chosen pronouns, would be equally illegal and unconstitutional. The legal precedent has already been set, and the case is closed.

This proposed policy is, in the most generous and polite terms, woefully misguided and will only serve to harm an already vulnerable demographic. It’s state-sanctioned hatred and illegal discrimination under the cheap and politically expedient guise of parental rights. Parents certainly have the right to control and influence many aspects of their child’s life, including their education. But that control ends where the dignity or liberty of another person, including their own child, begins. In other words, when parental rights are weighed against the human rights of their children, their children ought to be the priority. It’s the reason we don’t defend a parent’s historical “right” to abuse or injure their child. And make no mistake, this policy would open the doors to parental abuse of these kids, mental or otherwise. I would be utterly ashamed to call myself a Virginian in light of this proposal if I hadn't also seen the tremendous outpouring of solidarity and support from our commonwealth's kids in opposition to this farce. To those involved in drafting up this disgusting, inhumane proposal and to all those supporting it: do better.


big support for the GOV.

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<p>this is the right move parent are responsible for there kids not some teacher union or government hack who thinks they know what's best. my child my values to pass along </p>


Strongly Oppose

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<p>Let transgender individuals express themselves </p>


parents who support this probably have kids who need therapy because of them. oppose the policy

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i can't see how anyone with an actual working brain thinks this is a good idea. this is just going to out trans kids and potentially get them killed. you suck and i wish the absolute worst for you youngkin. how dare you use trans kids as some sort of political tool. leave kids alone you scumbag.


Support our children

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STRONGLY support.  Stop the abuse of our children


Protect trans kids - Strongly opposed

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I support trans kids and strong oppose this legislation. We need to do whatever we can to support these children. We all know that bathrooms are for peeing or pooping. Why does it matter what name is on the door of the room you do that in???


STRONGLY OPPOSE

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<p>While healthcare to cause a transgender minor to medically change biological sex is controversial and debated, I can’t see the harm done by allowing children to cut or grow out their hair, change their name or use a different bathroom. These are very basic rights and in my opinion all middle school and above students should be able to do these things. Please consider how this will affect the transgender children as well as the other pupils at school. If someone is uncomfortable with a trans person using their toilet then other facilities should be possible in most cases. These are my honest thoughts so please consider them with an open mind. </p>
<p> </p>
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Oppose

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<p>Trans students deserve clear and humane support in their rights as any student.  This draft aboslutely does not support or protect their rights.  If approved these would have detrimental ramification to so many young students.  Mental health for our children has been at an ultimate high even prior to the pandemic and this will do nothing but impact their mental and physical well being.  Permitting students to utilize the pronouns and bathroom facilities that they identify with harms no one else.  We strongly voice our opposition to the detrimental writing of this antiquated and harmful proposed draft. </p>


Governor Youngkin Plans for Treatment of Transgender

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Strongly approve Gov Youngkin’s plans


teacher who support the governor

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I have been teaching for 25 years and I am so tired of politicians wanting us to do everything BUT teach.  I don't see what the big problem is.  These are MINORS which means, under the law, their parents or legal guardians are responsible for them so they should make the informed decisions that are best for their child.  If they can't, then the state will step in for the best interest of the child.  Why can't you just let the teachers teach and the parents parent?  I have kept politics, among other things, out of my classroom as I am here to teach these children the subject matter that I was hired to teach, not to parent them and be their guidance counselor, best friend, or even doctor.  I pride myself in just teaching the material and the facts and keeping opinions and politics out of my classroom.


I cried hysterically when I figured out this was happening

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I strongly disagree with the bill. Please do not put it into effect. It will harm me and many other trans kids in my location. I have heard parents say they would kill their kid if they found out they were trans. You are putting children in danger. Shame on you shame shame.


Strong support

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Protect children, protect families, enact and keep the 2022 Model Policies on the Privacy, Dignity, and Respect for all Students and Parents in Virginia’s Public Schools!


Parents want this -Support!

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<p>More parents support this than those who do not. What kind of parent affirms the mutilation  of their kids?That is where kids will be headed if social transition is done by schools. Kids are impressionable. Schools should not be promoting gender ideology. </p>


Fully Support Yonkin

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<p>I 100% support Mr Yonkin!  I don’t judge who someone wants to be, but, I strongly support we are born male or female only. Anyone can say I identify as this or that!  But, when boys start going into girls bathrooms we put our girls in danger. At any time a boy can change his mind and then there can be a clear and present danger.  Make three bathrooms!  Girls for girls, boys for boys, and trans for trans or family.  Do not allow girls bathroom to infiltrated by males.  It is so wrong! </p>


I strongly support this policy

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I strongly support this policy.


Support ... Strongly

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<p>Strongly Support ... </p>


Strongly support. We need this in schools for the preservation of our children and the schools

consideration of the other 98%? destroy logic and truth for the extreme few

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How do 98% of kids feel about the trans fad. How do the female athletes feel about having their sports ruined, or having boys in their bathrooms. This fad is not based in reality.


Thank you, Governor Youngkin

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Thank you, Governor Youngkin, for confirming the God-given rights of parents as primary educators of their children. I live in Fairfax County. I am appalled that Fairfax County Public School administrators have been instructing teachers to keep secrets from parents, while celebrating a dangerous new ideology that entices children to cause irreparable damage to their developing bodies. Transgenderism is rooted in lies: the lie that male and female are not biological facts; the lie that “gender reconstruction” surgery and hormone injections can turn boys into girls and girls into boys; the lie that “transitioning” brings happiness and fulfillment to confused and anxious children. The horror stories of children who grow up to regret giving their consent to the permanent alteration and mutilation of their bodies (by adults offering “gender affirming care”) are truly heartbreaking. This policy is an important first step to protecting Virginia's children from predatory ideologues.


Support

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Schools socially transitioning kids are adding to the mental problems of a child. Schools are the first one to bail out when the kids are deep in trouble while the parents are always there! Schools are only with the kids 7 hours a day / 5 times a week (or less).Parents are always with their kids longer than that.What right dies the school have? The constitution protects parents rights! Support this policy!

schools should not take their mancheusen syndrome on kids!


Listen to parents, protect Trans students!

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What are these comments for if the governor is not going to listen to us? I heard him on the news say these rules would be implemented regardless. So why allow us to comment if you’re just going to ignore us? Pay attention to your constituents!! Parents do NOT want this. We want our trans and non binary kids to be safe and feel like they belong. Let them use whatever pronouns they choose. Let them use the bathroom. Its not hard. Stop politicizing children!


I strongly oppose this bill

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<p>The proposed policy changes put vulnerable children at risk of emotional and physical violence. These children often already face violence on a regular basis from other children and even adults who they are supposed to be able to  trust. Schools are supposed to help protect them from that and not add to it, and adding to the violence can be more serious than some realize. I especially fear driving children to addiction, self harm, or even suicide. </p>


Gender dysphoria is a diagnosis

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<p>Please consider that Gender Dysphoria was a DSM V diagnosis that is VALID in the medical community. This is not a trend or threat to the community, but rather a condition where folks do not feel in their bodies with their birth sex. As the medical and therapeutic communities treat many people for this diagnosis, it would be shameful if the DOE chose to ignore medical implications and recommendations for minors who have it. Just as we would support students with anxiety and depression, we should also support students with gender dysphoria. Using correct pronouns and treating them as their gender, not by their incorrect birth sex, allows all students to feel safe and supported in schools. </p>


Horrible!

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This is hateful and discriminatory. Rescind this immediately!


Strong Opposition

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As a licensed clinical psychologist and the parent of two high school students in the FCPS system, I am vehemently opposed to the revamped rules detailed in this "Model Policies" document.  These new rules explicitly state that students must only use bathrooms and locker room associate with the sex assigned to them at birth.  If a student wants to participate in teams that align with the sex assigned at birth.  Further, the legal name and sex of a student cannot be changed "even upon written instruction of the parent or eligible student" without an official legal document or court order, teachers and other school officials can only refer to a student by their pronouns associated with their sex at birth.  BUT, they also don't have to refer to a student's preferred names regardless of paperwork if they feel doing so "would violate their constitutionally protected rights."

If this policy was really about parental rights, a parent would be able to request that the school address their child by their preferred pronoun and name without having to navigate the additional hurdle of acquiring and submitting legal documents.

Finally, according to official statement by the American Psychiatric Association (APA), discrimination and lack of equal civil rights is damaging to the mental health of transgender individuals.  They note that gender-based discrimination and victimization were found to be independently associated with attempted suicide and in the largest survey to date of gender variant and transgender people 41% reported attempting suicide.  The APA joins other professional organizations, including the American Medical Association and the American Psychological Association, in endorsing strong policy statements deploring discrimination against gender variant and transgender individuals and calling for laws to protect their civil rights.

Policy should be informed by science and with the input of unequivocal subject mater experts and not by politics and bigotry.  This new policy is harmful to our children.


Strongly Support


Oppose Detrimental Policy Guidance

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<p>The proposed policy guidance reversing protections for transgender students does not provide a safe or welcoming learning environment for children.  Please stop trying to regulate people's bodies and instead focus education dollars on improving infrastructure and salaries for educators.  Build safe and inclusive schools that offer wrap-around services to prevent unnecessary deaths, improve outcomes for vulnerable children, and build a stronger community.  Please reconsider the policy and do not implement it. Thank you. </p>


Strongly support

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As a grandparent and former teacher, I support these regulations which recognize the right of parents to be aware of what their children are learning and doing at school.  It removes language encouraging school officials to deceive parents when their children are making potentially life-altering decisions regarding their identity in a school setting.  The state should not be usurping the parent's role in such an important area.  I also support the regulation that limits sports participation to one's biological sex.  We will undermine years of progress in girls & women sports by allowing biological males to compete in female sports.


Strongly Oppose


Support all people as they are

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Government has no place in defining how a person defines their gender.


STRONGLY AGREE with Governor Youngkin

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Strongly agree with Governor Youngkin's common sense approach to the issues.


This is awesome. Let’s get back to education and reality

It makes basic sense. Not all critical thinking and logic is lost

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<p>Thanks for proving there is still some logic and reality happening </p>


Strongly Oppose!

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<p>Strongly opposed!  </p>


strongly oppose

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<p>Strongly oppose </p>


Strongly Support Governor Youngkin Policy Change

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<p>I strongly support the policy change proposed by the Youngkin administration. Parents need to be making these decisions, not a child, especially a child influenced by a liberal teacher. </p>


New K-12 Model Policies

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I agree with Virginia’s new K-12 model policies


Oppose

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<p>Targeting already at risk youth is not a policy I support. Instead of less government control, this policy overreaches and also targets kids who are often targeted by segments of society already. We need to protect our kids from discrimination. I strongly oppose this policy. </p>


Strongly Opposed

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As a student myself, these new regulations are very harmful to my fellow students. They deserve to be free to express themselves and live by whatever gender identity they are most comfortable with. This proposal is a slap in the face.


Support trans kids

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<p>I oppose this policy </p>


Local schools know best

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<p>Individual schools know best in how to serve their students and community. Let each school decide how to manage this issue even if it is different from other schools. Stay out of local issues. </p>


Support ALL students

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Please consider the suicide rates among trans and non-binary youth, which research show drastically increase when they are forced to be called and treated by their birth sex, not their gender. Creating barriers for kids to feel safe in school also creates very unsafe spaces in education buildings, which for some are the only safe spaces they have. I urge you, please do not guarantee more deaths by suicide for this children. Suicide prevention includes using correct pronouns and treated kids as they identify. It doesn’t hurt the school system or other children in any way. But it certainly will affect the mental health of the trans students in Virginia. Please read the statistics and research, most trans youth have considered suicide. Don’t add to the statistics of those that attempt and succeed death by suicide.

- A Virginia therapist


Absolutely disagree with Trans policy changes.

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<p>Trans children need protecting most. This attacks their very existence. These changes are incredibly discriminatory. Specifically around how teachers should address them by their birth sex and which bathroom they have to use.  I appreciate there is some valid concern around some sports which can be effected by hormones just as a performance drug might, in that case there should be further discussion. However, the heart of these changes are not Christian, they will only propagate behaviors of segregation and divisiveness.  Trans is not porn, obscene, or uncommon, and children should be aware of the world they live in. </p>


School Restroomz

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<p>Hello!  I have the opinion that Mr Yonkin is correct. Boys should not be in girls bathroom!  There should be protection for our young people and school is to be a safe place.  There is no control how things can be completely out of control. There should be three bathrooms. Girls, boys, and a family restroom. If a boy who wants to think he is female he should use family not girls. This covers rights for protection for all. I can not judge people for what they believe!  God will do that. I feel that children should always be protected especially in our schools.  Do not put these young girls in harms way. Anyone can claim to be anything in this world we reside in these days, and can in an instant change their minds and if this happens and a child is raped!  Then what?  I side with Mr Yonkin and with good cause. </p>


STRONGLY OPPOSE!

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<p>Strongly oppose all anti LGBTQ amendments </p>


Rules against trans is discrimination

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All these rulings and laws that target trans folks, trans kids, does is create walls of separation. All it does is fuel bigotry. It’s rulings and laws against folks like this that signal something else.


Support-For All Kids

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A lot of kids are declaring to be trans now even when they are not. They see that trans have special rights. ALL KIDS HAVE RIGHTS-not only trans!


Support this

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<p>It’s horrifying that there would be a such a strong push to eliminate parents from decision making with their children, especially for something so extreme, with debilitating life long consequences.  </p>


Extreme Step Backwards for Both Rights and Mental Health Aid

This sort of bill made to demonize and demean a population that has already been made out to be a monster while having no claws or teeth to defend their rights. Freedoms being taken away due to a part of mental health that is out of the control of the students it affects. This is a bill used to abuse and obliterate any form of comfort transgender students have. If people cared about their kids they would fight for them to have control over their own bodies rather than leave the control in the hands of possibly abusive parents and environments.This will lead to more infighting and mental health issues in the school system and in youth.

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This sort of bill made to demonize and demean a population that has already been made out to be a monster while having no claws or teeth to defend their rights. Freedoms being taken away due to a part of mental health that is out of the control of the students it affects. This is a bill used to abuse and obliterate any form of comfort transgender students have. If people cared about their kids they would fight for them to have control over their own bodies rather than leave the control in the hands of possibly abusive parents and environments.

This will lead to more infighting and mental health issues in the school system and in youth.


Strongly oppose

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This regulation could put some children in danger of domestic abuse. Please leave it to the discretion of the school staff who understand the situations better than the politicians.


Strongly opposed...This is politics at its worst!

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I am a William and Mary graduate, 1971, a USNR veteran, a retired orthopedic surgeon and a transgender woman. This is a political action that does not take into consideration any of the real issues or science around transgenderism. I suffered with depression and suicidal ideation due to my transgenderism. Statistically about 50% of trans youth either commit suicide, attempt suicide or have serious suicidal ideation. Your policy indicates that many Virginians reject "the ideological belief that gender is a matter of personal choice or subjective experience-not sex." There is considerable scientific evidence that gender identity is a separate issue from sex. There a many medical conditions in humans and in lower species where the genetic, anatomic, hormonal and psychological make-up of an individual are non-binary... where the various factors that make up the sex characteristics are not in alignment.  It is well known that sex and gender are separate issues. Studies show that the stria-terminalis lobe a of trans-woman's brain resembles that of a cis-woman. Most individuals in whom the sex and gender are in agreement cannot possibly understand the intense inner struggles of an individual in which they are not. Here is where compassion and caring must take place.  The medical studies on the issue are to date inadequate as to the role of hormones on athletic performance and much additional study is still needed.  The fact that Virginia has fallen to the depths of pandering to those who would deny the science and deny the evidence that being transgender is not a matter of personal choice is of deep concern to those who wish to live in an open-minded caring community. Please have as much concern for those of us who are transgender as you do for those whose votes you wish to have.


Yes, I support this change

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Schools are for educating students, Parents are for providing or finding all other services that their children may need.


Transgender students and rights to privacy

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This whole proposal is extremely disturbing. It is truly mind boggling that politicians will torment children so far just for some extra votes. Transgender children deserve the right to come out to their parents in their own time, and not providing that puts them in both physical danger, and immense emotional distress. They wouldn't apply these rules for any cisgender kids who have a nickname, so why is it so crucial that we apply to transgender kids who are already struggling?


These policies show a blatant disregard for constitutional values and free speech. Strongly oppose.

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First of all, I don't care what your opinions on gender and sexuality are in this case. If you think your children are threatened by transgender students and teaching about sexuality, you as a parent are allowed BY LAW to opt out of these classes or even teach your children yourself. You gain nothing by supporting these policies, and it's really just meddling in the lives of other people's families.

If you are a self respecting American, you will recognize that these students absolutely have the right to refer to themselves however they want, and they have the right to ask others to do so as well.

Do you believe that bullying is something which should be punishable in school? Would a student or teacher not referring to a student by the pronouns they ask for not be counted as bullying? It's deliberate verbal degrading, is it not? Why should it be acceptable for students and teachers to berate others?

Well, I guess that's not the part I feel strongly about. I feel like teachers voicing their own opinions on this does count as bullying, but I really don't want the government deciding what bullying is and isn't, so I'm neutral on enforcement of how teachers use language. However, it is still NOT okay that teachers have to out their students and can't use the student's preferred pronouns if the student requests it.

Several of my best friends are transgender individuals. They seek to express themselves in a way that improves their own mental health and life. Their parents would beat them or kick them out if they came out. I don't see any reason why Youngkin's policies should be implemented-- they treat students as if they should be property of their parents, when they should be free to develop an identity of their own and pursue their own happiness in the spirit of the constitution. The fact that most of the people consulted for these policies are parents and politicians rather than the actual students it effects is a grave injustice. If our government is supposed to support us, then it shouldn't implement policies limiting the free speech of those who are unable to vote or do anything about it.

Self-expression is a right that all Americans deserve to have.


Policy made to fight toothless boogeymen will kill children.

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This policy is intended to convince parents that their children are going to be killed or harmed by other children who don't act like them. Let me be clear: the only thing this policy will do is end in dead children.

Trans youth have elevated rates of suicide compared to cisgender youth because of the barrage of harassment and hatred they face simply for wearing the "wrong" clothes or existing truthfully. If this measure is fully enforced, every child will pay the price in blood.

The thing that opens the doors for harm to children is not trans acceptance, it is trans exclusion. Trans exclusionary practices have so far gotten us proposals of genital exams on children by strangers, higher suicide rates among children, children being harassed by strangers on the internet and in person, bomb threats at hospitals, and children being sued by other children for sometimes doing well at sports. If this measure were actually about concrete evidence and belief that children were being preyed on sexually by other children or teenagers, the Boy Scouts of America would no longer exist. The BSA has been exposed as one that never even disciplined the dozens of child molesters it failed to screen out and accepted as volunteers. How can we expect a government who is actively trying to institute examinations of children's genitals to be better?

Glenn Youngkin, and everyone supporting this measure, you will have blood on your hands.


Didn't vote for Younkin, but this policy is a necessary correction

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There are many well-meaning people who don't know what's really going on in the schools.  Unless you have children in Virginia public schools or have a teacher in the family, you're probably not aware of how excessive this transgender dogma has become in schools.  Under current policy, a biological male can show up one day and declare a female identity and start using girls' bathrooms, without any documentation from medical or psychological authorities that this is a valid diagnosis.  Teachers then can't do anything about it, even if they suspect this person is just abusing the very loose rules in place.  Such a student can alter back and forth between male, female, and nonbinary identities throughout the year, and teachers are supposed to keep up and support this.  My spouse is a high school teacher and has seen this happen with several students.  And if such a student states his/her/their parents don't know, then the teachers are supposed to use the preferred name/pronouns of the week with the student in class, but then switch to the legal name/pronouns when contacting parents. Essentially the current policy requires teachers to keep secrets from the parents.  Furthermore, research shows that around 80% of youth experiencing gender dysphoria grow out of it.  Current polices are encouraging students to stay stuck in a dysfunctional phase that often is a symptom of mental illness, not a cause.  And the ideology of "gender fluidity" is being promoted with the religiosity equivalent of any fundamentalist church.  Since middle school, my daughter has been asked on every "getting to know you" exercise what her pronouns are.  This has never been done on such a large scale before, and how do we know such bombardment won't influence developing brains? The new policies will stop such excess.


OPPOSE

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These proposed model policies are contrary to state law and will be extremely harmful to transgender and nonbinary kids.


Strongly Oppose, I do what's best for my students and this policy is NOT that

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There is no need for students who identify as LGBT to be micromanaged in the way this bill attempts to do. These students are just like all other students, they have a name by which they wished to be called, they have lives apart from their parents, and in no way is it my responsibility as a teacher to tell parents if I think their child identifies within the LGBT community. I am here to EDUCATE children about the world they live in and to prepare them to be a an adult citizen. They will encounter LGBT people throughout their lives and proposing a bill to ostracize this community in schools will only teach students to ostracize them in their own lives. I strongly oppose any legislation whose undertones speak to signal out a specific group of people for existing. This bill is not about giving parents a voice, its about taking the voice away from people who identify within the LGBT community. I strongly oppose this bill as a citizen of Virginia, as a teacher, and most importantly as someone who cares about the livelihood of all students, regardless of their identity.


Transgender student policy

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The governor's proposed policy regarding transgender students is both cruel and dangerous.  Please do not enact this policy.


Strongly Oppose


Strongly oppose

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<p>Strongly oppose - deeply, pointedly discriminatory. All of this to crush a handful of specific children exclusively because they're different. </p>


Transgender student rights

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I strongly oppose Governor Youngkin's desire to restrict the rights of transgender students.


OPPOSING proposed Trans Policy

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OPPOSE!!! Once you know them personally, you can’t, in good conscience, stay in favor of this!  Trans and Non-Binary people are just as valuable as others, and if this bill passes, they will be at even greater risk. Their lives are already too challenging.  Please be thoughtful, educate yourself and others, find out what it’s really all about, and hopefully you will see why we are so opposed to this outrageous legislative jab.


I do not support the governor's proposed new policy

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<p>Virginia needs to support our students and our schools should provide a safe, secure environment for all of our students to learn and grow.  </p>


I am in full support of this bill.

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It is not the schools job to parent children. This is dangerous territory so thank you Youngkin for protecting our kids!


If you support this you are a piece of

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This is horrific and if you support it than you and Youngkin both can go eat a bag of dicks.


Thank you

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Thank you for standing up for parental rights.


Parents deserve to know. Support


Protect female privacy and Sex-based protections.

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<p>I wish to strongly oppose the erasure of Sex-based protections for our youth, particularly for young girls. As a female, I remember the absolute anxiety and fear of changing rooms and bathrooms in schools. School should be a place were girls feel safe. There is no reason why a confused child can't be personally accommodated as appropriate by individual schools and teachers. When a State creates a blanket self-ID law, it will open the door to destroying Sex-based private spaces. How do we know which boys are girls? How can a teacher stop any boy to enter a girls facility? Under the law this will not be possible. We are legislating something that can be solved by individual communities for the safeguarding of their children as they see fit. The very idea that the State should step between the parents and their children on the matter of gender and sexuality is chilling. It is not possible for the State to parent all children. Leave that up to the individuals who are responsible for their own children. I strongly oppose gender self-ID and support the protection of Sex-based privacy for young females. </p>


Stop hate

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<p>Youngkin needs to stop using Virginia as a platform to be the next trump. You didn’t win a mandate here. You won because Terry McAuliffe ran a terrible campaign. We don’t want your hate here. Your anti- trans anti-gay anti-books anti-anyone that’s not straight white priveledged male is outdated and disgusting.  </p>


I support this bill

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Parents must be informed about their kids so that they can have effective involvement in their kids' lives.  Parents can't expect the public school system to take over parenting.  Teachers have a hard enough time teaching basic educational skills.  Parents need to be informed at every level, so they can support - or correct - what the kids are learning in school.


Strongly oppose, this will do nothing but hurt children.

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The new proposed documents only purpose if to crush any trans and LGBTQ rights people were given in 2021. As a former student in the county I saw no issues with the 2021 version. There was absolutely no negative effect on anyone actually. No student is offended by Transgender students existing in our schools it is only the parents. If someone feels like their identity is different then what they were born with I see no reason why they should be stopped. If more people can be happy with themselves I can’t see the problem with the previous iteration. The only result of this proposed change will increase suicide rates of the people affected and it will only please a small hate filled vocal minority who don’t like letting people different from themselves have rights.


STRONGLY AGREE


I Strongly Oppose the Attack on Trans Rights

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I am a trans student in Virginia, and I am terrified when I imagine what this new bill could bring.

I am a trans student in Virginia, and I would have to go to school and be called a name and pronouns that don't align with who I am and that hurts, but I would be one of the lucky ones. Imagine all of the students who would suffer if their trans identities were exposed to their parents. Imagine all of the trans students that would end up homeless or dead by murder or suicide.

I am a trans student in Virginia, and I am terrified when I imagine thousands of children, me included, no longer having a safe space at school, if they ever even did. I am terrified when I imagine the number of trans students who have taken their lives going up and up. I am terrified when I imagine many of my other trans friends taking their lives, as many of them have attempted to in the past. I am terrified when I imagine how this bill could impact my mental health.

I am a trans student in Virginia, and I am terrified about what will happen if this bill passes and you should be too.

I am a trans student in Virginia and I should be surprised that people would intentionally do this knowing what could happen. But this world has made it so that this is what I expect from people. This world has made it so that I expect to be treated like I am not who I am. This world has made it so that I expect to be treated like I am less than. This world has made it so that I believe I am less than.

I am a trans student in Virginia, and I wish I could be surprised. I wish that I didn't have to expect this kind of treatment. I wish that I wasn't treated this way at all, but I am, and there's very little that I can do about it.

I am a trans student in Virginia, and I wish I could tell you what will happen if this bill is passed. I don't know exactly what it will mean for the trans community. I don't know what this will mean for me. All that I know for sure is that this is going to cost the world the lives of too many children.

I am a trans student in Virginia, and I can wish as much as I want but nothing is going to happen unless we stand up for ourselves and our rights. Please, please don't let this bill pass.

I am a trans student in Virginia. I'm just a kid, and I'm the one advocating for my rights. I can't stand by and let this bill ruin the lives of the people I love.

I am a trans student in Virginia, and I am terrified.


Republicans, Youngkin is a sex predator. OPPOSE.

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 you Glen "Kid er" Youngkin.


THIS WILL KILL CHILDREN IF IMPLEMENTED!!!

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This bill is incredibly dangerous and not well defined. All students matter, and deserve an  equal learning environment. To pull a bill like this is atrocious. Probably 15% of the students at my high school identify as a gender other than the sex they were assigned at birth, and being supported in their identity can be the difference between life and death for them. Having a transgender student in my math class does not affect my ability to learn. Going to the bathroom in the stall next to a transgender student does not affect my ability to pee. Very few students have had the surgeries or had their birth certificate changed in a way that qualifies them to identify the way they wish; however, many of these students have had other gender-affirming procedures done or are taking hormones - some since elementary school - and you want these students to use a bathroom they haven't used in years? This bill essentially demands that men use the women's bathroom and women use the mens.

I am astonished by the sheer lack of empathy from my representatives, and I can assure you there will be further pushback on this bill if it is implemented. If you like angry letters at your door and dead children on your hands, by all means, proceed. If you have any sense of decency or dignity left, you will reconsider.


Full support

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Thank you Gov for trying to protect our kids


Thank you Youngkin! Agree


Strongly Oppose

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These policies are proven to harm transgender and non-binary students under the guise of giving parents more control over the education system.

These policies are in violation of the following:

Virginia Code § 22.1-23.3

Equal Protection Clause and Title IX, as applied to Mr. Grimm. Grimm v. Gloucester Cnty. Sch. Bd., 972 F.3d 586 (4th Cir. 2020), as amended (Aug. 28, 2020), cert. denied, 141 S. Ct. 2878, 210 L. Ed. 2d 977 (2021)

School districts’ constitutional authority to prohibit discrimination

And also the DOE exceeds its statutory authority to promulgate model policies

Please consider the health and wellness of transgender and non-binary students before enacting these policies.


Strongly Support

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<p>Strongly Support- about time. </p>


100% support

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Let parents raise their children!


Leave Trans Youth Alone - OPPOSE

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What do you possibly gain from coming after trans youth? You gain nothing, trans gender identity is not an ideology, it is an IDENTITY. Trans youth ARE NOT pushing their identity onto cisgendered heterosexual students. So leave them alone, stop pushing your garbage religious beliefs onto students who are just trying to learn in class. Clearly Glenn Youngkin believes that outing transgender students to parents is benefitting the students that he swore to protect, but clearly he is a mistaken idiot who doesn't know the first thing about how to protect children. This will not go over well if this legislation is passed.


Strongly Support


Agree strongly


Parental Rights/Transgender

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Strongly Support.  Parents need to have a say in the kind of school environment that their children grow up in.  I would not want any of my children/grandchildren to have to share a bathroom. locker room or shower with a transgender student of the opposite biological sex or my daughter or granddaughter to have to compete in sports with a male who thinks that he is a female.


Support ALL LGBTQ+ and Trans students

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This proposal is  purely an optics move on the part of Gov. Younkin and I do not support, in any way, the exclusion of support for any population of young person.


Yes - I support this bill

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Finally, some common sense has entered this political minefield.  Parents must be considered in the lives of their kids - this is a good bill and supports the basic notion that parents are responsible for their kids.  Thank you!


Strongly oppose

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I strongly oppose the proposed bill, which is intended to harm vulnerable and innocent young people. Bullying kids is cruel, and encourages others to ostracize individuals, or to take even more harmful actions. Suppressing choice and individuality isn't the role of schools or politics. Communities are built on acceptance and support for one another, despite our differences, otherwise we evolve into warring gangs. Kids need our positive support so they can grow to be healthy individuals.


Strongly Opposed

Charles Sumpter - Chair of the Alexandria, VA LGBTQ+ Task Force

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<p>Iam writing on behalf of our local task force to strongly Opposed efforts to harm our Commonwealth's non-binary and trans youth. Proposed measures like this do nothing more than add to the harm and trauma these youths go through on a daily basis. If you want to be helpful, meet with organizations like ours to develop equitable and inclusive policies to support non-binary and trans youth and to give school staff and parents the tools needed to ensure they are safe while receiving a good education. "Model policies" like this do nothing more than further denigrate our youth while making it harder for them to live their lives free of discrimination and hatred. </p>


STRONGLY OPPOSE

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OPPOSE, OPPOSE, OPPOSE

YOUNGKIN SUCKS!


Support!  Parents deserve to know.

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This is a common sense policy that helps parents be informed about major changes and developments in their children’s life. Educators are supposed to work hand-in-hand with parents


Oppose - 2022 Module Policies in VA Public Schools

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While I agree that parents should be fully involved in decisions with their children, I oppose the 2022 MODEL POLICIES ON THE PRIVACY, DIGNITY, AND RESPECT FOR ALL STUDENTS AND PARENTS IN VIRGINIA’S PUBLIC SCHOOLS.  We must also respect the rights of the students who are ultimately the ones receiving the education, support, and care that our state public education system provides.  By denying students of any age the right to decide their preferences, the education system demonstrates bigotry, segregation, discrimination, and disrespect -- all things that we, as parents and educators, have been trying to eliminate in our society for our children and future generations.


VA transgender policy proposed by Youngkin


STRONGLY OPPOSE

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These policies would endanger the lives of transgender people, and so I am strongly opposed to them.


Guidance Document 2022

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I support this 100%. It a fair and balanced approach.


OPPOSE!


Support!! This Is Why Youngkin Won Election! Majority supports!

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Thank you Governor Youngkin!


ABSOLUTELY SUPPORT

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It amazes me how today's cultural elite want to convey the responsibilities of parenting to the experts and away from the parents!  Sorry, but parents - even if they don't always understand or agree with their kids - should be involved and informed.  This bill helps that.


Oppose

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A bill that makes thousands of kids across the state feel very afraid is not a good bill


This will kill children. Strongly oppose!

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Regardless of your personal views on trans rights, study after study have shown beyond a shadow of a doubt that a supportive environment improves the mental health of, and subsequently decreases the suicidality of, trans people and youths in general. Enacting this law would result in children dying. That's unacceptable.

Students should be able to be called what they want, and should be safe to do so. Forcefully exposing them to potentially unsupportive and abusive parents is the opposite of this, and could directly threaten their safety.

Keeping the children in the school system safe and alive should be paramount. Enacting this change would go against that. Do NOT do this.


This is wrong.

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<p>I STRONGLY DISAGREE with Youngkin transgender policy. Schools should encourage students safety, as well as be a place where students are able to embrace themselves, and feel valued. By enforcing this policy, you are forcing trans students to deny their feelings, thoughts, human rights, and identity…. this is extremely unsafe as it provokes trans youth to feel as though they are not valued, wanted, nor can they live freely as themselves, which profoundly effects their mental health. The National Library of Medicine states that “Data indicate that 82% of transgender individuals have considered killing themselves and 40% have attempted suicide, with suicidality highest among transgender youth.” By enforcing this policy, there will be consequences… most being young trans lives. By requiring the consent of parents for students to change their pronouns, you are taking away an environment where trans youth may feel they can truly be themselves, an escape from possible traditional views/lifestyles that they are forced to face at home. Throughout history we have seen human rights movements that have received backlash, and through time has become the norms of society. What makes this movement different?  Is it really that problematic to have people change their gender identity, pronouns, and to facilitate bathrooms for all genders to use? Trans youth do not choose to be this way, they feel it; they feel this way so deeply that they choose to be themselves no matter how more difficult their life will be, no matter if their own family disowns them for it. This is something no one can understand until they experience it. So why should we make their lives even harder by enforcing this policy? Please recognize that the trans youth only wish to be themselves; why is it so hard to let them? This movement will continue to grow, so you can either continue to fight against natural societal revolution/human progression, or you can allow humans to identify themselves as they please and support them in the process. If you don’t agree with their ideals, then don’t support it but there is no reason as to why you should be fighting against it as at the end of the day someone’s self identity is none of your business nor does it really affect your own life, it only effects theirs. </p>


STRONGLY SUPPORT!!!

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Thank you Governor Youngkin for doing what you were elected to do!!


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

Dear VDOE,
I am deeply encouraged to learn of your newly proposed policy, which is now open for public comment. I am an African American, parent, and licensed public school educator in Virginia. I have also been a longtime advocate for disenfranchised, marginalized members of our student population; however, I have a strong aversion to the implementation of policies that usurp the rights of others in the name of correcting a perceived wrong. To do so is not only irresponsible but unethical. The truly "important work" we should be engaged in is discerning which avenues will effectively protect a contingent while championing non-exclusivity for everyone. For this reason, I vehemently SUPPORT the new K-12 model policies. As esteemed overseers of our profession, you are more than equal to this task; I am confident that you not only recognize the sound judgment of the new motion but understand the importance of adopting it. May history prove you'll have made the right decision.
Respectfully,M Wilson

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Dear VDOE,

I am deeply encouraged to learn of your newly proposed policy, which is now open for public comment. I am an African American, parent, and licensed public school educator in Virginia. I have also been a longtime advocate for disenfranchised, marginalized members of our student population; however, I have a strong aversion to the implementation of policies that usurp the rights of others in the name of correcting a perceived wrong. To do so is not only irresponsible but unethical. The truly "important work" we should be engaged in is discerning which avenues will effectively protect a contingent while championing non-exclusivity for everyone. For this reason, I vehemently SUPPORT the new K-12 model policies. As esteemed overseers of our profession, you are more than equal to this task; I am confident that you not only recognize the sound judgment of the new motion but understand the importance of adopting it. May history prove you'll have made the right decision.

Respectfully,
M Wilson


Strongly OPOSE


Strongly Opposed - Protect Trans Kids

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The priority of the Virginia Department of Education and Governor Youngkin should be the safety and health of their constituents. The proposed changes to the DOE's policies around gender affirming care are directly dangerous to trans youth. Fewer than 1 in 3 transgender and nonbinary youth found their home to be gender-affirming, meaning that introducing parental permission to be required for their mere existence at school will be directly harmful and possibly dangerous (Trevor Project). Many LGBTQ youth experience abuse within families that do not accept them, or even houselessness after their family rejects them for their identity. Involving parental permissions for youth gender identity in school makes the DOE complicit in the harm that causes for trans youth, in particular.

And to put a finer point on it, gender-affirming policy is life-saving policy for trans youth.

A 2020 peer-reviewed study by The Trevor Project’s researchers, published in the Journal of Adolescent Health, found that transgender and nonbinary youth were 2 to 2.5 times as likely to experience depressive symptoms, seriously consider suicide, and attempt suicide compared to their cisgender LGBQ peers. This is above and beyond an already high depression and suicide rate among LGBTQ youth, where it is estimated that at least one person is attempting suicide every 45 seconds. The Trevor Project’s research also consistently finds that LGBTQ young people report lower rates of attempting suicide when they have access to LGBTQ-affirming spaces.

The changes in these policies are not only oppressive in terms of students' individual freedom, they are outright dangerous. Schools should be safe spaces for our youth to express and explore as they come into adulthood, and it the job of the DOE to make that right.


Oppose - VDOE should reject draft policy

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I oppose the draft policy guidance and want VDOE to reject this discriminatory and harmful proposal. As a Virginia practitioner in the field of child abuse prevention, I believe that this proposed policy will cause significant harm and trauma for Virginia LGBTQ+ students. We've already seen the harm caused in local Virginia school systems that have refused to adopt the current inclusive state policy guidance. This discriminatory draft guidance should be rejected.


Policy on students who identify as transgender

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I strongly  SUPPORT Governor Youngkin’s policy and parental rights.


Finally some common sense

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<p>No way should biological boys ever be in a girls bathroom or shower. I fully support the  Governor of Virginia. </p>


Do NOT Pass - OPPOSE


STONGLY OPPOSE

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<p>I am beyond disgusted by the Governor's attacks on trans and nonbinary children in an effort to score political points.These proposed model policies are contrary to state law and will be extremely harmful to transgender and nonbinary kids. In this country we have a right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness that applies to ALL citizens. These children live trapped in a body that does not correspond to their assigned sex at birth. Leave them alone and let the kids, in conjunction with their guardians, decide what is right for them. </p>


Do NOT Pass - OPPOSE - This is a hateful and targeted plan and does not support ALL students


Fully support this bill

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Even an imperfect mom is still a mom ... and even an imperfect dad is still a dad.  Parents have responsibilities ... and rights.  Even if they are not always right, parents still need to be informed so that they can meet their responsibilities to parent their kids.

This bill supports basic parental rights ... and helps ensure that parents are kept in the loop about their children.  True, not all parents care ... or they will concede their responsibilities to their school, church, neighbors, coaches, whatever.  But in the end, the parents are still the parents, and they need to have all the information available so they can step in to support, guide, help, encourage, discipline, inspire, assist, and comfort their children ... no matter what the cynics might say.


Strongly support new policy

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<p>I strongly support this policy which support parental rights, protects children from transgender agenda that violates girl’s privacy in bathrooms and showers. </p>


Transgender policy

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<p>Strongly oppose </p>


Strongly oppose

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The government should respect the will of individual citizens to exercise their right to live, specifically the life they choose. A government is not designed to mold people into the view of few


Parents should be included

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<p>I truly support the fact that parents will get to know what is going on with their children!   I think things are going too far.  We need to teach pronouns as they are intended.  I heard there's a litter Box and northside high school in Roanoke County. This is ridiculous!   We can support people but let their parents know what is going on!   Parents love their children and whenever ever children start leading a secret life it only leads down a bad path.  </p>


This has my support

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I fail to see how this bill is going to cause more issues then it fixes


STRONGLY OPPOSE


strongly oppose!

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<p>You are a disgrace to humanity, these are real human lives you are destroying with this policy. Please do not pass this policy it will hurt so many people across the state of Virginia. </p>


Strongly Oppose

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Trans kids in this state quite often need protection from their unaccepting parents.  By supporting this you are endangering children.


Oppose, as a school employee

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I strongly oppose these proposed policies. I have been a school counselor for fifteen years. Transgender students are vulnerable children who have the right to feel respected for who they are and cared for at school and home. I have encountered students who have felt strongly about their gender identity as young as kindergarten. Life and school is very difficult for these students. They should be respected as human beings and these policy proposals will harm these vulnerable students. They will be targeted and harmed by peers and some adults who feel they know the student better than they know themselves. I agree with a previous commenter that pointed out how, by comparison, it would be strange to ask a parent if it's ok to call a student Jim vs James, etc. Gender identity is personal and complex and forcing a child to comply to one political viewpoint because it makes others uncomfortable rather than what they know about themselves is wrong. It will only cause more problems and will not suddenly teach the child to change their mind about who they are. It will only further marginalize them and lead to devastating effects as they move forward to adulthood.


Fully support

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This trans trend has gone way too far. The health and well-being of our children is at stake, as well as the health and well-being of trans individuals.  We’ve gone too far by taking the rights away from parents as well as manipulating young children into thinking that a life that will permanently make them a medical patient is a healthy one.  Children can’t even get their belly button pierced! Why are we encouraging him to take major steps to permanent and irreversible changes to their bodies at such a young age. Kids should be kids, having fun and enjoying learning.


Strongly Oppose

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Youngkin and Schultz, STOP SEXUALIZING OUR KIDS. I know that you are overly concerned with what is in their pants, but fabricating a policy to prevent kids from bathrooms, sports, and THEIR OWN NAMES is just beyond the pale.

Let our kids learn free from your fear and disgusting thoughts.

Keep your mind out of the gutter and do your  job.


Support

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I support this proposed guidance document.


I oppose your beliefs

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<p>Leave the students alone school is to be a safe zone. All student's homes with parents are not always safe. If they identify as lgbtq other and don't want their gender identified to their parents that is their right to choose when and how. Stop trying to put schools against the students against the parents. In the end it harms the student. Gender neutral pronouns and alternatives have been around the 1800s.  Why are you tying to change them? Accept who they are, keep them safe. You are not the one dealing with the daily calls because they and a lot of other students are going to commit suicide because of being bullied judged picked on and being ostracized because of you and people like you.  Native Americans respect and honor their 2 spirited people why cant we respect ALL students.  All schools should have  gender neutral bathrooms nd lockerrooms.  So they feel safe. It's been 30+ years since I was in high school the scars of being bullied picked on called awful names never go away no matter how much I try to move on the name calling still haunts me.  They are there for a safe education teach equity &equality&safety. Maybe focus your attention on giving suppper to mental health agencies offering diverse services. Let's help no harm one another.  Your plan is harm thousands of students. </p>


I oppose your beliefs