Model Policies for Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia Public Schools/Keep the Current Mod

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It is distressing to see uninformed and biased arguments, wrapped in rhetoric about the U.S. Constitution, "traditional" American education principles, and red herrings about "woke" culture, made in support of the new 2022 Model.  It reminds me of the arguments designed to keep schools segregated when I was growing up.  In 2022, we should know that every single person deserves respect, fair treatment and equal opportunity.  Parents, politicians and education professionals addressed these matters well in developing the 2021 Model, and it should remain in place.          Ben Ragsdale, Richmond


I love my transgender kid, please don't make his life harder!

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I OPPOSE the guidance. My transgender son would be absolutely devastated to have to use the girls bathroom or go by a girl’s name. Identifying as male isn’t something he is doing because he wants attention. The exact opposite it true - he’s the kid who wants the smallest possible role in the everyone-gets-a-part school play. He supports the LGBTQ community, but being transgender isn't his whole - or even a major part - of his identity. From his perspective, he’s just a guy that got dropped in the wrong body. He like to draw (he’s a pretty good artist), listen to music, hang out after school with friends and rate comedy videos (loves John Mulvaney). He’s thoughtful and funny and warm hearted, always empathetic, even with those he doesn’t see eye to eye with. He’s my one kid who always remembers my birthday. Early on his school put his preferred name in the system and it has made all the difference to his happiness and academic achievement (currently straight A's). He isn't doing this by choice. As his sister has observed, he will walk a lonely road because it will be harder to find someone to date, and at least in our current environment, he and those who love him will worry about his safety. Please, please be kind - don’t make it harder or worse for him!


Strongly Support These Model Policies

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<p>It is not the business of the government to adopt the role of parent/family. In the area of education, the government's role is limited. The government is to assist with the educational development of those in society who choose, or are forced to use, the government school system. Nothing more. </p>


Support trans children!

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Virginia is a progressive place with amazing schools. Please do not tarnish that reputation by making trans children targets of violence with these policies. We need to enable children to grow, not tear them down.


Parental rights


Parental Rights

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Support Parental Rights and protecting children from these predator activists!


Support 2022 model policies

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I support 2022 model policies


I oppose.


I OPPOSE the guidance

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<span data-sheets-userformat='{"2":769,"3":{"1":0},"11":4,"12":0}' data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":"As a psychologist, my primary concern for all citizens are their physical and emotional health and safety. The ability for every individual regardless of age, race, gender, sexuality, etc. to freely grow in to and express the identity (or identities) with which they find themselves to identify is vital to this safety and health. It is also vital to the interest of ALL aspects of individual freedom.  Any action on the part of any governing agency that interferes with these freedoms represents oppression and should be considered the true danger."}'>As a psychologist, my primary concern for all citizens are their physical and emotional health and safety. The ability for every individual regardless of age, race, gender, sexuality, etc. to freely grow in to and express the identity (or identities) with which they find themselves to identify is vital to this safety and health. It is also vital to the interest of ALL aspects of individual freedom. Any action on the part of any governing agency that interferes with these freedoms represents oppression and should be considered the true danger.


Home of the free?

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<span data-sheets-userformat='{"2":769,"3":{"1":0},"11":4,"12":0}' data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":"Home of the free? Yeah, right. It seems we’re getting our rights as humans stripped away left and right. Let people do what they want. They aren’t bothering you, and if you let it bother you, then that’s a you problem. Letting other’s personal preferences, opinions, identities, etc., affect you so much that you want to annihilate a “problem”because it makes you uncomfortable? Look away. Ignore it. It’s depressing that our leadership’s mentalities are so fragile."}'>Home of the free? Yeah, right. It seems we’re getting our rights as humans stripped away left and right. Let people do what they want. They aren’t bothering you, and if you let it bother you, then that’s a you problem. Letting other’s personal preferences, opinions, identities, etc., affect you so much that you want to annihilate a “problem”because it makes you uncomfortable? Look away. Ignore it. It’s depressing that our leadership’s mentalities are so fragile.


Opposed: Protect Freedom of Expression

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<p>I am strongly opposed. Protect trans kids and their freedom of expression. Repressing trans kids is violence. </p>


Proposed Policy Violates My Religious Faith

My Unitarian Universalist faith affirms as its first principle the inherent worth and dignity of every person. The proposed policy on transgender students in Virginia schools violates that practical moral principle and I am therefore compelled to oppose it. Every transgender student is a natural person with the inalienable dignity of individual agency and a right to privacy which is denied them in this proposed policy. Each of these transgender person’s worth is inherent to their person, not residing in the mind of, or by force of, another person, even a parent. Transgender students deserve the informed guidance and compassionate counsel of trusted adults, denied them under this policy, as they navigate their personal authentic experience. We all hope that the trusted adult in a child's life is a parent but the plain reality for time immemorial has been that children often turn to an aunt or uncle, a religious educator at church, or a teacher at school who will maintain confidentiality. Implementing this regressive policy will not change that dynamic of childhood development.The fifth principle of my Unitarian Universalist faith affirms the right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large, which I also believe to be violated by the irregular process by which this proposed policy has been brought. Some provisions of the proposed policy are already plainly federally unconstitutional under Grimm v. Gloucester.As a matter of conscience, I will continue on the side of love in defense of the inherent worth and dignity of all people and in firm opposition to this proposed policy which I believe does harm to transgender students.

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<span data-sheets-userformat='{"2":769,"3":{"1":0},"11":4,"12":0}' data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"My Unitarian Universalist faith affirms as its first principle the inherent worth and dignity of every person. The proposed policy on transgender students in Virginia schools violates that practical moral principle and I am therefore compelled to oppose it. Every transgender student is a natural person with the inalienable dignity of individual agency and a right to privacy which is denied them in this proposed policy. Each of these transgender person’s worth is inherent to their person, not residing in the mind of, or by force of, another person, even a parent. \n\nTransgender students deserve the informed guidance and compassionate counsel of trusted adults, denied them under this policy, as they navigate their personal authentic experience. We all hope that the trusted adult in a child's life is a parent but the plain reality for time immemorial has been that children often turn to an aunt or uncle, a religious educator at church,  or a teacher at school who will maintain confidentiality. Implementing this regressive policy will not change that dynamic of childhood development.\n\nThe fifth principle of my Unitarian Universalist faith affirms the right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large, which I also believe to be violated by the irregular process by which this proposed policy has been brought. Some provisions of the proposed policy are already plainly federally unconstitutional under Grimm v. Gloucester.\n\nAs a matter of conscience, I will continue on the side of love in defense of the inherent worth and dignity of all people and in firm opposition to this proposed policy which I believe does harm to transgender students."}">My Unitarian Universalist faith affirms as its first principle the inherent worth and dignity of every person. The proposed policy on transgender students in Virginia schools violates that practical moral principle and I am therefore compelled to oppose it. Every transgender student is a natural person with the inalienable dignity of individual agency and a right to privacy which is denied them in this proposed policy. Each of these transgender person’s worth is inherent to their person, not residing in the mind of, or by force of, another person, even a parent.

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

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

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


Strongly Oppose!

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This draft model is hurtful and dangerous for students in Virginia. As a public school educator, I strongly urge VDOE to reconsider this draft model and not reverse current policy. This is a dogwhistle in the culture wars, and does not serve students in our schools.


Single Mother, Teacher, and Human Rights Expert 100% Supports Gov. Youngkin’s Model Policy

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Governor Youngkin has taken an important first step in correcting the legislative overreach and chaos caused by Democrats in Virginia schools. He has asserted a fundamental fact: parents have the primary responsibility for the well-being and care of their children, not governments.

When creating policy of this kind, we need to ensure that students, families, and faculty are treated with the respect and dignity that all people inherently deserve.

This of course includes students who are wrestling with their gender identity, but it also includes their fellow students, parents, and the whole of our school communities.

We must always be mindful of the impact policy has on everyone as whole, not merely the impact on any subset.

As the founder of an international human rights organization who has spent my entire career in the field of human rights, I also believe that it is important that we are clear with the terms we are using when human rights language is employed in this discussion.

Some opposed to the Governor’s policy have discussed this in terms of “transgender rights.” The international human rights community does not recognize this as a human rights category, such as with race or religion. All people have inherent human rights, but there is no specific carve out recognizing or calling for specific transgender accommodation.

Parental rights, however, are recognized and protected as a constitutional and human right (see Article 18.4 International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and various provisions of the Convention on the Rights of the Child).  One of the most important aspects of this model policy is that it protects parent’s and keeps them involved in all decisions related to their children. This is imperative.

Children also have rights. We have an obligation to respect these rights and, as parents and as a society, an additional responsibility to ensure their well-being and protection. Children are ultimately dependent on their parents. Children cannot give informed consent to permanent and life-altering procedures, such as gender reassignment surgery or puberty blocker dosing.

As such, our responsibilities to our children are abdicated when we put children through these kinds of dangerous procedures. As strong as the Governor’s policy is—and it is a tremendous first step— this is an additional related matter that needs to be addressed legislatively.


Protect trans youth

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This regulation fails to effectively protect transgender children and prevents schools from creating a safe environment for these students


Strongly Oppose!

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I oppose this proposed policy. This proposed policy will be extremely harmful to transgender and nonbinary kids.


This regulation fails to effectively protect transgender children


I oppose this proposed policy


Educational freedom


Oppose the model trans policy

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I oppose the model policy and am asking the DOE to refund the proposed model  2022 policy against trans youth in the state of Virginia. No person, let alone a child, should be discriminated against just for existing as their truest selves, nor should the adults in their lives be forced to betray their trust in order to “out” them to their parents or anyone else. This is a harmful policy that will have far-reaching negative consequences that affect all of us.

Respectfully,

Amy M. Skretta


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<span data-sheets-userformat='{"2":769,"3":{"1":0},"11":4,"12":0}' data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":"   So the governor of Va.  and the Dept. of Ed. don’t think that my trans - grandson should be acknowledged, accepted , and protected ?   Yet all other students are given this respect.  Do they think that their callous restrictions will change a trans - student’s mind and that he will “ go back to normal “ ? \n   What I find difficult to believe is the lack of empathy .  Don’t all our children deserve freedom and security ?  Additionally, do people not realize that one day , they too,  may be dealing with the trans - issue in their own families  ?  And at that time, they will desperately hope for acceptance of , and safety for,  their family member .  \n    In the end, it is answering a simple question … “ No matter the circumstances of life  , how do I want my loved one to be treated?” "}'> So the governor of Va. and the Dept. of Ed. don’t think that my trans - grandson should be acknowledged, accepted , and protected ? Yet all other students are given this respect. Do they think that their callous restrictions will change a trans - student’s mind and that he will “ go back to normal “ ?
What I find difficult to believe is the lack of empathy . Don’t all our children deserve freedom and security ? Additionally, do people not realize that one day , they too, may be dealing with the trans - issue in their own families ? And at that time, they will desperately hope for acceptance of , and safety for, their family member .
In the end, it is answering a simple question … “ No matter the circumstances of life , how do I want my loved one to be treated?”


Thank you Gov Youngkin!!!

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Please protect our children and parental rights.


I’d rather have…

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<span data-sheets-userformat='{"2":769,"3":{"1":0},"11":4,"12":0}' data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":"I don’t know about you, but I’d rather have an alive son than a dead daughter. That’s where we’d probably be today if we hadn’t been supportive of our child. I’d be a parent to a child who took their own life. How can you as a Governor, wish that on anyone, because that is what your law will do. It will cause children to hide, be unable to express themselves, and in turn, participate in risky behavior and then take their own lives. Even the idea that this law could pass makes me nauseous and scared for my own child and his future in school. How is he suppose to go to the bathroom or change in the locker room? He hasn’t been in a girls bathroom in years. This right here, as a military family, will cause us to transfer out of this state because you, Governor Youngkin, are not supportive of my child."}'>I don’t know about you, but I’d rather have an alive son than a dead daughter. That’s where we’d probably be today if we hadn’t been supportive of our child. I’d be a parent to a child who took their own life. How can you as a Governor, wish that on anyone, because that is what your law will do. It will cause children to hide, be unable to express themselves, and in turn, participate in risky behavior and then take their own lives. Even the idea that this law could pass makes me nauseous and scared for my own child and his future in school. How is he suppose to go to the bathroom or change in the locker room? He hasn’t been in a girls bathroom in years. This right here, as a military family, will cause us to transfer out of this state because you, Governor Youngkin, are not supportive of my child.


2022 Model Policies

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26OCT2022: I am a native Virginian and I support the 2022 Model Policies which “…provide clear, accurate, and useful guidance to Virginia school boards that align with statutory provisions governing the Model Policies.” The Code of Virginia, §22.1 - 23.2 (the “Act”) pertains.//


A Story of A Young Girl

Governor Youngkin,Let me ask you to take a minute and listen to the story of a young girl in high school. Now, this young girl did not necessarily have a negative high school experience. She was the Editor-In-Chief of her yearbook, captain of her soccer team, an A achieving student, and had friends and teachers that supported her. However, she also was called slurs, encountered many homophobic environments, and at times, questioned her self-worth.It all began when this young girl realized she was gay in the beginning of her freshman year of high school. Immediately, her life changed and she began to live with guilt. She woke up every morning with knots in her stomach because she believed she was living with this huge secret, and was too scared to tell anyone. She went around school avoiding conversations with her friends about boys, crushes, and love. She felt like an outsider, living in constant fear that someone would find out her true identity.This young girl lived with these feelings of isolation for two years, confused and angry that she was wired to feel attraction to girls, as if it was “wrong.” She did not begin to experience acceptance of herself until she was brave and began to open up to her friends and a trusted teacher about her identity. After having these conversations, these feelings that she had been living with, almost as if something had been weighing her down all this time, was instantly lifted off her chest. From that moment on, this young girl began to slowly heal, find her community, and learn to love herself again. But this would have never been possible without the trust she felt from the people in her school.Your proposed 2022 education policies take away any hope of LGBTQ+ students feeling safe in school. These education policies are transphobic and create a hostile school environment. If these policies are to go into action, students will no longer have the right to use the bathroom, or participate in sport activities that align with their gender identity. In addition, your proposed policies force teachers to “out” students to parents who are not ready, make LGBTQ+ students feel a lack of support, and prevent teachers and staff from using a student’s affirming name and pronouns.Now, I ask that you reflect on your K-12 education experience. Did you ever have to consider your safety in a school environment? Watch lawmakers take your basic human rights away from you? Have to hide your identity? Have teachers and adults regularly use the incorrect name and pronouns for you? Fear that you could not trust or talk to any adult in school about your identity? Worry that if you share your identity to a teacher, then you could be kicked out of your house? Question if you would like to continue living this life?You cannot continue to ignore the existence of the LGBTQ+ community, especially trans and nonbinary youth. They are here and deserve safe and equal learning environments. The Trevor Project’s 2022 National Survey polled nearly 34,000 LGBTQ+ students in the United States ranging from 13 to 24 years old with 45% of the respondents being youth of color and 48% being nonbinary or transgender. According to the Trevor Project’s 2022 National Survey on LGBTQ Youth Mental Health, 45% of LGBTQ+ youth seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year, with more than half of these respondents being transgender or nonbinary. Your education policies run the risk of increasing these numbers.You must reflect on who, how, and in what ways these education policies are affecting students. Clearly, these policies are affecting LGBTQ+ students, specifically trans and nonbinary youth. There are multiple reports of these education policies negatively affecting transgender and nonbinary youths’ mental health, and are causing LGBTQ+ students to feel angry, nervous, and stressed. How can you believe that these policies are benefiting students' education when this is how the students affected by your policies feel? As a representative of Virginia, you must listen to the residents of Virginia, which include LGBTQ+ students, and realize that these policies are harmful. You say that these education policies are important because parents should not be left out of life changes, but it is more than parents being “left out.” Many LGBTQ+ students conceal their identity from their parents for safety, or even because they are learning more about themselves. It is important to give LGBTQ+ students the ability to “come out” to their parents on their own terms because each journey is individual and unique. Your proposed heteronormative education policies strip LGBTQ+ students from the privacy or confidentiality of their identity. It is vital for LGBTQ+ students to feel that they have one accepting adult in their life because it is known to reduce the risk of suicide. School is the place where many LGBTQ+ students find these adults; however, these policies take away these safe spaces that exist among students and teachers, creating a hostile school environment.If these policies were in place when this young girl was in high school, she probably would have continued to live her life in this darkness, and it is terrifying to think about where she would be today if her teacher was forced to “out” her to her parents. Luckily, this young girl is now an adult, happy and proud to be gay, and grateful for all the support she has felt, especially in high school.Your current direction for education is harmful and must be rewritten because the lives of children are at stake. You cannot continue to ignore the fact that there are high rates of suicide among LGBTQ+ students, especially trans and nonbinary youth. Instead of proposing education policies that deny LGBTQ+ students basic human rights, we need to rethink education by implementing policies that protect trans students in education, such as an increase of gender-neutral bathrooms and counseling support. Additionally, adding LGBTQ+ people and issues into the curriculum has shown signs to significantly lower the rates of attempted suicide among LGBTQ+ youth by 23% because representation matters. As a member of the LGBTQ+ community that has completed the Virginia K-12 curriculum, I can attest that from my experiences as a queer student, I often felt isolated, scared, anxious, and worried in public school because I was queer; and a major impact of overcoming those feelings and accepting my identity was from the support I experienced from others, especially teachers. For the safety and lives of students currently in the VA school curriculum, reconstruct your proposed 2022 education policies to be inclusive and support LGBTQ+ students because that support is essential to surviving.

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<span data-sheets-userformat='{"2":769,"3":{"1":0},"11":4,"12":0}' data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Governor Youngkin,\nLet me ask you to take a minute and listen to the story of a young girl in high school. Now, this young girl did not necessarily have a negative high school experience. She was the Editor-In-Chief of her yearbook, captain of her soccer team, an A achieving student, and had friends and teachers that supported her. However, she also was called slurs, encountered many homophobic environments, and at times, questioned her self-worth.\nIt all began when this young girl realized she was gay in the beginning of her freshman year of high school. Immediately, her life changed and she began to live with guilt. She woke up every morning with knots in her stomach because she believed she was living with this huge secret, and was too scared to tell anyone. She went around school avoiding conversations with her friends about boys, crushes, and love. She felt like an outsider, living in constant fear that someone would find out her true identity.\nThis young girl lived with these feelings of isolation for two years, confused and angry that she was wired to feel attraction to girls, as if it was “wrong.” She did not begin to experience acceptance of herself until she was brave and began to open up to her friends and a trusted teacher about her identity. After having these conversations, these feelings that she had been living with, almost as if something had been weighing her down all this time, was instantly lifted off her chest. From that moment on, this young girl began to slowly heal, find her community, and learn to love herself again. But this would have never been possible without the trust she felt from the people in her school.\nYour proposed 2022 education policies take away any hope of LGBTQ+ students feeling safe in school. These education policies are transphobic and create a hostile school environment. If these policies are to go into action, students will no longer have the right to use the bathroom, or participate in sport activities that align with their gender identity. In addition, your proposed policies force teachers to “out” students to parents who are not ready, make LGBTQ+ students feel a lack of support, and prevent teachers and staff from using a student’s affirming name and pronouns.\nNow, I ask that you reflect on your K-12 education experience. Did you ever have to consider your safety in a school environment? Watch lawmakers take your basic human rights away from you? Have to hide your identity? Have teachers and adults regularly use the incorrect name and pronouns for you? Fear that you could not trust or talk to any adult in school about your identity? Worry that if you share your identity to a teacher, then you could be kicked out of your house? Question if you would like to continue living this life?\nYou cannot continue to ignore the existence of the LGBTQ+ community, especially trans and nonbinary youth. They are here and deserve safe and equal learning environments. The Trevor Project’s 2022 National Survey polled nearly 34,000 LGBTQ+ students in the United States ranging from 13 to 24 years old with 45% of the respondents being youth of color and 48% being nonbinary or transgender. According to the Trevor Project’s 2022 National Survey on LGBTQ Youth Mental Health, 45% of LGBTQ+ youth seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year, with more than half of these respondents being transgender or nonbinary. Your education policies run the risk of increasing these numbers.\nYou must reflect on who, how, and in what ways these education policies are affecting students. Clearly, these policies are affecting LGBTQ+ students, specifically trans and nonbinary youth. There are multiple reports of these education policies negatively affecting transgender and nonbinary youths’ mental health, and are causing LGBTQ+ students to feel angry, nervous, and stressed. How can you believe that these policies are benefiting students' education when this is how the students affected by your policies feel? As a representative of Virginia, you must listen to the residents of Virginia, which include LGBTQ+ students, and realize that these policies are harmful. \nYou say that these education policies are important because parents should not be left out of life changes, but it is more than parents being “left out.” Many LGBTQ+ students conceal their identity from their parents for safety, or even because they are learning more about themselves. It is important to give LGBTQ+ students the ability to “come out” to their parents on their own terms because each journey is individual and unique. Your proposed heteronormative education policies strip LGBTQ+ students from the privacy or confidentiality of their identity. It is vital for LGBTQ+ students to feel that they have one accepting adult in their life because it is known to reduce the risk of suicide. School is the place where many LGBTQ+ students find these adults; however, these policies take away these safe spaces that exist among students and teachers, creating a hostile school environment.\nIf these policies were in place when this young girl was in high school, she probably would have continued to live her life in this darkness, and it is terrifying to think about where she would be today if her teacher was forced to “out” her to her parents. Luckily, this young girl is now an adult, happy and proud to be gay, and grateful for all the support she has felt, especially in high school.\nYour current direction for education is harmful and must be rewritten because the lives of children are at stake. You cannot continue to ignore the fact that there are high rates of suicide among LGBTQ+ students, especially trans and nonbinary youth. Instead of proposing education policies that deny LGBTQ+ students basic human rights, we need to rethink education by implementing policies that protect trans students in education, such as an increase of gender-neutral bathrooms and counseling support. Additionally, adding LGBTQ+ people and issues into the curriculum has shown signs to significantly lower the rates of attempted suicide among LGBTQ+ youth by 23% because representation matters. As a member of the LGBTQ+ community that has completed the Virginia K-12 curriculum, I can attest that from my experiences as a queer student, I often felt isolated, scared, anxious, and worried in public school because I was queer; and a major impact of overcoming those feelings and accepting my identity was from the support I experienced from others, especially teachers. For the safety and lives of students currently in the VA school curriculum, reconstruct your proposed 2022 education policies to be inclusive and support LGBTQ+ students because that support is essential to surviving.\n"}">Governor Youngkin,
Let me ask you to take a minute and listen to the story of a young girl in high school. Now, this young girl did not necessarily have a negative high school experience. She was the Editor-In-Chief of her yearbook, captain of her soccer team, an A achieving student, and had friends and teachers that supported her. However, she also was called slurs, encountered many homophobic environments, and at times, questioned her self-worth.
It all began when this young girl realized she was gay in the beginning of her freshman year of high school. Immediately, her life changed and she began to live with guilt. She woke up every morning with knots in her stomach because she believed she was living with this huge secret, and was too scared to tell anyone. She went around school avoiding conversations with her friends about boys, crushes, and love. She felt like an outsider, living in constant fear that someone would find out her true identity.
This young girl lived with these feelings of isolation for two years, confused and angry that she was wired to feel attraction to girls, as if it was “wrong.” She did not begin to experience acceptance of herself until she was brave and began to open up to her friends and a trusted teacher about her identity. After having these conversations, these feelings that she had been living with, almost as if something had been weighing her down all this time, was instantly lifted off her chest. From that moment on, this young girl began to slowly heal, find her community, and learn to love herself again. But this would have never been possible without the trust she felt from the people in her school.
Your proposed 2022 education policies take away any hope of LGBTQ+ students feeling safe in school. These education policies are transphobic and create a hostile school environment. If these policies are to go into action, students will no longer have the right to use the bathroom, or participate in sport activities that align with their gender identity. In addition, your proposed policies force teachers to “out” students to parents who are not ready, make LGBTQ+ students feel a lack of support, and prevent teachers and staff from using a student’s affirming name and pronouns.
Now, I ask that you reflect on your K-12 education experience. Did you ever have to consider your safety in a school environment? Watch lawmakers take your basic human rights away from you? Have to hide your identity? Have teachers and adults regularly use the incorrect name and pronouns for you? Fear that you could not trust or talk to any adult in school about your identity? Worry that if you share your identity to a teacher, then you could be kicked out of your house? Question if you would like to continue living this life?
You cannot continue to ignore the existence of the LGBTQ+ community, especially trans and nonbinary youth. They are here and deserve safe and equal learning environments. The Trevor Project’s 2022 National Survey polled nearly 34,000 LGBTQ+ students in the United States ranging from 13 to 24 years old with 45% of the respondents being youth of color and 48% being nonbinary or transgender. According to the Trevor Project’s 2022 National Survey on LGBTQ Youth Mental Health, 45% of LGBTQ+ youth seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year, with more than half of these respondents being transgender or nonbinary. Your education policies run the risk of increasing these numbers.
You must reflect on who, how, and in what ways these education policies are affecting students. Clearly, these policies are affecting LGBTQ+ students, specifically trans and nonbinary youth. There are multiple reports of these education policies negatively affecting transgender and nonbinary youths’ mental health, and are causing LGBTQ+ students to feel angry, nervous, and stressed. How can you believe that these policies are benefiting students' education when this is how the students affected by your policies feel? As a representative of Virginia, you must listen to the residents of Virginia, which include LGBTQ+ students, and realize that these policies are harmful.
You say that these education policies are important because parents should not be left out of life changes, but it is more than parents being “left out.” Many LGBTQ+ students conceal their identity from their parents for safety, or even because they are learning more about themselves. It is important to give LGBTQ+ students the ability to “come out” to their parents on their own terms because each journey is individual and unique. Your proposed heteronormative education policies strip LGBTQ+ students from the privacy or confidentiality of their identity. It is vital for LGBTQ+ students to feel that they have one accepting adult in their life because it is known to reduce the risk of suicide. School is the place where many LGBTQ+ students find these adults; however, these policies take away these safe spaces that exist among students and teachers, creating a hostile school environment.
If these policies were in place when this young girl was in high school, she probably would have continued to live her life in this darkness, and it is terrifying to think about where she would be today if her teacher was forced to “out” her to her parents. Luckily, this young girl is now an adult, happy and proud to be gay, and grateful for all the support she has felt, especially in high school.
Your current direction for education is harmful and must be rewritten because the lives of children are at stake. You cannot continue to ignore the fact that there are high rates of suicide among LGBTQ+ students, especially trans and nonbinary youth. Instead of proposing education policies that deny LGBTQ+ students basic human rights, we need to rethink education by implementing policies that protect trans students in education, such as an increase of gender-neutral bathrooms and counseling support. Additionally, adding LGBTQ+ people and issues into the curriculum has shown signs to significantly lower the rates of attempted suicide among LGBTQ+ youth by 23% because representation matters. As a member of the LGBTQ+ community that has completed the Virginia K-12 curriculum, I can attest that from my experiences as a queer student, I often felt isolated, scared, anxious, and worried in public school because I was queer; and a major impact of overcoming those feelings and accepting my identity was from the support I experienced from others, especially teachers. For the safety and lives of students currently in the VA school curriculum, reconstruct your proposed 2022 education policies to be inclusive and support LGBTQ+ students because that support is essential to surviving.


I oppose the draft policy

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This is a transphobic policy.

Identity is a very complicated thing especially at an age where the person and body are going through so much development. It takes a level of confidence to come forward as transgendered knowing there will be a certain level of societal backlash directed back at you.

The last thing these children needs are the leaders and people they are told to trust to be forced to enact a policy that can put them at risk of discrimination from peers and/or teachers, homlessness if their parent rejects their identity, a path toward self harm, or the assault of others.

It's disgraceful that this political fodder is even on the table. All it does it put children at risk.


Completely SUPPORT!!!

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I totally support the new 2022 legislation.


STRONGLY OPPOSE

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We stand with our trans youth!


Oppose

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I OPPOSE this policy, it will create havoc and damage to so many students.


Strongly oppose

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<p>These proposed model policies are contrary to state law and will be extremely harmful to transgender and nonbinary kids. ALL students should be safe in Virginia public schools.  Protect trans and nonbinary kids. Do not accept these proposed policies. </p>


Protect Trans & Non Binary Students

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<p>The Virginia Department of Education should reject the proposed policies of Governor Youngkin regarding trans and non binary students in Virginia. It is vital for students to be able to live, dress, and have their gender expression and identity respected at school and all public places. </p>


VDOE: Protect Trans & Non-binary Students

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I strongly oppose the Youngkin administration’s guidance on trans and non-binary youth in our schools. Being trans and/or non-binary is natural and this guidance would cause unnecessary harm to students, who, like all of us at various points in life, are just trying to figure out who they are. It is obvious that this guidance is based on fearmongering propaganda instead of fact-based reality and should be rejected outright.

This is not a game. Our children deserve to feel free to be themselves and be supported in that journey, regardless of their home life situation. To adopt Youngkin’s guidance would accomplish the opposite, with tragic results.


Model Policies for Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia Public Schools

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It is distressing to see uninformed and biased arguments, wrapped in rhetoric about the U.S. Constitution, "traditional" American education principles, and red herrings about "woke" culture, made in support of the new 2022 Model.  It reminds me of the arguments designed to keep schools segregated when I was growing up.  In 2022, we should know that every single person deserves respect, fair treatment and equal opportunity.  Parents, politicians and education professionals addressed these matters well in developing the 2021 Model, and it should remain in place.          Ben Ragsdale, Richmond


Protect the rights of transgender and non binary students

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The rights of trans and nonbinary students are human rights. These students are our children, members of our families and of our community. Please stand up for their rights and the rights of all people.


Support Governor Youngkin and the 2022 Model Policies

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I'm supporting Gov Youngkin!


Support Parents’ Rights to Protect their own children!!!

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As a parent of both a son and daughter in middle school, I support parents’ rights to parent our own children! Citizens must be 16 to drive, 21 to vote, yet you are considering letting them make irreversible choices without parental consent? You must be 18 for body piercing and tattoos! Until their minds are fully formed, which science says isn’t until they’re 21, they should be guided by their families, not the government! These are their families who love them & provide for them! I support our governor ensuring parent rights!


Strongly oppose. Protect our trans kids.

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<p>Trans kids exist whether or not they receive support or safety at home. Giving parents “the right to determine the exposure of their child to LGBTQ issues” does not change who their child is. Protect our trans kids and stop trying to put up barriers to affirming who they are. Kids need to feel safe before they can learn, so let trans kids feel safe so they can focus on learning!! </p>


Proposed Model Policies do NOT prevent intimate partner violence nor support all students

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<p>As a community educator working for an organization that aims to prevent intimate partner violence and support survivors I can say without a doubt that the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE)’s 2022 Model Policies on the Privacy, Dignity, and Respect for All Students and Parents in Virginia's Public Schools as they are currently proposed would only further create a culture that elevates risk factors for intimate partner violence and unhealthy relationships. these policies would make it next to impossible for LGBTQIA students to live authentically and focus on their education. The Virginia School Counselor Association (VSCA) has pointed out that the 2022 model policies create barriers to privacy, dignity, and respect for Virginia’s students and seek to undermine previous legislation (i.e., § 22.1-23.3. Treatment of transgender students; policies) that works to create safe and supportive environments for our most vulnerable youth. Youth are in school to learn how to be well-functioning members of society, learning that there are people who may live and express themselves differently than they do is one of the most important lessons to be learned and these proposed policies would inhibit that. </p>


I oppose this policy

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I oppose this dangerous policy. When I attended high school, I witnessed a counselor who outed a student to one of their parents. These policies do not consider the harm they will cause. Students in the Commonwealth of Virginia deserve better.


Strongly oppose the VDOE's 2022 dangerous Model Policies

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<span data-sheets-userformat='{"2":769,"3":{"1":0},"11":4,"12":0}' data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"I strongly oppose the 2022 VDOE Model Policies. These policies are not about protecting parental rights; they are about denying human rights. Transgender and nonbinary children deserve the human right to safety. According to the most recent Trevor Project survey, more than 60% of LGBTQ youth reported their home was not affirming, which means that they have no safe space to be themselves. Schools have the responsibility to be this safe space, as they are for all children. The requirement that teachers \"out\" their transgender and nonbinary students is a cruel policy that puts the child in danger from family or guardians who might not affirm or accept them. In addition, 53% of transgender and nonbinary youth who responded to the Trevor Project's annual survey seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year, often because their identities were not affirmed. This is a heartbreaking and staggering statistic that highlights the need for us all to protect and affirm this vulnerable population, not to endanger them. The use of a child's pronoun is the best way to affirm them, which is quite literally the least we can do to save a child's life."}">I strongly oppose the 2022 VDOE Model Policies. These policies are not about protecting parental rights; they are about denying human rights. Transgender and nonbinary children deserve the human right to safety. According to the most recent Trevor Project survey, more than 60% of LGBTQ youth reported their home was not affirming, which means that they have no safe space to be themselves. Schools have the responsibility to be this safe space, as they are for all children. The requirement that teachers "out" their transgender and nonbinary students is a cruel policy that puts the child in danger from family or guardians who might not affirm or accept them. In addition, 53% of transgender and nonbinary youth who responded to the Trevor Project's annual survey seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year, often because their identities were not affirmed. This is a heartbreaking and staggering statistic that highlights the need for us all to protect and affirm this vulnerable population, not to endanger them. The use of a child's pronoun is the best way to affirm them, which is quite literally the least we can do to save a child's life.


Strongly Oppose Proposed Model Policies

Nicole Gibson, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

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The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) strongly opposes the changes to the 2021 Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Public Elementary and Secondary Schools within the 2022 Model Policies on the Privacy, Dignity, and Respect for All Students and Parents in Virginia’s Public Schools proposed by this administration. These changes threaten the personal safety and wellbeing of transgender students and other members of the LGBTQ community in Virginia schools – barring students from using bathrooms or locker room facilities based on their gender identity, using student names and pronouns based only on school records and not those of the student’s choice, and making it so that only the student’s parents can determine how they are referred to at school can all negatively affect the mental health and wellbeing of Virginia’s students. Leading experts recently declared a National Emergency in Child & Adolescent Mental Health. Now is the time to increase our support for ALL of Virginia’s young people, and especially for those who are most vulnerable.

Gender-affirming care has been shown to be associated with positive mental health outcomes, including showing promise for reducing suicide risk. AFSP stands with The American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, and the American Psychological Association, all of which endorse gender-affirming standards of care and treatment derived from decades of scientific research and on-the-ground experience.

Research consistently shows that LGBTQ youth and young adults are at a far greater risk for seriously considering harming themselves and attempting suicide than their straight, cisgender peers. This risk is significantly higher in transgender youth or those who are questioning their gender identity, who report an even higher prevalence of suicide attempts than their LGB or straight peers. A recent national survey of nearly 35,000 LGBTQ youth ages 13-24 found that 42% of respondents seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year, including more than half of transgender and nonbinary youth.

LGBTQ young people are not inherently prone to suicide risk because of their sexual orientation or gender identify. Rather, the consensus by researchers is that at least part of the reason for the elevated rates of suicidal thoughts, plans, and attempts, and poorer mental health outcomes found among LGBTQ people is the social stigma, prejudice, and discrimination that contributes to the minority stress of being LGBTQ. Across the lifespan, LGBTQ people commonly experience individual discrimination in the form of personal rejection, hostility, harassment, bullying, and physical violence. LGBTQ people also experience institutional discrimination resulting from laws or public policies that create inequities or fail to provide protections against discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. Experiences of stigma and discrimination increase risk of depression and other risk factors for suicidality. Perpetuating this stigma and social ambivalence toward the identities of students through the proposed model policies will only heighten and intensify experiences of rejection and discrimination being faced by LGBTQ students across Virginia in other areas of their lives.

Denying youth access to gender-affirming care and a supportive environment can also interrupt healthy identity development, create mistrust, and deteriorate relationships with adults. But the good news is that protective actions can reduce the likelihood of LGBTQ youth suicide attempts and suicide deaths. These actions include:

Increasing acceptance and affirmation of LGBTQ identities.

Reducing anti-LGBTQ stigma and prejudice.

Reducing bullying and other forms of victimization.

Increasing access to LGBTQ-affirming physical and mental health care.

Increasing legal protections from discrimination.

These findings have important implications for schools, which have a critical role to play in addressing and supporting student mental health. Negative school environments and discriminatory experiences further threaten LGBTQ students’ safety and wellbeing. But, when LGBTQ youth view school personnel as supportive, they feel safer at school, report less absenteeism, experience less victimization based on their sexual orientation and gender identity, feel like they belong in their school community, and maintain higher grade point averages. Importantly, both the risk of suicidality and reported symptoms of depression are lower in the presence of positive school environments for LGBTQ adolescents.

AFSP is dedicated to saving lives and bringing hope to those affected by suicide. As the nation’s largest private funder of suicide prevention research, we know that suicide is a leading yet preventable public health problem. In Virginia, suicide ranks as the 11th leading cause of death overall and the 2nd leading cause of death for youth and young adults ages 10-24. We firmly believe the proposed policy changes will harm LGBTQ youth and have the potential to increase suicide risk among Virginia’s students. Thank you for the opportunity to provide comment and we strongly urge you not to approve or move forward with the new proposed model policies.


oppose

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I oppose Governor Youngkin’s new policy for transgender students in Va schools.


Opposed to Changing 2021 Policies

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It is shameful what Gov Youngkin wants to do in taking away rights of LGBTQ+ students in Virginia. The people who support the changes will never be able to relate to having a child who has to take each day at a time, each teacher at a time, wondering if they will acknowledge their preferred pronouns. This is at the core of who they are/how they feel/what kind of human they are evolving into. The 2021 changes dramatically improved my oldest child’s quality of life at school, being able to have the roster reflect their preferred name, having a fast-pass, access to the faculty restroom, and other opportunities. Why take that away now when they are just feeling comfortable in their own skin? If the policy changes, be assured we’re going to see a spike in mental health crisis and off-the-charts suicide screenings.


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<span data-sheets-userformat='{"2":769,"3":{"1":0},"11":4,"12":0}' data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"I OPPOSE THE 2022 MODEL STUDENT POLICIES: This administration's proposed policies use the guise of \"parental rights\" to make Virginians feel more comfortable to act on their prejudiced biases and confidently endorse gender-based discrimination in public schools. These policies unnecessarily are already stoking prejudice against trans and non-binary people who have suffered decades of individual and state-based discrimination and violence. These policies use tactics of discrimination to target trans and non-binary children and adults in the Commonwealth of Virginia by creating unfair barriers for trans and non-binary children relative to their peers to seek aid and services from school staff while attending school. These policies require trans and non-binary students to out themselves as trans identifying to seek additional levels of approval from the school system itself and/or their parents or guardians (if they have them) without the guarantee that they will get approved by their parents/guardians or the school system to have gender-affirming support from school staff. With increased barriers to seeking the support of staff while was in school, I may not have struggled much more with both educational success and mental health. \n\nThe 2021 policies provide essential support known to reduce peer-to-peer bullying and violence and mental health hardships. The 2021 policies achieve what these 2022 model guidelines state as one of their primary intentions without any guidelines to back it up.  the 2021 guidelines actually ensure  \"All students have the right to attend school in an environment free from discrimination, harassment, or bullying [...]\", not the 2022 model rules, creating no need for repeal those regulations and definitely not replacing them with the Youngkin ones that seek to restrict students protections rather than expand them. The authorities given to school systems through the 2021 guidelines are essential to further support the human rights laws and policies we have in the U.S. and state of Virginia and actually decrease the bullying, discrimination, mental health crises, and violence that can occur in their absence. It is my position, that with or without parental agreement, LGBTQ+  students deserve to be affirmed in their gender expression by school systems and personnel at large, as I did not have the support of my parent when it came to being LGBTQ+  and was shamed and threatened if I did identify as a youth, and many parents are still likely the same unfortunately - the 2022 policies fail to acknowledge this.  Trans and non-binary students have human rights that must be respected and they simply deserve to be cared for and have their decisions around their gender expression be affirmed by their community, including their school regardless of the standing administration perspectives on sex and gender and which certain members of our communities should have easier access to their human rights and which should not. "}">I OPPOSE THE 2022 MODEL STUDENT POLICIES: This administration's proposed policies use the guise of "parental rights" to make Virginians feel more comfortable to act on their prejudiced biases and confidently endorse gender-based discrimination in public schools. These policies unnecessarily are already stoking prejudice against trans and non-binary people who have suffered decades of individual and state-based discrimination and violence. These policies use tactics of discrimination to target trans and non-binary children and adults in the Commonwealth of Virginia by creating unfair barriers for trans and non-binary children relative to their peers to seek aid and services from school staff while attending school. These policies require trans and non-binary students to out themselves as trans identifying to seek additional levels of approval from the school system itself and/or their parents or guardians (if they have them) without the guarantee that they will get approved by their parents/guardians or the school system to have gender-affirming support from school staff. With increased barriers to seeking the support of staff while was in school, I may not have struggled much more with both educational success and mental health.

The 2021 policies provide essential support known to reduce peer-to-peer bullying and violence and mental health hardships. The 2021 policies achieve what these 2022 model guidelines state as one of their primary intentions without any guidelines to back it up. the 2021 guidelines actually ensure  "All students have the right to attend school in an environment free from discrimination, harassment, or bullying [...]", not the 2022 model rules, creating no need for repeal those regulations and definitely not replacing them with the Youngkin ones that seek to restrict students protections rather than expand them. The authorities given to school systems through the 2021 guidelines are essential to further support the human rights laws and policies we have in the U.S. and state of Virginia and actually decrease the bullying, discrimination, mental health crises, and violence that can occur in their absence. It is my position, that with or without parental agreement, LGBTQ+ students deserve to be affirmed in their gender expression by school systems and personnel at large, as I did not have the support of my parent when it came to being LGBTQ+ and was shamed and threatened if I did identify as a youth, and many parents are still likely the same unfortunately - the 2022 policies fail to acknowledge this. Trans and non-binary students have human rights that must be respected and they simply deserve to be cared for and have their decisions around their gender expression be affirmed by their community, including their school regardless of the standing administration perspectives on sex and gender and which certain members of our communities should have easier access to their human rights and which should not.


Support proposal

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<p>Transgender athletes that are biologically male should compete only against biological males and not biological females. Parental rights are far more important to preserving the family structure than supporting transgender issues. Society has allowed far too much erosion of parental rights. Focusing on learning and discipline in schools should be the priority. Children should be taught basic biology, but public education should encourage parents to deal with abstinence and homosexuality in society. </p>


I strongly oppose the guidance

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I strongly oppose the guidance. We should treat our fellow Americans with respect.


Opposed, to whom it might concern

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<span data-sheets-userformat='{"2":769,"3":{"1":0},"11":4,"12":0}' data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Hello I'm Sheri and I'm writing this letter via the internet to say that we need to let trans and non binary students be. Everyone is entitled to an education not only that but the freedom to be themselves them true selfs. Now imagine if anyone of your kids are trans or non binary wouldn't you want them to have the freedom to be them true selfs. So I end this statement by saying let the students who identify as transgender or non binary be happy and mentally happy and healthy. Love is love trans rights are human rights."}">Hello I'm Sheri and I'm writing this letter via the internet to say that we need to let trans and non binary students be. Everyone is entitled to an education not only that but the freedom to be themselves them true selfs. Now imagine if anyone of your kids are trans or non binary wouldn't you want them to have the freedom to be them true selfs. So I end this statement by saying let the students who identify as transgender or non binary be happy and mentally happy and healthy. Love is love trans rights are human rights.


PROTECT or Trans students

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<span data-sheets-userformat='{"2":769,"3":{"1":0},"11":4,"12":0}' data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Every child deserves a choice in their own destiny. It angers me that government wants to legislate hate. Our kids deserve the right to a safe, bully free school. Can't we allow teachers to be teachers and respect each individual child for who they are, rather than force them to out a child that has confided in them? I 100% OPPOSE Youngkins 2022 Anti Transgender Model Policy. PROTECT our Kids!!!"}">Every child deserves a choice in their own destiny. It angers me that government wants to legislate hate. Our kids deserve the right to a safe, bully free school. Can't we allow teachers to be teachers and respect each individual child for who they are, rather than force them to out a child that has confided in them? I 100% OPPOSE Youngkins 2022 Anti Transgender Model Policy. PROTECT our Kids!!!


Stop This

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Being a parent of a 21 year old transgender FTM, I am ashamed that we are penalizing students for who they are. Why do you think there are so many suicides of school aged students? Shame on you!


LGBTQ Homeless

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<span data-sheets-userformat='{"2":769,"3":{"1":0},"11":4,"12":0}' data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":"before voting on this matter please take a good look at the statistics of teenage homelessness.  so much of this is due to families rejecting LGBTQ teenagers and throwing them out of their home.  \nspeak with advocates at such organizations as Diversity Richmond, Side By side, Nationz and Va Home or Boys and Girls who deal with these issues directly and see the suffering caused by families deserting teenagers."}'>before voting on this matter please take a good look at the statistics of teenage homelessness. so much of this is due to families rejecting LGBTQ teenagers and throwing them out of their home.
speak with advocates at such organizations as Diversity Richmond, Side By side, Nationz and Va Home or Boys and Girls who deal with these issues directly and see the suffering caused by families deserting teenagers.


I OPPOSE this guidance

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I OPPOSE this guidance. I believe it will be really damaging to trans and other children.


Completely SUPPORT!!!

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Thanks Gov. Youngkin for the new Model Policies.


Everyone deserves the chance to thrive- Strongly oppose!

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<p>Refusing to recognize and use someones preferred pronouns, forcing them to use bathrooms aligned to a false heteronormative scheme, and keeping them barred from activities where they can make friends and achieve success (i.e. sports) creates the conditions for ultimate suffering. Trans, bi, and gender nonconforming kids deserve the chance to thrive. period. full stop. These policies will only further cause students to retract from the community, be more isolated and more depressed, leading to higher rates of suicide. These policies will literally kill kids. Do better and support all students NOW. </p>


Why are parent's rights greater than student's rights?

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We cannot say that schools are safe havens, but only for some kids. And that we are worried about the "rights" of parents, but not the rights of those students whose lives may be at risk. I'm thankful that my trans nephew is living in a state, and went to a high school, where he could be himself even if he couldn't at home. Don't take Virginia backwards!


Strongly Oppose

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I strongly Oppose these policies. They will create unsafe environments for trans students, not only at school but potentially at home too.


Strongly approve new guidelines

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<p>I support the new guidelines.  Schools need to focus on teaching our children. </p>


Strongly supportive of Gov Younkin trasnsgendor proposals

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No governmental agency can know what is best for child over and above the child's parents. If the parents are abusive there are other laws to protect the child. Secretive actions by teachers and others in Authority only teach children to be secretive and dishonest. Biology is real and pronouns should not be changed at the whim of a growing child. Just as most in this country have recognized the Horrors of genital mutilation performed on young girls and female babies by means of oppressive actions in politics and pseudo religion, so too we must recognize the Horrors of cutting off body parts of little children who have no idea what is happening to them. Transgender surgeries form part of a growing industry which are projected to cost over $300,000 in the life of a child growing into adulthood. The Press is suppressing the stories of those children who have had the surgery and now regret it. Schools must never ever Foster this indoctrination in young children in contradiction to basic biology.


Don't change the 2021 rule

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The proposed 2022 policy otherizes trans kids and will hinder their education. Please keep the 2021 policy in place.


Strongly support Parents' rights!

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Protecting our children and parent's rights.


STRONGLY OPPOSE

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<p>This proposal is outrageous. Keep politicians out of schools and let teachers create a safe place for children to learn and prosper. </p>


Vehemently oppose revised guidance

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I am the parent of two cisgendered students in the Virginia public school system. The prevailing policy that has been established based on expert opinion and scientific consensus on the treatment of trans and gender non-conforming youth needs to be maintained. It appropriately addresses the social and emotional well being of students, and does so in an evidence-based way. The proposed revised guidance is based on nothing more than political posturing and fabricated fears that treating trans students with respect somehow undermines the rights of anyone else’s kids or parents. Allowing students to use preferred names and pronouns, use the restroom without undue stress, and participate in school as their authentic selves hurts no one. Conversely, studies have shown that not allowing kids to socially transition, misgendering them, or otherwise failing to respect their humanity has dire consequences for their physical and emotional health.

Our kids- cis, trans, and non-binary- deserve learning environments built on respect, trust, and their well-being. I urge you to maintain the current policy that does just that and reject the proposed changes that would needlessly victimize trans students.


Oppose


We need this policy change implemented

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This policy change has the full support of the Hanover  Hanover County, VA NAACP


Strongly Support Gov Youngkin

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I support the guidance in support of parental rights.


Prayers for Care

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As an ordained Episcopal Minister I seek to support the spiritual life of teens who are trans and nonbinary.

As a person of Faith I support policies in Virginia that the protect the most vulnerable, including trans and non-binary kids.

I appreciate the care of those working on this document and I pray for a strong and enduring culture of sensitivity and care for LGBTQ kids here in Virginia-

John


My Family is a Rainbow

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I have several family members who are transgendered, gay and lesbian. They deserve love and respect as human beings; the generations after them deserve it as well. Let’s love our fellow human beings!


Strongly Oppose!! Let trans kids live their lives

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Trans kids shouldn’t be criminalized!


Vehemently Oppose Harmful Policies

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I am strongly opposed to these policies as they are not made to protect transgender students or "empower" parents. All students should have a right to exist in an environment free from discrimination, harassment, and bullying, but these policies will only allow for more unfortunate incidents to occur at school, and also at home. The lasting effects of these policies will be damaging to transgender students who seek to live, learn, and thrive as their true selves.


Transgender legislation

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<p>100% support you with this Governor  Youngkin ! Thank you sir ! </p>


Trans and Non-binary Students Deserve Respect and Equality

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I never thought I would see the day when the state in which I was educated, from public schools in Fairfax and Arlington counties, and the University of Virginia--would support such strongly discriminatory policies. As an educator in public schools and at George Mason University, I am appalled that the Virginia Board of Education and the governor of my Commonwealth is putting forth policy and practice that puts our trans and non-gender conforming students and staff at risk, takes away social supports for all students, and violates human rights that are guaranteed by our Constitution.

Shame on you all.

Pamela Krist, MEd


Support for 2022 policy

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I am 100% supportive of the new 2020 model. Parents must be kept in the loop, and the government must abide by parental choice. There is a way to do that while still protecting and caring for the unique needs of each student.


I oppose this hateful policy.

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<p>This policy will harm so many people. It is hateful and ignorant. The lack of empathy displayed by those who drafted and support this policy is astounding. Y’all should be ashamed of yourselves. As a parent, I deeply oppose this policy. </p>


Sic Semper Tyrannis


Parental Rights!

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Protect our Children from the WOKE Agenda.  Parents need to have complete say in what children are learning AND HAVE CONTROL over anything they find offensive.  Our children are fed immoral and offensive materials and THIS NEEDS TO STOP.  Shame on our Educational System and Society at large who are endroctrinating our children with their unacceptable ideologies!  Parents are the final AUTHORITY!


Strongly opposed!

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This is a horrifying breach of human rights. It will kill trans children. It will kill children. Please say no to transphobia.


STRONGLY OPPOSED - trans rights are human rights

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<p>This is just sanctioned discrimination. Why don’t we focus on issues that matter rather than institutionalizing hate. </p>


FULLY SUPPORT POLICY CHANGE

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We will be silent no longer


Please Support the WORTH and DIGNITY of transgender and non-binary students in Virginia Schools.

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It seems that it is common sense to respect everyone and the world would be a better place.

I ask that we support the worth and dignity of transgender and non-binary students in Virginia Schools.


Trans rights are human rights

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<p>I opppse this new “guidance”. Keep it the way it was and keep trans students safe. </p>


Opposed to this policy

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This is a right for everyone but our children attend school for instructional education. Our tax payed employees are not trained or should be made to be a guide on the sexual orientation of their students. This is a matter to be dealt with at home between parents and child. Our schools are not the place.


Parents Must Be Informed

Virginia PTA President, GayDonna Vandergriff

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<p>As a former Virginia public school PTA President and Vice-President, I have encouraged parents to be a part of their children's education. The school systems and their representatives (teachers, administrators, staff, school boards, superintendents, teacher unions) frequently present the lack of parental involvement as a causal link to the declining academic and behavioral performance of students. It is commonly stated that schools must NOT be expected to be a replacement for parents. Yet, regarding transgender issues under former Governor Northam's policies, parents were told they have no right to be involved or to even be informed--that the schools MUST be a replacement for the parents. If that is to be the standard, then schools can no longer place blame on the parents for other matters that occur at school. Parents are either included and expected to be responsible, or they are not. It is important to note that teachers and administrators are licensed and trained to be educators. They are not trained nor licensed to be psychologists. Some have experienced being a parent, some have not. Governor Youngkin's policy revision places parents back into conversations regarding their children; exactly where parents should be. </p>


Transgender freedom

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I support everything transgender!


Support 2022 model policies

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<p>I support 2022 model policies </p>


I made a mistake.   I now 100% SUPPORT this policy

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Don't be a moron.   Support the change


STRONGLY OPPOSE

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<p>This proposal oversteps the bounds of a school’s role in EDUCATING and creates an unhealthy, unsafe learning environment for trans/LGBTQ+ children. </p>


Support Governor’s Parental Rights

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

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


Support LGBTQ+ youth!


Support 2022 model policies

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<p>Please pass 2022 model policies </p>


Rights

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Neither the parents nor the government has a right to control anyone's sexual identity. It's an individual right. Period.


Strongly oppose this guidance

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I strongly oppose many of the proposals in this guidance document. We know that support for transgender and nonbinary children and adults literally saves their lives. Trans and nonbinary folks exist, and discriminatory practices cannot change that, it can only harm trans and nonbinary folks. In addition, the recognition and accomodation of trans and nonbinary children and young adults harms no one.

I am greatly opposed to the idea that public school teachers can decide not to honor a student's pronouns and gender identity based on the teacher's religious beliefs. What a slippery slope. Where does that stop? If a public school teacher cannot honor the identity and uniqueness of all of their students, they should not be teaching in public school. In addition, parental notification could put trans children at risk. For example, if one parent supports a child's gender identity, but the school is required to notify a potentially abusive parent, that puts the child at risk. In some families, public school may be the only place a child can be themselves. These mandates have the potential to do more harm than good.

Ask yourselves what the problem is that you are trying to solve? What threat does a trans or nonbinary person pose to anyone? There is no harm in a person existing, being who they are. There is GREAT harm in allowing teachers to discriminate against them by not honoring their identities. There is great harm in legislating bigotry.


Proposed guidelines are cruel, ascientific, and needlessly politicize student wellbeing

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I am appalled by the newly proposed guidelines put forth by the Youngkin administration. They do not follow best practices put forth by any leading pediatric wellness organizations, and they are unnecessarily cruel. I am sickened that this administration would put the safety and wellbeing of trans students--who represent a very small minority of our student population--at risk, simply to score political points with his far-right base. As an educator with over a decades worth of experience working with young people, I can assure you that nothing is to be gained by purposefully disrespecting a young person's identity. Even if it isn't permanent, even if it's just a phase, agreeing to call someone by their prefered name is simply the curteous, respectful thing to do, regardless of their gender identity (yes, cisgender teens also have preferred names that their parents don't always love, in case you weren't aware). There is nothing gained by making a students experience at school alienating and unpleasant, regardless of your feeling about their gender identity. It is not hard to be respectful, and it has nothing to do with parental control over children.

Many people commenting on this policy have never had to make difficult decisions relating to a student's wellbeing when parents are cruel or violent. It is the unfortunate truth that this is something our public schools must address. These proposed guidelines would put vulnerable children at risk by forcing teachers and counselors to out students before they are ready to be open with their parents, who may not be welcoming to a non-conforming child.

Anyone who takes the time to read about the exprience of trans people, intersex people, or any gender-nonconforming person knows that this model policy will lead to the suffering of children. It's time to get serious, listen to experts, and stop trying to scapegoat vulnerable children.


Support for the 2022 Transgender Guidance revisions for schools

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We still live in a constitutional republic.  This means school districts are bound by Federal and State law and cannot act as legislators or judges. The 2021 guidelines were an overreach and should rightly be overturned.  The 2022 guidelines are very well researched, written and cited.  Pages 6-10 of the 2022 guidelines overwhelmingly cite state and federal laws protecting the right of parents to be fully informed and fully involved in all aspects of their children's education while also noting that Virginia Code 2.2-3900 prohibits unlawful discrimination in the school setting based on "gender identity."  The new guidelines accommodate this legislation by citing the 4th Circuit decision in Williams v Kincaid which allows that gender dysphoria may be treated as a disability and allows for the beginnings of an interactive process similar to the federal 504 process which requires the active involvement of parents/guardians in the disability accommodation process. The link below notes that the original 504 definition of "disability" excluded transgenderism along with pedophilia, drug addiction and other deviant behaviors. Times have changed, as recognized by the Fourth Circuit which now allows Virginia schools to engage in a confidential and interactive process where students alleging gender dysphoria in partnership with  their parents can to engage in an evidence-based, documented accommodations process  to be granted on a case by case basis  https://shawe.com/articles/gender-dysphoria-constitutes-a-disability-under-the-ada-according-to-the-fourth-circuit/  This is reasonable - it protects the religious and first amendment rights of the entire school community, not just a select and vocal minority who wish to abort the Constitutionally protected judicial and legislative process seeking normalization of radicalized identity disruptions for other peoples' children without the consent or knowledge of their parents/guardians.  The State is not the parent!  This is a dangerous and slippery slope and I am most grateful to Governor Youngkin for standing firm.


Protect our Students

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I fully support Gov Youngkin and applaud his initiative.


Protect mental health and SUPPORT new policy

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The old policy hurts kids


Department of Education Proposed Model Policies

City of Alexandria Mayor Justin M. Wilson

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Please accept the City of Alexandria’s comment on Governor Youngkin’s “2022 Model Policies on the Privacy, Dignity, and Respect for All Students and Parents in Virginia's Public Schools.”

The City of Alexandria supports the Alexandria City Public Schools’ (ACPS) position to continue to follow ACPS policy and practice respecting individual rights and protecting students from discrimination due to gender expression, gender identity, sexual harassment, and transgender status.

The proposed policies issued September 16, 2022, remove protections for transgender and non-binary students in Virginia’s public schools, stigmatizing them and undermining their dignity, and the policies put vulnerable students’ lives at risk.

The Alexandria Human Rights Code includes protection in education on the bases of sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, and transgender status.  The Alexandria Human Rights Commission has expressed concern over the Governor’s new model policies, citing conflict with anti-discrimination laws; potential danger to students from abuse, homelessness, and suicide; inconsistent and confusing mandatory provisions regarding students’ names; the undermining of local authority; and creation of an environment in public schools antithetical to learning and nurturing.

The City’s LGBTQ+ Task Force, with input from SCAN of Northern Virginia and Safe Space NOVA, provides context to these concerns, explaining that the “proposal turns back the clock on years of progress and is directly contrary to the City’s current, successful, and affirming policies.”  Specifically, “the proposed policies seek to restrict which bathrooms transgender and non-binary students can use, force students to participate in events, sports and other school activities based on their sex assigned at birth and hinder the ability of teachers and staff to offer any support, without also outing the student to parents.”

Further, as the Task Force explains, the legal name and sex of a student cannot be changed “even upon written instruction of a parent or eligible student” without an official legal document or court order.  Absent full support from both parents, teachers and other school officials can only refer to a student by the name and pronouns associated with their sex at birth.  Even with paperwork and parental support, teachers and staff would be empowered to ignore a student’s name and pronouns if they feel doing so would violate their religious beliefs. This puts the wishes of adults over the needs and safety of children.

With these proposed policies, Virginia joins a growing number of states across the U.S. seeking to adopt discriminatory and harmful restrictions on LGBTQ+ students.  Targeting some of the most vulnerable children in our schools not only undermines their ability to pursue an education, but it also undermines our educational system as a whole and contributes to the already high number of LGBTQ+ students who attempt suicide. The Trevor Project’s 2021 National Survey on LGBTQ Youth Mental Health found that more than 42% of LGBTQ youth seriously considered attempting suicide in the previous year, including more than half of transgender and non-binary youth.  However, LGBTQ youth who had access to LGBTQ-affirming spaces — including schools — reported lower rates of attempted suicide than those who did not.

The proposed 2022 policies received no public input while being drafted, were not developed in

accordance with evidence-based best practices and are directly contrary to the Code of Virginia.  The policies would force transgender and non-binary students to be out to their parents, and will put them at risk for domestic violence, homelessness, and discrimination in all areas of life including at school.  We urge you not to implement them.

The City of Alexandria is one of 110 cities in the U.S. to receive the maximum possible score of 100% on the 2021 Municipal Equality Index (MEI), a national assessment by the Human Rights Campaign of LBGTQ+ equality in municipal policies, laws, and services.  For the second consecutive year, the City of Alexandria achieved this maximum score based on criteria including non-discrimination laws, the City as an employer, law enforcement, local leadership’s public positions on equality, and how inclusive the City’s laws, policies and services are for the LGBTQ+ community.

While the Governor’s policies target, demean and diminish LGBTQ+ youth, particularly transgender and non-binary students, Alexandria City leaders and community members will support, uplift, and provide a safe, nurturing environment for LGBTQ+ youth so that they can flourish.

Very truly yours,

Mayor Justin M. Wilson & Members of City Council


Parents should know

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<p>Parents should have rights to know what decisions their minor children are making. This is the only part of a child's life that we feel it is ok to not have a parent involved. In school, activities, and events we are always asking for an encouraging parent involvement. Why, when it suddenly comes to children determining a biological change should parents not be involved? It is the opposite of what we ask for everything else with children and parents.  </p>


I support this change

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The changes proposed by Gov. Youngkin are reasonable and support parent rights. School districts should not be in the business of pushing politics and social policy on families. Thank you for these changes.