I support upholding the Constitution and our freedoms—the Gov’t does not own our children!

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Parents absolutely have a right to exercise their fundamental rights, which are granted by the Fourteenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution to direct the care, upbringing, and education of their children. Parents should have the right and freedom to determine how their children will be raised and educated. Empowering parents is not only a fundamental right, but ensures the government does not overstep and try to take ownership of children, which it has no business doing. Constitutional protections prohibit governmental entities from requiring individuals to adhere to or adopt a particular ideological belief. Teachers should not be required to go against their professional-based and/or their faith-based beliefs. The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution guarantees religious freedom and prohibits the government from compelling speech that is contrary to an individual’s personal or religious beliefs. Parents are and should be the main decision-makers in their own children’s lives. Constitutionally and ethically, the government does not own our children. Therefore, the act of a school system in promoting/carrying out the secrecy and hiding of decisions and information about a child from his/ her own parent should be considered an unlawful and criminal act. Our country’s constitution protects its citizens from government and government entities that remove freedoms and/or overstep its boundaries. As a parent and teacher, I understand that parents are the most important decision-makers in their children’s lives, and their rights as such should be protected. In no way am I supportive of hiding and obscuring important and/or life-altering information about a child from his/her parent, and I should not be required in a school, as a professional, to take the God-given and constitutional rights away from a parent in any secretive process.


I oppose this; it is harmful to youth

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<p>I am a licensed teacher, administrator, and I hold a Virginia Superintendent license. I am also a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, licensed by the Va Board of Medicine to practice in that field. I have served as a teacher educator at the university level and currently am a professor of ABA. These proposed changes are indisputably harmful to youth and put educators in a tremendous ethical bind as it asks our educators to go against their core values of inclusivity and belonging. I strongly oppose these changes in the interest of the safety of trans and queer youth and I implore our legislators to direct efforts and policies toward dignity and inclusion, not harm and bigotry. Educators (and by extension the legislators, boards,  and departments  that develop regulations and policies) have an absolute obligation to ensure the safety of our young people. When the purpose of policy is to place others at risk or to promote unkindness, my heart aches for the impacted youth, their families, and other students who should be seeing models of kindness and compassion. </p>


This policy is a violation of human rights.

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I vehemently oppose this policy.


I strongly oppose!

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<p>I strongly oppose the role back of transgender kids’ rights. These students are vulnerable and they need kindness and support not bullying and disregard.  This proposed measure is inhumane and is not about parental rights. </p>


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I oppose this in the strongest possible manor.


I strongly oppose!


I am strongly opposed.


Oppose this on every level. Stop pretending you care about kids when you pull this crap.

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<p>Oppose this on every level. Stop pretending you care about kids when you pull this crap whenever it’s convenient. And stay the hell out of kid’s pants. </p>


Do not do this.


I oppose this fully.


I am completely opposed.

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I am completely opposed.


Strongly oppose.


I fully oppose this.


OPPOSED

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I am COMPLETELY AGAINST this TERRIBLE policy. Do not do this.


Strongly oppose

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I strongly oppose this decision. Trans students are much more likely to be bullied, harassed, assaulted and killed. They are also at grave risk for suicide. Please do not roll back these protections.


Strongly Support Youngkin’s Policy

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I strongly support Youngkin’s policy.


This will bring harm to trans kids.

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This will bring harm to trans kids.


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Thank you for not sexualizing our children!


Thank You Governor Youngkin - Strongly Support

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It's exhausting reading comments from people who clearly did not read the policy.

I'm not sure where we began this downward spiral, but when I see teachers threatening to IGNORE my rights as a parent, I truly understand what kind of trouble we are in.

This policy is fantastic, it's respectful of ALL people and it's showing people's real colors for sure!

You do NOT get to force your agenda on my child.  Please what you do on your own time is up to you, but you don't get to do that to my child.

Finally, a governor with a pair of balls, that doesn't get bullied into submission.


Trans bill

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<p>What dose this all that to do with school in the first place we should be way more worried about the people shooting these kids than the ones who don’t know who they are </p>


This is a terrible policy decision.

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This is a terrible policy decision.


It is a grave mistake to pass this.

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It is a grave mistake to pass this.


Oppose

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I strongly oppose this policy.


Opposed

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<p>Any act by a government that takes away the rights of any citizen is wrong and should be condemned. To use children that are already at risk for your own political gain is shameful. I demand that this wrongful action be stopped before it takes effect and children are hurt. </p>


Strongly Oppose

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My children have been students in Loudoun County for over a decade & have never felt coerced to behave in a certain way or adopt values that are not their own.  However, because of the inclusivity in our county, they don't judge others based upon their sexual orientation.

I strongly oppose making any child feel ostracized because they may choose differently.  This issue doesn't honor Parents Rights, it ignores the rights of our children. More importantly it ignores the needs of children to feel safe in their choices, & open up to friends and adults they trust while navigating puberty.

I see this as grandstanding on something that few parents feel is an issue versus protecting the safety of our children.  Why are we encouraging any kind of hate in our schools, when we should be teaching our children to accept peoples differences & confident in expressing who they are.


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I am completely opposed to this bill and believe it is a violent act against trans individuals.


Either the internet ded result of this action has been poorly reaserched or you honestly don't care

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Your actions speak louder than your words. Despite this our words have been loud and clear and your choice to ignore them vouches for your character more than any campaign ad could ever cover it up.

There have been extensive studies about how this act will harm trans kids and LGBT youth. You're not taking into account humanity. This is just going to harm the same vulnerable people who desperately need someone to speak put for them. You are in a posistion to be a champion but I stead you chose the wrong side.


This document is a lousy idea.

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Why are you going to all this trouble to hurt trans kids?  What threat to they pose to you?  How do you justify forcing schools to take the ideological position that trans people don't exist and that we can just deny that they are here?

Who is harmed by calling a kid he instead of she, or they instead of either?  Where is the infringement of free speech rights or religious freedom in having a requirement of the job be "call the kids what they want to be called"?  Teachers are agents of the state; students aren't.  It seems to be that this guidance allows teachers, the agents of the state, to impose their religious and ideological view (trans kids don't exist, or are bad) on regular citizens (the kids).

Anyway, teachers usually call a lot of kids shorter versions of their name, use initials, use a middle name instead of a first name if asked, so you can't claim that it's somehow necessary to call kids only by their legal names.

If a teacher claimed their religion meant that they couldn't say the name Muhammad, or Jesus, or some other religiously-affiliated name, would you tell them they didn't have to?  If a teacher claimed their religion banned girls from playing sports, would you allow them to speak out against girls' sports teams in class?


Strongly oppose.


Rights for parents and children

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Reading other comments, it seems many commenters have not independently read the full document. The proposal as it exists supports the parents/guardians and students rights under the Constitution, which were not fully regarded under previous versions. As such, I fully endorse the new version.


It is a grave mistake to pass this.


This will bring harm to trans kids.


I fully oppose this.


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I oppose this in the strongest possible manor.


I am completely opposed.

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I am completely opposed.


This is a horrible policy

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I oppose this on the basis hat it is a violation of trans kids basic human rights.


This is a terrible policy decision.


I am completely opposed.


A Model for Harm

Cindy Younghouse, Parent to students in public schools

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<p>Hello. Thank you for this opportunity to contest the harmful and likely illegal 2022 Model Policy.  This model ignores Federal and VA anti- discrimination laws. Additionally, this model permits promotion of disrespect by allowing students and staff to ignore preferred pronouns. Appendix 1, D. 6. This violates the Establishment clause - separation of church and state - when disrespecting preferred pronouns is religion-based in a public school. Then, the definition of transgender student violates family and personal privacy law when they are compelled to make a written request to the school for any validation of their choice of pronouns or gender. You define “sex” but leave out the scientific definition of gender. The Biblical definition of gender is inappropriate in public schools. Leaving out the definition of gender also essentially erases non binary existence, with potential for tragic collateral harm.  Lack of respect and affirmation of gender in pronouns and facilities is damaging; there are studies confirming. Trevor Project. Also see American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) statements on gender affirming care and the medical definitions you lack. This model policy falls short of acceptance and promoting a safe environment for all staff and students, especially the vulnerable gender non conforming. </p>


I strongly oppose this. Protect trans children!

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<p>Mind your business and stop worrying about children’s genitals. </p>


This will bring harm to trans kids.

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This will bring harm to trans kids.


Strongly Support

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Parents should have the final say over what is being taught to their children. Transgender advocates are pushing parents out. Keep fighting Gov. Youngkin!!


I oppose this fully.


Strongly support

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<p>Former policy regarding transgender children has resulted in harm to others.  I strongly support this common sense legislation.  Enabling one demographic at the expense of another is unsafe and unwise.  </p>


Protect Trans Kids

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<p>This policy will alienate, target, and harm trans children that reside in Virginia. This type of backwards thinking can get CHILDREN killed. Think about the mental and physical  health of these kids. We have to protect our kids regardless of their gender and gender expression. This is extremely reckless. I strongly oppose this </p>


I am strongly opposed.


Agree! Agree! Thank you so much!

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Agree! Agree! Thank you so much!


Thank you Gov Youngkin!

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I am thrilled that we have a Gov who cares about families and protecting children. It is time to stop the insanity!!!


I oppose this in the strongest possible manor.


Protect trans kids!

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<p>It is disgusting that there is an opposition to protecting trans children. It should not matter. Support everyone. </p>


Do not do this.


It is a grave mistake to pass this.

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It is a grave mistake to pass this.


Strongly oppose.


I greatly appreciate your restoring common sense to parents involvement re gender confusion


I am completely opposed.


Bullying!

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Youngkin is a bully and a bigot. These policies go against everything that Virginia and public schools in general stand for. He is trying to usurp the general assembly and take the civil rights of Virginians back decades. These children must be supported and protected!!


It is a grave mistake to pass this.


I strongly support Governor Youngkin

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I support Governor Youngkin in bringing concrete education as the foundation of our children's education.  Reading, Math, History, Science and Civics is why we pay taxes to the educational system in Virginia.  Parents should always be aware of what their children are learning.  Parents are the touchstone in their children's  life.  Love and trust is what makes a child happy.


I oppose this policy

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I am a middle school student. This policy is not good because we don’t want to make kids feel uncomfortable at school they have no choice and they must go to school. Mislabeling kids can affect them for the rest of their lives. A child is not pretending to be trans so they can go into the other genders bathroom. It can also be dangerous to tell a minors parent or guardian that they are transgender or bisexual because there are some people that are so against it that they would do bad things to their child.


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This is horrific and I DO NOT support this at all


Jesus came to me in a dream. He told me to write in to tell you he would never support this b.s.

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WWJD? Not support this inhumane policy.


Finally! Finally a law that supports our parents and the parents rights!

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It Would be a grave mistake not to pass this common sense law giving parents the opportunity to actually molded their children’s moral compass and not allow some governmental institution to get involved in that process. Thank you so much


I am strongly opposed.


This will bring harm to trans kids.


I oppose this fully.


A message to the Virginia School Board: Even science disagrees with you.

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It is so upsetting to see that instead of issuing stricter regulations on guns and drugs VA schools have chosen to regulate peoples bodies. This is due to the fact that the school board is trying to eliminate the only safe space that trans people have. We all know it’s because the extremist right is attempting to dispose of people who “think they are the opposite gender.” Some might also argue that this decision was made because the school board is try to prevent sexual interactions. In the past, heterosexual couples would have intercourse in the bathroom no matter what the rules were. There is no avoiding that. Another point that conservative individuals like to bring up, is the fact that trans people do not exist. They simply are, “mentally ill.” According to Jiska Ristori and Thomas D Steensma of the International Review of Psychiatry, “Gender dysphoria (GD) in childhood is a complex phenomenon characterized by clinically significant distress due to the incongruence between assigned gender at birth and experienced gender.” Notice how there is nothing that mentions mental illness. Even if it was just a phase, there are ways that people can de-transition. The same way a woman can increase her cup size from a B-cup to DD-cup, a person can choose to inject testosterone shots that can increase/decrease the levels of testosterone a person has and be the gender/sex that they say they are. The woman with the DD-cup has DD-cups. A person with/without testosterone is who they say they are. Your perception does not indicate who they are. Conservatives like to argue that people who transition might regret it later on in life. Psychologists with the American Psychiatric Association concluded that, “Among individuals with gender incongruence, just more than 70% had received hormone treatment and nearly half (48%) had undergone gender-affirming surgical treatment during the 10-year follow-up period. Nearly all (97%) of those who had undergone surgery also received hormone treatment. Less than one-third had received neither treatment.” That means that less than 3% of people who have transitioned have even bothered to transition back. This means that there are more people that don’t even care about it themselves than people who are trying to enforce this rule. Why is the school board trying to limit the 97% over the 3%. Maybe instead of looking at kids to examine what their genitalia they have, you should try and lower suicide rates and school shooting rates. That should be priority over, “where will this person ?” If there is anyone that took the time to read over my input to this debate, no matter what side of the political compass you’re on, I’d like to thank you for taking time out of your day to read my message. Thank you for your consideration.

~Kenny


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I oppose this in the strongest possible manor.


This ruling is harmful

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<p>This ruling will be harmful to trans kids and will cause mental harm as well as ostracism. I remember being a transgender teen in public school, and I remember the mental health issues I struggled with due to a lack of acceptance. other people blatantly ignored my attempts to transition, and often times, the ostracism and non-acceptance effected me more than therapy could help. I was at my happiest and learned at my best when I was called by the name I chose and the pronouns I feel comfortable with. I have had friends who were suicidal in school because of the daily ignorance and abuse from anti-trans folks. Please accept these children and get them the help and love they need. </p>


I fully oppose this.


This is a terrible policy decision.

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This is a terrible policy decision.


Do not do this.


Support

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<p>Fully support! Parents should know what is going on with their minor children. What’s going on in our world right now is not working for anyone! </p>


Strongly oppose.


STRONGLY OPPOSE

What the governor is proposing in this new policy is yet another conservative hypocrisy, hiding behind the language of freedom and individual rights to instead trample upon the freedom and individuality of the most vulnerable and least empowered members of our society: OUR OWN CHILDREN.
Outing gender non-conforming children against their will (which can expose them to the very real danger of abuse if their parents are transphobic), banning them from using the pronouns they wish to use (freedom of speech, anyone? Anyone in the room at all?), forbidding them from using bathrooms congruent with their gender identity (PERISH the thought that boys and girls must share bathrooms, when whole families of boys, girls, men, and women, must do so at home!), all serve one common purpose: coercive conformity. Such tactics will cause emotional and psychological trauma to children and destroy their ability to trust the very authority figures they have been taught to trust.This is a disgusting policy that targets the members of our society least empowered to make their voices heard at the polls, precisely BECAUSE they cannot make their voices heard at the polls. This policy endangers our children. It must be retracted and abandoned.

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What the governor is proposing in this new policy is yet another conservative hypocrisy, hiding behind the language of freedom and individual rights to instead trample upon the freedom and individuality of the most vulnerable and least empowered members of our society: OUR OWN CHILDREN.

Outing gender non-conforming children against their will (which can expose them to the very real danger of abuse if their parents are transphobic), banning them from using the pronouns they wish to use (freedom of speech, anyone? Anyone in the room at all?), forbidding them from using bathrooms congruent with their gender identity (PERISH the thought that boys and girls must share bathrooms, when whole families of boys, girls, men, and women, must do so at home!), all serve one common purpose: coercive conformity. Such tactics will cause emotional and psychological trauma to children and destroy their ability to trust the very authority figures they have been taught to trust.

This is a disgusting policy that targets the members of our society least empowered to make their voices heard at the polls, precisely BECAUSE they cannot make their voices heard at the polls. This policy endangers our children. It must be retracted and abandoned.


This will bring harm to trans kids.

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This will bring harm to trans kids.


Passing this enables discrimination.

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This sort of legislation would protect the most privileged while encouraging discrimination against the most vulnerable. I am vehemently opposed to this policy and any like it. I will be voting against supporters of this in the coming election cycle.

Many of the largest employers in this state have Diversity and Inclusion programs that oppose this sort of legislation, thus this will hurt job growth and corporate growth within the state. Micron is benefitting from the CHIPs act, what if they choose to build in another state instead of expand their site in VA because of harmful things like this? It will have negative impacts far beyond our schools.


This is a terrible policy decision.


A truly unethical policy that will result in thousands of young deaths.

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To deny individual children the right to self identification and expression of their gender identity is a denial of their agency as human beings. It is neither the school boards place, nor the parents, to speak for a child's bodily autonomy. It is an individual right, and an individual right only. Who but the individual in question could possibly understand and interpret their own perception of them selves and the world.

This law is a blatant attempt to cause harm to those who are gender nonconforming. The threat of exposure only ever serves to foster a culture of duplicity and subversion. One where individual will be forced to perpetuate harm and abuse in order to save themselves from it. Those who refuse to do so will be targeted, the revelation of there old identities providing all the incentive bullies and bigots need.

Passing this law would result in the deaths of thousands if children from abuse and self harm, if history is any judge of our tendencies as a society. This risk far outweighs any perceived benefits.


Career School Administrator and Teacher Supports Governor Youngkin's New K-12 Model Policy

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<p>I am a 40+ year veteran school teacher and administrator with a permanent license to serve as a Superintendent of Schools or K-12 Principal in the State of New York.  I am writing in support of Governor Youngkin's new K-12 Model Policy which safeguards the sacred rights of parents as the primary educators of their children and thus protects vulnerable students from manipulation and abuse by misguided ideologically-driven teachers who exploit normal developmental difficulties of young men and women to convince them to deny their God-given, natural, normal biological sexual identity.  These ideologues have been given free reign to trample on the rights of parents and students, in defiance of their sacred religious beliefs, the natural law (upheld as authoritative in our Declaration of Independence), and sound natural science.  Governor Youngkin's common-sense regulations will restore some measure of sanity and protection to the students in Virginia's public schools--and may even slow the mass exodus of students out of the Virginia public school system, fueled by the refusal of Virginia's parents to sacrifice their children's well-being to the pseudo-scientific, sentimental, and utterly destructive educational propaganda of the sexual revolutionaries. </p>


I oppose the policy

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As a student in a Virginia public schools, I believe that this policy would hinder learning for transgender students who live in unsafe environments. These students, living in fear of backlash or even abuse from their parents, should be able to freely express themselves and learn in our schools without the fear of their school life causing negative experiences at home. It is quite frankly none of the government’s business what an individual student identifies as, and it should not be mandated for teachers and administrators to report these personal details to the possibly abusive parents of these students. Simply doing nothing would create a more safe and open environment for transgender students.


Against this completely

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Children should feel safe, especially at school.
Stop trying to impose Christian nationalism and bigotry on the citizens of Virginia, including  children who are just trying to go to school. They are learning how to navigate the world and their place in it; allow them be their best selves based on their own identity and experiences.


Not only absurd but may prove to be fatal to children in school

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I have to say that following the actions outlined in this “document” are horrible for all kids!  Kids are to be protected in school, not bullied by the governor of the state!  For the life of me, I cannot understand why trans children are such a threat!  But this is not new, the LGBT community has been fighting prejudice, hate, physical and mental harm, threats, etc for literally decades!  This country has made tremendous progress in recognizing LGBT individuals and families.  Do Not Fall For These Scare Tactics! Do Not Go Back!
I have a trans granddaughter that I couldn’t be prouder of or love more.  She is a student in Virginia and will be affected by Gov. Youngkin’s bullying.  Please Reject Gov. Youngkin’s bullying of children attending Virginia schools!


This is a harmful, cruel policy that will help no one.

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This policy is harmful not only to trans kids and non-binary kids but hetero kids as well because it is teaching them that trans kids are predators which could not be further from the truth. There's literally no evidence to support this kind of policy and a great amount of evidence to show that this sort of thing causes more problems, more disruptions, and more damage to our youth


Model policies

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<p>Yes! For the mental and physical safety of all children. School is for academics! </p>


It is a grave mistake to pass this.

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It is a grave mistake to pass this.


I am completely opposed.

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I am completely opposed.


I object, this is horrible

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I hate the entire idea of this. Who cares if a child is LGBTQ+? It doesn’t bother anyone! Just suck it up, these people were given rights to go to school in peace, just leave it alone already.

-Gypsy


I fully oppose this.


This policy harms trans students

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This guidance document is horrible.  We need to be doing more to help trans students, and this is the exact opposite of that.  I am so disappointed in the Youngkin administration.  Please do not enact this policy.   A student should have the right to use whatever restroom they desire.  Students should be able to be called by whatever names and pronouns they want.  School is supposed to be a safe place for all students.

In addition, as a teacher I find it very concerning that the VDOE is being used in such a political manner.  Youngkin is pushing his perceived mandate too far.  Trans students should not be harmed just so that he can earn political capital with his base.


Outing students in our school system

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When you see experts (professional psychologists and psychiatrists) in a field unilaterally opposing a movement and politicians taking another position, I would suggest that there is much doubt raised. When in doubt - don't.


I oppose this fully.


Common sense is back - parents and kids are not enemies

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This policy would eliminate a previous one which was based on the absurd assumption that parents are the enemy of their children. All the comments opposing this new policy are also based on that illogical assumption, it's ridiculous. Should schools know more about your child than you do? What kind of sane person would say yes, no matter the topic?


Transgender Students

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<p>Please do not do anything or make any policies/laws that will in any way negatively affect our transgender students. </p>


I vehemently oppose these policy changes.

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I am vehemently opposed to everything in this document and believe that transgender kids will be less safe. This is a shameful, harmful policy and I reject it in full.


Oppose this

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I absolutely oppose this action


Treatment of transgender children

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I 100% oppose this!  Do not do this!


It is a grave mistake to pass this.


Treatment of transgender children


This is a terrible policy decision.

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This is a terrible policy decision.


Transgender Bias

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This is blatant discrimination and I am 100% opposed.


I absolutely oppose this hateful guidance

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Trans youth are not political pawns- it is absolutely shameful that Youngkin would seek to roll back protections in place for our children. No teacher should be put in a position to harm a child by reporting on that child or “outing” that child as trans. No child should be in fear of being their authentic selves, especially in school. As we say so frequently, we don’t want your cis-gendered kids to be trans, we want our trans kids to survive. Suicide and homelessness disproportionately affect trans youth, especially in people of color. I OPPOSE the guidance put forth by the governor. Virginia should be a safe-haven for all, not just those Youngkin deems worthy.


I am strongly opposed.


Totally support changes

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I fully support the changes and bringing decisions back to parents and the efforts to keep them informed.  Push on!  Protect families!!


This is a terrible policy decision.


This will bring harm to trans kids.

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This will bring harm to trans kids.


Strongly Opposed - This is Cruel

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<p>This is simply a culture war ploy by the Governor targeting the most vulnerable among us, and nonetheless - children. It's a despicable act by youngkin and I find it disgusting. I stand in the strongest of opposition to this hateful act and will do everything in my power to see it does not go into affect, and if it does, I will not be complying. </p>


Parental rights in education

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I can not comprehend why a parent would not be permitted to know what is happening to their child in the school. Parents should absolutely be entitled to know what their children are being taught and how they are being influenced by those in authority within the school.

What are the school boards and teachers (not all teachers) trying to hide in not allowing the parents to know what is happening?

I am 100% behind Governor Youngkin and the new Virginia Department of Education policy requiring parents to know what is being done and taught to their children and parents being involved in the process.


It is a grave mistake to pass this.

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It is a grave mistake to pass this.


I oppose this fully.


I fully support Gov. Youngkin's Model Policies

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God bless you Governor Youngkin


Strongly oppose.


Strongly Oppose

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<p>I oppose this proposal in no uncertain terms.  It is not in the best interest of the children of Virginia. </p>


Stay out of kids pants

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The place of the state is not in children's pants. I do not want anyone from the state deciding anything about my child's name, gender, or anything else outside of vaccines and education. It is none of the state's business what's in my child's pants. This is reprehensible interference in the rights of Virginia families and I'm disgusted by this perverse behavior on the part of the GOP and the state.

Really what's next you want to turn doctors or other medical people into the genital police? It sure seems that way and you're nasty people who I would never trust around my children. Younkin's proof that being stupid rich can't wallpaper over the stupid.

How many kids need to be hurt by evil Republicans before we fix what these hellbound, evil people are doing to this state?


I fully oppose this.


Strongly opposed to this!

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<p>This bill is totally out of touch of your constituents. First teachers have a hard enough time teaching the in the state of Virginia. Second, why don’t you promote the profession of teaching? Right now the teachers not only have to teach, they have to also be on guard for the students mental health. The bullies, the peer pressures, the problems within a given family. Now you want to have children living in the streets when parents throw the child out, or the suicide rate where the children who can’t live as their true selves, and with that you will have blood on your hands. Plus your lack of understanding, compassion, and failure to do your research other than your brain washed from your church. Before you go ahead and do and sign this bill, you need to listen to those people that it will effect. Without, you are nothing but a MAGA GOP follower.  And if that’s the case, you LIED to the people of the Commonwealth of Virginia. </p>


This will harm children for no good reason other than the governor's bigotry.

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If a child wants to keep social transition secret from a parent, there's a good reason why. Abusive bigoted parents should not be given information about the students personal life that the student wants to keep private. If a student was in a gay relationship and didnt want to tell their parents that should be respected. If a student socially transitions and doesn't want to tell their parents that should also be protected. The erosion of privacy in out country is abhorrent, and the government of our commonwealth should not work to erode those rights even further. Children are people too, and have the same basic human rights as the rest of us. Even if they cant vote they still have the right to privacy, if we can keep it.


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I oppose this in the strongest possible manor.


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

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I do NOT support the new proposed policy.


Oppose YOUNKIN’s Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in VA Public Schools

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I strongly oppose the YOUNKIN administration’s Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in VA Public Schools.


I oppose this

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MY kids both have trans friends, you are actively making their lives harder. Many people are copying and posting the same stuff. I'm not. We have had our kids friends change schools based on existing harassment in Henrico - HCPS. the policies you are pushing will just make it harder for those kids who are accepted by their classmates, families, teachers, republicans, etc. You these kids cannot get support from their own families, you are piling on MORE mental trauma and giving ammunition to the bullies in the schools - which is what you should focus on.

Many trans kids are already depressed, you targeting them and singling them out, and at the same time, not respecting them, is disgusting.


I strongly oppose; putting children at risk

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I strongly oppose this guidance and believe this puts transgender children and their privacy at risk. Numerous studies have shown that if a transgender child finds themself in an unsupportive and oppressive environment, especially with unsupportive family members and guardians, then they are more likely to take their own lives. Forcing school faculty to expose their students to their parents will ultimately lead to greater harm to the child. On top of that, allowing teachers to single out transgender children by not acknowledging their identity/identifiers will set the precedent that those children are not deserving of the same respect that their cisgender peers are given. This will also lead to greater emotional harm to the child. With these risks, if the child does not want to face the possibility of abuse from their mentors, peers, or guardians, then they would have to remain silent about their identity, which will still cause severe emotional distress. All children deserve the right to have their identity respected and to have their privacy protected if they are at risk of abuse from their parents or guardians.


Do not do this.


I am completely opposed.

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I am completely opposed.


This will bring harm to trans kids.


Strongly Agree!

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<p>Strongly Agree! </p>


I supremely oppose this

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why does it seem the only people in this state that are actually free are straight and white?


It is a grave mistake to pass this.


I am strongly opposed.


I oppose this change

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As the parent of a daughter who came out, I strongly oppose this policy.  She was afraid to come out to my wife and I because she was afraid that she would not be accepted any longer by us.  That was a totally unfounded fear.  When she told us, my love for her never changed.  When I asked her why she had that fear, she said she knows of several other kids in school who were disowned by their parents or their attitude totally changed towards them after they came out to their parents.  Someone asked me what I truly felt about it and kept pushing.  My answer to them was my choice was to either not accept it and lose a daughter or accept it and not lose my daughter, I am not going to lose my daughter so to me, the choice was easy.  I fully support her and anyone she loves because love is not a choice, it's an emotion.

My question to anyone who supports this, why is a child at 14 years old able to make medical decisions for themselves even if the parent disagrees yet the child can't decide what they want to be called?  Kids need to be able to vent emotions and feelings and if they can't, or are not comfortable, doing that at home they should be able to talk to a teacher or counselor at school and not fear that conversation is going to HAVE to be reported to his/her parents.  We ALL need someone to talk to!!

As for the second bullet point, who decides what an associated nick name is?  Kids are called by all different names today, so the parents should have to be told of all of them?  Are the teachers going to have to keep a black book of all the kids nick names in order to report out to the parents?  Who is going to pay for all these books?  More money from the teachers pockets?

I could keep going but in closing, I STRONGLY OPPOSE THIS POLICY!!


Protect trans kids!!

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Trans rights are human rights


I am completely opposed.


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<p>I completely support the Governor’s new policy! </p>


Do not pass this bill!

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Transgender kids have more than enough to worry about in this world. Let them be who they want at school, give them respect and equal treatment to their peers. It may be the only safe place for them, and that freedom to express and experiment is valuable.


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

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I do not support the 2022 version of the Model Policies as they remove rights and freedoms for our children in schools. I question the purpose of these policies. Think back to your teachers calling out roll on the first day of school. They say, "When I call your name, let me know if you have a nickname you prefer to go by." So, now under the 2022 Model Policies, if Robert Junior has been going by Buddy since he was born, he needs parent written permission. What a waste of time for both teachers and parents. And, this is a practical point. What about students having the freedom to express themselves and who they want to be on their own? Children are individuals, not property of their parents. The 2022 Model Policies are not an advancement in our human interactions as a society, but representative of a decline in thinking. I provide these specifics for consideration, as I can see others are commenting with expressions of outrage, and I would like to share some points in my comments as reasons for my similarly appalled feelings about the direction of the policies. Thank you for open comments. Please reconsider.


This is a terrible policy decision.

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This is a terrible policy decision.


Support

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Let’s focus on learning.


Fully support this new policy!

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This policy restores the role of parents, provides for improved student safety, and brings some sanity back to the transgender policy.


This is a terrible policy decision.


I fully oppose this.


This is a terrible decision that will negatively impact the lives of VA students.

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<p>I do not support this policy because it harms the personhood of young students instead of educating, uplifting and affirming them. </p>


This will bring harm to trans kids.

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This will bring harm to trans kids.


Support trans students. Don’t pass this!

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This comment is coming from a student POV. I have multiple trans friends and acquaintances, some who cannot be out to their parents for both religious and safety reasons. Parents do not always know what is best for their kids, and when it comes to student identity, the students themselves should have the right to decide how they identify. Especially within their school, which is meant to be a place where who they are is accepted and appreciated and where their preferences can be respected. If these new regulations are put into place, I fear for the mental health of my colleagues and friends and the dysphoria it could cause.


It is a grave mistake to pass this.

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It is a grave mistake to pass this.


This will bring harm to trans kids.


Strongly opposed to this transgender nonsense

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Governor Youngkin's help in reversing this wokeness is like a small ray of sunshine in a dark and cloudy country...thank you Governor for this welcome piece of common sense.


Uneqivocally Opposed

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I am a Virginia parent, though my child is not yet in school. These model policies are laughable, invoking an "all students matter" style response to a law demanding policies for the treatment of transgender students. It excludes sexual orientation and gender presentation as clear anti-discrimination categories. It uses pandering doublespeak about "parents' rights" and right-wing culture war hallmarks about respect - where is the respect for our transgender and gender non-conforming progeny in this document? What harm does it cause to call a child by a name they choose? The prior model policies ensured the safety, security, and privacy of children, and these new policies seek to undo that. This document is a crime.


Strongly oppose.


Fully support

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<p>I fully support the policies to protect the rights of parents.  While I understand that this is a delicate issue, I also believe that parents should not be excluded from decisions about their children.  </p>


I am strongly opposed.


Governor’s Proposed Transgender Policy

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<p>This proposal is so evil! As a former teacher, I am appalled and totally oppose it!! </p>


Separation between church and state.

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Please allow students to make decisions regarding their bodies and sexualities. As children and teenagers, it is their time to experiment and experience. Do not take that freedom away from them.

It is written in our constitution for there to be a separation between church and state. Stop using religious reasons to create and defend laws that Virginians and Americans do not support.


I oppose this fully.


I Oppose This Wholeheartedly

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God does not look kindly upon those who make children needlessly suffer. Those in support of this bill will spend their afterlives in hell, and rightly so.


Strongly support protection for ALL children

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<p>I strongly support this commonsense proposal that treats all children with respect and dignity AND respects parental rights to be engaged in ALL aspects of their child's education.  There are unique and identifiable male and female characteristics that must be recognized and upheld.  It is not appropriate for boys to be allowed to play in girls sports, nor is it appropriate for boys to be allowed in girls private spaces.   What happened in Loudon County, when a boy, who identified as a girl, sexually assaulted 2 girls, at 2 different schools, is why it is so important to protect our daughter's right to safe, private spaces.  However, for the children that are convinced that they are the opposite gender, they should be accommodated too-with private spaces of their own.   Additionally, no one should be forced to use language that they disagree with.  Refusing to call someone by a pronoun that does not align with their innate biology, should not be a crime.   THere is  way forward, but those on the opposing side must realize that they do not have the right to force anyone to act against their conscience, by insisting that affirmation is the only position tolerated. That is not tolerance.  </p>


This is a terrible policy decision.


PROTECT TRANS KIDS

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<p>I strongly oppose this. Protect all children no matter their gender identity!!! It’s the humane and Christian thing to do. </p>


Trans gender policy

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These changes are unAmerican.  Where is the pursuit of happiness?


I fully oppose this.


I strongly with my entire being oppose this.

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<p>This is disgusting </p>


I strongly oppose this bill

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<p>So much for being the party of freedom and small government. This bill will do nothing but make children, educators, and caregivers more targeted. It will not make anyone safer, more free, and poses real risks for real people. Please do not pass this law or anything like it. </p>


I strongly oppose this!

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This will harm trans kids! I strongly oppose this!


This will bring harm to trans kids.


Agree with this guidance document. Give parents back their rights!

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This lays out the rights of parents, provides legal scaffolding for support.


Transgender policy

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strongly approve of Gov Youngkin’s policy - our children are under attack by the transgender industrial complex!


Absolutely not.


Strongly agree

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<p>Finally, we are bringing some form of structure to this out of control LBGTQ nonsense </p>


Strongly oppose.


This is a terrible policy decision.

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This is a terrible policy decision.


I strongly approve!!!

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How refreshing to have common sense. Parents should know what's going on with their children. God gave parents the responsibility to care for their children, not government schools.


Oppose

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<p>Strongly oppose </p>


Support. Politics need to stay out of schools

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<p>Things as complicated and transitioning as a transgendered person should be a matter handled with friends and family. The school’s purpose is education, and turning it into a political battleground is grossly inappropriate. After leaving California, where they are now teaching kids to call people “it” so as not to assume gender, I will not support any legislation that guides our educators or students  in this manner. In many ways it’s dehumanizing and confusing for young children. Male and female’s biological bodies are different and sports need to be kept separate. As a military veteran, people love to give the “soldier” example of women being capable of working in traditionally mens positions, however the difference is capability vs competition, the military and sports are not comparable in this argument. Please stop trying to take power away from parents. </p>


I oppose this fully.


In favor

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<p>Parents being involved in their kid’s lives is a good thing. I’m in favor of this. </p>


Parents choice

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I fully support any policy that removes government restrictions on the ability of parents to  make the best decisions in how and what their children should be taught.


Do not do this.


I am strongly opposed.


Trans rights in schools

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<p>I strongly with my entire being oppose this. </p>


Youngkin is using children to run a national campaign; this will only make children less safe

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This proposal is unlawful, vindictive, and hurtful. Trans kids already go to school with more mental anguish than most of us can ever imagine. Forcibly outing these kids will undoubtedly result in the death of many, yet Youngkin and the Republican party don't care. Trans kids are being used as pawns in a game to take this state and this country back a hundred years. We will not stand by this in Virginia!


Horrible Policy

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<p>More discrimination that does absolutely nothing but hurt the transgender community. No positives out of this. Where is the goal for progress? All we see are things taken away. Negative reward here. </p>


I am completely opposed.

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I am completely opposed.


I am firmly opposed to this policy!  It is dangerous!

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I oppose this cruel policy that benefits no one and will cause harm to transgender children.  it will increase the suicidal rate in teens and has no beneficial purpose.  It is cruel and unnecessary!!


Stand with Trans Youths, Oppose this Policy

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<p>Children have it hard enough as is. Growing up is hard. School is a time of personal revelation, growth, and struggling to accept and become the person you are. We should not encourage a school system which seeks to make it even harder on children belonging to a marginalized community that deserve our support, not yet another oppressive obstacle. Have some compassion. Think with kindness. Act inclusively and with love by not continuing to oppress trans youths. </p>


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I oppose this in the strongest possible manor.


OPPOSITION to policy adversely impacting transgender students

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I oppose this guidance/policy that will adversely impact transgender students.

 Guidance Document (Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia’s Public Schools)


I oppose this in the strongest possible manor.


Oppose

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These policies are discriminatory and dangerous. The policy language twists concepts of equality and religious freedom to sanction the opposite. Protect all children.


Passing this will violate the 6th commandment.

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<p>As a Christian who's known many transgender kids over the course of my life, I cannot in good faith support a policy change that will lead to these kids' deaths either by their own hands or the hands of parents or peers after they're forcibly "outed". God specifically calls on us to extend a hand to the most vulnerable and every transgender person I've met has fit that description as they've faced insurmountable pain and exile to live a life comfortable in their own bodies. Youngkin may pretend to appeal to Christians and parents with this but we're only going to get hurt in the wave of unfounded witch trials that this document will cause. </p>


I fully oppose this.


This will bring harm to trans kids.

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This will bring harm to trans kids.


This is a terrible policy decision.

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This is a terrible policy decision.


This will bring harm to trans kids.


Strongly and completely oppose

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As a public school employee in the state of Virginia, I completely and fully oppose these new guidelines. Transgender and gender creative children are at a higher risk of suicide, but that does not come from the fact they are transgender, but when they are not supported by the people around them. This will deeply hurt these children, and cisgender (non transgender) children as well by teaching them that certain people do not deserve rights and respect. I have seen how embraced and supported these kids are by their peers and the adults they work with, and so much progress will be erased by this policy. Additionally, my professional ethics forbid me from "outting" queer children to parents, which puts me in a position where I will have to go against state policy or risk breaking ethical codes. Educators are not "turning kids trans", we are not "grooming" children into identifying as trans. We just simply listen to kids when they tell us how they truly feel and support them as best as we can. Please just let us do our jobs, and let these kids be treated with respect.


Do not do this.


Trans proposal by Youngkin

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Opposed. Trans people need protection.


Strongly oppose.


Never!

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Don’t make the decision for the kids, they have to decide on their own how they want to live. Just imagine you would be in their position. You would be very scared to come home knowing your parents know your secret now. Maybe kids will do suicide, run away, be ashamed of themselves. That’s not a way kids should be treated!


I am strongly opposed.


I oppose this fully.


I am completely opposed.


I oppose the new anti-trans students proposal

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I very much oppose this, and will vote for people who oppose it.


Strongly oppose

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<p>I strongly oppose this rule- it will o my hurt children and their family’s.  It’s cruel and not in the spirit of Virginia </p>


Strongly oppose

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<p>This policy would harm youth and create an environment where individuals do not feel safe at school </p>


Fully support


This is a terrible policy decision.


I oppose.

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I fully oppose this change! If this was truly about parents' rights and protecting kids, then parents would have the right to request that their child’s chosen pronouns would be respected.


Strongly opposed to this

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<p>Let’s not treat people as inconveniences or problems because you don’t agree with their identity. Let’s try our best to do right by every child instead of conjuring up some issue to score political points. </p>


Protect trans youth. STRONGLY Oppose.

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The assertion that parents are in danger because trans students (and people in general) merely exist is absolutely ridiculous. Instituting this policy will only increase rates of trans suicide and make schools even more of a hostile environment for trans students. How can you say that "we recognize the unique experiences and identities of our students" and then in the same breath mention that parents get to decide their curriculum by denying that one of those unique identities deserves to exist???


This is a terrible idea

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Please do not do this.  There is no reason other than trying to hurt innocent children to enact this terrible policy.


Surprisingly, plan is quite moderate

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<p>I read the provisions. They are a reasonable balance of concerns and follow the law. I expected to read something horrible, given all the outrage, but it isn't anything extraordinary. The guidelines protect and balance everyone's rights. </p>


Do not do this.


Absolutely Opposed

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The fact that flimsy Constitutional arguments are being used to justify marginalizing trans individuals is abhorrent.  This in no way "encourages respect for all students" and just further serves to damage human rights for political gain.


Strongly Oppose

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This model policy:

Is rooted in transphobia and seeks to further harm trans and nonbinary kids.

Seeks to erase trans and nonbinary youth from the classroom. They create a hostile & potentially dangerous school environment.

Requires teachers and school staff to forcibly “out” students to their parents against their will in some circumstances, such as where a student seeks counseling.

Prohibits teachers and school staff from supporting trans & nonbinary students, such as using a student’s affirming name & pronouns.

Creates bathroom and sports policies that prohibit access and/or participation in activities consistent with their gender identity.

We know that a 2021 peer-reviewed study by The Trevor Project (https://www.thetrevorproject.org/blog/acceptance-of-transgender-and-nonbinary-youth-from-adults-and-peers-associated-with-significantly-lower-rates-of-attempting-suicide/) found that transgender and nonbinary youth who reported gender identity acceptance from teachers and peers had significantly lower odds of attempting suicide in the past year.

This policy will endanger the lives of trans youth.

I vehemently OPPOSE the draft policy and ask the VDOE to reject them.


Dangerous

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Why would schools notify parents of anything except academic performance?

This is a partisan policy that hurts young transgender people - as a gay man growing up, it would have been DANGEROUS to me for my parents to know of my sexuality. I am lucky to have grown up to have a great life that I'm proud of.


I oppose

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Endangering the lives of trans and nonbinary children is evil. I oppose this policy.


I am strongly opposed.


Trans Policy

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There have always been “trans” people.  This is nothing new.  Please support trans kids and make them feel safe in school.


I oppose these policies

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<p>The 2022 VDOE Model Policies are inherently in opposition to the basic humans rights of LGBTQ+ youth, specifically trans and nonbinary youth. These policies, written under the guise of protecting parents' rights, exist to put children in danger in an environment that should keep them safe from home abuse, depression, anxiety, and bullying, to name a few negative outcomes. These policies also ignore the rights of the parents of trans and nonbinary youth, who seek to work alongside their school faculty to make school a safe space for their children-- these policies make it so that nonbinary identities (currently recognized in the state of Virginia as a legal gender identity) aren't recognized in schools, and make it so that children are recognized by their birth sex, which can be biologically and socially inaccurate. LGBTQ+ youth is a population that commonly experiences abuse at home, as well as homelessness-- due to unsupportive families whose beliefs do not "allow" for their children to identify differently than what was assigned to them at birth. These statistics can easily be found online. For the VDOE to completely ignore these facts and to mandate policies that WILL- not can, but WILL- lead to more children in danger, is inexcusable. Statistics from a poll run by The Trevor Project show that 45% of LGBTQ youth seriously considered suicide in the past year, including more than half of transgender and nonbinary youth and 1 in 3 cisgender youth. 14% of LGBTQ youth attempted suicide in the past year, including nearly 1 in 5 transgender and nonbinary youth and 1 in 10 cisgender youth. 73% of LGBTQ youth reported experiencing symptoms of anxiety , including more than three-quarters of transgender and nonbinary youth and nearly two-thirds of cisgender youth. 58% of LGBTQ youth reported experiencing symptoms of depression. Fewer than 1 in 3 transgender and nonbinary youth found their home to be gender-affirming, while LGBTQ youth who found their school to be LGBTQ-affirming reported lower rates of attempting suicide. By implementing these policies, you are statistically putting more youth at risk, not protecting them. </p>


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I oppose this in the strongest possible manor.


Policy is dangerous, do not pass

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Any policy that encourages the outing of youth is dangerous to their health and wellbeing.


I fully oppose this.


I am completely opposed.

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I am completely opposed.


Snowflake Parents who support this equals bad parenting - I strongly oppose

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I strongly oppose this.

I'm seeing alot of comments about "YES I HAVE MY RIGHTS BACK AS A PARENT"

Is this about you or your kids? Your kids to be able to thrive? Be their authentic selves? Being in a loving supportive environment? When you won't allow your kids to be addressed as the gender they want to be identified with (or does not want to be addressed as),this will lead to mental health issues, depression and potentially life altering scenarios that can be prevented.

If you support this as a parent then I have to question if you should even be a parent.

TRANS LIVES MATTER.


Please don't do this.

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As a person who just graduated from the VBCPS school system a few years ago, this is a terrible policy change and it will put so many students in danger. Students won't be able to feel comfortable at school if they can't go by their preferred name and pronouns. And many can't talk to their parents because the parents aren't always guaranteed to be supportive. Some parents kick their kids out of the house for being trans or LGBT+ in general. The only way to stop this from happening is by protecting trans kids, not discriminating against them.


This will bring harm to trans kids.

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This will bring harm to trans kids.


Focus On The Future, Not On The Past

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The job of our educators is to prepare children for the future, not to reinforce prejudices of the past. In every society since the beginning of time, people have developed prejudices against minority groups and cloaked those injustices under the umbrella of religious beliefs. Do not implement another policy that sets our society back and imposes yesterday's values on our children. Stop thinking politics and instead consider preparing our children for the real world, both now and of the future.


This is a terrible policy decision.

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This is a terrible policy decision.


It is a grave mistake to pass this.

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It is a grave mistake to pass this.


Strongly oppose this!

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This is literally a matter of life and death and passing this would put trans kids' life at risk. This creates an environment that opposes personal freedoms and ruins the relationship between child and teacher, in a situation where that teacher may be one of the few safe adults for the child in question may come to. Passing this would roll back progress made for trans children. There is no reason to reverse the course that we have been on to make the classroom safe for all children.


Strongly oppose.


This Policy Would Be Gravely Harmful

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Do not enact Governor Youngkin's proposed anti-trans "parental rights" policy. Whether or not you believe that trans and nonbinary children are old enough to know their gender identity (though research suggests that many may know as young as 4 years of age,) it is blatantly harmful to reject them for it, and to forcibly out them to their parents regardless of whether it will lead to abuse. "Every child" includes trans children. As a teacher, I am very concerned that this policy will lead to the abuse of innocent students, and to higher suicide rates among already vulnerable populations. Children deserve to be treated with dignity and humanity, not as chattel. Trans and nonbinary children are no different in this respect.


This is a terrible policy decision.


Bad idea could cause children deaths

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<p>As a transgender woman who has had issues with depression and anxiety i can 100% say that i would have ended my own life if this policy was in place while i was in school, and odds are some of these kids would at least try to do the same. </p>


Health care provider in strong opposition to this policy

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I am a family medicine PA practicing in Fairfax.

Trans kids deserve support in our schools regardless of their level of support at home. Trust them to make the best decisions for their own physical and mental health.

Trans kids lives are move important than politics.


Do not do this.


I oppose this fully.


Please do not pass this

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This will only hurt children who did nothing to deserve this.


It is a grave mistake to pass this.


Very good policy,  it's a must read to understand

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Very good policy for all students.  Read it thoroughly and you'll better understand it.


I strongly oppose

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<p>I strongly oppose the implementation of these transphobic policies as a transgender man </p>


Strongly opposed to this

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Absolutely terrible policy. Do not do this.


Cruelty Should Not Be The Point

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My family strongly opposes this discriminatory policy. To intentionally - and knowingly- harm innocent children who are trying to figure out who they are is callous and cruel. Why do you need to pick on children? To not even respect them enough to call them by their chosen name? Why be so heartless?

Trans children are much more likely to harm themselves and suffer enough slings and arrows as they are growing up, now having their schools be places that want to harm and bully them is, we submit, unlawful and discriminatory.

Treating trans children in this cruel way - in order to try to score cheap political points - is horrific. Gender fluid people have existed throughout history, and instead of trying to make innocent young people suffer, I'd prefer my taxpayer money going to find ways to support them, their families, and their schools embrace love, compassion, and community.

As Dr. Martin Luther King said: "I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear."

God has created each and every one of us, including these children, whether or not you agree with their life choices. It is not for the government to judge.


I am completely opposed.


Fully endorse this common sense proposition. Do not understand many of the opposition comments.

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<p>After reading full content, I simply do not understand what the opposition is to   I agree that most opposing comments are manufactured by bots - very similar wording, if not exact, and most bunched in short time periods. I also wonder how many actually live in VA. </p>


I am strongly opposed.


Shame shame shame on Youngkin. He must be stopped.

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<p>The new transgender guidelines that Gov. Youngin is proposing is outrageous. He isn't treating each student as a person that is intelligent and able to think for themselves. He is going to create even more division and hatred against LGBTQ students which is NOT what the schools need. Where is his Christianity? It is important to provide safe schools for every child and not try to create divisions among students that are different from others. One of my concerns is what will Youngin do next if he is able to stop providing safe schools for transgender students. It is all too similar to Nazi Germany. Once we allow certain types of people to not have rights then we are stepping back into time. This can not be passed in Virginia. It is shameful that he believes everyone should share his beliefs. It must be repealed. </p>


Strongly oppose.


This harms more than the trans kids.

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If you pass this, everyone will be harmed. Transgender or sysgender


I fully oppose this.


I am completely opposed.

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I am completely opposed.


Fully oppose this

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<p>It would be a terrible mistake to pass this. I fully oppose </p>


KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK SCHOOLS!

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You mustn't let parents get in the way of indoctrinating the children!

-Hitler, Stalin, Lenin, Mao


Do not do this.


Who do these sorts of laws serve?

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<p>Why do we even bother with policy-editing like this? Some of the most vulnerable youth in our communities need  help and protection from their school administrators, teachers and staff, and policies that would remove those protections. Why? Why cause harm? Why open the door to danger? Please do not move forward with the newly proposed policies. </p>


Disgusting

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<p>Your policy of outing tans kids, forcing them into the wrong bathroom, refusing to use their proper name is disgusting. You are going to cause these kids irreparable harm and put their lives in danger. Absolutely shameful. </p>


I oppose the Youngkin  transgender policy

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<p>Child development research indicates it is important for students to develop autonomy, and the Youngkin policy  completely negates any chance for a transgender child to have any say in their own identity. As such, it leads these vulnerable open to increased mental health crises. Generally, if a student has not come out to their family, they do not feel safe doing so. Most districts work with the student and the counselors to identify family safety and vulnerability for the student, with the goal being to involve the parents. A cold call from a teacher will put students at risk. This policy cancels any possibility of these students feeling safe at school, and research also shows that unsafe students cannot learn effectively.  This policy is a needless stab at a vulnerable population. Please rescind it.  </p>


This will bring harm to trans kids.

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This will bring harm to trans kids.


Thank you- I strongly agree

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<p>This is the bill va needs to protect parental rights. Girls should be safe in locker rooms and on sports teams. </p>


I strongly oppose this bill

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Every day, throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia, educators and school leaders work to ensure that all students have an opportunity to receive a high-quality education. As a part of that work, educators strive to meet the individual needs of all students entrusted to their care, and teachers work to create educational environments where all students thrive. The Virginia Department of Education (the “Department”) recognizes that each child is a unique individual with distinctive abilities and characteristics that should be valued and respected. All students have the right to attend school in an environment free from discrimination, harassment, or bullying. The Department supports efforts to protect and encourage respect for all students. Thus, we have a collective responsibility to address topics such as the treatment of transgender students with necessary compassion and respect for all students. The Department also fully acknowledges the rights of parents to exercise their fundamental rights granted by the Fourteenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution to direct the care, upbringing, and education of their children. The Code of Virginia reaffirms the rights of parents to determine how their children will be raised and educated. Empowering parents is not only a fundamental right, but it is essential to improving outcomes for all children in Virginia. The Department is mindful of constitutional protections that prohibit governmental entities from requiring individuals to adhere to or adopt a particular ideological belief. The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution guarantees religious freedom and prohibits the government from compelling speech that is contrary to an individual’s personal or religious beliefs. The Department embarked on a thorough review of the Model Policies Guidance adopted on March 4, 2021 (the “2021 Model Policies”). The 2021 Model Policies promoted a specific viewpoint aimed at achieving cultural and social transformation in schools. The 2021 Model Policies also disregarded the rights of parents and ignored other legal and constitutional principles that significantly impact how schools educate students, including transgender students. With the publication of these 2022 Model Policies (the “2022 Model Policies”), the Department hereby withdraws the 2021 Model Policies, which shall have no further force and effect. The Department issues the 2022 Model Policies to provide clear, accurate, and useful guidance to Virginia school boards that align with statutory provisions governing the Model Policies. See Code of Virginia, § 22.1-23.3 (the “Act”). Significantly, the 2022 Model Policies also consider over 9,000 comments submitted to the Department during the public comment period for the 2021 Model Policies.


This will bring harm to trans kids.


Bad Policy will cause more worry over satisfaction

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I may not be a resident of Virginia but I am a transwoman from a state who has policies like this usually in mind, and simply to say this will simply harm more than those who want it think it will help. This is an issue that is similar to the fostercare and adoption system in the US, this would be a way where children who do not feel safe with being out publically will either be kicked out from home and or be abused by parents who are stuck in the mindset of a parent from the 1970s. What Youngkin's law plans to put in place is just further stating the danger transpeople are often in but making it more common as its supported by the state. and guess what, laws like this often are things that lead to either protests that the government wishes to silence or refugee crisises given laws against the LGBT are often stepping stones to worse actions. After a wave of Transphobic ideas got put into law, Roe v. Wade was overturn and with more trans rights being taken away it will just be a stepping stone for the worse. Spain, Italy, Germany, and a couple other countries post World War One had similar backlashes in times of compression that the US is currently being put through, and laws like this were often passed and well, history shows the path that line treads, but unlike then, due to the internet people show their more of their true colors, and a lot of people want to help others and a lot of people will pass on information so ignorance is less seen as long as you look in the right places. Laws like this are really only supported by those who deny the attrocities done by the states of the world as well as those who blindly support these groups no matter what, so I suggest unless the worse is wanted to be continued, that this law should not pass.


I oppose!

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I oppose this and it is harmful to our transgender youth.


I oppose the proposed guidance document

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Research tells us that LGBTQ+ children have a higher suicide rate when they do not receive support from their immediate social and family  environment.  We do not need to add another statistic to the suicide rate, but be inclusive to the need of all students to facilitate their well-being and integration into their classroom.  The rhetoric around the  LGBTQ+ proposed guidance does not benefit the mental health of all students and I oppose it.


Strongly oppose.


Fully Opposed!!

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This policy is cruel and harmful and I am fully opposed!!


This is a terrible policy decision.

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This is a terrible policy decision.


Strongly Oppose

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<p>The guidelines proposed by Governor Youngkin are designed to harm transgender and non-binary students.  I strongly oppose this proposal and urge the VDOE to reject these proposed policy changes. All students should be affirmed, protected from discrimination and supported in schools. </p>


I am strongly opposed.


I am completely opposed.


A Sane Policy

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Thank you for a sane policy in insane times. Praying for you and your staff.


Do not do this.


It is a grave mistake to pass this.

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It is a grave mistake to pass this.


Completely oppose

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<p>We should be putting in more protections for some of the most vulnerable students, not making their lives worse and harder than they already are. School should be a safe and welcoming place for students especially if their home environment is not. We should absolutely be protecting students if they have unsupportive parents not outing them. This is  a backward policy. It is 2022, we should be moving forward progressively to be better not canceling out improved policies. </p>


I SUPPORT THIS

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I support this common sense guidance.


I support transyouth!!  Do not pass this guidance!!!

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Medical research does not support this new guidance!!


This is a terrible policy decision.


I fully oppose this.


I fully oppose this cruel, inhumane policy

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Trans children deserve to have their gender recognized and honored in our public schools—to do otherwise is to not only do them a disservice but also hurt their well-being.  Let students be called by the names they want to be called.  (I can’t count how many times students told teachers they preferred to be called by a middle name or nickname as a student in Virginia schools, often a name very differently than the name on school records, and that never posed an issue.  Why should this?)  This policy is a hateful, political attack on our educational system and our students.  I oppose this in full, and the policy should be rejected.


Trans Rights


I strongly oppose!

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<p>Many trans kids rely on schools to be their safe space because they come from abusive or neglectful households. We need to make them feel safe, secure, and accepted. Forcing parental dictation over their sexual identity will only hurt them and further destroy the progressive agenda that Virginia has spent so many years working towards. Youngkin only won his position because of his transphobia, we will make sure he loses it now that more younger Gen Z progressives will show up to the polls. </p>


Strongly oppose.


It is a grave mistake to pass this.


This will bring harm to trans kids.


this is a mistake to pass


I am strongly opposed.


I oppose this fully.


Stand in opposition

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As emphatically as possible, I stand in opposition to the proposed rule changes that will result in harm to our transgender students. Our students should be legt alone and not made into political pawns for the sake of throwing red meat to a voter base.


Discriminating Among Children / Trans kids

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Discriminating among children is not providing equal protection under the law and is, thus, against the Constitution.

Attempting to score political points by discriminating among children is intolerable.


Strongly opposed


Trans Youth Matter!

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<p>Let trans kids be happy! Strongly oppose! </p>


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I oppose this in the strongest possible manor.


Do not do this.


I fully oppose this.

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<p>I fully oppose this document and feel it would be a mistake to pass it. </p>


Fully Support Parental Rights

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I am in full support of this guidance of the treatment of transgender students in Virginia Public Schools. I do not believe that the wants of such a small percentage of the student population in Virginia, should supersede the needs/wants of the majority of students. Why should my 14 yr old daughter have to use the same locker room or bathroom with a boy who may expose their private parts to her? Why should my daughter feel uncomfortable changing in the girls locker room because a biological boy is in her locker room and staring at her while she is changing?

Many parents, including me, send their child to school to learn academics. Not to worry about being disciplined if they call a fellow student by the wrong pronoun or think someone is a boy when they have decided to be a girl. This is very confusing for children. They are at school to learn algebra, English, computers,and biology. They are not there to be exposed to transgender ideology and question their gender. Teachers are in schools to teach. Not to worry if they are calling a student by the proper name or pronoun.

I am sympathetic towards transgender children. I cannot imagine the psychological pain they are suffering. Many studies have been done that show transgenders grow out of this stage and eventually transition back to their sex at birth. I believe schools should have a list of resources outside the school available for these students. I believe the parents of transgender students under 18 yrs old have a right to know what is going on with their child wherever they are. It is their parental right. Wouldn't you want to know? If there is abuse at home, schools can help them contact the authorities. Again, I feel sorry for transgender kids but my child should not be put in a situation where she can be exposed to male genitalia or feel uncomfortable. Transgender students' parents, doctors and mental health professionals need to work together to help the transgender child.


I fully oppose this.


I am fully opposed to this policy

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This is dehumanizing and rooted deeply in a religious distrust for transgender individuals. I think to pass something like this would be a grave mistake, something that would set us back by decades. This honestly speaks more  to the discriminatory beliefs of the people who wrote this and those who are trying to pass it than it does to supposed “parents’ right.”


This is a terrible policy decision.


Fully Oppose!

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All human beings have rights! It’s literally that simple! I thought this was America?


New transgender guidance

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<p>I adamantly oppose this guidance. As a medical provider, research shows Youngkin's guidance will irreparably harm transgender youth. </p>


This is a complete mistake.

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<p>This is extremely harmful to our students and school staff. There are students that are afraid to "come out" to their parents and disclosing this to parents, could prove dangerous to those students. Teachers and school staff should be there to protect our children, not expose them to possible ridicule or even physical violence. Yes, there are parents that would punish their child for being Trans and/or throw them out of the home. </p>


I am completely opposed.

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I am completely opposed.


Please support trans kids!

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Trans kids should be able to use the correct bathroom, participate in the correct sports based on their true genders. And teachers should use their pronouns and names, regardless of whether they are out to their parents or whether their parents are supportive.


Approve. Remove brain cancer from polite society.

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<p>This policy must go into affect. </p>


Strongly oppose.


Do not implement this guidance

This is in regard to "Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia’s Public Schools" - this guidance is inherently biased against transgender and nonbinary children, and not only will the emotional well-being of children's lives be affected negatively if it's implemented, but their physical well-being would be as well.
A recent study by GLSEN concluded that "75% of transgender youth feel unsafe at school, and those who are able to persevere had significantly lower GPAs, were more likely to miss school out of concern for their safety, and were less likely to plan on continuing their education."
If we want all of our children to thrive in Virginia schools, we cannot single out cis gendered children as the only ones that we deem worth "protecting".
Please DO NOT implement this guidance as directed by the office of the Governor. It will only hurt Virginia children (trans and cis alike), and create a hostile environment for children just trying to learn, grow, and be themselves. We must protect ALL children in Virginia schools, and ensure a safe learning environment with every opportunity.
Thank you.
Chrisi WestFairfax County, VA

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This is in regard to "Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia’s Public Schools" - this guidance is inherently biased against transgender and nonbinary children, and not only will the emotional well-being of children's lives be affected negatively if it's implemented, but their physical well-being would be as well.

A recent study by GLSEN concluded that "75% of transgender youth feel unsafe at school, and those who are able to persevere had significantly lower GPAs, were more likely to miss school out of concern for their safety, and were less likely to plan on continuing their education."

If we want all of our children to thrive in Virginia schools, we cannot single out cis gendered children as the only ones that we deem worth "protecting".

Please DO NOT implement this guidance as directed by the office of the Governor. It will only hurt Virginia children (trans and cis alike), and create a hostile environment for children just trying to learn, grow, and be themselves. We must protect ALL children in Virginia schools, and ensure a safe learning environment with every opportunity.

Thank you.

Chrisi West
Fairfax County, VA


This will bring harm to trans kids.

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This will bring harm to trans kids.


Strongly oppose

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We strongly oppose. Support Trans Kids!


This is a terrible policy decision.

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This is a terrible policy decision.


It is a grave mistake to pass this.

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It is a grave mistake to pass this.


Opposed

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<p>This new policy does not support the most vulnerable students or parents of these students.  You are expecting these parents to jump through hoops to support their kids. What about the kids that don’t have supportive families and school is their only safe space.  This policy is so wrong!  </p>


Strongly OPPOSE

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A dangerous thing that should not happen


Not every parent is kind - passing this increases risk of suicide especially in unsupportive homes

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There aren't that many trans people anyway, why do people need to systematically make their lives so much worse?


Do not do this.


Approve of new 2022 rules

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I support the new rules, they protect the rights of parents and teachers.


I oppose this fully.


I fully oppose this.


completely opposed

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I am completely opposed


I am strongly opposed.


Parents have Rights too.  - Strongly Support

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I fully support this policy.  My rights as a parent have slowly been stripped away and I 'm tired of it.

This policy is clear, thoughtful and necessary.  Our kids are struggling with just everyday life, and I'm sick to death of watching the people on the left try and corrupt our children.  Teaching them to lie to their parents, and keep secrets, secrets that could lead to real life or death situations.

We applaud children who are caught having sex in schools and dismiss the consequences, because we are afraid to teach our children about self respect and bodily autonomy (right to say no).  That's why we are in the mess we are in.  Because we aren't encouraging our children to educate themselves on actual life issues.

Governor Youngkin and everyone involved in this policy, you are blessed and we will continue to pray for you.  Please continue to protect our children and their rights.


It is a grave mistake to pass this.


Strongly oppose.


Dangerous

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<p>This legislation is dangerous & scary. It is potentially harmful to children trying to navigate an already challenging time in their lives. You hurt no one by allowing these kids to be who they are. </p>


This will bring harm to trans kids.


Preserve Parental Rights!

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It's imperative Virginia school boards respect parents' rights over their own children. It's ludicrous we're even having this debate!


I oppose--another Youngkin stunt

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The governor is doing nothing to help Virginians and the commonwealth when we need it. Instead he pulls stunts like this. He likes to scare people and bring in fringe lunatics who pretend to be parents and disrupt the calm and safety of school boards. People who are bigoted should not send their kids to public school if they can't bear democracy or the protection of the rights of children.


Strongly Oppose This Policy! Keep Trans Kids Safe!

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As many have elaborated before, this policy is entirely designed against transgender students with unsupportive parents! The only things to come out of this decision is a pile of paperwork for teachers and parents and less safe spaces for transgender students. So what if a student decides to go by a different name at school than at home? What detriment would this cause our nation? If we are to fix America’s youth, why not start from the bare essentials, like understaffed schools, underpaid teachers and parents, terrible living conditions for the lower class, and proper psychiatric treatment for youth?


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I oppose this in the strongest possible manor.


Support


Strongly Oppose.

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The best way to serve all of our students is to honor who they are. Shakespeare and others have posited that names don't really matter. Let a child be called by whatever name/pronouns make them comfortable. Youngkin's guidelines will hurt all kids and possibly incite violence towards trans kids. There are lots of initiatives that would benefit our schools and all he has offered are guidelines that will tear our schools apart. Strongly object to these hateful and abusive guidelines.


Strongly oppose

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This policy pretends to address a problem that is not really a problem at all. It's a transparent attempt to further marginalize a community that already faces enough challenges, all for political gain.


I strongly oppose!

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<p>I strongly oppose any rolling back of rights for transgender students. </p>


Do not do this.


These are real children you will hurt with this horrible policy

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How can you be so cruel? These are real people. Human beings. Children. they are not some abstract idea you can knock over to make your most conservative constituents happy.

Trans kids deserve to feel safe in school. They deserve a right to choose what they are called and how they are addressed. The harm you do is real, too. Shame on you.


I oppose this.

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<p>This will make the public schools system hostile towards students. As a taxpayer in Virginia, I do not want my money to go towards such a system. This also takes away the freedom of not only the students in which the state is supposed to represent, but the teachers and parents. </p>


This is a terrible policy decision.

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This is a terrible policy decision.


I am strongly opposed.


Inclusion and acceptance of children expressing themselves should NOT be a problem.

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Of all the problems we should address at public schools, the reversal of hard fought-for inclusion and acceptance for transgender students trying to express themselves is NOT one of them. This is absolutely nonsensical.


This is a terrible policy decision.


This will bring harm to trans kids.

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This will bring harm to trans kids.


I am completely opposed.

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I am completely opposed.


Strongly oppose; protect trans youth.

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<p>This will directly harm & endanger trans & queer youth. Haven’t we lost enough? This is heartbreaking & sickening. </p>


Completely oppose this bill

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This bill will harm our children. LGBTQ youth must have the same rights as everyone else to be their whole, authentic selves in schools and everywhere else. This bill puts their lives in danger and we cannot do that.


It is a grave mistake to pass this.

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It is a grave mistake to pass this.


I oppose this fully.


100% agree with new policy

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<p>Gov Youngkin. Thank you so much for standing up for parents rights in this election you will see thousands of negative comments coming for the left. Majority are from paid protestors and members of the radical left.  You have stood up for parental rights for all Virginian’s and kept the promises you made. I ask you to continue this with school vouchers for parents to use their tax dollars for the school of their choice.  We are trying to get our local (Pulaski County) to do the same. Thank you for all you do. </p>


This will bring harm to trans kids.


Trans kids deserve dignity, support, and safety

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Trans youth are more likely to be victims of violence, homelessness, and mental illness. To deny them autonomy or to force them to adhere to another identity also impacts their ability to learn. Students must have their basic needs met (according to Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs) before they are able to cognitively learn.  This policy denies access of Trans youth to both Safety Needs by forcing them to be outed and Love and Belonging.


I fully oppose this.


Dangerous Policy

Juan M. Hernandez, Board of Directors, ACLU of Virginia

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This policy will put our children in danger. I'm a father of a trans-daughter, and she's already being picked on in school. We must protect, not only our children, but the LGBTQ+ community.

I oppose this abhorrent, dangerous, and disgusting legislation. The ACLU of Virginia will act!


Strongly oppose.


“It’s so easy to hurt others when you can’t feel pain.”

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<p>I unequivocally oppose any ban that restricts trans kids from being treated with the same fairness and equity as another other child. I am hurt and disappointed in the new governor of Virginia’s decision to bully and single out trans kids. It’s hard to believe that this guy refers to himself as a Christian. He has no idea what life is like for trans kids and has absolutely no right to speak or act on their behalf. This is cruel and unnecessary and will only hurt children, you’re not helping anybody. Parental rights should not have a one up on human dignity. </p>


It is a grave mistake to pass this.


Teachers are TEACHING, not grooming. Strongly oppose

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This is complete buzzword nonsense.


Strongly Oppose. Protect Trans Kids.

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<p>These demented policies can not be allowed to go into effect. We must protect all our children in virginia & that includes all our trans & non-binary youth. Virginia is for lovers & there’s no place for this transphobic bigotry & discrimination in our state. Equality for all. </p>


I am completely opposed.


Strongly Oppose

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I cannot express forcefully enough how harmful this policy change will be towards trans students in the Commonwealth.  This policy change will only put kids back in the closet, where they can’t be who they really are, or push them to harm or kill themselves…but I guess that’s point for Youngkin and his ilk.


Do not do this.


no.

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<p>this is a terrible thing. </p>


Strongly oppose

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As a retired educator, I am strongly opposed to the Virginia Department of Education's 2022 Model Policies on the Privacy, Dignity, and Respect for All Students and Parents in Virginia's Public Schools.

School is the only safe place for many students, especially those whose sexual orientation may be different from that their parents/guardians might prefer. These students are often marginalized at home, beaten, punished, even thrown out of their homes by those who should protect them. Please do not cause more harm to these children by forcing school personnel to potentially out them.

I have another concern about these policies. School personnel are mandated reporters of suspected abuse. As such, they MUST report any suspected abuse to Child Protective Services. Therefore, these mandated reporters will be required by law to report comments which might indicate a violent reaction made by a parent or guardian on learning that their child's orientation is different than they believed. I would like to see some assurances that the outed child will be protected by the State as would the reporting educator.

Please re-think this cruel policy to protect ALL our children.


no.


Transphobic parents break families apart

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If you cant listen respectfully to a child wanting to express their individual sense of gender, you shouldnt be a parent.

If you deny the existence, humanity, or human rights of people who have different experiemces of gender than you - youre unfit to be a Parent. Glenn Youngkin and his supporters will wind up begging jesus for forgiveness at the gates of Hell.


This is a terrible policy decision.

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This is a terrible policy decision.


I strongly OPPOSE the guidance

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As a concerned Virginia resident and member of a faith community, I strongly oppose this proposed policy and I urge VDOE to swiftly reject the changes. Transgender and non-binary students have the right to be protected from discrimination and to be able to learn in an environment that affirms their identities.

This policy would only increase mental health challenges experienced by trans and non-binary students and harm youth in Virginia. A 2021 peer-reviewed study by The Trevor Project’s researchers found that transgender and nonbinary youth who reported gender identity acceptance from teachers and peers had significantly lower odds of attempting suicide in the past year. Having at least one accepting adult can reduce the risk of a suicide attempt among LGBTQ young people by 40 percent. Protect all Virginia students by rejecting this proposed policy.


Vehemently Opposed

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<p>As a Virginia public school teacher, I know how harmful this proposed legislation is. Simply put, if these antiquated and shortsighted policies are enacted, kids will die. Queer youth are already at higher risk of suicide due to stigma and mistreatment. These policies will only make outcomes for gay and gender non-conforming kids worse. If you care about children and their emotional, mental, and physical well-being, the only sensible choice is to oppose these policies. </p>


I am completely opposed.

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I am completely opposed.


Youngkins K-12 document

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Couldn't agree more!!!! Parents decide, not school boards!!!


This is a terrible policy decision.