I would not be alive today if these guidelines were in place when I was in high school.

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I was a student of FCPS that graduated in 2016. If these guidelines were in place while I was a student there, I guarantee I would not be alive today. Please do not enact these policies. You are ensuring the death of hundreds of LGBTQ kids if you do, and their blood will be on your hands. If you do, I pray God passes fair judgement on you for the murder of children.


Strongly oppose.


I am completely opposed to this

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<p>I am completely opposed to this! </p>


Fully Oppose

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I fully oppose to this policy.  GLENN YOUNGKIN.


Overturning protection for Trans students


I fully oppose this.


HORRIFIC!

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This is not about parental rights, this is about bigotry, plain and simple. Pretending kids are not trans or outing them to unsupportive family will not make them disappear. Everyone deserves to have safe adults they can turn to.

Without these safe adults, trans kids are at a severely increased risk for suicide, depression, abuse, and homelessness. Please, please, as a teacher, I’m begging you to keep our kids safe and allow them to be who they are!


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.


We Must Fight Back

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This was the exact behavior I expected from this administration. As a Black Transman what is next? You are going after Trans and Non Binary children, will Black people be the next target?

This is an attack on a community and the victim is children who are simply trying to live their true authentic self.


Do not do this.


Loudoun parent-strongly oppose this anti-trans policy

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Both of my children went through their entire school careers in Loudoun county, graduating in 2018 and 2021. They both have friends and acquaintances who identify as trans or non-binary. There has never been an issue with teachers accepting preferred names and pronouns, thankfully. It's outrageous and appalling that you want LBGT students to be force -outed, to be dead named and disrespected as the state's default position. Should we have listened to parents who refused to desegregate our schools? No, we should not have. Denying basic human rights to students who just want to live is heinous. After the Supreme Court decision for Gavin Grimm, I admit I'm surprised you're foolish enough to go down this road again. I sincerely hope you reconsider this abominable, hateful policy.


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I oppose this in the strongest possible manor.


Policy Encourages Child Abuse

If a teacher or school staff member believes that a student may be abused or harmed by their parent or guardian if the information is revealed, they should not be forced to reveal it. Parents do not have a right to beat and abuse their children. Students must be able to alert school staff to abuse or potential abuse in confidence. Thus policy change will encourage a worsening in child abuse in Virginia and will unnecessary harm many students in Virginia.


I oppose this fully.


Parents matter

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Thank you Gov. Youngkin for listening to the parents and the community. Parents should be involved in their children's life. Girls in girls sports, boys in boys sports! Education not indoctrination for all students.


This is a terrible policy decision.


Support

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<p style="text-align: left;">Fully support. </p>


I am strongly opposed.


Parent and teacher  - Opposed

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This is dangerous legislation that adversely impacts our LGBTQ+ students. I’m strongly opposed to this bill as both a parent and as an educator. Trans students are a very small percentage of the population, already marginalized and vulnerable.

If a child does not share this information with their families there is a reason. It is not an educators responsibility to out a student. It undermines trust and the relationship between the educator and the student.

It is honestly shameful that we are even having this conversation.


This is a detriment to innocent trans children.

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Transgender children have never and will never pose a threat to anyone’s safety. It’s quite the opposite — when I was in high school, I had a long uphill battle to receive equal rights and opportunities, including just using the bathroom. To know that my younger trans siblings will have to continue this battle disheartens me. Trans kids are KIDS, just like any other high school kid. To deny them something as simple as the bathroom that correlates to their true self is a disgrace to human rights. Do not let transgender students have more stress and attention on their backs — let kids be kids without worrying about legal action for going pee.


Lots of cut and paste here.

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<p>We should not encourage this behavior of deceiving parents and that there are more than 2 sexes. </p>


I fully oppose this.


I fully oppose this policy.

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<p>We must protect ALL children and this policy will harm trans & LGBTQ+ children. </p>


Gravely concerned about the impacts of the proposed policy

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This proposed policy will end up causing more abuse of kids at the hands of parents who can't come to terms with having an LGBTQ child.  While this very well may "empower" some parents, the policy doesn't seem to give much thought to parents who are supportive of their kids, but comes down heavily in favor of those who are likely to react angrily to their child coming out.  A short sighted policy thats real goal seems to be to gin up base political support, but isn't really about supporting kids who already are on the receiving end of abuse by the some in society.  I'm under no illusions that any of these comments will impact the policy, but its important to stand up to protect those who need a voice.


Protect trans & non-binary kids

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Against Title IX, Civil Rights Act, and our job as educators to protect ALL students.


Suicide rates among LGBTQ is too high already - oppose this non-suoportive stance

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LGBTQ kids have a very high rate of suicide and suicide attempts. This stance will greatly increase their stress and isolation. This can only be bad for their mental health.

I strongly oppose this stance.


This will bring harm to trans kids.

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This will bring harm to trans kids.


Protect Trans Kids, oppose this guidance

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If kids felt safe at home, they would tell their parents.  This endangers kids.  Stop the hate.  Stop using kids for political points.


This will bring harm to trans kids.


Strongly Support This Policy

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<p>All students deserve to feel safe at school. All girls should be able to feel safe in their bathrooms, locker rooms and sports. All students deserve to have parental involvement when they are contemplating making major life changes. The ADA recognizes gender dysphoria as a recognized disability. No parents are kept out of the discussion when it comes to any other disability, so why should they be kept out of these discussions. I strongly support the new policy, as the current one is creating unsafe school environments and catering to a small minority, instead of thinking about all students.  </p>


Opposed. Protect trans students.

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This awful policy change will harm students. Strongly opposed.


Fully support

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Thank you Gov Youngkin!


Come on! Leave our students alone.

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As a former Republican, I am appalled by Governor Youngkin's efforts to violate people's personal rights. When I was a Republican, we prided ourselves on not interfering with a person's right to freedom regarding their personal life. This effort on his part to interfere with transgender youth in our schools is over the top!


This is a terrible policy decision.

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This is a terrible policy decision.


Do not do this.


You’re taking away the reason I moved my kid to Virginia.

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<p style="text-align: left;">I moved to NoVa bc of its more open minded school policies so my child would feel safe and welcome, exactly what she didn’t have in Western NY. You’re trying to take away the rights of anyone that doesn’t fit your “perfect” Christian male/female. Well, guess what, we aren’t all Christian and we don’t have to be or want to be. Leave people to be themselves, not who you think they should be bc it doesn’t work for you. It’s not about you. It’s not about what your beliefs are, it’s about the health of all children, even the ones that won’t fit in your little, close-minded, Christian mold. (And yes, I am definitely aware that not all Christians feel this way).  Stop making our kids your political pawns, and find something better, that’s bipartisan to work on, instead of trying to prove a point. </p>


Trans

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<p>I strongly agree with the Governor. </p>


I strongly oppose

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<p>I oppose this bill. This does not represent my views as a Virginia constituent. </p>


I oppose this fully.


100% Full Support

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I 100% support ALL that Youngkin, Mirares, and Sears is doing to bring common sense laws and policies back to VA!  We are so blessed to have these folks representing us!!

Parents have a God given right and responsibility to be fully engaged in their children's education and their moral and character development. Any school that believes and pursues eliminating the parent and replacing them with the teacher or the education system as the final say in the children's lives are terribly off course and over-reaching.

This policy is not about harming any children. It is about protecting our children.


Protect trans kids

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<p>It should never be parents rights over the lives of vulnerable kids. What’s wrong with you people? Seriously. </p>


This is a terrible policy decision.


As Parent & Pastor: Please Protect Trans Kids!

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<p>Governor Youngkin's draft model policy will harm families, parents and kids alike, and as a parent and a pastor, I urge you to reject it. Such a policy threatens the mental health of trans kids, who are statistically more likely to resort to suicide or other self-harming measures when they cannot live and be recognized in the gender identity they have determined is authentic to them. Ideally, such a determination happens in concert with supportive, loving parents, but this is not always the case. In fact we know that a disproportionate number of homeless youth and young adults are on the streets because their parents have rejected their gender or sexual identity. To force the teachers and counselors tasked to educate our children and youth to "out them" to their parents in a home where it's not safe is to place children in danger. To prohibit teachers from supporting trans students in ways they feel called or committed to is to create a hostile educational environment. As a pastor I have ministered to youth who cannot safely use the bathroom all day at school or have opted out of school lunch or library because their chosen name and pronouns are not honored. The level of anxiety these situations cause is a determent to learning and to the mental health and wellbeing of a child. Please stop this bill. </p>


I fully oppose this.


I absolutely oppose the proposed plan.

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Supporting gender diverse students supports and protects those kids. It takes away from no one else's rights. Teachers being non-supportive by calling someone by the name they don't want only hurts the students. And telling parents when a student does not want them to know that they are non-binary or trans can put them in danger.

Trust our kids. Support our kids. Be inclusive of all kids. We owe them at least that much.


Changes transgender policies

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<p>I strongly oppose any changes. </p>


Strongly oppose.


Please stop this insanity

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<p>Please protect the rights of ALL of humanity. </p>


This will bring harm to trans kids.


I am completely opposed.

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I am completely opposed.


I am fully opposed to the policies presented by Youngkin and his party!

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Transgender rights are human rights! I am fully opposed to attacks on transgender youth as represented by this biased policy proposal! You are endangering the mental health and well- being of LGBTQ+ youth with your intolerant, ignorant policies. Because they already feel different and feel and face backlash because of that, they look to the adults in their life to reassure and give them acceptance. By denying them the right to identify as they choose, be addressed as they choose, and protect their right to an education in a fair and free environment, you are showing them they are not accepted, you are violating their rights and not supporting them in their educational endeavors. I do not put these policies being put into place!


100% support  Glen Youngkins policies.

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<p> It’s Common sense for anyone who doesn’t understand. It’s male or female……. Male use male bathrooms , female use female bathrooms. No argument..</p>


Oppose

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<p>I strongly oppose. This will damage these children’s physical and mental health. </p>


I am completely opposed.


I am strongly in favor!

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Thank you for restoring parental rights!


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I oppose this in the strongest possible manor.


Disgusting

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I am disgusted. This will do more harm for transgenders. Strongly opposed.. shameful


Support


I strongly oppose

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<p>Who's next? This is how Hocausts start, by dehumanizing people. </p>


STOP the WOKENESS in our Public Schools! EDUCATE not INDOCTRINATE! Back to Common Sense!

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<p>DO NOT allow pronouns to be used in our schools. This only leads to confusing the children more. There are ONLY two genders, male & female based on the male chromosome or the female chromosome. What happened to “follow the science”? Bathroom use & sports activities need to be limited to appropriate biological gender, again as defined by the appropriate chromosomes and nothing else! Common sense should tell you that just because a boy “identifies” as a girl, if he was allowed to compete in girls sports it would not be fair as the boy would still be , biologically stronger than the girl even though he may “identify” as a girl. Transgender and LGBTQ should NOT be promoted or encouraged in our public schools by teachers, staff or other officials. These are MENTAL HEALTH issues and should not be addressed by the Public School system! STOP enabling and coddling these children. To do so is not helping them. They need to grow up and learn how to function in the real world and not the world of make believe (“you can be any gender or animal or whatever you want to be” nonsense) that many in our Public School system are promoting. And there should be TRANSPARENCY (the ONLY “Trans” in schools) between the schools and the parents! There shouldn’t be anymore secrets or matters withheld from parents. It’s the parents responsibility to raise their children and not the schools! The schools responsibility it to EDUCATE the children and NOT indoctrinate them! Get back to basics! </p>


This will bring harm to trans kids.

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This will bring harm to trans kids.


I strongly oppose this

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This proposal is horrific, I strongly oppose


opposed

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<p>Leave the students alone, schools are for learning and educational purposes. Each student should have access to all facilities and stop with the politics. </p>


This is cruel

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<p>I completely oppose this. Please stop terrorizing children </p>


Some of Eco’s 14 Points on Fascism

1. The cult of tradition. “One has only to look at the syllabus of every fascist movement to find the major traditionalist thinkers. The Nazi gnosis was nourished by traditionalist, syncretistic, occult elements.”
2. The rejection of modernism. “The Enlightenment, the Age of Reason, is seen as the beginning of modern depravity. In this sense Ur-Fascism can be defined as irrationalism.”
5. Fear of difference. “The first appeal of a fascist or prematurely fascist movement is an appeal against the intruders. Thus Ur-Fascism is racist by definition.”12. Machismo and weaponry. “Machismo implies both disdain for women and intolerance and condemnation of nonstandard sexual habits, from chastity to homosexuality.”
13. Selective populism. “There is in our future a TV or Internet populism, in which the emotional response of a selected group of citizens can be presented and accepted as the Voice of the People.”
14. Ur-Fascism speaks Newspeak. “All the Nazi or Fascist schoolbooks made use of an impoverished vocabulary, and an elementary syntax, in order to limit the instruments for complex and critical reasoning.”

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1. The cult of tradition. “One has only to look at the syllabus of every fascist movement to find the major traditionalist thinkers. The Nazi gnosis was nourished by traditionalist, syncretistic, occult elements.”

2. The rejection of modernism. “The Enlightenment, the Age of Reason, is seen as the beginning of modern depravity. In this sense Ur-Fascism can be defined as irrationalism.”

5. Fear of difference. “The first appeal of a fascist or prematurely fascist movement is an appeal against the intruders. Thus Ur-Fascism is racist by definition.”

12. Machismo and weaponry. “Machismo implies both disdain for women and intolerance and condemnation of nonstandard sexual habits, from chastity to homosexuality.”

13. Selective populism. “There is in our future a TV or Internet populism, in which the emotional response of a selected group of citizens can be presented and accepted as the Voice of the People.”

14. Ur-Fascism speaks Newspeak. “All the Nazi or Fascist schoolbooks made use of an impoverished vocabulary, and an elementary syntax, in order to limit the instruments for complex and critical reasoning.”


This is a terrible policy decision.

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This is a terrible policy decision.


Opposed to the policies

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<p>I am against these policies and the harm they will cause to innocent kids. </p>


I fully oppose this.


Strongly oppose.


I oppose this fully.


As a therapist and citizen, I strongly oppose these policies

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<p>I strongly oppose these policies. Not only do I think they will cause unnecessary harm to both students AND teachers, but they fly in the face of what the evidence shows actually helps teens who are struggling with their gender identity. </p>


This will not help children

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I am a transgender man who has lived in Virginia for over 20 years. I was born and raised here. Changing existing policies on accommodations for trans youth will not do anything but harm countless children and teenagers. There is absolutely no reason for this to be happening. Trans children are not a threat to their peers for just existing and nor will they ever be.


I am completely opposed.

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I am completely opposed.


Virginia stands for Love not Hate

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<p>This guidance is harmful to transchildren and anyone supporting this should be ashamed of themselves. Why does being kind to someone and THEIR identity affect anyone else negatively? It shouldn’t. Only hateful people support these anti-trans measures. Virginia was headed the right direction and now we are going backwards in time. A time filled with shame and hate and too many child suicides. Love these kids and support them like every other student. Anything less than love and acceptance is unacceptable and will be remembered at every election box going forward. </p>


Transgender Policy

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I strongly disagree with this policy.  It is not centered on what is best for the child.


Do not do this.


Against proposed anti-LBGTQ student policies

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I find it appalling that Gov Youngkin is trying to burnish his MAGA bona fides and feed his political ambitions by promoting a policy designed to harm LGBTQ students.    The parent who objects to treating these students with respect and compassion is likely the kind of parent who has none. "Parental rights" in this context basically assumes that parents have a right to shame their child or "beat the gay" out of them.   Supportive parents do not object to LGBTQ-friendly policies.

No one's sexuality is created by alleged "grooming", which is apparently the new right-wing buzz word to frighten parents.  Sneering comments implying LGBTQ children are simply flirting with a lifestyle rather than being their true selves betrays ignorance of reality. Making school a welcoming and tolerant environment only encourages children to be who they really are.  That is what a parent should want.  If you want your child to go to an anti-LGBTQ school, there are plenty of "Christian" schools that will be happy to shelter them from the real world.


This will bring harm to trans kids.


Opposed to change in policy

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I vehemently appear this change, as it will cause harm to children in the commonwealth.


VDOE Policy

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Youngkin youre a c u n t for this


It is a grave mistake to pass this.

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It is a grave mistake to pass this.


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I oppose this in the strongest possible manor.


Thank you for saving our schools Youngkin!! ????????

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I fully support this!! Amen!! God bless our country and children!


Trans student rights are human rights

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<p>Trans children are at much greater risk of depression, anxiety, and suicide than the general population. Respecting their preferred names and pronouns reduces their risk of suicide. Tattling on closeted trans children to their parents increases the odds that they will endure family rejection and end up on the street. These are real children who deserve to be respected and protected, not used as fodder in a cynical culture war as our Governor angles for higher office. </p>


This will bring harm to trans kids.

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This will bring harm to trans kids.


Do Not Do This

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Do not act like you care about people when you can’t be bothered to protect minority rights


Protect our rights and our Children!

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I agree with this completely. Parents rights have been trampled on and it is unconstitutional. Women fought hard for equal rights under title IX and it has now been used against us to let biological men in our safe places and to take our places on sports teams. This allows males to take sports scholarships away from females. Give us back our rights.


Look at the data and care for our youth when providing GUIDANCE

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Suicidality Among Transgender Youth: Elucidating the Role of Interpersonal Risk Factors - Abstract  (Italics and bolded font added by this commenter.)

Data indicate that 82% of transgender individuals have considered killing themselves and 40% have attempted suicide, with suicidality highest among transgender youth. Using minority stress theory and the interpersonal theory of suicide, this study aims to better understand suicide risk among transgender youth. The present study examines the influence of intervenable risk factors: interpersonal and environmental microaggressions, internalized self-stigma, and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), and protective factors: school belonging, family support, and peer support on both lifetime suicide attempts and past 6-month suicidality in a sample of transgender youth (n = 372). SPSS 22 was utilized to examine the impact of the independent variables on both suicidality and lifetime suicide attempt through two separate logistic regressions. Fifty six percent of youth reported a previous suicide attempt and 86% reported suicidality. Logistic regressions indicated that models for both lifetime suicide attempts and suicidality were significant. Interpersonal microaggressions, made a unique, statistically significant contribution to lifetime suicide attempts and emotional neglect by family approached significance. School belonging, emotional neglect by family, and internalized self-stigma made a unique, statistically significant contribution to past 6-month suicidality. Results have significant practice and policy implications. Findings offer GUIDANCE for practitioners working with parents and caregivers of trans youth, as well as, for the creation of practices which foster interpersonal belonging for transgender youth.

Austin A, Craig SL, D'Souza S, McInroy LB. Suicidality Among Transgender Youth: Elucidating the Role of Interpersonal Risk Factors. J Interpers Violence. 2022 Mar;37(5-6):NP2696-NP2718. doi: 10.1177/0886260520915554. Epub 2020 Apr 29. Erratum in: J Interpers Violence. 2020 Jul 29;:886260520946128. PMID: 32345113.


Strongly opposed. Protect children!

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Not all parents are educated on child development. Most people aren't even qualified to have a kid. Parents rights... yeah. Parents often don't know whats best.


I oppose this fully.


This is a terrible policy decision.

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This is a terrible policy decision.


I oppose this in the strongest possible manor.


VDOE Policy

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Youngkin youre a  for this


I am strongly opposed.


Strongly opposed

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<p>As a parents, resident, taxpayer and supporter of VA public schools I strongly oppose this bill. </p>


Do not do this.


This is needed to save our future.

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This will provide Parents the ability to keep their children from being indocrinated into the woke plans that will destroy our country by ending families as we know them.


This is wrong and I am against

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Protect trans kids, stop misinformation. OPPOSED!!!!


I am completely opposed.

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I am completely opposed.


I fully oppose this.


I oppose this policy.

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This is the kind to policy that hurts the most vulnerable children. This policy will lead to children being abused and/or disowned by the people that are supposed to care them the most, their parents. Schools are supposed to be a safe haven for children to learn and explore new concepts and ideas without being chastised for wanting to know more about the world and about themselves. If parents want to raise their children in accordance with there beliefs and understandings they can home school them. If parents don’t want their their child to happy and live in a way is affirming to them then  the school should not be an ally of the parent, they should be an ally to the student. Do not pass this. Let children learn. Let them make their own decisions.  Let them be themselves. Society is changing faster than ever before, do not be part of a system that seeks to hold it back. Be better. Allow the generation that will inherit this society a safe place to explore the changes that are happening around us and let them decide what parts are best for them to keep to build their future.


Strongly oppose.


Do Not Do This!

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<p>As a Virginia Resident I fully oppose the Youngkin plan to place vulnerable students at further risk.  This is reckless and should never be implemented. This will do nothing but endanger mental health and well-being. Do not implement this policy. </p>


This is a terrible policy decision.


Opposed

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The proposed policy in the same page acknowledges a responsibility not to discriminate on the basis of gender identity, as well as a responsibility to protect kids from bullying and discrimination. It then in the same breath states that it can't require staff to be respectful and courteous to trans students, or to allow them any privacy on this subject, which has been shown time and again to make them a target for rejection and abuse by unaccepting families.


This will bring harm to trans kids.


I oppose this fully.


Strongly support

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<p>I strongly support the revised policies.   But, I won't enter my personal information because expect to be doxxed, like I have been before by all of the tolerant people who think this is something good.   Very sad they think they are always right. </p>


Protect our LGBTQ+ kids, today and everyday

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<p>This so called "Model Policy" is without compassion or thought for children's needs, safety, or mental health. Why would anyone intentionally wish to cause harm? By offering children affirmation, we show other children that they should do the same. Its called being a role model. An Advocate. An Ally. These behaviors help, they do not harm. And by helping children feel safe they are more likely to attend school rather than avoiding it. Please, do not take away our children's right to safe spaces. </p>


Strongly opposed

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<p>Stop using the safety of trans and non-binary youth for political gain. Just because you don’t understand something doesn’t mean it is bad. Open your eyes, ears, mind, and heart to the community who is actually impacted by this. This is disgraceful behavior. </p>


Opposed

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<p>I am opposed to this guidance as it is directly in opposition to equality for students in our schools. </p>


This will bring harm to trans kids.

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This will bring harm to trans kids.


Schools care, parents do not.  Bow to the smarter government.

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<p>Democrats always believe government cares more. </p>


Oppose

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I am writing to oppose the model policy. LGBT youth must be able to explore their identities and access counseling, especially during critical developmental periods. This policy would discourage LGBT youth from seeking out important resources such as counseling or teacher support. Our children should not be put at risk for political purposes.


I am strongly opposed.


Strongly Support Youngkin’s Policy

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This policy is just common sense. No one wants to hurt trans kids but we also need to protect all kids and that means keeping boys out of the girls bathrooms and sports and anything else designed for girls.


OPPOSED

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I am wholly opposed to any policy that endangers the lives of students as this proposal would do. Transgender people suffer the highest rates of suicidal ideation - and follow-through on same - of any other sub group, and this is particularly so for transgender people of color. It is backwards and wrong to take any state action to lessen the rights and protections for these most vulnerable students in our schools.

While it is true that parents ought to guide and protect their children, particularly in recent years is has become more apparent that many, many parents are failing their kids. It is irrelevant if a parent feels the fact of their child being born gay, transgender, or otherwise is somehow in opposition to that parent's personal or "religious" beliefs - to repress or otherwise prevent such kids from receiving affirmation according to their stated needs is demonstrably, factually damaging - it is child abuse, pure and simple. Virginia must not codify such child abuse into its guidance documents.

Thank you.


parents do not universally know what is best for their kids

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this legislation, if passed, would kill children. If my parents had their way, i would genuinely be dead by now. The only way i survived was by escaping them. Legislation like this will leave a trail of bodies. My parents would have used this legislation to kill me if it had been around at the time.


I disagree with this policy

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Please do not move forward with this policy. It will create a hostile learning environment for all students, especially some of the most vulnerable students (transgender, nonbinary, and gender nonconforming students). Children should not be punished for exploring and expressing who they are, especially in a learning environment.

Thank you.


It is a grave mistake to pass this.

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It is a grave mistake to pass this.


This is a terrible policy decision.

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This is a terrible policy decision.


Strongly Oppose

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<p>I strongly oppose this guidance document. </p>


I oppose the proposed new rules regarding school system treatment of trans students

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The governor's proposed new rules governing how Virginia schools are to treat transgendered students are inappropriate and cruel. Students should be safe in schools to be themselves, and school staff should have sufficient respect for their students that they use correct pronouns when interacting with them.

I moved to Virginia before these policies were proposed and while I do not wish to leave the state so soon after buying a home for my family, I also do not wish to support cruelty towards children who are doing the best possible to figure themselves out. Please do not attempt to implement the policies as currently published and described by Virginia state leadership. Thank you.


It is a grave mistake to pass this.


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<p>This is awful; I strongly oppose this proposal. </p>


Let kids be themselves

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I oppose the new legislation mandating childrens' identities. The stress and pressure children face today should not be compounded by the government trying to restrict their identities. The government should not have the right to dictate how someone identifies. The government needs to stop meddling in the private lives on citizens for really no reason but political posturing. Real lives are at stake in this "game" and it should never the lives of children.


This will bring harm to trans kids.


100% support

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<p>I 100% support ALL that Youngkin, Mirares, and Sears is doing to bring common sense laws and policies back to VA!  We are so blessed to have these folks representing us!!  Thank you ALL for the sacrifice of service to our state. </p>


I am completely opposed.

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I am completely opposed.


Proposed Plan


Transgender policy

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<p>Strongly oppose this cruel initiative. </p>


I am strongly opposed.


Do not do this.


Strongly oppose.


I SUPPORT THIS AND ANYONE WHO OPPOSSES IT ARE TOOLS OF THE STATE

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Our society has been plagued by many who advocate mental illnesses as legitimate bodily feelings. Whether homosexuality, transgenderism, bestiality, or other forms of morally degenerate behaviors; these ideas which have been once seen as deviant by society are now seen as usual and even proper to have. Many believe these ideas are terrible and members of such groups should not have the authority to preach their "religion" to feebly-minded children.

The reason I say "religion" is that our once morally religious nation has fallen to the ideologies of the state. Instead of reason and order, chaos and hedonism are now supported by many who hold power in this country. We see this when they hoist the gay and transgender flags over our federal buildings and force federal workers to take "diversity, equity, and inclusion" classes. They have created a state where no one can freely opinionate their thoughts on a liberal level without getting bullied and slandered by their bosses, co-workers, friends, family, and the masses around them. No one is allowed to think, they are only allowed to consume information and vomit it out in a way acceptable to the state. The religion of chaos the state has led and will lead to a continual societal downfall where we have no power and they have all the power. We will not fight it because we don't know how to. The next generations are doomed to be unknowing slaves to the state and its religions. When you are weak you cannot fight back

This comes to the policies in our schools, adolescents are easily moved to believe in anything told to them. They have not developed a moral conscience and cannot decipher truth from false and right from wrong. The state has seen that and has gorged them with these chaotic ideas. Predictably, this is extremely effective because the youth have been strongly indoctrinated with these ideas of homosexuality, transgenderism, race theories, and hedonistic moralities. Creating a weak society where many are unable to rationally and freely think organically.

Moreover, the purpose of school is to teach the youths how to think and not what to think. Academia has once been an epicenter where privileged individuals flocked for the purpose and love of learning. Now it is a wasteland of state-sponsored, propangandic pamphlets that have made our next generations morally weak and unable to critically think. The state should have no right to do so and I support any bill or legislation stripping religious powers away from the state including this one.


I fully oppose this.


Parents should make the decision not strangers....

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Parents need to make the best decision for their children, not strangers.


Complete opposition to this infeasible and hateful policy

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<p>I'm writing to strongly oppose this incredibly transphobic policy. As a nonbinary Virginian from a rural community with parents who are active educators and public school administrators, this policy is not only extremely hateful towards the LGBT+ community, but is infeasible to push onto already overworked and underpaid teachers and administrators. This policy invalidates the identity of thousands of LGBT students who already face daily discrimination, and will increase the already high rates of religious abuse, hate crimes, and homelessness due to eviction by parents on the grounds of LGBT identity that many Virginia youth face. </p>


I oppose this fully.


“Parental Rights” do not equal a right to target and harm children!

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The role of the public school is to protect all children. This policy is direct opposition of that.  This policy will never survive litigation, however I feel compelled to speak out against it anyway since even if it’s never enacted, the damage to the children impacted is felt already. Transgender and nonbinary children are already at high risk, not because of their gender identity, but because they’re so often targeted by discriminatiory policies and used as political pawns by incompetent people pretending to be experts and using the excuse of being “Christians” as a reason to hate openly.  If Governor Youngkin wants to make national news and highlight non-existent issues to stoke fear among the uninformed, he should leave innocent children out of it!! This discriminatory policy should be a source of shame for anyone involved in drafting it. I strongly oppose this proposed policy.


I oppose this policy

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As a parent of two children in the Virginia public school system, I hope and believe that my kids will come talk to me about anything that concerns them, at any time.

If, however, in their judgment, they feel it's best to talk to a teacher or counselor first, I support their right to do that, and the right of the teacher or counselor to keep their confidence without consulting me.

My "rights" as a parent are not abridged in any way if my children choose to confide in school personnel first. I trust that when my kids are ready to consult me, they will.


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I oppose this in the strongest possible manor.


All moral people should oppose this law.

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This will harm children regardless of gender or belief. Beyond the culture war, beyond the baying of parents and teachers and school administrators, beyond the halls of education and governance and law, this will hurt kids who are just trying to make it. Kids who are already entering a world of broken promises and failure of those in power, who will be faced with unending challenges and trials as this empire continues to falter and collapse. Harm that will not be undone by memorials to their suicides or monuments to their bravery 50 years from now. You will be the responsible party. You will be looked upon as the progenitor of misery for a generation of children in a time when all they wanted to do was use the bathroom.


This is a terrible policy decision.


I strongly oppose this legislation

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This legislation will harm children. Please consider those that will be effected by this policy and their mental and physical well-being. You can read the studies on how damaging policy like this is. I urge you to do your research, talk to actual experts in the field and weigh the life of a child above your own ambition and/or discomfort.


Strongly Oppose

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<p>These policies are morally wrong. I am strongly opposed to the intentional harming of any children, trans kids included! </p>


I strongly oppose this as a parent and a teacher.


This will bring harm to trans kids.

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This will bring harm to trans kids.


It is a grave mistake to pass this.

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It is a grave mistake to pass this.


Support trans kids, Oppose this cruel proposal

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These proposed guidelines are cruel and hateful; they are designed to harm transgender kids. I stand with the vast majority of Virginia citizens and parents who want ALL kids to be treated with kindness and respect. Transgender kids already have staggeringly high rates of depression and suicide, largely because they are exposed to a hateful and unsupportive environment from childhood. Virginia schools, along with our society at large, have made great progress over the past few years in improving diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Sadly, instead of working to make classrooms and society more inclusive and welcoming for all kids, Governor Youngkin is stoking divisions in an effort to boost his profile on Fox News. It is telling that young people across Virginia are the most opposed to these guidelines, and to the governor's other policies of division and exclusion. The Department of Education should reject the proposed guidelines.


I agree 100 percent

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<p>As grandparents of two teenage girls in public schools, I do NOT want transgenders in their bathrooms!  Such a ridiculous idea.  </p>


I oppose

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Protect trans kids and gender nonconforming kids.


This will bring harm to trans kids.


I 10000% oppose

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My daughter’s best friend (20) credits a high school teacher using the correct pronoun (when his family refused) for preventing his (the student’s) suicide.

Please stop harming our at risk youth.


Strongly Disapprove-LGBQT Students Have Rights Too

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As a Virginia native, I am disgusted with Gov. Youngkin's attempt to violate the civil rights of transgender students by limiting them to roles and pronouns only based on their biological sex at birth, as well as limiting discussion of LGBQT issues.

There are no "improved outcomes" for trans students under these policies. The rate of trans youth suicides will only increase as a result. Proponents of these so called "parental rights" falsely believe that becoming gay is somehow contagious and even rational discussion of trans/gay rights, issues, and books is dangerous.

This kind of thinking imperils the freedom of all disadvantaged individuals who do not happen to share the same values as these right-wing conservative agitators. Being unable to speak out and have their choice of pronouns ridiculed and denied is a violation of their First Amendment rights. This initiative of the Governor must be rejected by the courts.


I oppose this fully.


STRONGLY OPPOSE

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Governor Youngkin’s proposed policy change is purely politically motivated. He is perversing the United States Constitution to fit his and his supporters’ agendas.

The constitutional references made within these policies are out of context and a stretch at best. This proposal would be harmful to our youth who are discovering who they are and may not be accepted by their families at home. I STRONGLY OPPOSE this proposal.


Protect trans kids and families.

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This is a violent policy.  It is transphobic.  It supports violent control over other peoples identity and expression.  A lot of youth have to educate their parents on ideas l that are anti racist or end homophobia.  Parents role in life is to support the well being of their children.  Schools need to stay out of the raising of children and their identity.  Do not do this.  We are all watching and we will not allow this violent policy to pass without coming together on behalf of the trans kids and their families.  It is embarrassing to imagine schools even considering these transphobic laws.  Honestly, it is disgusting.  Do not pass this policy. Thank you.


I fully oppose this.


Strongly support this

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Governor Youngkin is totally trying to implement the correct approach for our children and our schools. If these young men and young women are asking to use different names in school, the parents absolutely need to be informed on this.


On the Opposition of VDOE transgender policy

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This policy negates to mention the ways in which actions such as these violate a students right to privacy and thus open to floodgates for more violations of privacy. The policy is truly unnecessary in every right and helps neither student nor parent. Instead it is a blatant ploy to enact Anti-LGBTQ rhetoric in the Commonwealth. There is no world in which this policy benefits schools instead it allows for schools to be openly discriminatory and aggressive towards its student body. We should establishing a relative same space for children within Virginia education. By negating this Policy and establishing more policies that advocate for youth we will see far more benefits then a policy like this could possibly bring.


Do not support this!

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<p>Do not do this to children who are just trying to live their lives. This level of discrimination is aborhent. What happened to separation of church and state!?? Do not force your religious beliefs on Americans! </p>


Virginia K-12 Policies

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Fully support these policies


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I oppose this in the strongest possible manor.


I am strongly opposed.


Awful legislation!

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<p>As an educator for over 30 years I find this legislation to be unacceptable and archaic.  Please let children be who they are!  </p>


This is a terrible policy decision.

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This is a terrible policy decision.


Monstrous proposal that will harm students

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Governor Youngkin is making it very clear that he does not respect the queer community nor does he respect students. This policy is a direct attack on queerness and will put innocent lives at risk. The argument that this is to protect children is a lie. The only thing this policy protects is bigotry and discrimination.

“This isn’t about bathrooms, just like it wasn’t about water fountains” - Unknown.

We must protect our children in the schools from hatred and potential harm. Transgender and non-binary students deserve the same amount of respect as cisgender students.


Do not do this.


I 100% support Governor Youngkin!

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I completely support Governor Youngkin and his policies supporting Virginia parents and children. The idea that "treating all students with respect and dignity" is not enough and that every category of persons needs his/her special treatment is ridiculous. Thomas Sowell said it best when he said, "When people get used to preferential treatment, equal treatments seems like discrimination." A school board, school administrators and teachers need only to ensure that they are creating an environment where all students are treated with respect and dignity. A school and a classroom is not the place to pander to individual self-perceptions. If a teacher or student verbally or physically abuse a student that identifies as transgender, disciplinary action should be initiated. HOWEVER, special laws, policies, and rules that condone delusional behavior are not only wrong, they are offensive.

Keep up the outstanding work Governor!


It is a grave mistake to pass this.

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It is a grave mistake to pass this.


Strongly Oppose

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<p>I and my family strongly oppose these proposed modifications to VDOE guidelines in regard to transgender children.  This is classic, fear-based policy and it will only serve to further alienate transgender kids from their peers.  Instead of wasting time and energy on the politics of division, fear, and hate (thank you, Donald Trump), spend some more resources on giving our valuable teachers what they need to guide our kids to success.  </p>


This is a terrible policy decision.


This will bring harm to trans kids.

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This will bring harm to trans kids.


Parents first, support this policy!

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<p>This is not about taking any rights away, simply putting parents to help make the best decision for their child. </p>


I oppose this in the strongest possible manor.


Strongly Oppose These Harmful Provisions

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Every child in the Commonwealth should be nurtured and protected, not stigmatized, discriminated against, or marginalized. My 3 children are grown and graduated from wonderful VA public schools. Our schools should continue to foster dignity, inclusivity, learning, and creativity.
Medical and psychiatric professionals have issued statements against these proposed practices. Aside from that these policies will inflame an already too common problem of school bullying. Please protect the mental health of all VA’s school children, including trans kids. Thank you for your kind consideration.


I oppose--you are harming children.

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This policy will take away children's privacy, police their autonomy, and prevent them from participating in school activities. As a former student in VA public schools, this policy would have made my schools less safe and distracted from my education. If my fellow classmates could not speak to a counselor because of privacy concerns, use the bathroom in a safe manner, be called by their name, or play sports, their education would have been severely harmed. I oppose this policy in every possible way and would not vote for anyone supporting it.


I am completely opposed.

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I am completely opposed.


Good common sense

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Of course it is the parents right to know what is going on with their child.  Just common sense.  The government (public schools) need to stay out of it. They should be there to teach, not raise the child or control them.

First a Far Left government will make decisions about and for your child and then next thing you know they will move them into concentration camps and brainwash them. You will never see them again.

PARENTS NEED TO TAKE BACK CONTROL OF THEIR CHILDREN AND THE SCHOOLS BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE.


I support this policy

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Thank you, Governor Youngkin, for addressing this important matter. Schools are not for pushing gender ideology onto our children, but for learning (of which has been too little the last few years). Parents do and should have a say in their children’s education. Children should be taught respect for others and not to discriminate, but school systems have been going too far in forcing one viewpoint onto our children. Finally, a sensible policy.


Finally!  A Governor that gets it. This will SAVE lives!

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This is WONDERFUL news. Parents, not the Government, should make ALL decisions

regarding THEIR child.


Strongly oppose.


I oppose this fully


Strong opposition to the proposed guidelines

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I am writing to express my strong opposition to the proposed guidelines. All students have the right to attend school in an environment free from discrimination, harassment, or bullying. The research is clear that the mental health of transgender youth is greatly harmed when they are in environments that are not inclusive, and policies like these that restrict transgender rights may increase risk of serious psychological harm and even suicide. As noted in https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/jora.12487, “school policies focused on support for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer/questioning youth may reduce bias-based bullying and enhance social supports in schools.” Further, risk for mental illness is lower when transgender children are in an environment that supports them: as shown in https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/137/3/e20153223/81409/Mental-Health-of-Transgender-Children-Who-Are, “Socially transitioned transgender children who are supported in their gender identity have developmentally normative levels of depression and only minimal elevations in anxiety, suggesting that psychopathology is not inevitable within this group. Especially striking is the comparison with reports of children with [gender identity disorder] GID; socially transitioned transgender children have notably lower rates of internalizing psychopathology than previously reported among children with GID living as their natal sex.” It is critical that we support LGBTQ+ students – all students win by creating environments that celebrate diversity and where all members of the community feel safe and welcome. We reject bigotry.


Stop using vulnerable kids as political pawns

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<p>I'm a teacher.  I've read the recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics; they say it is important to affirm the gender that young people say they identify with.  I've also read the federal guidance, which says the same.  Your guidance contradicts both of these. I don't disagree with the notion that parents should have rights, but I would assert the rights of young people to lead happy and healthy lives is more important than the perceived rights of their parents on issues such as these.  I encourage you not to adopt this proposed policy.  </p>


OPPOSED

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This will cause harm to the most vulnerable population. Have common decency and sense to stop this.


I am strongly opposed.


I am completely opposed.


Shameless Pandering

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A manufactured “crisis” to improve the Governor’s street cred with the MAGA crowd. Shameless pandering that does nothing but hurt people. Nice leadership.


This will bring harm to trans kids.


This is a terrible policy decision.

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This is a terrible policy decision.


Opposed!

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You are adding additional trauma to an already marginalized students. Transgender students are much more likely to be bullied than others and are at higher risk for suicide.  We already had a plan that helped them feel welcomed and there are federal policies that you would be violating.  We tell our students they can do anything, except be who they want to be or be named or what pronoun they can use.  Why is that so difficult for others!  This shouldn’t be about religion or even parent’s rights! This is a human right! You are actively choosing to cause mental trauma and possibly physical trauma to a child by adapting this new policy and by forcing these new rules upon them. Children should have rights too!  That is why I strongly opposes the adoption of the 2022 transgender policy by Youngkin’s administration.


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I oppose this in the strongest possible manor.


It is a grave mistake to pass this.

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It is a grave mistake to pass this.


I am strongly opposed to this document

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The proposed 2022 policies were not developed in accordance with evidence-based best practices, would force transgender and non-binary students to be out to their parents, and will put them at risk for harm and discrimination at school.  As a pediatrician and mother I shudder to think that anyone would risk any child's life through institutional policies.  And that's what anti-transgender policies do- risk the lives of children.


Those for it don’t use full name

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<p>If you believe in something say your full name at least so we know it’s not someone making it up to act like someone really does support Fascism </p>
<p> </p>


I fully oppose this.


Strongly Oppose

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<p>These model policies are dangerous and pose a direct threat to the safety and well being of trans- and non-binary students. Children are individuals who have as much a right as anyone to be respected for and seen in the identities that are meaningful for them. The school administration is grossly overstepping its authority and infringing on the rights of students and their families with these model policies. I strongly oppose implementation of this policy. </p>


I oppose this fully.


It is a grave mistake to pass this.


This is a terrible policy decision.


This will cause serious detriment to children.

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<p>I strongly oppose this as it will cause serious harm to children. </p>


Do not do this.


Strongly oppose this horrific policy

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You say this will benefit all children, I guess what you mean is just children that conform to what you believe they should be. So many innocent kids will be hurt by this in a place that, for some, is the only safe place they have. Take the time to educate yourself about trans and lgbtq+ kids first. Then then you’ll find out that “benefit all children” means all children. Do better.


Opposed!

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Shame on you! It costs nothing to mind your business and be kind to children! This proposal is DANGEROUS.


I strongly oppose this. Trans rights are human rights!

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This will harm transgender people!!


Strongly oppose.


Oppose - garbage like this kills people

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<p>The actions of outing kids to parents before they're ready and prohibiting them from participating in activities that correspond to their gender have consequences, namely poor mental health and increased suicide rates. The bigotry of this administration is sickening and has to be eliminated. </p>


This will bring harm to trans kids.

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This will bring harm to trans kids.


I am strongly opposed.


This will harm trans kids, strongly oppose.

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After going over the proposal, you leave nothing for the student. They just obey, by your words. They have no ability to express themselves and must adhere to your standards. This is absurd.

it was over ten years ago I wore a skirt to school and got kicked out only because of that. This needs to end. Stop trying to police trans kids.


This policy is harmful, believe it or not. Here is why.

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For people who fully support this policy, please try to understand the perspective of the people who disagree with you. Parents should have a say in a child's upbringing, but they should not have a say in how a person identifies themself. Through my experiences as a trans person, and growing up with queer and trans youth who were closeted from their families, I understand why they wouldn't want their parents/guardians to know that aspect about them.

Not every family is always glad to hear that their child doesn't identify with the gender they were assigned. From families who are "supportive", but don't want their kids to be trans, to families who would literally abuse or even disown their child, or even force them to de-transition. I grew up with many trans people who knew that their home life would be harder for them if they were outed. Schools should not be responsible to report a trans kid's identity to parents in order to report their "well-being."

Transgender kids are not being indoctrinated. The LGBTQ+ community isn't tricking kids into being transgender. They are not "grooming" these children, in fact, it could be argued, that the church "grooms" children into NOT being trans. Trans kids are not a product of a "Social Contagion", nor  are they walking into hospitals getting surgeries and hormones. Most importantly, trans kids' existence should not be political; it's a human right, as these are people's very identities that are being debated. Cisgender people who don't agree with this policy don't get the hardships trans people AND trans youth have to go through in their day to day. It isn't just the "pronoun" issue, it's the misinformation about every aspect of them. From the villainization of trans women being predatory, to the failure to acknowledge nonbinary people's existence. All these kids want is to have a space where they can explore their gender identity and feel comfortable doing that. If a child wants to go by a different name and pronouns than what's on their birth certificate, they should be allowed to do so. If schools are comfortable to call a cis student by their preferred name/nickname, then they should be able to do the same for trans youth.

Schools are not only an educational resource, but it's also a community within its doors. Kids build friendships and communities; this allows many students who identify as trans to be able to experiment with names and pronouns. They, and only they, have the power to decide on what they are comfortable being identified as, and if they want their parents to know about that part about them.

There are many things in our life that are sacred; like freedom of speech, religion, and self expression. A person's identity is just as sacred. The only people who are allowed to reveal the child's form of self-expression is the child and the child alone. It is not a schoolboard. It is not a teacher. It is not anybody else. It's all up to the child, because they are the only ones who know themselves the most.

The most important thing when it comes to the educational system isn't just the content schools teach, it is also the wellbeing of students. And if the schoolboard wants to provide a space where ALL children are supported and treated fairly, then trans youth are obligated to be treated the same, not marginalized or discriminated against. Try to understand that if you still disagree.


Parents are already in control of their own children, this is parents trying to control OTHER child

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All this is , is parents trying to limit OTHER children. If you are involved in your child's life at home then you should already know what they are like, and you need to re-evaluate yourself if they need to hide from you and are different completely at school. There is nothing wrong with trans/LGBTQ students and your children should be able to be around them.

If you don't want your child exposed to people of all types, you need to homeschool them not insist that the public school abides by your specific ok.


Strongly Oppose

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I strongly oppose this policy because it attacks transgender and non binary children and teenagers and could put their safety in jeopardy.


Violation of Title IX Rights

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It is illegal to discriminate against students due to their gender or sexual orientation. Playing sports it about physical health, leadership, sportsmanship and team building, that opportunity should stand for any and all students as their authentic selves. Shiny trophies and medals are not real, human rights are!


LGBTQ Rights are Human Rights

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As a father and professor, I strongly oppose the guidance proposed by the governor. We need to welcome students of all identities and learn how to communicate with each other to create a more inclusive society. The policies in the guidance will negatively impact students abilities to learn by creating a hostile school environment. This is illegal under existing Title 9 policy.


This is a terrible policy decision.

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This is a terrible policy decision.


Protect transgender students in Virginia

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<p>I oppose any and all policies put in place that will attack, harm or otherwise discourage transgender students in Virginia schools </p>


I fully oppose this.


This is a terrible policy decision.


This will bring harm to trans kids.


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I oppose this in the strongest possible manor.


Support this policy 100%

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100% support this policy change. Parental ability to make decisions on behalf of their children before they have reached the age of majority must be protected. This policy puts in reasonable expectations for those who claim that they are transgender and protects the other students and teachers who are exposed to and must respond to and interact with that claim.


This will harm kids

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These proposed legislations will make LGBT kids feel excluded and could put them in danger. The decision about when/if they tell parents of their identity should be their own. No one knows how a parent could react to this information.  They could react harshly or even inflict abuse. Furthermore, if a trans child uses their sex based gender they could be in danger of bullying or even physical harm.

Lgbt kids just want to be welcomed and free to live and express themselves freely. This is an issue that will lead to discrimination. It also impacts a select few students. Listen to trans students.


This is

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This is a horrible decision, it will harm these students the rest of their lives. We don’t  want Virginia to be like Florida.


Oppose in the strongest manner

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I strongly oppose the proposed legislation that seeks to reverse current protections for trans youth in the VA public school system. This policy is extremely cruel and will lead to even worse mental health outcomes among a population that already struggles at alarming rates.


Do not do this.


It is a grave mistake to pass this.

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It is a grave mistake to pass this.


Comment about proposed trans policies

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Trans students are already at a higher risk for suicide than other teens. If students are lucky enough to have a teacher or school that supports them, this policy will ruin that. It will negatively affect transgender teen and children’s mental health and lead to higher risks of suicide and depression. Going by a different name from their birth name is not harming anyone, and neither is using different pronouns. All it does is make the student more comfortable and confident in their own bodies.

The only thing these policies will do is kill children. Trans people will still exist, you cannot get rid of us. If your goal is to see higher rates of suicide and mental illness, congrats, you have succeeded.


I oppose this bill.

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<p>I oppose this bill. </p>


Strongly oppose.


Strongly opposed

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This guidance promotes harassment and mistreatment of transgender students. It requires outing children to their parents if they want to have the least amount of support, even for using a nickname. As it is well known that parents of trans children may be abusive and not support their firmly held gender beliefs, this guidance promotes further harm to those children. Even for transgender children with supportive parents, this guidance would not allow those children to use the facilities according to their gender. This is discriminatory and would almost certainly cause harassment by other students.
Going forward with this would cause severe harm to transgender students, with no benefits to anyone except the political careers of those pushing it. It should not happen.


This will kill kids

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<p>These policies are based in ignorance, fear, and superstition. </p>


Oppose these changes

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I oppose the proposed changes to the transgender student policies.  Schools should not be required to receive parent permission to use the student’s preferred pronouns and/or name. Also, revealing topics of counseling sessions to a student’s family is a huge invasion of the student’s privacy.

Treat transgender students as the individuals they are! No other student would be required to have parent permission to use a name other than that listed on the class roll.

These proposed changes are exactly the opposite direction that Virginia should be going.


It is a grave mistake to pass this.


A COMPLETE ARMY OF DISGUSTING OPPOSING BOTS HERE.

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I support the new policy


I oppose this fully.


This is a terrible policy decision.


K-12 Guidelines


I am completely opposed.

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I am completely opposed.


Oppose this bill

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<p>This is many steps backwards for Virginia. Youngkin should be ashamed. Protect trans kids. </p>


Transgendered students will be harmed by this guidance!

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This “guidance”  will harm transgendered students!  Transgender is an identity. A Trans person is not a pedofile. The lives of trans students are endangered by this so called “guidance” that plays to the fears, ignorance and misunderstanding  of those who have failed to listen to educators and those who actually know trans persons. Stop Youngkins proposals!!


This will bring harm to trans kids.

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This will bring harm to trans kids.


Opposed

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<p>I am opposed to all efforts to discriminate against transgender and non-binary people. </p>


This policy will cause homelessness and abuse of transgender students

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If a trans student hasn't come out to their parents, it's because they do not feel safe to do so.  Ignoring the student's fear subjects them to abuse from their parents, potential rejection and homelessness.

Although only a small fraction of students are LGBT, estimates are that 11-40% of homeless children are LGBT, having been forced from their homes by unsupportive parents.


Model Policy 2022

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This is a solid attempt to balance the rights of the individual with the rights of parents to raise their children as they see fit. Respect being paramount, the age of emancipation is 18. Until. Parents should have a say. Solid work. I fully support it.


This is a terrible policy decision.

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This is a terrible policy decision.


Oppose

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<p>I oppose this new model policy. </p>


Do not do this.


Support kids

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Kids need love, not policing!


Strongly opposed


This will ruin many children's lives.

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This is a hideous policy that will ruin so many children's lives. It will cause so much unnecessary stress and danger to those who need the most protection. Fully opposed.


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I oppose this in the strongest possible manor.


Strongly oppose.


I fully oppose this.


It is a grave mistake to pass this.

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It is a grave mistake to pass this.


Gov. Youngkin is right. Parents must be involved

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Governor Youngkin is correct in insisting that parents be involved with their children.


Please don’t do this.


Human Rights transgender

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Leave these children alone, you all don’t care about our children

all you care about is hate , bigotry and divisions ..

FASCISTS HAVE CAME TO OUR COUNTRY

MAGA IS FULL OF FASCISM

KIDS HAVE ENOUGH ISSUES JUST TRYING TO FIT IN IN SCHOOLS

CHILDREN CAN BE CRUEL ENOUGH

EVERYONE IS DIFFERENT AND THAT IS WHAT MAKES US ALL UNIQUE


I oppose this fully.


I am completely opposed.


I support the new policy 100%

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I thought there would be more details in the policy on the process by which transgender students would be allowed access to locker rooms and restrooms intended for use by the opposite sex. It looks like that will be left to individual School Boards, many of which have demonstrated that they do not have the safety of all students as a top priority.


It is a grave mistake to pass this.


Flawed and Harmful Policies

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Schools and their employees are not in charge of children's identities or their privacy.  If a student wants to be addressed in a certain way, then it is not the school's prerogative to question it.  It is also not the school's prerogative to question the students' relationships with their parents.  If a student feels safe enough to express their identity at school, then teachers and staff should not just assume that the student hasn't already expressed their identity to their parents.  And if a student doesn't feel safe enough to express their identity to their parents, then it's not the staff's place to question whether the danger to the student is real or not.  There is not one justification for parental notification, unless the student is somehow placing another student in danger somehow.


I am completely opposed.

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I am completely opposed.


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This policy will hurt innocent people, don’t do this.


This policy will harm transgender children and is not supported by scientific evidence.

Kayden Stockwell, Dept of Psychology, University of Virginia

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As a developmental psychology PhD student, I strongly oppose this guidance. We know that transgender children who are supported and allowed to live as their identified gender do not differ from cisgender peers in their mental health (Olson et al., 2016). This is in contrast to transgender adolescents who have significantly higher rates of depression, anxiety, and suicidality than their cisgender peers (Clements-Nolle et al., 2006; Haas, 2011). Those adolescents, historically unlikely to have been supported to socially transition in childhood, have often experienced years of discrimination and prejudice, rejection, and dissonance between their gender identity and their body (Budge et al., 2013; Koken et al., 2009; Russell et al., 2011). Research increasingly suggests that social support, such as being called by one's preferred name, by pronouns that match their gender identity, and being allowed to use the bathroom that aligns with their gender identity, supports transgender individuals' mental health (Bauer et al., 2015; Ryan et al., 2010; Simons et al., 2013).

The policy proposed here is not in alignment with what rigorous research has shown us about how to support the health of transgender people. By preventing transgender children from accessing school in a way that aligns with their gender identity, this policy exposes children to harm and risks their mental health. By affirming policies that other transgender people, children will learn that treating transgender people differently is acceptable, increasing the risk that they develop prejudice and stigma toward an already marginalized group.

As a developmental psychology PhD student, I strongly oppose these guidelines. They are not grounded in science and they do not support the healthy development of our nation's youth.


100% support this model and parent rights

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<p>Please implement this model. It is imperative to clarify the rights of parents to make decisions for their children. </p>


I oppose this in the strongest possible manor.


This is a terrible policy decision.


OPPOSE


This is abhorrent - leave the poor children alone!

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These children are having a hard enough time without Glen Trumpkins attempt to install christofacism in Virginia. I fully reject every part of this terrible "plan"


Youngkin's Model Policy on Privacy, Dignity, and Respect for ALL students and parents.

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<p>I 100% support Gov. Youngkin's new Model Policy on privacy, dignity and respect for ALL students and parents.  </p>


Do not do this.


No exaggeration--this policy will kill children.

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Trans children not only deserve, but have a right, to be in a welcoming and safe school environment. This policy reinforces harmful, dangerous, baseless, and wrong stereotypes about trans people.

Trans people have, and always will, exist. Trans children have, and always will, exist. It is our job--one of our innate responsibilities as human beings--to ensure our youth grow up in a supportive environment. It is not the role of schools and teachers to push partisan beliefs that aim to bully anyone that dares to exist outside of a perceived "norm".

If enacted, this policy will be the direct cause of loss of life, of loss of happiness, and for the creation of immense and unnecessary pain.

Have the authors and supporters of this policy ever thought to put themselves in another person's shoes? It's a lesson I learned very young that apparently has not stuck with some people. What does a trans child do at school if not allowed to use the bathroom that aligns with their identity? We already know the many levels of violence that trans people face living their daily lives. Do not force even more children to endure that because you won't look outside yourself.


I am strongly opposed.


Strongly oppose.


This is a terrible policy decision.

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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 fully oppose this.


Fully oppose

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<p>I have nothing new to contribute here, except to my name to the list of those who fully and strongly is oppose this wrong-headed and mean spirited policy. </p>


I am completely opposed.


Support parents inclusion

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<p>The FCPS teacher training allows students to identify as opposite sex under "chosen name" without parental Knowledge. If a child is struggling and the school knows it they need to inform parents so these kids can get the mental health intervention they need! </p>


I oppose this fully.


I fully support this 100% as a parent and tax payer.

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<p>While I do support the freedoms of people to do as they wish relative to their own personal decisions,  I do not agree or support that I (or anyone) should have to go out of my way to support their dysphoria.  I would encourage their parents to get them the mental health resources that are needed by these troubled individuals.  And regarding changing pronouns, this is obscene and lacks merit as well as goes against the mechanics of language. </p>


This will harm some of the most vulnerable kids in our commonwealth.

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I don't understand why there is such an effort to actively harm kids in Virginia. Kids who are trans already are suffering a great deal. Why would anyone want to make it worse for them?  These are real humans who deserve to be treated with kindness and dignity. It doesn't harm non-trans kids to see adults modeling kindness. It sure harms trans kids to make their gender more important than their humanity. Kids should feel safe at school. "We don't want to make your kid trans. We just don't want your trans kid to die." Please model that.


I fully oppose!

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<p>Trans students should be protected and recognized as their peers are. Trans students need an environment where they feel safe and secure. </p>


We support you!

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<p>Schools need to focus on education and support parents. </p>


Father of 3

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Best decision ever. That's what You Younkinkin was voted in.

He is showing a WY to do things safely bite in people vs just disagreement with a Republicans

Keep up good work Glen. Need more people like you.

For all the students that walk out suspend them all.


I oppose this, this isn’t right

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<p>This will put many trans and queer kids in danger for many come from homophobic households and school is a safe space for most of them. You don’t care about the well being of children, you care about controlling them </p>


Opposition to proposed policy

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<p>As a resident of Virginia for my whole life, I am absolutely horrified and disgusted by this new transgender guidance policy. Transgender students are not the enemy. This will impact hundreds if not thousands of transgender students, as well as other individuals who are afraid to be different. Do better. </p>


This will bring harm to trans kids.


I am strongly opposed.


FULLY OPPOSED FGY


100% Oppose- this is child abuse

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<p>Study after study shows that trans youth are more likely to lead healthy and happy lives when they receive the proper healthcare, love and support. By enacting these kinds of policies, we are directly harming trans youth. Outing a kid to their parents could lead to physical violence and or the child being kicked out of their own home. This is non sensical and harmful. Do not enact these policies. </p>


This is a terrible policy decision.


Do not do this.


I am completely opposed.

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I am completely opposed.


Strongly Agree with the new guidance document

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There is a reason that children are minors until legal age. Virginia Constitution is very clear on how this must legally play out.

After a child reaches legal adulthood then their life is totally their choice and I don't see how this document affects any rights of a legal adult.

Parents are the ultimate responsibility for their children and are the only ones who will be held accountable for their decisions.

No one other than the parents have any right to say anything about anyone's children but their own.


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I oppose this in the strongest possible manor.


I fully oppose this cruelty

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Protect trans children.


Read the proposal. HARD NO.

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Virginian here. This recent proposal around trans youth in Virginia will harm them. The centering of the parents in this bill, as opposed to the CHILD, will unnecessarily out many trans youth to their parents, all of whom won't be accepting. Trans youth should feel safe at school, to openly be themselves, without fear of discrimination. For some, it is a chance to be away from home

If trans youth aren't open to their parents, chances are their parents may not be accepting! We must acknowledge this and safely guide them. For many, school is a place to be away from an unaccepting home, to be in an environment that would safely accommodate them and their identities. This will not only harm trans youth, but also put another strain in the trust between the education system and those who run it, all so the Virginia government and Governor Youngkin can pat themselves on the back and say they have parents in mind. This proposal will only hurt families.

DO. NOT. PASS. THIS. BILL!


This is a terrible policy decision.

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This is a terrible policy decision.


THANK YOU GOVERNOR YOUNKIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11

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Fully support our Virginia Governor for putting parents in charge of their children and limiting the indoctrination of our most precious asset - our children.  The mere fact that some schools are planning walk-outs provides the best proof positive of how the far left loonies have infiltrated our education system.  Let's see if the far left support student walkouts over the invasion of our country at our southern border -  don't hold your breath.  Let's get rid of the gender changing mentality/far left policy teachings once and for all in our schools.  Anyone for emphasis on Math, Science, English, and History??????????????????


I oppose this measure.

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I oppose this measure, it will bring harm to trans children and is completely unnecessary.


oppose


Strongly oppose.


VA Transgender policy

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100% agree with Governor Youngkin


Oppose: Evidence shows this will harm trans children

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As a child development researcher and psychologist, I strongly oppose this proposal. Mounting evidence demonstrates that LGBTQ youth are already at increased risk for mental health problems due to experiencing discrimination and bias-based bullying, which often occur in school settings. When children are supported in their gender identity, they have (1) better developmental outcomes; (2) lower rates of depression, anxiety, substance use, and suicide; and (3) more positive social and academic outcomes at school (Day et al., 2019; Gower et al., 2018; Olson, 2016; Russell & Fish, 2016). The data is clear: trans youth — and their peers — do better when we support and affirm their identities.


It is a grave mistake to pass this.

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It is a grave mistake to pass this.


TEACHER VIEWPOINT

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I am a retired high school math teacher. I have taught in 3 states with an estimated 2,000 or so students in total. I homeschooled my own four children and have tutored about 100 students.

The power to decide what students should be taught rests squarely on the parents. The laws and Supreme Court decisions, as well as our history as a nation all support that divine operative ruling.

I am so proud of Mr. Youngkin standing against the insane, woke, Marxists of our day who want Americans to believe the state has ownership of its young. Absolutely not!!! Their leftist ideologies have no place in public schools. In my view the only reason they are being pushed there is the overreach of the national level of education. This entity in combination with unions has run roughshod over sensible, good, respectful teachers, parents and principals all across our country. I am deeply committed to fighting Marxism wherever it may raise its ugly head. The state cannot, must not replace the God-ordained family.

The evidence is everywhere. Who are the kids who are thriving in the USA today? Kids of intact marriages with a father in the home. The stability that a man-woman covenanted marriage union gives to the children produced by said union is far and away the best environment for the well being of children. No home is perfect, but it doesn't need to be to be substantially better than anything offered by any government.

Parents raise children, not government.


I strongly Oppose This

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<p>Policies like this will do more harm to students than good. Nothing positive can come from legislature like this. </p>


This will bring harm to trans kids.

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This will bring harm to trans kids.


I am completely opposed.


I oppose this in the strongest possible manor.


Opposition to proposed guidance

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To whom it may concern,

I am writing to voice my strong opposition to this guidance document.


I am strongly opposed.


Transgender Issue in The Schools

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I agree with Gov. Youngkin as he stands

for Virginia parents rights!


This Policy is Cruel

Rev. Robin Anderson, Commonwealth Baptist Church

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As a Christian minister, I believe that every human is created in God's image. As a parent of children in Virginia public schools, I want all children to be safe and respected at school. As a taxpayer, I oppose state-sanctioned discrimination.

School is one of the places where young people grow, explore, and become. They should be able to do that safely. LGBTQAI+ youth who have a supporting adult in their life are much less likely to attempt suicide than those without one. Research (Trevor Project) shows that half of LGBTQAI+ youth report that one of their supporting adults is at school. In fact, more youth have a supporting adult at school than have one at home. Removing that support is cruel. Requiring teachers to "out" students to unsupportive parents is also cruel.

This policy will lead to bullying at school. It will lead to abuse at home. Because of it, youth will be abandoned by their parents. It will lead to suicide. Virginia has done better. We must end this destructive policy and do better once again. ALL of our children deserve that.


Education  Reform

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The children of Virginia, of the United States need the basics of reading, writing and ability to do math.  Without these skills you can not grow and prosper as a person, citizen and productive part of society    I have worked with high school students in my local area, giving out treat bags to them after school.  I put a note in why I was doing this and telling them I had resources to help them with homework or personal delimma.  The students ask me what the paper was for.  about 90 % of them could not read the message printed there.  None of the students could read my cursive handwriting.

If teaching our young people the basics does not become a top priority, we will have allowed an entire generation to grow up dependent on anyone, good or bad for everything they need to live.  Food, water, clothes.  If you cant read and understand what you read, how can you do anything?

We are a nation of doing!  We have overcome much adversity in our past, and True education is a  Right the liberals have attempted to take away from us in order to "dumb us down".  There are enough of us that READ the writing on the wall and stand up for our these children.


I completely support this

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We are jeopardizing the safety of 99.9% of our students to cater to so few trans students.  There has to be a better way to deal with this issue.  Please, boys in boy’s rooms and girls in girl’s rooms based on their anatomy, not on what they may think they are or want to be.


I oppose this fully.


It is a grave mistake to pass this.


Discrimination against trans students is disgusting.

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As a teacher we are already being asked to implement ridiculous rules that benefit no one and will negatively affect more than just trans students. For example we cannot call students by ANY preferred names, only the name the parents file and change paperwork with the school for.

This applies to your kid Charles wanting to be called Charlie as well as if I have a student wanting to go by Skye instead of Scott.


Cruel, abusive policy must not be adopted

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In regards to Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia’s Public Schools, this treatment of trans children is cruel and abusive. Discrimination against transgender individuals is illegal discrimination on the basis of sex.


I fully oppose this.


Strongly Oppose

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I urge the Governor and the VDOE to rescind the proposed Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia's Public Schools. The existing policies were the result of extensive public input and evidence based and are far superior to the new proposed policies.

R D Entsminger

Ashburn, Virginia


student services proposed document for Virginia

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Yes, please pass the 2022 version!!!!

We will have back our own children!!!!


This will bring harm to trans kids.


Do not do this.


I Strongly Oppose Youngkin’s Anti Trans and Anti LGBTQ Policies

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<p>Many lives at risk </p>


Strongly Oppose this Proposal

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To whom it may concern,

While I am no longer a current public school student, I grew up in Chesterfield County at the time presenting as a woman. I have experienced education that made no mention of trans issues and barely mentioned other LGBTQ+ issues. I was even, to my knowledge, one of the first few sapphic couples at my high school. The current school regulations would have made my time in public school so much happier, and I am strongly concerned to see them removed.

This regulation, specifically the roll-back of protections for transgender students and other education resources, will do KNOWN harm to students. This roll-back as disguised as protection of parent's rights, but I would like to challenge that basis.

Firstly, the current regulation does nothing to prevent parents from having their own conversation with their children. If a parent does not agree with what is taught, they are more than welcome to have a different conversation outside of school. Most parents already have their own conversations with their children about religion, even when history classes cover a different viewpoint. Nothing about the current regulation forces a transgender identity on a child, but only introduces the idea of what being transgender is. The regulation roll-back prevents a conversation entirely. To block an entire field of conversation is censorship.

Secondly, the regulation roll-back is said to "promote religious freedom". However, this only promotes Christianity's take on transgender issues. A number of other world religions respect trans identities, or have an entirely different perspective on the gender binary. Limiting gender identity only to the two sexes is a wholly christian take, and does the opposite of promoting religious freedom. I respect that the christian religion may have a different take on transgender issues than I do. However, that take has no place dominating the conversation in public schools.

Finally, this regulation roll-back forcibly outs transgender students to their parents, or rolls back protections that would prevent an educator from doing so. I wish we did not live in a world where this would need to be hidden. I wish we lived in a world where being trans did not have to be a secret. I wish we lived in a world where a trans person could be open everywhere, and not have to fear being outed. However, in the world we are in now, this is an active threat to children. Outing them as trans to a hateful family is known to expose a child to violence. Parents that do not accept their children exponentially increase the likelihood of suicide. (While I know that this statistic is usually cited in favor of preventing a child from coming out, the best way to lower that number is for a person still be trans, but have an accepting support group. https://www.hrc.org/news/new-study-reveals-shocking-rates-of-attempted-suicide-among-trans-adolescen) The proposed regulation claims to promote parents' rights, but we still as a society condemn violence against children regardless or parents' opinions.

In summary, though this proposal claims to promote the freedom of parents, the freedom of speech, and the freedom of religion, it actually limits the conversation to only hate. Educating children on LGBT+ and specifically transgender issues does not force a person to be LGBT+, but provides them information on how to support others or how to love themselves.

This ends the section that I expect the state agency to read and respond to, but I would like to finish with personal experience.

This regulation claims to prevent one ideology from dominating public education, but limits the conversation to only cisgender, heterosexual ideas. I know this from experience, from going to VA public school before the 2021 regulations were adopted. How to be cisgender and how to be straight is already being taught to children. Gender roles and compulsory heterosexuality are inescapable in modern society. When not paired with LGBT+ education, you feel like being cisgender and straight is your only option. It was not later education on LGBT+ issues that made me non-binary and a lesbian, I was always going to have those identities in some form. However, it was learning about LGBT+ issues that taught me how to love and accept myself, in ways that I could not without them.

I was always going to be non-binary and a lesbian, but learning about LGBT+ issues helped me to learn about myself. Helped me figure out why I was constantly uncomfortable presenting as a woman. Helped me to see ways I could be happier in my gender presentation. I could have been happier if I had learned about them as a child.

The LGBT+ and specifically transgender students are going to continue to be trans even if you repeal these regulations. Keeping the 2021 regulations allows them to access education on themselves, and protect them from violence.

Thank you for your time,

Merle Damico

(they/them)


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I oppose this in the strongest possible manor.


I am completely opposed.

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I am completely opposed.


I oppose this rule change

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<p>Trans students should be protected in schools, and Gov. Youngkin's move to rollback protections for trans kids will hurt trans kids. </p>


Fully Oppose!!!

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Your careless and unkind policies will put kids in coffins! Not every student has supportive and understanding parents on their gender journeys. For you to deny these vulnerable students the safe space of a teacher or counselor that will make them feel loved and accepted without putting them in possible harm's way is vile.

Governor, you should be standing up for policies that promote kindness, this is NOT it!


This is a terrible policy decision.

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This is a terrible policy decision.


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 oppose.


I oppose the 2022 Model Policies, and so do many if not most Virginians.

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I am writing to communicate in the strongest terms possible that I am against the newly proposed model policies targeting transgender and non-binary students. The experience of gender dysmorphia is real and traumatic for many transgender and non-binary teens. Even just socially transitioning (e.g., name, clothes) alleviated a great deal of my own transgender son's dysmorphia, enough that this mental health stabilized. I feel strongly that other transgender and non-binary students have the life-saving right to be who they are during school hours.

The effect of these policies is not to give parents more say - it will in effect give other parents more say over my child.

Sex and gender is biology, and has proved to be far more complicated than what I would guess Youngkin and others know. It is as much a medical issue as any other systemic health concern, such as an autoimmune disorder that affects multiple systems.

In summary, I am opposed to the new model policies for many reasons and I advocate for them to be pulled. Keep your beliefs off my child.


I FULLY SUPPORT!!!!

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You have my support 100%! It's ABOUT TIME that we get order back into the schools! Parents deserve to be involved in their children's education!

THANK YOU!


I oppose this harmful policy

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<p>This policy will be harmful and detrimental to kids that already are bullied and vulnerable. </p>


This will bring unwanted harm to trans kids.

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It's not that hard to just respect peoples identities, and when you're going to out kids to their parents and not use preferred pronouns or names its just ridiculous. schools have too many problems without this being counted, and we really dont need more. the fact that this was even thought about is absurd and i highly oppose it.


Oppose


I fully oppose this.


Absolutely opposed

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<p>Virginia stands for love, not hate. I do not support this horrible mess. </p>


Fully Opposed

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<p>Absolutely wrong direction to take the Commonwealth that will result in harm to already vulnerable children.  </p>


I strongly oppose this bill

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<p>Absolutely not. This is a safety issue for our children. They are deserving of respect from the adults in their lives. Their existence is not controversial. </p>


I am strongly opposed.