2021 Model Policies were on target and should remain in place

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The 2021 Model Policies were put in place to affirm trans youth in their own decisions as to the most fundamental right they have: to be addressed and treated as WHO THEY ARE. The policies were not "a specific viewpoint aimed at achieving cultural and social transformation in schools," as this attempt to strip them from the code states. They were an attempt to bring Virginia educational standards and practices into the 21st century, utilizing our current understanding of medicine, psychology, and outcomes for those who are identified at birth as something that they do not identify with. Revoking these model policies is an attempt by the current administration to pander to far right interests, like the ones that want to disregard 18 months of work by EXPERTS to revise the social studies Standards of Learning on schedule, to bring in other non-experts to "look at them."

Governor Youngkin, I have known you since high school, and I have to say I do not recognize you as the intelligent person I thought you were back then. Please stay in the state and stop pandering to election deniers with no respect for democracy, and listen to reason. This action will do significant damage to a vulnerable group of students, many of whose parents, whose rights you say you are securing, do not understand what it is like to be different from "the norm," but to want to be treated with respect.


School Boards are not an authority of quality of education

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I agree with allowing parents to have input over certain subjects and topics when it concerns to their own child, however, I disagree with giving so much power to school boards which are often elected in a "clicky" and most often than not in a way that doesn't promote the various aspects of diversity in a school. I think school boards are most often not qualified enough to make such decisions, and the rules and regulations of a school should come from the department of education and not from "clicky" groups that may be able to only follow their own particular agenda.


Youngkin Overreaching

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<p>Youngkin's new policy is abrasive and not needed. He's trying to posture in the GOP culture war against a marginalized group that needs support and not this nonsense. We need to think of the children first and not their parents. This is the kind of rule that we'd expect in Alabama or Mississippi and not Virginia. </p>


How demented is it that we even need such a rule?

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<p>Boys and girls are different. Boys can't decide to become girls.  That doesn't happen.  Anyone who thinks it can happen is obviously an idiot. Girls have the right to feel safe in a bathroom or locker room.  Boys don't belong in girls' spaces.  Boys are addressed with masculine pronouns, girls are addressed with feminine pronouns. All of this is basic common sense.  Only sick, perverted people think otherwise. </p>


Deeply opposed to this policy

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I am greatly opposed to this policy, which will put the health and safety of transgender students at even greater risk, both at home and at school.


Opposed to this stupid crap

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<p>Opposing this with every bone in my body </p>


Strongly Oppose!

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<p>I strongly oppose  Governor Younkin’s proposed anti- transgender policy. </p>


Strongly Support this Policy!

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It is time to give parents back their rights, to be allowed to parent their child and know what is going on at school.  I need CRT out of public schools!!!


Stop Indoctrination in our schools.  Fully support this!!

Majority parent who voted for this change

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<p>Fully support this </p>


Strongly oppose

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I strongly oppose this new policy. Gender identity is something that is deeply personal to us, and for our trans and non-binary students, it is an even more difficult thing to navigate without the state forcing them to conform to our heteronormative, binary standards. Trans students have among the highest suicide rates in the country and higher levels of depression and anxiety compared to their cisgender classmates.

This policy will not only make their lives more difficult, but it openly encourages bigotry against them. In solidarity with my fellow trans Virginians, I vehemently oppose this policy.


This new policy endangers children

The new "guidelines" requiring schools to report back to parents if their child uses different pronouns, a different name, or if, in general, the school knows that the child is transgendered will cause irreparable harm to LGBTQ+ kids.Youngkin's comment that children should "Trust their parents" shows how out of touch he is with the problems faced by queer teens.  These parents he is exhorting them to trust may physically abuse them, throw them out of the house, or even kill them once they find out about their sexuality or gender identity.  While I wish every child could trust their parents to be supportive and understanding, that just isn't the way things are.By forcibly "outing" these students to their parents you also increase the risk of suicide in these teens.  Suicide numbers in LGBTQ+ teens already far outstrip those of heterosexual teens.  Once these students lose any semblance of safety, their chance of suicide skyrockets.For some kids, school is the only "safe" space.  Now, you leave them nowhere to turn and  with no adults that they can trust.  Parents aren't the only ones with rights.  These kids have rights, too.For those who say that they are "protecting" their kids from sexual assault. Please.  Trans kids aren't "pretending" to be the opposite gender in order to get into the girls' locker room.  They are no threat to other females and, in fact, live as female. So, if your daughter isn't in danger from other girls in the locker room, they aren't in danger from a trans female.These guidelines are dangerous.  We need to protect these kids who already face bullying, harassment, and are marginalized by society.  Now, we are going to take away what may be their only safe space.How can we let down our kids like this?

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The new "guidelines" requiring schools to report back to parents if their child uses different pronouns, a different name, or if, in general, the school knows that the child is transgendered will cause irreparable harm to LGBTQ+ kids.

Youngkin's comment that children should "Trust their parents" shows how out of touch he is with the problems faced by queer teens.  These parents he is exhorting them to trust may physically abuse them, throw them out of the house, or even kill them once they find out about their sexuality or gender identity.  While I wish every child could trust their parents to be supportive and understanding, that just isn't the way things are.

By forcibly "outing" these students to their parents you also increase the risk of suicide in these teens.  Suicide numbers in LGBTQ+ teens already far outstrip those of heterosexual teens.  Once these students lose any semblance of safety, their chance of suicide skyrockets.

For some kids, school is the only "safe" space.  Now, you leave them nowhere to turn and  with no adults that they can trust.  Parents aren't the only ones with rights.  These kids have rights, too.

For those who say that they are "protecting" their kids from sexual assault. Please.  Trans kids aren't "pretending" to be the opposite gender in order to get into the girls' locker room.  They are no threat to other females and, in fact, live as female. So, if your daughter isn't in danger from other girls in the locker room, they aren't in danger from a trans female.

These guidelines are dangerous.  We need to protect these kids who already face bullying, harassment, and are marginalized by society.  Now, we are going to take away what may be their only safe space.

How can we let down our kids like this?


Hate has no Home Here! Cruel Policy!

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Generating DIVISIVENESS by victimizing ANY STUDENTS and their families is wholly unacceptable, especially from the Governor of ALL VIRGINIANS! And, the motivation seems to be completely political.  We should be doing everything we can to include everyone in our processes and systems.  Public Education should be the vanguard of our governance, and should provide the avenue for each of our children to reach his or her or their potential.  We should NEVER single out any group or segment of our communities and effectively tell all that their group or these groups are somehow deserving of something other than our full support.

The strained explanations of why this is supposedly good for families and students ignore the reality that we cannot benefit from the strength of our diverse society unless we involve all of society. This policy puts actual lives at risk, provides societal cover to those who would harass, abuse and bully a segment of our community.

TRANS LIVES MATTER!


Trans rights are Human Rights

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Governor Youngkin,

Please do not impose your narrow opinions on Virginia. As a tax paying citizen, I ask you to serve your constituents, please represent the people, who come in all sizes, colors, and uniqueness.


Parents rights

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<p>This shouldn’t even be a question. Parents deserve the right to know what gender their child prefer. And as a parent of boys I do not want a biological woman in their changing rooms. As well as if I had a daughter, I don’t want a biological male in her changing rooms. </p>


STRONGLY OPPOSED - The proposed policies will cause trans students to lose their lives

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These policies do nothing but drive hate and division between us. For some students, school is the only place they feel safe to be themselves, and these policies only serve to keep students in the closet and in abusive situations. These policies WILL get students killed, and that is EXACTLY what our governor, Glenn Youngkin, wants. He doesn't care about the safety of our students, he just wants to force people to conform to his own narrow-minded views and will gladly let people die in order to get that world. That's the fascist playbook.

All this is why I am STRONGLY OPPOSED to the proposed model policies laid here.


This proposed change is anti-freedom

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<p>Imagine that the state implements school guidance that instructs teachers to inform parents if a child demonstrates a belief in Jesus. No different than what this guidance proposes. If you truly value freedom, you will oppose this change. </p>


Support for Youngkin's policy

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I support the new policy proposed by Gov. Youngkin because very simply, there should not be secrets from parents.  If there are concerns about abuse of students, that is already covered under law and policy.  Parents are the decision-makers and legal guardians for children and schools are there to offer information, support and assistance - not to serve as a replacement for parents.


Strongly oppose

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Not honoring these transgender children’s constitutional rights is child abuse.

Keep cults and their beliefs out of our schools. These confederate christian nationalist cult members can teach their children what they want at home, though this could amount to child abuse as well (in the form of irreparable harm due to gaslighting, verbal abuse, and physical abuse in the form of corporal punishment or worse). Why are we letting these malicious cult practitioners influence the laws and legal ramifications of public schools? They have their own cult schools they can choose to educate their children in.


Parents rights


Strongly Opposed

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ALL chidren need to be treated with kindness and respect and KNOW they are valued.

ALL kids not just those who come from loving homes but especially those who do not.

ALL kids not just those who come from nice homes but especially those who do not.

ALL kids not just those whose parents pay attention but especially those whose parents are absent.

ALL kids not just those who are fed and hugged but especialy those who aren't.


SUPPORTING STUDENT WALKOUT

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SUPPORTING THE STUDENT WALKOUT I AM SO PROUD OF ALL OF THEM WE SHOULD BE LISTENING TO THE YOUTH


Oppose

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<p>Let us be clear about what these proposed policies actually do to our young people, especially those who are the most vulnerable to hate, bullying, and conservative Christian interference with their bodily autonomy and freedom. This proposal is contrary to everything the Constitution says about equality and equal treatment. It is a set of policies that will inevitably lead to greater harm for transgender and other at-risk youth as it robs them of their voice and strips them of protections. The current gubernatorial administration is attempting to turn our children into brainwashed Republicans who don’t know actual history and don’t have access to books that might deal with issues like sexual identity or climate change. Well guess what? Progress will March on regardless or their attempts to change history and subvert education. Change is inevitable and history has consistently shown that the depraved who choose to limit others out of personal fears of loss of power and position inevitably become the authoritarian regimes of the Nazis or Soviets. </p>


This is one more way students can be injured in school.

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<p>The lack of respect and outright hate this details leaves students who are already vulnerable in a place where they are even more disenfranchised. It's difficult enough to be a student (a LGBTQ+ one at that) in 2022 - with the all to real threat of gun violence. Now the students who are more likely to be the recipients of violence will be further outcast, left without support. This is an embarrassment to our Commonwealth. I honestly feel that Youngkin simply wants to score political points on the backs of our vulnerable students. </p>


We support the Virginia Department of Education NEW Guidance on Transgender Policy 100%.

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We Support the Virginia Department of Education's NEW Guidance on Transgenders.

Thank you

Jo-Ann Chase


Strongly oppose!

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Protect trans youth, stop oppressing people! Trans rights are human rights. Shame on Gov Youngkin.


Strongly Opposed. I am a parent. And I am Trans.

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These new proposed guidelines are so, deeply disturbing.

As a Trans person who, out of fear of rejection and harm, didn’t “come out” until later in life — I can speak to the very real harm that will come from forcing children and teens to share that they are LGBTQ with anyone who they feel unsafe doing so with.

People fear what they do not understand. It’s so easy to judge, or to reject what we perceive as strange or what differs from our own belief systems.

I grew up in a strict Christian home, I lived in fear for years of how I felt and didn’t feel supported or safe enough to talk to my parents about who I really was, or how I felt.

in school, I was only “out” as bisexual, and even then I was shunned, bullied and because of this, I dropped out of high school. With better support, from teachers - other peers, from guidance counselors, I could have been so much more happy and successful.

Trans kids are exponentially happier and safer when they are simply accepted and affirmed.


PWC Parent

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Strongly support the safety of my kids from grooming and rape.


No to proposed transgender education policy

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<p>This guidance endangers students who will face abuse at home or in school, or who will attempt and succeed to end their life rather than go back to a pretend existence. This cannot be allowed to stand. No to the proposed transgender guidance.  It's wrong. </p>
<p> </p>


The New Satanic Panic

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<p>This is a new Satanic Panic.  Made up and ridiculous lies regarding trans people to spark a moral panic, since Republicans have nothing else to run on but fear.  And children are being used as their pawns, and will be harmed as part of the 'cost of doing business'.  They don't care about a child's wellbeing. </p>


Strongly oppose

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I strongly oppose this guidance document that puts vulnerable children in danger. Schools are meant to be safe havens for ALL children. A place where they can expect to protected and accepted. Schools can not control what happens to children outside our walls. And we know that many children have difficult lives. We can however do our best to fulfill their needs when they are at school. A very basic human need is to be accepted and cared for. This new guidance document takes away the schools ability to make school a safe and accepting place for ALL children.


I wholeheartedly support these guidelines

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<p>We have a public health crisis occuring due to Sudden Onset Gender Dysphoria. Any child who exhibits symptoms of this disorder should be referred for professional help, not gender affirmation. </p>


Get sexual indoctrination out of schools

Anonymous due to authoritarian tactics deployed against parents

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Governor Youngkin's proposal is a common-sense means to respect parent's involvement in the upbringing of their child as it relates to a critical issue - that child's developing understanding of gender, sex, sexuality, etc.  Governor Youngkin should go far further, and recognize the sexualizing of children as the indecent, immoral obscenity that it is.  And any school district or teacher that hides a child's questioning (based largely if not entirely on indoctrination that a child can "choose" their gender) their sexual identity from parents should be fired and/or prosecuted.  And prosecution is not harsh enough for any school district or teacher that encourages mutilation of a child or any chemical hormone treatment.  If anything, Governor Youngkin's proposal does not go far enough in addressing the threat that this indoctrination, and hiding from parents the results of it, present.


Hate has no Home Here! Cruel Policy!

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Generating DIVISIVENESS by victimizing ANY STUDENTS and their families is wholly unacceptable, especially from the Governor of ALL VIRGINIANS! And, the motivation seems to be completely political.  We should be doing everything we can to include everyone in our processes and systems.  Public Education should be the vanguard of our governance, and should provide the avenue for each of our children to reach his or her or their potential.  We should NEVER single out any group or segment of our communities and effectively tell all that their group or these groups are somehow deserving of something other than our full support.

The strained explanations of why this is supposedly good for families and students ignore the reality that we cannot benefit from the strength of our diverse society unless we involve all of society. This policy puts actual lives at risk, provides societal cover to those who would harass, abuse and bully a segment of our community.

TRANS LIVES MATTER!


Opposed new guidance is harmful to children.

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Virginia schools should continue to acknowledge and support transgender students.


I am in support of the state's new K-12 model policies.

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I am in agreement with the proposed policy for parental rights in our schools


Completely and fully support the changes to the policy.

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Fully support this policy change.  The changes make sense. The only point that might have issue is a student seeking cancelling with out parent permission  but otherwise all other changes are right on point.


Strongly Oppose

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Students' identities and pronouns should be respected no matter what. This plan would do nothing but negatively impact trans students' ability to learn. The government needs to stay out of students' identities, it's not their business or problem.


As an educator, I strongly oppose this proposal

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As a high school choir director, my students are directly affected by the Governor's proposal. Forcibly outing students to their parents puts them at risk of emotional, psychological, and physical abuse at home. On the other hand, forcing to students to hide their identity at school and at home to avoid such abuse, puts them again at risk of emotional and psychological trauma. Please consider the statistics surrounding suicide and the LGTBQ+ youth because, otherwise, you are voluntarily putting them in danger.

Additionally, referring to this proposal as a "win for parents' rights" is in bad faith. Public schools do not operate for the parents. We operate for the STUDENTS. VDOE must put them first and stop catering to parents' every whim.


Oppose Youngkin’s politics against our children

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Youngkin should not be meddling in this issue. Kids should feel safe to be themselves at school!!! It’s a PUBLIC school not a religious institution. I oppose!!’


Strongly Opposed

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<p>Protect Trans Kids! This policy is cruel and will only result in harm for vulnerable children. </p>


Strongly support

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I strongly support the Governor on this proposal.


Strongly OPPOSE this policy model

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This policy is abhorrent. It puts trans kids at risk and has no business in Virginia! Forcibly outing a child in a potentially abusive home/environment is wrong. These kids are in school to learn, NOT face state supported abuse and harassment.

As a guardian of a child in the Fairfax County Public School system, I’d be ashamed if this passed and I had to send my kid to school here.


Fully Support Parents' Rights

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<p>I fully support the proposed change and the reinstatement of supremacy of parents rights over the state when making decisions for my child. </p>


leave our transgender youth alone. strongly oppose this disgusting and violating bill

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school should be a safe place for trans children and transgender and queer students belong in education. quit using our children as political pawns. they are people and deserve to be respected and treated as such. this bill will do nothing but harm our children.


Strongly Oppose

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I strongly oppose the proposed changes. The only person who can decide whether or not they are transgender is the individual themselves, not their parents. All students deserve to be treated with respect, regardless of whether or not they are out to their parents or if their parents approve. By placing the "rights" of parents above the rights of children, this proposal would subject transgender students to a less dignified and less safe school environment.


Sad.

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Very sad that basic common sense, constitutional law and human rights would have to be so detailed in a governmental policy to ensure that the "professionals" understand and act as they should in the care of our children.  Even more sad that there is such push back in the name of the well-being of children.  Strongly support the policy change as it is consistent with common sense and the constitutional and human rights of both parents and their children.


So Youngkin supports abusive parents?

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There are some children who may not trust their parents with the information that they are transgender, and if they don't get mental health services, the only options left are suicide or becoming runaways. Parental authority is not unlimited and parents already make the choice to send their children to public schools instead of homeschooling them. Make no mistake, this is not expanding rights, but instead taking them away. I am disgusted with Youngkin for this and feel bad for being Christian like him. I say we should have Youngkin recalled for what should be a criminal offense. Anyone who thinks that this garbage would do any good should undergo a mental health evaluation.


So Youngkin supports abusive parents?


Veiw point of a student

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As a student in virgina schools I find this new policy to be a huge step back. It has been proven in multiple studies that this is the time for kids to discover themselves but more importantly the removale of students ability to exspress their identity can cause many issues including a higher suicide rate due to gender disforia from being called the wrong names and pronouns. If you were a biological male you would dislike being referred to as a female because thats not how you identify and it would upset you if that was how your parents forced you to be identifyed.


I STRONGLY OPPOSE THIS.

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Trans students belong. Trans students should not be ostracized or targeted by anyone, let alone the spaces that are supposed to keep them SAFE every day. This is a shameful proposal that should never have seen the light of day. I would get fired defending trans students and their right to exist and learn comfortably before the thought of complying with this cruel proposal ever crosses my mind.


Strongly Oppose Governor's proposed guidance / directive

Supporter of people's right to Life, Liberty, and Happiness

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This proposed guidance / policy is an embarrassment for Virginia and a galling step backwards in Virginia's path to acceptance and empathy for ALL of its citizens.  It is likely in direct conflict with both Federal and Virginia law. It also has a huge potential to injure already vulnerable children.


An actual resident, not the “organized radical left” that are commenting

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VA voted for this.  Giving parental control over OUR own kids back. Support this. A lot of change is needed in VA


Oppose Proposed Policies

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I write as a Fairfax County Public School parent to strongly oppose the Department's proposed policies that would harm transgender and non-binary students. The proposed policies purport to protect parental rights, but in fact deny the rights that many parents across Virginia want to see for their own children and for all children: supports for transgender and non-binary students and welcoming environments for all. I chose public school for my children because these schools serve ALL students. Please refrain from turning Virginia public schools into hostile, unwelcoming environments for students and do not implement these harmful proposed policies.


Such a disappointment

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<p>Our children deserve to be who they are and not be bound by what the governor thinks. How many children is he going to put at risk because the teacher calls home and tells a parent their child is Transgender? My daughter is in high school and she has a teacher that doesn't even go by pronouns. The teacher is great in my opinion because the teacher allows the children to talk about their feelings and what is going on in their lives. How many of those children only have that class to feel safe in. I hope more students plan walkouts and that schools and parents support it? It is disappointing that Virginia elected a governor that would set our state back so much. </p>


Youngkin OUT

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Trans rights are human rights.


Totally support

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<p>The Governor’s proposal is a central theme of his campaign and a basis for his election. Those opposed would thwart democracy. The proposal is also a reasonable return to a sane approach to dealing with a minute fraction of the student body. </p>


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I oppose this in the strongest possible manor.


SUPPORT STRONGLY

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I want to thank Youngkin and his team for bringing some common sense back to the Commonwealth.  Yes, parents should have a say about their child's upbringing. Yes, there should be protections for children in bathrooms and locker rooms - emotional and physical. There is nothing offensive in the new guidance. The new guidance is in our children's best interest. Again, thank you for fighting for common sense!


Strongly oppose this hurtful measure

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<p>Transgender youth deserve protection and support, not exposure and bullying by the state. This measure is illegal and seemingly designed to visit misery and pain on a group of children. Do you know the stats of suicide among transgender and LGBTQ youth? Stuff like this will only increase it. Don’t be the reason more children suffer and die. Hopefully you pay attention to the overwhelming majority of respondents to this public comment period and rescind your disgraceful proposal. </p>


Oppose Unfair and illegal policy

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I strongly oppose the proposed policy guidance on treatment of transgender and gender nonconforming kids in schools. Virginia and federal laws protect the rights of these children, and the governor cannot simply override these laws in a blatant attempt to increase his political capital among conservative voters. Transgender and gender nonconforming children are vulnerable to mental health issues and suicidal ideation if they are not supported. Support at school can go a long way toward improving the lives of these children. Some parents are not supportive, and teachers should not be put in a position of having to include parents when it is not in the best interests of the child. For these and many other reasons, I strongly oppose this proposed policy.


100% in favor of new Guidance document

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<p>I'm am completely in favor of our children being kept safe from trans-gender bathrooms and the trans agenda that serves to confuse and ultimately cause mental illness in our children. Please pass this and continue your efforts to protect our children </p>


Strongly oppose

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This policy causes harm to the wellbeing of trans kids


Transgender School Policy Reversal

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I STRONGLY OPPOSE this bias, discriminating power play to further condemn, disrespect, and build hatred towards transgendered child and adults and the entire LGBTQ world!  NOTHING good will come out of this if this passes!


VEA proposal seems balanced to me

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After reading the proposed new VEA policy regarding transgender issues, it seem to me that it is very balanced. For example, if parents approve the schools my use the pronouns the child prefers, schools must follow Federal guidelines particularly regarding bathrooms and locker rooms. I affirm the new policy proposal.


Full support of Governor Youngkin

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<p>I fully support Gov. Youngkin's common sense approach. </p>


Vehemently opposed

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<p>I can appreciate that it's hard for those who have always operated under the assumption that gender identity and sexuality are binary to modify their thinking. Eliminating bias takes hard work. Let's commit to doing that work, not to forcing those who go against the "norm" to assimilate. The Governor's policy is closed-minded. Educators - - those responsible for challenging us to grow our minds - - must firmly reject it. </p>


OPPOSE Youngkin's cynical attack on trans student's rights

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I strongly oppose Youngkin's callous attack on Virginia's transgender students and their inalienable human rights.


Oppose Youngkin's new policy

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We must support our trans youth. This policy is going to cause grave harm to kids in our public schools. Strongly oppose!


Parental Rights

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The rights of parents should always be honored and respected.  Humans are either born male or female and should only ever be referred to as such no matter what they may feel or say about themselves.  They are what they are born biologically and therefore should use bathrooms, locker rooms and sports as such.  This is basic human common sense, to go down any other path is to move towards the unraveling of  the very fabric of  our society and is utter foolishness.  Transgenderism policies are destructive and harmful to children and only aim to bring pain, suffering and confusion.  There is a better way that has been provided.  Which is teaching children to accept who they were created to be, to know that they are dearly loved and that their sexuality is sacred.


I OPPOSE the guidance

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I OPPOSE the draft policy and want the VDOE to reject them. Please protect trans and nonbinary youth from these harmful measures.
We already know that erasing their identities in classrooms, creating hostile school environments, forcibly outing them to their parents, and prohibiting teachers from using gender affirming language, all lead to poor grades, depresion, and worst of all, increased suicide rates. These kids deserve a better world.
By celebrating each community member's uniqueness, we can say yes to a beautiful and inclusive future. Say no to teen suicide by saying no to this draft policy.


I strongly support the new guidance.

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<p>I strongly support the new guidance. If anything, it does not go far enough to protect our children. No child, under the age of 18, should be allowed to make a life altering decision to alter their gender identity - with or without the parents involvement  </p>


Vehemently Opposed

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<p>I'm extremely opposed to this guidance. Trans rights are human rights, and this targets an at-risk group of children. Without the proper supports, transgender individuals are more likely to complete suicide, and without supportive families, schools may be the only safe place for these kids. The DoE's job is to support children and aid them in success, not tear them down for political clout. </p>
<p> </p>


Parental Rights

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I FULLY support the new guidelines the Virginia Department of Education has put forth regarding children's biological sex in determining the bathroom use and locker room use. I believe wholeheartedly in the parents' full engagement in the educational process and believe any decisions schools make regarding children should be with direct  communication and collaboration with the parents.  Schools and policies are secondary to families and their rights.  Thank you for acknowledging this and putting forth guidelines to keep the WOKE agenda out of schools!  Frankly, it seems ridiculous that you all are having to spend your time affirming pronoun usage of children and clarifying who can use what bathroom. However, I am grateful for this clarifying document!


Strongly Oppose the Governor’s Proposal

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<p>We need to protect our children and allow them to feel safe in school and be who they want to be. It should not be the State’s decision to take away our children’s freedoms. I oppose any changes. </p>


VA new school policy

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<p>I am in agreement with the new school policy. Our children are our future. They need our protection. </p>


God fearing PWC parent.  Bring God back to VA!

Yes!  Support sanity coming back to VA!  Democratics are insane!!

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Enough is enough, this is WHY YOU WERE ELECTED.  Parents rights for THEIR KIDS!!


Opposed

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*This is my second comment due to the fact that I was unable to type in the first one.

Now, I oppose this proposal because its point is nothing more than to target a minority to curry political favor. I can guarantee that this proposal is not only going to disrupt LGBTQ+ children's mental health, but will also lead to bullying and/or abuse in schools, by teachers and closed minded students, as well as at home, by closed minded parents. Just because someone is under the age of 18 does not mean that every aspect of their life should be dictated. By their state, their school, or even their parents. This proposal treats LGBTQ+ children and teenagers as if they are not fully human. You are not only violating their civil rights, but their most basic human ones. What a person, NO MATTER THE AGE, decides who they are male, female, or nonbinary is their decision and their decision ALONE. Those decisions need to be respected. Adults do not know everything even though they act like it. Just because someone is under 18, does not mean that don't know anything about anything. What adults over 30 should realize by now, is that the our generation, the future generation will be the MOST educated. The reason that that is true is because they have access to a window into what really goes on in the world. It's called the internet. Our generation has been exposed to way more of real life early on than any other generation before us. This is why our generation will not tolerate blatant attacks on a group of people for personal gain. Many of the smartest people, whether their academically smart or smart in many other ways, are part of the LGBTQ+ community. These people matter. They are not pawns in a political game. They are living, breathing humans who not only deserve, but demand the same rights and respect that is given freely to the cis white males that make these decisions for their own personal gain. Think about someone other than yourself.


Fully support, 99% of comments are from out of state. Liberals are promoting this on SM.

New Fairfax County Homeowner (VOTER unlike all the other comments)

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<p>Fully support my Governor. </p>


Guidance Documents (on transgender rights)

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<p>Are we returning to the Middle Ages? Let’s fit EVERYBODY in the classroom. </p>


Strongly oppose.


New Proposed Policy Guidance

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I wholeheartedly AGREE with the New Proposed Policy Guidance being presented.  Parents MUST be involved in the decisions that their children are making.  That's what a parent is, someone who guides them into making good decisions.  Also, bathroom & locker room use must be based upon a child's sex at birth NOT on what they "think" they want to be or what some counselor, teacher or friend talked them into.

Thank you,

John Myers


NO! Support Trans Rights

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I am absolutely appalled, but not surprised, that Gov. Youngkin would propose such a terrible idea. This will only harm children. I'm not surprised considering how the Republicans are scared of anything that isn't conforming to their very definitions of how things "should be" though.  Can't wait to see this administration end.


Support

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This separates the posers from the people who actually are struggling with mental health issues.


Transgender policy

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Keep the new transgender policy. Policy should protect more than a few loudmouths. They should not protect those who change their minds on a whim. It's the chromazones stupid.


Strongly agree with Governor Youngkin’s changes!!!!

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<p>Parents are supposed to mold there children, not the public school system. People on here making comments supporting pronouns an the rest of the BS are not true parents.  Kids don’t know who they are, that’s why parents are so important. Schools are there to educate our kids, nothing else. My kids have been instructed to use proper names only.  I will never use stupid pronouns when speaking to or about someone.  We are going down a bad path that only leads to destruction.  Move to CA or NY if you want to destroy something, they are doing a great job in that area.  </p>


Youngkin can't dunk

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I am not going to stand here and allow a Governor who CANNOT DUNK be hateful towards children who are just trying to live.

Jokes aside (including Youngkin's abhorrent college ball record) this type of regulation from the state is transphobic and will cost children's lives because you're scared of things you will not take the time to understand.


OPPOSED to Such Obvious Tactics

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This "governor" clearly has no interest in governing this state. He has done everything he can to be divisive for the sake of playing politics. What's done is done and he's in office for 3 more years, but make no mistake. America is watching his total lack of leadership and he'll not be the shoo-in to the Presidency. He'll simply be that unfortunate mistake Virginia made that one time back when. State workers are especially sick of his tactics. The no Teleworking policy has been enough to make sure there's a Democratic governor next go around.


Oppose

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I oppose the governor's efforts to rewrite school guidance on trans students.


You were elected by the MAJORITY due to your support of giving rights back to parents

Support Parental rights and not the emotionally charged left ruining kids

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Why is this entertained?  When did kids not longer belong to their family unit.  Look at Italy.  Restoring the family unit that the evil left is trying to destroy.  They don’t care about anyone! They love to complain and be tolerant, but ONLY if they agree.  SUPPORT this!


Agree with new model policies

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<p>I agree with Governor Youngkin’s new model policies relating to transgender students. The policies state clearly that all students are to be treated respectfully by all staff and students at their school. What is important to me In this policy is that by requiring parental input in determining any name/pronouns of a student to be used at school or any accommodations for the student, the governor is making sure that parents, who know and love their children more than anyone else, are not kept in the dark about critically important matters in their child’s development. </p>


Protect Our Kids - Oppose the policy

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Protect Our Kids

This sad attempt to keep trans children from affirming their gender will undoubtedly result in more pain for these kids.  Why is the state of Virginia in favor of bullying them and putting them at more risk than they are already?  Just no.


THESE CHANGES ARE NECESSARY.

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Under the current model a child may change their gender/identity/name via SIS and all other platforms and teachers must ensure  the child is called by their "chosen" name allowing them to identify as the opposite sex without parental knowledge/consent.

Some sex differences in the brain are observable from young age (lifespan/persistent) and others only during specific developmental phases. We are seeing a HUGE rise in gender confusion intensifying during puberty.  Current psychological studies show that about 80% of cases presenting in adolescence recede with puberty. It's the "lifespan" kids where it is "persistent" that the Youngkin model is actually extremely helpful for. These are the children that present 4-6 times more likely with depression and 3-4 times more often with self harm and or suicidal behavior.

The psychological/clinical protocol for these cases would be providing information, support, counseling to the child as well as family counseling, discussions for the best treatment/intervention and then possibly onward to transition related support.

How would these children get the intervention they need without parental knowledge/inclusion? The new model says "in partnership WITH parents"

Also, there is a lot of controversy regarding puberty blockers etc., and the ethical concepts of within the medical field. There is a huge lack of data regarding both long-term physical and psychological outcomes.

Parent's need to be part of the conversation. Period.


Strongly oppose

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This measure only protects the rights of some children while directly harming others. Religious freedom gives individuals the protection to practice their religion but does not give them the right to dictate how others behave. Some religions (Christianity) believing that people cannot be trans does not give them the right to infringe on the rights of trans people. The Governor needs to stop using children for political posturing and stop being so concerned with kids genitals.


This is perpetuating America's ageism and transphobia

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A child is not a slave to their parents or to the State. Every person must be aware of the power that they are endowing their children when they decide to become parents. Every one of us is an individual person, and to be individual is a basic human right. Being an individual means having the liberty to choose our name and our pronoun, among many other things that help make this nation full of unique and productive people. Denying trans kids' their right to call themselves what they want is not only a detriment to the freedom we are promised as Americans, but the freedom we are promised as people on this Earth.

I sincerely hope that this undergoes heavy consideration.


This is immoral

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I am appalled by the governors proposed plan to strip away trans rights in schools. This is a step in the wrong direction, this is a decision fueled only by hate. It is not about parents having a choice because even if the parents acknowledged that their child is transgender they don’t get a say in what bathroom their child can use. This only reflects conservative “values”. 80% of trans youth have contemplated suicide in the past year 40% have been successful. Another 375 people were killed in 2021 just for being trans. Policy’s like these will only inflate these numbers. Parents kick their child out of the house for being transgender and have even hit them or kill them, the people who are supposed love and protect them unconditionally. Which is why we cannot out students to their parents. As a senior in high school I can say for a fact about 98% of students do not support this plan. Even if the students are not transgender or it does not directly affect them. Multiple people including myself (a cis woman) use gender neutral bathrooms, as being in public restrooms can be uncomfortable for many different reasons.

Please do not make this decision a reality because you will end up ending children and teenagers lives!


GOP stop picking on kids, stop using hate, try love, you will feel better about yourself I promise.

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I live in NC but do work in VA.  These are kids who need to be shown love and support, not made scapegoats for politicians and their racist, homophobic base.  When did it become Republican policy to always seek out the most helpless to demonize.  YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED.   Come over to the Democrats and see what love can accomplish.


I strongly support the Governors changes to the trans policy


I Strongly Oppose Youngkin's reversal

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<p>Please just leave the trans kids alone, they've got enough going on. </p>


Strongly Oppose


hate based policy

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"Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia’s Public School" is a policy based in hate. It identifies a demographic of people and targets them with hate and discrimination.

It is not the place of government to regulate people's personal lives. This policy applies demographic labels to people and intrudes into their personal affairs. Worse, this policy transfers more power to the wealthy and powerful to support them in attacking the less fortunate.

Policies such as this deter business development and the most talented people from this state, and instead attract those people and organizations who define themselves by the hate they direct to others. It is bad governance.


Youngkin's disrespectful anti-LGBTQ views need to stay out of our school system.

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<p>Schools are a place where all students deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. </p>


Change of transgender school policy

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I totally agree with Governor Youngkin.  Children should never be taught to keep secrets from their parents.  That is so wrong.  Parents have total responsibility for their children and anything that affects that child as profoundly as wanting to change their gender should not happen without the parent's consent.  Thank you Governor Youngkin for protecting our children!


I OPPOSE the 2022 proposed model policy, we must support trans and non-binary youth!

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I oppose the 2022 proposed Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia’s Public Schools. I am a mom of a younger child and I want this child to have the ability to decide who and what they are when they make that decision and not feel they need to be worried about making their choice and be who they are in a place they spend most of their childhood.

These policies are rooted in transphobia and clearly seek to harm trans and nonbinary kids, the kids you say you are trying to protect.

These policies seek to erase trans and nonbinary youth from the classroom and create a hostile and even dangerous school environment.

You are asking teachers and school staff to "out" students to their parents (sometimes against their will), which could be putting these children in direct danger or harm.

You are prohibiting teachers and school staff from supporting trans and nonbinary students by using a student's affirming name and pronouns.

These policies create bathroom and sports policies that prohibit access and/or participation in activities consistent with a students gender identity.

It is time we show these students that are often the focus of bullying and malice that we support them and give them a safe and supportive environment they deserve as they go through big changes/decisions. Please put our youth first and support these students and oppose these awful transphobic policies.


Strongly Oppose

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When I first read of the Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia’s Public Schools, I was horrified as this would put a group of children who are already at higher risk of violence, at greater risk, purely for political theater.

Many trans and other LGBTQIA+ children don't have supportive homes and school can a respite as it may be a place where they can better express themselves. This bill opens them up to violence in the home and greater chances of self-harm and suicide. Being a kid can be hard enough, why would policies be passed to purposely put children in danger over something like their gender identity?

With a continual increase in school shootings, I have to wonder why the priority is to attack trans children and not tackle a problem like banning assault weapons which would do more to keep kids safe and alive at school than this policy. Or if you don't want to look at that, how about ensuring all kids have enough to eat and a secure place to call home? Making sure all Virginia children have health insurance would greatly increase kids' safety and experience in school. But instead of looking at any of these issues, this policy goes after a marginalized group of children who are being used as political pawns.


Change of transgender school policy


OPPOSE: stop using your personal misguided beliefs to take away freedom

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This proposal is bigoted and all it does is take away freedom. Let children live their lives and keep your personal misguided beliefs to yourself.

For any future proposals, stop and think "is this idea lean towards fascism?". If so, then be a decent human being and do the opposite.


I SUPPORT PARENTAL RIGHTS IN OUR SCHOOLS

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Please let it be known that I support Virginia’s new K-12 model policies.

Joy Murray


Strongly Oppose, it doesn’t effect anyone but trans kids

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<p>I very strongly oppose these proposals and will be voting against anyone in support of them.  I an currently apart of several organizations for preserving trans rights, and I can assure you we will not stand for this. Trans and non-binary students want a safe, comfortable education like any cis-gendered person. They are not effecting your kids, and have been around for a while without you even knowing! There are much larger problems harming the safety of schools and school aged children that these resources and time could be spent on, promoting the safety of ALL students, but those issues are being glossed over to marginalize a small group of people fueled by nothing but hate. </p>


Let's ensure there is a fair and nondiscriminating policy - which this is not

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<p>Policies need to be protective of all students, and respect the identities of our young people. Treating people with respect and consideration is foundational. These are the values that must come first - not the beliefs of individual parents - some of who may be unwilling to accept the identity their child has chosen. Being in an accepting environment is critical and having a school system that may refuse to acknowledge a child's identity, placing the parent's wishes over the child's, is ultimately harming the child. This should not be a state educational policy. </p>


Strongly Oppose

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As a healthcare professional and Virginian parent I vehemently oppose the proposed guidance policies. One of the simplest ways to support transgender and gender diverse students is for school staff to model inclusive behavior, use and respect chosen names, and correct pronouns. These proposed policies are harmful, will make students feel less safe at school, increase absenteeism, and increase suicidal ideation and mental health crises.
It is clear that health care providers who work with transgender and gender diverse students were not consulted when creating these hateful guidance policies.


Strongly oppose

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Very disappointed the governor is going after kids to make their life more difficult. Shame on him and the Republican party for supporting this action.


Trans rights are human rights too they don’t deserve to be treated like society standards.

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This comment applies to the school board and the school system as well transgender have rights and they don’t deserve to be treated poorly, they are minding their own business it doesn’t cost anything to stand by their rightful rights. This is honestly really sad and disgusting.


Strongly Opposed


Strongly support STOP GROOMING GAY KIDS!!!!!

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I am gay. I am a Democrat. I strongly support this measure. Transgender ideology is simply a ploy to wrap homophobia up in a pretty rainbow bow and make it look like progress. It is a convenient way to sterilize us so-called "undesirables" before we understand the ramifications of what sterilization and wrong sex hormones entail. Anything that encourages children to dissociate  from reality is a danger, and even more when it encourages them to remove healthy body parts or take drugs that cause (but are not limited to) conditions such as brain damage, deep vein thrombosis, and osteoporosis.

I implore you all to familiarize yourself with "autogynophilia" and the trans communities on reddit, tiktok, tumblr, and twitter where most kids get their information on trans identities and where the vast majority of the grooming occurs. I would know. I, and seven other girls my age who were all part of my friend group in highschool, were groomed there. They deliberately target mentally ill children - in particular female ones and those who express interest in same sex attraction. By encouraging girls (and boys too) to dissociate from their bodies you encourage them to fall deeper into psychosis and the best studies on trans identities in children show catastrophic results. No amount of surgery will give a male a functioning vagina. The hole that is created for them must be dialated every day and almost always will have a foul smell like that of a dirty belly button at best and, at worst (if colonic tissue is used) like an anus. It often will never have sensation. For females, the "penis" is a tube made from skin taken from the arm and -if the body does not reject it - it can not get erect and must be pumped up with air to mimic the function of male genitalia. This is a body modification movement and big pharma cash cow targeting LGB and mentally ill kids, not a civil rights movement.

Please take note of the studies that show so-called glowing results of affirming care. Take note of the fact that the puberty blocker companies are often their sponsors. Take note that they have insanely small sample sizes. This is not a coincidence. This is a major money making scheme for big pharma, akin to the opioid crisis.

Just because children MIGHT be gay does not mean they are any more or less sexual than straight children. Let kids be kids. I was a tomboy and I wasn't any more sexual than any of my peers. The "gayest" thing about me as a kid and teen was that I didn't understand why other girls liked boys so much. I loved Thomas the Tank Engine and Hot Wheels, and later games like Halo and Gears of War. I look back at my little self and I feel deep horror over the notion that, if I were born today, lunatic activists would advise my mother to have my body mutilated and carved up before I was even old enough to understand I loved women.

These kids need proper psychotherapy focusing on self love and mindfulness, not blockers to melt their bones and hormones to shrivel their organs. I work with animals and, when they are distressed, self mutilation is quite common. Including genital mutilation. When an animal comes to my clinic we don't encourage it to rip off its penis with its teeth. We try to identify the material stressors and, if those can not be eradicated, we look into positive reinforcement training and, worst case scenario, antidepressants. We treat ANIMALS with more rational kindness than our own children. This has to stop.


transgender students

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<p>I support Governor Youngkins policy on trangender.    The ultimate responsibility for a child is its parents not school districts.  </p>


Strongly support the new guidance

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As a father of two school-age kids, I am appalled to see so many commenters supporting the old policy, which undoubtedly hurts basic civil rights of non transgender kids, who are in fact the significant majority of our population.

Do these people have kids? Can they image if their young daughters have to share a locker room or bathroom with a male body who claims to be transgender?

This is not about transphobic. This is common sense to protect the most vulnerable group of people and sanity of this society. Think about the rape case in a NOVA high school.

Contradictory to claims of some extreme liberals, the new policy does not discriminate transgenders at all. It actually protects real serious transgender people by screening out those (we know they exist) who just want to take advantage and illegally exploit the backdoor.

Fathers and mothers, no matter if you are pro-liberal or pro-conservative, we need to use common sense to protect our children. We need to support this new policy.


Support inclusion of parents in social transition of under age child

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I support the proposed inclusion on Parents in social transition and treatment of under age children with gender dysphoria. Teachers, educators & school employee have a role to educate children on given curriculum and not give ideological information such as Woke ideologies.

as reported in media, a parent Wendell Perez has taken legal action after the elementary school counselor told him his 12-year-old daughter had attempted suicide over issues with her gender identity where school had socially transitioned the child and hid it from parents.

From UK’s closing of Travistok gender clinic & from Dr. Cass’s review of how gender clinic employees played role in promoting Transition, which had a devastating consequences for some kids, Schools should keep themselves out of this complex process of transition.

Bathroom-

young kids need safe spaces to breathe safely and collect their thoughts if they feel anxious. Sex based ( Male/Female) safe spaces provide it to them.


Strongly Opposed

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As a Virginia resident of over 20 years who comes from a long line of educators, I am strongly opposed to this document. Psychological research overwhelmingly shows that children and teenagers thrive best when their identities are respected by adults and peers alike. We all have a right to choose how to present ourselves to the world and how we want others to refer to us, and that includes children. Making the decision to take away this right will have deeply scarring and in many cases fatal consequences. A parent does not have the ability to choose their child’s identity any more than they have the ability to change physical characteristics like height or skin color, and to force educators to ignore a student’s identity is to force them to work directly against their students’ safety. Enforcing this kind of bigotry in our schools would be a grave mistake to the detriment of the health and well-being of students for years to come. Students have a right to exist safely within whatever identity fits them best, and adults have no place to take that away from them.


Trans Youth

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Stop attacking trans youth and start protecting them. Stop forcing them to be revealed to possibly  transphobic parents. This will endanger lives.


I strongly oppose this,

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i strongly oppose this, it infringes on Trans rights everywhere.


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Youngkin needs to stop attempting to silence and discriminate against trans youth. The school system needs to remain a place where students can feel safe expressing their personal views, and forcing teachers and staff to discriminate against them directly disrespects the trans students and their wellbeing.

The staff of the schools in Virginia are not there to promote your anti-LGBTQ viewpoints. They are there to educate children and make them feel safe and respected.


SUPPORT the proposal

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<p>I support the Governor. I see why he is taking this stand. </p>


Please provide peer reviewed data on the harms that this policy is designed to ameliorate.

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<p>In the absence of established harms, the policy is simply a form of discrimination. See data on established harms of military grade weapons and high capacity magazines. Policy/legislation to outlaw these would do much more to protect children in our schools than anti-transgender polices/legislation. </p>


Keep religion out of schools

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<p>Stop trying to impose religious ideology into schools. Religion needs to die out for the world to progress. </p>


Look I'm posting a 5th time

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<p>What good is public comment for either side when it can be spammed. Why isn't there captcha tied to a identity number or something. This is stupid. </p>


Strongly opposed to Governor’s opposed bill.

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I strongly oppose the rolling bag of protections to our LGBTQ students in public education. The quiet way governor Youngkin proposed these amendments speaks to how underhanded the proposal is. These amendments negatively affect the mental health of our youth.


Yes - Things are out of control

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I support the governor's efforts.  If students feel that they are some gender that does not match their biological sex, that is fine.  They certainly can feel that way BUT they do not have the right to make other students feel uncomfortable or unsafe (using the wrong bathroom, etc.).  And parents definitely should not be lied to or have information withheld from them by their children's teachers.


Trans Rights

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Your failure to recognize the rights of Trans People will be noted. There will be negative consequences to this outlook.

have a ty day you bigots.


OPPOSE! Protect Kids, Prevent Self-Harm


I couldn’t oppose more

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revoking rights from trans students and kids of the lgbtq community. Forcing them to be outed to their family could put them in danger to abuse and maybe even disownment for being themselves. They are not your pawns to be playing with, let these kids go by their names, don’t out them to their parents without knowing the consequences that is going to fall upon the kid. You’re protecting no one with this new legislation, but rather putting them all in danger. They should be free to live as themselves, without worry. School should be a safe space for all kids, not just supposed straight cishet ones.


VEHEMENTLY OPPOSED as an Educator

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As an educator, I know how important it is to lift my students up and let their voices be heard. And as an educator, I also know that the classroom is an escape for many students that have home situations that are less than loving and supportive. A particular student stands out in my mind. As a general policy, we ask all of our students what name they want to use and what pronouns they should be referred to in order to make them as comfortable as possible in the classroom, therefore giving them the ability to concentrate fully on their lessons and activities. One child asked that we call him by a new name, not the one his parents provided for us. He also asked us to refer to him by male pronouns. We happily obliged without question and he, as a result, was one of our most creative and productive students this summer. But each time his parents and grandparents would pick him up at the end of the day, they would call him by his birth name and assigned gender. And each time he was referred to in this way, this vibrant, bright eyed student would curl inwards on himself and make himself small, refusing eye contact with my fellow teachers and his parents.

As adults, our goal should be to listen to our children and to notice when our actions have negative effects on their self-esteem and well-being. If we cannot notice and rectify that our children are literally shrinking themselves, making themselves lesser as a result of our actions, then how can we expect them to do the same for others?

I am grateful that I was able to provide an escape for my student, to provide a place where he could truly be himself and actually be happy. I truly hope that the Department of Education decides to provide that same sanctuary for students that are struggling with their identities and their families' attitudes towards them. Because Trans kids deserve that kindness like every other child on this planet. That is a basic human right.


Oppose


I couldn’t oppose more

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Stop revoking rights from trans students and kids of the lgbtq community. Forcing them to be outed to their family could put them in danger to abuse and maybe even disownment for being themselves. They are not your pawns to be playing with, let these kids go by their names, don’t out them to their parents without knowing the consequences that is going to fall upon the kid. You’re protecting no one with this new legislation, but rather putting them all in danger. They should be free to live as themselves, without worry. School should be a safe space for all kids, not just supposed straight cishet ones.


A blatant abuse of power and invasion of privacy

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The new guidance on transgender students is a blatant abuse of power and invasion of privacy. Families should be protected from this government overreach attempting to police children at school, while at the same time instilling fear and violating safety of both children and adults at home. The only family this serves to protect are those that perpetuate the crime of parents physically and emotionally abusing their children.


I support the Governor

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<p>Parents rights should trump schools. They do not know what’s best for other peoples kids. </p>


Ham-fisted and hurtful- oppose!

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Requiring teachers to report trans students to parents is a blunt weapon where you need a surgical tool. Each child/teen needs to be discreetly counseled on a case by case basis. LGBTQ+ teens are exponentially more at risk for homelessness and suicide because of unsupportive families. You have appeased your base by targeting a vulnerable minority group of children. And your bathroom policy is superceded by federal law but your ignorant base doesn't get that.

My transgender child's school has been wonderful- supportive, discreet and handles everything one issue at a time. These was no need to force these kids into the spotlight to score a political point. Teachers just want to teach, kids just want to be kids.


Oppose this overreach

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<p>I vehemently oppose this measure that is harmful and an invasion of privacy. </p>


Strongly Oppose

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This policy will do SO much harm.


STRONGLY OPPOSE

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I am an educator with over forty years experience, as a teacher, school counselor, and currently as a school psychologist in Virginia.  I STRONGLY oppose this new guidance document as it runs counter to what we know about the physical, psychological, and sociological needs of trans youth; a population already at high risk for suicide and suicidal ideation.  This guidance document is trying to "solve" a problem that doesn't even exist and can cause great harm.  Trans youth simply put "are", they "exist", and they will not all of sudden not be trans because of this guidance document.  Instead, these new rules, where adults will be allowed to "dead name" them, will increase their sense of alienation.  I am greatly saddened that this is even being contemplated.  I ask that the writers of this document actually talk to members of our trans youth, LISTEN, and realize the potentially horrible consequences.  I strongly oppose this new guidance document.


Protect Trans Youth

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<p>“I strongly oppose this proposed policy. This proposal would create a hostile and potentially dangerous school environment for our VA transgender and nonbinary youth, requiring teachers and staff to forcibly “out” students, prohibit staff from supporting trans and nonbinary students such as using a students affirming name and pronouns, and prohibit access or participation in activities consistent with their gender identity. All our students deserve a supportive and affirming school environment, especially our vulnerable and marginalized populations like our transgender and nonbinary youth.”</p>


Schools Transgender Protection

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please explain to me in what context did the previous rights into place regarding schools transgender protection hurt or cause any negative actions or rights into place.  All this change is going to do it affect youth development and in no way is this a positive change and is simply a terrible change.  Think about someone just besides yourself and reconsider this stupid change.


Strongly Oppose

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<p>I strongly oppose the proposal to overhaul key protections for transgender students in public schools. LGBTQ+ students already experience much higher self-harm and suicide rates because of the discrimination they face. The proposed policies will make matters even worse. They are cruel. </p>


Your proposed policy is dangerous

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<p>As a licensed health care professional in Virginia, I am concerned that your proposed policy on trans children and young adults in our school system is dangerous for these vulnerable individuals.  Please do not go forward with the policy.  Read the research and stop using trans children and young adults as a steppingstone to your political ambitions. </p>


This is an abhorrent policy that will lead to tragic outcomes for trans youth in Virginia

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<p>This policy must not be allowed to go forward. It will do nothing but bring harm on children. </p>


Opposed to using children as political capital

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I am an independent voter living in Virginia.

I deplore using our children as chess pieces in a cynical political battle.

I also deplore bullying, no matter the purported cause or the perpetrator.

This misguided effort by our governor is ugly, hateful and solicitous.

We need elected officials to lead by example and to not exacerbate social issues meant to alienate and divide us as Americans.

Governor Youngkin, please remember that you represent, and ought to serve, all Virginians across all spectrums.


Strongly oppose unjust, illegal transgender policy

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<p>Seems to me, this administration is moving us backwards. Supreme Court has already upheld rights for transgender students. In reality, children cannot always be safe at home when coming out. This policy only protects some parents’ rights-not all parents, putting the onus on the oppressed. If teachers and staff cannot call students by their preferred names and pronouns, I guess that includes students’ nicknames and all students have to be called by their given name on their birth certificate. I am the mother of 2 former Hanover County students. I am embarrassed by the current appointed school board’s actions regarding the transgender policies bowing to the loud minority. Let’s uphold the rights of ALL students and parents by being inclusive and non judgmental. Parents in Hanover County have always had a say in their students education and books assigned, but many have chosen not to do so in an orderly fashion. Let’s change that and have parents get involved in a respectful manner. Our children deserve the right to be taught different views and develop skills to discuss and form their own opinions. If not exposed to these “devisive” facts, how will they be prepared to become leaders snd succeed in this world? DO NOT approve this policy. It’s bad for our children and bad for Virginia. </p>


leave people alone you chodes

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i mean honestly, don't you losers have anything better to do than pick on trans kids? just go be miserable by yourselves and leave everyone else out of it


Fully support!


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AGREEMENT to supporting the state's new K-12 model policies.


Support with reservations

I support the requirement that parents be notified of student "transitioning" with the reservation that I support this ONLY if the alternative is schools not informing the parents. Neither is a good solution. Any kind of "transitioning" in schools should be prohibited, because it requires the other students to lie, puts social pressure on minors to accept that people can switch sexes (or even have multiple "genders" or no "gender" at all), and requires teachers and administrators to at best tach falsehoods, and at worse be held up as  gurus of secret knowledge that trumps reality. It is harmful to children and teens who are not troubled, and encourages those who are troubled to give in to their delusions.Parents have the ultimate responsibility for their children, not the state. Parents raise their children, not public schools. Parents entrust schools with the job of educating their children in academic subjects, not in transforming them into new sorts of human beings free from the restraints of biology and sanity. It ought to be against the law to give children given massive doses of cross-sex hormones, or to attempt to raise children to be "genderless" or to "transition" them to another sex. As it is currently legal, parents who want to do these things should not be allowed to dictate how all other people in the the world must speak and act, and schools should teach and model normal behavior. American taxpayers have the right to expect sanity taught and modeled in our schools. Teachers and administrators are not versed in mental health or medicine, and should not be encouraging children and teens to make life-altering decisions that they then keep secret from parents.
Parents are not the enemy. It would be better to abolish public schools than allow them to help students embark on secret lives.

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I support the requirement that parents be notified of student "transitioning" with the reservation that I support this ONLY if the alternative is schools not informing the parents. Neither is a good solution. Any kind of "transitioning" in schools should be prohibited, because it requires the other students to lie, puts social pressure on minors to accept that people can switch sexes (or even have multiple "genders" or no "gender" at all), and requires teachers and administrators to at best tach falsehoods, and at worse be held up as  gurus of secret knowledge that trumps reality. It is harmful to children and teens who are not troubled, and encourages those who are troubled to give in to their delusions.

Parents have the ultimate responsibility for their children, not the state. Parents raise their children, not public schools. Parents entrust schools with the job of educating their children in academic subjects, not in transforming them into new sorts of human beings free from the restraints of biology and sanity. It ought to be against the law to give children given massive doses of cross-sex hormones, or to attempt to raise children to be "genderless" or to "transition" them to another sex. As it is currently legal, parents who want to do these things should not be allowed to dictate how all other people in the the world must speak and act, and schools should teach and model normal behavior. American taxpayers have the right to expect sanity taught and modeled in our schools. Teachers and administrators are not versed in mental health or medicine, and should not be encouraging children and teens to make life-altering decisions that they then keep secret from parents.

Parents are not the enemy. It would be better to abolish public schools than allow them to help students embark on secret lives.


STRONGLY OPPOSE

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I worked in a school for 11 years. The pressure to "perform," the battery of standardized testing, active shooter drills, and actual school shootings have diminished schools as safe havens. This "model policy" will further degrade the school atmosphere for a specific set of students - many of whom need a safe place because home isn't one. Stop trying to put educators on the front lines of your culture war and let them teach and nurture kids; that's why they went into the profession.


Trans Right Act

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<p>Transgender people aren't hurting anybody, so why are we taking away their rights? Who are they hurting by trying to be themselves? As children, we're told to be ourselves, so why is it a crime when it transgender people? </p>


STRONGLY OPPOSE THIS

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This is nothing but a GQP tactic to appease his base.  What a farce, if enacted, it would restrict the rights of transgender students and most likely would be unenforceable as it violates state and federal laws.  Another clown and pony show for his deplorable followers.  Disgusting playing with children's lives to gain political momentum!!!


Trans student rights

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The new anti trans students draft is against our American right to privacy and freedom of speech . This is not ok and you should not pass this . It is forcing ideals and Christianity on us.


Strongly Oppose this bigotted policy.

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This just encourages discrimination and harassment and is unjustifiably cruel to trans youth to not respect how they identify.


Parents have a right to know

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<p>I strongly support this policy as it protects children and ensures that their legal guardians - not school bureaucrats - ultimately are the ones that make the decision as to what is best for their child when it comes to such basic parental duties like naming their child and advocating for their child if they are indeed in need of transitioning treatment. The other comments opposing largely appear to not have read the guidance document or are relying on articles mischaracterizing the guidance. The guidance clearly states that children must use restrooms according to their biological sex except as required under federal law and even cites the Supreme Court Grimm case that stipulates that transgendered students can have access to the bathroom in which they identify. The hyperbole in the comments section is unwarranted. </p>


Cope harder you demonic wingnuts

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<p>Where were your comments when Gov KKK was violating the rights of parents across the Commonwealth?  Scree and demonically shriek harder.  </p>


Strongly oppose this change

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I strongly oppose any changes to the current pilicy.


Strongly oppose

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This proposed rule change is a drastic overreach of the executive’s authority and will be actively harmful to children. Trans children deserve to be treated with love and respect, not forced to comply with these obscene rules.


Bathroom, pronouns, names

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How on earth can we expect any teenager or younger can decide to change their sex.  There mind is not mature enough to make such a life changing decision.  Remember when you were 18?  How have your opinions concerning your future changed?


Friend of a trans kid

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Governor, just try to imagine if you were forced to wear a skirt and lipstick and use the girls’ restroom even though you know you are male. You can’t, because you have no empathy. No one chooses to be transgender! You say your policy is to “protect” young people.  Unless you protect ALL of them, you protect none of them.


Strongly oppose this legislation

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<p>Transgender students deserve to feel safe at school. They have rights to their bodies that their parents do NOT have. Schools who violate the trust of students by telling parents potentially confidential information should have their funding revoked. It's the job of schools to care for the safety of children. Revealing confidential information such as gender identity to a student's family can put them in significant danger from retaliation by the family. Being transgender is not dangerous for a student, therefore there is no reason to report it to families. </p>


Opposed

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<p>Opposed. Protect transgender youth and protect young lives. Do not allow this travesty to move forward </p>


I support the governor's policy

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Parents entrust the school system to educate their children.  This should not be construed as a blank check to make any decisions that the staff wish to make.  These are not your children and there must be absolute transparency as to what they are learning and what they are doing while in the care of the school.  Transparency is a foundation of good government and anyone arguing otherwise needs to remember that you do not always get to choose who uses the power you cede to the state.  Parents must not cede healthcare rights to anyone and in this case the ends do not justify the means.  They are not your children.


I support Governor Youngkin's model policy for students

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I support the Governor's model policy for all students.  I am against raising one student's issues, rights, situation over and above all others.  ALL students need to be treated kindly and ALL parents need to be involved in their children's lives and education.  There is a lot of information from adults who regretted transitioning that I am not hearing being shared.  I am also against the sexualization of our children at such young ages.  I am thankful for Governor Youngkin using common sense and standing up for parents and children.


Let us be us

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JUST LET PEOPLE BE THEM  IF WE WANT TO BE THIS OR BE THAT THEN WE CAN DO THAT YALL CANT CONTROL OUR LIFE ...


Strongly OPPOSE

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Trans rights are human rights. This policy supports the increased harassment of transgender youth, and denies them the rights and protections that they deserve as HUMAN BEINGS in this country. This policy will also force fully transitioned transgender individuals to make decisions that contrast their perceived gender. How do you think a cisgender girl would feel walking into a bathroom and seeing a transgender guy (who she probably doesn’t know is trans) with body hair, facial hair, and deep voice in there as well? Trans people are not a threat to cisgender people and are actually more at risk using the bathroom of their assigned sex at birth, than cisgender people are sharing a bathroom with trans people using the bathroom aligned with their preferred gender identity.


Strongly oppose this proposal

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The proposed change will affect adversely trans children, some of whom lack support at home and rely on their teachers and other school administrators for it. They deserve respect and sympathy, just like everyone else. Trans right are indeed human rights.


This is awful and you should be ashamed

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<p>This is awful. Denying a child the ability to be themselves and have that respected is dangerous and hateful. All you are doing is pushing a right wing christian agenda and using children for those goals. Its disgusting. This in and of itself is unconstitutional and if you follow through with this there will be litigation. This statute is in direct violation of other religions rights, namely The third fundamental tenet of The Satanic Temple, which is in fact a legally recognized religion within the United States. One’s body is inviolable, subject to one’s own will alone. </p>


Strongly OPPOSE- KEEP GOV. YOUNGKIN OUT OF OUR CHILDRENS PERSONAL LIVES

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Gender Identity should have no weight when deciding whether or not a student deserves  to be able to express themselves and their identity. It is exceptionally cruel to harm transgendered youths by dead naming them, using purposefully incorrect pronouns, or outing them.

Which bathroom a child uses shouldn't even be up for discussion. It is inappropriate for adults to be debating whether or not children should be able to use one bathroom or another.

It is inappropriate for adults to make the gender identity of other people's children a political battleground.

Let these children live. Children, transgendered or not, deserve for school to be a safe place to just learn and grow. To single out transgendered students as Other, and not worthy of protection, is deplorable.

Not to mention, that navigating one's own gender identity is a complex time and completely dependent on the individual's circumstances-- it is not the school's place or authority to dictate what kind of gender identity can or cannot be expressed.

LET THE KIDS LIVE.

LET THE KIDS BE THEMSELVES.

STOP THE HATRED.


gay

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change the rules or your gay


Strongly Oppose !! Trans Rights are Human Rights

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Really funny to me how everyone who supports this bill is using hate as a means of reasoning and calling people crazy for thinking otherwise. This bill will kill transgender youth and it will increase hate against the LGBTQ+ community. Hate is never the way to go.


STRONGLY OPPOSE

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This policy could prove detrimental to our already vulnerable young people. It will do so much more harm than good. Please protect our children!


I strongly oppose this anti-LGBTQ VA government discriminative policy

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GOP continues to degrade, I completely oppose any level of discrimination against anyone, and by a political party like it is happening since Trump, in Florida, Texas, and now affecting VA. I will no longer vote for a Republican, until GOP leadership and values stop this radical discrimination and attacks. I will not vote democrat either but GOP lost my vote.


very strongly oppose the change.

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This policy change is a result of a drummed up cause and the right wing fueling hysteria for political purposes. Very strongly oppose.


Oppose Younkin's anti-trans legislation

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<p>LGBTQ+ children need to be supported, not stigmatized. </p>


Youngkin needs to stay out of my kid’s well being

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<p>As a parent to a trans teenager, I strongly oppose this bill. I have seen my child blossom since his transition. As parents, we spend our whole lives dedicated to making sure our kids are happy and healthy and this bill will unravel their feeling of being accepted. The suicide rate for trans kids is astronomical and not something to play around with, Gov. Youngkin. </p>


Strong oppose - focus on real issues, not attacking children for being themselves

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There's data that shows transgender children commit suicide 60 to 70% less when they can use their preferred pronouns, names, identify as they wish and have gender neutral bathrooms available to them. These are simple changes that cost you nothing. Most people for this change I see claim to be Christians, And there's nothing Christian about making someone feel that they can't be themselves at the point where they commit suicide. Especially when all they had to do was use a preferred pronoun or name for that person. This change is disgusting, especially because you claim it's for safety reasons when no evidence of these pretend safety issues have been presented. I'm glad you can feel so good about making lives harder for people that aren't impacting your quality of life whatsoever. Try getting a hobby, it helps people be happier with themselves so they don't have to make other people so miserable.


I STRONGLY OPPOSE this bill!

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Trans Rights are HUMAN RIGHTS!


Strongly Oppose

I strongly oppose this new guidance.With my entire being I believe that children deserve to be heard, respected, and acknowledged. As a former educator, and someone who works with educators on a daily basis, I believe it is the role of the teacher to respect their students as individuals and support them in becoming the adults they will be. In the case of transgender students, this includes respecting and following the students' decisions on their identity. School facilities should be a place of acceptance and security for all children, including transgender children or those still exploring and accepting their gender identity.As a parent I understand the fear of having information withheld about your child. Of course I hope that my child would share these things with me themselves -  and I work hard to make sure my child knows that I love them and accept them unconditionally. I understand a concern about children making these large decisions regarding gender identity without the knowledge of their parents or guardians - but I'm left to question why your child would withhold this from you. And I am led to believe (from experience) that a child who is not comfortable sharing these things with their guardians is likely under the impression that their guardians' love and acceptance is conditional on them meeting specific societal norms. This discomfort and withholding is something to be managed within the home, and should not impact the school setting.
Children are individuals, and should be treated with respect regarding their identity.

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I strongly oppose this new guidance.

With my entire being I believe that children deserve to be heard, respected, and acknowledged. As a former educator, and someone who works with educators on a daily basis, I believe it is the role of the teacher to respect their students as individuals and support them in becoming the adults they will be. In the case of transgender students, this includes respecting and following the students' decisions on their identity. School facilities should be a place of acceptance and security for all children, including transgender children or those still exploring and accepting their gender identity.

As a parent I understand the fear of having information withheld about your child. Of course I hope that my child would share these things with me themselves -  and I work hard to make sure my child knows that I love them and accept them unconditionally. I understand a concern about children making these large decisions regarding gender identity without the knowledge of their parents or guardians - but I'm left to question why your child would withhold this from you. And I am led to believe (from experience) that a child who is not comfortable sharing these things with their guardians is likely under the impression that their guardians' love and acceptance is conditional on them meeting specific societal norms. This discomfort and withholding is something to be managed within the home, and should not impact the school setting.

Children are individuals, and should be treated with respect regarding their identity.


Strongly oppose this harmful bigoted policy

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<p>This policy will cause increases in child suicide. How backwards do republicans want our country to go! Look at the research and actually care for the well being of young trans children. This will be bad for VA. </p>


Fully Support Gov. Youngkin

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<p>I fully support Gov. Youngkin's common sense approach. </p>


Support

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Support Gov. YOUNGKIN and Parental Rights


Opposed to Gov. Youngkin's policy

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I am vehemently opposed to these policies!  Schools should be safe spaces for students, especially for those who are vulnerable already. Isn't it hard enough to navigate adolescence without encouraging bullying, which this policy does?

For students who do not have supportive families, forced outing can lead to decreased mental wellness, as well as financial and housing insecurity.

Compelling school staff to “out” transgender students exposes students to emotional and physical abuse from unaccepting parents.

Creating additional barriers for students to change their names and genders at school and disregarding students’ genders and forcing them to use school facilities and programs matching their birth sex will lead to further traumatization for already vulnerable students.

Allowing staff and students to bully and harass transgender students by not using their names and pronouns - misgendering students is incredibly harmful to their emotional well-being.

Please allow our children to learn in a safe and secure environment!


Teachers are NOT your Secret Police

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No government should ever have the ability to force teachers to out their students. This bill does not protect children. It does not protect families. It will instead enable abuse and make children fear for the safety at home and at school. This will hurt ANY child who is seen to not fit society's strict rules about gender presentation. It will hurt teachers who will be forced to choose between doing what's right and protecting their students' privacy, or losing their jobs. This bill is the definition of bullying, and it's going to lead to dead kids.

Instead of attacking innocent children who don't have the ability to fight back, maybe Governor Youngkin should focus his attention on supporting teacher's pay, or, I don't know-paying back the money he stole from first responders.


Opposed to New Discriminatory Transgender Policy

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o whom it may concern,

First, I would like to express my deep disappointment in the change of direction this administration is making when it comes to the treatment of transgender students. As the parent of a transgender child and an educator for over 23 years, I was heartened by the path we as a state were forging. I am frankly appalled that you are allowing bigotry and narrow minded constituents to take us backwards and dictate what is good for kids.

Here are some facts:

More than half of our nation's trangender and nonbinary youth have considered suicide, according to The Trevor Project's 2022 National Survey on LGBTQ Youth Mental Health.

In a study done in 2018 by the Journal for Adolescent Health found that when gender affirming pronouns and names where used, transgender youth "experienced 71% fewer symptoms of depression, a 34 % drop in reported suicidal thoughts and a 65% decrease in suicide attempts" (Henry, "For transgender kids, gender afforming names can be lifesaving).

In a survey done by Pew Research Center, 69% of Americans believe that it is extremely or somewhat important to use a transgender person's new name, and 55% believe it is extremely or somewhat important to use a transgender person's new pronouns. Both statistics demonstrate a majority of the country disagree with your policy.

Finally, your policy is contradictory. You state that I as the parent have the right to declare the name and gender pronouns for my child that I expect to be used in school. However, you also state that school personnel, especially teachers, have the right to ignore my declaration. How do these contradictory policy statements fit with the overarching theme of the Youngkin administration's campaign and governing theme, "Parents Rule?"

Here are some personal facts from my family's experience back in 2013 when our son clued us in to his true identity:

We met with our school's superintendent about using the boy's bathroom. He said he didn't want to make a restroom policy, and supported our son's use of the boy's bathroom. There was never an issue. That superintendent is now employed by the VDOE.

The school simply changed our son's name and gender in powerschool. We didn't have to ask, It was just done, No big deal. Why would it be?

We did go through the process of legally changing our child's name. We then went through the legal process of changing his gender on his birth certificate after the presidential election of 2016 because we knew if we did not he would experience discrimination and restrictions. But we are fortunate in that we had the financial means and access to a lawyer necessary to do both. Many families will not have either, therefore your policy is restricting the rights of students based not only on their gender identity but also on their socio-economic status.

Our son was the first openly transgender student in our school (and I was a teacher there). It didn't make the news. There were no court cases. He experienced bullying, but nothing he was unable to endure. Some teachers didn't agree, but they kept it to themselves. Most were wonderfully supportive. And our son, who suffered from severe depression and anxiety and was suicidal for years, began to thrive. He is now a college graduate and living his best life in Chicago as a theatre lighting designer.

Please consider changing your discriminatory and terribly one-sided policy. It is wrong and simply not what is best for our students.


Strongly Support

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My children are not able to seek medical care, play a sport, join a club ,etc without my permission or consent.  It is absurd to think that a child should have the right to change their name, gender preference, etc. without parent input and/or consent.

This policy ensures parent involvement as well as parent support.  A parent has a right to know their child is feeling this way so that they have the opportunity to support and advocate for student.  It is not the schools right or responsibility to provide guidance and counseling in any area without parent consent.

The current policy needs to be rescinded; it breeds conflict within families.  It leads children to believe that sexuality and gender preference is a topic that should not be discussed with parents and should be kept hidden.  It goes against the family.


Designed to make Virginian students backwards and ill prepared for life

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The policy as written does not prepare Virginian students for life in the outside world. It creates an atmosphere where Virginian students will be seen as "backward" and "uneducated" when they leave the state or interact with a wider community.

Regardless of a family's belief, transgender people exist. Any attempt to hide or quell that at school deprives families of the opportunity to discuss it and share their own family's values while inflicting what the AAP describes as "irreparable harm" to transgender students.

That is, there are no potential benefits that outweigh the harm done.