Teacher in opposition

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If you become a teacher you don't get to decide if your personal beliefs are violated by your professional role.  You don't get to 'opt out' of your duty of care.  If you cannot teach the curriculum, provide children a supportive and caring learning environment, and refrain from abuse and discrimination then you are not suitable to be a teacher.  Full stop.

If the policies of the public school are not the best options for your child you may homeschool them or enroll them in any number of other options.  You don't get to choose the books other kids read.  You don't get to decide how my child is addressed.  And no, you don't get to overrule your child's own choices at school by asking a professional to 'out' them.  This isn't about parents vs schools, it's parents asking schools to pick a side that isn't their child's side.

Be grateful educators have a duty of care, not to you, but to your child.


Strongly oppose. Keep 2021 Model Policies

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If my kid's school implements this policy and makes him use a unisex bathroom when the rest of his class goes to the girls or boys, we will be suing on the basis of discrimination. That would make my child's learning environment unwelcoming, maybe unsafe, definitely uncomfortable-thus discrimination based on gender identity-violating title 9. I oppose this policy.


I strongly OPPOSE this bill.

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This bill is blatantly transphobic and dangerous to the mental health of young people.


I support parental involvement in this matter.

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I read the new proposal and it seems reasonable and appropriate.

I support parents' and guardians' rights to be involved in determining if a school should accommodate a child's desired gender designation if different from the one on the school's records (and presumably birth certificate). It is a fairly significant decision with long-lasting impact that ideally would have child, parent, and school all in agreement, with a well thought-out plan on how to make accommodations. Similar to a 504 or IEP, it could also give parents the authority to ask and ensure their child's needs are accommodated, if they make that decision.

I understand there may be times when parents are not supportive - maybe often - but it cannot be the school's place to override the parents' desires in this case. The exception to this would be when the child reaches the age of legal consent. In Virginia, that is 18.


Strongly oppose - all students deserve an education w/o exclusion & targetting

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My nephew is transgender. He is a contented, well-adjusted, contributing member of society. Why? Because his parents, teachers, and bosses treated him with respect, recognized his talents, and cultivated them. He was appreciated for who he was as a person, student, and employee, not his gender or lack of a visibly clear gender. All students deserve this basic respect - to be called by their names and pronouns, to use the bathroom in peace, and to participate in extracurricular activities. Let's stop targeting our kids and eroding our society's future because we are afraid of something we don't understand. This is the same narrow-mindedness that kept women from pursuing careers outside the home and which keeps people of color locked in destructive racial stereotypes. It's another form of exclusion and persecution based on primal fears of things that are different. Virginia is better than this. Our students and teachers deserve to learn and teach without being targeted by bigoted policies.


STRONGLY OPPOSED: It's still transphobia even if you frame it as parental rights

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I am writing to voice my strong opposition to the proposed 2022 model policies. Students and their families deserve to be treated with respect, yes, and they were under the 2021 policies. Framing this proposal as an attempt to support parental rights and block some insidious "ideological" agenda is simply a dog whistle. People, listen: Parental rights and the Constitution are not in danger because people must acknowledge that trans kids exist and want to live their true lives.

However, if this proposal passes, trans students, and their families, WILL suffer. Trans kids have higher rates of suicide, addiction, and mental health problems if they are not acknowledged and supported.

Please, please, please don't send trans kids back into the closet. Show that Virginia truly supports all of its kids and families, not that some ideologues have learned to write hand-wringing appeals to emotion framing transphobia as somehow pro-family. Leave the 2021 model policies in place.


Oppose

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<p>If a parent is the expert on his/her child, is the child not the expert on themselves? </p>


More policies like this are needed for VA children

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I support this policy guidance and hope that this will be reinforced and extended further. I'm glad that Governor Youngkin did not forget his campaign promises to the parents in Virginia. Schools must stop brainwashing and indoctrinating the children. They need to focus on academics and leave the parenting to the parents. Literacy levels go lower and lower as school administrators and unions force more and more divisive indoctrination on students and staff. The school is not the place where gender and sexual orientation should be resolved, or even discussed. The school is the place to teach academics, grade  the students based on their knowledge, not based on government $, and stop wasting time and resources on shady agendas by extremist groups.


Parental rights and Gender Issues.

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<p>Thank you Gov Youngkin for attempting to bring sanity back to the state of Va by restoring parental rights as to what our kids and grandkids are being taught in school. Thank you for defending the parents rights with regards to what our kids are being taught and the things for which they should not be exposed. There should be separate bathrooms for boys and girls biologically  and NOT on the basis one identifies. It is absurd and unfair to expect others to use pronouns that are frankly a lie, in order accommodate the few that are so demanding. </p>


Yes, children do better with parental support, but they have rights too!

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This document provides the legal framework for parents to lovingly support their child's healthy development AND to harm them.  Unlike the previous guidance which included research supporting every aspect, this guidance seems to be built upon the Governor's statement, "I think we agree parents know what's best for their children."

Yes, except when they don't.  If this was true, what was considered loving parenting would not have changed from the 1700s to the 1950s to the present day.   And while this policy cites legal precedent from a hundred years ago, most reasonable people agree that new laws are improvements on older ones.  It's the very reason the General Assembly meets,--to make our Commonwealth safer, more fair, and more just than it was before.


Ann Marie Barrett (LCPS counselor) arrested for sexually assaulting her transgender student

Wake up Loudoun County- let the teachers handle it? I don’t think so.

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<p>Loudoun County does not agree with parental rights. They want to leave us in the dark while the staff grooms our children. They have created a perfect storm for sexual assaults. </p>


Objection to any transphobic policy.

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<p>Keep Younkin’s heinous transphobic policies out of our schools. </p>


Hateful, shameful policies!

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These policies sow hate and transphobia. If you are seeking to force women to give birth, then quit taking away the freedoms of the children that will be produced by your controlling, hateful policies!


Children should be allowed to grow up before making irreversible decisions - I strongly support

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<p>  I applaud Gov. Youngkin for having the courage to speak sanity and common sense at a time when both are becoming increasingly rare.  If a child can't get an aspirin at school without parental knowledge/consent and are not allowed to get a tattoo because it is irreversible, then there is a clear understanding that children are not in a position to know what is best for them in areas they are unfamiliar with.  This is why they have to be guided by people that have a vested interest in their welfare.  These people are called parents.   Surgeons that want to make money, teachers that may have an interest in LGBTQ+ issues, school boards that are under political pressure to go with the flow - none of these people have a vested interest in the welfare of the child like a parent does.  It is not up to the child to affirm the LGBTQ+ community.   It is up to the child to navigate his way to adulthood with parents that love them.  That we even have to discuss this shows how far our society has fallen into confusion and political/social oppression.  Not only does Gov. Youngkin have to stand up for what is right in the face of political and societal pressure, all citizens that value the future of our children must insist they be under the protection of those who love them most - their parents.  Thank you for reading my comment. </p>


2022 Model: An Objectively Reasonable Policy

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We see the necessity of having this proposed policy exemplified by Delegate Elizabeth Guzman re-introducing her bill to criminalize any parent or guardian for not agreeing to whatever their child decides to identify as. She is attempting to legislatively impose a permanent in loco parentis on all Commonwealth parents unless we as parents accede to her ideological demands. Her position is just as irrational as submitting a bill to criminalize parents for disagreeing with their child who does not want to attend church, does not want to go to the range and practice shooting with a firearm, does not want to recite the Pledge of Allegiance etc. Child abuse is an objective reality, regardless of if it occurs mentally, emotionally, or physically; it is not a mere difference of opinion which is what Delegate Guzman’s bill reduces real child abuse too.

Nevertheless, there is no better way to comment on the proposed policy then to contrast it with the currently existing one, because any serious consideration of both policies objectively reviewed results in supporting the proposed policy. But sadly, many people have neither read the current policy nor the proposed one. However, the titles for each policy set the tone and essentially rules of engagement: Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia’s Public Schools makes clear the focus is on how transgender students should be treated at the exclusion of how everyone else is treated under it. Indeed, this title bears no indication whatsoever to the effect it will have on teachers, non-transgender students, school staff, and parents. Moreover, the title implicitly rejects the notion that how teachers, non-transgender students, school staff, and parents are treated under this policy should be considered in relation to transgender students.

In direct contradistinction, the proposed policy's title is 2022 MODEL POLICIES ON THE PRIVACY, DIGNITY, AND RESPECT FOR ALL STUDENTS AND PARENTS IN VIRGINIA’S PUBLIC SCHOOLS (2022 Model). Within the title is immediately apparent it focuses on not the exclusive treatment of transgender students, but the privacy, dignity, and respect all students (along with their parents) deserve, regardless of their gender identity. Implicit is the understanding that everyone who is subject to this policy should be treated equally under it, which is inapposite of the current policy.

Beyond each policy’s title are the terminology used: Terminology within the current policy reflects government endorsed activism and politicized language, which in turn creates government required language that seemingly must appear in local school district policies. It embraces words or phrases as “cisgender, gender-expansive, gender-diverse, gender-fluid, gender-nonbinary, nonbinary, agender, gender queer, gender nonconforming, gender transition, and sex assignment”.

All these terms are fictitious, imbecilic, and have no meaning outside of perpetuating specific political and ideological goals. However, most troubling of these nonsensical terms is “sex assignment” because it denies the science of sonography, by implying a sonographer simply ‘guesses’ as to what the sex of an unborn child is (within a woman’s womb) and promotes the idea intersexuality is standard for human embryonic development. According to this policy humans are generally androgynous and sexually ambiguous, which is not in accord with reality.

Additionally, other ideological / politicized terms used within the current policy are “equity,” “equity priority,” “marginalized student,” and “cisgender binary.” These terms are not defined, and no context is offered for a reader to understand what is meant by them: the meanings are simply assumed. Thus, the policy was written only for a particular audience since these undefined terms can be interpreted in numerous ways.

In contrast, the 2022 Model policy only has four terms of which two are statutorily defined “parent, parents”, “eligible student,” one defined by the commonly understood dictionary definition (“sex”) and the other’s definition specific to the policy itself (“transgender student”). The proposed policy explicitly conveys its terminology is neither ideological nor politicized language.

Another essential difference is how the current policy empowers transgender students while simultaneously disempowering everyone else, while the proposed policy empowers everyone equally.

This difference is exemplified in the current policy by, but is not limited to, the following statements: “School staff should discuss with the student about how they prefer information about their gender identity to be shared,” “school staff should treat a student’s gender identity as being particularly sensitive information that should not be shared even internally among school personnel except to those with a legitimate educational interest or need to know,” “School divisions will need to consider the health and safety of the student in situations where students may not want their parents to know about their gender identity,” “There are no regulations requiring school staff to notify a parent or guardian of a student’s request to affirm their gender identity, and school staff should work with students to help them share the information with their family when they are ready to do so,” “In the situation when parents or guardians of a minor student (under 18 years of age) do not agree with the student’s request to adopt a new name and pronouns, school divisions will need to determine whether to respect the student’s request, abide by the parent’s wishes to continue using the student’s legal name and sex assigned at birth, or develop an alternative that respects both the student and the parents.”

By contrast, the 2022 Model explicitly states that the Virginia Department of Education is confident “in parents to prudently exercise their fundamental right under the Fourteenth Amendment and the Virginia Constitution to direct the upbringing, education, and control of their children. This primary role of parents is well established and beyond debate. Empowering parents is essential to improving outcomes for children.” Nothing could be more a clear difference since the current policy literally asserts strangers in the form of teachers and government bureaucrats, not the parents and guardians of children, decisively know what’s best for someone else’s child or children.

There are many other aspects of the current policy that can be compared with the 2022 Model, but it leads to the same result: Governor Youngkin’s policy places students, parents, school staff, and Commonwealth law at the center of its execution, while the current policy simply elevates children above their parents and replaces students’ parents with school staff to achieve the ideological goal of “diversity, equity, and inclusion.” And these three words have literally become meaningless used within the latter context. In short, it is unequivocal 2022 Model policy is objectively and quantifiably better for the Commonwealth: for we have already seen results of the existing policy’s work within Fairfax and Loudon Counties, and problems within these latter two counties should neither be the norm nor become standard for the Commonwealth.


We are not all Christian nationalists!

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From WAPO:

Contrary to statements that suggest otherwise, the 2022 model policies do impose a specific ideology. Christian nationalism is not relegated to churches, extremist groups or religious-political leaders; it exerts control and fosters political violence through public policies and institutions that seek to exterminate non-White, non-Christian, and non-heteropatriarchal thought from the nation.


This is not about bathroom rights. It’s about human rights!

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These policies take away the freedoms of transgendered children, while stoking the flames of transphobia. We are not all Christian nationalists. Quit forcing your shortsighted,  bigoted policies on all of us. You are a disgrace- the worst governor ever. The only freedoms you care about are those of straight, white, “Christian” men!


Virginia is an embarrassment with these bigoted, transphobic policies!

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<p>These policies will do far more harm to transgendered children than good. Obviously you don’t care and seek to protect the rights of your vocal, minority base. I thought Christians were kind, benevolent people- not bigoted, bullying haters. Guess I was wrong. You will reap what you sow. </p>


Youngkin's Demonization of Children Must Be Rejected by VDOE

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My name is Stuart Trostle, and I am a resident of Suffolk, VA, where I grew up and attended school. I am also a queer, transgender man. Based on both my personal experience growing up and going to school in Virginia as a transgender child, as well as basic tenets of decency, I must voice my opposition to Governor Youngkin's proposed policy regarding the policing of student transgender identity and expression in schools.

Childhood and school for most trans people is very hard. If we're lucky, we have parents who understand that gender identity can be complex, and encourage us to be ourselves. If we're lucky, we have schools that teach us about queer and trans identities and role models, and normalize our experiences so we don't feel so alone. If we're lucky, we will have found other queer and trans students or members of the community to provide support and guidance. Most of us are not so lucky.

If a trans student does not have parents who understand trans identities, or even holds bigoted views against the transgender community, school may be the only refuge that student has, the only place they feel safe. In mandating that school staff and teachers inform parents when a child seeks to explore who they are, Governor Youngkin would require that student have no safe place to turn. This policy at best will repress children's growing expression of their true selves, something every child should have the opportunity to explore; at worst, it will make students homeless, expose them to violence, and drive them to harm. I was outed to my parents against my will and without my knowledge when I was in high school. I am thankful and fortunate that my parents, while not understanding, did not sway in their support of me. I could have been kicked out. I could have been assaulted. I was devastated by the betrayal and spent many years re-closeted afterward. If this policy is approved, students across the state will be directly subject to physical and emotional turmoil; they will never be able to trust any employee of the public school system.

Discovering you are transgender is already an isolating experience. When I was a student, I never learned about transgender identities, or transgender people in history or current events. My only education relating to any queer identity was an in-classroom reading of The Laramie Project in my drama class. This is a fantastic play, but as the entirety of my education about the queer community, all it taught me was that to be queer in any way is to be a target of hate and violence. I had no positive queer role models. Queer and transgender students in Virginia schools now are allowed to be taught that their experience of the world is part of the wide variety of beautiful humanity. They are allowed to learn who they are, just as cisgender students are. A big part of learning who you are, as a transgender person, is discovering how you want the world to address you. And let's be clear, cisgender people also discover they want to change how they are addressed, be it going by their middle name, a nickname, etc. Not allowing teachers and staff to support transgender students by using their chosen name and pronouns is not only just blatantly disrespectful, but it tells these students they do not have the same freedom to their name, their autonomy, as cisgender people. It seems obvious to me that teaching a subset of students that they do not have the same autonomy as the rest of the student body, simply because of who they are, is clearly antithetical to American public education.

As a student, my school did not have an LGBTQ+ student group. I knew there were a couple queer students, vaguely, but we had no opportunity to bond with each other, to support each other, in a safe environment. What I did have was sports. I loved softball. And I was good at it. But when I was 15, it became more and more uncomfortable for me to be in a locker room with cisgender girls. Although I didn't have the words at the time to express why, I knew I didn't belong, and although I loved playing, I was too uncomfortable to continue. I didn't feel welcome. I didn't feel normal. And even attempting to play on the boys baseball team was a nonstarter. I was left out of an extracurricular activity that was supposed to be welcome to all to try, because there was a lack of the baseline level of care and safety for queer and transgender students. I am ecstatic that students now not only have queer student groups to support each other, but are able to take part in other extracurriculars without having to hide who they are. And just as importantly, the cisgender students are more aware that their experiences are not universal, that other people go through the world from a fundamentally different perspective, and that is something to be appreciated, not snuffed out. Governor Youngkin's proposed policies, seeking to prevent transgender students from playing sports consistent with a student's gender identity, seeks to snuff that out. Worse, the policy seeks to prevent transgender students from even being able to access bathroom facilities consistent with their gender identity. This sends the message to trans and cisgender students alike that not only do trans students not belong in school activities as they are, it is acceptable to deny them access to basic hygienic facilities unless they deny who they are. This is inhumane, and sends a horrific message to the cisgender students on what treatment of others is acceptable.

I am sure many comments seeking this policy's rejection will share the gutting statistics with you. That 85% of transgender youth's mental health is suffering, because adults decided it was acceptable to debate their existence as a political football. That over half of trans youth attempted suicide. That that percentage is nearly halved in trans youth who have access to a supportive school and who learn about queer people and identities. I am also sure many people seeking this policy's approval will discuss how they think these children are being forced to be transgender somehow, although I doubt they would be able to tell you how, or to point to research supporting this claim. They may tell you they don't want their children to see genitalia different to their own at school, although I'm not sure in what circumstance they expect their children to be seeing the genitalia of another student. Things may have changed since I was in school, but I never once saw another student's genitalia at school in any context, and perhaps if that is happening now it should be addressed as a separate matter.

I don't mean to belittle the concerns of those who are afraid. But I do mean to provide perspective; they fear things that don't exist, that are not happening, or if they are happening, are concerns that go beyond this proposal. What IS happening, though, is that students, the children who it is this Department's responsibility to educate and support, are afraid, and they are suffering. Adults are discussing them as monsters, as threats, as villains, simply for existing. This proposal is based in rhetoric that has picked an easy target for fear : children who are different. It is bullying of these children, it is unkind, and it lacks an ounce of compassion for what they are going through. This policy must be rejected.


Oppose all discrimination against the furry community. We have rights too.

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Youngkin is furryphobic and transphobic. Impeach governor youngkin immediately.


LCPS board members are personally responsible for sexual assaults in bathrooms

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Loudoun County is the laughing stock of the United States. Our leadership has failed miserably. This county is completely corrupt. It will all come out. The leadership must be ousted and held personally responsible.


Fully In Support of these Policies!

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The slippery slope is unfortunately very real and this is something that should never be in the classrooms.


Strongly oppose Youngkin's transphobic and dangerous policy

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Policy claims "All students have the right to attend school in an environment free from discrimination, harassment, or bullying." What about the right to live in a safe home environment "free from discrimination, harassment, or bullying?"

This policy does nothing  to "protect and encourage respect for all students" - it props up transphobic ideals at the expense of protection for trans kids.

Policy claims "we have a collective responsibility to address topics such as the treatment of transgender students with necessary compassion and respect for all students." This policy directly and distinctly treats trans kids with NO compassion or respect. Maybe listen to what trans kids are actually saying about it...

"The Department also fully acknowledges the rights of parents to exercise their fundamental rights granted by the Fourteenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution to direct the care, upbringing, and education of their children." Should this include the right to bully, abuse, or otherwise psychologically harm their kids once outed by educators?

Worried about a trans kid's pronouns creating a distraction? How distracted do you think these kids are when they fear for their own wellbeing at home?


Strongly against the new policy

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This is extremely hateful to trans kids. Please change this policy for the good of the people. Kids should be allowed to tell their teachers their preferred pronouns. Not doing so could be hurtful to those kids who may have trauma about their previous gender. Please, please, change this now!


Protect Emotionally Vulnerable Children and Parental Rights!

Dear Virginia Dept of Education,

Schools should never secretly socially transition students and keep the child's new name, pronouns and gender identities from parents. I am pleased and relieved that the Virginia Department of Education's revised model policies support parental rights and ensure that school employees don't cut parents out of critical decisions for their children.

The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) issued "model policies" in 2021 that encouraged every school district in Virginia to hide a child's new gender identity from parents who choose to affirm the child's biological sex. Under Governor Youngkin's leadership, the VDOE's revised policies make it clear that all children should be valued and parents' rights and beliefs should be respected. The 2022 Model Policies on the Privacy, Dignity, and Respect for all Students and Parents in Virginia's Public Schools keep parents involved in major decisions in their children's lives.

The 2021 VDOE "model policies" encouraged schools to create "a plan (that) may include addressing the student at school with their name and pronoun consistent with their gender identity while using the legal name and pronoun associated with the sex assigned at birth when communicating with parents or guardians."

I strongly support the revised policies that end this practice. Virginia schools should not drive a wedge between parents and their emotionally vulnerable children. Virginia school districts, including those who have already communicated their plans to ignore the 2022 revised model policies, should put an end to secret Gender Support Plans now.

Sincerely,
Amy Sprengelmeyer
30870 Canaan Rd
Deer Island, OR 97054

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Dear Virginia Dept of Education,<br /><br />Schools should never secretly socially transition students and keep the child's new name, pronouns and gender identities from parents. I am pleased and relieved that the Virginia Department of Education's revised model policies support parental rights and ensure that school employees don't cut parents out of critical decisions for their children. <br /><br />The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) issued "model policies" in 2021 that encouraged every school district in Virginia to hide a child's new gender identity from parents who choose to affirm the child's biological sex. Under Governor Youngkin's leadership, the VDOE's revised policies make it clear that all children should be valued and parents' rights and beliefs should be respected. The 2022 Model Policies on the Privacy, Dignity, and Respect for all Students and Parents in Virginia's Public Schools keep parents involved in major decisions in their children's lives.<br /><br />The 2021 VDOE "model policies" encouraged schools to create "a plan (that) may include addressing the student at school with their name and pronoun consistent with their gender identity while using the legal name and pronoun associated with the sex assigned at birth when communicating with parents or guardians." <br /><br />I strongly support the revised policies that end this practice. Virginia schools should not drive a wedge between parents and their emotionally vulnerable children. Virginia school districts, including those who have already communicated their plans to ignore the 2022 revised model policies, should put an end to secret Gender Support Plans now.<br /><br />Sincerely,
<br />Amy Sprengelmeyer
<br />30870 Canaan Rd<br />Deer Island, OR 97054<br /><img src="http://admin.phone2action.com/email/open/leg/657523/148413225" width="1" height="1" />


STRONGLY SUPPORT GOV. YOUNGKIN'S POLICY

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I strongly support Youngkin's policy, parental rights & girls sports! Schools should focus on academics

Schools should not indoctrinate children about alternative lifestyles that contradict a family's belief system.  There is no place for this in ANY LEVEL of the schools & should be an option to opt out of such indoctrination at all levels.  Lets get back to Science instead of making up our own creative theories.  I'm supportive of teaching compassion, kindness, thoughtfulness, against bullying on either side but not pressuring others to conform to another belief in schools.  Our academics in American schools are so far behind with the plandemic, let's just focus on the basics of reading, writing, math & science!  Bring back civility in our society, what is trust worthy, honesty, helping others, strong work ethic, service, not me centered.


STRONGLY SUPPORT GOV. YOUNKIN'S POLICY


Thank you

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Thank you VDOE for recognizing all aspects of this difficult issue, and allowing parents to be parents. To ignore the responsibility parents have for the raising of their children, in an attempt to deal with the ever changing mental health status of gender questioning students is quite a challenge. But to remove the rights of parents from the equation will only make matters worse. Thank you for putting parents back into the equation.


Support Governor Youngkin

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I support Governor Youngkin's pro-family measures.


support Gov Youngkin's proposal

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Gov Youngkin's proposal is a win for everybody. Something this serious should be discussed and thought about. A parent knows their child and should be in on the discussion. It should also be more than a child saying something and then being allowed on opposite sex teams etc. Also it is worth noting that those who go through sex changes are still nine times more likely to attempt suicide, so are we really 'helping' them?


I OPPOSE the guidance

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Telling our transgender and non-binary students that they will either be outed, or forced back into the closet will lead to a life-time of mental health trauma. This policy restricts support and resources for vulnerable students.


Strongly Opposed

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Putting educators in a position where they have to betray the confidence of children, endangers the child.  True parents have rights, but also true that many parents refuse or are incapable of supporting their children going through difficult gender issues.  Kids need someone to talk with that they can trust, and that is rarely a parent.


Transphobic, hateful policies under the guise of “parental rights”!

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The only parents you care about are those who support your racist, transphobic, and hateful agenda. What about the rest of us who want to know transgendered children will be safe at school and not further bullied and stigmatized? You are the worst governor ever, posing as a good “Christian.” You should be ashamed of yourself for bullying the most vulnerable. I sure hope the babies you will force to be born do not turn out transgendered!


Strongly support- go to California it’s great over there. We don’t want it. And we voted

See you at the poles. We’re tired of this destructive liberal agenda

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If you don’t like it move on to cali.


Strongly opposed

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<p>Why not focus on mental health of our students by improving counseling and teachers salaries instead of political stunts at the expense of children struggling with gender identity and further trauma. Parent of high schooler in Spotsylvania county </p>


Strongly Support Policy protecting biological girls right to fair sport and safe locker rooms

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<p>Policies for trans people directly impact biological girls and women....many times trumping girls/women's rights or erasing them entirely.  Biological girls deserve to have their rights protected, their spaces protected, and their safety protected.  Unfortunately, trans policies make abuse by men towards women an easy game to play, and we have seen it in the media multiple times.  Time to stand up to insanity.  </p>


Virginia is an embarrassment with these proposed policies!

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Any one with half of a brain can see that these extremist policies will further damage transgendered children. Please do not take away what is potentially the only safe place for these children in the name of “parental rights.” Let’s pray that all parents will support and accept their children for exactly who they are because, if they do not, you will have blood on your hands!


Support Parental Rights In Our Schools

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I am in agreement with the new proposed policy guidelines presented by the Virginia Department of Education strengthening parental rights and protecting students from harmful policies.


Do the right thing

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It doesn't harm children to refer to them how they ask to be referred to. It harms them significantly to refuse. Let children use the names and pronouns they feel fit without informing potentially abusive families and putting the child in danger. Let kids be themselves!


Disgraceful policies!

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<p>How dare you impose your warped Christian nationalist policies on all of us. Studies show that these policies will further damage the mental health of an already vulnerable population. You care nothing about this while you fly off to campaign for other hateful, racist, bigoted candidates. We can only hope that Kharma will come back to bite you. This is disgraceful! </p>


Stop Youngkin's plan

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The point of middle school is exploration, whether it's exploring content or their own identities. They should be able to have a safe environment to be able to explore, and if they don't have that environment at home, then it's my job to provide that safety in the classroom.

Regardless of the result, my students will always have that safe environment. However, there are students all over the State of Virginia who deserve that safety and might lose it.

Please keep Virginia's children safe, and reject this awful plan.


Isn't it ironic that logic and scientific law...have to go to the schools to die?

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<p>You don't need 3000 words to call a boy a boy and a girl a girl.  This is the abdication of science at its very core.  Isn't it ironic that the persons that are supposed to protect the weakest amongst them...have vacated that responsibility as it pertains to women. </p>


Virginians for haters with these policies!

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These policies seek to further divide rather than unify. They discriminate against transgendered children and put them at risk for even further harm at home. Quit sowing hate and destroying the Commonwealth with your bigoted policies! Consult mental health experts before imposing your “Christian” views on all of us. Oh, wait- you don’t believe in science!


Hateful, bullying policies!

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How horrible it is for Virginians to have such a heartless, bigoted governor who claims to be a good “Christian.”

The only people you care about are your extreme MAGA base. You lied your way into office and now you are burning down the house with these shameful policies that will further harm the mental health of an already vulnerable population.

Worst governor ever!


Strongly oppose this dangerous and discriminatory policy

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This policy is discriminatory and will harm students and teachers. As a parent, I want students to be supported by the school system, not forced to hide or change who they are. This policy will be detrimental to the mental health of teenagers who are already fragile. Students should be able to confide and trust teachers without judgment, and teachers should be able to provide a supportive ear to student feelings without worry that they will be forced to harm the student or betray their trust. When there are real issues of bullying, abuse, substance use, and self-harm that teachers try to look for and help with, sending them on a witch hunt for any sexual or gender identity is a betrayal of the relationship needed.

My job as a parent is to support my child, advocate for them, and to love them in any way they need. I would hope to create a relationship that would allow them to confide in me, but I would NEVER want them to be forced to reveal anything by the school system. Every person has the right to live their life without fear, and this policy creates a system of discrimination and bullying by the very school system that should be supporting and encouraging their individuality and independence.

Even if this bad policy is enacted, I will work my hardest to provide a safe space for any person that needs it and will fight in any way I can to allow people to live their lives without this kind of oppression and discrimination.


SUPPORT GOV. YOUNGKIN'S PROPOSAL

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<p>Support the proposal to amend the flawed guidance of the previous administration. I support parental involvement in a child's education. </p>


Some kill babies by abortion, some want to mutilate and disfigure. What is right about that? Support

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Some kill babies by abortion, some mutilate and disfigure children, all for money. What is right about that?


Support Gov Younkin's position

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My wife and I support any legislation that does not hinder parental rights over their children.


Support for Govenor Youngkin

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Some people want to kill babies by aborting them and some want to mutilate and disfigure children. Woe be to those who kill and to those who say right is wrong. I support Govenor Youngkin and innocent children.


Support

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I support the 2022 Model Policies on the Privacy, Dignity, and Respect for All Students and Parents in Virginia’s Public Schools (2022 Model Policies) which withdraw and replace the highly objectionable Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia’s Public Schools. Among many other positive changes, The 2022 Model Policies make it clear that “[p]arents have the right to instill and nurture values and beliefs for their own children and make decisions concerning their children’s education and upbringing in accordance with their customs, faith, and family culture” and that “[p]arents are in the best position to work with their children and, where appropriate, their children’s health care providers to determine (a) what names, nicknames, and/or pronouns, if any, shall be used for their child by teachers and school staff while their child is at school, (b) whether their child engages in any counseling or social transition at school that encourages a gender that differs from their child’s sex, or (c) whether their child expresses a gender that differs with their child’s sex while at school.


STRONGLY SUPPORT PROPASAL

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<p>Am in strong support of Governor Youngkin’s proposal. </p>


Please protect ALL of our children

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Please protect our children! Teachers and others in our children's lives need to keep parents involved and informed. Children can't get a Tylenol or any medication at school with parental/guardian consent! Our nation is becoming very radically bent on changing bodies, killing unborn children, and other atrocities. Children's brains are not fully developed until past the age of attending school.

Quotes for teenagers are three times as expensive as quotes for drivers in their mid-30s and closer to four times the rate for drivers in their mid-50s. Once young drivers gain more experience and hit age 25, their car insurance costs drop about 33%. Yet, we want to prevent children from their legal and closest guardians!

Every child MUST be respected, nurtured, educated, and protected. Children must mature and be adults before being manipulated into transgender surgeries and treatments.

An 18-year-old woman is rapidly becoming one of the most powerful voices against transitioning children at a moment in which most politicians and media outlets lack the courage to speak out. Chloe Cole is a self-described “former trans kid” who de-transitioned after undergoing years of puberty blockers and an irreversible double mastectomy at the age of 15. Cole is now traveling across the country to share her story and raise the alarm about gender transition procedures on children, a growing trend she calls “child abuse” and “medical experimentation.” “I’m planning to keep doing this until it stops,” Cole told CNA . . . in an interview.

Please teach respect and acceptance. We must never kill or mutilate children!


Strongly Oppose

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I am appalled by the Governor's proposal to target transgender and non-binary students. If a young person prefers not to tell their parents how they feel in relation to their own gender, it is because they don't feel comfortable doing it. The most likely reason is that the parents are not open to hearing it and their children are aware of that. Aren't those kids already vulnerable because they feel that they cannot share something this personal with the people that are supposed to be closest to them and their advocate? Why punish the kids even more by asking the school to share with the parents something that their children choose not to? If the child feels a certain way about their sexual identity and if their parents don't agree with it, how likely is it that they can change how their child feels? Isn't it clear that any parental attempt to interfere in such a situation is not going to help, but has the potential to harm the children? The new policy is cruel and should not be implemented.


Strongly oppose proposal

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<p>Strongly oppose this proposal. School should be a safe welcoming space for all children. </p>


Strongly SUPPORT these model policies

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Strongly support the revision to this policy.


Support youngkins policy

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Protect the kids! Stop coming for the kids. Strongly support Youngkin’s new policy


Strongly support this new guidance / Mother

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I support this guidance document returning parental rights to parents, affirms the rights of all students, while also providing specific guidance in making school a positive place to learn for those who wish to identify as other than their sex.


Strongly oppose the new proposal

Citizen and parent from Southwest Virginia

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This is regarding "Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia’s Public Schools", which I strongly oppose the new suggested guidelines for 2022.  These new guidelines limit trans students and place unnecessary restrictions on students across the state.  Requiring the school division to use pronouns on sex assigned at birth is cruel to students that identify as non-binary or transgender.  This should not be a decision of the school division or the state government.  This set of guidelines is government overreach on individual liberties.  Use the 2021 guidelines which allows grace and acceptance of all of our students.


Support policy that prevents my daughter from having to see penis and balls in her locker room

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Stop this madness. Play whatever fantasy games you wish to play in your own homes but don't bring it to school. In my country, this would never be allowed.  This is supposed to be a great place to raise a family.


Strongly Support Governor Youngkin and the New Policy

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Protect Parental Rights and protect all children.  Our children do not belong to the state!

It's EQUAL RIGHTS not Extra Rights!


Strongly Support This Important Legislation

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<p>This is indicative of one of the main issues / platforms upon which Governor Youngkin ran.  Just as with his implementing intelligent policy on parents deciding if children should wear masks (not that he said no one can wear a mask) - this too is becoming yet another inaccurately twisted narrative of the left - as is all too common these days.  Parents decide to have and are Blessed with children.  Each parent must be at the forefront of any decision being considered regarding their children.  Children belong to the parents that raise them, not the country, state or any other entity of society.  </p>


Strongly support- quit encouraging delusional kids get them help. Stop grooming


Dear Virginia Dept of Education,

Schools should never secretly socially transition students and keep the child's new name, pronouns and gender identities from parents. I am pleased and relieved that the Virginia Department of Education's revised model policies support parental rights and ensure that school employees don't cut parents out of critical decisions for their children.

The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) issued "model policies" in 2021 that encouraged every school district in Virginia to hide a child's new gender identity from parents who choose to affirm the child's biological sex. Under Governor Youngkin's leadership, the VDOE's revised policies make it clear that all children should be valued and parents' rights and beliefs should be respected. The 2022 Model Policies on the Privacy, Dignity, and Respect for all Students and Parents in Virginia's Public Schools keep parents involved in major decisions in their children's lives.

The 2021 VDOE "model policies" encouraged schools to create "a plan (that) may include addressing the student at school with their name and pronoun consistent with their gender identity while using the legal name and pronoun associated with the sex assigned at birth when communicating with parents or guardians."

I strongly support the revised policies that end this practice. Virginia schools should not drive a wedge between parents and their emotionally vulnerable children. Virginia school districts, including those who have already communicated their plans to ignore the 2022 revised model policies, should put an end to secret Gender Support Plans now.

Sincerely,
Drew Chartrand
8436 Briar Creek Dr
Annandale, VA 22003

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Dear Virginia Dept of Education,<br /><br />Schools should never secretly socially transition students and keep the child's new name, pronouns and gender identities from parents. I am pleased and relieved that the Virginia Department of Education's revised model policies support parental rights and ensure that school employees don't cut parents out of critical decisions for their children. <br /><br />The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) issued "model policies" in 2021 that encouraged every school district in Virginia to hide a child's new gender identity from parents who choose to affirm the child's biological sex. Under Governor Youngkin's leadership, the VDOE's revised policies make it clear that all children should be valued and parents' rights and beliefs should be respected. The 2022 Model Policies on the Privacy, Dignity, and Respect for all Students and Parents in Virginia's Public Schools keep parents involved in major decisions in their children's lives.<br /><br />The 2021 VDOE "model policies" encouraged schools to create "a plan (that) may include addressing the student at school with their name and pronoun consistent with their gender identity while using the legal name and pronoun associated with the sex assigned at birth when communicating with parents or guardians." <br /><br />I strongly support the revised policies that end this practice. Virginia schools should not drive a wedge between parents and their emotionally vulnerable children. Virginia school districts, including those who have already communicated their plans to ignore the 2022 revised model policies, should put an end to secret Gender Support Plans now.<br /><br />Sincerely,
<br />Drew Chartrand
<br />8436 Briar Creek Dr<br />Annandale, VA 22003<br /><img src="http://admin.phone2action.com/email/open/leg/657523/148408139" width="1" height="1" />


Targeting trans kids is shameful and harms all children

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

Children are children. Not understanding both the reality of trans and non-binary identities - and that they have always existed in humanity - is not a reason to bully and harm these kids.


Strongly Oppose


New Guidelines Will Hurt Young People

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The Proposed Guidelines on Transgender Youth will hurt transgender youth people and are very likely to lead to more suicides among transgender youth.  They should not be implemented.

The rights of transgender students, and parents who support their decision, will be trampled by the requirement that their name they are referred to in class must be the same as in school records.  It is understandable that school records may not be changed without a legal document.  Obtaining a legal document with a different gender assignment is a difficult process.  It takes time.  During the time students and parents are trying to obtain such a document, the student may face bullying and discrimination.   A teacher may claim it violates a their religious beliefs to address a child with a name that doesn't match their biological sex.  This ignores the child's right to not have their religious beliefs violated.  The law should side with the most vulnerable person.  The most vulnerable person is the child.  Adults should be required to respect students' rights.  Employees are regularly told that if they don't like the terms of employment they should get a different job.  Teachers who refuse to respect student's rights due to their personal religious beliefs, need to get a different job.

These questions are less difficult if a parent supports the decision of their transgender child.  They are, of course, much more difficult if the parent does not.  The state must follow the wishes of a parent unless it has " a compelling interest" in not honoring those wishes.   We know that transgender youth who are not supported in their decision are at much higher risk of suicide.  Trying to prevent a transgender teenager from committing suicide is a "compelling state interest".   Every effort should be made to work with parents for the best interest of the child.  Maybe schools need some authority to refer families to counseling if a child with a "persistent and sincere belief" that their gender identity is different thatn their biological  sex and their parents are not supportive.

Some proponents of the new guidelines claim they will reduce harassment and bullying.  that is patently ridiculous.  Requiring a person wearing clothing usually worn by females to use the boys bathroom will invite more bullying and harassment.  Gender neutral single person bathrooms are suggested as a solution to this problem.  this position ignores how children actually behave.  children in a school notice everything and talk about everything.  they will notice who uses the single person bathroom and within a few hours, everyone in the school will know who uses them.  This will very likely result in harassment and bullying of those students.  Gender neutral single person bathrooms are a solution only if those are the only kind of bathrooms in a school.  bullying usually doesn't occur in the open.  Teachers do their best to prevent bullying, but to think that teachers can monitor every second of every student's behavior in every activity of the school day is displaying vast ignorance of the school environment.

The difficulties and practical questions schools may face have been greatly exaggerated by a small but vocal group of people who are trying to impose their religious beliefs on others.

I support transgender youth in their journey to realization of their true gender identity.  The state of Virginia, and local school boards should to.

Thank you for your time and consideration of these comments.


Reject this plan

A teacher - someone who will be responsible for following this plan.

This guidance plan is faulty from the beginning.
The statement below is incredibly inaccurate. School leaders and educators DO NOT consistently ensure that all students have an opportunity to recieve a high quality education.

Many many many students that are LGBTQ+ are oftentimes excluded from opportunities because of their demographic background. These kids are bullied and harassed every single day. These students are NOT often helped by teachers or administrators. All they want to do is exist freely in the school without being demeaned, ignored, harassed, teased, hurt physically and mentally.

EnterComments

Every day, throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia, educators and school leaders work to ensure that all students have an opportunity to receive a high-quality education.

How do I know? I'm a teacher and the GSA sponsor at our high school.
THESE KIDS JUST WANT AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY. Being gay, trans, queer or anything else IS NOT DYSMORPHIA... IT'S NOT MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES. I was born bisexual, I realized I felt that way BEFORE MIDDLE SCHOOL (so does my middle school son, he knew he was gay from like 4th grade up). I also knew that from around 5th grade upwards, I did not feel like I was supposed to be born a female. I KNEW THAT AT 10 Years OLD.

STOP making up fake stuff, stop saying that it's issues that it clearly IS NOT. Stop saying that this is against the bible and god. Not everyone believes what you believe in. I'm not a christan, based on my faith, we believe that there is not only more than 2 genders, we believe there are actually 4. One of those is literally called INTERSEX when translated to english.
HOMOSEXUALITY is seen in over 1000 different species on this planet. However, HOMOPHOBIA is only seen in one... HUMANS.

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This guidance plan is faulty from the beginning.

The statement below is incredibly inaccurate. School leaders and educators DO NOT consistently ensure that all students have an opportunity to recieve a high quality education.

Many many many students that are LGBTQ+ are oftentimes excluded from opportunities because of their demographic background. These kids are bullied and harassed every single day. These students are NOT often helped by teachers or administrators. All they want to do is exist freely in the school without being demeaned, ignored, harassed, teased, hurt physically and mentally.

Enter
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Every day, throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia, educators and school leaders work to ensure that all students have an opportunity to receive a high-quality education.

How do I know? I'm a teacher and the GSA sponsor at our high school.

THESE KIDS JUST WANT AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY. Being gay, trans, queer or anything else IS NOT DYSMORPHIA... IT'S NOT MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES. I was born bisexual, I realized I felt that way BEFORE MIDDLE SCHOOL (so does my middle school son, he knew he was gay from like 4th grade up). I also knew that from around 5th grade upwards, I did not feel like I was supposed to be born a female. I KNEW THAT AT 10 Years OLD.

STOP making up fake stuff, stop saying that it's issues that it clearly IS NOT. Stop saying that this is against the bible and god. Not everyone believes what you believe in. I'm not a christan, based on my faith, we believe that there is not only more than 2 genders, we believe there are actually 4. One of those is literally called INTERSEX when translated to english.

HOMOSEXUALITY is seen in over 1000 different species on this planet. However, HOMOPHOBIA is only seen in one... HUMANS.


Oppose VDOE policy

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This policy is damaging to the mental health of Virginia school children. It is hypocritical of  Parents' Rights, and is anti-free speech.


Strongly oppose - this will cause harm to students

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<p>There are comments from other people saying the focus in schools should be on education rather than "woke ideology", but students cannot learn when they don't feel safe, supported, and affirmed. These policies will be extremely harmful to students and clearly demonstrates that the Youngkin administration does not care about student well-being OR learning. </p>


STRONGLY SUPPORT Governor Youngkin Model for Education -support parental authority

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<p>I support Governor Youngkin’s proposed changes to the educational model involving assisting trans students. I appreciate rights and compassion  for all and am against bullying, but I also feel parents are to be involved with educational policies for their child. Parents should be notified of any issues and parents are the authority for the upbringing of their children not the state . I also think solutions regarding locker rooms and bathrooms and field trips must be considerate of all - not only considering  trans students but respecting all students. Schools seeking accommodations for trans students must  not infringe upon the rights of other students. Thank you for asking for our comments. </p>


Oppose Policy that Discriminates Against Furries and Transgender People

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My school opposes all people that discriminate against furries and transgender people. We have right too.


strongly support- people are tired of this damaging make believe in our schools

wake up and get back to reading, math, and writing- this fad will pass


who has greater mental illness- the body dysmorphic child? or the adult encouraging the illness

would you help the anorexic to purge so she can align body w her beliefs

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it will all come to pass


So important for the kids, family, and education.  Thank you for this common sense guidance

thank you for using basic logic and critical thinking to benefit VA schools

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this fad will pass.  i pray for all the "trans" kids caught up in the fad that will suffer extreme damage once they wake up and have done things they cannot reverse.  i pray for the adults who scramble for liberal brownie points, sacrificing children so they can "affirm" a delusion.  definitely not in any child's best interest.  who is suffering from the greater mental illness?


Revised Transgender Issue Policy

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I STRONGLY FAVOR the VDOE REVISED TRANSGENDER ISSUE POLICY.  This revision should be favored by ALL PARENTS who want to walk with their child dealing with transgender issues.  Parental authority is a constitutional right under Virginia law.  We also know from multiple studies and research, parental involvement improves students’ academic performance and overall health. We cannot allow the school to take the place of parental authority.


Reject 2022 Model Policies Proposal

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Please reject the 2022 Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia Public Schools.

Despite the many points to stress anti-bullying of students, this new proposal aims to do just that. The 2021 model used evidence-based criteria to formulate how schools would protect students and respect their personhood by allowing them to be identified appropriately. This was extremely necessary to promote a focus on learning in schools, not to create fear and prioritize unnecessary policing.

Parents' do not need their rights reinforced, as shown by the listed legislation in the proposed policy. Parent's already have the right to review and deny actions based on their views and beliefs. Students, especially students in unsafe home environments, do not have these same protections, which is why it's important for schools to be those safe havens when another one doesn't exist.

School boards must be held to the same policies and not be allowed to diverge from the state policy when it comes to the treatment of its students. Policies should be scientifically sound and evidence-based, not come from the biased views of unaffected parties.

Please do not make our children, our most vulnerable, the victims of hate. Maintain the 2021 Model Policy. Please keep the focus of the Department of Education on education and preparing healthy, competent citizens.

Thank you,

Megan Zimmerman


Support- protect family involvement, girls' sports, safety in the bathrooms, and school setting

VA public school admin, board member, and parent of public school students

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We need to let people be who they are.  We need to quit pushing and forcing people choices on others.  In the schools there should be more focus on academics.  "Trans"(body dysmorhpia) students need mental health services and sound guidance, not encouragement to follow a delusion.  The skill set gap is the worst in 30yrs.  This guidance document is completely appropriate and assists in the schools focusing on the important things... education.


Youngkin Trans policy

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<p>What a short sighted policy. How mean. All students need to be supported. Transgender students are not a threat to anyone. They just want to live their lives as they feel they need to. All parents have the right to review curriculum and give feedback to the schools.  We don't need regulations that single out a specific group that will only lead to more bullying and hate. Someone else's gender identity does not effect you. </p>


Strongly Support - “Don’t Tread on Me” American motto to express American Patriotism & Individualism

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Strongly Support - "Don't Tread On Me" is an American motto used to express American Patriotism.  Be free to choose your desires, but don't impose yours on me and others with opposing views.


Strongly oppose

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I strongly oppose Gov. Youngkin on this issue.

As a trans person, I wish that I had the freedom that kids today have to explore their identities and understand who they truly are. I'm lucky that I made it out alive. But I would be a much healthier & happier adult if I hadn't had to go through that trauma to begin with, and I don't wish it on anyone else.

Furthermore, insisting that trans folks use the bathroom/facilities for their assigned sex just creates a different set of problems. I transitioned 15 years ago, and I pass well. NO ONE wants me in the women's bathroom, I promise you. People would run screaming.

Please find a different solution to placate your constituents, one that doesn't harm children or ask women to let me - a completely male-appearing person, beard and all - into their bathroom. Thank you.


Support Trans Youth; Remove Pedophiles from All Decisions About Children

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Students have spoken out about this already. On Sept. 27, we saw more than 12,000 students all over our state walk out to protest Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s draft revisions to the model transgender policies. Children across Virginia have been asking repeatedly for safety in schools, in a year that has already seen horrifying acts of violence being committed in schools against students across the nation. Robb Elementary in Uvalde was the 27th site of a school shooting this year, and Florida's "don't say gay" bill segregates children out of healthcare, education, and sports. Our children are asking us for safety and their civil rights to be respected in schools over and over again, and again we see lawmakers seeking political clout refuse.

Only pedophiles are so obsessed with the genitals of children in private bathrooms and locker rooms. These policies are disturbing beyond imagination and put children at the risk of adults -- not just their parents, but the adults within schools who will have to enforce this perversion -- who now have more say on the bodies of children then those children do. These new guidelines promote gender segregation and put closeted students at risk to homelessness and abuse.

Youngkin's focus on these creepy policies and not on ones that actually rebuild our state or our families after the pandemic is telling. We've seen skyrocketing rates of eviction, precarious employment and inflation; poor medical infrastructure that continues to be tested as we continue navigating health resources crises; some of the highest rates of opiate related deaths our state has ever seen, as well as increasing homelessness rates and lack of adequate mental health and emergency housing support for those community members; and so much more that actually substantially disempowers families and communities. Instead of remedies to these systemic lacks, we get these disgusting culture wars policies that benefit no one and predate on literal children.


strongly support Youngkin's policy, parental rights & girls sports!Schools should focus on academics

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<p>Schools should not indoctrinate children about alternative lifestyles that contradict a family's belief system.  There is no place for this in Elementary school & should be an option to opt out of such indoctrination at all levels.  Lets get back to Science instead of making up our own creative theories.  I'm supportive of teaching compassion, kindness, thoughtfulness, against bullying on either side but not pressuring others to conform to another belief in schools.  Our academics in American schools are so far behind with the covid pandemic let's just focus on the basics , math, reading & science!  Bring back civility in our society, what is trust worthy, honesty, helping others, strong work ethic, service, not me centered.  </p>


Strongly Oppose These Policies that Aim to Deny the Humanity of Our Transgender Students

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


I SUPPORT Gov. Youngkin on this issue!

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I am in complete support of Gov. Youngkins revisions to the transgender-issue policies for all schools in Virginia (or any other state for that matter).


Relieve teachers of non-educational responsibilities (support policy)

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Teachers are not qualified mental health professionals.  They are not able, nor should they be required, to determine the best strategies for the mental health of students.  Parents are the proper people to love their children, monitor their mental health, and make sure they are treated for any depression or suicidal tendencies.  Parents have fewer children under their responsibility than teachers, and can provide more attention and care for each child.  They also know the entire history of the child, and do not step into the child's life for a single year without any non-educational context.  The idea that teachers should be deciding what is best for children and hiding this from the parents is ludicrous.  And any school counsellors, although they may be mental health professionals, also suffer from a lack of history with the child and too many children to look after.  Given the damage that you can do to a child by encouraging them to be transgender in cases where the real problem is something else, it is irresponsible to entrust this responsibility to anyone but the parents.


Strongly OPPOSE

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<p>I strongly OPPOSE Governor Youngkin's policy on student transgender rights.  Why does Youngkin not believe in or support individual rights (not just parental rights)?  If so,  he would not require parents to provide legal documents just to have our children addressed by their chosen name at school or to be addressed by their chosen pronoun or name at school.  These policies clearly do not represent ALL Virginia parents.  I OPPOSE these policies. </p>


Please Don't Support Hate & Ignorance - Children Deserve Support

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Every parent has a right to raise their child in the way they see fit, but they categorically do not have a right to impose their restrictive, hateful, backward-thinking views on other people's children.  Policies that fail to support trans children are statistically shown to cause a rise in suicidal ideation and attempts, depression, anxiety, and a host of other mental health stressors on teens, at a time when school may be the only place they get the support they deserve.  Don't drag Virginia back to the dark days - we should continue to foster acceptance and understanding for the greater good of all our children.  ALL of them.


Supports this


Transgender students


Strongly oppose- stop discriminating against Transgender and Furries.

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Say no to discrimination. Get Youngkin fired!


STRONGLY OPPOSE

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I believe the rights of students should be respected. Teachers need to respond to the needs of students and can not do so if these strict rules are imposed.


Thank you

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<p>Thank you for making parents the head of the family again.  The government has no right to invade on parents' rights.  </p>


The Model Policy Violates the Explicit Terms of § 22.1-23.3 and must be delayed under § 2.2-4002.1.C

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This comment makes two points on the Department of Education’s (“DOE”) proposed guidance document titled “Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia’s Public Schools”:

First, Part III.H of the proposed model policy violates Virginia Code § 22.1-23.3; and

Second, because this comment “assert[s] that the guidance document is contrary to state law,” Virginia Code § 2.2-4002.1.C requires that “the effective date of the guidance document by the agency shall be delayed for an additional 30-day period” and that the DOE shall “respond . . . in writing” to the concerns of unlawfulness raised in this comment.

I. Part III.H of the Proposed Model Policy Violates Virginia Code § 22.1-23.3

Virginia Code § 22.1-23.3 requires the DOE to publish “model policies concerning the treatment of transgender students.” Rather than leave it entirely to the DOE to determine the content of the model policy, the statute identifies several topics that the policy should address, including compliance with nondiscrimination laws, student privacy and anti-bullying measures. Of particular relevance here, there is one topic that the model policy may not address: transgender students’ participation in athletic activities.

The prohibition on addressing athletic participation in a model policy is stated in subsection A.8 of § 22.1-23.3, which states that the DOE “shall develop . . . standards related to:”

“Student participation in sex-specific school activities and events and use of school facilities. Activities and events do not include athletics.”

By its clear terms, subsection A.8 excludes “[s]tudent participation in . . . athletics” from the purview of any model policy created by the DOE. Consistent with this language, the DOE’s original model policy (adopted in 2021 under the Northam Administration) explicitly acknowledged that § 22.1-23.3 “exclude[s] athletics for purposes of developing [the model policy].” Thus, instead of taking sides on the issue of athletic participation, the original model policy simply advised schools to follow the “policies and rules” provided by other sources, such as the Virginia High School League (which is a private entity that facilitates interscholastic athletic competition in Virginia).

In contrast to the original model policy, the DOE’s proposed model policy explicitly takes sides on the issue of athletic participation, a move plainly prohibited by subsection A.8 of § 22.1-23.3. The offending portion of the proposed model policy is found in Part III.H:

“For any athletic program or activity that is separated by sex, the appropriate participation of students shall be determined by sex. [School Division] shall provide reasonable modifications to this policy only to the extent required by federal law.”

Because the DOE’s guidance document violates the explicit terms of the statute pursuant to which the document has been drafted, it is unlawful. See Woods v. Va. Dept. of Motor Vehicles, 495 S.E.2d 505, 509–10 (1998) (invalidating “guidelines” that are “inconsistent with the statute”).

No other provision in § 22.1-23.3 authorizes the DOE to announce rules regarding transgender students’ participation in athletics. Even if an alternative provision could be read, in isolation, to authorize the DOE to address participation in athletics, statutory provisions are not to be read in isolation. No reasonable legislature would have forbidden the DOE from addressing a topic in one provision, only to authorize it to do so in an adjacent provision. To interpret § 22.1-23.3 in that way would render useless subsection A.8’s exclusion of “athletics” from “[a]ctivities and events.” Such an interpretation would violate bedrock rules of statutory interpretation. See Jones v. Conwell, 227 Va. 176, 181 (1984) (“The rules of statutory interpretation argue against reading any legislative enactment in a manner that will make a portion of it useless, repetitious, or absurd.”).

It is impossible for me to know why the DOE’s model policy so plainly violates controlling law. Perhaps it was an oversight—though an immense one at that. It is difficult to ignore the fact, however, that the model policy is couched as a “guidance document.” Guidance documents, as you may know, have long been associated with executive abuse of power. See, e.g., Nicholas R. Parrillo, Federal Agency Guidance and the Power to Bind: An Empirical Study of Agencies and Industries, 36 Yale J. Reg. 165 (2019). Though couched as “guidance,” regulated entities presented with a guidance document frequently comply as a matter of course, much as one accedes to the questionable commands of a police officer. In practice, most people are reluctant to pick a fight with someone who has power to make their life quite difficult. The risk of abuse is heightened here because § 22.1-23.3 requires local school boards to adopt the DOE’s model policy as their own. A police officer who knows that the public is required to obey his commands—regardless of their lawfulness—might well be tempted to pursue his own ends rather than the ends chosen by the people’s direct representatives: the legislature.

To be sure, Superintendent Balow and Governor Youngkin are free to use ordinary persuasion to advance their policy goals on athletic participation. They are free to persuade local school boards in meetings, phone calls, letters, speeches, op eds, radio interviews, talk show appearances, internet ads and any of the innumerable other ways in which politics is practiced. But they are not free to smuggle their preferences on athletic participation into a model policy when the General Assembly has told them not to, and then boldly declare, as Governor Youngkin has recently, that “all schools must comply because that’s the law.” Interview of Governor Glenn Youngkin by Nick Minock, Sept. 26, 2022, available at https://wjla.com/news/local/virginia-governor-glenn-youngkin-transgender-policy-ralph-northam-general-assembly-proposal-parents-students-lgbtqia-lgbtq-students-staff-school-district-full-proposal-read-here It is apparently lost on Governor Youngkin that the “the law” to which he is referring—§ 22.1-23.3—requires his own compliance as well.

II. Virginia Code § 2.2-4002.1.C requires that “the effective date” of the DOE’s Proposed Model Policy “be delayed for an additional 30-day period.”

Aware that proposed guidance documents may sometimes take a position that is at odds with state law, the General Assembly enacted Virginia Code § 2.2-4002.1.C. That provision states as follows:

If a written comment is received during a public comment period asserting that the guidance document is contrary to state law or regulation, or that the document should not be exempted from the provisions of this chapter, the effective date of the guidance document by the agency shall be delayed for an additional 30-day period. During this additional period, the agency shall respond to any such comments in writing by certified mail to the commenter or by posting the response electronically in a manner consistent with the provisions for publication of comments on regulations provided in this chapter. Any person who remains aggrieved after the effective date of the final guidance document may avail himself of the remedies articulated in Article 5 (§ 2.2-4025 et seq.).

In this comment, I have “assert[ed] that the guidance document is contrary to state law” because it violates the clear text of § 22.1-23.3. This thus requires that “the effective date of the guidance document by the agency shall be delayed for an additional 30-day period.” Further, during this 30-day period, the DOE is obligated to respond in writing to the concerns I have raised, either by sending me a certified letter or by posting its response electronically in a manner consistent with the provisions for publication of comments.

It is important to note here that, even if the DOE disagrees with my legal arguments, the DOE is still required to delay the effective date of its guidance by 30 days. The obligation to delay the effective date is triggered merely by the “asserti[on]” that a guidance document violates state law, not by the fact that it violates state law. Although the proposed guidance document is in clear violation of § 22.1-23.3, my “asserti[on] that the guidance document is contrary to state law” is enough, on its own, to trigger the DOE’s obligations under § 2.2-4002.1.C.


Gov. Youngkin we support you!

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We strongly support you and your administration!


Support Youngkin

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I support this as a parent


Support Gov. Youngkin

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I strongly support our governor's position keeping parents in control of their children, not the government! The schools need to teach academics, not evil politics.


Youngkin is a Transphobic piece of sh*t - I oppose this


Thank you for putting parents back in the driver’s seat!

A former FCPS educator and current PWC parent

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As a former educator and current parent, I applaud the Governor for putting parents in the position of helping their kids process their struggles with identity. Schools have overstepped their bounds and taken too many things off the plates of parents for too long.


STRONGLY OPPOSE

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<p>This bill is hateful and cruel, and it limits the rights of students who we should be properly supporting. </p>


strongly against

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This is bad policy that will hurt children. Just be a decent human being and call people what they want to be called and treat them with dignity. Not this bigoted crap.


Transgender student rights

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Please support transgender students at a state level. Our rural county won’t! Our school board members were threatened with violence of they accepted supportive policies. This os a human rights issue for children!!


I support  mental health care for suicidal kids- not a free pass to my daughters locker room

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Stop encouraging this nonsense. We are a society of rules. This narrative that you will prevent suicide by allowing kids to do whatever they want is ridiculous. Stop lying to these children.


strongly against


Stongly oppose

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I stand with Equality Virginia in strongly opposing changes to the state's model policies on the treatment of transgender (trans) and non-binary youth in schools. As a survivor of bullying and "corrective" care, I urge you not to adopt these harmful policies. Far from protecting anyone, they will only serve to further inspire violence and discrimination against already marginalized kids. That is already happening in other places where similar policies have taken effect. Please do not be part of that wave. History will not look kindly on it.


Thank you for supporting parents’ rights

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<p>Thank you for holding the line on protecting parents’ rights! </p>


Strongly Against!!!

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Against! I am a 7th grader from Arlington and I have a lot of friends who would be affected by this bill. I think this is a bad idea that can harm many students. I mean why should parents get to decide their kids gender, At my school we value freedom and it has worked out really well. For some kids this could harm them a lot because parents might not know there child is gay and once they find out they could not support and throw them out of the house! Plus what is the gain in this bill anyway it doesn’t help the state at all. So overall I say this Is a horrible idea.


This will kill kids

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This bill is going to get kids hurt. There is no argument for that. This is going to stop kids from transitioning and increase suicide rates. This isn’t about parent control it’s about being  transphobic.


Strongly oppose

Anonymous, Virginia public school student

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This new policy violates students privacy and their right to be who they are. I have many friends who are students who would be absolutely devastated if this policy passed. I know I would. I can’t believe that people are even considering this. It is outrageous and disgusting. The more I read of it, the more I felt sick to my stomach. It claims that parents should decide their child’s pronouns and gender, which means that the child’s parents would decide who the child is. I don’t agree with this! You know yourself better than anyone! Please do not think that this policy is okay.


How do we stop that loudoun county drama from coming our way?

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<p>That loudoun county drama is scary. How do we stop that from coming our way? Can school board members and the superintendent be personally sued or are they protected by a clause in Virginia laws that prevents personal lawsuits to board members? Would voting against DOE guidance trump that clause and allow them to be personally sued? Can we please discuss this as a community at our next school board meeting and figure out a way to deter that arrogance from coming our way? </p>


Support for Gov. Youngkin's Policy Revisions

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<p>Thank you for taking time to consider the impact these policies have on the family. By restoring protections for basic parental rights and ensuring that parents are no longer cut out of the process is so important. Specifically, when it concerns how gender and sexuality issues are handled with our kids at school. Thank you for making sure the rights of parents are not stripped away and placed in the hands of others who erroneously believe they know a child, whom they have not raised in their own home, but believe they can make these types of decisions with them as their bodies and brains are still developing.  Thanks for standing up for what is right.  </p>


"Transgendered" students in public schools policy

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I wholeheartedly support the Governor's common sense policy regarding so-called "transgendered" students in public schools.  The physical and mental health of an underaged student in public schools is the purview of parents and families.  Period.  Schools are already struggling to convey basic and necessary academic knowledge and skills, including biology.  They should focus on that essential job.

Schools should not be in the business of deceiving parents.

The integrity of women's sports is something women have fought long and hard for; public schools must preserve the right for women to compete fairly against other women.


I STRONGLY SUPPORT THIS POLICY

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I support the 2022 Model Policies on the Privacy, Dignity, and Respect for All Students and Parents in Virginia’s Public Schools (2022 Model Policies) which withdraw and replace the highly objectionable Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia’s Public Schools. Among many other positive changes, The 2022 Model Policies make it clear that “[p]arents have the right to instill and nurture values and beliefs for their own children and make decisions concerning their children’s education and upbringing in accordance with their customs, faith, and family culture” and that “[p]arents are in the best position to work with their children and, where appropriate, their children’s health care providers to determine (a) what names, nicknames, and/or pronouns, if any, shall be used for their child by teachers and school staff while their child is at school, (b) whether their child engages in any counseling or social transition at school that encourages a gender that differs from their child’s sex, or (c) whether their child expresses a gender that differs with their child’s sex while at school.


Strongly Support

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<p>I support the parent's right to say no or yes to their child's education. We need to protect the innocence of our children and not raise them with socialist views to completely depend on the government for everything. </p>


This will kill kids

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<p>This’d will kill kids strongly oppose </p>


Support Gov. Youngkin's Bill

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Logic and the basic God-given family structure must be applied to human rights in our schools.  This bill will ensure that.


Strongly support

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As parents we not only have the right to raise and nurture our children, it is our responsibility as their caretakers. Educators are there to educate our children ( Reading/ writing/ math/ History/ Science).

Educators  are very influential in our childrens lives because they spend so much time with them and are in a position of authority. However, it is not their role to usurp the parents responsibilities, rather to come along side of the parents & inform them of any ongoing concerns.  Yes there will be some rare instances where the parents do not have the child’s best interests in mind but that situation is rare and should not be used to take away the rights of all parents. The majority of parents will do whatever they can to help their Children thrive in this confusing world.

Also, strongly oppose allowing non- biological women to compete against biological Women.  We have fought for decades as women to have these rights and now are being forced to compete once again against men. They already have a venue to compete, let them  compete against other biological men.


Strongly Support New Policy

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I have read the recommended policy and am writing to strongly support this policy.

Parents are the bedrock of civilization. The current focus on "rights" that marginalize the role of parents undermines that bedrock. Throughout history, children's desires have always been subservient to that of parents until such time as the minor has reached an agreed level of maturity to make his or her own decisions. As a society we have long recognized that minors are should not be allowed to make life-altering decisions without parental involvement and consent.

Some loud voices in the community shout warnings about rising suicide rates and homelessness unless minors are allowed to act on their "feelings" absent parental involvement. Those issues must be resolved at the family level, and if there is documented abuse of youngsters, that abuse should be addressed through established channels where due process is involved.

We, as a society, must be wary of making fundamental changes without the full support of the community as expressed at the ballot box. Adults should not be forced to acknowledge the wishes of children who want to present themselves as something other than what they were gifted by God at birth. Educators, social workers, physicians, lawmakers, emergency responders and others should not be forced to acknowledge categories of sexual preference other than male and female. Classmates should not be subjected to sharing locker rooms or restrooms with opposite-gender individuals. Girls should not have to compete in sports where the biological advantage of boys affects competitiveness.


Let school continue to be a safe place for students to be.

Benjamin Beatty, Gunston Middle School Teacher

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<p>The proposed guidance transforms teachers from nurturers to informers. Common sense dictates that people deserve the respect to be called what they want to be called. Nicknames can denote a level of respectful familiarity that builds positive relationships. Refusing to recognize, or reporting to a parent, a student's preferred nickname seems both combative and invasive. Targeting a tiny portion of the student population, one that already feels alienated from others on top of feeling alienated from their own body, counters everything we know about mental health, physical health, and gender. It potentially endangers kids whose parents do not recognize who they truly are, and opens them up to another level of bullying at school by potentially removing the support of the adults who care for these children each day. I will not be following the model policy if it were to become law because it is morally bankrupt. </p>


This is what happens to parents that dare defy the LCPS agenda

It’s frightening how brazen they have become

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This is what happens to parents that dare to defy the LCPS agenda. It is frightening how brazen they have become.

https://www.dailywire.com/news/loudoun-teachers-target-parents-critical-race-theory-hacking?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=benshapiro&fbclid=IwAR3S8hOqQxs3BORib-MAg6w-EXihXrZGylZeUzrkJqjBWMxgVTYcHLLekrQ


The first rule of indoctrinating students-is not to tell anyone that you are indoctrinating students

Andrea Weiskopf LCPS latin teacher- direct quote from her twitter page

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If you want to know why the Loudoun County Public School district wants to keep parents in the dark, look no further than Andrea Weiskopf's twitter account. The staff within LCPS are proud to be grooming our children. It is truly frightening.


Loudoun County- Judge finds transgender teen guilty of Loudoun County bathroom sexual assaults

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There are true consequences to the LCPS agenda. Governor, please hold our leadership criminally and financially responsible.


Ann Marie Barrett (LCPS counselor) arrested for sexually assaulting her transgender student

Keep parents in the dark and let the teachers/counselors handle it?

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Have Loudoun County parents lost their minds? Are they going to allow the school board to maintain the "parents don't need to know" philosophy? Let the teachers and counselors handle it? Please help governor! This woke crowd can't think clearly.


Sound logic, reason, and conscious

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The document is of sound logic, reason and conscious.


Strongly support parental rights.

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This is a no brainer. Why do we even need to discuss this?
Oh yeah, the latest social experiment to destroy the family, our children and

our nation. This is why you don’t put government in charge of education. And certainly

nit healthcare providers sports or just about anything. The Dept of Ed needs to be abolished and send it back to localities and parents. This is completely out of control and parents are finally waking up to the overreach that has been happening for decades.


Strongly SUPPORT these model policies

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Strongly support parental rights

Strongly support protecting girls


I have mixed feelings

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<p>I do believe every child is unique and deserves the opportunity to grow into whatever person or gender makes them truly happy. On the other hand, I also believe that it is selfish to negatively impact others. I don't think boys should be allowed in girls bathrooms and vice versa because it makes other people feel uncomfortable/unsafe. Also, i don't think boys should be allowed on girls sports teams because it is unsafe not fair competitively. Also, i don't think kids should be able to force others to go along with changed pronouns all the time. Perhaps that could be done within their clubs after school with each other. In closing, kids need to be happy but shouldn't negatively impact other peoples lives. </p>


Yes, to support this!


I support the change.

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Parents have the role of raising their children. They love their children and should not be left out of decision making. Also, girls should be protected from the intrusion of males in the bathrooms, locker rooms, or other areas where privacy is needed.  Boys should not be subjected to women in their areas as well.  It is indeed sad to see so many young people being led down a path they may likely regret later because it is the fad now. God has a plan for each life, and it is good.  Embrace how He made you...He doesn't make mistakes...and get back to the Truth of God's word to push back all the lies.  Educators need to be about the business of educating our children in core subject areas and not of indoctrinating our children in their leftist policies.   I strongly support the changes made by Governor Youngkin!


Strongly support schools educating and not social engineering

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Simply put, the schools must go back to educational excellence teaching children to read and write and critical thinking and stop trying to implement this “current phase” of social engineering.

Our society will benefit from future generations that can read and think critically far more than than the whims of an educational establishment pushing their current depraved agendas on it.


Governor

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I believe that governor Youngkin is going to repeat what trump failed to do and no one wants that, he might make a wall, he might force people to give more then they have, he might do terrible things that no one would want except conservative old white people that believe that the only way to live is with America consisting of only white cis-hetero conservative people. (Just in case, I am a POC, a romantic, lesbian, and genderqueer) I shouldn’t have to spend constant time worrying if ill be ok walking outside.


Parental Right Do Not End At The School House Door

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The recent national conflagration around gender identity has intruded into the lives of families. It has also highlighted a serious longer-term problem that has grown imperceptibly for some time. That problem being the replacement of families in the nurturing of children by the State.

For time immemorial, it was understood that parents and other family members had the primary responsibility to raise and educate their children. Schools and other entities were established to teach specific skills such as reading and math while serving in loco parentis. That is, the State acted as a parent in situations such as school but was not to supersede or replace the parents. The timeless relationship between the State and the family is being altered by one side in order to advance an agenda which runs contrary to the established wisdom of all previous human history.

All persons, regardless of age or sex should be respected. All should feel safe in school. Allowing the school to facilitate drastic medical and biological changes without the consent of the parents is not wise or just. Allowing biological males into the changing facilities of female students is harmful to the safety all students should feel in school. This is an extremely dangerous and slippery slope; therefore, I support the new pro-parent policies proposed by the Virginia Department of Education.