This is rediculous

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Children need a safe space where they can express themselves. Taking away this safe place, would dramatically negatively impact their mental health which could lead to suicide. It’s also just pure sinister to force teachers to out the kids to their parents. It is common that unaccepting parents to kicking their children out of their house. This bill is not protecting children, this bill is not ensuring anyone’s right, this bill is just another malicious attempt to make the lives of transgender children worse. But of course, it’s not like they care.


I am strongly opposed.


I oppose this fully.


It is a grave mistake to pass this.

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It is a grave mistake to pass this.


Strongly oppose.


Thank you for protecting non-confused kids


This is a terrible policy decision.

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This is a terrible policy decision.


It is a grave mistake to pass this.


This will bring harm to trans kids.

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This will bring harm to trans kids.


This is a terrible policy decision.


This Will Harm Children

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This anti-transgender policy will cause irreparable harm to children and their families. School should be a place where ALL children are welcomed, regardless of their differences, and Gov. Youngkin's proposal will only cause more discrimination toward children who may already be struggling. We know that 1 in 5 transgender and nonbinary youth have attempted suicide in the last year, and that these numbers will continue to grow if children and teenagers are not given safe spaces in which they can freely express themselves.

I also want to state that this is a cowardly political move. Political because Youngkin is using the current panic around transgender and otherwise LGBTQIA students to propel his own career, and cowardly because he is putting real children in harm's way as a result. Whether you are affirming or not of LGBTQIA issues, I would hope that all Virginians consider themselves pro-children. This policy is not pro-children, it is pro-Youngkin, and pro-fear. No one has any reason to be afraid of a transgender or nonbinary person, whether or not they are children, simply because of their gender identity. If you find yourself feeling fear around this issue, please take the time to learn more about the science behind this identity, and especially the effect that discrimination has upon children and young adults. An alive, queer child will always be better than a dead child. Please, PLEASE consider these children, and think about why Youngkin and his colleagues want you to be afraid of them.


think of the kids

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policies like this WILL kill children. Anyone claiming to care about the welfare of children but supporting this legislation is directly supporting the ostracization, otherment, and murder of kids. It is frankly a miracle that i survived my childhood, and that was BEFORE these policies were in place. It is frankly unbelievable that people would work this hard to kill children. Enjoy the blood on your hands if this is passed.


This will destroy the lives of children

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<p>As a teacher I spend every minute of every day trying to create a warm and caring environment for all children. This legislation will undo that effort and damage the lives of our trans children. Our current measures in FCPS are preventing teen suicide and children will be in grave danger if this goes through. </p>


Absolutely appalling

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These policies are incredibly harmful to trans youth and are incredibly disappointing to see coming from Virginia


This is a harmful policy

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This is a harmful policy that will only serve to worsen the way transgender people are treated in Virginia. This policy further stigmatizes trans people's existence and in effect "others" them for the sake of parents "rights" when in reality its more about parents comfort and paranoia. Trans people have existed for a long time and will continue to do so in the future, further stigmatizing them through policies like this is a dangerous signal all should pay attention to.


I am completely opposed.

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I am completely opposed.


Oppose: Trans student policy. It is discriminatory.

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This policy is a mistake. It restricts and discriminates against transgender people. Students will feel unsafe, and constantly addressing them as the wrong gender will alienate, humiliate them, discourage them from studies, and lead to or exacerbate mental health problems. This is transphobic and will result in massive backlash.


This will bring harm to trans kids.


Trans kids have rights too.  Stay out of my parenting.

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Stop the hate.  Let humans be human


I oppose this fully.


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I oppose this in the strongest possible manor.


Do not do this.


Strongly oppose

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<p>This type of legislation should be viewed as what it is, an attempt to kill children. This shouldn't and isn't up for debate. It is with knowledge of repercussions that have been studied extensively that the only reason for this must be extremely negligent or with intent to murder American children. Anyone siding with this legislation are anti-American and should be viewed as murderous traitors. </p>


I fully oppose this.


I am completely opposed.


Protect trans youth!!


Oppose - this is the opposite of helping kids

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Education is about helping our children and youth learn and grow, understand, and explore the world around them and find their place within it. These policies not only do the opposite, but they have the added detriment of actively harming children within the education system. These policies should not be adopted, and frankly should never even be considered. It is a mockery and betrayal to the children in Virginia’s care to even consider such policies.


It is a grave mistake to pass this.


I am strongly opposed.


This is a terrible policy decision.


#SaveTheChildren from Child Grooming

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Child grooming is what’s happening in schools now. Why are elementary kids being taught about gay oral sex? This is SICK!!! These people teaching this are sick!!  School is for reading, writing, math, science, etc. poor kids can’t write cursive, can barely print, can’t do simple math but know all about oral sex. ARE YOU KIDDING ME?


Trans rights are human rights.

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<p>I strongly oppose this bill. Those that are questioning there gender at this age are simply figuring out who they are. And this is an important thing for a child. If they are old enough to know there own gender there old enough to decide otherwise. Like it or not. I have heard excuses that gender is not a social construct. Sure but what is a social construct is the belief that identitying as the other gender is wrong, going through the physical changes, believing that this children shouldn't be given this chance us also a social construct. I genuinely believe that kinds through elementary, middle or high school can decide there gender at least. What I I will say is maybe allowing them to go through certain changes like hormonal or testosterone build up at such a young age might be questionable. These can go wrong and present certain behavior issues. But otherwise this bill is a bad idea. Another thing is a lot of people think that allowing kids to decide there own genders is responsible for the newer age making them more emotional, one kids are emotional there younger, two that is more of an issue from vaping this would have such negative mental effects. Also so would schools given parents too much power may often make kids more powerful or the fact that the lack of safety brought by the lack of gun controls can be quite the scary concept. These emotions also come from family issues back at home. Not being raised appropriately not being given the love and the necessary attention. And the lack of support for those with mental issues. Gender conformity is irrelevant to this discussion and getting rid of it will do nothing. Know the actual problems and destroy those. All this bill will cause is more damage. </p>


Strongly opposed - - - - - But I'm a fool to think you actually care

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The only thing your position on how to treat transgender students will do is hurt children.  It doesn't help the parents and it doesn't help the schools.  It will result in homeless children or victims of domestic violence.

I'm a parent, and I'm glad to hear that the school's priority is the safety of the children, even if it means protecting them from their own parents.  My children won't need that kind of protection from me (because I'm not a hateful bigot), but I know that other children will face abuse if they are forced to tell their parents.  The kids who aren't safe in their own homes know that they aren't safe there, and it's just cruel that you would make the place where they spend the rest of their day equally unsafe.


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<p>This is pure hypocrisy. You do not actually care about the dignity of trans kids. </p>


I strongly support Governor Youngkin’s proposal

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<p>This restores the rights of the majority of students without causing harm to those who choose to be different. </p>


This will bring harm to trans kids.

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This will bring harm to trans kids.


Gov Youngkin New K-12 policy

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<p>Strongly support! </p>


Opposed Strongly

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<p>The majority of your constituents do not want this policy enacted. We want all students respected equally. There is no basis for the policy other than bigotry, transphobia, and religious extremism, none of which have any place in policy making. </p>


This hateful bullying of trans youth needs to stop.

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Full stop. Leave these kids alone. All this does is encourage hate and will only have negative consequences for the people directly affected by this "policy." The government is supposed to protect it's citizens, not put them in harm's way as a play at riling up the hateful Republican voter base.


Transgender students

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I am the proud grandmother of two exceptional transgender children.  When they hurt, I hurt.  No matter what you believe these children are here to stay and they deserve a life free of bullying.  How would you feel if you had to use the restroom but couldn't.  There is no reason why there shouldn't be single use bathrooms available, not only for the transgender students but for anyone in the student community who needs or wants additional privacy.  It is not such a difficult thing to make accommodations for these students as you would for a student with disabilities.  ALL OUR STUDENTS deserve to go to school free of fear.  Additionally, if a student wants to be called by a specific pronoun then that request should be respected by the teachers and staff.  Think about it. Not such a difficult thing to achieve.


Strongly oppose

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<p>This has nothing to do with the schools. They are there to learn. </p>


It is a grave mistake to pass this.

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It is a grave mistake to pass this.


This will bring harm to trans kids.


I fully oppose this.


This is a terrible policy decision.

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This is a terrible policy decision.


A Respectful Partnership Between Parents and Educators

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Educators need to re-focus their attention to educating and not indoctrinating our children.  Children want to learn how to read, they want to know how to write, and they want to learn math, history, science, music, and art.   Their parents are responsible for teaching them morality and sexuality.  While American educators are debating what pronouns, other countries in the world are surpassing American students in subjects such as math and science.  This change to regulations will re-set the focus on what's really important for the well-being of our children - the opening of their minds to the wonderful world of learning.

Educators - please remember that you work for the taxpayers, not the other way around.  Please remember that the parent is the primary guardian of the child, not the school and not the teachers.  Parental rights must be respected.

A respectful partnership between parents and educators is a win-win for all - particularly the children.


Strongly oppose!

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This singles out Trans kids as not being normal!  They hate this


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I oppose this in the strongest possible manor.


Strongly oppose.


Opposed

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If children don't trust their parents enough to tell them their gender identity, there's a reason for that. This policy is effectively that kids who are closeted at home must be closeted at school. What is wrong with you? Are you cruel or stupid?


This is a terrible policy decision.


I oppose this

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<p>I oppose this update. Students should be able to explore and understand who they are. Schools shouldn't be judgemental and be openminded about that. </p>


I am strongly opposed.


It is a grave mistake to pass this.


Strongly support

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<p>Parents should absolutely be involved in these decisions affecting children. </p>


Completely against proposed document

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Completely against proposed document regarding:

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


Do not do this.


I support this!


Unkind and hateful policy

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I’m a 73 year old person in Lynchburg is sadden about the Governor’s

Unkind and cruel policy!


OPPOSED - protect Trans kids

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Protections for trans kids must be kept in place to protect them physically and emotionally.  These protections do not impede anyone else's education.


I oppose this fully.


This will bring harm to trans kids.

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This will bring harm to trans kids.


This will bring harm to trans kids.


Do not codify and encourage intolerance and hate of vulnerable students. Keep 2021 Model Policies

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This narrow minded and Neanderthal policy will endanger vulnerable students by encouraging bullying and intolerance. Keep 2021 Model Policies.


Agree, we need this!

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<p>It should be up to the parent not the schools!  </p>


Strongly oppose this policy - please rescind

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The new model policy for trans kids is terrible policy. It is likely illegal under Virginia and federal law. The policy should be rescinded because it would:

-endanger trans students by creating a hostile environment for them where their parents and religious extremists decide how they want to be called, not them.

-endanger both trans and cis students in terms of bathroom visits. I grew up in Virginia and as a tomboyish girl, was frequently yelled at in school bathrooms by people who were either confused or were being intentionally cruel. These sorts of responses will escalate under the proposed for trans, nonbinary, and non gender conforming students. The government is effectively encouraging bullying.

-damage student achievement by creating distraction for all students and a deeply uncomfortable and cruel learning environment for LGBT+ youth. Students can't learn when they hate themselves or their teachers, they can't learn if their peers are being empowered to be cruel to them, and they can't learn if they don't feel safe.

-expose Virginia to costly and damaging lawsuits because of the illegality of the policy under Virginia and federal law and the likelihood that these policies will cause irreparable emotional and psychological harm, including encouraging suicides.

Please rescind this policy and return to the previous Northam administration policy for educational guidelines related to trans/GNF students.


This makes total sense!


Strongly oppose 2022 draft model policy te trans youth

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<p>I can’t tell you how vehemently I oppose the 2022 draft model policy that would remove and replace the 2021 policy on the treatment of trans/non-binary youth in schools. This reprehensible draft policy goes against every moral value and is shockingly discriminatory. Youngkin should be ashamed of himself.  The impact on young people’s lives could be catastrophic </p>


I oppose this in the strongest possible manor.


This is a terrible policy decision.


Trans protections save lives, Don't enact the new policies

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Study after study have shown that access to gender-affirming care and environments reduce depression and suicidal ideation in children and teens. Reverting  to policies that not only fail to protect trans kids but actively harm them by forcing teachers to out them to possibly non-supportive parents, and removing gender-affirming guidance and counseling in schools, will lead to more mental illness and death among our trans youth. The proposed policies are a gigantic step backwards.


Strongly oppose.


I am completely opposed.

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I am completely opposed.


As opposed as I could possibly be

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<p>This policy will bring immense harm upon those most vulnerable and force them to be outed to their abusive parents, essentially killing them. </p>


STOP THIS HATE!!! NOW!!! ASAP!!!!!

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Are you INSANE??? This hate absolutely has to STOP!!! NOW!!!! ASAP!!! STOP BULLYING AND HARASSING OUR TRANSKIDS!!! They're not doing anything wrong!! They're NOT hurting anybody!!! This is cruel and sick and EVIL!!! You should be ashamed of yourself for even THINKING of this awful horrible ghastly policy!!

LEAVE OUR TRANSKIDS TF ALONE!!! Don't make me come out there.

Trans rights are human rights. PERIOD!!!


It is a grave mistake to pass this.

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It is a grave mistake to pass this.


I fully oppose this.


I am strongly opposed.


Strongly Oppose


The new policy will harm kids' lives

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The new policy will strip away the hard-won protections that trans, nonbinary, and gender-nonconforming kids have now and go back to the bad old days when Governor Youngkin and I were in high school (not together, it was just the 80s), when to be any kind of queer was to be bullied and disrespected not just by fellow students but by school administrators and many teachers.

Under the sheep's clothing of parental rights, this strips all autonomy and dignity from the students themselves, stripping them of any veneer of safety in Virginia schools, pushing them into fear and depression that can sometimes lead to suicide. Every child deserves respect and care, and not to be shoved aside if they do not fit through the narrow window of the Youngkin administration's approval. Every person deserves to grow up in a system better than the one being proposed.


Oppose this proposed bill in the strongest possible terms.

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As the parent of a trans child in the VA public school system, I oppose this proposed bill in the strongest possible terms. Where are the protections for trans students who have the full support of their families, schools, and communities?  Why are trans students who have thrived by living their authentic self in and out of school be forced to use bathrooms/lockers rooms of their birth sex or be prohibited from participating in most sports activities?

This policy only serves to pander to political, religious ideologies that are NOT in line with the modern Commonwealth my family calls home.  Shame on you Gov Youngkin, everyone who helped drafted this proposal, and those that have endorsed it.

If you truly want a policy that protects families, fight the violent white nationalist and anti-government extremism that plagues our state.  These individuals who espouse violent acts have no place in our great Commonwealth.

Thank you for opportunity to comment and I hope this bill is passed.


This is a terrible policy decision.

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This is a terrible policy decision.


Transgender rights are human rights - protect trans children

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Transgender rights are human rights. I know public comment might not mean much in the face of the Republican party's disgusting agenda to harm anyone who isn't straight, cisgendered, white and male - and I know that when it comes to Republican policy, the cruelty is the point. But restrictive policy can only serve to put transgender children in danger and lead to mental health crises in anyone who feels, acts or appears "different" from the "norm."


I oppose


Totally Support this!


It is a grave mistake to pass this.


This protects our constitutional freedoms while also protecting EVERY child

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This is well researched, well founded, considerate of the rights of all Parents while also being student focused. Thank you for replacing the previous model which called for the exercise of unconstitutional authority in public schools and the indoctrination of all in the views and beliefs of a few.


I oppose this fully.


Opposition to the 2022 Model Policies Due to Potential Harm to Students

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My name is Jordan Westcott, MS, NCC, and I am a Counselor Education Ph.D. Candidate with expertise in LGBTQIA+ health and wellness. I am writing to oppose the 2022 Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia’s Public Schools as they are currently written. Specifically, I am concerned about the requirement to use a student’s legal name and sex assigned at birth, as well as schools not changing student names and sex assigned at birth in school records even with parental support. There is evidence that when students are not affirmed in their gender identity, they experience worse mental health outcomes (GLSEN, 2016). Policies requiring misgendering students or outing them to potentially unsupportive families increase the negative environment which may contribute to poorer mental health outcomes.

I am also concerned about the components of the policy that requires students to use bathroom associate with their sex assigned at birth, regardless of gender presentation or identity. Transgender students often avoid using the bathroom altogether when they cannot use bathroom associated with their gender identity, which increases risk of serious health complications (GLSEN, 2016). Additionally, transgender students are more likely to be victimized when they attempt to use a bathroom associated with their sex assigned at birth, which may increase exposure to trauma and ultimately lead to worse mental health outcomes. Furthermore, requiring students to play on sports teams associated with their sex assigned at birth may force many transgender students not to participate in sports at all, which are important prosocial activities that enhance relationships and wellbeing. In sum, this policy is dangerous for transgender students.

Although the policy aims to center parental rights to determine how their children are raised, much of the policy forces students to experience a school environment that is unsupportive regardless of parents’ wishes. By requiring students to use the bathroom associated with their sex assigned at birth, even when parents support transition, the school is actively going against what parents want for their children. Furthermore, by outing children to their parents, this policy increases risk of exposure to child abuse. Although the policy claims to share this information so that parents understand what the school is doing with their children, this actually forces outing, which can expose children to familial rejection, physical and emotional abuse, and even homelessness.

Instead, I would encourage the policies to align more closely with the 2021 Model Policies, which centered student safety. Allowing transgender students to have access to bathrooms that align with their gender identity and expression creates a safer school environment. Additionally, enforcing anti-bullying policies that protect transgender students would create a more supportive school environment. By allowing students to explore who they are in safe environments in schools, the old policies better protected all students and their wellbeing.

If you have questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me. Again, I oppose the 2022 Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia’s Public Schools  as currently written and urge revisions that center student safety and wellbeing, as described above.


I am completely opposed.


This will bring harm to trans kids.


Thank you for protecting our kids!


Do not do this.


I oppose this


Terrible idea

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This will bring harm to so many. What a terrible idea.


Oppose

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<p>The Commonwealth has a compelling interest in protecting the rights and privacy of every child in our public schools. </p>


I am strongly opposed.


I oppose this policy

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<p>Schools exposing students as transgender to their families has the potential to inflict unnecessary and avoidable emotional or physical harm to students. As determined by Sterling v. Borough of Minersville, school personnel cannot 'out' students to their families, or expose them as being LGBT. Some students may feel unsafe in their homes if their families find out about their sexuality or gender identity. Additionally, there are school personnel who are bound by confidentiality when students share certain information with us. We are only allowed to break this confidentiality in certain instances, and sharing their sexuality or gender identity does not fall under one of the exceptions to confidentiality. Because of this, I do not believe we can be expected to comply with this policy. If a student shares with me that they are transgender, and this is not something they have shared with their family, it would be unethical and illegal for me to break that confidentiality and trust with the student and tell their family without the student's consent. </p>


This will bring harm to trans kids.

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This will bring harm to trans kids.


Stop bullying trans youth

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Let them live their lives. Better yet, support them and help them live their lives and express themselves in the way that is most comfortable to them. Supporting trans kids SAVES THEIR LIVES


Strongly oppose

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The proposed changes to VA DOE policy on transgender and nonbinary students are dangerous and harmful and should not be implemented. Children will die if this policy is implemented due to the unsafe conditions it creates. Defining transgender students as students "whose parent has requested in writing, due to their child’s persistent and sincere belief that his or her gender differs with his or her sex, that their child be so identified while at school" completely ignores the reality that many transgender and nonbinary students face: that their parents do not accept them for who they are, and that school is one of the few places they could feel safe and accepted for their gender identity. This proposed policy would rip that safety away from them. It is equally dangerous for schools to out transgender and nonbinary students to their parents, as that may create an unsafe environment for the students at home. The proposed policy is clearly a stunt from an administration trying to score conservative political points without any regard for the safety of the students they purportedly are trying to protect. If anyone in the administration had spoken with a transgender or nonbinary person while crafting this proposed policy, they would have quickly learned that this is the opposite of what transgender and nonbinary students and adults want and what is safe for them. I strongly oppose the proposed policy and encourage the administration to adhere to the March 2021 Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia’s Public Schools.


Strongly oppose.


I strongly oppose this!

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<p>I strongly oppose this! This will harm our kids. </p>


I oppose this terrible, ignorant and dangerous attempt at “policy”

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What threat do our children’s sexual identities or preferences pose to white entitled males and the GOP? Why do this? How does it service you or the schools and those that seek education in them? It doesn’t serve the latter. It puts them at risk and in danger so that politicians who don’t really care about their well-being can enrich themselves by throwing red meat to a base that should be starved instead of validated at the cost of invalidating our kids.

Worse? The folks who drafted this up have zero understanding or empathy about the subject. It comes from a place of fear because they fear and hate what they don’t understand and the Governor of this state is only pushing this to appeal to the fascist and ignorant supporters that line his pockets and the gutters of the party hue is a member of.

this policy puts young lives in danger both emotionally and physically, and to those who helped draft this - who thought it was a good idea to put more bad in this world - shame on you for the rest of your ignorant lives.


This is a terrible policy decision.


Oppose

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<p>Completely oppose this as a physician </p>


I agree with this change.

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Thanks for thinking about both our kids and parent’s rights when making policy changes.


Leave Those Kids Alone

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Virginian's don't want needless culture war tactics that victimize children.  I vehemently oppose the Governor's proposed changes, which I also believe violate the law passed by the legislature under Governor Northam's Administration.

These children are not political props to be used as a means to rile up bigots on Fox News appearances by the Governor.

Leave them alone and let the old policy stand.

Tad Miller

Fluvanna County Virginia


This will bring harm to trans kids.


I oppose this fully.


I oppose this

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I may not be from Virginia but really stop the war on kids. Accept and love them for who they are and who they choose to be. Stop.


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I oppose this in the strongest possible manor.


Strongly Opposed

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Strongly opposed to this ignorant and hateful policy. You have succeeded in convincing me to never vote for a Republican again.


I fully oppose this.


I am strongly opposed.


I am completely opposed.

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I am completely opposed.


Totally against

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<p>This is not okay to make rules like this for vulnerable children!!! </p>


This is a terrible policy decision.

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This is a terrible policy decision.


Support

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Parents ahould not be taken out of the equation for how to raise their kids. And there is  no evidence of trans genders being bullied. This is a group pushing their agenda onto others.


"Empowering parents" is a sick priority to have here

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<p>Parents don't get to pick their kids' gender. "Empowering" transphobic parents is a sick priority to have here, as though parents don't already hold tremendous power over their vulnerable trans kids. This is horrific. </p>


Fearing raising a child in this state

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<p>I'm a soon-to-be mother in VA that is concerned that cruel legislation could hurt my child in the future. Leave medical decisions to doctors and parents. </p>


Thank you for letting parents be parents


This will bring harm to trans kids.

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This will bring harm to trans kids.


It is a grave mistake to pass this.

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It is a grave mistake to pass this.


SAVE THE CHILDREN OF VIRGINIA. STOP THIS PUSH ON THEM! Teach them TRUE EDUCATION,

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Children are to be taught true math English science and history. Children are not to be indoctrinated. The education being talk to the children is very weak. Back when my parents were kids they could graduate with a college degree at eighth grade. Why are we dumbing down our children? Why wouldn’t we Want our children to be the smartest kids out there in the world. Do you know what the rating is on our education compared to other countries? Teachers do not want to teach true education that will encourage the learning of the children they should not be there.  why can’t we be number one? Do you care for our countries and the freedoms of our nation. Why are our children not being taught the Constitution of the United States? we need to go back to books they are children learn how to read a book. Why would we want them to have computers all day long which has radiation coming off. Did you know there was a science project done on the radiation coming from a Chromebook? They had one on with plants beside it and they had one off with plants beside it. They ran a timer for 90 hours and The plants did nothing  with the computer on, the plants did not even start growing. The computer off, the plants had grown Starting the first day.


I oppose this in the strongest possible manor.


I am completely opposed.


Strongly opposed; completely incompetent.

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This guidance is disgusting. It’s awfully bold of this administration to try to invoke the 14th Amendment in support of this nonsense, as protections for transgender students in public schools should absolutely fall under the Equal Protection Clause (see Glenn v. Brumby, 2011). It’s unsurprising that Gov. Youngkin’s administration would choose to willingly misinterpret the intent of the 14th, as he (and his party) seem to fundamentally disagree with Section 3 as well.

Perhaps try to focus on policy that actually HELPS Virginians rather than wasting all of our time dealing with your own personal obsession with children in bathrooms.


Strongly Oppose

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As an educator, I oppose the proposed guidance because it would greatly endanger our trans and non-binary students. They are already at higher risks of violence and suicide, and the proposed guidance would strip them of what little protections and support they have. The reality is that trans and non-binary people (including children) exist. This fact is not going to change based on the guidance, but what will change would be their rights to safety and privacy. The proposal does not respect students as people.

As an educator and an empathetic person, I urge valuing the safety of all students over the ideology of some parents.


LGBT HAVE BECOME THE BULLIES

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<p>Now the heterosexual kids are bullied. Now the white children are bullied. Now Christain children are bullied. This has become the new normal is school. I worked in them for 11 years. Between the unions, the Marxist, the communist, and the anarchist, the hate has become targeted and real. The white Christain heterosexual male is the number one target.  I grew up going to Richmond inner city schools and saw this exact same issue 50 years ago.  The same hate, the same gang violence, and the schools looked the other way. I think Richmond has a reverse racism problem. I think lgbt is teetering  on child grooming. Maybe if you stop labeling and just called people, well people, this would stop. The division by the democrat party is unreal. Then they accuse the other side of that which they are guilty. ThThen the media spins </p>


Good job, Gov Youngkin!

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<p>Thank you for bringing sanity back to Virginia. I’m glad to see that parents will have more control over what their children are learning and that their children will not be exposed to materials that are inappropriate. Our children need to focus on their education and not on controversial social issues. Keep up the good work! </p>


Strongly oppose.


This will bring harm to trans kids.


Do not do this.


ABSOLUTELY NO - DO NOT PASS YOUR PERSONAL AGENDA ON TO THE BACKS OF OUR MOST VULNERABLE CHILDREN

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I am a teacher and I'm about to quit.... I am absolutely appalled that ONE YEAR after our LGBTQ+ students COULD FINALLY FEEL SAFE IN SCHOOLS... You're maliciously ripping that away.

YOUNGKIN'S PERSONAL AGENDA AFFECTS OUR STUDENTS AND TEACHERS

It REQUIRES US (I'm a teacher) TO OUT OUR STUDENTS.

It REQUIRES US to use names for children WHO DO NOT FEEL COMFORTABLE IN THAT NAME.

It REQUIRES ME (a non Judeo-Christian... I am a believer of eastern religions) to USE GENDERS THAT I DO NOT RELIGIOUSLY BELIEVE IN.

It REQUIRED ME to use the gender and pronouns THAT PARENTS CHOOSE... NOT THE STUDENT. For me, these kids are 16-18... they're above the age of consent so WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO RESPECT THEIR WISHES.

THIS REQUIRES PARENTS TO BE INVOLVED AND CARE... Ya know how many parents actually do that?? Yea... if you don't know then you're not anyone involved in this conversation (not a student not a teacher).

Bare minimum, this shut down our student's rights. THIS RIPS AWAY THE FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY THAT 2021 LAWS GAVE THEM. How can you even do that to kids???

Bare minimum, this ostracizes and singles out our students (literally we're forced to report).

Bare minimum, this forces some students into DANGEROUS situations at home... I KNOW BECAUSE THESE KIDS TELL ME THEIR HOME LIVES AND YOU CAN SEE IT THROUGH PARENT CONTACT, ETC.

Bare minimum, this shuns our student's individual needs and solidifies society's private agenda to erase the LGBTQ+.

Just know that a lot of the people who comment FOR and SUPPORT this:

Believe in a Judeo-Christian God - and are ONLY DOING THIS FOR GOD'S WISHES - **Cough Cough** Separation of church and state.

MANY other religions, like mine, believe in a "third sex" or "third gender" Some even call it "inter-sex".

 Many of them believe that BEING AROUND A GAY PERSON MAKES SOMEONE GAY (News Flash... It doesn't... I have NEVER ONCE had a LGBTQ+ Student, colleage, or friend who have said "I MET SOMEONE GAY AND NOW I'M GAY"

 MANY of them think you just need JESUS to get rid of the gay. (I know this because I've been harassed many times as well as students and friends).

MANY have PERVERSE minds... thinking that TRANS people just want to do inappropriate things in the bathroom... smh. You know how many TRANS and GAY people who get assaulted, harassed, discriminated against....    Y'ALL SCARED OF US IN THE BATHROOM - WE'RE SCARED TO EVEN BE OURSELVES.


This is a terrible policy decision.


I fully oppose this.


Strongly Oppose

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This will do nothing but show our kids they are not seen, respected and, most importantly, that they are safe.

This is a mistake.


Leave Trans Kids Alone

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Leave trans kids alone you weirdos.


I strongly opposed this

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This puts trans kids lives in danger.


Totally Support this!


I am completely opposed.

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I am completely opposed.


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I oppose this in the strongest possible manor.


I fully support

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<p>Parents have the right to know what is going on with a minor child ( under the age of 18) I fully support this. Schools must recognize the parent's rights!  </p>


I oppose this fully.


I support the bill. Full speed ahead.

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<p>Those who oppose the bill are a danger to children, who are willingly leaving children open to attack from sexual preditors that play the system to their advantage and choose to identify as a different gender to be able to prey on kids in bathrooms, as we saw in Loudin. This nonsense has to stop, so to is mandating the use of gender pronouns. Being that gender dysphoria is a specific type of mental illness listed in the DSM-5, we shouldn't be promoting mental illness, nor placating the mentally ill. We need to be promoting more therapy and access to such for transgenders, especially since they have the highest suicide rate out of any social demographic. Pass the bill and help bring sanity back to our schools. </p>


It is a grave mistake to pass this.


Opposed

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WJCC Schools strongly oppose these policies. All kids deserve respect.


I Fully Support

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Thank you Governor Youngkin. I fully support this!


I oppose this for so many reasons

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In addition to the harm will cause to trans kids, I also think this guidance is just too much to ask of our teachers, who work very hard and should be able to focus on teaching kids and not policing them according to all their parents' ideologies. What's next, forcing teachers to call a parent if a student displays an interest in a religion other than their parents?

Trans kids just want to go to school and be themselves. Kids today have been raised to believe they don't have to hide who they are anymore, and they are not going back. They are not going to stop being trans just because teachers are forced to out them to their parents. Trying to enlist teachers in this futile effort is just putting an undue burden on them for nothing, and harming trans kids in the process.

Also, this guidance legitimizes the baseless accusations that school staff are pushing gender non-conformity on kids, forcing treatment on them without parents' consent, and using LGBTQ+ discussions to initiate sexual abuse. This is not happening, and it's not OK to make accusations like this without evidence. People saying this are part of a tiny, crazy minority, spurred on by activist who aren't even local. They should not be indulged by our government.

Support trans kids and support our teachers.


This will bring harm to trans kids.

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This will bring harm to trans kids.


Strongly oppose.


This is a terrible policy decision.

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This is a terrible policy decision.


Strongly Opposed

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I am strongly opposed to changes to the law that protects LBTQ+ students. These students have traditionally been the targets of bullying and discrimination. I have raised two children and have grandchildren. They are all cis-gender. Neither my three granddaughters nor my two grandsons are endangered by protecting children who are LGBTQ+. Youngkin needs to stop his racist hate towards others - especially children.


Than you! Governor Youngkin!! Finally get back to parents heard

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Thank you Governor Youngkin for keeping promises made to parents. Yes! Parents insist  on  common sense back in the classroom , teaching math, language, reading, not social issues. These belong to parents at home. Yes!


I oppose this in the strongest possible manor.


Protect and support transgender kids, don't attack them

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It is tragic that Gavin Grimm had to spend so much of his high-school and later years battling a local Virginia school board for the right to use a boys bathroom. I have always looked up to him as a modern-day civil rights hero, so that no other boy would have to endure what he went through. Now you want to take his achievements and throw them in the trash. How can the Youngkin administration turn its back on Virginia's transgender youth, who are among our most vulnerable population groups? Why would any corporation wish to come to Virginia -- and why won't major corporate headquarters, including Amazon, leave -- given this heartless change?

I'm sure the administration is aware that bathrooms can be a source of discomfort or worse for trans kids if they are forced into a bathroom where it appears they do not belong -- for example, if a trans child who is a boy is forced by your rules into a girls bathroom not once, but every single day, simply because of the gender he was identified with at birth. You wish to inflict an inappropriate, risky, highly volatile situation on every transgender child, not once, but multiple times every single day, overriding even the policies of inclusive, supportive school systems that wish to create a positive, safe learning environment for all students, including transgender students. This is not how we treat fellow Virginians of any age.

Your plans also include the demand to deadname children and teenagers with names they may not have used for years, which do not reflect their gender, and to avoid using the pronouns which they ask others to use, all in an attempt to break down their mental health, their sense of legitimate personal autonomy, their sense of self-worth, and their ability to acknowledge the gender they identify with. I'm sure you are well aware of the level of suicidal impulses and homelessness among LGBTQ youth. However, it seems as though you hope to make those trends worse instead of better.

Transgender identity should be accommodated in school with reasonable policies, rather than by these extreme, 180-degree reversals from the past, which are aimed at transitioning from day-to-day support and care for such students in many Virginia schools to state-advocated antagonism and bigotry. Your shocking proposed policies also set a shameful model for non-transgender youth to follow (or, I hope, recoil from) as well. They would do great harm. Please revisit this issue and do not make these changes.


This is common sense

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Let parents decide what they want done for their kids.


I fully oppose this.


This is a terrible policy decision.


Great job!


This will bring harm to trans kids.


Youngkin's Proposed Policies Regarding Transgender Students

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I am strongly and fully opposed.


I oppose this fully.


Strongly oppose Youngkin’s proposal.

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Protect children’s interests and identities.
strongly oppose Youngkin’s proposal.


Parents have rights

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<p>I support this fully.  As a parent, I have the right to know about my child, who is a minor.  I want my children to be protected.  </p>


Focus on the Three Rs, not Pee Pees

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What % of the population is XYZPQ…?

What % uses reading, writing and arithmetic?

Focus on the fundamentals.


Focus on the Three Rs, not Pee Pees


Love it


Do not pass this

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<p>It is disgraceful that VA would attempt to pass this. Such antiquated thinking! </p>


Do not do this.


Supporting trans kids prevents suicide

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Children that identify as transgender are already at an increased risk for suicide. The Administration should not support any policy that would negatively impact trans and non-binary youth.


Totally Support this!


I am deeply saddened to see this and very strongly oppose it.

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<p>This is terrible to see and obviously an attack on trans kids. It's disgusting and despicable and shows how pathetic and spineless conservatives are. </p>


You just have to get a parent’s permission! What is controversial about this?

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It seems to me that you need to get a parent’s permission to go on a school field trip, that requiring the same permission to CHANGE GENDERS is not controversial.

Yeah, some parents sadly might not approve, but it is not the school’s place to override parent wishes.


100% FULL SUPPORT

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<p>I support this bill whole heartedly. The job of educators is to teach our children not indoctrinate them and force a wedge between parents and their children. There are two sexes Male and Female.  I support the GOP in Virginia and their policies which will get Virginia back on track to a safe, prosperous, constitutional state.  Undoing the years of infringement and harm done to the children of Virginia under liberal policies.  </p>


Strongly oppose.


This policy HARMS students!

Patty Smith Appomattox Regional Governor's School

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I am writing to express my serious disagreement with this new trans student policy. First of all, as a member of the Governor's LGBTQ+ Advisory Board, this policy goes against everything we on the Education Committee are advising him to do. As an educator with 36 years of teaching experience, this policy also goes against everything I know to be true about caring for and educating ALL students. No one has a guaranteed Constitutional right to bully or harass other students -- and dead-naming or misgendering them is doing exactly that. Furthermore, asking students and teachers to use a chosen name and pronouns is NOT forcing them to accept anything with which they disagree.

Forcing teachers and schools to "out" students to their parents puts students' lives at risk. My obligation is to care for and teach my students. Trans students are far more vulnerable and more likely to commit suicide than their cis-gender peers. Please educate yourselves about the very real risks many trans students face in school daily. If you care at all about children and education, you will rescind this policy immediately.


Oppose youngkin's proposed changes to model policies

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These proposed changes for the implementation of Virginia's 2020 statue are antithetical to the original law (§ 22.1-23.3 of the Code of Virginia) and in violation of the Virginia Human Rights Act (§ 2.2-3900). These objectively cruel proposed policies make school less safe, and less successful, to our trans and LGBTQ+ students, targeting trans students for political points and treating all children as the property of parents and not human beings with agency and identities of their own. The original model policies brought harm to no one while affording protections -- both symbolic and real -- to some of our most vulnerable young people. The youngkin administration's proposed policies give cover to bullying, misnaming, and erasure of young people. These policies reflect no empathy or care for our students, adopting instead an understanding of young people only as extensions of their legal guardians and inscribing as a policy of the state a binary definition of gender that ignores the full human history and increasing evidence of human flourishing.


This is cruel and horrific

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I can’t believe the good citizens of Louisiana would support this Terri or cruel proposal.  Leave these poor children alone.


I fully oppose this.


I am completely opposed.

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I am completely opposed.


I am strongly opposed.


transgender policies

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Thank you Gov. Youngkin for trying to fulfill what you promised.  Don't let the others stop you.


I oppose this fully.


Strongly Support

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       I am a Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) teacher that supports the VDOE new 2022 model polices for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia’s Public Schools. As a Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) teacher, I have concerns about FCPS Regulation 2603, Gender-expansive and Transgender Students, which models former Governor Ralph Northam’s VDOE 2021 model polices for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia Public Schools that are very harmful to ALL students, parents, and teachers.

        The 2021 VDOE model polices put student’s safety as risk because they allow students to use the bathroom of the gender that they identify with. That is what caused that girl to get raped on May 28, 2021, at Stone Bridge High School in Loudoun County. This has also caused some of my female students to ask me if they can use a one stall bathroom that I have to unlock because they feel unsafe and uncomfortable with their male peers being able to use the same locker room and restroom as them. I have also had female students not use the bathroom at school because they don’t feel safe, which can cause girls to get Urinary Tract Infections (UTI).

     Another reason the 2021 VDOE model policies are harmful is because they force teachers to lie to some of their students about their gender. As a teacher who teaches in a Virginia Public School, this goes against my Christian Principles and violates my first amendment right of the Freedom of Religion. Also, lying to students about their gender only harms them because students that struggle with gender dysphoria, are struggling many with many other factors in their life and desperately need the love and care of their parents, teachers, other school staff for support that will help overcome their struggles. Since gender dysphoria is usually a phase during the pre and early adolescence years, only a small minority of children who experience cross-gender identification will continue to do so into late adolescence or adulthood.

      Finally, the 2021 VDOE model policies violate parental rights because I am not obligated to tell a student’s parents if their child wants me to call them a different name and gender than what is in the school data base system. This violates Virginia Law that says, “a parent has a fundamental right to make decisions concerning the upbringing, education, and care of the parent’s child”. None of my concerns about the 2021 VDOE model polices make me anti-Transgender. I love all my students regardless of the religion, ethnicity, gender, race, and political affiliation. All my concerns are about the safety and well-being of Virginia students and the rights of parents and teachers, which is why I feel the need to share my concerns.

      Therefore, I strongly support the VDOE new 2022 model polices for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia’s Public Schools. They will keep ALL students much safer in school and protect the rights of parents and teachers.


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I oppose this in the strongest possible manor.


VB Resident Opposes This

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<p>I am a resident of VB and I oppose this change.  This is discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community and further harms trans individuals when they are at their most vulnerable.  </p>


I oppose

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<p>I oppose this policy. These VDOE policies create a hostile environment </p>


Pretty words for veiling discrimination; strongly oppose

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This policy hides behind bad faith arguments of parental rights and religious freedoms as a way to push government into schools and households to strip people of individual liberty and choice.

If we are talking about religious freedoms, choosing to protect one's right to discriminate because their faith does not "believe" what someone else chooses for themselves, then the government has actively chosen to protect one group's beliefs over another, which is unconstitutional under the First Amendment as the government should not be prioritizing one faith over another so that everyone is equal under the law, and moreover, in the education that they are able to achieve.

Under a parental rights argument, again, the state is now taking away individual liberties to prefer one select group over another. Transgender students are just trying to go to school and learn. Those against that are actively discriminating and interjecting in a person's or parent's ability to choose for themselves or their child; and yet, the policy would give preference to those who interfere with other people's lives and diminish their right of self.

It is hard to rationalize the argument of individual choice and then utilize the state to strip people of their autonomy over themselves and their identity.


I completely support this

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They need to realize they can't indoctrinate children. The leftists are sick s.


I oppose this completely

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I oppose this completely


I am completely opposed.

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I am completely opposed.  The proposed polices are extremely harmful to transgender and nonbinary students.


Yes get back to normal


Do not do this.


Strongly oppose.


Strongly support this policy!

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Parents should be the ones helping their children with anything so personal and life changing! Let children be children and play and learn at school. Enough time for them to make their own decisions when they are adults. Let us focus on providing high class education to our children and respect parents enough to let them guide their children in all aspects.


Thank You Governor Youngkin and Team!

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This is an excellent student policy.  Of course there will be a huge push back because somehow there is a desire to not allow parents to have a say in their children’s education.  I plan to read both documents and comment again.  I can’t tell you how many horrific stories there are of parents not knowing what is going on in their children’s lives at school!  What happened to the partnership between parents and schools?  I actually came across a school policy where they took out the words that had parents and schools working together!  What are schools afraid of?


Please do not pass this

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The stated goal is to value each child's unique characteristics and value them for who they are.  This policy is in direct contravention of that goal.  Allowing a child to comfortably be their true selves is the ultimate expression of this goal.  Nobody's indoctrinating anyone.


This will bring harm to trans kids.

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This will bring harm to trans kids.


Horrible policy

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<p>As a student who is trans and out, taking away the right and comfort to LGBTQ students will be detrimental to the well being of said students. Being at school is often the ONLY place a trans and LGBTQ student can be themselves and by actively taking that away YOU are the one who will be killing the kids. The protections FCPS schools give their students is often the only thing that makes me and hundreds of other students comfortable and makes a safe and fun learning environment. I firmly believe that passing this policy will get students killed and lead to worse academic performance. By caring more about the parents. The ones who ARE NOT AT THE SCHOOL LEARNING you are adding to the oppression of LGBTQ students.  It was found in a 2015 a study in the Journal of Adolescent Healthcare that trans students are at much higher risks of developing depression, anxiety, and self harming tendencies. 50% of trans kids are at risk of being diagnosed with depression, 26.7% suffer from anxiety, 17.2% HAVE ATTEMPTED SUICIDE, and 16.7% have engaged in self harming activities with intent to harm themselves.I will stand by saying that this is policy will spread hate, will kill kids, and will add to the bullying LGBTQ kids will face. Think about the kids for once. </p>


I fully oppose this.


This will bring harm to trans kids.


I oppose this.

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And I will oppose it with my real name, as opposed to the dozens of cowards to afraid to sign their own hate and ignorance.


i am completely opposed to this.

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<p>Please spend some time with the children you are impacting with this.  Understand the concerns - these are real people's lives.  This is not a political game.- just to placate your base.  </p>


I am strongly opposed.


I oppose this fully.


Strongly for this

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I am strongly for this. This is a step in the right direction to protect children, parents’, and teacher’s rights.


Strongly for this


I am completely opposed.

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I am completely opposed.


Strongly oppose this hateful legislation

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We have many issues facing our schools right now, which are still reeling from the fallout over Covid. Teachers are fleeing the system. Why are focusing on hateful legislation, that targets vulnerable children, instead of on addressing the problems that will lift ALL our children up? This is despicable and completely politically driven, and has nothing to do with education or our children’s well being.


We Support Parents Authority - Thank you Governor Younkin

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This is the first common-sense policy adjustment that everyone with a mature brain should support.  Schools, teachers and administrators need to stop confusing the minds of children.  Teach the basics, reality, logic and not 'feelings'.  Let them mature naturally in their own unaltered bodies and minds.  Using the logic of the previous policy, anorexia should be affirmed.  How many 'tomboys' are having their lives ruined?


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I oppose this in the strongest possible manor.


Schools are for education, period. Not political indoctrination.

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Schools are for education, not political indoctrination and not to groom children for pedophiles.


Suicides will skyrocket

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<p>I hope you are ready for the rate of suicide to skyrocket as a result of this. By doing this, you are creating an atmosphere for students to NOT FEEL SAFE ANYWHERE. Children are people too and sometimes their parents and family DON’T always know what’s  best for them. </p>


This is a terrible policy decision.

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This is a terrible policy decision.


This is abhorrent

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<p>Knock it off.  Pull your head out of your rear and lead with kindness. </p>


I OPPOSE the guidance


I am opposed

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Growing up, my school did not have measures in place to protect or respect transgender students. We had two transgender students kill themselves because of the bullying they received from students and staff. This proposed policy would be harmful to students and I am opposed.


This will bring harm to trans kids.


Thank You Gov. Youngkin!

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Thank you Gov. Youngkin! I support you 100%! Thank you for supporting parents' rights!


Future policy change effects

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This policy will lead to the death of children and that blood will be on your hands


I am completely opposed.


Do not do this.


I fully oppose this.


Strongly Oppose

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Learning about straight and cisgender kids in school didn't turn me straight or cisgender.

Trans kids just want to learn and be treated with respect. Stop harassing trans kids under the guise of "parental rights"! No one has a right to invade the privacy of others - not even the parents of trans kids!


Mom of a trans teen virulently opposed to this policy.

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https://www.change.org/SaveTransRights

My trans daughter and I created this petition shortly after Youngkin was elected. CHILDREN are being exploited for political gain, for the sin of existing they will be subjected to hate and discrimination with this policy. Already fragile children will be negatively affected if just one teacher purposely deadnames or uses the wrong pronouns. It costs nothing to be kind and respect someone’s wishes, even if they are a child. ! All students deserve an inclusive save space to learn and thrive.


I support this. We need districts and their woke admin to Stop pushing this radical agenda on kids.

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<p>Stop transing innocent children. </p>


This will bring harm to trans kids.

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This will bring harm to trans kids.


I oppose this fully.


Policy change re trans gender students

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I strongly oppose this change


strongly oppose


This is a terrible policy decision.


Proposed policy violates religious faith

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My Unitarian Universalist faith affirms as its first principle the inherent worth and dignity of every person. The proposed policy on transgender students in Virginia schools violates that practical moral principle. Every transgender student is a natural person with the inalienable dignity of individual agency and a right to privacy which is denied them in this proposed policy. Each of these transgender person’s worth is inherent to their person, not residing in the mind of, or under force of control by, another person, even a parent. The policy treats transgender students as empty vessels without thought or self-awareness and completely subject to the control of parents in all things. This is plainly a dysfunctional and abusive family model, devoid of any recognition of the science of human development. This mistreatment of people in childhood results in adults who bring this dysfunction to societal interactions.  As a matter of conscience, I cannot support this morally reprehensible and wholly impractical policy. I am, in addition, compelled to resist its implementation and will support legal action to challenge the constitutionality of this policy which I believe to be in violation of the first and 14th amendments at a minimum. The DOE already well knows that portions of its proposed policy is at least unconstitutional under Grimm v Gloucester.

As a gay cis-gender male Virginian for more than 45 years I can speak from personal experience to the harm that policy proposals like this cause to individuals. I have endured the legal attack on my marriage to my husband of 37 years by the Commonwealth. It matters little that after years of litigation, these egregious offenses to the equality of some Virginians were eventually declared federally unconstitutional. The harm was done when the policy was proposed and implemented, and I can attest that it is long standing. Indeed, to this day, a vocal minority in the Commonwealth persist in hateful misinformation to attempt to restore the discrimination against my family.  I grieve today for transgender, non-binary, intersex and, indeed, for all LGBTQIA children in Virginia that, as children, they are called upon to deal with the harm of this proposal having been made and the inevitable hateful and dehumanizing public discourse that arises. If transgender students can be called out for punitive treatment under the guise of legal policy, any LGBTQIA student is exposed to a similar tactic, and they all realize this. I had trouble enough processing the hate directed toward me as an adult with a fully formed support network; I cannot imagine the pain being experienced today by LGBTQIA youth who may be isolated not yet having found the words to describe their personhood or self-advocacy. I grieve for supportive families of LGBTQIA children who are losing the assistance of their child’s school in navigating their way through this family dynamic.

The fact is that no Virginian was harmed by the existing policy for the respectful treatment of transgender students. This proposed policy is causing great harm and seems intended to do so. The moral path for the DOE, in my view, is to immediately rescind this proposal and to apologize to all of those Virginians, whether children or adults, that they have harmed by publishing this proposed policy without consultation or apparent attention to ample evidence of the harm.

I will stand on the side of love in affirming the inherent worth and dignity of all people and in firm opposition to this proposed policy.


Strongly oppose.


Hanover Policy

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<p>100% support this!! Protect our kids in Hanover!! Also, this needs to be turned off for comment for anyone NOT a Hanover resident with children in Hanover schools! Overwhelming majority of Hanover parents completely supports this! Thank you Governor Youngkin for keeping our children SAFE!! </p>


This policy is a deliberate attack on the safety of trans kids

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Fact: Biological sex and the sociological conception of gender are different concepts. This is not an "opinion" or "belief."

Fact: Validating and affirming the gender identity of trans kids is SUICIDE PREVENTION. This is not an "opinion" or "belief."

The New Model policies are not based in facts, but BIGOTRY. This administration will claim that these New Model policies are about parental rights, or protecting First Amendment rights, but this a blatant appeal to transphobic voters. Shame on the Younkin administration for failing to protect the most vulnerable children in our schools, and shame on anyone who supports it.


Leave Transgender Children Alone!

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


Warhill High School does NOT support

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Within the Williamsburg James City County, the schools within these districts do not support these oppressive and harmful propositions.

Make no mistakes, these are not parental rights, this is anti-queer at the base. These policies hurt most for those in high school, who are close to adulthood and are transitioning to the real world. The world where, yes, is harsh, however should be be feared on being killed.

That is what these policies do. Forced outing kids, forced deadnaming, forced misgendering, causing students to feel more suffocated and like there is no safe place for them. Home life is not always accepting, trusting, or ready to come to terms with a kid who may not be cis. The option to tell parents, if ever, should be on the student, not anyone else. The risk of being kicked out, being disowned, even killed with some more violent parents, is too dangerous to ignore.

The fear that parents who support these policies have are derived from misinformation. Thinking that hormones, surgeries, and the such, are given to children. They are not. Social transitioning is typically what is done before the age of consent, being 16 for sex, driver's licenses, jobs, and more. If a teenager can get a job, and learn to drive, they can make the choice to be on hormones. Which, by the way, is the age they can start HRT - or also known as hormone replacement therapy.

Another misconception is puberty blockers, which have been used by cis and trans kids enough to have proven to be safe.

Harvard and many other schools, including some government websites, have done active research on the act of gender v sex, and how transgender individuals align with biology that is more advanced than high school.

Understanding that queer people deserve privacy and a choice is important. It's not anti-parent rights to think so, it's pro-student choice.


I am completely opposed.

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I am completely opposed.


I am completely opposed.


As an educator, I strongly oppose the proposed 2022 changes.

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The rights of the student should never be secondary to the parents’ religious beliefs. We must protect our trans students as long as they are at school. There is a hard limit to how much we can do to protect them at home, but while they are in our buildings, they deserve to be treated at the individuals that they are - not as extensions of their parents’ beliefs.


100% support this

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<p>Parents need to be involved in these decisions and processes. </p>


This is a terrible policy decision.

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This is a terrible policy decision.


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<p>Absolutely against anti-transgender policy. All kids should be treated equally with respect and understanding regardless of their gender or gender identity. </p>


This will bring harm to trans kids.


I oppose this.

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<p>Trans people have a high rate of suicide, you will just increase the rates </p>


I am strongly opposed.


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I oppose this in the strongest possible manor.


I fully oppose this.

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<p>I am a mom in Virginia and fully oppose this. We support trans kids. I am deeply concerned for our kids in the state given what is being proposed. </p>


Strongly Opposed

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<p>I am strongly opposed. This will negatively impact the mental and physical health of vulnerable children. </p>


Common sense/ no more crazys running are schools.

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Thank you for bringing Common sense back to are State.


Do not do this.


New guidance cruel to children - opposed

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I firmly oppose the new guidelines proposed by Governor Youngkin. These policies, if implemented into our schools, will actively harm children's mental health and increase the crisis of children suffering from depression and anxiety, and will increase the likelihood of child suicide. Transgender students do not make up enough of the population to warrant such drastic policies. Why, in a country founded on personal freedoms, are children exempt from the same rights we give to adults? I agree there are some things that parental guidance is required for, but this is a decision that hurts nobody, not even themself. It is ridiculous that you are enabling parents to treat their children as personal property.

Let kids be kids and respect them like the humans they are. School might be the only place where they can be themself. We are the land of the free.


I oppose this

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You cannot be serious? These policies are a joke and will never pass. You cannot ignore the rights of trans children in Virginia. They will not be erased. Oppose!!!!!


I oppose this fully.


This is a terrible policy

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This is a terrible policy proposal for everyone involved. It's bad for trans students and for their teachers. This policy would put teachers in the position of "outing" students to their parents. Many students chose to come out at school while remaining in the closet at home. This could be for several reasons, but is often because their home situation is unsafe. This policy is using trans kids as political pawns and it is disgusting.


I am strongly opposed

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I am strongly opposed to the 2022 Model Policies.  The guidance document mentions striving "to meet the individual needs of ALL students entrusted to their care," but the newly proposed policies do the exact opposite and instead negatively target a specific group of children to make a political point.  This proposal will further the rifts between teachers and students, between teachers and parents, and will likely increase the depression and suicide rates of transgender children, who are already extremely vulnerable.  Rather than pretend transgender children do not exist or treat them with vitriol, our education system should protect them.


Fully support

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<p>I fully support this! </p>


Strongly oppose.


These laws will allow bullying and protect the bullies

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These “Model” laws will only serve to allow bullying of an already vulnerable and bullied subset of Children and will protect the bullies. It is entirely unnecessary and both statistics and anecdotal evidence prove that kids in LGBTQ+ spectrum are a threat to no one and are in fact the threatened population. These rules will in no way better or encourage quality education and will in fact impede providing education to the whole community of public school students. Bullying and intimidation impede conducive learning environments, that IS proven.

It’s clear the Youngkin administration has no intention of bettering education in Virginia and only hope to score political points by foresaking children and feeding conspiracy theories rather than serving the whole of Virginia’s constituents.

This is a “solution” to a problem which doesn’t exist and rolls back protections that dissuades bullying, which is an ACTUAL problem.


I fully oppose this.


Cruel is not cool

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Let kids be kids. Keep politics out of children’s healthcare. Women’s healthcare too


This will bring harm to trans kids.

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This will bring harm to trans kids.


This is a terrible policy decision.


Fully oppose this bill

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<p>Please support trans kids. </p>


SUPPORT due to lack of evidenced based outcomes for "affirmation"

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<p>I fully support this policy. As a parent and licensed mental health professional with children I find it concerning that children are allowed to self diagnose with gender dysphoria with little to no exploration of what may be causing it. I find it appalling that adults would tell a child anything other than they are beautiful and perfect the way they are. No child should be told they need a medicalized intervention to feel happy and whole. That is not body positive. Gender identity is often based on stereotypes of what boys and girls should be like. Much of the research coming out of Europe now sees that "affirmation" causes more harm without the proper guidance. The standards of care are based on flawed data pushed by activists. It is a myth that trans youth will die by suicide if not affirmed. The study most ppl reference did not look at actual attempts- only suicidal ideation. It also did not take into account that many of the trans youth in the study also had comorbid depression. When taken into account the rates of suicidal ideation among the "trans" group and non trans youth with depression, the rates were not different. Most mental health professionals will tell you that the agent of change in families is the caregiver. If a child is asking to be identified differently at school than at home- that is a problem that needs to be addressed in family therapy. It is normal for teens in their stage of development to try on different identities, it is not normal for other adults to collude with the teen to hide that from parents. Please look at de transitioner's stories.  Most importantly- women are a protected class based on sex. If being a women/female is some abstract concept of a feeling and we can't define a women, then how can we protect women? The feelings of a trans woman are not more important than the safety and dignity of girls. Why are trans women not fighting for their own separate spaces? The womens restroom does not exist to validate trans women. I ask anyone who says they do not support this- if you saw a male follow a little girl into a public bathroom would you go check on the child? I know I would, but activists want us to blindly accept that any male going into a protected women's space belongs there and is safe. Unfortunately that is not the reality we live in. </p>


Strongly oppose

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<p>I strongly oppose the model policy putting trans kids in real danger. </p>


I am strongly opposed.


Uphold the constitution

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<p>I support nullifying the Model 2021. It is not right, nor legal, in a government institution to force a doctrine, belief, ideology, language, or speech upon the students and parents. Regardless of someone’s feelings, they government should not infringe upon constitutionally protected rights. </p>


Do not do this.


Get these social contagions out of the classroom

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The trans and progressive religion is dangerously sowing seeds of discontent into the minds of impressionable children. Impregnating the curriculum with sexuality preferences does nothing to enhance a child's life, it only confuses them. We are robbing our children of their innocence. I only say this bill doesn't go far enough to protect children from this virus. And, yes, it is a virus—a raunchy one. Parents MUST have authority over the upbringing of their children. It does NOT take a village, it takes a core immediate family to raise a healthy child.


Strongly oppose this dangerous policy

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<p>This policy proposed by Gov Youngkin is dangerous for youth. I strongly oppose it.  We should be headed in the opposite direction. We need to create respect and safety for those most vulnerable. </p>


I am completely opposed.

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I am completely opposed.


Strongly opposed to changes to the existing standards for fair treatment of transgender students

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Every single student enrolled in public school deserves respect and support, no matter who they are. That is where the focus should be. Create a space where everyone can learn in a safe, supportive environment.


I'm against these bills because we need to support trans kids and teachers who wish to support them

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Trans kids deserve support and teachers should have the freedom to support them.


I oppose this fully.


This will bring harm to trans kids.


I fully oppose this.


This is a terrible policy decision.

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This is a terrible policy decision.


I am completely opposed.


2022 bill is correct

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<p>The new 2022 law is proper. Parents have a right to know and have input into what is being imposed on their children. </p>


Strongly Oppose

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I strongly oppose this draft policy, which is at best hypocritical and at worst sinisterly divisive. Though it claims to be centered on ‘parental rights’, it neglects and devalues the interests of parents who raise their children to respect and value others’ differences. It is a purported solution to a problem that does not exist.

By focusing only on the parents who are opposed to even doing the bare minimum to accommodate trans kids (I’d argue that facts like trans people exist and deserve a public education can’t really be opposed) completely undermines the argument that it’s a ‘parental rights’ issue. What about the parental rights of those who do value all kids, no matter their gender identity or sexual orientation? These are public schools and are supposed to serve all Virginians, including trans kids and their parents. Those who disagree can choose to attend private schools or homeschool their kids.

Let’s call this draft policy what it is: a way to draw national attention to this governor, so that he can better position himself for a 2024 POTUS run. Figure out a different way to make a national splash, Governor; leave Virginia’s kids alone to grow and learn. Don’t use them to drive wedges more deeply into our communities.


I support this bill.

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I support this bill, because is my right as a father to protect my kids from any wrong indoctrination that goes completely out my faith and social values. Being woman or man is what have  drives this great country progress not gender ideologies.

my kids need to learn to think on facts not feeling!

thank you Gov. Glenn Youngkin!


This is a terrible policy decision.


Trans Proposal

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I oppose this strenuously.


Strongly oppose, new policy violates human rights and will kill children

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This policy should not be passed, it will kill children.


Strongly oppose

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I just can't understand why anyone would propose making student's lives even more difficult.  They just want to live as their true selves.  Schools should be supporting them.  You are obviously only here to force your views on others and try and scare kids back into the closet. And of course score political points, regardless of the consequences.  Has there been ANY harm caused by the previous administrations directives?  Of course not.


It is a grave mistake to pass this.

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It is a grave mistake to pass this.


Do not do this.


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I oppose this in the strongest possible manor.


It is a grave mistake to pass this.


This will bring harm to trans kids.

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This will bring harm to trans kids.


Yup


I support the new policy 100%

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<p>Parents not bureaucrats should teach anything related to sex - period. Children that have a problem with their sexuality should seek mental counciling as should their parents. The medical term gender dysphoria is real but appears far less than the current hysteria that exists in the media and school policies for these students should not be imposed on the 99.9% of normal children. </p>


This is dangerous, I oppose!

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This policy is incredibly dangerous and draconian. Let kids be who they want to be and stay out of their bathrooms.


This is a horrendously cruel decision

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Whatever happened to protecting kids? Isn't that what every sane person wants? So why are you passing laws that studies show will directly increase suicide rates among trans kids? Do you not care about the blood on your hands?


Strongly oppose.


I am completely opposed.


I fully oppose this.


I oppose this fully.


Leave trans kids alone.

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Governor Youngkin, shame on you. Of all the things to worry about in this state, you choose to pick on trans kids and their families.  Leave them alone...they aren't hurting anyone. Just pawns in your sick political game.


Opposed to political stunts which attack any individuals of our community

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Governor Youngkin,

You have brought further shame to the Commonwealth and our sacred republic. Your efforts to play politics around students’ and teachers’ lives leads to violence, division and hatred. You were elected to govern, and yet you seek attention like a right-wing pundit or blogger. What would you do if your child was gay or trans? Shut them out and tell them to be someone else?

Read the tea leaves and your electorate.


OPPOSE Removal of 2021 Model Policies

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Please do NOT take Virginia back to the stone age and endanger vulnerable students.

The goals of the 2021 Model Policies are admirable and narrow minded, intolerant people should not be bullying vulnerable children under the guise of "religious freedom". Our founders understood how essential the separation of church and state is to a functioning democracy. I support the right to self-determination NOT mob rule.


This is a terrible policy decision.


I fully oppose this proposal

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Trans students need protection.


Strongly oppose proposed changes

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I strongly oppose the proposed changes to the Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia’s Public Schools.

Involuntarily outing kids to their parents could result in child abuse if those parents are not supportive. Facilitating this child abuse seems to be the only goal of these model policy changes.


Do not do this.


I am completely opposed.

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I am completely opposed.


Treatment of transgender children

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Republicans are so worried about the LIFE of the unborn but choose to abuse those children not like them. How dare any of you pass judgement until you have walked in their shoes. Discriminatory and hateful policy. GOD will be your final judge! Ohhh do you feel the fire licking at your feet already? The US has its own morality police just like Iran. Strongly disagree with your bigotry!


Strongly oppose.

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<p>Strongly opposed. Trans kids should be protected. </p>


This is a terrible policy decision.

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This is a terrible policy decision.


I am strongly opposed!! This is going to hurt vulnerable children!

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I have been in Virginia for 23 of my 26 years of life. This is my home and you will not hurt kids in my home!! I am STRONGLY opposed!!


It is a grave mistake to pass this.


I am strongly opposed.


This will bring harm to trans kids.


Our Gov. Action


I STRONGLY AGREE WITH THIS POLICY

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The schools should be following the legal classification of the student not how the student feels on any given day.  We need not confuse social and legal definitions in order to classify a students sex.  If the child wants to transition to another sex that is a discussion that should be held with their parents along with their medical providers.  Subsequent court filings to ensure that the transitioned child should be held to legally change their sex.  There must be an order to the way students are classified, biological classification is the least common denominator that has an ability to prove what sex someone is simply by legal definition of a person's sex.


I am completely opposed.


Strongly oppose.


I fully appose this

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Protect all kids including trans!


I fully oppose this.


This is good common sense.

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This is good common sense.  I think it should move forward.


I strongly oppose this policy

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This policy is dangerous and targets the already vulnerable population of non-binary and trans students who are just trying to survive. The draft policy gives way too much room to allow student to be mistreated and put in danger. All research shows that having one affirming adult in their life can make the difference in whether a child chooses to continue living. Taking away a teachers ability to be that adult is a tragedy. Further, forcing teachers to out kids to parents when they do not know if it will lead to real harm is so dangerous. I am a trans, non-binary person. I did not come out as queer until I was out of the house and financially independent because I truly feared that I would be kicked out or subject to other harm. Taking that choice away from an individual is wrong and goes against all the data that is available. I OPPOSE the draft policy and urge the VDOE to reject it.


I fully oppose this


It is a grave mistake to pass this.

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It is a grave mistake to pass this.


Transgender Student Policies: Think of the Children

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Please do not adopt these misguided rules regarding transgender children in public schools.  This is an extremely complex issue best left to the child, the child's parents, and pediatrician. To create rules that will make these children become targets  is wrong - It sends the wrong message to the other students.  We need to learn to live in a pluralistic society with people of different  races, gender orientations, and gender preferences.

Children should never have to go through this type of "calling out" which will only lead to harassment and bullying.  Please do not pass these rules. Have compassion.  If you are of a spiritual orientation, remember the teachings of all religions to have empathy and compassion.


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I oppose this in the strongest possible manor.


Regressive proposal...do not support

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This is the most regressive proposal showing discrimination and promoting hate. Has no place in any institution especially public education.

Don't divide children to grow up to be divisive adults.


Do not do this.


Trans children deserve respect, have a right to live

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<p>Transgender youths deserve respect, and to have their identities validated; otherwise, they are not being provided a healthy, positive learning atmosphere. Such an outcome defeats the ostensible purpose of this rule set. Please do not pass. </p>


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

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I fully oppose the attack on trans kids with these policies.


This will bring harm to trans kids.

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This will bring harm to trans kids.


Fiercely opposed.

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<p>The proposed model seeks to protect those who choose to dis-empower and nullify the existence of trans-gendered youth. What is the point of that? Transgendered rights are human rights and transgendered kids should not be treated with any less respect than any other kids. That should be true no matter what your personal and individual beliefs are. </p>


Strongly Oppose

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<p>Protect our kids. Strongly oppose. </p>


Stop pushing Trans ideology in schools!! Schools are for education not social justice!!

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Please get wokeness out of public schools. Our youth are the future of our country and the public school system has reduced education to social justice training. Our math, science and basic curriculum has been replaced with Marxist divisive instruction. We are being told racism is all white peoples fault, conservatives are extremists when the facts are kids love and accept other kids until an adult teaches them otherwise. Race is irrelevant now but this gender confusion is causing real issues. One day a child feels like a boy, next week a girl, and our children are expected to understand this and tiptoe around their feelings…

My sons entire class was told they must to use preferred pronouns in his school last month by a resource officer during their lunch break. She used a megaphone and stated preferred pronouns are required or those choosing not to recognize preferred pronouns are bullying students… what??? how is it not bullying to have boys dressed as girls and going into girls bathrooms?

Kids go there to learn math, science, English and other needed skills, this is becoming a clown show on taxpayers dime. Several confused kids think they are cats or dogs now so where does this stop???? Enough is Enough, people have tried to accept alternative lifestyles but now it’s evolving into complete mental incapacitation with no end in sight. There are only male and female genders, save the majority of our kids before the handful of mentally ill corrupt them all!!


Strongly oppose.


Opposition

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<p>I oppose this fully. </p>


Vile attempt to politicize and endanger children

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<p>This is a dangerous and disgusting attempt to undermine children’s safety, all in the name of whipping up partisan furor to feed your political ambition. There is no legal or statistical basis for this change in standards and, in fact, you would be needlessly spending taxpayer money to defend it as it is clearly illegal per current federal and state law. As a parent whose child is about to enter K-12 public education for the 2023-2024 school year, I am appalled and enraged that you are endangering and undermining my child’s physical and mental heath for a political stunt to float your run for 2024. I am emphatically against this, and am demanding that these standards be thrown in the garbage where they belong. </p>


It is a grave mistake to pass this.


100% FOR this policy

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<p>This policy brings assemblance of normalcy back into the public school system.  Under no circumstances should any child feel threatened, bullied or diminished in school.  However, there are already laws and rules and policies existing that protect any student from such occurrences listed above.  Under no circumstances is it ever okay for a biological boy to decide on his own that he wants to go into the girls bathroom or locker room.  Biological boys should not be allowed to play in girls sports.  And no one in America can compel speech.  Forcing someone to use made up pronouns violates the first amendment of the US Constitution.  If a person chooses to use someone's"preferred pronouns" then they can do so of their own volition.  If they choose not to, they are exercising their right to free speech and no punitive measures should be placed upon anyone for it.  I for one will never call an individual "they".  </p>


This will bring harm to trans kids.


I fully oppose this.


This is a terrible policy decision.

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This is a terrible policy decision.


I oppose this fully.


I oppose this new guidance

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<p>This is a topic that requires nuance and understanding and very much at a local level. A statewide policy like this doesn't help anyone. </p>


I am completely opposed.

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I am completely opposed.


Please reconsider! Virginia does not support Youngkin

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Once again Youngkin is pushing his own agenda and not acting in the best interest of Virginians. This law if enacted would put hundreds if not thousands of children at risk. Gen Z children are one thousand times more accepting than older generations and fully support the LGBTQ+ community. I have witnessed them making their own efforts to ask for peoples pronouns and making space for families without the traditional mother and father figure. The only people who support this are boomers and individuals who haven’t had formal education in 30+ years. This would directly contribute to harm against LGBTQ+ children by forcing school personnel to “out” students and likely also an increase in suicide which is already at a very high percentage for LGBTQ+ individuals. Please Youngkin stop pushing your own traditional Christian views… this is NOT a theocracy. Let children be children and stop trying to erase those who don’t conform to your ancient ideals.


I oppose these model policies

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<p>As a Virginia educator, I strongly oppose the proposed policies against transgender students in Virginia schools. This will put many students in danger and remove legislation that was put into place to protect them. Students deserve to feel safe in school and know that they can trust their teachers and school staff to respect them. I will always, love, protect, respect, and honor my students. Politics and policies will not change that. </p>


I am completely opposed.


Support

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I fully support this policy.

Chesterfield Grandmother


I am strongly opposed.


I completely oppose this. Protect and uplift the lives of trans kids.

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


I am completely opposed to this.

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I’m deeply opposed. This will harm kids.


Trans Policy

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I am in strong support of Gov. Youngkins new policy regarding transgender students. I do not believe it should be up to schools to make make these decisions on behalf of the student. Rather it should be collaborative between Parents and Teachers, with Parents having over-arching say in decisions regarding their children. This to me this is a common sense policy.  No school should solely have these life and death decisions over a student. I question parents who are opposed to this policy, since if they have a trans child, one would assume they could easily comply with the process.