Opposition to the Flawed and Underwhelming 2022 Model Policies

The 2022 Model Policies on the Privacy, Dignity, and Respect for all Students and Parents in Virginia's Public Schools (hereinafter 2022MP), is bad policy regardless if you support or oppose its author's ideology. If Commonwealth tax revenue was used to draft these policies, I would strongly recommend firing the team that cobbled this together.
For constituents in support of expanding parental rights (to the detriment of some transgender children) you will find pretty much all the policies in Appendix 1 to be either unenforceable or so limited in scope that meaningful expansion of parental control would need to be measured in fractions of an inch. For constituents in support of protections for transgender children (to the detriment of some parents) while this policy seems to be lacking on practical substance, the message it conveys to all schoolchildren on how society treats a minority group is troubling.
Before I begin to explain the limitations of the 2022MP, I want to address how poorly written this document is. My criticism of this document falls into three categories:

legal laziness

inadequate reasoning and,

lack of or inconsistent clarity.

Legal Laziness
The legal laziness issue begins with the 2022MP's purpose and continues throughout the entire document. On a whim, I decided to Google, "Parents rights under 14th amendment". When I did, I discovered that the exact language found on page 1 of the 2022MP, "..direct the care, upbringing, and education of their children..." was literally the bold section of Google's feature section. If legal justification for this 2022MP is going to be plagiarized from Google's algorithm, I would strongly recommend VDoE try a little bit harder.
Let's give the VDoE authors the benefit of a doubt here. I mean, Google could have stumbled on some truly groundbreaking case law by our esteemed supreme court, right? Not really. Instead, this is pulled from an amicus brief submitted by the Justice Foundation, not an entity that decides law. OK. So strike one, there. Well, at least this wording pulled from the amicus brief was justified with relevant case law? Not really... Justice Foundation was citing Washington v. Glucksberg when they wrote these popular words. However,  Washington v. Glucksberg  is a case about assisted suicide. Parental rights are briefly mentioned, but it seems strange that we need to refer to an assisted suicide decision to justify parental rights. Strike two. Did this amicus brief actually go anywhere? Nope. It was submitted to the supreme court in a case that was ultimately rejected (routten v routten). Strike three.
Remember this is page 1's legal reasoning behind the 14 amendment. It uses verbatim text, copied and pasted from Google and ultimately coming from an amicus brief to unrelated, unresolved case law. While I'm focusing on the first, and arguably most egregious example, the 2022MP is riddled with language like this.
This is just flat out lazy policy writing. VDoE needs to do a better job justifying it's policy to voters than to use failed opinions from think tank groups from another state about another topic.
Inadequate Reasoning
In the 2022MP, several instances of illogical statements and inadequate reasoning are made. The most egregious of which are the guiding principles. There are four:

Parents have the right to make decisions with respect to their children

Schools shall serve the needs of all students

Schools shall partner with parents

Schools shall respect all students

It is not difficult to imagine a scenario where these guiding principles could be in conflict with each other. Imagine a trans student reaching out to school division personnel about their status as transgender, but doesn't want their parents to know. That school official adheres to #2 and #4 by listening. But now the school official needs to adhere to #1 & #43 and tell the parents. Now let's say that a parent, with this information decides to shun their child. They don't abuse them, but they completely disengage from raising that child (by the way, this can and does happen). Is that school official still following guidelines 2&4. While these guidelines seem great for the campaign trail, they do little to effectively govern.
Other examples of inadequate reasoning include some of the US law cited. Several major cases are cited in the 2022MP in support of parents rights.  Pierce v. Society of Sisters, Oliver v. Arnold, and West Virginia State Bd. of Educ. v. Barnette are all cited as case law to support this policy. However, in each of these cases, parental rights were protected in cases where religious liberty was being challenged. Barnette ensured students didn't have to recite the pledge of allegiance due to the words, "under God' in it. Oliver v. Arnold was a similar case. Pierce allowed parents & students to attend religious schools if that was their presence.
Parent's rights won in these cases, because the alternative was the government's perceived endorsement of policy wholly in support of or against religion. However, the campaign against trans rights has largely been led by religious leaders. Religious groups are completely entitled to these views. However, the constitution does not allow these opinions to make their way into government. VDoE could say that these policies have nothing to do with religion and it's all about parents rights. However, given that the draft policy contains verbatim language from the Justice Foundation, who's stated purpose is to, "To restore proper respect for God's word and law to American jurisprudence, and thus restore righteousness, justice, mercy and a proper respect for God to the nation.", it will be extremely difficult for VDoE to suggest that this policy is not drive by religious views.
Lack of or Inconsistent Clarity
Policy should leave no doubt to the agencies directed to enforce it. However, 2022MP at its best created uncertainty in much of its language, and at its worst completely omitted key information from it.
The definition section of the example policy in Appendix 1 is a perfect example of this lack of clarity. In this section, 4 definitions exist:

Parent

Sex

Transgender Student

Eligible Student

For a topic as large and as personal as sex and gender, four definitions do not seem enough to adequately set policy. But let's look at each definition and see how 'clear' VDoE's definitions are.
For #1 and #4, they've hit the ball out of the park. Parents and Eligible Students are already defined in Virgina law, and the policy simply cite those. Kudos to VDoE here.
For #2, VDoE defines sex as, "...biological sex". This has a lot going for it... two simple easy to understand words. In terms of gamete cell production (every biology teacher's favorite topic) we've got two different types of sex cells. And for the vast majority of us out there, the gametes we produce in our body match the other sexual markers we present to the world (i.e. men with male genitals producing sperm and women with female genitals producing ova). Isn't it unfortunate then that we're designed to get this mixed up sometimes? For people that actually study biological sex for a living, a two-sex classification of biological sex just doesn't cut it. So in the case of #2, VDoE needs to do a better job of explaining what specifically they mean when they say biological sex. I'll leave it up to VDoE to decide whether they'd prefer to include intersex definition's in 2022MP policy or just ignore intersex people and go the easy route of saying male and female.
#3 is my favorite definition. It takes 39 words to define what a 'transgender student' is, but only two do define 'sex'. What's more, the definition only applies to a person if they're parents say it's OK and after you've pestered them a whole bunch to write a letter for you. To be completely honest with you VDoE, I think this definition needs significant rewording. If your guidelines suggest that schools need to "respect all students" how is going through all these loopholes showing 'respect' to students. Turn the tables for a minute. Imagine I tell policy makers I can't call them 'honorable,' unless both party’s makers wrote a letter to the house stating that we could identify you by such a title and only if you pestered the electorate that you really wanted to be called that.
Finally, there's one huge definition missing from this section, 'gender'. For a policy that's regulate by a section in VA code titled, "Treatment of transgender students", you would think defining gender would be important. I mean, 'parent' is defined, why not 'gender'. I'll help VDoE out here. Since you like to grab the first thing on Google to populate your policy document, go with this one. Gender is, "either of the two sexes (male and female), especially when considered with reference to social and cultural differences rather than biological ones. The term is also used more broadly to denote a range of identities that do not correspond to established ideas of male and female." That's from the Oxford Dictionary. There's other's if you'd prefer. But the part of this definition that everyone agrees on is the' social and cultural' aspect that differentiates it from sex. Logically, this means that as social and culture change, so does gender...
And that's the huge problem with the lack of clarity in this document. Too often, policy is set about gender, when really it's talking about sex. Gender isn't specified at all in a student's record only sex. There are severe limitations within this policy and other VDoE policies around sex and gender that do not articulate the extremely nuanced discussion that needs to occur to serve all students and all parents.
Back to the actual policy
After my lengthy comments about why this policy is poorly written, I would like to address the actual specifics of the example policy. If we are to assume that Appendix 1 is left as-is and adopted as policy, little value will be given to the parent, at the cost of greatly increased hardship to the parent and student. As I read the sample policy, section III.D, Identification of Students, is the biggest area of concern. My reasons for feeling this way include:

Sub section 2 of this policy states that, "[School Division] personnel shall refer to each student using only (i) the name that appears in the student’s official record, or (ii) if the student prefers, using any nickname commonly associated with the name...". This policy would not allow school division personnel to adhere to 2022MP policy guidelines #4, which states that schools shall treat students with respect.

Additionally, this policy would affect non-transgendered students as well as transgendered students. I have a cousin named Spike. Believe it or not, that's not his legal name, nor is it commonly associated with his legal name'. But he's been called Spike his entire life, through his school career. Under this policy, a teacher could not call him Spike even though everyone who loves this person does so endearingly. A teacher could be reprimanded by calling this person, Spike. Tiger Woods would have similar trouble. I would recommend striking this line from the final policy as it creates too many problems for such a small gain.

Sub section 3 of this policy states that, "[School Division] personnel shall refer to each student using only the pronouns appropriate to the sex appearing in the student’s official record..." The problem with this policy as written is that we don't assign pronouns to sex as defined as 'biological sex'. Sure we sometimes get cute and say, "Hello Mr. Sperm, or Mrs. Ova', but that's not what the policy is referring to. Pronouns as used in daily life refer to someone's genders. However, because we don't have a definition for gender in this policy, school officials should be able to be as creative as they want for this. Remember, gender is societal and fluid. There are several instances of non-binary gender pronouns being used historically to identify people. Chaucer did it in Canterbury Tales. Shakespeare did it in Hamlet. If society dictates that there should only be two genders now, so be it. However, I really think an honest observer looking at society today would surmise that society prefers more than two. Recommend omitting this entire subsection from the final policy.

Sub-section 7 is the most troubling of this policy in my opinion. It states that, "No policy, guidance, training, or other written material issued by the [SchoolDivision] may encourage or instruct teachers to conceal material informationabout a student from the student’s parent, including information related togender" Not withstanding the pronouns are gender identities issue and not sex specified earlier, this policy creates a very dangerous situation for all parties involved with this policy (School, school personnel, parent, and student).

Consider that a School Division adopt these policies verbatim. Now consider a teacher is trying to adhere to the 4 guidelines set forth in the 2022MP has only one recourse to a student who approaches them about their transgender status but warns the teacher they fear they will be abused or neglected by their parents as a result, the teachers only recourse would be to report the parents to child protective services. Remember, without this rule in effect, a teacher has the ability to leverage some judgment over the situation and come up with a solution that respects the students privacy. However, by mandate that a parent must know about this issue binds school personnel's hands into making a decision that risks liability on both fronts. I would recommend omitting this section from the final policy guidance.

At the end of the day, this policy does nothing more than to mandate a few changes to how student records are administered. However, it comes at the cost of:

Potentially disenfranchising some students

Creating legally tricky situations for school division personnel

Potentially dangerous situations for students who are not currently living in an abusive house but could if their true feelings are made public

These seem like extremely high costs for what's gained. Because of this, I cannot support the 2022MP as written. I would recommend ditching the entire thing and starting over from scratch. If you're looking for sound policy, I'd consider getting feedback from the population this would most likely affect. Thank you very much for allowing me to provide feedback on this.

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The 2022 Model Policies on the Privacy, Dignity, and Respect for all Students and Parents in Virginia's Public Schools (hereinafter 2022MP), is bad policy regardless if you support or oppose its author's ideology. If Commonwealth tax revenue was used to draft these policies, I would strongly recommend firing the team that cobbled this together.

For constituents in support of expanding parental rights (to the detriment of some transgender children) you will find pretty much all the policies in Appendix 1 to be either unenforceable or so limited in scope that meaningful expansion of parental control would need to be measured in fractions of an inch. For constituents in support of protections for transgender children (to the detriment of some parents) while this policy seems to be lacking on practical substance, the message it conveys to all schoolchildren on how society treats a minority group is troubling.

Before I begin to explain the limitations of the 2022MP, I want to address how poorly written this document is. My criticism of this document falls into three categories:

legal laziness

inadequate reasoning and,

lack of or inconsistent clarity.

Legal Laziness

The legal laziness issue begins with the 2022MP's purpose and continues throughout the entire document. On a whim, I decided to Google, "Parents rights under 14th amendment". When I did, I discovered that the exact language found on page 1 of the 2022MP, "..direct the care, upbringing, and education of their children..." was literally the bold section of Google's feature section. If legal justification for this 2022MP is going to be plagiarized from Google's algorithm, I would strongly recommend VDoE try a little bit harder.

Let's give the VDoE authors the benefit of a doubt here. I mean, Google could have stumbled on some truly groundbreaking case law by our esteemed supreme court, right? Not really. Instead, this is pulled from an amicus brief submitted by the Justice Foundation, not an entity that decides law. OK. So strike one, there. Well, at least this wording pulled from the amicus brief was justified with relevant case law? Not really... Justice Foundation was citing Washington v. Glucksberg when they wrote these popular words. However,  Washington v. Glucksberg  is a case about assisted suicide. Parental rights are briefly mentioned, but it seems strange that we need to refer to an assisted suicide decision to justify parental rights. Strike two. Did this amicus brief actually go anywhere? Nope. It was submitted to the supreme court in a case that was ultimately rejected (routten v routten). Strike three.

Remember this is page 1's legal reasoning behind the 14 amendment. It uses verbatim text, copied and pasted from Google and ultimately coming from an amicus brief to unrelated, unresolved case law. While I'm focusing on the first, and arguably most egregious example, the 2022MP is riddled with language like this.

This is just flat out lazy policy writing. VDoE needs to do a better job justifying it's policy to voters than to use failed opinions from think tank groups from another state about another topic.

Inadequate Reasoning

In the 2022MP, several instances of illogical statements and inadequate reasoning are made. The most egregious of which are the guiding principles. There are four:

Parents have the right to make decisions with respect to their children

Schools shall serve the needs of all students

Schools shall partner with parents

Schools shall respect all students

It is not difficult to imagine a scenario where these guiding principles could be in conflict with each other. Imagine a trans student reaching out to school division personnel about their status as transgender, but doesn't want their parents to know. That school official adheres to #2 and #4 by listening. But now the school official needs to adhere to #1 & #43 and tell the parents. Now let's say that a parent, with this information decides to shun their child. They don't abuse them, but they completely disengage from raising that child (by the way, this can and does happen). Is that school official still following guidelines 2&4. While these guidelines seem great for the campaign trail, they do little to effectively govern.

Other examples of inadequate reasoning include some of the US law cited. Several major cases are cited in the 2022MP in support of parents rights.  Pierce v. Society of Sisters, Oliver v. Arnold, and West Virginia State Bd. of Educ. v. Barnette are all cited as case law to support this policy. However, in each of these cases, parental rights were protected in cases where religious liberty was being challenged. Barnette ensured students didn't have to recite the pledge of allegiance due to the words, "under God' in it. Oliver v. Arnold was a similar case. Pierce allowed parents & students to attend religious schools if that was their presence.

Parent's rights won in these cases, because the alternative was the government's perceived endorsement of policy wholly in support of or against religion. However, the campaign against trans rights has largely been led by religious leaders. Religious groups are completely entitled to these views. However, the constitution does not allow these opinions to make their way into government. VDoE could say that these policies have nothing to do with religion and it's all about parents rights. However, given that the draft policy contains verbatim language from the Justice Foundation, who's stated purpose is to, "To restore proper respect for God's word and law to American jurisprudence, and thus restore righteousness, justice, mercy and a proper respect for God to the nation.", it will be extremely difficult for VDoE to suggest that this policy is not drive by religious views.

Lack of or Inconsistent Clarity

Policy should leave no doubt to the agencies directed to enforce it. However, 2022MP at its best created uncertainty in much of its language, and at its worst completely omitted key information from it.

The definition section of the example policy in Appendix 1 is a perfect example of this lack of clarity. In this section, 4 definitions exist:

Parent

Sex

Transgender Student

Eligible Student

For a topic as large and as personal as sex and gender, four definitions do not seem enough to adequately set policy. But let's look at each definition and see how 'clear' VDoE's definitions are.

For #1 and #4, they've hit the ball out of the park. Parents and Eligible Students are already defined in Virgina law, and the policy simply cite those. Kudos to VDoE here.

For #2, VDoE defines sex as, "...biological sex". This has a lot going for it... two simple easy to understand words. In terms of gamete cell production (every biology teacher's favorite topic) we've got two different types of sex cells. And for the vast majority of us out there, the gametes we produce in our body match the other sexual markers we present to the world (i.e. men with male genitals producing sperm and women with female genitals producing ova). Isn't it unfortunate then that we're designed to get this mixed up sometimes? For people that actually study biological sex for a living, a two-sex classification of biological sex just doesn't cut it. So in the case of #2, VDoE needs to do a better job of explaining what specifically they mean when they say biological sex. I'll leave it up to VDoE to decide whether they'd prefer to include intersex definition's in 2022MP policy or just ignore intersex people and go the easy route of saying male and female.

#3 is my favorite definition. It takes 39 words to define what a 'transgender student' is, but only two do define 'sex'. What's more, the definition only applies to a person if they're parents say it's OK and after you've pestered them a whole bunch to write a letter for you. To be completely honest with you VDoE, I think this definition needs significant rewording. If your guidelines suggest that schools need to "respect all students" how is going through all these loopholes showing 'respect' to students. Turn the tables for a minute. Imagine I tell policy makers I can't call them 'honorable,' unless both party’s makers wrote a letter to the house stating that we could identify you by such a title and only if you pestered the electorate that you really wanted to be called that.

Finally, there's one huge definition missing from this section, 'gender'. For a policy that's regulate by a section in VA code titled, "Treatment of transgender students", you would think defining gender would be important. I mean, 'parent' is defined, why not 'gender'. I'll help VDoE out here. Since you like to grab the first thing on Google to populate your policy document, go with this one. Gender is, "either of the two sexes (male and female), especially when considered with reference to social and cultural differences rather than biological ones. The term is also used more broadly to denote a range of identities that do not correspond to established ideas of male and female." That's from the Oxford Dictionary. There's other's if you'd prefer. But the part of this definition that everyone agrees on is the' social and cultural' aspect that differentiates it from sex. Logically, this means that as social and culture change, so does gender...

And that's the huge problem with the lack of clarity in this document. Too often, policy is set about gender, when really it's talking about sex. Gender isn't specified at all in a student's record only sex. There are severe limitations within this policy and other VDoE policies around sex and gender that do not articulate the extremely nuanced discussion that needs to occur to serve all students and all parents.

Back to the actual policy

After my lengthy comments about why this policy is poorly written, I would like to address the actual specifics of the example policy. If we are to assume that Appendix 1 is left as-is and adopted as policy, little value will be given to the parent, at the cost of greatly increased hardship to the parent and student. As I read the sample policy, section III.D, Identification of Students, is the biggest area of concern. My reasons for feeling this way include:

Sub section 2 of this policy states that, "[School Division] personnel shall refer to each student using only (i) the name that appears in the student’s official record, or (ii) if the student prefers, using any nickname commonly associated with the name...". This policy would not allow school division personnel to adhere to 2022MP policy guidelines #4, which states that schools shall treat students with respect.

Additionally, this policy would affect non-transgendered students as well as transgendered students. I have a cousin named Spike. Believe it or not, that's not his legal name, nor is it commonly associated with his legal name'. But he's been called Spike his entire life, through his school career. Under this policy, a teacher could not call him Spike even though everyone who loves this person does so endearingly. A teacher could be reprimanded by calling this person, Spike. Tiger Woods would have similar trouble. I would recommend striking this line from the final policy as it creates too many problems for such a small gain.

Sub section 3 of this policy states that, "[School Division] personnel shall refer to each student using only the pronouns appropriate to the sex appearing in the student’s official record..." The problem with this policy as written is that we don't assign pronouns to sex as defined as 'biological sex'. Sure we sometimes get cute and say, "Hello Mr. Sperm, or Mrs. Ova', but that's not what the policy is referring to. Pronouns as used in daily life refer to someone's genders. However, because we don't have a definition for gender in this policy, school officials should be able to be as creative as they want for this. Remember, gender is societal and fluid. There are several instances of non-binary gender pronouns being used historically to identify people. Chaucer did it in Canterbury Tales. Shakespeare did it in Hamlet. If society dictates that there should only be two genders now, so be it. However, I really think an honest observer looking at society today would surmise that society prefers more than two. Recommend omitting this entire subsection from the final policy.

Sub-section 7 is the most troubling of this policy in my opinion. It states that, "No policy, guidance, training, or other written material issued by the [School
Division] may encourage or instruct teachers to conceal material information
about a student from the student’s parent, including information related to
gender" Not withstanding the pronouns are gender identities issue and not sex specified earlier, this policy creates a very dangerous situation for all parties involved with this policy (School, school personnel, parent, and student).

Consider that a School Division adopt these policies verbatim. Now consider a teacher is trying to adhere to the 4 guidelines set forth in the 2022MP has only one recourse to a student who approaches them about their transgender status but warns the teacher they fear they will be abused or neglected by their parents as a result, the teachers only recourse would be to report the parents to child protective services. Remember, without this rule in effect, a teacher has the ability to leverage some judgment over the situation and come up with a solution that respects the students privacy. However, by mandate that a parent must know about this issue binds school personnel's hands into making a decision that risks liability on both fronts. I would recommend omitting this section from the final policy guidance.

At the end of the day, this policy does nothing more than to mandate a few changes to how student records are administered. However, it comes at the cost of:

Potentially disenfranchising some students

Creating legally tricky situations for school division personnel

Potentially dangerous situations for students who are not currently living in an abusive house but could if their true feelings are made public

These seem like extremely high costs for what's gained. Because of this, I cannot support the 2022MP as written. I would recommend ditching the entire thing and starting over from scratch. If you're looking for sound policy, I'd consider getting feedback from the population this would most likely affect. Thank you very much for allowing me to provide feedback on this.


Strongly support the new policy that defers to parents and protects children from predators

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No child should be bullied for sure, but that's not an excuse to enable predators and encourage gender confusion among children who aren't mature enough to make impactful choices about sexuality and identify.  Parents should be able to guide their children without school administrators or teachers promoting divergent views and introducing concepts or ideas that weren't even remotely mainstream even a decade ago.  The most practical issue, however, comes down to the bathrooms.  Areas like bathrooms that are designed around complete privacy (without surveillance or monitoring) are already prone to abuse by predators for obvious reasons.  Opening up such areas based on a fluid "gender identity" rather than biology is a recipe for tragic abuse--especially in the content of biological males in private bathrooms with biological females.  There just isn't even a remotely valid reason to entertain such craziness in the content of schools with young children.  We should all be able to agree that even children identifying with a variety of differing viewpoints or "types" should not be bullied or made to feel invalid, but there are limits to such protections when it involves the rights of other students.  Acting as though you feel "bullied" because you aren't allowed enter a particular type of restroom is simply not a valid complaint especially in the context of single-use restroom availability.  Can we just have some common sense?  Obviously culture is changing at a breakneck pace and plenty of people are extremely riled up about all manner of things, but that's certainly not an excuse to throw out basic safety measures and protections for children.  I STRONGLY support the new guidance for policy changes.


PROTECT TRANS LIVES

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Protect trans lives! Trans rights are human rights.


Protect Trans Lives

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protect trans youth!!! don’t make this kids live in fear for being themselves.


Virginia's proposed transgender policy proposed by youngkin

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Parents should not have a say concerning their transgender children while attending Virginia public schools and private schools.  Yes some parents know their children's chosen gender but many do not and their children may not be ready to make their issue public.  Youngkin is using children and teens as political props and should be ashamed.


OPPOSE new model policy- keep children safe and learning!

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Children learn best when they feel safe at school.  The new model policy will NOT promote safety and learning for transgender/gender non-conforming students in our schools. As a teacher I strongly oppose these policies.


Protect Emotionally Vulnerable Children and Parental Rights!

Dear Virginia Dept of Education,

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

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

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

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

Sincerely,
Hessed Kim
8605 Powder Horn Rd
Springfield, VA 22152

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Dear Virginia Dept of Education,<br /><br />Schools should never secretly socially transition students and keep the child's new name, pronouns and gender identities from parents. I am pleased and relieved that the Virginia Department of Education's revised model policies support parental rights and ensure that school employees don't cut parents out of critical decisions for their children. <br /><br />The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) issued "model policies" in 2021 that encouraged every school district in Virginia to hide a child's new gender identity from parents who choose to affirm the child's biological sex. Under Governor Youngkin's leadership, the VDOE's revised policies make it clear that all children should be valued and parents' rights and beliefs should be respected. The 2022 Model Policies on the Privacy, Dignity, and Respect for all Students and Parents in Virginia's Public Schools keep parents involved in major decisions in their children's lives.<br /><br />The 2021 VDOE "model policies" encouraged schools to create "a plan (that) may include addressing the student at school with their name and pronoun consistent with their gender identity while using the legal name and pronoun associated with the sex assigned at birth when communicating with parents or guardians." <br /><br />I strongly support the revised policies that end this practice. Virginia schools should not drive a wedge between parents and their emotionally vulnerable children. Virginia school districts, including those who have already communicated their plans to ignore the 2022 revised model policies, should put an end to secret Gender Support Plans now.<br /><br />Sincerely,
<br />Hessed Kim
<br />8605 Powder Horn Rd<br />Springfield, VA 22152<br /><img src="http://admin.phone2action.com/email/open/leg/657523/148154419" width="1" height="1" />


Strongly opposed

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Please stop pretending like this is a good thing by calling it "parental rights". Doublespeak may work on the ignorant and the bigots, but those of us with hearts and brains see right through this Orwellian manipulation. This is another way to try to oppress and demonize anyone who doesn't fit into the limited world view of current Virginia leadership. If those who drafted this actually cared about children they'd let the trained professionals at schools do their jobs instead of letting parents without educational backgrounds dictate the rules for everyone. (Explain to me how that represents "freedom" again?) Stop playing politics with our kids. I am a mother of a student in Virginia and I think Youngkin should be ashamed of proposing this, as should those who support it. These are children's lives (yes lives. Suicides are up significantly in children and even more so with LGBTQ youth because things like this make them feel like they don't have a place in this world.) Adults and leaders are supposed to help them not make their already difficult lives worse. This entire debate disgusts me. These children deserve better than this leadership. I can't wait until they can vote because the lesson being taught to children right now is not what many people think it is.


This new guidance endangers children

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It's all well and good to say that parents should be consulted on their children's expression of gender identity but there are too many transgender people who have been put out on the street by parents who did not support them. There is a reason why transgendered teenagers will not share with parents that they are transgender and it usually pertains to knowing that they would be in danger from disclosing that information. This is an example of the state government deciding it knows what's best for transgender children rather than trusting them and their judgement of their family situation.


support trans youth!!

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i support trans youth and disagree with these policies!!


I OPPOSE the Model Policy guidance for transgender students

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Children who look to schools for support of their gender expression should be the first priority. Outing them to unsupportive families is a betrayal of trust. My trans child has received immense support from her school, and it has made an incalculable positive impact on her sense of well-being and mental health. Please don’t set this dangerous precedent.


Strongly oppose new guidance

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This new guidance goes against medical advice for transgender students. It is also ridiculous to be so afraid of students transitioning genders to issue guidance restricting nicknames. This guidance directly goes against its stated desire to respect and support transgender students. It will harm transgender students and I strongly oppose it as a parent and as a Virginia citizen.


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Parents should be able to decide on all matters pertaining their children.

Gender change should never be hidden from parents. They are responsible for taking care physically and financially for their children’s care, not teachers or anyone else. It is the parents that will carry the burden of any changes or complications the transition may bring. Parents also know best their children’s medical history, diseases, allergies, sensitivities, etc… that children may not be able to handle themselves. Parents are always required to provide all medication and health history on their children when they visit doctor offices or register with new school, after school activities, summer camps, etc... Parents must also provide this information in case of emergency. It is very irresponsible and dangerous to hide any medical information (in regards to physical or mental health) from the parents.

Virginia will be the most successful state when we start promoting family values and teach children to respect their parents, family traditions and beliefs, instead of opposing them.

“As the family goes, so goes the nation and so goes the whole world in which we live.” - St. John Paul II


Do not let my kids not choose to live how they want.

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Who are we to decide on how our kids close to live. Let them be free to make thier own choices.

This is very armful to the core.

Protect our babies, and love hard.


Youngkin thinks kids are political props, not people

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I am writing as a mother, a public school parent, a pediatrician and an advocate for pediatric mental health.

I am disgusted that Gov Youngkin is trying to score points with the Republican base with no regard to the risks his proposed revisions will create for students across our commonwealth there is significant medical evidence that trans kids are much more likely to be suicidal in environments where they are not accepted. It is common sense that children have no rights to move to a different state , and while luckily many LGBTQ+ students have supportive parents, these proposed changes will endanger the lives of these students due to the empowerment of other parental rights.  We do not allow parents to comment on math curriculum, English grammar, or whether volleyball is taught in gym class. We trust the experts on education to make these decisions.  We should therefore allow experts to inform our policies for how to create safe schools where all Virginia students can learn.

One huge problem I see in the comments is the misconception that a one-size fits all plan is appropriate.  There is a huge difference between any 5 year old and a 15 year old in terms of their independence in using a bathroom, relationships with teachers and parents, and identity.  There is also a big difference between the accommodations that a school can and must make for a trans 5 year old and a trans 15 year old.

The previous VA guidelines allowed schools to let students use names and gender pronouns that reflect their gender identity.  They also said students could participate in programming and access facilities in a manner consistent with their gender identity and urged schools to weigh sharing information about students’ gender identity with parents on a “case-by-case” basis, considering the health and safety of students. It is essential that we continue to recognize the needs of our students on an individual basis, and that the Dept of Education not cave to the so called Moral Majority who are not the majority in our commonwealth or certainly many of our communities.

Please let our schools continue to be safe for ALL students, just as was demanded in the civil rights era for kids of all colors, regardless of the political persuasion or religious beliefs of the parents. If parents don’t support this greater mission of our public schools, they can choose to send their kids elsewhere.


To all of these brave young ladies who have posted here

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<p>I have read multiple young ladies post how they are uncomfortable. How they have been forced into uncomfortable situations. You all have rights. And you are being discriminated against. Please do not back down from your rights. You are brave considering how those speaking out are being treated. We concerned parents are backing you. No one should be put in an uncomfortable situation where you are being forced to change in front of the opposite sex. Hostile environments. Our girls deserve better. </p>


Leave your kids in my care at Freedom HS!


STRONGLY support new model policy

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STRONGLY support new model policy


I support parental rights in education


Yes to cultural and social transformation!

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As a Licensed Professional Counselor and Licensed Marriage and Family therapist for over 30 years in the Commonwealth of Virginia, I have treated lesbian, gay and transgender young and older adults. From the experiences of these past clients it is clear to me that a lack of support and protection for individuals, especially youth who are dealing with gender issues, has a lifelong, consequential, adverse impact on the mental, emotional and physical well being of these members of our communities.

I have also treated many more individuals who harbor hostile beliefs about and attitudes towards members of the LGBTQ+ population.  These individuals can be found in all walks of life including our educational systems.  In my opinion, while their beliefs and attitudes are based on a lack of or mis-information and fear, they pose a real and dangerous threat to the well-being of our most vulnerable youth. What harms any member of our communities harms everyone of us.

I believe that the 2021 Model Policy currently in place provides flexibility that allows trans and non-binary youths to be safer from bullying and discrimination throughout the school system. It does not mandate an absolute disregard of parental rights, but rather gives teachers and administrators the latitude to accommodate the special needs of our most vulnerable students. It also guarantees that supports are in place to all youth, including trans and non-binary youth, to have access to an equal educational experience.  The proposed model policy in its well intended efforts to protect parental rights, fails to offer the basic safeguards essential for our children’s welfare. In the “Description of Proposed Guidance Document Changes," a criticism of the the 2021 Model Policies is that they, "promoted a specific viewpoint aimed at achieving cultural and social transformation in schools.”  That change is much needed in our schools and in our culture for the health and well-being of us all!

For the well-being of us all, I strongly urge the Virginia Department of Education to reject this draft Model Policy.


Strong Oppose the Policy that would reduce protections for Transgender Students

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<p style="text-align: left;">What I don’t think is being taken I to consideration is that there are some parents who aren’t  supportive and f their children should said children be transgender/gender expansive.  I think this is short sighted and based solely on the expectation that all parents are good parents, which unfortunately is not the case. I also believe this is a religious based decision and as a person of the Jewish faith, there is a reason there is a separation of church and state. These types of issues are a perfect example of the cross over of Christian based faith beliefs effecting school/government policy. </p>


Doesn’t go far enough. Should be a felony for a male to enter a little girls locker room.

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If you believe otherwise you must not have kids.


Strongly disagree

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Support trans rights. These policies are dangerous and harmful to our youth


You suck dude

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<p>Bro you suck i disagree with these policies </p>


Trans rights

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Trans rights are human rights, I disagree with youngkin’s policies.


trans rights

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<p>i disagree with youngkin, trans rights are human rights </p>


Am strongly supportive of new pro-parent policies proposed by the Virginia Department of Education.

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<p>The Department's current anti-parent policies apply to an imagined reality, and thus must be brought back to factual reality.  They cannot continue to allow abuses to take place against minors who have perceived disordered sex and gender orientations.  If legitimate therapeutic exercises are in order, they must be professionally verified and conducted completely outside of the classroom environment. </p>


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Against the sexualization, indoctrination and medicalization of children.


SUPPORT the newly proposed Model Policies

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I strongly support the newly proposed Model Policies.  Children with gender dysphoria must be compassionately supported at school, with the full knowledge and input of their parents. At the same time, children must not be required to use a bathroom, locker room, or participate in a sex-separated sport with a child of the opposite sex.


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I support the Youngkin administration's reforms of the guidelines.


WHATEVER HAPPENED TO WOMEN'S RIGHTS??

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Women fought long and hard to get from under male domination - and here we are again.

This isn't progression- this is regression.

Keep women's bathrooms, locker rooms and sports  -- penis free zones.

Support the new proposal.


Uphold parental rights

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Parents are the first teachers of their children, and have the ultimate responsibility for them to be formed and educated properly. This responsibility cannot morally be usurped by the State. I support modifying all Virginia guidelines to ensure that parents are never left out of the formational and educational decisions affecting their children.


strongly support Governor!

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Fully Support the revised policy. Please, protect our kids!


HAVE YOU EVEN READ THE PROPOSAL??

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The new proposal states:  "All students have the right to attend school in an environment free from discrimination, harassment, or bullying."

What's the problem with that?

The new proposal also allows parents back into the conversation, giving them a voice in regard to their child's education.  That's a good thing.

Support the new proposal.


Trans rights are human rights

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All people deserve to be addressed by the names and pronouns that fit them. They have a right to use facilities that feel right for their gender and not just the assigned biological sex. This says they want to protect children from bullies while acting like a bully to marginalized group of people.


Support Parental Rights

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Parents know their children’s needs better than anyone. If children are struggling with gender dysphoria, they need guidance and emotional support from parents. Under the new policies, school officials must keep parents fully informed, and require schools to enforce laws, regulations and policies that prohibit and deter bullying or harassment.


Support mental health resources for suicidal kids: not a free pass to little girl’s restrooms.

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Society has rules that must be followed. It’s life.


Please support trans kids

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You could save a child’s life.

Please allow students to receive the identity support they deserve in school policies. We must do better. We cannot take from them whatever belonging they have won for themselves.

Data indicate that 82% of transgender individuals have considered killing themselves and 40%. have attempted suicide, with suicidality highest among transgender youth.

Please don’t make parents tell their children there is no place for them at our community schools.


Support parental rights

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The new policies honor the role of parents in the care of their children during school, athletics, and other activities.

The new policies protect the fundamental religious liberty interests of personnel and students.


Parent Involvement in Child's Education

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Parents must be involved in their children's lives. They are responsible for the care and welfare of their children. Schools must not interfere with those relationships. I wholeheartedly support any movement toward transparency at the schools so that parents are made aware of anything the school personnel is discussing with their child.


Keep brain development at the center

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Young people's brains are not fully developed until the mid-20's.  The prefrontal cortex, where the critical skills of decision making, judgment, insight, planning and goal setting are located -- are vital elements needed to fully ascertain the life long impact of living as a transgender person.  A developmentally sensitive approach to navigating this emotionally laden topic is to ensure that parents are involved in these decisions.  I needed to provide parental consent to have my daughter's ears pierced at age 7.  Is the long-term impact of my child choosing a different name or identity not of more significance?  We have lost our compass and forgotten what is in the best interest of our young people.  Our young people live in family systems which needs to be honored every step of the way.  Parents are the primary educators of their children and I am in full support of this model policy.  Lastly, the correlation between a trauma history, mental health issues and identifying as a transgender person are very important to address.  However, they are frequently NOT addressed as the "quick fix" is to support a desire to be transgender while underlying root causes remain unseen and not addressed.


Fully support the Governor’s revised school policy

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Fully Support the revised policy.


OPPOSE

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<p>Protect trans kids. Don’t out them to their parents. This policy will lead to more domestic abuse and mental health crises in children. You’ve got to be kidding me. </p>


Pro Parent policies

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Parents are the primary educators of their children and any policy implemented by schools in Virginia should include and respect parental involvement.


Support parental rights by supporting model policies

I would like to encourage your support for the Governor's model policies that affirms parental rights and responsibilities in raising their children. The Northam administration attempted to devalue the God-given role of parents in raising and educating their own children.  These model policies put forward by Governor Youngkin restores the right order with regard to parents, their children and the education system.  Some important considerations are:

The new policies honor the sacred role of parents in the care of their children during school, athletics and other activities.
Parents know their children’s needs better than anyone. If children are struggling with gender dysphoria, they need guidance and emotional support from parents. Under the new policies, school officials must keep parents fully informed, and require schools to enforce laws, regulations and policies that prohibit and deter bullying or harassment.
Student participation in sex-specific athletics, school activities and events should be determined by sex, e.g., for overnight travel accommodations and locker rooms.
Students should use the bathrooms that correspond to their sex. Single-user bathrooms and facilities should be made available in accessible areas and provided with appropriate signage, indicating accessibility for all students.
The new policies protect the fundamental religious liberty interests of personnel and students.Please support VDOE’s proposed Model Policies on the Privacy, Dignity, and Respect for all Students and Parents.

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I would like to encourage your support for the Governor's model policies that affirms parental rights and responsibilities in raising their children. The Northam administration attempted to devalue the God-given role of parents in raising and educating their own children.  These model policies put forward by Governor Youngkin restores the right order with regard to parents, their children and the education system.  Some important considerations are:

The new policies honor the sacred role of parents in the care of their children during school, athletics and other activities.

Parents know their children’s needs better than anyone. If children are struggling with gender dysphoria, they need guidance and emotional support from parents. Under the new policies, school officials must keep parents fully informed, and require schools to enforce laws, regulations and policies that prohibit and deter bullying or harassment.

Student participation in sex-specific athletics, school activities and events should be determined by sex, e.g., for overnight travel accommodations and locker rooms.

Students should use the bathrooms that correspond to their sex. Single-user bathrooms and facilities should be made available in accessible areas and provided with appropriate signage, indicating accessibility for all students.

The new policies protect the fundamental religious liberty interests of personnel and students.

Please support VDOE’s proposed Model Policies on the Privacy, Dignity, and Respect for all Students and Parents.


I Support Gov Youngkin’s Proposed Policy Changes

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I believe that parents know their children’s needs better than anyone. If children are struggling with gender dysphoria, they need guidance and emotional support from parents. Under the new policies, school officials must keep parents fully informed, and require schools to enforce laws, regulations and policies that prohibit and deter bullying or harassment.


Parental Rights

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Parents should be the determiners of their children‘significant actions, not a school board or school official. Parents should be allowed to guide their children according to their rational held beliefs.


Protect trans children, oppose these policies

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The act of coming out as LGBT to one's parents is a serious event in a young persons life and is an action that can't be taken back. Far too many children have unsupportive parents who will either disown the child rendering them homeless, or abuse them into pretending to be someone they're not.

Furthermore these new policies fly in the face of all known science about the proper care of trans children and seek only to provide a class of people who can be openly abused in our society. There is no research a serious person who is in search of the truth could find to support these changes.

For this reason I oppose these changes.


Supporting parents AND children

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The VA Dept of Education and the General Assembly by now should have gotten the message that WE as parents are the most important teachers our kids will ever have.  The idea that struggling teens and preteens experiencing any kind of gender issue need to be protected from their own parents views and judgments is offensive to me as a parent of four kids who navigated the Arlington school system.   Yes there are sadly instances where some parents become abusive and local social services need to intervene to protect all minor in those circumstances.  But this is not the norm here anywhere else.  The prior state guidance was an affront to the majority of parents who want to support their kids and are capable of doing so.  This remains true regardless of what a minor is experiencing or struggling with - gender related or not.  This is part of growing up and obviously a critical part of parenting.   I support completely the Governor's position that parents may not be excluded from complete transparency on school behaviors or choices their own children seek to make regarding their identity.   Policy must start from the premise that the state (school districts, social services, and any other part of the Commonwealth) are responsible for supporting parents in complex circumstances with their kids - NOT the other way around.


Protect our students!

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Thank you, Albemarle County Public Schools, for speaking out against these proposed changes. As a parent and former teacher in a disadvantaged community, I know all too well that school is the only safe place for some students. Changing the existing policy will put so many more young people at risk of severe harm -- be it through self-injury, suicide, or domestic violence. All students, regardless of gender identity, deserve to feel safe at school.

Do better, governor. You have the ability to do so many things that could actually help the people you were elected to serve. Don't waste your political capital on a lazy bid for national attention.


Transgender bathroom bill

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Our governor should have more to do than harass public school students about which bathroom to use. The most important issue during a visit to the bathroom is hand washing. Please inform Youngkin that this is the 21st century. Take care of official business & leave transgender students alone. North Carolina lost millions of dollars over this same issue. Is that Younkins intent?


strongly oppose

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<p>trans rights are human rights, policing which bathroom they can go to outs the child and is discriminatory in nature. a violation of privacy and freedom of expression. </p>


"Compromise" Is Not a Dirty Word: The Model Policy Is Fair

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The model policy is fair. With parental consent, the policy accommodates students with a sincerely-felt and clinically-diagnosed gender dysphoric state. It does not ban such activity, but keeps parents in the loop and ultimately makes the decision theirs. To go further is an unconstitutional usurpation of parental authority by the state. No policy will please all stakeholders, but this model policy has something for everybody to both like and loath. That means we're probably on the right track.

As a parent, I do not want my children's school to reprogram them without informing me. I agree that there are "hard cases" where such information may lead to abusive situations -- but there's a saying that "hard cases make bad law." Those hard cases will happen, but for the 99% which aren't, parental consent is elementary. It galls me that my own school board disagrees, and makes me wonder what else they aren't telling me. But we can't ignore that 1% either. Judges and CPS need to have plans to deal with them.


Parents that think boys should be allowed in our girls bathrooms be trippin

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If they have girls they wouldn’t feel that way.


Trans rights

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<p>Trans rights are human rights. I disagree with these policies. </p>


Teenage kids are just immature

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I've had to face challenges with my kids.  Most of them think when there 14-18 olds they know everything.  but they don't know, what they don't know.  Being a parent, is being a mentor but the consequences for poor advice often last a lifetime.  Today's kids know about computers, they do not know about life yet.   Many of today's teachers are just plain social activist (same with NEA). They have no business raising your kid.  Be a parent, and yes its hard.


OPPOSE this Document. Protecting the vulnerable does no harm to the majority of kids.

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First, please read the complete guidance documents (2021 and 2022) and don't just listen to sound bytes on the news.

Both speak to protecting children and involving parents in their education and development. However, the 2022 document minimizes, belittles, and denies the real needs of kids that are questioning their place in society, their safety at school and sometimes at home.

I would like the supporters to imagine that THEIR child is in crisis, feels bullied, and is called names that make them feel inferior. Would you want their teachers and school leaders to stand up for them? What if they were told that their religious beliefs are silly? That their name is stupid? That they don't look normal? Is that the free speech of the bullies? The religious freedom of others to say that your beliefs are incorrect? Try turning the tables.

I am humble enough to say that there might be a time in his life that my son is more comfortable talking to friends and teachers than he will be to his parents. None of us know how to parent perfectly at all times. I put trust in those that are educated to be educators, the way that I hope patients can put trust in me about their medical care.

Being exposed to transgender and gender expansive people doesn't confuse other kids and make them want to be trans themselves. That is 1950s thinking (as is calling it a mental illness). What it does is create a more equitable, compassionate, and successful generation of people.

Girls should always feel safe in their private spaces. It is ignorant to believe that a transgender girl wants to be in a bathroom/locker room to look at other girls.  Plus, it is safe to say that 99.99999% of woman who have been assaulted in women's bathrooms have been assaulted by men, not by transgender women. Protect the girls by creating an environment where they can trust their educators/guidance counselors to listen without judgement and have the courage to report dating abuse and violence. Teach boys to be advocates for women and to standup when they see abusive behavior by their peers. Gently encourage gender expansive students or cis gender concerned students to use the single use bathrooms.

I hate to point it out, but the very parents who so vehemently oppose trans supportive policies, are the very parents that trans students need to be protected from. Some of them are your kids! Our kids should not be clones of us and should be able to be themselves, make up their own minds about how to interact with their peers and the greater world, and be a separate entity from their close minded households. Let kids experiment with their personas and individuality, isn't that what adolescence is for?

It is not liberal to support kindness, inclusiveness, and creativity. That is just being a good human.


Affirm trans youth, prevent suicides

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We all want students to feel safe and welcome at school.  The policy as written causes immediate harm to trans and nonbinary students.

The American Association of Pediatrics recommends affirming care for trans youth.   Such care necessarily includes social transition - that is, living their gender identity by using the name, pronouns, clothes, and bathrooms that accord with their gender identity, and being allowed to participate in sports and other gender-segregated groups based on their gender identity.  Students spend most of their time at school, and being forced to use a name, pronouns, bathrooms, etc. based on sex assigned at birth is devastating to students' mental health and puts them at serious risk of suicide. By passing this guidance, the Dept. of Education shows an alarming disregard for the health and safety of students.

The fearmongering around trans kids using bathrooms according to their gender identity is a red herring.  These are not "boys" going into the girls bathroom.  These are trans girls who are no longer being prevented from using it by adults who assume that they intend to misbehave, rather than use the toilet in peace like almost all kids do. Kids who want to cause trouble in the bathroom will not be stopped by the plaque on the outside of the door not matching their sex assigned at birth. School employees can discipline students for their actual behavior rather than singling out trans students in a misguided attempt at prevention.

Leave the culture war out of the classroom and let kids learn, in peace, using the name and pronouns that they request.  That's just respectful.


gender dysphoria

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Kids with gender dysphoria need immediate mental health attention for they are self destructing. Advocates for normalcy of Gender Dysphoria must be also be mentally treated.


Give us school choice


Keep Boys out of Little girls bathrooms!! Teachers Are NOT parents

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Keep the kids safe and in the correct bathrooms. Keep the parents involved. Teachers ARE NOT the parents!!


Transgender policy for public schools

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Support the policy proposals recommended by Gov Younkin.
Protect our children from perverted indoctrination and respect parental rights.


Policy will keep parents involved and provide safer environment in my school

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Parental involvement is key to a healthy student body. I am ecstatic to hear that my girls can safely using the bathroom without it being a weird situation.


Support legislation to protect girls/womens sports teams from being overtaken by males

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I am shocked that this is even something that needs to be discussed. Thank you Governor for a common sense approach


SUPPORT:  Parental Rights are Human Rights

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Parental Rights are Human Rights

The new policies protect the fundamental religious liberty interests - and human rights - of parents, students, teachers, and administrators.

Parents know their children’s needs better than anyone. If children are struggling with gender dysphoria, they need guidance and emotional support from their parents. Under the new policies, schools must keep parents fully informed, and must enforce laws, regulations and policies that prohibit and deter bullying or harassment.

Students should use bathrooms corresponding to their sex. Single-user bathrooms should be made available in accessible areas and have appropriate signage, indicating accessibility for all students.


Pro-parent Policies

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I support Glen Youngkin’s pro-parent policies.  Parent are the first and best educators of their kid’s.  They have their kid’s best interests and well being at heart.  Educators may not agree, but who cares what they believe.  Focus on teaching and stop interfering with families.


Please vote out the ultra far left Albemarle County school board members

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They do not represent parents here in Charlottesville. When sexual assaults occur in the children’s bathrooms, they will have blood on their hands. They will be held responsible.


Absolutely,  YES. Children have the right to have their parents  in charge.

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Keep the government out of making decisions for the parents.


Hispanics support Youngkin and policies to protect kids in bathrooms and locker rooms

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On behalf of the Hispanic community I would like to thank you governor for protecting our children! I didn’t vote for you last time but I will the next time.


You gotta draw the line somewhere.

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I say keep parents involved and stick to teaching the 3 R's

Kids can do their own thing when they are out of school, and out of their parent's house. Glad my kids are grown. I'm with Youngkin.


Support proposed changes

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The 2022 proposals empower parents to make crucial decisions regarding their child’s education and overall well-being.  I applaud the governor for his leadership.


support - we wouldn't keep anorexia a secret from parents, so don't keep these secrets

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Anything important about a child = the parents have the right and responsibility to know and take care of it as best they can.  If my kids don't like how I deal things, they will have plenty of time to make their own choices.  I have them for only 18 yrs so don't take that right from me.  And don't put it on my shoulders to keep secrets from other parents who know their child better than I do.  How arrogant to think just bc you spend some vulnerable time with them that YOU know what is best and their parents don't


Strongly oppose

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I strongly oppose implementation of this new policy which puts children in harms way. The current guidelines provide support and protections for them that should remain in place.


I support Youngkin and Robert Rigby (Fairfax County "teacher") should be fired

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Robert Rigby frequently pushes gay activism at school board meetings.  All he is supposed to do is TEACH.  His support for our kids is not support or caring for them.  It is caring for his agenda, his issues. DON"T let people like him get further control in our schools.  He is suppsoed to be a public servant/school teacher.  Instead he wants to control childrens minds with what matters to him.


Oppose because identity development is a part of mental healthcare

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Trans youth deserve to have well support and healthcare as their identity is developed and they deserve to have teachers who encourage their unique identity. That's it. Let's find some else to target like increasing teacher salaries.


I support Youngkin, Aaryan Rawal supports deception, grooming and abduction of the vulnerable

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Aaryan is an adult man who offered to pay high school students to participate in the "trans support" walkout last week.  "In the short term, we can provide a couple of hundred dollars immediately..... We can set up a fundraising page for you and get allies to donate.  In the past this has led to thousands of dollars in donations. All of this money is yours ...." He also said if students publicly invoke suicide, it would be more potent than the law.  He doesn't love our children.  He may lust after some.  But he's an activist, not someone who has their best in mind.


The proposed changes are not fact or data based - only inflammatory - STRONGLY OPPOSED

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<p>The new legislation is not based on facts (e.g., 1/3 of transgendered youth do not feel supported at home, review transgendered suicide levels). Transgendered youth are already marginalized and this executive order put them in danger for bullying, suicide, and not having trusted adults to talk to and advocate on their behalf.   </p>


Strongly Support

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As an educator, I strongly support Governor Youngkin's model guidance.  Respecting that parents are entrusting their children to my care and rightly expect me to not propagandize their children regarding sexual ideology seems to meet the criteria of a basic level of decency. Thank you Governor Youngkin for embracing common sense for Virginia's children.


stop the madness

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<p>We support this policy.  We wanted a healthy baby and got one.  No matter what the child faces, we want to be there and continue to love OUR CHILD.  Not yours, and not hte school or government child.  </p>


supports policy

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<p>(Keeping secrets from parents and) helping confused children leave their families is dangerous.  "It is irresponsible and reckless to the extreme to be doing this with other peoples' kids."  Doing what?  Offering to sneak them away from their parents and put them up in queer-affirming homes.  "The way (their plan and intention) works is nearly identical to sex trafficking.  This could never be underwritten by any insurer.  The chance of one of these kids ending up being sexually abused is almost certain."  So mom and dad, if this policy doesn't go through and God forbid your child is victimized, go for the proverbial jugular via their school and ActBlue.</p>


BIGOTRY is justified if you're running for President, right Glenn?

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Bigotry in defense of seeking the Republican nomination is always justified when you have no national profile and need to pander to right-wing extremists, right Glenn?


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We voted for Youngkin for a reason - Strongly support this move


Support - children should not be sexualized

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Happy to have a governor with some sense that supports parental rights. I'm still not sure about putting my kids back in public school.


strongly support Gov Younkin

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A VA pro-trans group with Democratic ties says it will rehome gender confused students with queer friendly guardians.  The Pride Liberation Project helped organize an "organic" movement of high schoolers to walk out of school in protest.  Really most of them wanted to bag class.  But Aaryan Rawal a college student who worked for a VA Dem state lawmaker took lead in the materials.  Many kids are "in crisis" after Covid lockdowns and  to offer them a place away from parents, with "queer affirming adults" - pedofiles?!  Watch the news, see what is happening.The PLP uses the Dem platform AvtBlue to fundraise.  They offer to FALSIFY DOCUMENTS, there is a section called Covers/Alibi and this is dangerous. ESPECIALLY if mom and dad don't even know what is going on.  Kids can perceive their parents are anti-child when they are really anti-permanent decisions before age 16, 18, 21.  Stop the madness.  Stop the mad who are bloodthirsty for power ... and our children.  Let kids be kids.


Support policies recommended by the Governor's Office

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<p>I support policies recommended by the Governor's Office.  All school policies should fully respect the role of parents as first and primary educators of their children. </p>


I would like to express support for keeping males out of girls bathrooms!


Rollback of Transgender Protections

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<p>I’m STRONGLY OPPOSED to the Governor’s proposed rollback of protections for transgender students and/or school employees.  Unfortunately, sometimes students need protection from parents.  Often, teachers, and school, are a child’s only safe space. There is enough trauma in their lives. Why are you trying to make it worse?  Suicide rates and violence against the transgender community are only encouraged by these proposals.  Protect ALL students REGARDLESS of their sexual or gender orientation. </p>


Strongly SUPPORT

NASP: National Association of School Psychologists  = I'm their opposition

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NASP official Amy Cannava who also works here in NoVA has participatedin a transgender group that said it would send cash and transportation to children who wanted to leave their homes, and "find you someone who can provide you a kind and affirming home."  These people don't just want to have control over your children, they want to remove you full-stop from any parental involvement.  We must strongly support before it gets more insane than it already is.


JUST SAY NO TO ABUSING OUR CHILDREN

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This "guidance" is an inhumane, institutionalization of child abuse. By not supporting youngsters in their growth journeys, shaming them, not respecting their identities, you are essentially making it possible for bigots to bully our young people. We CANNOT ALLOW THIS IN OUR SCHOOLS. We should protect and nurture our children. This guidance MUST BE REJECTED.


guilty: years long sexual relationship with transgender student in my school district

Ann Marie Barrett, guidance counselor at Freedom High School

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Same district where the skirt-wearing boy raped a classmate in the bathroom (Loudon County).  Age 43, married with 2 children was assigned to a transgender, living as a male when he began at Freedom.  His sophomore year, we went to my house and cuddled ... eventually leading to many other sexual behaviors.  Do you think his mom and dad know what was going on?  Do you think it was ok if they didn't?  Schools and guidance counselors should not have more authority than parents.


Support:

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The new policies protect the fundamental religious liberties of staff and students.


"Support" without parent involvement causes deeper depression

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<p>"I sank into a deep depression.  Lost my singing voice after "gender affirming" care.  Imagine if my parents had been kept in the dark. When I asked if I could be a boy instead of a girl they said NO.  So I waited til age 13.  The thing is, kids are trying to use body modification to treat a mental illness.  And at the end of the day it's human experimentation on children.  The results are truly devastating.  I lost my natural singing voice.  Medical experts should be losing their licenses.  Parents should NOT be losing their right to be mom/dad.</p>


Support for new pro-parent policies proposed by the Virginia Department of Education

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The new policies honor the sacred role of parents in the care of their children during school, athletics and other activities.

Parents know their children’s needs better than anyone. If children are struggling with gender dysphoria, they need guidance and emotional support from parents. Under the new policies, school officials must keep parents fully informed, and require schools to enforce laws, regulations and policies that prohibit and deter bullying or harassment.

Student participation in sex-specific athletics, school activities and events should be determined by sex, e.g., for overnight travel accommodations and locker rooms.

Students should use the bathrooms that correspond to their sex. Single-user bathrooms and facilities should be made available in accessible areas and provided with appropriate signage, indicating accessibility for all students.

The new policies protect the fundamental religious liberty interests of personnel and students.


Even Caitlyn Jenner agrees - support!

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Even Caitlyn Jenner would support this is a VA resident.  Biological males are larger than females and should have some kind of "separate but equal" arrangement.  How can there be any equality when parents are kept in the dark, when schools think it is ok to keep parents in the dark?  Whether I'm parent to the child who is biologically female or the one who identifies as female but has all the biologically male parts, I should be kept informed.  School silence is VIOLENCE on the parents.  Thank you for this policy.


This plan is awful.

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This model policy is horrible.

Also for those who say “keep our girls safe” y’all are horrible. How about teach kids to not be creeps and rapists.

Gay people and trans people just want to exist and live free. No one is trying to hurt you in a bathroom.


Leave the kids alone

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<p>No absolutely  not. Do not enact this. </p>


LCPS school board members are directly responsible for the sexual assaults in our bathrooms.

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They will be held personally responsible.


I support- I don’t want the teachers unions raising my kids.

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Common sense legislation


Parents are the first and primary teachers of their children

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The new policies honor the sacred role of parents in the care of their children during school, athletics and other activities.

Parents can know their children’s needs better than anyone. If children are struggling with gender dysphoria, they need guidance and emotional support from parents. Under the new policies, school officials must keep parents fully informed, and require schools to enforce laws, regulations and policies that prohibit and deter bullying or harassment.

For fair opportunities--especially for girl athletes--and for team cohesion, student participation in sex-specific athletics, school activities and events should be determined by sex, e.g., for overnight travel accommodations and locker rooms.

Especially for their protection, students should use the bathrooms that correspond to their sex. Single-user bathrooms and facilities should be made available in accessible areas and provided with appropriate signage, indicating accessibility for all students.

The new policies protect the fundamental religious liberty interests of personnel and students.


Transgender in schools


Parents rights

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I would like to see parents rights confirmed, and parents should have a basic idea of the curriculum taught in schools and should be encouraged to visit school for a day and visit the library as well.


Socialism starts when the govt. take authority from the parent.

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I think my title says it all.  I support this document as it keeps the parents informed and a part of the conversation.


STRONGLY OPPOSE

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<p>Every student deserves the right to safely use a restroom regardless of gender expression or identity. The fears being drummed up about students using public restrooms the same way that they would at public university or campground is only meant to further disenfranchise already marginalized students. We know that queer students face higher rates of bullying and are at risk for suicide. There is no reason that we should increase the very real risks on their lives. </p>


Protect Trans Children and All Children

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<p>The recent trend towards the politicization of the school ground and subsequently children is becoming more and more disturbing. First, the pandemic caused masks and vaccination status’ to be used against children as politicians attempted to gain support for their parties at the expense of children’s learning environments. The recent proposal to ban teachers from using a child’s desired pronouns is needlessly restrictive of teachers, and directly violates a child’s right to basic respect. School can be an extremely challenging time for young LGBTQIA students enough as it is without essentially being legally bullied by teachers as well, and in the circumstances that schools gives kids the opportunity to be themselves in a supportive environment, this policy will destroy that. We should be teaching children about diversity and inclusion, as well as basic respect and decency for our fellow people, not codified discrimination based on something as arbitrary as gender. While gender discrimination of cisgender and heterosexual children is unspeakable, allowing legal discrimination against LGBTQIA identities is an outrageous and extremely undemocratic action by Glen Youngkin. The state of Virginia should be ashamed for even considering a policy as absurd and outright fascist as this one. </p>


Transgender rights do not equate with cis gender harm

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In response to the state’s proposed 2022 Model Policies on the Privacy, Dignity, and Respect for All Students and Parents in Virginia’s Public Schools:

The governor's revision to the standing policy wrongly assumes that ensuring equity and protection for trans students equates with inherent risk to cis students. This is the kind of all-or-nothing illogical assumption that would not pass muster in any entry-level logic or debate class. Neither is it true that ensuring equity and protection for trans students inherently infringes upon parental rights. Governor Youngkin is on the wrong side of decency and the wrong side of history on this topic. I STRONGLY OPPOSE THIS PROPOSAL.


Parental Rights in Virginia

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Restor Parents' Rights in Education !!


I support the 2022 Model Policies

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To whom it may concern,

I support the 2022 Model Policies for the following reasons:

The new policies honor the sacred role of parents in the care of their children during school, athletics and other activities.

Parents know their children’s needs better than anyone. If children are struggling with gender dysphoria, they need guidance and emotional support from parents. Under the new policies, school officials must keep parents fully informed, and require schools to enforce laws, regulations and policies that prohibit and deter bullying or harassment.

Student participation in sex-specific athletics, school activities and events should be determined by sex, e.g., for overnight travel accommodations and locker rooms.

Students should use the bathrooms that correspond to their sex. Single-user bathrooms and facilities should be made available in accessible areas and provided with appropriate signage, indicating accessibility for all students.

The new policies protect the fundamental religious liberty interests of personnel and students.

Best,

Matthew Mirus


Support kids- stay in your own damn bathroom.


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Of course I Support Governor Youngkin's proposed guidance document re: transgender policies in VA K-12 schools. What decent Christian parent wouldn’t support it. Kindly do not in any way shape or form believe that it’s “okay” to indoctrinate/dictate to our precious children your filth. We are after all the majority. Last time I checked, majority rules. God bless! ??????????

 "guidance document" regarding transgender policies in Virginia's K-12 schools


Strongly oppose

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Strongly oppose this policy


where are the rights

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<p>being a closeted trans kid in this community is harming. imagine, fighting for your life, only to end up with less rights than you started with, kids bulling you for your life, and already put on the edge of suicide because of the unaccepting world around you. that's my life. that's many children's lives in this state, and in this world. I, for one, cannot stand to see any other put into danger or killed for their choices. </p>


STRONGLY OPPOSE

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<p>Concerned Parent of a non-trans child.  We parents are the strongest influences in our kids lives. And God loves our children.  I don't need the gov't to force the school to talk to me or make my child conform to certain values or the name I chose.  I've got this Youngkin and so do other parents.   </p>


Parents and Schools

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I strongly support the new guidelines.  Parents are always the first educators of their children and for a government agency to encourage a sexual "transition" for a minor may be well intentioned but it is abusive.  No child should ever be bullied or ridiculed in school.  But teachers should never go behind a parent's back to "guide" a student about sexual matters.

Teaches should teach math, history, language, science (including genetics and human reproduction) but should not be "assisting" a child in these matters.  The teacher will not be the one to deal with the lifetime of medications and medical side effects that these kids will suffer; but the parents will surely be dealing with those issues.

If an anorexic child tells a teacher she is fat, will a teacher "affirm" the anorexia and tell the child to eat less?


It’s about time

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The efforts of the governor of Virginia to ensure the rights of parents in their children’s upbringing and education is a brave fight against the powers determined to take control of our lives to fit their own selfish positions. Listen to the new Prime Minister of Italy in her defense of God, family, and nation against the woke and green extremists. Listen to Jordan Peterson’s analysis of the efforts of such elites to crush the poor and working people to reinforce theories sense of virtue and superiority. Listen to Governor Youngkin in his attempt to take baby steps in the right direction,


I'm a parent. This policy change disgusts me.

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This policy teaches our children that they should fear reprisal for expressing their thoughts - even to a counselor, even about their own internal turmoil and conflicts. Self censorship to suit the even the beliefs of another person is anti-American.  This country believes in religious tolerance, not totalitarianism.

This proposed policy trivializes the experiences, thoughts, and beliefs of any person who has anything other than 100% satisfaction with 'gender as assigned at birth and entirely heterosexual' by assuming these decisions are come to lightly, and impulsively.

This proposed policy singles out and discriminates against anyone who is not 100% satisfied with their 'gender as assigned at birth and entirely heterosexual' by making *their personal thoughts/beliefs/opinions objects of discussion in the educational setting.

This proposed policy discriminates against heterosexual students, and denies their parents their opportunity to parent as they see fit, by not requiring educators also inform parents of the sexual preferences and behaviors of heterosexual students.

This proposed policy continues the trend of over-sexualizing our children by bringing sexuality into the classroom as a point of debate.

The proposed policy is not pro-parents - it is anti-anything other than 100% heterosexuality.

The proposed policy is not pro-social order- it is about enforcing one group's social norm and personal beliefs on everyone.

The proposed policy is not pro-American values - it literally creates a world where only some people are at the mercy of perceived or real censorship.  It is not American to define religious freedom as 'freedom to impose my religious beliefs on you - when that negatively impacts your life and may even go against your religion'.

The original policy was intended to support children through a period of their lives when they are trying to understand themselves and the world around them.  That policy would have protected the inner thoughts of children as they tested their beliefs about world around them.  Instead, the State of Virginia is seriously consider going backwards, into a culture of fear and conformity.


OPPOSE


Trans rights are human rights

Identification of Students:
Students should be given full control over their own identity and that includes the name and gender they identify by. Parents and administration should not be a factor in this right as it is a personal choice that should be made by the individual at hand (the student). To say that you are trying to treat trans students with "respect, compassion, and dignity", but then ignore this right is blatant hypocrisy.
Protection of student privacy and the confidentiality of sensitive information:
Students should have the final say in what information about their gender identity and sex status gets revealed to their parents. By forgoing their permission, the state of Virginia is complicit in all harm that bigoted parents levy against their children. If we are to create a safe environment for trans youth, we must include them in all discourse about their identity. This is especially true in the case of who gets informed about a student's gender/sex.
Student participation in sex-specific school activities and events and use of schoolfacilities:
Trans students deserve to be treated the same as their cisgendered peers. That includes allowing them to participate in the same gendered programs, events, and activities as cis students of the same identified gender. Trans students should also be allowed to use the same locker rooms, overnight accommodations, and other intimate, school spaces as their cis peers. And finally: trans students should be allowed to use the bathroom of their identified gender. None of these things harm their peers. Trans students just want to have a great academic career as anyone else. Isolating them in such a fashion by forcing them into groups that blatantly misgender them creates needless problems for these students.
Athletics:
Trans student should be allowed to play sports among peers in the same gender group. If they are to be treated like equals and respected in the same manner as cisgendered students, transgendered students must be given the ability to live their lives truthfully. Forcing them into athletic groups with those of differing gender not only opens the door invasive investigations to "prove" a students gender, but will also lead to despair for the trans students that are being misgendered.

Conclusion:
More needs to be done to protect our trans youth. These policies are a spit in the face for any trans student or trans ally that wants what's best for our peers. Trans rights are human rights and we should not be forcing trans people into dangerous, uncomfortable, and/or isolating situations in order to maintain a vile and warped perception safety or fairness. In reality, these policies are only meant to make trans students feel inferior and disrespected. There is no safety to be had when human rights are being infringed upon nor fairness in mistreating people who dare to proclaim their true identity.
Give trans people the respect they deserve. Give trans youth the access to an equal and nurturing environment, not a policing and misgendering one.

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Identification of Students:

Students should be given full control over their own identity and that includes the name and gender they identify by. Parents and administration should not be a factor in this right as it is a personal choice that should be made by the individual at hand (the student). To say that you are trying to treat trans students with "respect, compassion, and dignity", but then ignore this right is blatant hypocrisy.

Protection of student privacy and the confidentiality of sensitive information:

Students should have the final say in what information about their gender identity and sex status gets revealed to their parents. By forgoing their permission, the state of Virginia is complicit in all harm that bigoted parents levy against their children. If we are to create a safe environment for trans youth, we must include them in all discourse about their identity. This is especially true in the case of who gets informed about a student's gender/sex.

Student participation in sex-specific school activities and events and use of school
facilities:

Trans students deserve to be treated the same as their cisgendered peers. That includes allowing them to participate in the same gendered programs, events, and activities as cis students of the same identified gender. Trans students should also be allowed to use the same locker rooms, overnight accommodations, and other intimate, school spaces as their cis peers. And finally: trans students should be allowed to use the bathroom of their identified gender. None of these things harm their peers. Trans students just want to have a great academic career as anyone else. Isolating them in such a fashion by forcing them into groups that blatantly misgender them creates needless problems for these students.

Athletics:

Trans student should be allowed to play sports among peers in the same gender group. If they are to be treated like equals and respected in the same manner as cisgendered students, transgendered students must be given the ability to live their lives truthfully. Forcing them into athletic groups with those of differing gender not only opens the door invasive investigations to "prove" a students gender, but will also lead to despair for the trans students that are being misgendered.

Conclusion:

More needs to be done to protect our trans youth. These policies are a spit in the face for any trans student or trans ally that wants what's best for our peers. Trans rights are human rights and we should not be forcing trans people into dangerous, uncomfortable, and/or isolating situations in order to maintain a vile and warped perception safety or fairness. In reality, these policies are only meant to make trans students feel inferior and disrespected. There is no safety to be had when human rights are being infringed upon nor fairness in mistreating people who dare to proclaim their true identity.

Give trans people the respect they deserve. Give trans youth the access to an equal and nurturing environment, not a policing and misgendering one.


There is no such thing as a transgender

Vote out the Albemarle County School Board

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You can't change your gender, whether you like it or not.  God made you a male or female, and there's no changing it.  Support Governor Youngkin in his efforts to get Virginia back on the right track. Youngkin for President!


Restore Parents' Rights in Education!

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Restore Parents' Rights in Education!  Thank you Governor Youngkin!


Parental rights

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<p>I support the governor </p>


Vehemently Opposes 2022 MODEL POLICIES ON THE PRIVACY, DIGNITY, & RESPECT FOR ALL STUDENTS & PAR

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<p>The 2022 proposed policy states as the first 2 Guiding Principles "Schools shall respect parents’ values and beliefs" and "Schools shall defer to parents to make the best decisions with respect to their children" However, the details of the 2022 policy inherently conflicts with the principles it supposed to uphold. If a parent feels it is in the best interest of their child to be called a different name or pronoun, by not respecting the parent's wishes the policy directly contradicts the very principles it says it's protecting. This is not only disrespectful, it is a form of bullying which can cause irreparable harm. To insist a teacher or another parent knows the needs of one's own child better than the child's own parent is ludicrous. This policy isn't deferring to the parents, but rather imposes upon other people's children and actively removes the parental right to determine how one's own children will be raised and educated! This is a despicable policy. </p>


Strongly support!!

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Our children deserve to be properly protected.  Thankful for a strong and caring Governor!