US education is falling behind in writing, math, science - chemistry, physics, biology

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I support the new policy. US education is falling behind other countries like China, India, in math, science, reading, and writing, while agenda like gender identity is sucking up precious resources (ie money, time, energy) with no added value to the children's education. Let teachers teach the minimum basic skills to prepare our children to be productive and competitive in the world stage.  When the Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson could not even define what is a "woman", I recognized the failing of US education.  What do the students learn in biology, human physiology nowadays?  How many degrees do you have to have or how many useless classes do you have to take to be able to define "what is a woman?"

Private, the "birds & the bees" topics, and especially "HOW the birds & the bees do IT!" are lessons best taught by the parents to their own children at the appropriate time according to each child's mental growth.  These topics should not be left to teachers.  Overcrowded classes (per students/teacher ratio) are already stressing the teachers out without all the woke mandates they have to learn to abide.


So good for our kids and Virginia schools

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<p>Thank you for some common sense and reality </p>


Wonderful thank you Gov. Strongly support this guidance.


Strongly agree!

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Please keep the right plan so our kiddos can have the right thinking!


Support policy

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<p>As a parent with a student in a public school in Virginia I strongly support this model policy.  </p>


Strongly support Gov Youngkin's updated policy

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Thank you for updating these policies to restore protections for basic parental rights and ensuring that parents are no longer cut out of the process—especially when it concerns how gender and sexuality issues are handled with our kids at school.


You need to see this if you are LGBTQ

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https://youtube.com/shorts/HDu5_Lua-8w?feature=share

Thank you for watching!


Strongly oppose


Trans child sexually assaulted multiple girls in LCPS bathrooms. Enough is enough.

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Get males out of the girls bathrooms and locker rooms. Period!


Respect a person’s privacy!

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<p>It is incredibly dangerous to out a transgender student to their parent. As a transgender student I can say that it takes a lot of trust to come out to a school staff member and breaking that trust can cause detrimental effects on the student’s psyche. It can also lead to physically dangerous situations if their parent does not support them. Every person has a right to privacy including transgender people! Telling someone that they are transgender does not fall under any of the safety conditions that staff is required to talk to the parents about so there is no reason that they should out that student. </p>


Transgender proposed policy

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<p>Oppose this policy. </p>


Teach children respect for bodily autonomy

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When everything we have is taken away, our bodies are all we may have left. What we choose to do with our bodies should be our decision, and this autonomy should be respected. It’s a lesson that young people should learn under the guidance of their parents and not the persecution of the State.  I oppose abandoning the 2021 model policies.


Support ….parents should know!

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<p>Parents matter. </p>


EXTENDING THE PROPOSED RULE

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<p>I suggest that the proposed rule on notifying parents over gender ideology issues in schools be extended to include notification to parents of ANY health interventions in reference to a child, e.g., implementing parental notification with regard to any sexual matters, e.g., abortion, contraception, etc.  </p>


STRONGLY SUPPORT

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I support the 2022 Model Policies on the Privacy, Dignity, and Respect for All Students and Parents in Virginia’s Public Schools (2022 Model Policies) which withdraw and replace the highly objectionable Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia’s Public Schools. Among many other positive changes, the 2022 Model Policies make it clear that “[p]arents have the right to instill and nurture values and beliefs for their own children and make decisions concerning their children’s education and upbringing in accordance with their customs, faith, and family culture” and that “[p]arents are in the best position to work with their children and, where appropriate, their children’s health care providers to determine (a) what names, nicknames, and/or pronouns, if any, shall be used for their child by teachers and school staff while their child is at school, (b) whether their child engages in any counseling or social transition at school that encourages a gender that differs from their child’s sex, or (c) whether their child expresses a gender that differs with their child’s sex while at school. The efforts to undermine parents as the primary guardians of their children is unacceptable. Society is based upon the family; and the government is formed by the people. The words of Abraham Lincoln to honor the soldiers that sacrificed their lives in order “that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth” were spoken at Gettysburg. Let us never forget them.


Strongly oppose the new policy!

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I strongly oppose to the new 2022 Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia’s Public Schools.  Just as schools have the obligation to report suspected child abuse in order to protect students, they should also have an obligation to protect children in regard to their gender and sexuality.


Stop targeting trans children!

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It’s ridiculous and so incredible harmful to these children, as well as their friends, and families. Trans people are already at a higher risk of suicide, and social alienation will only worsen that. They’re ing human beings, it doesn’t matter what pronouns or names they use - it’s not the state’s  business. ing stop it.


Transgender youth are already at high risk of suicide.

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<p>Are parents aware that transgender children and adolescents are already at extremely high risk of suicide? According to recent data (Austin et al, 2022), 82 percent of transgender youth have suicidal thoughts and 40 percent have attempted suicide. Imagine the impact of such a policy on these already vulnerable and bullied transgender youth. Does the State of Virginia really want to promote increased suicide rates among its transgender students? The lives of these young people are tough enough. These kids desperately need our compassion and protection of their human rights. </p>


Strongly SUPPORT Gov. Youngkin and Parents Rights

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<p>The state does not have the power or authority to usurp our constitution that is still in place. This is an egregious act on the part of the state and the current Administration.  We the People are who they work and they need to be reminded of this. </p>


Protect our children againts biologically inaccurate policies.  Support Youngkin

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Please protect our children and do not cave to the political weaponization of these innocents.  I will not allow them to be pawns in the machine of woke ideology.  Shame on those who prey upon the innocent.


Strongly Oppose

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I OPPOSE this policy. It does not support parental rights for those children who are transgender or non-binary and whose parents support them in their identity. It only supports parental rights for those who object to it. Parents have the right to allow their children to identify how they wish, and this policy solely protects those who object to their own children's identity, a relatively small minority of parents. Thus parental rights of others are completely ignored. Parental rights are contradicted by the reality of this policy: the policy itself does not allow parental choice in the schools unless backed up by legal documentation - this is therefore not parental choice at all. This requirement overrides parental rights, deferring to a state-issued document. This makes no sense.


Get rid of the 2021 Model

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<p>transgender issues should be dealt with and kept between the child, their parent and their doctor…not public schools. Public schools should have NO role in this. This is a small fraction of the population, the rest of the population should not be forced to accommodate these problems. </p>


Who is this policy meant to protect?

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Who is this policy meant for? A parent who has a good relationship with their child should not be concerned that their child will not talk to them about their gender identity.  A caring and understanding parent will understand that their child might go to someone else first, out of fear or confusion, but will ultimately let them know.  A caring parent will be grateful to school personnel for listening to and supporting their child as they figure things out. In other words, a supportive parent has nothing to fear from the 2020 policy.

The people calling for the 2022 model in the name of "parents rights" are asking schools to step into a void that they themselves have created.  If parents wish to know what is going on in their kids lives, they should build relationships of trust with their kids. These parents should not put teachers in the impossible situation of having to violate the trust of a vulnerable child.

This policy leverages fearmongering about gender identity to feed a toxic narrative that teachers are working against parents. Teachers show up everyday to do right by our kids. Stop harassing them. Transgender kids are living their lives. Stop using them as your political pawns.


Strongly Oppose the Transgender Changes

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<p>I strongly object to the changes in treatment of transgender youth that is being proposed by governor Youngkin.  Why put these youth through more anguish?  Let them be...life is hard enough for all of the teenagers in Virginia.  What is your plan for students who get kicked out of their houses because of this?  You planning on taking them all in and supporting them?  I think not.  Let them be...NO ONE is being hurt by their using the bathroom they choose to and by using any name that suits them.  </p>


I strongly oppose these changes.

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<p>Children need to feel safe in school and their privacy needs to be respected, especially when they don’t feel safe at home. </p>


STRONGLY OPPOSE PROPOSED CHANGES!

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I can't believe that anyone who considers themselves to be Christian would endanger the lives of vulnerable children such as those who consider themselves to be LGBTQ or transgender. It is a fact that these children experience high rates of suicide. The existing policy protects them. The proposed policy endangers them. It is that simple. REJECT the Governor's cruel and unwarranted proposal.


Strongly Oppose. Protect Trans Youth

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<p>I strongly oppose the proposed model policies. We need to protect transgender and non-binary kids. School should be a safe place for everyone, especially transgender and non-binary students who may not be safe at home. Transgender people are here and we are here to stay. Harming children will not change the fact that we exist. </p>


STRONGLY OPPOSE!

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I strongly oppose this proposed policy. This proposal would create a hostile and potentially dangerous school environment for our VA transgender and nonbinary youth.


Parents should be empowered to guide their children through the challenges of adolescence

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<p>Parents are best positioned to help guide their children through the emotionally challenging season of adolescence.  Please ensure that parents are not thwarted in their efforts to aide their children in navigating many competing priorities as journey to become productive adults.  Parents should maintain sole primacy over their child’s health, education, and well-being.  </p>


Supports the new Policy!


Thank you, Governor Youngkin

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<p>Thank you for keeping parents informed about the mental health of their children. True gender dysphoria is a mental illness. Cultural pressure, the over sexualization of our youth, and lying to children about their bodies is wrong. </p>


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,
vicki dalton
23330 Goodfellow Dr
Spring, TX 77373

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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 />vicki dalton
<br />23330 Goodfellow Dr<br />Spring, TX 77373<br /><img src="http://admin.phone2action.com/email/open/leg/657523/148439711" width="1" height="1" />


On whether medical transition improves rates of suicidal ideation for trans-identifying youth…

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The “transition or suicide” narrative falsely implies that transition will prevent suicides…. [Yet,] neither hormones nor surgeries have been shown to reduce suicidality in the long-term…. [Thus,] the “transition or die” narrative, whereby parents are told that their only choice is between a “live trans daughter or a dead son” (or vice versa), is both factually inaccurate and ethically wrong.

One frequently cited study that pushes this narrative, for example, had an 82% drop-out rate,“reducing it to only 7 youth and invalidating its use as a legitimate comparison group.” Another, Weed wrote, found that the “use of cross-sex hormones significantly increased [emphasis added] suicidality (nearly two-fold) for biological males receiving estrogen.”


These policies feel like the governor is bullying transgendered children to gain political points!

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From WAPO:

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


The current evidence base does not support informed decision making and safe practice in children.


Virginia is definitely not for lovers with these policies!

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Youngkin said during a recent interview: “We must have parents at the front of the line — not at the exclusion of a trusted teacher or counselor — but parents must be the first stop for these decisions.”

How shortsighted of you! Not all of us are so dumb to fall for this.

While this might work if the parents are loving and supportive,  but what if they aren’t? Then what? Watch out. You may end up with blood on your hands.


Puberty blockers are being used in the context of profound scientific ignorance….


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,
Arlene Mcdaniel
10910 36th Ave SE
Everett, WA 98208

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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 />Arlene Mcdaniel
<br />10910 36th Ave SE<br />Everett, WA 98208<br /><img src="http://admin.phone2action.com/email/open/leg/657523/148439566" width="1" height="1" />


OPPOSE! OPPOSE! OPPOSE!

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The state is overreaching when they focus on “parental rights.” The only parental rights you care about are those who conform to your “Christian” values. What about the parents who want their kids to feel safe at school? What about the parents who believe basic human rights and dignity should not be violated to gain political points? Parental rights, my butt! You are a disgrace!


Please don't harm LGBTQ children for political theater

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This policy is a bad idea, and should be scrapped. It will harm many children who are already extremely vulnerable and stigmatized. Help protect LGBTQ children, don't needlessly harm them.


Hateful policies that disregard expert opinions!

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What basis do you have to overrule all of the major psychological associations that have designed standards of care for trans minors over the last several decades? Please give us the decency of a response. You won’t because you don’t have one. Your just forcing your Christian values on all of us!


You cannot keep details from parents about the mental health and well-being of their children

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<p>Parental rights cannot be usurped by the state </p>


Agree. Protect girls sports.

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<p>Allowing biological makes to participate in girls sports has set girls/women's right and protections back 50 years. Protect girls sports. </p>


Policy is not based on medical expertise but a method for breeding hate

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The policies you are putting in place are an attack on the rights of transgender people and on families who love them. They are based on your imagined threat and not based on medical expertise on how to best serve this population, not on a loving God, and not on any first hand knowledge of the journey of transgender people and their families. This policy is based on fear and hate, and a review of history shows us those are the most shameful laws that have served to persecute the innocent.


Parents First

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The family is the bedrock of society.  Any attempt to separate parents from their children, especially in decision making about the physical, mental and emotional health and well being of the children is wrong in its inception.  I fully support the Governor's efforts to have parents fully informed and involved in the educational and recreational activities of their children.  Parents First!


Government overreach— new guidelines infringe upon right to life, liberty, & pursuit of happiness.

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I believe that these policies constitute government overreach and infringe upon the rights of students’ rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Nowhere in the United States Constitution does it say that harassment is free speech. What logical reason is there for there for a parent to need to know about the decision of their child in regards to something as simple as pronouns? It’s government overreach. Students in many other states are also allowed to pursue sporting activities that align with their identity. This should be the case in Virginia as well. States should be revising their policies to reflect the guidances of the American Psychological Association, American Medical Association, and American Academy of Pediatrics—that people who identify as a gender different than theirs assigned at birth *are* whatever gender they identify as.


STRONGLY OPPOSE THE GUIDANCE ON TRANSGENDER STUDENTS!!!!!!!

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The proposal is shameful.  We need to support our transgender youth. This policy is hateful to a population that already has higher rates of suicide due to policies like these.


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<p>The proposal is shameful.  We need to support our transgender youth. </p>


Support! Disordered tendencies always end up in disaster for everyone. Parental rights!!

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In support of new 2022 code for Virginia schools. Youth who are not guided end up have more difficulties later in life. What about everyone else....what about protecting them....those who don't want to change the way God made them???


I strongly OPPOSE the proposed policy regarding transgender students

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<p>I strongly oppose this misguided and inhumane policy. It is well documented that transgender youth (and adults) have increased rates of mental health challenges, suicide ideation and realization, and self harm. They are subjected to discrimination and harm by others, both peers and adults. They are the most marginalized of identities. Many do not have families/households that support them. A supportive adult at their school may well be their only lifeline and source of care and safety. This policy puts them directly at risk of emotional and physical harm. If this policy is adopted, the well-being, lives, and futures of our Commonwealth's transgender students will forever be on your shoulders and your conscience. This policy is rooted in politics at the expense of the most vulnerable youth. Do the right thing, the moral thing, the compassionate thing, and drop it now. </p>


Thank you Governor Youngkin

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<p>Governor Youngkin’s transgender policies are more than reasonable and are designed to protect the 99% of students who don’t have gender dysphoria without doing any harm to those who have gender dysphoria.  Democrat policies are causing children to think they have gender dysphoria which will undoubtedly ruin some of their lives by doing irreversible damage to their minds and bodies.  </p>


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

Andrea Weiskopf Latin Teacher LCPS- direct quote from her Twitter page

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<p>The staff at LCPS doesn’t even try to hide their agenda. They are proud to be grooming and indoctrinating your children. </p>


Ann Marie Barrett (LCPS counselor) arrested for sexual relationship with transgender student

Loudoun county has created the perfect storm for sexual assaults

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Wake up parents. The leadership within LCPS has put our children at harm. The superintend and school board has been negligent and is 100% responsible.


STRONGLY SUPPORT GOVERNOR YOUNGKIN’S POLICY CHANGES TO THE VDOE

Chris Daniels - Bedford County School Board Member

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My name is Chris Daniels and I am a school board member in Bedford County. I STRONGLY SUPPORT Governor Youngkin’s proposed policies protecting our children. I also believe our schools should inform parents of all incidents or concerns involving their children. We must raise the standard of education in order to help students recognize their full academic potential. Our focus must be less on social justice and more on excellence in education.


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<p>Parents, not the government, should raise their children.  The new policies honor the role of parents in the care of their children during school, athletics and other activities. </p>


I oppose this policy. Trans students deserve the right to exist without discrimination.

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I am deeply saddened by the proposed policy regarding transgender and non-binary students. Frankly, this is discriminatory, and is just a way to make it harder for trans students to exist. No one bats an eye when a cisgender student wants to use a name different from their birth name, we just respect that and move on with our lives.

Legally changing the name of a minor requires one to petition the court and pay a fee of around thirty-five to fifty dollars, which is way more time and hassle than anyone should have to go through. It also raises the question of accessibility, as many people are not able to take this time/pay this fee.

Unfortunately, not all parents want what's best for their children. Personally, I have several friends confide in me that if they came out, their parents would kick them out of the house and cut all ties. This policy asks us to disregard the safety of kids.

Ultimately, transgender and non-binary students deserve to be safe and free to learn just like any other students. Implementing this policy jeopardizes that. Please reconsider before you cause lasting harm to the students of Virginia.


Transgender policy

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<p>I strongly oppose the proposed policy to replace the 2021 policy.   </p>


Change to transgender policies in schools

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Our schools must not aid and abet misusing children's vulnerabilities.  They are too young to understand what it means to "change" their gender.  We must not be a party to that immature desire.

I read about a little girl who wanted to be a boy.  Thankfully, someone who was able to talk to her found out she wanted to be a boy because her parents had wanted a boy!  She was trying to please her parents.  Other children may want to change gender because it is "cool," because of peer pressure, depression, loneliness, etc.  Something is very wrong when licensed professional counselors cannot find out the truth about why a child client wants to change gender, because that kind of counseling is illegal in Virginia!  LPC's will lose their license if they ask the child, why.  They can ask only to affirm or encourage!  That restriction makes this "movement" suspect, and I consider it child abuse.

I hope Gov. Youngkin's ideas become the law.


Support new Pro-Parent Policies by VA Department of Education

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Protect the fundamental right of parents to direct the care, upbringing, and education of their children.


STRONGLY OPPOSE

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Stop putting the lives of trans and non-binary kids at risk under the pretense of parental rights and safety for all. You are only worried about keeping your position in politics that perpetuates violence against marginalized populations. Do better


government overreach— new guidelines infringe upon right to life, liberty, & pursuit of happiness


Hateful policies!

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


oppose

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<p>We need to protect children's rights and keep them safe. </p>


The revised model policy does not support all parental rights - OPPOSE

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<p>I OPPOSE this policy. It does not support parental rights for those children who are transgender or non-binary and whose parents support them in their identity. It only supports parental rights for those who object to it. Parents have the right to allow their children to identify how they wish, and this policy solely protects those who object to their own children's identity, a relatively small minority of parents. Thus parental rights of others are completely ignored. Parental rights are contradicted by the reality of this policy: the policy itself does not allow parental choice in the schools unless backed up by legal documentation - this is therefore not parental choice at all. This requirement overrides parental rights, deferring to a state-issued document. This makes no sense.   </p>


The "Proposed Model Policy for Treatment of Transgender students" is an insult to people of faith

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The purpose of this comment is to oppose Section 3C2 (Maintenance of Student Records) of the proposed Sample 2022 model policy concerning students who may be or are considering becoming or who are transgender.  My specific issue is with the section of the subparagraph which reads,  “…only if a parent or eligible student submits a legal document, such as a birth certificate, state- or federal-issued identification passport, or court order substantiating the student or former student’s change of legal name or sex.”

In my view this places an undue burden on the parent and school.

The burden on the school is the determination of who is the legal parent and the source documents for determining parenthood. It will also require school systems to revise their records keeping systems to indicate source and provenance of the record.

The burden to the parents is to provide the required documents in the first place. Many parents have moved about in both the state, the nation, and the world. They come to Virginia with minimal documentation.

When one my children entered Virginia schools she had two State Department issued birth certificates, one German birth certificate, a US Passport, and transcripts from schools in Florida and Germany.  These different documents would cause chaos in most schools in Virginia outside of those areas that are used to serving military families.

On the other hand, my church is assisting refugees from conflict areas where the documentation is very thin or non-existent. What will the school systems do for these students. The cost of obtaining any documentation is extreme for people who have little means. The mere act requesting a birth document for a US based child from Afghanistan would place the person in Afghanistan in mortal danger

I also believe that the requirement is in violation of the many legal citations which are given in the sections of the document entitled “Statutory Authority and Requirements” and “Additional Related Laws”. As stated in the authorities cited, the parent is responsible for the child’s upbringing and education. The school system should defer to the wishes of the parent. The parent should be able to tell the school system the Legal Name and Preferred Name of the child . The same for sex and gender. By establishing a “top-down” requirement the State is substituting itself or the parent – a violation of every Supreme Court and legal citation in the document.

My objection is specifically to the section cited; however, if the policy is changed to correct the error then several subparagraphs in Section D will have to be changed as well.


In favor of the change

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I greatly support the change, as all science is in favor of human sexuality remaining consistent with the sex at birth.  There is no drug or procedure that can change a person's sex, substantially, and all the surface modifications simply cause internal confusion.  There are many ways of handling this confusing situation with wisdom and love, and the parents are central to any of these possibilities, but schools pushing parents out at arms length are destructive to society, to the children, and to the education system itself which is, theoretically, driven toward intellectual development.

This can only thrive if it aligns with 1) emotional development - separating children and parents unnecessarily damages this, and 2) physical development - separating the outside of one's body with its inside damages this!

Thank you for your time,

Tim Heisler


Transgender policies

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It is not the government's job to raise our children. Stay out of the parents role.

Youngkin is doing the right thing and protecting our children and the parents.


I cant believe the authoritarians advocating for government to replace parents. Support this policy

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I never thought I'd live in a time where people like Guzman are in power and calling for government to take children away from their parents just because the parents will not encourage their child to adopt a destructive self identity. This is the very definition of tyranny. You are literally trying to steal people's kids because they disagree with your political views. How can any of you think you are on the right side of history? Do you really think that it is child abuse for a parent to lies that are being fed to their child? The only abuse happening here is force feeding children gender ideology and then forcing girls into unsafe situations in locker rooms and unfair sports because you think you have a right not to be offended or even disagreed with. Your feelings do not give you the right to play god with other people's lives.


The Right of Parents to Oversee their Child's Education

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All parents have a duty and responsibility to raise their children to be decent upstanding, God-Loving members of society to be endowed with skills to help other members of society.  As a parent, I would be offended if I were unable to take part and have a say in the educational subjects taught to my child.  I am Support of the new pro-parent polices proposed by the Virginia Department of Education.


Virginia is for haters with these policies! Quit taking us back in time!

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These policies send a message of hate and rejection towards transgendered youth! Virginia will live in shame until you leave office, and things go back to normal then. Worst governor who deceived the naive and ran on lies! Please tell me how that is being a good “Christian”?


Vehemently oppose!! Hateful policies!!!

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What basis do you have to overrule all of the major psychological associations that have designed standards of care for trans minors over the last several decades?


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

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


Quit forcing Christian nationalism on all of us!!

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From WAPO:

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


I support Governor Youngkin's changes

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<p>I'm appalled that government or schools would keep any secrets regarding our children from us, the parents. Our children need the parents guidance and protection. Government and schools should never be allowed to cut out the parents when it comes to our children. Thank you for updating these policies to restore protections for basic parental rights and assuring that parents are no longer cut out of the process, especially when it concerns gender and sexuality issues are handled with our kids at school. I support the new policies removal of language encouraged school officials to follow procedures to deceive parents when their children are making life altering decisions about their gender identity in a school setting. The original policy had language that created a wedge between parents and their child at a time when they need more communication. I suppose the new update that removes this wedge.  I support the updated language that acknowledges students and teachers can't be forced into compelled speech that violates their constitutional rights including the first amendment and religious protections. I support the updated language that empowers schools to make their own decisions about how to best protect students especially protecting vulnerable students when undressing in locker rooms or overnight field trips. Middle and High School years can be very challenging, that's why I'm glad we already have comprehensive bullying policies to ensure a safe environment while still respecting the rights of all students. That's why it's important schools have the freedom as this updated policy allows to address bathroom/privacy issues on a case by case with parents and not a one size fits all Pressure tool that treats all districts/communities the same. Please finalize these updated 2022 model policies as written without removing any of the key protections to restore parental involvement in the process and protect children's privacy and safety rights. </p>


Children need support and validation, not transphobia

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Just like you can't force a kid to not be gay, you can't force a kid to not be trans. Your kid is going to be those things regardless of you. You can choose to be supportive, and your child will have a better outcome in life, or you can choose not to. Your child would have a high chance of being the 32-50% who will attempt suicide. Which do you choose? An alive and happy kid, or a sad and suicidal one?

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5178031/


Opposed - protect child autonomy

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<p>It would be ideal if all children were raised in families that supported and loved them unconditionally but that is not the reality of the  world in which we live. Children as young as two have a sense of gender. By the time they are much older, school aged, kids should have the right to be addressed by the pronouns which reflect the gender they are, not that was assigned to them at birth without input from the child themselves. Ideally that’s a conversation that any child could have with their parents, but unfortunately that’s not the world we live in. Let children feel safe and protected at school. Oppose this bill and allow educators the chance to address children with respect, as they wish to be addressed.  </p>


I support Gov Youngkin

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Parents have the right to determine what is best for their children


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,
Patricia Cooney
5911 3rd St S
St. Petersburg, FL 33705

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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 />Patricia Cooney
<br />5911 3rd St S<br />St. Petersburg, FL 33705<br /><img src="http://admin.phone2action.com/email/open/leg/657523/148433051" width="1" height="1" />


Strongly Oppose 2022 Guidance

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I cannot imagine why anyone would support the 2022 guidance. The guidance is designed to put even more barriers in the way of children who just want to feel safe while getting an education.

Among my many complaints with the 2022 policy, I'll focus on one particular issue. The policy directly states multiple times that the intent is to reinforce parental rights; the policy also states that these policies are not the enforcement of an ideological position; however, you clearly indicate in Section V Development, paragraph C that this is not the intent of the policy. Instead, it adds even more barriers to having a child's gender recognized.

"C. These 2022 Model Policies adhere to the First Amendment. The First Amendment forbids government actors to require individuals to adhere to or adopt any particular ideological beliefs. Practices such as compelling others to use preferred pronouns is premised on the ideological belief that gender is a matter of personal choice or subjective experience, not sex. Many Virginians reject this belief. Additionally, the First Amendment guarantees religious freedom and prohibits compelling others to affirm ideas that may be contrary to their personal religious beliefs. "

That paragraph implies that even if a parent goes through the (arduous) legal process to have their child's gender changed with the government and also writes to the school with those legal documents in hand to confirm a child's gender, any teacher may ignore instructions to use pronouns consistent with a child's gender - purely based on their religious beliefs. In addition to ignoring the mental wellbeing of the child, this paragraph directly strips control away from the parent and gives it back to any teacher who disagrees. The cumulative effect is that the policy adds yet another burden onto a transgender child.

It seems evident that this policy is based on religious beliefs, either yours or your base's. Please stop thinking of yourself and instead think what is actually best for a child in a precarious situation during an already fraught period of life.

As a Virginia voter, it seems clear that this policy is an obvious bullying tactic targeted at trans children, and I don't vote for bullies.


The proposed policy is illegal and wrong. I support trans, nonbinary, and gender fluid kids.

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This hateful policy has immediately galvanized me against the current governor. My reasons are:

Regarding the policy to restrict bathroom use and sports/other activities by sex assigned at birth: the evidence is clear that trans kids' desire to use facilities and activities that match their gender is about them and nobody else. They just want to pee and play sports without being harassed or feeling out of place, and there's no conclusive evidence that their doing so harms the other children in those spaces and activities, while there is plenty of evidence that trans people are harmed every day by being denied access to spaces that match their gender. The solution to a hypothetical trans kid behaving inappropriately in these spaces is to correct the behavior, not to preemptively ban all trans kids. Doing so is a violation of their fundamental human rights under the Virginia Human Rights Act. And as for the argument that trans girls kids will make it impossible for other girls to win at sports - show us evidence that that's happening. Because what I've seen indicates trans girls actually lose ground performance wise when they transition to gender aligned competition. We don't know if it's because of the stress of the scrutiny, or the changes on their bodies, or the difference between how women and men compete, but there is no evidence that trans women are dominating sports. And even if that did eventually start to make competition harder, that's not necessarily an argument against allowing trans women's participation. It would be an argument for examining what we mean by fairness and how we assign classes to different bodies in sports, but I digress. Let trans kids play sports with the team members they understand and identify with. It's that simple.

Regarding the policy to let the parents decide the names and pronouns their children will be addressed by in school, based on a 2013 Virginia state law giving parents the right to "make decisions concerning the upbringing, education, and care of the parent’s child” - this reasoning doesn't work. Who a person fundamentally is is independent of their upbringing, education, and care, and can't be changed by those processes. Evidence shows that parental actions to squash their child's fundamental personality - including gender identity and sexual orientation - do not work to change those traits and instead damage the child's development by removing feelings of safety and support. In short, parents aren't capable of raising their gay or trans kids to not be gay or trans, and therefore this law isn't applicable. What the administration wants teachers to do is aid some parents in abusing their children, and that is simply wrong. I'd also like to ask our teachers to consider a slightly less fraught example. Do any of your students go by a middle name, or a nickname? Do you require parental permission for that courtesy? If you're perfectly comfortable doing that for Jameson who prefers Jamie, or Kingston Alexander Smith Jr. who would rather go by Alex than Kingston Jr., perhaps your refusal to not deadname Clarissa without parental permission has more to do with showing Clarissa you don't respect her, and less to do with respecting parental rights.

I wholeheartedly disagree with the proposed 2022 policy and strongly oppose any politicians who support it. I will be communicating that opposition through every means available to me - votes, words, and dollars.


OPPOSE

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I oppose the new document put forth by Governor Youngkin to replace the Model Policies of 2021 that were already accepted by the school board.  All students in VA should have the right to be the people they truly are, and to be accepted by their schools as such.  Schools are places for all students to learn and grow, and to do so, they must feel safe.  Part of that is being accepted and seen as who they are.

Freedom of speech, as is referred to in the new document, does not exist so that people can treat others badly.  It does not exist to allow harassment of others.  It exists to protect our right to have dignity as an individual.  We must protect this for our children.  Everyday in our lives, we use the pronouns and names of people we meet based on who they say they are.  Give our school kids this same basic dignity.


Oppose: Please Maintain Student (Human) Protections

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<p>I strongly oppose this policy that erodes the individual human rights of students who deserve to be educated in a place where they feel safe and can trust the adults with whom they interact, FUNDAMENTAL factors for being able to engage in their education in a meaningful way.  The idea that a school maintaining student privacy and support somehow undermines parental rights is a red herring.  Parents who are concerned about protections for student identities in school are concerned that the school is not going to be reinforcing the individual values of their homes, which is not and should not be the mandate for public schools.  There is nothing about existing policies that stand in the way of parents engaging in a real way with their children during the 16 hours a day and two full days per week that they are not in school.  If parents want to 1) know how their children are feeling and 2) enact parenting decisions accordingly, then the can and should do that regardless of what is happening in school.  But within the school, primary focus should be on the safety and health of students in a way that supports their education. </p>


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,
Rebecca Pollock
7 Michael Mark Ln
Cumberland, RI 02864

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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 />Rebecca Pollock
<br />7 Michael Mark Ln<br />Cumberland, RI 02864<br /><img src="http://admin.phone2action.com/email/open/leg/657523/148430802" width="1" height="1" />


Please discount unsupported arguments

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<p>Many of the comments here are simply shouting emotion vice making a cogent, supportable argument. Comments that are simply "Hateful", "if you don't like it move to cali", or "children will die!" should be discounted. Only comments that present objective arguments and support for those arguments should be considered in making policy decisions. </p>


Support Revised Policies

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These revised guidelines are an ideal compromise and balance between parental rights and teachers responsibilities. As Governor Youngkin said, children belong to the parents, not the government. Whether you agree with them or not, parental decisions deserve to be respected. Please support the revised policies.


Children cannot make their own medical and legal decisions

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<p>This should not be political. Children are not permitted to make their own medical or legal decisions in other cases. Schools are not permitted to make medical or legal decisions on behalf of students, or withhold medical and legal information from parents, in other cases. </p>


Bullying, Under the Guise of “Parental Empowerment”-What Group Will Be Targeted Next?

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The 2022 MODEL POLICIES ON THE PRIVACY, DIGNITY, AND RESPECT FOR ALL STUDENTS AND PARENTS IN VIRGINIA’S PUBLIC SCHOOLS developed by the Virginia Department of Education is thinly veiled government sanctioned discrimination. This time, the Department is targeting LGBTQI+ students. Which group of students will the Department of Education target next? When does it end?  I reject the assertion that this document has been developed to purportedly empower parents to improve student outcomes. The Department is not reaffirming the rights of all parents, just a select subset trying to force their agenda on the rest of Virginia.

When do all parents get empowered?

Where is my power, as a parent, to prevent the discrimination endorsed in this document?

What about the rights of parents who want their children to learn to respect others and their beliefs?

What about the parents who want their children to follow the Golden Rule? This document is the antithesis of the Golden Rule.

What about parents who want their children to learn about and from people different from themselves?

What about the rights of parents who want their children taught actual facts?

What about the parents who want their children to make the world a better place for everyone, not just people of the same race, the same sexual orientation, the same socioeconomic strata, the same religion, the ones that conform to an arbitrary government standard?

What about us?

We are not represented in this document.

The fact that this document essentially mandates discrimination of students by school personnel knowing full well that Grimm v. Gloucester County School Board is settled law, I will leave to the attorneys preparing their lawsuits at this very moment. Since this document is supposed to empower parents to take part in their children’s education, the Department included Section VII. Resources to provide further documentation of the importance of parents in their children’s education, as well as methods to prevent bullying. One of the highlighted websites, https://www.stopbullying.gov/bullying/lgbtq, has an entire section called Create a Safe Environment for LGBTQI+ Youth. Here is an excerpt from that page:

“It is important to build a safe environment for all LGBTQI+ youth.  Parents, schools, and communities can all play a role in preventing bullying and helping LGBTQI+ youth feel physically and emotionally safe.

•Encourage respect for all students.

•Use inclusive language and avoid making assumptions. The words we use can help make people feel acknowledged and create a sense of belonging. For example, using "y'all" when referring to a group conveys gender equality rather than using "guys." Use gender-neutral pronouns like "they" or "them" instead of "he/she" or "him/her." You can also use words like "parent" instead of "mother" and "father.

•Use students' chosen names and pronouns.”

The Department’s 2022 Model Policies document blatantly ignores several of the suggestions for creating a safe environment for students.

The Department is not interested in creating a safe environment for all students, just some students. Let me be clear, I am the parent of a middle-schooler who is not directly targeted in this document. He is “safe” so to speak from the discrimination and mistreatment endorsed by the Department. However, I am tired of the bullying, of students and parents, by Virginia’s elected leaders and fringe groups under the guise of parental empowerment. The StopBullying website encourages bystanders to bullying to become upstanders. Therefore, I choose to be an upstander when I unequivocally denounce the 2022 Model Policies document. Virginia is better than this. Enough is enough!


Oppose

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This policy will have the opposite effect of its stated intent of improving outcomes for all children. In fact, children will die.


Parental rights

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Parental rights have been trampled. I fully agree with Governor Youngkin’s stance!


Affirming the Importance of Parents

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I endorse the proposed new Guidance Document that establishes the roles and powers of parents in safeguarding the education of their children in Prince William County Public Schools.  This also means the censure of information and advice taught to students shall not be promoted, but shall be available to all parents.


Strongly agree with Youngkin

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<p>I am the parent not the government. I carried my child for 9 months and gave birth to my child. The government has no place in any decision making of my child period. Whatever the decision may be it’s is mine as the parent. There are too many sick government officials out to harm us. </p>


Transgender school policies

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<p>I totally oppose this. </p>


Brainwashing and mutilating children is pure evil. Support Youngkin

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Brainwashing and mutilating children is pure evil. Unless,of course, you are under a strong delusion. Then it is as natural as breathing. For those of us that are truly AWAKE(not woke)we can see it for what it is. Phobic or phobia means you are scared of something. The AWAKE are not fearful. GOD is not mocked.Love takes on many forms and Righteous Justice is but one of them. But if you have no standard,no Absolute in your woke life you cannot understand this Truth. The delusion is strong.


I support parents' rights.

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I support parents' rights.


Oppose these harmful guidelines

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It costs zero dollars to respect children. Let them use their preferred pronouns and bathrooms. It’s not rocket science. LGBTQ kids have the highest rate of homelessness of all children. They experience that because of parental rejection of their authentic selves. LGBTQ kids have a higher rate of suicide. These guidelines are only going to make that worse. Leave these kids alone!


Strongly disagree

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People that assume that "men" are going to be in women's bathrooms praying on women do not understand that we will be forcing men to enter our bathrooms if we don't let them use the bathrooms that they identify with and that women will be victimized in men's restrooms because they can't use the bathrooms they identify with. Transgendered people are trapped in a body that does not reflect their identities, we do not need to make their lives even harder.


Fully Support Gov. Youngkin's new trans policy-bring back common sense!

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<p>I can't believe people are on here saying furries have rights. My daughter has the right to change clothes in a locker room without the "girl" next to her having an erection.  She also has the right to play on sports' teams and compete against those with the same biological sex she has, so same muscle structure, upper body strength, etc.  Parents are entitled to parent.  Period.  I'm sorry, but legally, minors under 18 are still under their parent's authority.  If someone isn't old enough or responsible enough to manage alcohol, how are they going to be able to make life altering decisions about hormones?  </p>


SUPPORT transparency between parents and schools

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<p>I strongly support an open partnership between parents and schools. We are paying tax dollars for the schools. Don't drive a wedge between kids and their parents. </p>


Strongly support, thank you for this common sense

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I am strongly in SUPPORT of this. Schools should not keep secrets from parents, including transitioning students and keep the child's new name, pronouns and gender identities from parents. I am grateful that the Virginia Department of Education's revised model policies are based on common sense and support adolescents as they grow and mature. Schools don't have the full history or knowledge of kids and are only in their lives for a short amount of time. It should be rational and common sense to support parental rights and ensure that school staff doesn't exclude parents out of critical decisions for their children. Strongly 1000% support.


Youngkin is furryphobic. Furries have rights too. Impeach the governor.


Hispanics support Youngkin and this policy: protect our daughters

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<p>The Hispanic community supports keeping our families safe. </p>


I stand with Youngkin… sometimes love must be tough.

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<p>Please continue to stand firm. God will hold us accountable regarding how we have protected innocent children against sexual deviance and absolute madness! This is common sense. </p>


Protect students rights and dignity

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Gay and transgender students already face great hurdles in this society. Don't stigmatize them further with these mean-spirited proposals.


Ridiculous. Oppose

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I oppose this. So silly


Depressed and Outraged by these policies

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<p>I am outraged by that our governor and other members of our state government are even considering these policies and as a trans college student, want nothing more for my trans brothers, sisters, and siblings to live a happy life. These policies will ultimately not benefit a vast majority of people, and only harm the thousands of trans minors that live in this state. I want us to be free from this oppression. Glen Youngkin, I oppose you and despise these policies. </p>


Keep trans youth safe.

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There are real lives at risk here. A student whose family dies not know they are trans, likely does not feel safe to the student. The last thing that a young and vulnerable (trans) person needs is to be outed to someone who they don’t feel will respect their needs. These policy proposals by Governor Youngkin are dangerous and unethical.

 Let’s offer trans youth actual support, and help keep them safe.


Policies on Parental rights in preserving their children's welfare.

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The policies of turning a child's welfare over to state "protection" (????) was one of the fundamental controls of Nazi Germany.  It did not work for them & will not work for us.

The education system in America is broken & beyond repair. I support Gov. YOUNKIN'S changing to a more sane approach to have control for parent's in determining their offspring's future and good.


Strongly Oppose, Protect Human Rights

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This proposed legislation only addresses imaginary issues as a political move, at the expense of real people. Please do not let a politician’s political agenda cause such harm to those who are trans. This is denying people of their identity, just to play to a conservative base. It is important to choose to love as opposed to the prejudice and intolerance this Bill represents. Thank you.


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

Andrea Weiskopf- LCPS Latin teacher- direct quote from her Twitter account

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If you want to know why Loudoun County is advocating to keep parents in the dark, look no further than LCPS Latin teacher Andrea Weiskopf’s Twitter account. They are big loud and proud to be grooming our children. Have we had enough yet?


Support Youngkin- common sense

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I fully support Youngkin giving control back to the parents. Children/teens are minors who have parents for a reason- parental guidance. If we just look at the choices that middle & high school aged students make in a daily & weekly basis it is scary & concerning.  They cannot be left to their own discretion vital life, changing actions. A parent can be sued in certain situations if their teen behaves in a certain unacceptable manner, yet some think they are capable of making any kind of sensible sexual related decisions without parental involvement. My children are 22 & 26, but I cannot fathom either of them being in the radical school environment of today. I would be in complete fear for my learning disabled & naive son as well as for my active Christian athlete. I’m thankful Youngkin has enough sense to take charge of these distractions to education. ALL children deserve an education without private distractions hindering learning. Be whoever you want, but don’t force extreme activities on innocent lives.
Again, thankful for Youngkin taking control of the dangerous direction the democrats are taking our innocent children.


Blatant transphobia with severe human costs.  Oppose to protect our fellow Virginians from hate!

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"Common sense" to Gov. Youngkin runs against every recommendation made by nearly every credible health organization across the globe.  Trans kids deserve support, not hate, and especially not to be forcibly exposed to parents who can and will abuse them for who they are.  Parents like Youngkin.  People who believe they know their children's lived experiences better than their kids themselves, and who will not hesitate to use force and coercion to try and force their worldview onto them, with the cost being near to triple the rates of depression, and almost quadruple the suicide risk.  [Source: Mental Health Outcomes in Transgender & Non-Binary Youths Receiving Gender-Affirming Care, Tordoff DM. et al, PMID: 35212746]

In other words: are you pro-life?  Oppose Youngkin's policy vehemently, because otherwise it's going to cost the lives of too many of our youths.  Do you care about the well-being of Virgnia youth generally?  Oppose Youngkin's policy vehemently, because there will inevitably be a sharp rise in homeless youth thrown out by abusive family.  Do you care about our politicians legislating based on facts, and not feelings?  Oppose Youngkin's policy vehemently, because it is based solely on the hurt feelings of loud-mouthed transphobic evangelicals like himself, not the facts and lived experiences of our fellow Virginians, who know that trans folks are the victims, and who deserve all the love our state can give.

Virginia is for lovers, but this policy sure isn't.  Support our state, not its detractors.


Completely support.

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Schools should teach academics and parents should teach morals and values. The state is not the parent.


Absolutely not

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This would be a huge violation of rights for many reasons. Absolutely not okay


Oppose

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One look at the pictures from the James Webb telescope is enough to realize that we have a diverse, expansive universe that cannot be contained in a box. Step back, policy makers and see the broader view knowing all children, all genders are an expression of divine creativity and do not fit neatly into a human defined gender box. Children are suffering for lack of a safe place to seek understanding and work through issues potentially unable to be addressed in a healthy home. This proposal does not offer our students the life affirming and understanding space needed.


Trans human rights trampled by Youngkin’s political posturing!

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Trans students are being used by Gov. Youngkin to generate momentum for his personal political aspirations. Violating the human rights of Virginia’s students by jeopardizing their safety and mental health is a despicable act that demonstrates a complete lack of respect and understanding of the challenges faced by trans students. Schools and teachers have a duty of care to their students and should be concerned with providing educational opportunities in an environment that respects the dignity of the individual. Virginia has already embarrassed itself by wasting time and tax dollars when Gloucester County lost multiple appeals in Federal Court in its attempt to violate the rights of a trans student. It should be self evident by now that trans students are not a threat-self serving politicians are!!!


Your name vs your Self

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This decision the be a fulfilled and understood person is up to the self. The is no need to get permission from your gaurdians to express how you identify. There is no harm in asking your peers and instructors to address you as she/her/he/him/they/them or any other pronoun. If I can go from William H Notaname, to "Bulldog" from k-12 for fun. Or staff and pears should be able to handle a pronoun in a serious manner. Do better


Absolutely oppose this bill.

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This bill is revolting. I absolutely oppose this bill.


No one has the right to have their ideas affirmed. Support this policy.

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<p>Nazis are humans. Should we go out of our way to affirm their beliefs? Of course not. Suggesting that disagreeing with trans people is equivalent to dehumanizing them is therefore untrue. It is not hatred for me to want locker rooms where men cannot come in and endanger women. It is not hatred to say that trans people have no right to enter female sports as they have an advantage. You don't have a right to infringe on other people's rights. </p>


Guzman wants to force parents to disfigure their children. Mindless affirmation isn't love. Support

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The whole point of parenting is that kids don't yet know how the world works. They simply are not self sufficient yet. That is why parents need to act in their best interest, which means discouraging the idea that they need to undergo surgery because something is wrong with their bodies. Why would a parent encourage a child to adopt an ideology that causes such widespread depression? It's not healthy for kids to be told they're in the wrong body or that their identity revolves around their gender and everyone must affirm and accommodate this identity even at the expense of making sports unfair and locker rooms unsafe. If you need people to agree with you, if you perceive disagreement as a personal attack threatening your existence, that is a clear indication that your beliefs are wrong and they are harming you and everyone around you. Never being offended is not a right you have. However, girls have a right to safe bathrooms and fair sports. You cannot undermine these rights because you want to feel affirmed. Feelings do not trump other people's rights. Saying that they do is a destructive lie that should never be fed to kids. The fact that the government wants to force parents to have their kids get surgery based on these lies is concerning. It is authoritarian. It is compelled speech designed to push leftist talking points at the expense of ruined families. Gender ideology is not loving or affirming. It destroys children's identity and leaves them depressed and suicidal. It is because I care about kids, because I care about trans kids, that I support this policy. No one encourages an anorexic's view of their body, but that doesn't mean that they hate the anorexic. The destructive self perception encouraged by radical gender activists cannot be unchallenged. Mindless affirmation is not love. Correcting a destructive belief isn't hatred or abuse, but the opposite. Are there abusive parents? Sure. But there are also abusive teachers. It is therefore ridiculous to argue that teachers should get authority instead of parents due to the existence of abusive parents. The opposite argument can be made just as easily, and indeed moreso. The average parent is more trustworthy than the government.


OPPOSE!!!!!!!!!!!

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<p>COMPLETELY OPPOSE THIS LEGISLATION FROM PASSING. LISTEN TO WE THE PEOPLE!! PARENTS SHOULD BE ABLE TO PROTECT THEIR CHILDREN FROM MAKING LIFE ALTERING DECISIONS UNTIL THEY ARE OLD ENOUGH TO MAKE THEM PERSONALLY!!!!! </p>


Opposed

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Students' individual needs should be supported.  This document goes in the opposite direction.


Support. Dems like McAuliffe think they can usurp parental authority.

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<p>I really thought the Dems would have the basic intelligence necessary to take the hint from the gubernatorial election, but evidently they still want to die on the hill of destroying families and brainwashing kids. </p>


Strongly oppose this transphobic nonsense

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<p>School should be a safe place for kids and unfortunately lots of times home is not. With this policy it puts children in a rough position of being themselves or hiding themselves and with suicide rates rising it seems like it should be a no brainer not to make life harder for these kids. </p>


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

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Perverts on the left have zero boundaries.


Keep the previous guidelines

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Keep the 2021 guidelines.  Adolescence is a difficult time.  Not every parent, sadly, is able to handle a child’s desire for autonomy well.  Let the child work with trained and compassionate school personnel to help them negotiate this difficult passage. Yes, you can keep the parent informed if the child is not fearful of wrath or punishment.


Virginia is definitely not for lovers with these policies!!

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These policies send a message of hate and rejection towards transgendered youth! Virginia will have to be ashamed until you leave office, and things go back to normal then. Worst governor who deceived the naive and ran on lies! Please tell me how that is being a good “Christian”?


Hateful, bullying policies!!!!!

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The state is overreaching when they focus on “parental rights.” The only parental rights you care about are those who conform to your “Christian” values. What about the parents who want their kids to feel safe at school? What about the parents who believe basic human rights and dignity should not be violated to gain political points? Parental rights, my butt! You are a disgrace!


Transgender policy

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<p>I support Gov Younkin’s revisions to this policy </p>


Disgraceful policies!

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<p>Governor Youngkin's nonsensical policies show he cares nothing about what is truly best for the backbone of society: families. The supporters of these policies only want to tear families apart; which leads to the whole country falling apart at the seams. These policies sow hate and bully some of our nation’s most vulnerable people! We normal people despise your policies! </p>


Youngkin's Common Sense Policies

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Governor Youngkin's common sense updates show he is working for what is truly best for the backbone of society: families. The opposing side only wants to tear families apart; which leads to the whole country falling apart at the seams. You can already see it happening all around you. Youngkin, please, keep up the good work. We normal people are behind you.


Transgender- issue for School Policies

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<p>I support Governor Youngkin's efforts to give parents the right to raise their children and schools the freedom to educate children without the pressure to implement all these social nonsense. let children be children and enjoy their childhood while learning Math, Sciences, Social Studies, etc. </p>


Oppose. Oppose. Oppose!!

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From WAPO:

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


Hateful policies! Disgraceful governor.

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


Transgendered rights are human rights!

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Republicans continue to strip away basic freedoms, and this is just another example. Think beyond white, “Christian” men, and find some compassion for all. These are bullying and hateful policies that are a disgrace to a large amount of Virginians. Cannot wait until you are out of office, and there is a return to basic human decency!


Vehemently oppose!


Thank you for not compelling speech

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<p>For those of us who love science, we are grateful to Younkin for not forcing us to declare an individual male when she is female or declare an individual plural when the individual is singular. This does not mean we are full of hate or that tact and gentleness are impossible for us. I only ask that Younkin's directive apply to ALL speech. Some teachers are concerned that the new order will prohibit them from using student nicknames, and teachers have a long history of honoring students by calling them by the name they prefer, whether that be an Asian-American student who chooses to be known by an American name or a student with a long name who prefers a shorter one. Please allow teachers to interact with students in a way that fosters genuine, respectful relationships. </p>


I strongly OPPOSE Youngkin's model policy

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<p>As a born and bred citizen of the Commonwealth of Virginia, I strongly oppose Youngkin's hateful and transphobic model policy. Virginia is NOT Florida and it will NEVER be Florida! </p>


Oppose - Support children's rights

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<p>This policy enables child abuse by removing all protections for transgender children's rights </p>


Oppose

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This policy directly endangers the youth of this country that you constantly are swearing that you wish to protect against all costs. These will possibly be your friends, family members, and many more of those that you love that will be directly threatened by this policy. This must not be allowed to take place, as it directly goes against everything that this country is supposed to stand for in terms of rights. Protect these children and others, or you are going against the very country you have been swearing your life by all along.


I'm against this policy. This new policy is immoral and illegal!

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<p style="text-align: left;">Not only is this document hypocritical and contradicts itself in mulptiple areas, but the policies themselves completely go against the Virginia Human Right Act. People say they're "upholding American values" by doing this but our country literally started because we wanted to have "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." And this bill cuts that off for a large portion of people. Vile stuff. </p>


Youngkin is Furryphobic- impeach

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Furries have right too.


Oppose

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As a trans person I'm strongly opposed to these regressive policies, which I believe will significantly increase harm to the most vulnerable people in our commonwealth


I oppose Youngkin's policy

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<p>As the student walk-outs and college demonstrations clearly demonstrate, our youth stand with their trans classmates and strongly disagree with this policy. </p>


Oppose

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As someone who has transgender friends with unsupportive parents, I've personally seen the impact that it's had on their mental health. In fact, I've had to actually had to help them through periods of mental struggle. Seeing that Virginia, my own state, is seeking to pass such an archaic and, frankly, ing ghoulish law genuinely fills me with shame for a state that I'm otherwise quite proud to live in. Now that I'm done with the professionalism, I suggest you go  yourselves with the sharpest knife you can find. Thank you and goodbye.


OPPOSE

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Ya'll MF TERFS and MAGA bitches. How about ya'll leave the ing children alone bitches?


Oppose

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I oppose this policy, mainly because of the harmful effects it will have on the trans community, it is uneeded damage to them and shouldn't be done


Oppose

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Please adjust these laws to protect the safety and well being of trans folk. Tired of making these arguments.


OPPOSE

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This policy is inherently dangerous and will only harm our already underfunded school systems. Virginia is for lovers, and this policy asks schools to discriminate against students and staff on the basis of sex and gender. Trans students are just like every other student and deserve a safe environment conducive to their education. OPPOSE THIS POLICY!


Oppose

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The laws against trans people are unconstitutional.


Oppose

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I oppose Gov. Youngkin's proposed 2022 Model Policy. Children are their own people and should be allowed to represent themselves however they see fit. Protect trans youth!


Oppose Model Policy

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I am the mother of 2 former LCPS students (both now in college) and a former FCPS elementary teacher. I am completely opposed to the new Model Policy (and yes, I have read it). It undoes all the progress that has been made in supporting Transgender and Non-binary students.

I would suggest that, as Gov. Northam did in April 2021 (Asian American teens at Freedom HS), you sit down and actually MEET with a group of transgender kids before you go any further with this policy.  My guess is that you don't actually know any transgender kids. Prior to 7 years ago, neither did I (or not that I was aware of) but through my own kids, I met and got to know a number of trans kids during my kids' high school years.

You say that parents need to be heard.  The parents who are fearful of transgender kids are in the small minority but your campaign last year handed them the megaphone.  Most of us welcome these kids as our childrens' friends and into our homes.  We work hard to get their pronouns right (definitely not second nature to us but it's important). We see that kids who are supported with correct pronouns and names that they tell us suit them best are happier, more well-adjusted kids. Studies show this to be true. Transgender females are no more of a threat to our daughters than cis-gender males. In fact, I have ZERO concern for my own daughter in the presence of trans females. These are kids who are just trying to live their most authentic lives.

As a teacher, I know that school is often a safe space for students.  I taught in an FCPS community where roughly half of my students had very unstable home lives. Holiday breaks were very stressful for them and I could feel their relief as they walked in the door the first day back.  Your model policy takes that safety away from transgender kids.  Prohibiting teachers from using a student's pronouns/name without parental permission is just wrong and extreme.  I was saddened last year when an LCPS gym teacher claimed he wouldn't use students' pronouns because it was against his faith.  I am a lifelong, faithful Christian but 1) my faith does not teach me to ignore science and the medical experts and 2) separation of church and state matters.  I've taught children of many, many faiths and children of no religious faith at all yet I would never impose mine on them. Going a step further to prevent supportive teachers from using a student's pronouns is simply abusive and cruel.

Again, please meet with a group of these kids. Listen to them. Understand who they really are and please respect their rights and realize they are not the threat.

Thank you.


I oppose

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<p>I do not feel that it is fair for students to be outted to their parents. It goes against their basic human rights and can put them in danger. </p>


I oppose!!!

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Everyone deserves body autonomy and the right to personal identity! I oppose this bill because no one deserves to be prosecuted!


Oppose

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I believe that Trans Rights is Human Rights.


Put the safety of children before politics and end this nonsense!

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Learn about your child by spending time with them. Don't ask the school to bully and betray them.  As others have said, the school's duty is to the child first.  Parents don't have the right to choose the curriculum, the teacher, or the books.  They do have the right to choose the public school or another option.

We don't get to decide the facts or pick adult discomfort over children's safety.  LGBTQ+ affirmation saves lives worthy of being saved. All children deserve respect and dignity.

This isn't about gender.  It's about control, politics, and fear.  The recycling of decades-old anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric and fear-mongering makes it obvious that people will use anything to win an election or score political points.

This is not who we are and can be, Virginia.


I oppose the 2022 model policies

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I oppose the 2022 model policies


Protect Trans Kids

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I oppose. Protect trans kids


oppose

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I oppose this legistlation, it goes against human rights.


Opposition

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I oppose. This inhumane agenda, this evil policy goes against human rights and even goes as far as to protect those who treat us like trash. What ever happened to America "land of the free" more like "land of the corrupt and pigheaded!"


WE OPPOSE 2022 MODEL PLAN

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WE OPPOSE GOV. YOUNGKIN'S 2022 MODEL PLAN. PROTECT TRANS RIGHTS. PROTECT TRANS KIDS.


Vetting of IP addresses

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Since this is such a hot button topic, I would be sure to vet the responses by IP address, as the possibility exists that there MAY be multiple comments sent from the same IP address in an effort to "pack" the comments in favor of one side or the other.

I for one did the honest thing and only commented twice on this matter- once on Parental Rights, and once on Women's Sports, as I feel they are separate issues, even though they are together in the 2022 Policy.

Thank you!


I strongly support Youngkin's revisions!

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I support Governor Younkin! Parents should be the authority over their children, not the state.


Oppose


OPPOSE

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OPPOSE, protect trans students.


2022 MODEL POLICIES ON THE PRIVACY, DIGNITY, AND RESPECT FOR ALL STUDENTS AND PARENTS IN VIRGINIA’S


Opposition to Youngkin's Anti-Trans Agenda

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I oppose this agenda because it goes against human rights!!


Oppose

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I oppose this wholeheartedly. We must protect trans youth and trans rights. We should be fighting for a world where we are more accepting and kind.


oppose

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I oppose this. Protect trans kids. Our identities matter, our lives matter.


Here is the proposal - read it.

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Here is the proposed policy:

https://townhall.virginia.gov/L/GetFile.cfm?File=C:\TownHall\docroot\GuidanceDocs_Proposed\201\GDoc_DOE_6284_20220915.pdf

Reviewing comments, it's obvious that most have not bothered to actually read it. This makes it difficult for state officials to use our comments to determine a way forward. Please provide substantive comments on the actual proposal.


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I oppose Younkins' Anti-Trans agenda.


oppose

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I oppose this. Protect trans kids.


2022 MODEL POLICIES ON THE PRIVACY, DIGNITY, AND RESPECT FOR ALL STUDENTS AND PARENTS IN VA'S SCHOOL

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I am in full agreement with the new proposed policy guidance.

Thank you,

Mary Hamilton

Fairfax


Opposition

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<p>The bill passed by Governor Younkin is both deplorable and dehumanizing. As a community, this is both harmful to us as individuals and as a community. We are opposed to this bill and things need to be changed and revised. </p>


Strongly oppose this policy

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<p>As a parent of elementary school aged children, I know and am proud that my children can advocate for themselves in terms of their name used in the classroom. The same should be true for their desired pronouns. To deny them of this right and opportunity is to deny their identity. </p>


Protect Women's Sports

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I also support Governor Youngkin's efforts to protect Women's Sports. The idea that biological males who "gender identify" as females should be allowed to compete in Women's Sports is completely ludicrous, as they have a distinct physical advantage over biological females in sports competitions.

This is NOT sexism, it is a scientific FACT. How would you feel if your daughter, the best in her school at her sport, competed against a biological male and lost?

Thank you for the opportunity to comment.


Full support of parental rights

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The state overstepped when they took away parent's rights. Thank you for correcting this egregious error.


Protect Trans Youth-- Sincerly, A Trans Youth

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I would like to start with the fact that I am a closeted transgender student in Virginia. I live with a family that isn't very accepting of the trans community and I have several friends that are queer and trans that it would not be safe to be out to.

By passing a bill that makes it so trans youth cannot use their name and pronouns without a signed form from their parents, you will put me, my friends, and several others in danger. Inversely, no one is being harmed by using a trans student's pronouns and by them using the bathroom that aligns with their gender identity. It has been proven that gender-affirming practices improve mental health and cause a decline in trans youth suicides. I can see no reason that gender affirming practices should be discontinued, other than blatant transphobia.

If the reason the bathroom part of this bill is being passed is because trans youth are 'predatory', I recommend that you look at the cases of sexual assault that occurs in schools. Before I graduated my high school, there were two cases of sexual assault in my school, both perpetrated by cisgender boys. If we want to lower rates of sexual assault, we need to educate students better.

I know a large reason for this bill is to get parents more involved in their student's life at school, and I understand where you are coming from, however, putting trans children in danger is not the way to get parents more involved. Parents can schedule meetings with their students' teachers, fill out exemption forms for sensitive and triggering topics they don't think their students should be exposed to, and so on, and not by targeting trans youth. If parents are truly unhappy with how public schools are educating their children, they can enroll them in private school or home school them.


The left is waging war on families. This legislation is an appropriate response.

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<p>Parents cannot be replaced by teachers. "Inclusive" bathroom and sports policies are unfair, humiliating, and unsafe for girls. The radical left is trying to go behind parents' backs to spout liberal propaganda. It is time to reassert to the leftist teachers that they cannot control our families. That is the real danger to kids. Their existence is not threatened simply because they do not always get whatever they want, and indeed kids are healthiest when they don't. The teachers unions have labelled all dissenters as terrorists in their letter to the DOJ, and they have failed to perform their duties as educators during the pandemic. They are replacing STEM with liberal talking points. This is nothing short of authoritarian. The teachers are actively trying to usurp parental authority and have any and all dissenters smeared as terrorists and arrested. There can be absolutely no tolerance for this. If anything Youngkin's policy does not go far enough. They have declared war on our families. They have committed the most egregious breach of trust imaginable and defiled what we hold most sacred. It is time for parents to take back control of education, and time for the teachers involved in this attack on families to lose their jobs. </p>


Gov Youngkins proposed changes

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<p>I fully support Gov Youngkin's proposed amendments. </p>


In Support of Parental Rights

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I completely support Governor Youngkin in revoking the 2021 Policy. Parental Rights for parents to determine what is best for their child or children (until the age of majority is reached) is guaranteed by the Constitution, and any initiative to mandate otherwise is therefore unconstitutional.

Thank you for the opportunity to comment.