Strongly oppose

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Enacting this change will only endanger youth who are already so vulnerable. In the effort to "promote parent's rights", you are putting these children in a position where they will be subjected to bullying and harassment. Every year, transgender people are murdered due to the ongoing ignorance in this country. Forcing these children, who are already dealing with figuring out who they are, into such a state will only result in the deaths of many and the suicide of others. Not every parent is right nor is guaranteed to provide the safety of their children either. If you value these children's lives, do NOT support this change.


Policy fails to follow APA guidelines nor is nuanced enough to support most students

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I understand that it is in most parents' best wishes to protect their children, however in regards to identity, communication should happen between parents and their children. Schools shouldn’t interfere with a students right to their own individuality and potentially harm a family. That’s why I believe the policy should be more nuanced to regard abusive home environments, different age groups, and different levels of care required

My experience with this issue comes firsthand as a nonbinary student who utilized school resources to overcome my own mental health crisis that came with the uncertainty in my own identity. Before I informed my parents I needed my own time to process my emotions and figure out what I was going to say to them. Informing them was tough, but I’m in a much better situation now because I told them at my own pace and was able to have healthy conversations with them about identity. Had the school violated my trust and went behind my back to inform my parents before I was ready my family would have fallen apart. My goal is to protect other students and families who are in a similar situation as I was by ensuring they have access to proper mental health resources.

Consequently, I believe the state has made some crucial errors in their new policy. Firstly, the state must recognize that as a child grows, they gain a sense of identity and independence beyond that of their parents. A 17-year-olds understanding of their identity is vastly different from that of a 7-year-olds. A baseline policy regarding all ages of students as the same shows a clear lack of regard for developmental differences. Secondly, the state disregards American Psychological Association(APA) confidentiality standards. The APA ethics guidelines in section 4.07 clearly state that “Psychologists do not disclose…identifiable information concerning their clients/patients, students, research participants, organizational clients, or other recipients of their services''. School psychologists deal with some of the most mentally vulnerable youth and should therefore be held to professional grade standards. The Commonwealth of Virginia is also contradicting documentation by the APA. According to the Guidelines for Psychological Practice with Transgender and Gender Nonconforming People under Guideline 8, while best practice for children pre-adolescence currently needs more research, for adolescents and adults gender affirmation is solidly agreed upon as the approach with the most positive outcomes. Additionally under Guideline 5 of the same documentation, school psychologists(and other school officials) should promote a space of inclusivity, to reduce harassment of students based on gender identity or sexual orientation. The commonwealth ignoring decades of research and professional opinions can only serve to harm students.

A sense of changing identity comes with potential mental health stressors. A student should choose the approach they wish to seek help. This includes access to school psychologists who follow APA guidelines on patient ethics, and allowing students to talk to  parents in a way they feel comfortable. Parents will be able to establish better communication with their child through a system like this which will keep family ties strong and healthy. This is the first of many steps to reach a nuanced middle ground so our schools remain safe learning spaces, and I encourage our government to have productive discourse with its citizens of varying viewpoints.  The draft model policy fails to be a nuanced order, meaning the new policy has more potential to alienate families from each other and harm students' mental health.


I OPPOSE the 2022 Guidance

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As a parent of Virginia public school students - I believe that all students including transgender and non-binary students deserve an education environment free from harassment. Please do the right thing, VDOE, and reject this draft policy. You can do better and our kids deserve better.


Strongly oppose the new oppressive policy

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Our role as parents and educators is to support our children for who they are. Not for who you want them to be. That means supporting their search for identity. Not policing and informing if a child doesn't conform to your expectations.

It's strange how the party of small government is so overly concerned about genitalia.

The focus needs to be on supporting the children's growth and development. Not creating a hostile, oppressive environment that furthers your small-minded and too often religious beliefs - in public schools, of all places. If parents want to limit their family's exposure to what their religion approves, they need to send their children to private school. Public school is for all kids. Everyone needs to feel welcome.

I oppose in the strongest terms this oppressive, bigoted, fear-based, religious-driven policy. Reject such policies and support our kids.


Transgender issues in school

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I do not support any transgender policies, nor do I want this nonsense

taught to children in schools! Gender is biologically Based xx and xy that’s

it. With few exceptions due to birth defects, taking drugs to suppress one’s

true biology is wrong! The fact that teachers, school systems and the courts

now want to deny parental consent and authority is absurd, illegal and probably

unconstitutional! If some people want to make these choices let them do so as

adults, stop harming our children!


HAVE A HEART- SUPPORT TRANS AND NON-BINARY STUDENTS

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Transgender and non-binary students deserve better, they are HUMAN BEINGS who deserve our love and respect! These proposed model policies are contrary to state law and will be extremely harmful to transgender and nonbinary kids. Protect trans and nonbinary kids. RESCIND these model policies.


Strongly Opposed to this Violation of Student's Personal Rights

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The disingenuous double-talk inherent in your expressed desire to treat "transgender students with necessary compassion and respect for all students" has my blood boiling, as it couldn't be more clear that what you mean by "all students" is "all of the other students." Your unwillingness to respect and have compassion for transgender students couldn't be more clear, as the policies--including refusal to address students by their preferred pronouns and taking away their personal autonomy and privacy by requiring schools to "out" transitioning students to parents in whom they may not yet be ready to confide--does the opposite of respecting transgender students. It is literal state-sanctioned bullying that will have dire consequences for their safety and well-being, including the potential for abuse and a higher risk of suicide. Not only am I against these proposed guidelines, I fully believe you should be ashamed of yourselves for proposing them and then lying to yourselves and calling it compassion.


OPPOSE

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As a transgender student, this policy is extremely predatory towards transgender youth. The state does not need to politicize what is in our underwear nor what bathroom we use, we are BORN THIS WAY, God intended us to be created with his love and you must respect that.

God Bless.


STRONGLY OPPOSED

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I strongly oppose the new guidance. I am a parent and a gay trans person. Speaking from experience, measures like these create an environment of hostility towards all kids and an unsafe learning and work environment. Let's support our kids and teachers and remove the new guidance.


Trans rights are human rights.

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I advocate for policies that accommodate all children.  I feel the proposed changes add misunderstanding and fear to a complex issue.  You can't legislate human development.  Fear is the enemy that prevents continuing dialogue and accommodations for individuals already experiencing vulnerability related to their identity.


VCQC Comment to Oppose the Proposed 2022 Model Policies

Oliver Lesher, Founder and Co-Director of the VCQC

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I submit this comment in opposition of the proposed 2022 Model Policies on the Privacy, Dignity, and Respect for All Students and Parents in Virginia Public Schools. I oppose the 2022 Model Policy on the grounds that they violate the law, and in doing so, seek to cause significant harm to the transgender and gender-nonconforming community. I ask the Virginia Department of Education to reinstate the 2021 Model Policy to protect the life and quality of life of every transgender student like myself.

The issues with the 2022 Model Policy are severe, and cannot understated.

The 2022 Model Policies define far fewer terms regarding gender identity than the 2021 Model Policies. The 2021 Model Policies defined eleven scientifically-backed and LGBTQ+-inclusive terms surrounding gender identity. The 2022 Model Policies define only two terms regarding gender identity: “sex” and “transgender student.”

Neither of these definitions meet the evidence-based best practices as is required in Va. Code § 22.1-23.3(A). Sex is defined as “biological sex” in the 2022 Model Policies. The 2022 Model Policies also define “transgender student” as “a public school student whose parent has requested in writing, due to their child’s persistent and sincere belief that his or her gender differs with his or her sex, that their child be so identified while at school.” Both these definitions use outdated and scientifically incorrect terminology in defining the trans identity. The 2022 Model Policies’ definitions and terminology cannot meet the evidence-based best practices requirement.

Notably, the 2022 Model Policies define being trans as depending on parents’ recognition instead of the student’s self-identification. They further call being trans the student’s “belief” which reinforces the false narrative that being trans is a choice as opposed to a deeply held knowledge and realization of one’s identity. It further operates on a male/female binary by using the term “his or her” that is demonstrably and scientifically false as it erases the existence of intersex and nonbinary people. This shift in definitions completely strips trans children of the self-determination of their identity in Virginia’s public schools.

This is wrong because my transness was not a choice, and instead is a fundamental part of who I am - and certainly not something that I should be discriminated for.

The 2021 Model Policies further prohibited “any and all discrimination, harassment, and bullying based on an individual’s actual or perceived . . . sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by law.” The 2021 Model Policies also required that “[a]ny incident or complaint of discrimination, harassment, or bullying shall be given prompt attention” and that “[c]omplaints alleging discrimination, harassment, or bullying based on a student’s actual or perceived gender identity shall be handled in the same manner as other discrimination or harassment complaints.” Finally, the 2021 Model Policies required the establishment of a school contact for both students and parents should the complaint be “not resolved at the school level.”

The 2022 Model Policies make disappointing and harmful changes to bullying, harassment, and discrimination policies. First, it removes the explicit protections for sexual orientation and gender identity. Instead, the only gender identity term it protects explicitly is “sex” which is defined by the 2022 Model Policies as “biological sex.” While the bullying, harassment, and discrimination prohibitions also protect “any other characteristic protected by law,” the removal of sexual orientation and gender identity as explicit categories sends a clear message: VDOE does not care about LGBTQ+ youth being bullied, harassed, or discriminated against.

Second, the 2022 Model Policies require that “[s]chool personnel shall be trained annually on health and mental wellness support to, and safety of, all students.” This is a drastic change from the 2021 Model Policies which required “[a]ll school mental health professionals shall be trained annually on topics relating to LGBTQ+ students, including safety and support for LGBTQ+ students.” The 2022 Model Policies therefore explicitly erase required training for staff on LGBTQ+ health and mental well-being.

Thankfully, the 2022 Model Policies keep the language of the 2021 Model Policies that “[a]ny incident or complaint of discrimination, harassment, or bullying shall be given prompt attention, including investigating the incident and taking appropriate corrective and/or disciplinary action, by the school administrator.” It also keeps the language that “[t]he [School Division’s Designated Contact] shall be available to hear concerns from students and parents when complaints are not resolved at the school level.” It also adds additional language that “[b]ullying of any student by another student, for any reason, cannot be tolerated in our schools. Intervening immediately to stop bullying on the spot can help ensure a safer school environment for all students.”

Stopping bullying for any student is an important goal for Virginia’s K-12 public schools. My concern is that gender identity and sexual orientation are no longer explicitly protected classes under the 2022 Model Policies and that school personnel are no longer required to obtain LGBTQ+ specific health and mental wellness professional development. In fact, it feels like VDOE is bullying the very trans kids they are claiming to protect by removing resources and policies aimed at supporting and protecting them.

Further still, The 2021 Model Policies allowed school staff to “consider the health and safety of the student in situations where students may not want their parents to know about their gender identity,” a protection that the 2022 Proposed Model Policies remove. While schools are indeed required to comply with FERPA, and parents do have a recognized right to their children’s educational information, those rights are not absolute when they endanger those children’s wellbeing. Further, the 2021 Model Policies permitted disclosure of a student’s gender identity only to other school personnel when there was a legitimate educational interest. The 2022 Model Policies require outing trans students to their parents along with school staff with a legitimate educational interest.

As the 2021 Model Policies acknowledged, disclosing a transgender student's gender identity to an unsupportive family “can pose imminent safety risks, such as losing family support or housing.” A recent study by the Trevor Project reported that 38% of transgender girls, 39% of transgender boys, and 35% of nonbinary youth surveyed had experienced homelessness and housing instability at some point in their lives. ( Homelessness and Housing Instability Among LGBTQ Youth, The Trevor Project, https://www.thetrevorproject.org/research-briefs/homelessness-and-housing-instability-among-lgbtq-youth-feb-2022/.) These rates are disproportionately greater for non-white LGBTQ+ youth. Id. 16% of LGBTQ+ youth reported running away because of fears of abuse, 14% reported that they were kicked out or abandoned by parents or caregivers. Id.

The United States Supreme Court has found that “a State's interest in safeguarding the physical and psychological well-being of a minor is compelling,” and as a result has “sustained legislation aimed at protecting the physical and emotional well-being of youth even when the laws have operated in the sensitive area of constitutionally protected rights.” New York v. Ferber, 458 U.S. 747, 756 (1982).

The new policy could be read to force disclosure of a student’s gender identity even when that disclosure endangers the student.

Even worse, The 2022 proposed Model Policies present contradictory standards regarding the identification of students. While III(D)(1) states that “Every effort should be made to ensure that a transgender student wishing to change his or her means of address is treated with respect, compassion, and dignity in the classroom and school environment,” the guidelines which follow require school staff to misgender (use the wrong pronouns for) and deadname (use the wrong name for) transgender students unless their parents specifically request otherwise in writing. For a student with an unsupportive family, that requirement presents an impossible hurdle.

Forcing staff to use names and pronouns that do not match a student’s presentation and identity will cause real harm. Respecting trans students’ preferred names improves their mental health and lowers suicidal ideation and attempts. (Stephen T. Russell et al., Chosen Name Use Is Linked to Reduced Depressive Symptoms, Suicidal Ideation, and Suicidal Behavior Among Transgender Youth, Journal of Adolescent Health https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1054139X18300855). Additionally, if the proposed guidelines are applied consistently, they could expose any child who goes by a name other than their legal name of record to embarrassment and bullying.

The 2021 Model Policies required school records to display a student’s legal name and sex assigned at birth. The school may have been required to report that information in some situations, but the policies included a recommendation to adopt practices that “avoid inadvertent disclosure of such information.” The 2022 Model Policies removed the recommendation to adopt practices that avoid inadvertent disclosure of name and gender identity when reporting. The 2022 Model Policies also changed the language referring to “sex assigned at birth” to “biological sex”

Under the 2021 Model Policies, schools were required to use the preferred name and pronouns of a student on the school records that the student or parent requested. Under the 2022 Model Policies that requirement has been removed. This will negatively impact the academic and social performance of trans students, because studies show that students experience better mental health outcomes when school officials respect their gender and use their chosen names. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1054139X18300855.

Under the 2022 Model Policies, schools are no longer required to change the name and gender identity of a student upon verification. The only way to change a student's name and/or gender marker is by a student or parent submitting a legal document reflecting such a change.

The 2021 Model Policies provided students an absolute right to dress in a way consistent with their gender identity or expression. However, the 2022 Model Policies impose a caveat to that right– and that caveat is concerningly vague. Namely, the 2022 Model Policies permit students to dress in any manner but requires that such manner must be “consistent with maintaining a respectful, distraction-free environment which supports a focus on learning for all students.”

Such vagueness may be a means to a discriminatory end. The 2022 Model Policies may allow schools to impose dress code limitations based on gender expectations because going against that expectation may be deemed a “distraction.” This vagueness gives schools and individual teachers too much power and discretion at the expense of targeting trans, non-binary, and gender-nonconforming students’ attire.

The vagueness in the 2022 Model Policies may also violate the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment to the federal Constitution. Since the new policy does not provide any guidance to students as to what constitutes a “respectful, distraction-free environment,” an ordinary student will not understand what that phrase means regarding attire.

On the subject of facilities, The 2021 Model Policies unequivocally required students to provide access to facilities, such as bathroom and locker rooms, corresponding with their gender identity. Additionally, the 2021 Model Policies required schools to provide, upon request from any student voicing privacy concerns, access to single-use/gender-inclusive facilities or another reasonable accommodation. These policies aligned with federal law which requires schools to allow students to use facilities corresponding with their gender identity.

The 2022 Model Policies blatantly violate federal law. See, e.g., Grimm v. Gloucester Cty. Sch. Bd., 972 F.3d 586 (4th Cir. 2020). These policies require students to use locker rooms, bathrooms, overnight travel accommodations, and other intimate spaces based upon their “biological sex.” Practically, this violation means trans students will be subject to humiliation, harassment, and even violence by using a facility that does not align with their gender identity. Not to mention, this will force certain trans students to out themselves by using a school facility they have likely not used in years.

The 2022 Model Policies require that access to facilities be made in respect to federal law, but blatantly contradict them. For example, the 2022 Model Policies require bathroom access based on “biological sex” as indicated by the student’s record which is in direct opposition to Grimm. The 2022 Model Policies require districts to break the law while trying to save face and tell them to follow it within the very same paragraphs.

The 2021 Model Policies required that “[s]chools shall eliminate the practice of segregating students by gender to the extent possible.” These policies also required that when event participation was sex-segregated, school districts had to “allow students to participate in a manner consistent with their gender identity.”

The 2022 Model Policies remove the provision requiring schools to eliminate sex-segregation as much as possible. Now, these policies require that sex-segregation be based on biological sex as opposed to gender identity. While the 2022 Model Policies state, “[School Division] shall provide reasonable modifications to this policy only to the extent required by federal law,” they require districts to break federal law while trying to save face and tell them to follow it within the very same paragraphs.

The 2021 Model Policies contained over sixty resources for the treatment of trans students in Virginia’s K-12 public schools. The resources provided considered the needs of school divisions, professional development, students, parents, and advocacy organizations. The sources provided were up-to-date and many centered on trans students’ needs in particular, drawing from LGBTQ+ organizations such as GLSEN, the Human Rights Campaign, the Trevor Project, the National Center for Transgender Equality, and PFLAG. The resources provided in the 2021 Model Policies also drew from professional associations and government agencies such as the American Psychological Association, the Virginia School Boards Association, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the U.S. Department of Education.

However, the 2022 Model Policies removed essentially all the above resources. Instead, they replaced the other resources with nine resources focused almost entirely on the parental roles in bullying prevention. Eight of these resources come from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, largely from the Centers for Disease Control in particular. The other resource comes from the U.S. Department of Justice. The 2022 Model Policies do not contain a single resource from LGBTQ+ advocacy groups, and none are tailored specifically toward trans students.

Preventing the bullying of all students, especially trans students, is an incredibly important goal for Virginia’s public schools. However, it is not the only issue that trans students face. By removing all resources from LGBTQ+ advocacy groups in the 2022 Model Policies, VDOE sends its message loud and clear: it cares more about the parent’s role in bullying prevention, and not at all about the resources it can provide trans and other LGBTQ+ students in navigating bullying, harassment, and discrimination.

The 2022 Model Policies are going to significantly harm trans students. The 2022 Model Policies define being a trans student as “a public school student whose parent has requested in writing, due to their child’s persistent and sincere belief that his or her gender differs from his or her sex, that their child be identified while at school.” It takes the power away from trans, nonbinary, and gender-nonconforming students from realizing their identity in their own right and instead defines it in terms of parents’ views. It also refers to gender identity as a “belief” instead of a deeply held knowledge and realization of one’s identity. This promotes a false narrative based on a lack of scientifically-based research. It also erases the identity of nonbinary and intersex people by operating on a male/female binary.

The 2022 Model Policies also remove sexual orientation and gender identity as explicitly protected classes for bullying, harassment, and discrimination. At the same time, it eliminates specific school personnel professional development for the health and well-being of LGBTQ+ students.

Outside of this, the 2022 Model Policies dangerously require misgendering and deadnaming trans students when the student’s preferred name and pronouns are not accurately reflected on student records. Some studies have shown that use of a trans student’s preferred name not only assists with social transition, but also reduces mental health risks such as depression, and suicidal ideation and attempts. https://www.jahonline.org/article/S1054-139X(18)30085-5/fulltext.

Trans students are also placed in danger of being outed. The 2021 Model Policies allowed disclosure, with a legitimate educational interest, only to other school personnel. The 2022 Model Policies permit disclosure, with a legitimate educational interest or when required by law, to other school personnel and the student’s parents. Many times, students feel safer coming out to school staff instead of their own parents. I believe the choice should rest with the trans student on who they would like to come out to.

As a transgender student myself, who was born and raised in the public school system of Virginia, I voice my total and complete opposition to any policy that threatens the fundamental freedoms that all people should possess. The 2022 Model Policy threatens the life and quality of life of every transgender youth, and indeed, if the Virginia Department of Education cannot recognize this, then they have none of the qualifications to be working with Virginia's youth.


I support Governor Youngkin’s proposed changes to VA schools Guidance document.

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Parents’ and children’s relationships need to be respected. Parent(s) via parental authority guides their children’s social and academic development and they teach their son/daughter cogitational and values processes via their relationships with their children. Schools— school administrators and teachers need to teach academics w/o including their own opinions and values and they should respect parent - child relationships, teaching values related to honesty, kindness, diligence, perseverance, understanding, as they affirm each student’s creativity and style of learning, efforts, and accomplishments, using a behavior consequence model regarding students’ academic and social (good citizenship values) progress. If students are interested in discussing sexual relations or personal transgender issues, teachers and administrators should encourage students talk w/his or her parent(s) and they can discuss and decide how to address the interest/situation. This should be addressed situationally and not a one size fits all approach imposed by school admin and staff.


Gender non-conforming children deserve protection

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Our school district encourages parents to allow our children to become more autonomous and independent, particularly beginning in middle school, to be responsible for their work & responsibilities related to school. It is during this time that our children are finding themselves as they enter the changes that puberty brings. It’s abhorrent that the government now thinks that this autonomy should be stripped away simply  for  identifying  with the LGBTQIA+ community. I don’t understand. The studies have already been posted in other comments. The evidence is clear. You will be putting children’s lives at risk. There is absolutely zero reason for this policy to be changed. If you claim to protect children, you must protect ALL children, including gay, transgender, and gender non-conforming children.  It’s not a phase they are going through, they know more about themselves than you will ever know. Not every child has the support of their parents. There are so many kids who depend on the support they receive at school. Do not rip this away from them.


protect kids

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<p>i strongly oppose this bill, these policies are going to kill trans students when they go into effect. this is freaking ridiculous. trans kids are no different than any other kid. how many more people have to die on this corrupt planet in the hands of men who think that they can control every aspect of everyones life. the way someone wants to express themselves is completely up to them, it shouldnt be controlled by someone else. kids know who they are and need to be able to express themselves the way they see fit. this bill is idiotic and will expose lgbtqa+ youth to extreme harm. </p>


Please Protect Our Trans Kids

It is clear that the recently proposed “Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia’s Public Schools” will, if implemented, endanger the health, safety, and well-being of transgender students, especially those who live in unsafe or unsupportive households. (Sources include https://www.ama-assn.org/system/files/2019-03/transgender-public-facilities-issue-brief.pdf, https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/news/hsph-in-the-news/transgender-teens-restricted-bathroom-access-sexual-assault/, and https://www.thetrevorproject.org/survey-2022/#affirming-spaces.) For this reason, I strongly oppose these policies, as I oppose any and all policies that are harmful to students.

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It is clear that the recently proposed “Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia’s Public Schools” will, if implemented, endanger the health, safety, and well-being of transgender students, especially those who live in unsafe or unsupportive households. (Sources include https://www.ama-assn.org/<wbr/>system/files/2019-03/<wbr/>transgender-public-facilities-<wbr/>issue-brief.pdf, https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/<wbr/>news/hsph-in-the-news/<wbr/>transgender-teens-restricted-<wbr/>bathroom-access-sexual-<wbr/>assault/, and https://www.thetrevorproject.<wbr/>org/survey-2022/#affirming-<wbr/>spaces.) For this reason, I strongly oppose these policies, as I oppose any and all policies that are harmful to students.


Draft Policy Opposition

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I unequivocally OPPOSE the drafted policy and urge the VADOE to reject it in full. I am a parent and a licensed clinical psychologist. I have both personal and professional experiences with trans youth in Virginia. The proposed policies are in direct contradiction of strong and compelling evidence from countless professional organizations, those who work in a variety of roles with trans youth, with the families and friends of trans youth, and with the youth that will be personally impacted. Rejecting these policies is not only in line with established best practices, it communicates that trans youth in Virginia are seen, respected and valued.


Oppose this policy- protect our kids

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As an FCPS School Board member, a mom of two FCPS kids, and a Virginian I oppose this policy. You speak of protecting parents' rights, but which parents are you protecting, certainly not my husband and me.

Please spend less time worried about where our kids pee and more time working to attract and retain high quality teachers.

Our staff, students, and families deserve much better leadership than this.

Support our public schools!


Support Revised Policy

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<p>Fully in support of Governor new model policy, giving parents rights to be involved in their children decisions that impact their lives.  </p>


Opposed and worried

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A trans student said to me yesterday, “I don’t feel safe at school and it’s not even bad yet.”

He then Described the fear he believes he’ll experience when students and teachers are given license to be cruel. please don’t teach our kids that it’s okay to believe their human rights are more important than  a classmate sitting next to them.


keep clueless politicians out of this (AND LISTEN TO TRANS PEOPLE)


Trans Rights are Human Rights

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These model policies will be incredibly dangerous and harmful to trans and non-binary students.

Let kids be, and let trans kids grow up like any other.


Gov Youngkin

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Support Gov Youngkins policy


being trans isnt that hard to understand! educate yourself before you hurt others! (opposed)


Strongly Oppose This Policy

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This is a hateful policy toward transgender students. It is focused on protecting everyone's rights and freedoms EXCEPT FOR a transgender child's. School should be a safe haven for children going through what I can only imagine is an extremely difficult and confusing period in their life. To require teachers to report sensitive and personal information back to parents is just unthinkable. Have you thought about the implications of this? No one knows what a child's home life and parents are like. This policy could cause real harm to children. The suicide rate for transgender people is higher than average, why in the world would the state even consider potentially contributing to the problems these kids already face? It's cruel and clearly intended to impose someone's personal religious beliefs on everyone. Why would the state put teachers in this position of having to report someone asking to be called a different name at school? They have far too much on their plates already. They are there to teach, nurture, and support kids, not make life more difficult for them. Transgender kids or even kids that are exploring how they feel are not hurting anyone - why would you want to hurt them? Governor Youngkin and this administration need to stop pushing their conservative religious beliefs on others. That is not the American way. With policies like this Virginia will be lucky to have any teachers left. I am STRONGLY OPPOSED to implementation of this policy in my home state of Virginia.


Strongly support to restore balance

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<p>Thank you for reviewing all aspects of the law and the constitutional rights of parents and their children regarding this issue.  This new policy will restore the necessary balance between parents, their children, and their schools.  It’s a good and reasonable approach to protect the children struggling with these issues, protecting both the student and rights of rest of the student body and faculty. </p>


Strongly Oppose

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I strongly oppose these new transgender policies in our schools. Our trans kids deserve our respect. They deserve to feel safe in school. To use use the bathroom in line with their gender, and to have their name and pronouns respected by their teachers, administrators, and peers, just like any other student. I strongly oppose these changes proposed by Youngkin for this reason.


Strongly support parental rights 100%!

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There is something fundamentally wrong when government determines that parents are not in the best position to do what’s uniquely right for their precious child. The assumption that the majority of parents don’t love and support their own child, regardless of sexual orientation or preference, is just sickening to me. It’s just as sickening to me as the mob’s entitlement in indoctrinating our children into sexual deviancy. As a parent, it’s up to each of us to talk with our children about healthy sexual relationships, religion, politics, or anything else that subscribes to a specific ideology. It is not at all appropriate  for government or schools to take on those responsibilities, nor to push a specific ideology.


I support Governor Youngkin’s policy

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<p>As a mother of 3 teens and one young adult, I absolutely feel it is my right to know if my child goes by another name or gender at school.   This information should not be withheld from me nor should an adult at school be pushing gender and sexual ideologies on my children.    The government is interfering too much in our lives.   They expect me to be aware of every other aspect of my kids lives and be accountable if they break the law or are irresponsible.  You can’t cherry pick when a parent should be involved.   Secondly, I’m very grateful that Youngkin is aware that families should choose if they are going to receive the COVID shot.   We have researched this choice extensively.   I do not trust the CDC to make calls for what is right for my family.   Each person is unique in how they react to the virus and the shot.   It is up to me, my doctor and my God if I decide the COVID shot is right for myself or my children.  Thank you Governor Youngkin for using logic, research and the constitution to direct your policies.   </p>


Strongly oppose

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I strongly oppose the new policies putting parents first regarding transgendered youth. We must protect the children and their safety first.


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,
Deborah Dobbin
3306 Mt Pleasant Blvd
Roanoke, VA 24014

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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 />Deborah Dobbin
<br />3306 Mt Pleasant Blvd<br />Roanoke, VA 24014<br /><img src="http://admin.phone2action.com/email/open/leg/657523/148824533" width="1" height="1" />


Supportive

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I support yungkins proposal!


Common sense

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We have a rule in our home. If you are paying you can choose where we eat.  The principal is the same in regards to public and private local state and federal matters.  If you do or don’t like something you can vote when your 18.  If children can’t vote until they are 18, buy a lottery ticket, join the military, donate blood, and the list goes on… now why in the world does anyone think they are capable of making life altering decisions about their identity and bodies?  If they think otherwise, they can be like every other citizen and when they turn 18 their life and vote is in their hands.  Meanwhile, parents are responsible for their children and their welfare until then.  If this wasn’t the case then why does social services even exist and intervene when parents aren’t doing their job? Clearly parents are responsible for their children legally.  A child cannot even be treated at a hospital without parental consent. So not only do I support and agree with Gov Youngkin and this policy buts it’s a shame it’s even in question to begin with! Stop the lunacy and brainwashing.  Stick to reading writing and math!  Meet kids where they are who are struggling, connect them to resources, help them steward all the hormones and odd things we all faced.  Investigate parents who are perverting and mutilating their children bc they don’t know how to parent or they have some sick perversion.  Social services should be taking those kids and placing them in healthy homes!  No one wants to talk about the suicide rates from this, the irreversible damage or the buffet being created for every predator and pedophile out there!

Do what’s right before God, after all we are one nation under God!  Protect our kids, respect our parents, honor our beliefs and stand on our constitution.


Guidance Document  - Transgender  Students

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Support new policies.  We have excellent research concerning brain development which can not be ignored when thinking about this important issue.  Responsible adults do not allow children to made life altering decisions before their brains are fully developed.


virginians against youngkin. opposed to this horrific policy


Don't defer to parents

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Deferring to parents on matters of gender identity of their children is a slippery slope to abuse and conversion therapy. By neglecting any child's right to self-determination, you are placing kids in a position where trans children of transphobic parents are forced to undergo mistreatment at schools where it might have been the only safe place to be themselves. And this puts power in the hands of people who might aim to detransition or "convert" trans children away from who they really are. This doesn't consider a child's safety and only considers some parents misguided beliefs. Do not follow through with this.


Community mentor strongly opposes

Research shows that trans and genderqueer students are the most at risk group for suicide. These policies, which explicitly deny the lived reality of these students, directly promote negative health outcomes for the most vulnerable young people in our communities. As someone who mentors youth of all backgrounds, I cannot condone policy that claims to serve the needs of all students but will, as written, fail to do so. I strongly oppose.


I support Trans kids

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I support all kids in Virginia, and all kids includes transgender kids. I do not support the Governor’s policy.


TRANS VIRGINIANS HATE YOUNGKIN (OPPOSED)


Strongly Opposed; Support our children

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I hope that any concerned will read this comment in its entirety and reconsider going through with the proposed policies, as it only stands to harm transgender youth in our schools.

I will not reiterate the statistics of transgender youth who experience homelessness and depression, as the 2021 model mentions these several times and any research on the challenges transgender people face should also yield those statistics. Lawmakers should know that lack of parental support for transgender children is a major cause of these issues. Some parents, upon learning their child is transgender or another LGBTQ identity that does not agree with their personal views, resort to abusive behaviors and in some cases abandon or kick out children from their homes. Both can result in homelessness and major mental health issues in their children. The policy that parents must be informed if teachers or staff gain knowledge that their children are harmlessly using different names and gendered pronouns for themselves puts these children in danger of experiencing abuse or abandonment.

Putting aside all prior knowledge the context in which Governor Youngkin and the Virginia Government wish to implement these policies, this document shows a ridiculous lack of research, especially compared to the 2021 model policies. While the previous model sought out input and used references from psychologists, medical experts, parents and students, as well as previous laws and codes, this 2022 guidance document seems to only interpret codes and amendments in very opinionated language. Not only this but the resources provided in the document are general guides on bullying prevention, there are no resources offered that specifically seek to help parents in affirming and supporting their transgender children or even educate them as to what gender identity means. The lack of research and to be frank professionalism in this document is incredibly disappointing. I would expect our lawmakers and representatives to put more effort and care into their work.

On a personal note, as someone who graduated from a public high school in Montgomery County just recently in 2021, the harassment and abuse LGBTQ and specifically transgender students experience in our schools is a huge problem. There were multiple instances where students would use derogatory terms and slurs against transgender and LGBTQ people, often other students, with little to no repercussion or education from teachers and staff. I even heard instances of students threatening serious violence against LGBTQ students. The consideration of LGBTQ topics as inappropriate or taboo is one cause of this harassment, meaning that the 2022 proposed policies will in the best case, cause no improvement in the state of anti-transgender bullying, and in the worst case, make this harassment worse.

I also know many students, directly and indirectly who faced parental abuse because of their transgender identities, causing them to experience a lot of mental health issues, and for some suicidal thoughts. The rate of young transgender people who commit suicide due to a lack of support from parents, teachers, and other adults absolutely breaks my heart, and if these policies are put into place rates of mental illness and suicide will very likely rise.

I urge the Virginia Department of Education, Governor Youngkin, and all who are associated with or that will review this document to truly put the wellbeing of all children, including transgender children, at the forefront of their consideration concerning this topic, and stop letting misinformation and fearmongering infect policymaking.


I oppose. This will kill children.

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<p>When. When, (not if) when this goes into effect, it will give trans children and teens mental illnesses, they will die. They will take their own lives because the people who are supposed to support them failed to do so and instead invalidate them. Children will die because of this. I oppose. </p>


Opposed.

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<p>Trans Kids Deserve to Be Loved and Supported. This proposed policy does not do that. </p>


Strongly agree

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I strongly support Governor Youngkin’s policy to protect parental authority and the rights of all students. I do not agree with putting the rights of students who are gender confused above the rights of the majority of students who are not confused about who they are and who want their privacy protected. Studies show that up to 90% of gender confused adolescents outgrow these feelings by adulthood. Gender confused students can be accommodated without violating parental rights or privacy rights of the other students.


All kids matter


Support

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<p>Regardless of your stance on the issue, the implementation of the policy was/is a governmental overreach that should be addressed differently while still respecting the rights of all parents. </p>


Against

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This is not the future our children deserve. Virginia can and should do better. This is discriminatory and not rooted in the common principle of respect. I am against this, for the sake of my friends children and someday my own.


Strongly oppose - unnecessary and counterproductive

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Trans rights are human rights. This policy is a huge step backward for Virginia and for tolerance. When did we become so afraid of others? It is critical that all children have an opportunity to be accepted for who they are, and these policies tell some children that they are just wrong or unwanted. The policy is unnecessary, contributes to an overall climate of intolerance toward LGBTQ+ people, and fosters a moral panic that rests on no evidence.  What it will do is harm children who need to be affirmed. It will also harm their friends and peers, who will learn to deny someone's basic humanity.  It contributes to a real dehumanization of trans and queer people that is actively dangerous and will lead to more bullying and violence. It protects no one and solves no real problems while causing many.

These model policies also purport to support parents rights - but in fact they undermine them. I am raising my children to be independent and assert their needs. This includes the ability to make decisions to work with trusted adults on issues that are important to them. they need ot learn to trust themselves and to explore. School is for expanding the mind - in areas like science, math, art, and growing into the amazing young people they will be. Artificially stifling this under the guise of parental rights - when it is so clear that parents are not always safe and supportive - is fundamentally counterproductive.  As a parent, I have the right to have my child treated with dignity and support, no matter how they may present now or in the future.

I urge the state to rescind this draft and retain the prior model policy, which was far more inclusive, practical, and appropriate.


SUPPORT 2022 Policy Changes - Parents are the primary educators - NOT THE STATE

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<p>Exposing children to confusing and ABNORMAL Transgender/LBGTQ (and whatever alphabet soup letter is added next) ideas, is child abuse! All people deserve respect because they are made in the image of GOD.  But people in authority, in our public school system, DO NOT have the right to impose their immoral, deranged doctrines of their religion of paganism on other peoples children.  It should be a criminal offense for any public educator to discuss these issues with a child without the parents consent.  </p>


OPPOSE!! Support LGBTQ+ kids' rights.

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<p>Kids (and everyone) should have the right to identify and be identified in any way they choose! This policy would cause real tangible harm to the mental and physical health of so many children. </p>


DONT STAY SILENT (OPPOSED)


Mosel policies for the treatment of transgender students

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I totally agree with governor Youngkin’s policy. Our schools need to leave sex education and moral guidance to parents. Teachers need to focus on educating our children in reading, writing, mathematics, science, etc. This is evidenced by the plummeting standardized test scores in Virginia following the disastrous school closures and our embarrassing international ranking of 27!


OPPOSE new guidelines--trans youth deserve a chance to thrive

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<p>I oppose Youngkin's new VDOE guidelines and strongly support returning to the previous guidelines that protected trans kids more effectively. I'm in my 30s now, but if I had been out as a teenager, I wouldn't have survived the kind of hateful scrutiny that trans kids have to endure in today's political climate. It moves me deeply to know that some kids can now grow up as their true selves and be recognized by their communities, and I strongly oppose any efforts to go back to a much worse, much deadlier time. Stigmatizing a normal human variation leads to so much unnecessary pain. </p>


Support children, oppose meddling from Youngkin

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The model policy to support transgender or gender non-conforming youth has data that supports it. Mr. Youngkin's policy is shortsighted and based in bias and misunderstanding that will further impact transgender or gender non-conforming youth, inclusive but not limited to their being forced from their parent(s)/guardian(s) house and mental health deterioration which could lead to suicide. The Youngkin policy also puts educators and counselors at risk of forcing them to out children to their parent(s)/guardian(s) which could further erode relationships between what should be trusted adults and youth. The degradation of those relationships will likely lead to truancy, less education, inability for schools to meet standardized testing scores, drop out rates, educators/counselors/other staff quitting, and again places transgender or gender non-conforming young people at risk of suicide. I strongly opposed Youngkin's illogical and dangerous policy.


Strongly agree

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Parents ought to love their children enough to tell them the truth, even if it hurts. Affirming a lie is abuse. Since when is love = to agreeing and hate = to disagreeing. Love is in truth/facts. Let's grow up, parents/adults!

Parents should have the right to lead their children, children should not be leading the parents. That would be chaos! If you REALLY care about your children, their safety, and mental well-being, you should be supporting this bill!


were here :) were queer :) get used to it :) OPPOSED


A parent that supports children and educators and opposes this policy.

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I support all children in our school systems and the educators that are there to teach them.  This policy does nothing to support children nor does it improve the quality of public education in our state.  It does, however, make children political pawns and enables continued hatred in our schools and society.  And please stop using “parents rights” as if every parent supports these ridiculous policies.  I’ll continue to teach my children to support the LGBTQ community and their peers in the hopes that they have a better adolescent experience than many of my classmates did decades ago.

I support the rights of transgender students and the 2021 policy that was put in place to protect them and I oppose the proposed 2022 policy that further restricts those rights.


Strongly Support Parental Rights

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I wholeheartedly support Governor Youngkin and the new 2022 Model Policies because " all students have the right to attend school in an environment free from discrimination, harassment, or bullying," including those students who disagree that gender is a social construct and don't wish to share private spaces with those of the opposite sex.  The 2021 policies indeed "disregarded the rights of parent  and ignored other legal and constitutional principles that significantly impact how schools educate students...." This supports and retains the rights of parents to act in the best interests of their children.

I find it hard to believe that we are even engaged in an argument to determine whether it is right for a school to withhold health information from a child's parent.  We sanction deceit now in the public schools?  It is unconscionable that school officials would even consider keeping these possibly life-changing decisions from parents.  Do we honestly believe that driving a wedge between the gender-confused child and his parents is preferable to working together as a team with a psychiatrist to address the issue?  And how does the school decide which medical issues to keep quiet?  Signs of obsessive-compulsive disorder? Cutting? Bingeing and purging? Gender dysphoria is still a disorder and should be treated as such -- as a mental health issue requiring parental and professional intervention.


I strongly oppose this policy

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This policy while cause serious harm to every student in Virginia, not only the trans ones. As a trans male high schooler, I find this policy proposal truly ridiculous. I am fully transitioned, read as male in public, and never have my gender questioned. This policy would single me out and cause serious emotional harm. Not only that, it would force me to play on the girl's team at my school. Not only would this make me uncomfortable, it would also be unfair. A teenage boy should not be playing on the girl's team. This was forced to happen in Texas and not only did it make him extremely uncomfortable, it also took opportunities from the girls he was competing against. If you truly want to protect students, you should stop singling out those who are most vulnerable. If you really cared about women's sports, you would see that this policy would harm them far more than a trans girl ever could. THIS policy is what would force boys into girl's bathrooms and vice versa. Please use your common judgement and stop these policies from being implemented.


STRONGLY OPPOSE

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I strongly oppose the 2022 proposed model policy as it would foster an unsafe educational environment for ALL students in Virginia. A national survey conducted by the Trevor Project in 2022 found that 45% of LGBTQ youth seriously considered attempted suicide in the past year, including more than half of transgender and non-binary youth. Research has also found that LGTBQ youth who had access to an LGTBQ-affirming school reported lower rates of suicide than those who do not. If we want to create an learning environment that helps all Virginia students succeed, we know that measures must be put in place to ensure that students’ mental health is being taken care of. This research shows that regardless of one’s personal beliefs, we must recognize and affirm the identities of LGBTQ youth or else we will watch our students suffer, along with their education, and possibly lose their lives. For this reason for the safety and well-being of VA’s students, I firmly oppose this policy.


Against the proposal for policy

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<p>Parental rights to their children's life are one thing. However, privacy is something that should be valued as well. Children in homes that are not considered safe and have an unsupportive family could put them at risk with this policy. We need to reconsider things and make significant changes. Protect trans students and provide them with proper resources to cope with gender dysphoria. Gender identity and orientation is NOT a belief; it is an inherent part of life. </p>


Recognize parents as the decisions makers regarding their own children’s gender & health issues.

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<p>Recognize parents as the decision makers regarding their own children’s gender & health issues. </p>


I oppose this policy. Trans rights are human rights.

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This policy will kill trans kids.

“Outing” trans kids is dangerous. Refusing to support them as themselves is dangerous. This policy would kill countless trans youth and cause lifelong trauma for those who survive it.

Trans children deserve to keep breathing. They deserve to be themselves. They deserve to grow up surrounded by support and love.

As a bi and trans Virginian, I know exactly what the consequences of not supporting LGBTQ+ youth are. No child should be put through what I was, and many will be put through worse if this policy is enacted. I was lucky to survive, and healing will be a lifelong process.

Don’t put another generation through this. Don’t repeat the same lies spread over decades to harm the LGBTQ+ community. Support trans kids.


Let all kids have freedom

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<p>TRANS RIGHTS ARE HUMAN RIGHTS!! </p>


Support children and families by supporting trans students

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This policy is unkind, and as a society we need more kindness and care for others, not more intolerance. The values this policy promotes don't support children or families. I've watched in recent years as middle schoolers and even some elementary schoolers, at least in my tolerant area, feel free to explore their gender and sexual identification. They seem happier and better adjusted because of it, and their straight peers are in no way harmed by this. I compare this to the ignorance and closeted life of young people in my own school days. I don't think that a world where my fellow elementary schoolers called my brother a , and hurt him, was a better one. Please don't make public schools into places that promote unkindness and silence welcoming attitudes.


Please enact the new policy to restore balance and protect rights of all

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<p>Thank you for reviewing all aspects of the law and the constitutional rights of parents and their children regarding this issue.  This new policy will restore the necessary balance between parents, their children, and their schools.  It’s a good and reasonable approach to protect the children struggling with these issues; protecting both the student and the rights of rest of the student body and faculty.  </p>


Support - kids deserve better

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I, a Virginian who wants to raise her future children here, support the new model policy. The state should not remove the rights of parents that preceded the state. I was a child once ;), and looking back now I recognize the guidance I needed and how unequipped I was for making life changing decisions. So I support the new guidelines. How can I guide and protect my children if my rights are removed. Kids usually cannot make the best decisions for their long term interests. The old guidelines will not solve the mental health issues that allegedly come through parental rights as such; the issues are deeper and different. I support the new guidance document.


Proposed Policy Is Dangerous

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Dear Gov. Youngkin and Superintendent Balow,

I am writing to express my opposition to the proposed policy/guidance changes in regard to transgender students.  In short, I feel the policy is dangerous and if nothing else hurtful and rude.  It seems the sole purpose of the policy is to isolate a group of individuals who already feel isolated and in some instances terrified to exist.

As a father of 3 (one who is transgender), I have learned a lot about the hardships that kids in the transgender community face not just from their peers but at home as well.  For some of these kids, the only adult in their life they may feel comfortable coming out to is a teacher at school.  Some of these kids need to test the waters before coming out to their parents.  For some of these kids, it's downright unsafe to come out to their parents.  I have witnessed the reaction of parents finding out their kids are trans and it isn't always pleasant and/or loving.  If you want to protect these kids and give them an equal chance to thrive in their school (and at home) give them the comfort of knowing the teacher or staff member they feel safe talking to doesn't out them to their parents.

In regards to calling kids by their preferred names and pronouns, I always hear people (and this policy) cite religion as well as the First Amendment as reasons for not calling someone by their preferred name and/or pronouns.  I'm a devout Christian and I hate it when people use the Bible as a weapon.  For every passage that someone pulls out to disparage the LGBTQ community I just need one as a rebuttal: "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another."  We are supposed to love each other as Jesus has loved us.  If you are a believer, Jesus loved us enough to die for all of our sins.  You might not love your neighbor enough to die for them as Jesus gave his life for you but can you love your neighbor enough to at least have the respect to call them by their preferred name?  And yes the First Amendment gives you the "freedom" to call someone anything you want but calling someone something other than their preferred name is just an a-hole thing to do because the intent is once again to isolate and alienate rather than include and bring together.

I could continue but I hope you get the point.  In conclusion please make our schools an inclusive environment where all kids feel safe and can thrive both academically and personally.

Best regards,

Brian Krezel


STAY LOUD SPEAK UP FOR TRANS RIGHTS (OPPOSED)


Strongly Opposed

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You say that this new policy protects the rights of "all" children, but it absolutely does not protect the rights of transgender children. It removes some of the protections and rights for them. It opens the door to bullying and harassment. It would out trans kids who pass as other than their sex assigned at birth and their peers don't know that they are trans. That would be devastating for them and could cause so much harm to these kids. This policy seems to protect the rights only of homophobic parents who wish that their children not be exposed to transgender peers. This policy is harmful to everyone. I strongly encourage you to seek the advice of physicians, mental health providers, and experts in the transgender community to craft a new version of this policy that would truly support and protect the rights of "all" students.


sexy girls support trans people (opposed)


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I oppose this legislation as it is written. The guidelines do not adequately protect the rights of transgender children in our schools. Parents should have the right to help guide their childrens' educations, but the child has rights, too. There are numerous area in the guidelines to school boards that invite the school board to strengthen the rules that would discriminate unlawfully against transgender children. The legislation should be rewritten before being reintroduced.


Oppose - stand with trans kids

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<p>This law will kill trans students </p>


Do not allow this policy to pass

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Do not allow this policy to pass. It will undeniably harm trans youth. I am an out and open trans man. I grew up in Kentucky in a conservative christian family. If I had been outed to my family at a young age before I was ready, I would have been subject to irreversible trauma and harm. Trans youth deserve autonomy. Their personal identity is none of their teachers or educators business, it is the job of a teacher to educate, not force kids into unsafe family situations. - Levi Teachey (he/him), PFLAG Denver chapter President


Strongly Oppose

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As a teacher and parent of a trans child, I vehemently oppose the 2022 model. School should be a safe haven where children are educated, cared for, fed, and looked out for. It is often the only safe place a child has. Transgender and nonbinary children absolutely deserve this same safety and caring.

Forcibly outing children and refusing to use their name and pronouns is nothing more than bigotry at its finest and has no place in our schools. We don't allow teachers to discriminate against any other facet of children's lives and their gender identity should be no different.  Discrimination of any kind should not be tolerated in Virginia's schools.

A teacher's religion has no bearing on what they do in the classroom. They cannot talk about their beliefs, shame children for not believing as they do, or force their beliefs on their students. Trans and nonbinary students have the same right to not have a teacher force their religious beliefs on them. If a teacher cannot use a student's chosen name because of their religion, then they have no business in a public school classroom. Teachers have the choice to be there, transgender and nonbinary students do not.

We have been so fortunate that students and staff alike have been so supportive of our daughter as she made her transition. Every staff member she has encountered has respected her as a person by calling her by her preferred name and pronouns. Every child that enters a Virginia public school deserves this same respect. The 2022 Model affords them none.


Trans Rights are Human Rights

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Trans rights are human rights. Cis people aren't more valuble, anti-trans propoganda kills real children who don't get support or validation.


Strongly Support Model Policy 2022

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We elected Glenn Youngkin to bring sanity back to our public schools.  The democrats are in the minority on this issue despite their campaign to flood this page with their opposition to the 2022 policy.  There are no trans kids.  There are only sick democrats using our schools to groom these children.  Further, forcing teachers and students to use certain pronouns is forced speech and will result in lawsuits that the state or county school boards will lose in court.  Parents will not be shut out of decisions being made in schools that affect our kids.  Hold these democrats accountable once and for all and vote them all out.


Strongly oppose

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There is no legal document that durably reflects sex assigned at birth, or supposed “biological sex,” in Virginia.

There is no reasonable legal basis for requiring a legal document to change a student’s sex in official school records.

The 2022 Model Policies ignore legally established sex/gender designations.

The 2022 Model Policies implicitly require intrusive physical examination of students’ bodies, which would not serve any rational interest and would make youth more vulnerable.

The 2022 Model Policies ignore the fact that intersex people exist.

Adopting the 2022 Model Policies will knowingly lead to protracted and expensive litigation despite already inadequate levels of funding for public education.


our rights shouldn't be up for debate opposed

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sick of being treated like monsters. we're human. we want decency and safety and respect. is that too much to ask? kids aren't stupid. we have identities outisde of our parents


Support our kids — and teachers

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As a community member and nurse, I oppose Youngkin’s proposed policies.

Trans kids are kids. They deserve safety and protection at school.

Teachers deserve to be teachers - let’s let them do what they do best! Teach! (Not be the gender police, not have to be mediators between kids and their parents.)


Strongly oppose this harmful policy.

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I strongly oppose this harmful and dangerous policy. Public schools should provide a welcome and safe environment for all of their students, including transgender students. This policy is discriminatory, cruel, and hamstrings educators. Moreover, it puts the mental well being of students at risk. Please reinstate the prior policy for the safety of the students.


Fully support this


Strongly oppose

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It is clear that the recently proposed “Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia’s Public Schools” will, if implemented, endanger the health, safety, and well-being of transgender students, especially those who live in unsafe or unsupportive households. (Sources include https://www.ama-assn.org/system/files/2019-03/transgender-public-facilities-issue-brief.pdf, https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/news/hsph-in-the-news/transgender-teens-restricted-bathroom-access-sexual-assault/, and https://www.thetrevorproject.org/survey-2022/#affirming-spaces.) For this reason, I strongly oppose these policies, as I oppose any and all policies that are harmful to students.


Thank you,Youngkin

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Thank you for protecting the children!!


support this moderate policy

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<p>I live in Fairfax county and I talked to about 30 parents who live around me. They are my neighbors/friends/family members. Most of these parents lean left and some of them are life-long democrats. All of us care deeply about LGBTQ rights. AFTER SHOWING THEM the actual draft of youngkin's policy, EVERY single one of them is fine with it and actually happy about it. And that's how reasonable this model policy is ---- It's fine if kids want to change their gender in school as long as the parents are informed and involved. The ultimate care givers to trans kids are their own parents. Solving conflicts with one's parents is a process every kid experiences. Family tie is what is staying forever. Robbing that away from a kid is cruel. Two of my best friends growing up are homosexuals. I saw how their families were first not able to accept it but eventually embrace it fully. That process takes years but it's so precious. And the school should really stay away from these precious family experiences. For trans kids, getting family involved is EVEN MORE important particularly if decision of  procedures/reagents involved. Given that there is a 80-90% de-transition rate, the reason why now UK is banning hormone/puberty blockers for miners, kids need their parents' guidance to make such important decisions. And the only people who will be caring for trans kids forever, who will be the ones consoling them are their own parents. Youngkin's bill is actually giving trans kids long term support by asking the school not to hide it from their parents. If the trans community truely love and care about trans kids' well-being, please get on board. Thank you!! </p>
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STRONGLY SUPPORT

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Strongly support and is only the first step in the right direction locally and in the country.  As it stands, our Virginia schools are not safe and seem to be more committed to grooming and indoctrinating our children rather than carrying out the key purpose of teaching important life skills and academics such as reading, writing and math. Anything beyond these parameters has been and must continue to be the purview of parents who know their children and have their best interest at heart. Our limited school resources should be laser focus on an education system that teaches our children how to think, not what to think. An education system that teaches and prepares students for success in our complex and competitive society. As a concerned parent, grandparent, friend and neighbor, I strongly support this policy as a first step in the right direction.


Strongly support

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<p>As a mother of several school-age children, I support the proposed policy. If it goes into effect, it will be reassuring to know that certain aspects of our children’s identities will not be hidden from us by their schools. </p>


There's no room for hate in the Body of Christ - Opposed

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Christ call us to love our neighbors. Safety is an important part of love. Please don't support trans suicide and violence


Support 2022 policy

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After carefully reading the 2022 Guidance document for the department of Education I realize that the policy is both factual fair and impartial. Parents are responsible for raising their children, not the Department of Education. Our school systems should not be adopting policies that enable or encourage discrimination of anyone regardless of race, sex or sexuality. When our minor children turn 18, they gain several adult choices and responsibilities, up to and including sexuality. When our school system imposes an ideology, regardless of origin, that imposition is the very fascist oppression of freedom we as a society have striven to avoid. The Department of Education has gone beyond the defense of trans gender individuals to the point of forcing the ideology upon the entire system up to and including keeping information from the parents. While forcing this ideology, the school system as well as liberal mentors have taught our children to demean themselves by referring to themselves as pronouns or letters in the alphabet. After being taught to demean themselves, they then wonder and complain about mental health. Our educators and liberal influencers seem to have forgotten why we capitalize our names and the names of places, to symbolize their individuality and importance, basic grammar. The very individualities that not only create our melting pot and diversity but should be celebrated. Our school system should also cease and desist the teaching or propagation of racism through the outdated 1940's communist NAZI Critical Race Theory. In this regard our school system has taken the most diverse sector of our population, who have only ever known equality through diversity, and once again established racism as well as many forms of segregation into these United States of America. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. had a dream and our educators are taking it away from our children. No parent I know has taught any of our children to hate or see color or diversity in a negative way, neither does any child see negativity until they are taught to. Today racism and segregation, under the guise of equality are taught in our classrooms instead of reading, writing and arithmetic.

"The white liberals who have been posing as our friends have failed us. The white liberal is the worst enemy to America and the worst enemy to the black man." Malcom X


Support new policy

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<p>I don't want opposite sex people in the bathroom with me or anyone in my family.  Trans students are not the only ones with feelings!  Parents should be making decisions for their kids not the  government. </p>


Trans kids are just kids!

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Trans kids need support, they need love, and anti-trans propoganda KILLS CHILDREN


STRONGLY OPPOSE GLENN'S HATE MANIFESTO

Louisa Psychological Consulting, PC Aleta E. Strickland, Ed.S., NCSP

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<p>As a licensed school psychologist I have spent decades working both in the public schools and in private practice. I strongly oppose the Governor's proposed policy to harm transgender and non-binary students. His policy is focused on parents when the public schools' duty is to educate students. Students should be first and foremost in any policy. Who authored this policy? No one was bold enough to put their name on it so ultimately the Governor is responsible. In contrast, the 2021 policy included school psychologists, school social workers, and school counselors (the school based mental health team) as well as school nurses, principals, students, professors, school board members, the Virginia PTA, many state and local advocacy groups, and finally parents. The new policy is in direct conflict with the old so which parents are represented? The 2021 policy is based on research and the recommendations of all major medical and mental health organizations. What is Glenn's policy based on? Ignorance, unsubstantiated opinions, manufactured crises, and fear. Treating all humans with basic respect is literally the least we can all do. The Governor is instructing trained professional staff to violate their codes of ethics and yet most position descriptions require employees to follow best practice. Which is it? Why is there no guidance on how to proceed? You cannot force us to purposefully harm children. This policy should never be put into place and should be burned in a bonfire. Shame on you Glenn for pandering to notoriety for your own selfish desires and attempting to sacrifice vulnerable children. We will not stand for it. </p>


2022 Model policies

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I strongly oppose this evil and lecherous policy. Protect trans and nonbinary kids. Why are we trying to go backwards?!


Strongly Oppose!

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<p style="text-align: right;">These proposed model policies are contrary to state law and will be extremely harmful to transgender and nonbinary kids. </p>


Oppose new draft regulations on transgender policy

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<p>I oppose the legislation as the new guidelines harm every LBGTQIA+ student. It is not a gender, it is a bathroom. The research shows that transgender students are more likely to have medical problems related to not having access to the bathroom. This causes significant social, emotional, and physical distress. They just need to pee. I am a licensed mental health counselor and I can attest that LBGTQIA+ students are irrevocably harmed by such policies. It is dehumanizing and prejudiced to expose LBGTQIA+ children to this. </p>


Stop targeting vulnerable kids

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I strongly oppose this cruel, backwards and pointless policy change.  Stop targeting vulnerable kids in your culture wars.


Parents need to know

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Parents need to know what's going on with their kids. Keeping them in the dark for the purpose of "protecting them" is counter productive. If it's that much of an issue the counselors should help them learn how to have these conversations. And how are teachers with over 100 students be expected to remember who is using what pronoun? Maybe if my 7th grader could point out the adverb in a sentence I wouldn't be so frustrated by all this pronoun talk. And finally, bathrooms are there to serve a biological function. Use the bathroom associated with your biological gender. Otherwise what's the point of having seperate bathrooms?


School should be safe place

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Students should feel safe when they attend school. If they are being forced to use a dead name they will not feel safe.  You are requiring parent permission,  but what if the parent doesn't support the student. What if the parent doesn't know their child is trans because the child is scared of being safe at home? Students should be supported at school.

This is also a violation of the student's privacy. They should not be forced to disclose this if they fear being harmed.  Just because they are kids doesn't mean they don't have rights.


Support Policy

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Parental involvement is critical to any child well being.


proud to be queer (opposed)

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we will not go back. i am proud to be here and queer and ing fighting


Arlington Mental Health & Disability Alliance Opposes 2022 Model Policies

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Arlington Mental Health & Disability Alliance (AMH&DA) cares deeply about the children of Virginia and their families. Our mission is to advocate for county, regional and state services that foster dignity, choice, recovery, and the highest possible level of participation in work, relationships, and all aspects of community life for individuals with mental illness and developmental disabilities, Our focus is on maximizing self-determination and dignity.

We are very concerned about the mental health crisis among children and adolescents and we fear the proposed "2022 Model Policies on the Privacy, Dignity, and Respect for All Students and Parents in Virginia's Public Schools" (Model Policies) will worsen this mental health crisis. Therefore, AMH&DA opposes the Model Policies along with other mental health organizations like NAMI-Northern Virginia.

We are strongly supportive of efforts to protect and respect all students, and to ensure schools are free from discrimination, harassment, and bullying. But safe and respectful school environments are fostered when students and staff use the desired name, nickname and pronouns of students.

Gender fluid and transgender students are a small percentage of the youth population but are at disproportionately high risk of depression, self-harm, and suicide. Gender fluid and transgender children are also at high risk of homelessness. Therefore, to promote the safety of gender fluid and transgender children and enhance the safety of the school environment, counseling should be available without parental consent, including discussion of sexuality and gender identity, on the same basis as it is for students on all other topics as needed to promote a productive learning environment (per 8VAC20-620-10).

If the student feels safe involving their parents in a discussion of gender identity, by all means the school should involve them. But if the student does not feel physically or emotionally safe doing so, they should still be provided short-term counseling as needed to support positive mental health and educational outcomes. Not all parents are comfortable discussing issues related to gender or sexuality. Gender fluid and transgender children will be at greater risk of physical and emotional abuse, and even homelessness, if parents must provide consent before counseling on these topics can occur.  They will be at elevated risk of depression and self-harm if, without parental consent, the school refuses to provide counseling.

These data points make clear the need for policies that promote the safety and well-being of all students, including gender fluid and transgender students. (Source: This citation, https://www.childtrends.org/blog/research-shows-the-risk-of-misgendering-transgender-youth provides a variety of academic, peer-reviewed publications to support each of the following bullets.)

"Although youth who identify as a gender other than the one assigned to them at birth have among the highest rates of suicide, depression, and self-harm, a supportive and safe environment can significantly reduce these risks."

"Acceptance of transgender youth's identities is associated with better outcomes. The corollary is also true: Denial, misgendering, and misnaming transgender youth can make things worse."

"For each additional context (i.e., at home, school, work, or with friends) in which a transgender youth's chosen name is used, their risk of suicidal behavior is reduced by more than half."

What these studies show is that using one's preferred pronouns and name or nickname, provides significant benefits -- reduced risk of suicide, depression, self-harm -- and positive outcomes in adulthood. These small courtesies promote health and safety.

A 2020 paper found that 56% of transgender youth reported a previous suicide attempt. (Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32345113)  The Model Policies, as written, will kill students.


Honor our Transgender Students by Protecting Their Rights

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This Spring I became aware of a transgender student who had one simple request: to have their chosen name read aloud during graduation. Though state law requires that a diploma can only be issued in a student's "legal" name, there is no restriction on a transgender student asking that their chosen name, the name that honors who they are and are becoming, be read aloud. Through extraordinary advocacy, including their loving parent who stepped up in support (though that was questionable at one point) and numerous friends and mental health advocates, when the student walked across the stage, their chosen name was read aloud and I had the honor of shaking their hand and congratulating them. I will never forget the moment.

Imagine if this had not been the case.

We cannot turn back the protections currently offered our transgender students. To do so will lead to increased risk of depression, mental health struggles, and even suicide. Transgender students already face extreme risks just entering schools - "can I use the bathroom safely?", "can I participate in student athletics?", "will the school support me when my parents have kicked me out of the house and school is the only "safe" place I can turn?" "even if my parents are loving and accept me and my journey, can I trust my school to do the same?", "will I be bullied because I choose to identify by my chosen name and pronouns?" "will our local school board support my rights as a transgender student to have a safe learning environment to excel?" "will I have access to the services I need, along with my family to make this transitional journey into my wholeness safely?"

Over the past two years, as the model policies for transgender students were discussed and debated in school board meetings across the state, the bravest of all citizens to show and speak their truth were and are those who are living it - our transgender students and, in many cases their loving parents. In many cases, these students bore the solitary burden of sharing their lived experiences in dens of lions - hostile spaces that even the bravest of people may have scurried from - yet they stood their ground, shared their courageous stories, and reminded us that authenticity, wholeness and the audicity to be and become who we are meant to be is the greatest educational and loving experience of one's life.

Stop the reversal of these policies before we lose our beloved transgender children to wiles of oppressive and politically manupalitive policies hidden under the guise of parental rights.

Our transgender students deserve the best - and we must deliver - not only for them, but for those yet to come our way. If we don't model now what it means to create a free and safe space for transgender students to become who they are meant to be, we will have succumbed to the very hostility we say we despise.

This is our opportunity to honor our transgender students - their love, their integrity, their courage, their respect, and their willingness to simply and beautifully be who they are and are becoming.


Strongly opposed

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<p>I feel sorry for Gov. Youngkin and the State of VA (for having him as the governor).  He really is so blind to the welfare of the LGBTQ+ students in VA schools.  While it would be nice to think that all of these students have "come out" to their parents and are able to ask their parents to give that permission to the schools to address these students by their preferred names and/or pronouns, this is not the case.  It saddens me to think Gov. Youngkin has no clue about this and thinks he's making the best decision.  I work in mental health.  I can't even begin to list the number of trans teens that come through our doors due to suicidal ideation or suicide attempts due to their gender identity struggles and their difficulties with their parents.  Wake up Gov. Youngkin!  This is a HUGE mistake.  You are NOT protecting these kids or their families.  I am in strong opposition to Gov. Youngkin’s proposal. </p>


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Please all protect children, including ones that are not trans.


100% Support of new Model Transgender Policy that includes Parents

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Thank you for listening to parents and supporting their God-given right and responsibility to raise their children and be fully involved with what happens with their child at school.  Thank you for continuing to support all students, including transgender students, emphasizing that all students have the right to attend school in an environment free of harassment, discrimination and bullying.  Students especially need family support during difficult times as they grow into adults and we must protect that.


Did People Read the Proposed Changes? Seems Pretty Common Sense to Support Them.

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<p>Having read the new proposed document, common sense kicks in and feel it should be supported. Seems to address all the issues brought up by those who oppose it. My understanding after reading it is that if a child's parent contacts the school and requests/informs them that their child wants to be called by a certain name or pronouns, then the school must abide and use the name and pronouns the parent has indicated. The document even goes further to address children in abusive homes and that those parents should not be alerted and instead child services should be brought in. When you realize that parental approval is required for every other aspect of their child's schooling, gender change not needing parental consent doesn't make sense. There are parental consent forms for sports, for off campus activities and everything else, and now a gender change doesn't need parental approval? Crazy! In closing, the legal drinking age is 21 years old for a reason. Think about it, you can't legally drink alcohol, but you can surgically change you gender?!  Seems like it is a major decision to surgically change your gender and should be something that should not be allowed at any age under 21. If you want the age of consent to be a lower, then seems the same logic should hold true for alcohol consumption, and the drinking age lowered to the same. </p>


Strongly Support

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I strongly support the proposed change. It affirms the commonwealth’s duty to act in service of the people. The government should not wield the power to alter a child’s identity without parental knowledge and consent. This is about ensuring that the government remains subservient to the people, not the other way around.


Strongly oppose

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This proposal is horrific and is the opposite of supporting children. Suicide is a leading cause of death for young people, and LGBTQ youths are four times more likely to attempt to attempt suicide. Cultivating a school environment where they are safe and supported - especially if their home environment is not - is not only crucial to their ability to learn and grow, but may be essential to their survival as well.

Addressing someone by their preferred name or pronouns doesn’t require any sort of belief, just basic respect for other people. If teachers and school officials want students to respect them, then they should be prepared and expected to extend this courtesy to students.

The 2021 policies enacted by Gov. Northam should be left in place. The new “model policies” as designed do nothing by strip privacy, dignity, and respect for transgender children. It’s simple intolerance made even crueler by masquerading as support.


Strongly Oppose Harmful 2022 Model Policies on the Privacy, Dignity, and Respect for All Students

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I am a proud multi-generation product of Virginia public schools, choosing to raise my children in the Commonwealth with the hopes that they will get to experience the same excellent educational opportunities and exposure to diverse and inclusive learning environments.

I, Elizabeth Clements, respectfully submit my comment in opposition to the proposed 2022 Model Policies on the Privacy, Dignity, and Respect for All Students and Parents in Virginia’s Public Schools.  These policies are not only in direct violation of state and federal law, but they also deny the rights of students, parents, and school personnel to recognize the inherent dignity and worth of every child.

All children have the right to learn in a safe and supportive environment that respects their humanity and upholds their dignity. However, the 2022 Model Policies send a dangerous message that some students do not belong, and in fact, should not exist.

Evidence-based studies from leading scientific and medical experts in the fields of pediatric and adolescent medicine and psychology have consistently shown that policies like those proposed result in more frequent and escalating harassment, discrimination, and physical violence toward trans and nonbinary students. These policies also lead to significantly higher rates of depression, suicidal ideation, and suicide attempts relative to cisgender students. The consistent misgendering of a student has a profoundly negative impact on their ability to learn in the classroom. Contrary to what is recommended in the proposed model policies, consistent use of a student’s affirmed name can reduce suicidal behavior and suicidal ideation. Denying trans and nonbinary students from using facilities that match their gender identity increases the prevalence of sexual assault victimization The evidence is clear – students will experience higher rates of sexual assault, peer victimization, and suicide if policies like these are adopted in Virginia.

The academic achievement of transgender and nonbinary youth quite literally depends on access to affirming spaces. It is imperative that these environments are supportive of their identities and responsive to their needs. Access to a quality education is impossible if we do not first ensure that the safety and humanity of all students is valued and preserved.

I recognize that supporting equality and respect for ALL people, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression, is integral to creating a Virginia where each and every student can thrive and reach their full potential.

As a mother and parent of school-aged children, I implore you to understand how significantly and irreparably these policies will harm Virginia’s students and families and I firmly oppose their adoption.


WE WILL NEVER STOP FIGHTING FOR YOU opposed


Support for updated language

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<p>As a parent with a child in South Lakes HS, I support the updated language that empowers schools to make their own decisions on how to best protect kids—especially when it comes to protecting vulnerable students in a state of undress in locker rooms or overnight sleeping quarters for school field trips. </p>