I do not support this! This is absurd! We believe in teaching children to make informed decisions.

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<p>They believe in sending their own children off to boarding school. Glen, why you trying to pretend like you rule your kids lives with the iron fist when they aren’t even around? Or is it the boarding school teacher’s responsibility to call you up to tell you who your children are and what they’ve been up to? Maybe if you actually spent time with your children you would begin to understand that they are  smarter than you think. Poor parenting=poor governing </p>


Youngkin  Model Policies

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 I am strongly against Gov. Youngkin's  "2022 Model Policies", the policies would be harmful to Transgender and non-binary children. " Suicide attempts among transgender and and non bianary chidren is 4 times greater than their peers. Article Link (https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/trgh.2021.0079 )   In addition, it generates hate and bullying versus understanding.  This is no different than the White Adults that fought Desegregation. - remember White adults screaming at buses with Black Children as desegregation was implemented. As time went on - children had no problem with desegregation.  Watch schools as students go home - black and white together walking home in friend groups.  The Gov. policies generate hate and violence and comes from a minority group of adults.

Very Concerned

Robin barnhill


I am completely opposed.

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I am completely opposed.


Unbelievable

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I just cannot believe you are all willing to harm children in this way. It's funny how you think it harms children to affirm their identity as trans or non binary, because they're "supposed" to fit into societys constructed ideals of boy or girl, but that is an old standard and not necessary anymore. Children know who they are, and they know who they are more than you know who they are... Just a government administration full of out of touch old adults.

Your policy will kill CHILDREN. This is unkind, unecessary, and medieval. I urge you to rethink this and just let them live as they want to live.


100% support

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This is simply requiring parents to be informed and involved before their kids identity can be changes. Parents should be involved! Parents should be informed! It is absolutely INSANE to even entertain the thought of not involving the parents in ANYTHING pertaining to THEIR CHILD. If your child is sexually harrassed, would you not want to be informed? If your child is flunking a course, would you not want to be informed? If your child is getting high in the school bathroom, would you not want to be informed?


Strongly oppose.


I am completely opposed.


Transgender students deserve safety

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This is incredibly cruel to impose on transgender students who already deal with an incredible amount of harassment and emotional turmoil. It has been proven time and time again that forcing transgender people into the closet through measures such as these will not make them cis. It will only interrupt their lives and cause them great stress and very likely physical harm by enabling bullies and abusers. This is nothing more than a human rights violation.


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I oppose this in the strongest possible manor.


Opposed

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This is ridiculous.  Please do not pass this.


I oppose this guidance

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It could be harmful and have very negative consequences to teens and their families.


I oppose this fully.


I oppose this guidance!

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<p>I oppose this guidance! </p>


This will bring harm to trans kids.

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This will bring harm to trans kids.


Our youth

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We need to protect and care for our youth, not.

 shame them… we don’t have to understand to care for them


Oppose the Governor’s Cruel Proposal

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These proposed policies serve no trans youth and no parent of any trans youth. It is as idiotic as it is sadistic. No teacher would think twice if a student named Katherine asked to be called Kate or Kaye. Under Youngkin’s proposal, the teacher would be required to use Katherine and would be well advised to check the official record for the right pronouns. Where would one even look for such information? Hateful nonsense.


It is a grave mistake to pass this.

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It is a grave mistake to pass this.


Do not do this.


It is a grave mistake to pass this.


Strongly in favor! A victory for parental rights and child well being

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The policy from the previous democratic administration was a regressive step for the commonwealth, casting aside parental rights and putting a limited moral world view above all others, making that view a state policy. Youngkin did the right thing in reversing the disastrous policy, restoring parental rights and a school environment that is safe, sane and equitable.


Strongly oppose


I am strongly opposed.


This is a horrible bill

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<p>This bill puts young lgbtq youth in danger. It encourages teachers to out kids to their parents that may or may not be supportive. It will push teens back in the closet at a time when they need supportive peers and adult help. Please do not pass this bill. </p>


I am completely opposed.


Why do you want to hurt children?

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I strongly oppose this new guidance. Trans kids already face higher rates of abuse and suicide than their cis peers, and forcing them to be called something they’re not and outing them to potentially abusive parents is only going to make them worse. They’re children. If you truly believe being trans is “just a phase”, then let them do it. They’re figuring out who they are. Several of my LGBTQ friends were only out at school because they feared getting kicked out of the house if they were true to themselves at home. All children should feel safe to be themselves when they go to school. I don’t care if you want trans rights or not, no one should support a bill that hurts children. As for pronouns, if it’s that hard for you to use them, then you have no business working in a diverse environment that may tax your poor brain.


Strongly Approve

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Strongly approve!  Thank you!


This is a terrible policy decision.

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This is a terrible policy decision.


Oppose

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These policies are contrary to federal law, state law and will be extremely harmful to trans and nonbinary kids.  Opposed!


I fully oppose this.


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I oppose this policy. It will harm more than it will help.


I am completely opposed.

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I am completely opposed.


This is dangerous

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<p>These policies are harmful to queer and trans youth and they’re families. We are human, we are deserving of respect in our institution of learning. you will not shame queerness out of us, we are here. and we will do something about this. </p>


Hurting trans kids

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This proposed policy will have a negative impact on trans kids and their families. Trans kids are already at a high risk for suicide and forcing them to go through this new policy only makes it tougher for them. This policy change also does not help non-trans kids because it teaches them to fear people who are different from them. The Bible clearly says to love everyone and treat everyone with respect. The trans community is very small and making them go through this onerous process simply to use a restroom is unnecessary. Let trans kids go to the bathroom of the gender they identify with and at most require them to work with a school guidance counselor. However parents do not need to be involved. Trans kids may not have supportive parents and therefore they do not need to be contacted by the school. Have a heart.

Any notion that trans kids want to get into the bathroom of the opposite sex simply to molest or assault someone is crazy. What they want to do is use the restroom like anyone else and if someone is assaulted then that should be treated like any other crime. This doesn’t need to be spelled out just for trans kids. Live and let live.


Parents Rights

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I fully support this change.

It is about time that someone thought about parents rights and giving them a say in what goes on in school with their children. Those that would indoctrinate the children with their perverted ideologies have long wanted to separate the parents from having a say in the education of their children so that they can push the children into believing ideologies that go against the Christian principles and political beliefs of the parents. There is no other reason to oppose giving parents more voice in the process other than those that wish to separate the minds of the children from the minds of the parents.


I oppose thi policy change

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The proposed changes to the transgender policy will make it more difficult for trans students to get an education and for teachers to communicate with their students.  We need a policy that allows teachers to meet students where they are and meet their educational needs.


Strongly oppose.


This is a terrible policy decision.


All VA students deserve equal rights

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This is another example of our Governor’s promoting anti-equality and anti-choice policies that are not supported by the views of everyday Virginians.

These policies blatantly stigmatize and isolate our most vulnerable children and place their lives at risk. We need to ensure that transgender students in Virginia are given the same rights are their peers.


Vehemently oppose

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<p>This proposal is disgusting and dehumanizing. Y’all should be sent to your rooms for even thinking this would be a good idea. </p>


This will bring harm to trans kids.

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This will bring harm to trans kids.


I am strongly opposed.


I am completely opposed.


Strongly Oppose this Guidance Document

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<p>This proposal is onerous and harmful to Trans youth. </p>


I oppose this fully.


Praise the Lord!


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I oppose this in the strongest possible manor.


Do not do this.


I reject Yongkin’s “guidance” to schools

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I completely reject this “guidance” by Governor Yongkin which result in the following:

Require school staff to “out” transgender students, likely exposing students to emotional and physical abuse from unaccepting parents;

Disregard students’ genders and force them to use school facilities and programs matching their birth sex;

Create additional barriers for students to change their names and genders at school; and

Allow staff and students to bully and harass transgender students by not using their names and pronouns. Misgendering students is incredibly harmful to their emotional well-being.


I fully oppose this.


I approve!

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This is a much-needed step to protect our children here in the commonwealth!


This policy puts children in danger

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I am a graduate of Virginia’s public schools and I am fiercely opposed to this policy. I am openly LGBTQ and firmly believe that all children, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression, should feel safe in public schools. If they do not feel safe enough to be out at home, that is the parents’ fault, and certainly not something for teachers or other school staff to disclose without the student’s permission. In fact, disclosure could be dangerous — I know people who have been physically abused and thrown out of their homes after being outed (or coming out) to their parents. And as someone who goes out and about on a regular basis, I could care less what’s between the legs of the person in the next restroom stall, as long as they flush and wash their hands. People claim that trans people in restrooms are predators, when in reality they are more likely to be victims of assault, including sexual assault, if they cannot use the restrooms that they feel most comfortable in. Wrapping up, children deserve to be safe, and if this policy is enacted it will do nothing but harm LGBTQ youths in the Commonwealth. Respectfully submitted 9/26/22


vehemently opposed.

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Parental involvement in schooling is a good idea on paper, but in real life it's not so simple. Abusive parents are an unfortunately common thing. My biggest issue with this model policy is that it leaves no room for schools to protect LGBT kids in cases of potential abuse at home. Schools outing students to their parents will lead to kids being kicked out of their homes, being beaten by their parents, and/or commiting suicide.

Teenagers being made homeless is a bad thing. Policy that increases the likelihood of teenagers becoming homeless is bad policy.

Teenagers being beaten by their parents is a bad thing. Policy that increases the likelihood of teenagers being beaten by their parents is bad policy.

Teenagers killing themselves is a bad thing. Policy that increases the likelihood of teenagers killing themselves is bad policy.


Strongly oppose.


This will bring harm to trans kids.


Opposed to Gov Youngkin's 2022 proposed model policy.

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<p>I oppose Governor Youngkin's 2022 proposed model policy. This will harm trans and all LGBTQIA students. </p>


Oppose eliminating protections for transgender children

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I oppose this attempt to eliminate protections for transgender students in public schools. LGBTQ+ students already experience much higher self-harm & suicide rates because of the discrimination they face. The harm to LGBTQ+ students just trying to go about their daily lives like everyone else does will be on your conscience.


Strongly opposed - recent wave of anti-trans backlash is an affront to American values.

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I am a resident of Leesburg.

Social conservatives will often opine that they support the rights of the individual and position themselves in opposition to imaginary "collectivist" societies - but there is nothing "individualist" about this push.

What the governor seeks to do here is force vulnerable children who wish to set themselves apart and find their own fulfillment, away from the impositions of other people, to -conform- to a reductive and simplistic view of what is "acceptable". It is a cruel denial of freedoms most of us take for granted - the right to present ourselves and move in the world as we please, unbothered by tyrants. Instead of extending these freedoms to the most meek among us, the governor seeks to institute a not only a nanny state, but a nanny that prefers to thwap with the switch and spy on their charges rather than nurturing development and fostering their unique talents and treasures.

Rest assured that the public will not forget this despicable policy, whether or not it goes into effect; I certainly will not. I voice my opposition firmly and demand that its implementation be cancelled immediately.


These policies don’t support parental rights, they support discrimination and bullying

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<p>Trans students are already at higher risk of bullying, mental health issues, suicide, and depression. These policies will only worsen what trans kids have to endure. By forcing kids to use bathrooms and facilities that they are uncomfortable with and don’t belong in, and by allowing teachers and peers to purposefully and maliciously use the wrong names and pronouns for students, these policies severely threaten the lives, rights, and wellbeing of transgender youth and students in Virginia. The supposed purpose of “parental rights” in education is merely a facade - this is a clear action against the privacy and safety of transgender students. Schools should be a place where students are able to grow and be safe in understanding themselves, without the stress and fear of constant bullying, trans students included. Forcing counselors to out students to their parents will make transgender students who will not be safe if their parents learn that they are transgender unable to receive support. Trans people cannot choose their gender, and forcing them to hide who they undeniably (and scientifically!) are at school and at home has been shown to lead to worse outcomes and increased rates of depression and suicide for trans kids. Let kids live! </p>


Strong Opposition to this Policy Change

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I strongly oppose this policy change for the risk it poses to the well-being and safety of transgender/gender non-conforming children.

The existence of transgender and gender non-conforming children is not a matter of politics, nor an ideological belief. It is a scientific fact! Gender roles and presentation have been fluid across cultures and time periods throughout the entirety of human history with very few constants. Using religious freedom as an excuse for the practices outlined in this policy change is flimsy at best. Most religions don't have much to say about the transgender community, and are very rarely negative about it. There are only a few contemporary denominations of with strong negative opinions. Accommodating for a few denominations, over the thousands of religions being practiced today, seems as though it would infringe on the religious freedom of more people by making this policy change.

By "deferring to parents..." and "keeping parents informed..."  you are firstly denying a child's autonomy and sense of self. You are secondly denying them their discretion. In the current political climate, as unfortunate as it is, the simple sociological concept of gender and sex being different things from one another has been known in some cases, to elicit hostile responses among reactionary people, on occasion, to a violent extent. If the parents of transgender/gender non-conforming children are themselves reactionary, the knowledge of their child's gender identity could create a hostile home environment, putting the child at risk of emotional, verbal, or even physical abuse.


Oppose

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I strongly oppose this!


This is a terrible policy decision.

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This is a terrible policy decision.


oppose

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I oppose this new policy proposed by the Youngkin administration. It will only result in tormenting children who are already marginalized and will put them at higher risk for self harm or even suicide. This also puts an undue burden on teachers who are already underpaid and overworked. Let our kids be themselves. Stop targeting kids.


It is a grave mistake to pass this.

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It is a grave mistake to pass this.


Wrong

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This decision is very damaging to trans kids.  It may l ad to some suicides.  They will be on you conscience, Governor Youngkn.


This will bring harm to trans kids.

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This will bring harm to trans kids.


Trans kids deserve to learn and live in safety

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Trans youth are more likely to be victims of violence, homelessness, and mental illness. To deny them autonomy or to force them to adhere to another identity also impacts their ability to learn. Students must have their basic needs met (according to Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs) before they are able to cognitively learn.  This policy denies access of Trans youth to both Safety Needs by forcing them to be outed and Love and Belonging.


This policy is PERFECT.  Don't change a thing!  People need to read, and stop spreading stupid

Our Kids Can't Read the rest almost unimportant!

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Has anyone on this site actually READ the policy?  I'm so tired of Keyboard warriors who don't take the time to read and understand the words.   This policy is PERFECT.  It supports kids rights, but more importantly, PARENTAL rights.   Honestly, I'm sorry, but no one on this site has the right to push this agenda on any other child, parent or family.   It's enough.

It's funny, because all this policy does is say you have to use the right gender bathroom, if you are not comfortable with that you'll have to find a single use bathroom, but this is the case for everyone and not just for transgender students.  It also is mostly about sports and overnight trips.  And I'm sorry, but you as a bystander, do not have the right to tell me that I should be okay with boys being allowed to sleep in the same room as girls.   I don't care if you identify as God, you do not have the right to force that into my world.

Some of you all you want is to complain about something.  Teachers and Principals do not have the right to circumvent or usurp parental wishes.  My God where have we gone with all this.   We didn't take away the self-esteem from these kids, these kids are psychologically in trouble from not being able to declare themselves non-binary!  It's enough, and parents who do not support other parents have a say in their own child's life need to sit down and shut up!   If you want your child to be gay, or transgender, congratulations, I don't want my child to have to fit into ANY category that they can't articulate for themselves, without help from me.  And yes, I'm saying it out loud, these parents forcing transgenderism on their children are terrifying.  Your child should not even now about these things until they are well into their high school careers.  But we don't appreciate people respecting their bodies and putting grades before sex. No we want to fight instead because we like that and this is killing our kids.

I wish parents could really see the reality in our high schools and middle, which is WORSE than high school.  We have to administer NARCAN on the daily, and all the parents care about in here is that some people don't want a transgender child to be in the bathroom with their child who isn't.  That's disgusting and I hope anyone who reads this will consider actually READING the policy and understand that what it says is that the school system's job is to protect ALL children but their mission is education NOT parenting children or helping children to hide secrets from their parents.

Governor Youngkin, thank you, thank you, thank you....


I am strongly opposed.


Only child touchers do not approve

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<p>Everyone against this is a pedophile. </p>


Oppose!! Oppose!! Horrible policy!

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This policy would result in alienating vulnerable children and increase suicide of our kids.


Do not do this.


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I oppose this in the strongest possible manor.


As a parent, I oppose this policy

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<p>As a parent, I oppose this policy, which violates my rights as a parent to determine how my children are raised and educated. I wish to educate my children in schools that are free from discrimination, harassment, or bullying, and that protect and encourage respect for all students. As a result of this policy, I will no longer be able to do so. This policy will disempower me as a parent, because I do not adhere to or adopt the particular ideological belief that has motivated this change in policy. The policy promotes a specific viewpoint aimed at achieving cultural and social transformation in schools, and it is a viewpoint which I, as a parent, disagree with very strongly. In addition, the policy compels speech that is contrary to an individual's personal or religious beliefs, which is prohibited under the First Amendment; as a parent, I wish to educate my children in schools where teachers aren't required to use names and pronouns that students want them not to use. The state of Virginia should support the rights of all Virginia parents by withdrawing this disastrous, educationally harmful, ideologically motivated, discriminatory, and likely illegal policy.  </p>


Virginia teacher - I oppose and I will not enforce this

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I oppose.

This proposed policy has the potential for great harm to our students. As a teacher, my first objective is always the safety of the humans entrusted with my care. I cannot and will not support or enforce this policy in my classroom, school, or community. I will always stand firmly against hate and discrimination, knowing that love and community are far more powerful.

Children cannot be "controlled" and it is harmful to attempt to do so. One must accept the idea that these people - our students and children - have their own lives, thoughts, and feelings outside of our own.

Listen to children. Believe children. Respect children.

Protect the humans that sit in our classrooms.


this is the beginning of a genocide

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<p>There are 10 stages to genocide. Trans people, especially trans kids, are at level 7. These policies are just the beginning, they are coming for every single queer person next. These policies aim to separate trans teens from their peers, to make them visible, and to put them in harms way. I don’t care about parents rights, if that means a parents right to harm their child. </p>


A balanced policy

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Bravo, Gov. Youngkin, for giving us a balanced and fair policy.


Strongly oppose.


This is wrong!

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I strongly oppose interfering in the privacy of a young person's life as they struggle with their identity.  It is hard enough being a teenager in world of bullies and bigots without being afraid that teachers who you once trusted are now the police and will turn you in to you parents regardless of how bigoted they may be.


Oppose!

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<p>I strongly oppose this proposed policy! We must protect our youth. This proposed policy is harmful to our children. Bullying and suicide is already an issue for these children. Imagine what could potentially happen if this policy was passed fully! Our school's have no business or right to decide what is best for our children when it comes to gender identification, pronouns, or sexual orientation. Thankfully my child comes from a loving, understanding, inclusive home, but what about the children who don't? Imagine the consequences they might face under this policy from peers and their own family members. Do not move forward with this potentially life threatening policy.  </p>


I oppose this fully.


Model Policies

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Looks like many folks happy with boys using girls bathrooms, even beyond puberty, risking sexual assault of girls in same bathrooms, all in the name of doing whatever makes them “feel good”. Suicide tendencies higher among trans should be dealt with directly instead of coddling those tendencies through speech and bathroom policies.


I oppose this in the strongest possible manor.


I oppose this bill.

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As an LCSW working with children in the commonwealth, this proposed bill disturbs me. Trans and non-binary students deserve additional support, not discrimination. This bill could be life threatening to students, when we deny an individuals gender we increase their risk for suicide, substance use, and other high risk behavior. I see this all the time working with adolescents in my practice. Please do not pass this bill.

sincerely,

Joseph T. Vance, LCSW


Disrespectful to our students and teachers

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Relationships are essential to learning and to healthy classroom communities. Putting teachers in a situation where they can’t build trusting relationships and students can’t share with them in confidence helps nobody.


Strongly opposed

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As a trans student, I am opposed to this proposition.


I am strongly opposed.


Support new policy having caregivers as a part of the discussion

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I support this model placing caregivers in an important position regarding schools and their child's education.


I fully oppose this.


Strongly Opposed

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<p>I am absolutely opposed to this policy. I think it’s disgusting that our Governor would comfortably harm students in Virginia. </p>


It is a grave mistake to pass this.

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It is a grave mistake to pass this.


Parents Matter.   Parent authority over Children.

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<p>I strongly and adamently support and approve this Youngkin action.   It makes me proud to be a Virginian.  This will protect children and families, by (with intention) protecting their rights and freedoms from over reach of educational, medical and government ideologies and lifelong damage, both emotionally and physical.    The side of wokeness has a skewed view of what constitutes rights and what is moral.   </p>


Policy

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This policy stands on discrimination of trans students and is circulated by people who operate on shame, blame, and guilt.


Approve.  This is obviously a step in the right direction.

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<p>This is a good thing.  Most of the negative comments aren't real people.  Bots and NPCs. </p>


It is a grave mistake to pass this.


OPPOSED!! New Headline "Poor Little White Men Afraid of Losing Their Manhood"

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Led by a homophobic, red vested, trump accolade, named youngkin (lower case intentional), poor little white men and white karen's are afraid of losing their gender identity. As a white male with friends who are gay, trans, or multi-racial, I know who I am and I'm NOT concerned with who my 4 kids and 9 kids are or becoming. As parents, if you teach your children concern and respect for their fellow travelers in this world, you shouldn't be afraid of the alternative life styles your kids may encounter. You have the "right" to be confident in who your kids are. You have the "right" to teach them right from wrong. You have the "right" to teach them how to be productive members of society who have respect for everyone. Those are your "rights" and let teachers give them a great education without your interference!! Grow up!!


Do not do this.


Fully support this common sense policy!

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I fully support this common-sense policy which keeps parents in the driver's seat when it comes to things that affect their children at school. I think we're headed down a very slippery slope when it comes to the care of children. It is not the government's job to raise children, but the parent(s). Now if there's a problem of abuse or neglect, then the government can step in to support. It's not the school's job to provide medical care. That should be between the student and their trusted doctor who has been chosen and vetted by the family.

Teachers are not trained psychologists so this should not fall on them. Unfortunately, in Fairfax County, there are very few trained psychologists in schools. It would be nice if each subschool in high schools had at least one, but sadly that is not the case.

Why are schools catering to such a small portion of the student population? There needs to be a happy medium here to make everyone happy and I believe that most of the people who oppose this policy have not even read it in its entirety.


Stick to your policy

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God bless you Gov Youngkin!!  Parents need to have control for their children's sake until they are an adult.  PLEASE do not have tax dollars pay for any switching of gender  There is absolutely no way other than single stall bathrooms for each student or any of us in any public place to have our privacy.  I support your policy


This is a terrible policy decision.

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This is a terrible policy decision.


Leave the kids alone

Leave these kids alone - I strongly oppose this.

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Stop trying to curry favor through this shameful attempt to interfere with these children.  The harm this proposal will do is dangerous and will make the lives of these kids even harder than they already are.  Just stop.  Govern properly and pay attention to the issues that really matter in the Commonwealth.


I oppose this attempt to win points with bigots by punching down on children.

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It's obvious that your goals aren't oriented towards building a bigger world where we all can be ourselves. You're targeting children with policies that could cause harm or death to satisfy your bigotry and score points with your base. I look forward to the day when bigotry like this is not allowed in public office.


I FULLY OPPOSE THIS !

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<p>This is a witch hunt campaign run by people with ZERO qualifications into the matters they speak of. How DARE you say this is for our children. Trans children with SUFFER and SUFFER and die because of heartless people like those behind these policies. Never thought religious extremists would have a say in what we do our schools. Pathetic. </p>


I am strongly opposed.


WE MUSTN'T LET PARENTS GET IN OUR WAY!

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WE MUST PHASE OUT PARENTAL CONSENT AS IT WILL ONLY MAKE INDOCTRINATION MORE DIFFICULT.

IT IS OUR JOB TO RAISE THE CHILDREN- WE MUSTN'T LET THIS NEW PROPOSAL PASS!

-ADOLF


Approve. Look at all these people that need to be institutionalized


I fully oppose this.


This is a terrible policy decision.


Strongly oppose.


This will bring harm to trans kids.

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This will bring harm to trans kids.


I oppose this fully.


Strongly opposed


OPPOSE


I do not support this discriminatory and cruel policy

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This policy would cause irreparable harm to thousands of children. It completely lacks any basis in the facts, statistics, or reality at all. Nobody is being protected by it. There is zero evidence to support this policy. Policies like this are exactly what leads to increased rates of suicide and self harm in transgender youth. It will cost the lives of children, that is fact.


This will bring harm to trans kids.


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I oppose this in the strongest possible manor.


Horrific and backwards policy. Completely oppose

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This policy is monstrous and is not what Virginians want for our state or our schools.

If adopted, it will cause real and tangible harm to children. This policy flies in the face of decades of sound and accepted scientific research which supports that stigmatization puts transgender children at risk for suicide, abuse, and becoming victims of physical violence (Russell, S. T., & Fish, J. N. 2016). Trans children are less likely to have parental support and affirmation than other LGB children, and forcing these children to either remain closeted or to be outed is cruel (Ryan et al. (2010).  Additionally, the detrimental impact of homophobic and transphobic school environments are not unique to LGBTQ+ youth, and research has identified detrimental impacts of homophobia within schools on the mental wellbeing of heterosexual youth as well (Poteat et al. 2011, Robinson & Espelage 2012).

Furthermore, we know that transgender students who are supported and affirmed have better mental health outcomes. As noted in Olson, Durwood, & McLaughlin, 2016: "Socially transitioned transgender children who are supported in their gender identity have developmentally normative levels of depression and only minimal elevations in anxiety, suggesting that psychopathology is not inevitable within this group. Especially striking is the comparison with reports of children with GID; socially transitioned transgender children have notably lower rates of internalizing psychopathology than previously reported among children with GID living as their natal sex."

This bill will hurt children, and it is abhorrent that their safety in school is less important to the governor than political capital.

Further reading:

Day, J.K., Fish, J.N., Grossman, A.H. and Russell, S.T. (2020), Gay-Straight Alliances, Inclusive Policy, and School Climate: LGBTQ Youths’ Experiences of Social Support and Bullying. J Res Adolesc, 30: 418-430. https://doi-org.proxy01.its.virginia.edu/10.1111/jora.12487

 Olson KR, Durwood L, McLaughlin KA. Mental Health of Transgender Children Who Are Supported in Their Identities. Pediatrics. 2016;137(3):e20153223

Poteat VP, Mereish EH, DiGiovanni CD, Koenig BW. The effects of general and homophobic victimization on adolescents’ psychosocial and educational concerns: the importance of intersecting identities and parent support. J. Couns. Psychol. 2011;58:597–609.

Russell S.T, Fish J.N., Mental Health in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Youth, Annual Review of Clinical Psychology 2016 12:1, 465-487

Russell ST, Sinclair KO, Poteat VP, Koenig BW. Adolescent health and harassment based on discriminatory bias. Am. J. Public Health. 2012a;102:493–95.

Ryan C, Russell ST, Huebner D, Diaz R. Family acceptance in adolescence and the health of LGBT young adults. J. Child Adolesc. Psychiatr. Nurs. 2010;23:205–13.


I am for this proposal

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I am totally in favor of this proposal. Parents have the right to raise their children with the values they desire. Just because we disagree with someone’s lifestyle and preferences doesn’t mean we dislike that person. I highly disagree when others try to forcibly impose their values on me and my family when I have a different set of morals. Great job Governor Younkin! Your creator decided your gender.


DO NOT pass this harmful policy! OPPPOSE!

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As a Virginian who works in the social services industry with the LGBTQIA+, trans, and gender non-binary population (in addition to other populations), I STRONGLY OPPOSE the draft policies that the governor has created regarding trans students and am begging the VDOE to reject them. These policies are extremely harmful, discriminatory, and degrade the humanity of our trans and gender non-binary students in Virginia. Everyone in the U.S. is entitled to equal protection under the law without fear of discrimination. Governor Youngkin is purposefully thwarting those rights and attempting to harm trans and gender non-conforming children in Virginia through his policies. It is sad and despicable to see such behavior by those elected into our leadership, but we will not stand by idly while you attempt to degrade the humanity of this state. Please do not pass these discriminatory policies!


Oppose

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Protect trans and non binary children


Fully Opposed - Protect Trans Kids

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All I have to say is that this decision is not rooted in any desire to protect students or families, but rather plain and simple transphobia. Trans students deserve to be treated with a modicum of respect which clearly you are not willing to give. These changes will quite literally lead to the deaths of trans kids throughout the Commonwealth - can you find it in you to care?


I most STONGLY oppose!

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<p>Having been a public school educator for the past 22 years, I have seen the real damage that can be done by policing religious and social morality based on the majority group against minority groups. This will do nothing but harm. We already have a group of kids teetering on the brink of self harm… this will create more problems than you can possibly imagine. Hey governor! Leave them kids alone! </p>


I am completely opposed.

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I am completely opposed.


Opposed

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This policy jeopardizes the safety of students in the Comminwealth.


I fully oppose this.


This policy will only serve to place targets on vulnerable kids

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As a physician I am approaching this from a strictly clinical standpoint. Trans and LGBQT issues are not mental health issues that should be ignored and/or treated as taboo. The lack of education and fear that I see running rampant in this comment section is alarming. This policy would out vulnerable kids and subject them to witch hunts from classmates, teachers, and parents. And given the vitriol that is being spewed by those in favor of this proposal I think it’s very clear that these children would be harmed if this policy were to go into effect.

I will never be in favor of othering any children, which is what this policy would do. And I think the clear answer is to educate our community on what being trans or LGBQT actually means without the fear and the hate.


This is a terrible policy decision.

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This is a terrible policy decision.


Please reject this proposed policy

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I was horrified to read about the Governor’s proposed model policy on the Treatment of transgender & gender expansive students and want to urge you to reject it as unnecessary, inappropriate and dangerous.  This looks like a painfully obvious political play at the expense of innocent children and I hope you will recognize it as such. I have no doubt that even just the publicity around this potential policy will inspire harmful actions towards students who are members of these communities. I hope that you will take any and all action to prevent this policy from becoming implemented, and will stay focused on making our schools places all of our kids can thrive.


There is nothing too low and hateful for Youngkin

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<p>I absolutely oppose Governor Youngkin‘s proposed changes to protections for transgender kids. It is clear that Youngkin has no respect for transgender individuals, including kids, who are at the greatest risk of harm. If the parents of a child do not know that they identify as transgender, it is likely because their parents, either will not support it, or they fear harm at the hands of their parents. Regardless, parents cannot dictate a child’s gender or sexual orientation – it is truly an individualized reality, not one that could be an imposed on an individual by anyone else. Youngkin’s decisions remind me  of efforts in the past to strip away the rights of other groups. It is a message of hatred and intolerance, and not some thing that should be supported or passed in the commonwealth of Virginia. Absolutely disgusting action on his part, but nothing we could not anticipate from such a dangerous  extremist. </p>


Strongly Approve. To reject evidenced based policy is to willingly admit you are an insane


Strongly oppose.


Parents Right to know is a must

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<p>I believe all students have the right to safety while in school.  No child should ever be subjected to bullying.    I believe that all children are equal and should be treated as equals. I believe that all parents have the right to full knowledge and information regarding their child’s education.  I can accept the change to the policy allowing parents the right to know. </p>


I Support Governor Youngkins Mandate

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I fully support the Governor’s mandate.  The school systems need to concentrate on teaching their students the tools they’ll need to succeed in the classroom as they move forward in their education process.  School systems need to stay out of social issues and leave personal issues to be discussed at home with their parents/guardians.


I oppose this blatant attack on transgendered students.

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This is a vile attack on transgendered students and the fact that it is being presented as being “committed to working with school divisions to ensure a positive, safe, and nurturing learning environment for all students.” when it is clearly a plan to out trans students and take away their rights to privacy and dignity. If “Each student’s individual needs should be taken into consideration by their school” then maybe you should consider that every one of the trans students affected by this will need to have their pronouns and name respected by their school, teachers, peers, administration since their government can’t be bothered to comply with the policy they have written for the schools.

“Schools shall respect all students: All children in Virginia have a right to learn, free from unlawful discrimination and harassment.”  Let me finish that statement for you…

Schools shall respect all students: All children in Virginia have a right to learn, free from unlawful discrimination and harassment OF ANYONE INCLUDING THE GOVERNOR WHO IS SUPPOSED TO SERVE ALL OF THE PEOPLE OF VIRGINIA, INCLUDING TRANS CHILDREN, REGARDLESS OF HIS DESIRE TO PASS BIGOTED POLICIES THAT DO NOT REFLECT THE IDEALS OF MOST VIRGINIANS


This is a terrible policy decision.


I am strongly opposed.


Strongly Opposed

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<p>As the aunt of a transgender person, I have seen the bullying firsthand. While I do not understand my niece's (formally nephew) need to change gender, I understand that she is a human being and deserves to be treated with kindness, dignity, and respect. This policy targets a minority class by a group of politicians who campaign under the guise of "Christian Nationalism" yet completely ignore the teachings of Jesus. I do not see love, mercy, or grace in this policy, only hatred and evil. </p>


oppose

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Let's show a little compassion to children who are struggling and are already marginalized.  Show them support instead of shame.


Strongly opposed

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This new policy is inhumane and seeks to force children to conform to an ideology which neither respects them nor has the support of any medical or psychiatric body.


Puts transgender students in danger

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<p>Have you not read the statistics and understand that repressing yourself as a youth or putting someone literally kills these children. You pass this you are saying their lives don’t matter. Have you ever taken the time to try to understand a transgender individual and or their family? </p>


I am completely opposed.


Oppose 100%

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This is discrimination and will harm LGBTQ KIDS! This is an absolute disgrace! This is can harm the mental health of LGBTQ kids. If you are truly for family values you would retract what you have done.


I oppose this fully.


Strongly Oppose as a Christian Teacher

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While I agree that students relinquish some rights as they enter the building, our school system is designed to be a safe space. I teach fourth grade and can say wholeheartedly that my students’ gender is none of my business. As a teacher, would this law require me to check my students’ pants to make sure they are who they say they are? Ephesians 6:4 says “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord”. We should provide for our children not make them suffer. I oppose this law.


This will bring harm to trans kids.

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This will bring harm to trans kids.


Do not do this.


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I oppose this in the strongest possible manor.


I fully oppose this.


I am completely opposed.

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I am completely opposed.


This will bring harm to trans kids.


Only people who support Pedophiles are against this.

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This bill simply gives parents the right to know about qhat happens in their kids school. Any adult who wishes to prevent this would only be do that if they wished to attempt to groom children or chose to be wilfully ignorant of the facts.


Don't do this


It is a grave mistake to pass this.

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It is a grave mistake to pass this.


Reverse this harmful policy

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This policy does not reflect the values of the voters of Virginia. If enacted it will be harmful to some of the most vulnerable young people in our communities. Please reverse this horrible policy immediately.


Strongly oppose.


A model for freedom for all

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I fully support the revised policy. The 2021 Model Policies forced an ideology onto all students regardless of their beliefs and isolated parents from raising their children as they saw fit and within their own moral and social structure.  It is not only important to protect all students from harassment and bullying of all types but also to allow students to be who they want to be and to be able to express themselves without fear of retribution or exclusion. The 2022 Model Policies does that; it protects all students, not just a few, and ensures parents are involved in all decisions made for or about their children.


I oppose this

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Trans rights are human rights.


This is a terrible policy decision.

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This is a terrible policy decision.


Fully support!

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<p>Restore our educational system to returning to teach students what they need to succeed and leave the ideology and emotional support to their family systems. Teachers are not educated or qualified to be standing in as a counselor, therapist or mental health advisor. </p>


STRONGLY opposed

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This proposed policy will directly hurt some of our most vulnerable children.  I am strongly opposed.


I am completely opposed.


I am strongly opposed.


I FULLY OPPOSE THIS


I strongly support this proposal.

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I strongly support this proposal.


This will harm so many children who just want to feel comfortable with themselves.

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This policy should not be put into place. School is a place where children can find themselves and learn to be comfortable with who they are. Many kids don’t have supportive parents and school gives them a place to be who they are. They are not harming anyone by identifying how they wish. What will cause harm is a policy that doesn’t allow kids to be their full selves. Trans youth commit suicide at such high rates and this will only increase it.


Oppose. This policy harms kids and the Commonwealth!

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School must be a safe place for children. This policy does nothing but harm and be cruel to the children trying to figure out who they are. It puts underpaid and overworked teachers into the position of (once again) lawyer, doctor, and parent as they have to arbitrate what the correct name is for the child, how the child can express themselves, and how the child must act to follow this policy and avoid frivolous punishment. It does not help children, save for those who want another excuse to bully. There will still be trans kids if you implement this policy. You're making their young lives hell, but they will still be trans, regardless of what you do.

The Commonwealth is harmed as good employees and businesses are driven away by policies that will harm themselves or their children. You're so proud of getting LEGO to come to Chesterfield? They came because Virginia was more inclusive than North Carolina (Chesterfield Observer). Do you think they're happy about their decision now? Do you think any other companies with sterling reputations like LEGO will join them? You're making it very clear that Virginia is for cruelty now.


I oppose this policy, it’s harmful to trans youth

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<p>Trans kids deserve dignity and understanding. </p>


Strongly oppose on moral grounds. This will cause direct harm to LGBTQ+ children.

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Such legislation is engineered in a way to cause direct harm to LGBTQ+ children, who will exist with or without state persecution at the hands of misunderstanding parents and a like school system. Schools have a unique say in protecting the youth from abusive parenthood. If passed, this will destroy lives. 14th amendment does not protect the inevitable child abuse that will occur by way of the State. Children are not defined as property. Strongly oppose.


Oppose guideline changes

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I oppose these changes, particularly those creating additional barriers for students themselves to change their names and genders at school


This will bring harm to trans kids.

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This will bring harm to trans kids.


Do not do this.


I oppose this fully.


I love my transgender granddaughter!  Don’t hurt her more w/hurtful policies!!!

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I taught high school in Kentucky for 40 years.  Protection of EVERY CHILD was my job.  Why is the state of Virginia becoming a bully?  (Youngkin’s stunt to compete w/DeSantis and Abbott?). EVERY CHILD needs nurturing and care!  EVERY SINGLE ONE, including my granddaughter, who will be a brilliant future doctor if you don’t kill her first!  Protect her and ALL kids in Virginia schools.  It’s your job!  Karen Compton, retired, JCPS


A student who opposes this

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It doesn't respect people gender identities. As a student at a public middle school, student don't and won't respect teachers that disrespect students. It degrades the students and makes schools less safe.


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I oppose this in the strongest possible manor.


Strongly oppose.


I strongly oppose this.

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By passing such discriminatory laws lives and people will be put at risk. This should not even be proposed to begin with.


Disturbing possibility

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I do not live in VA but others in my family do and this proposal will adversely affect them.  I cannot for the life of me find any rational reason to propose such anti-humanity regulation.


Oppose greatly

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<p>All children should have access to what they need. It hurts no one. It isn’t a pie. Giving respect and equal rights to one group doesn’t take away from others. Youngkin should be ashamed. </p>


This will bring harm to trans kids.


I am completely opposed.

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I am completely opposed.


OPPOSED


I oppose this vehemently. This will directly lead to the suicide of trans-kids.

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

This is not only disgusting, it's just downright cruel. I am transgender myself, am currently going through all legal processes in this state (Virginia), and if this passed while I was in  high school the likelihood that some of my friends would have committed suicide is not something to laugh at. My best friend came out as trans in middle school, and had a terribly abusive and un-accepting family. The only place he could be out was at school, and that continued into high school.

Many of us are repressed our entire lives until we finally decide to do something about it. Many of us, those of us who figure it out younger, are only able to be open about our own identity at school especially if our parents and immediate family will have none of it and don't believe or understand us. This is especially true if they are religious (christian, catholic, southern baptist, etc.).

All we want to do is exist, and be safe. Trans kids are much less likely to attempt suicide if they have even just one adult who supports them in their life, and many of us get that from confiding in trusted teachers at school who don't judge us and support us. The fact of the matter is, more of us who are trans and young have more supporting adults at school than we will at home in our immediate families.

School is a safe haven, and this legislation will quite literally rip away that safety and make it just like any other place for trans people in unaccepting spaces - it will become a place of constant harassment and aggression. That's not an environment any queer teen would want to learn in. Forcing even supportive teachers to out the kids they care about and teach is downright cruel as well, especially since the reason trans kids choose not to be out to their parents is because in all likelihood it is NOT SAFE TO BE. You will be taking away the support trans kids need to keep themselves afloat.

This will, undoubtedly, lead to a spike in trans kids suicide rates in Virginia. I am in utter disbelief. You will have failed thousands of kids and will have directly contributed to worsening their living conditions, if they are even alive at all after the end of this.

Do better. Don't pass this. These kids have no power and are our most vulnerable.

They don't deserve this.


I fully oppose this.


I am strongly opposed.


Oppose. Please don't do this.

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I just graduated from the Virginia public school system. I am proud to say I went to a school that supported everyone, no matter their identity. People were able to be open about who they were. If this policy is passed, the consequences will be horrific, not only for trans kids, but for the people who care about them. I know so many people who would be effected by this. Please don't do this.


This is a terrible policy decision.

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This is a terrible policy decision.


This is a terrible policy decision.


This policy sanctions discrimination

In regards to your recent education policy release, I would like to point out several inconsistencies.Your policy states:“Schools shall defer to parents to make the best decisions with respect to their children: Parents are in the best position to work with their children and, where appropriate, their children’s health care providers to determine (a) what names, nicknames, and/or pronouns, if any, shall be used for their child by teachers and school staff while their child is at school, (b) whether their child engages in any counseling or social transition at school that encourages a gender that differs from their child’s sex, or (c) whether their child expresses a gender that differs with their child’s sex while at school.”Therefore, if a child with parental support requests to be addressed with specific pronouns, a teacher must defer to the parent. When this very circumstance occurred recently in Loudon County VA, you sided with the teacher misgendering a child not the parents who wanted the teacher to honor their child’s request. How is that stance deferring to parents? You cannot both support a teacher who says “their religion compels them to ignore preferred pronouns” while at the same time following your own policy which compels schools to view parents as the best decision makers with respect to their child. It appears in practice, you and your policy support the person who aligns with the beliefs that transgender youth should be devalued and misgendered using religion to usurp parental rights. Which brings us to your next point…. .Your policy states:“These 2022 Model Policies adhere to the First Amendment. The First Amendment forbids government actors to require individuals to adhere to or adopt any particular ideological beliefs. Practices such as compelling others to use preferred pronouns is premised on the ideological belief that gender is a matter of personal choice or subjective experience, not sex. Many Virginians reject this belief. Additionally, the First Amendment guarantees religious freedom and prohibits compelling others to affirm ideas that may be contrary to their personal religious beliefs.”Many school activities are held on Friday nights and Saturdays. These include: football games, graduations, standardized tests, mandatory review sessions, theatre shows and many more school events. As Jewish woman, my children were forced to choose between their religious practices and participation in school events, both academic and extracurricular, many mandatory. Your freedom of religion statement is only geared toward the religion to which you adhere. Where does one person’s freedom end so another’s can begin? If my children had not participated in school-based activities occurring on Friday afternoons/evenings or Saturdays they would not have attended: graduation, taken required tests to include AP, college entrance, or participated in any extracurricular activities related to school-- all which would impede their acceptance to college as well as significantly impact their high school performance. Yet none of these events or activities occurred on Sundays. In your policy, freedom of religion is based in the Christian view of religion—it does not account for any other.Your policy states:“Schools shall respect all students: All children in Virginia have a right to learn, free from unlawful discrimination and harassment. School division policies shall therefore implement the requirements of the Act in a manner that ensures no student is discriminated against or harassed on the basis of his or her sex. To this end, local school division policies shall implement the requirements of the Act in a manner that demonstrates respect for each student”.For as long as many of us can remember, on the first day of school, when teachers confirm their rosters they ask, “What do you prefer to be called?” Your policy is a direct result of bias against students who are transgender. If it were the case that teachers no longer have to respect student’s wishes, then NO child should be allowed to determine what they prefer to be called. Theodore will be Theodore, Alexandra will be Alexandra. No Teddy. No Alex. No being called by your middle name. By only allowing some children to choose what they will be called you are not adhering to your above statement that schools shall respect ALL children. Your policy states:“As a part of that work, educators strive to meet the individual needs of all students entrusted to their care, and teachers work to create educational environments where all students thrive. The Virginia Department of Education (the “Department”) recognizes that each child is a unique individual with distinctive abilities and characteristics that should be valued and respected. All students have the right to attend school in an environment free from discrimination, harassment, or bullying.”When a teacher refuses to use students’ preferred pronouns, citing religious beliefs, they are certainly NOT ensuring “All students have the right to attend school in an environment free from discrimination, harassment, or bullying”. You are validating an adult discriminating against a student as well as setting an example for others to bully, harass and discriminate against said student. You are absolutely not “recognizing students as unique individuals…that should be valued and respected”. You are telling each student who they are, what is and is not acceptable and that their value is dependent on the belief systems of someone else.This policy is riddled with hypocrisy. In your quest to disenfranchise transgender students you have engineered a policy feigning acceptance that is clearly duplicitous. Your policy states schools should “defer to parents to make the best decisions for their child”, that “Schools shall respect all students: All children in Virginia have a right to learn, free from unlawful discrimination and harassment”. The policy claims “The Virginia Department of Education …recognizes that each child is a unique individual with distinctive abilities and characteristics that should be valued and respected. All students have the right to attend school in an environment free from discrimination, harassment, or bullying”. All the above policies paint a picture of acceptance. However, the final element, that “These 2022 Model Policies adhere to the First Amendment. The First Amendment forbids government actors to require individuals to adhere to or adopt any particular ideological beliefs” this is the foundation you use to invalidate all other aspects of this policy. Your acceptance that someone’s religion makes it impossible to use the name or pronouns students prefer is nothing more than a veiled rationalization for favoring one person’s beliefs over another’s. While it could easily be debated no religion actually directs people be required to maintain the sex and gender pronouns they were born with, what is really at issue here, is your aligning with those who share your biased beliefs, rather than really enforcing religious freedom for all. As cited above, when these policies have been put to the test, you have shown your support only if the student, parent or teacher is espousing beliefs that are gender normative and seeded in “Christian” dogma, thereby superseding all other religions and all other aspects of this policy. These policies are, at their core, discriminatory. Though your language is couched in equality and religious freedom, in practice this policy sanctions the exact opposite.Robin Skobel, MEd

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In regards to your recent education policy release, I would like to point out several inconsistencies.

Your policy states:
“Schools shall defer to parents to make the best decisions with respect to their children: Parents are in the best position to work with their children and, where appropriate, their children’s health care providers to determine (a) what names, nicknames, and/or pronouns, if any, shall be used for their child by teachers and school staff while their child is at school, (b) whether their child engages in any counseling or social transition at school that encourages a gender that differs from their child’s sex, or (c) whether their child expresses a gender that differs with their child’s sex while at school.”
Therefore, if a child with parental support requests to be addressed with specific pronouns, a teacher must defer to the parent. When this very circumstance occurred recently in Loudon County VA, you sided with the teacher misgendering a child not the parents who wanted the teacher to honor their child’s request. How is that stance deferring to parents? You cannot both support a teacher who says “their religion compels them to ignore preferred pronouns” while at the same time following your own policy which compels schools to view parents as the best decision makers with respect to their child. It appears in practice, you and your policy support the person who aligns with the beliefs that transgender youth should be devalued and misgendered using religion to usurp parental rights. Which brings us to your next point…. .
Your policy states:
“These 2022 Model Policies adhere to the First Amendment. The First Amendment forbids government actors to require individuals to adhere to or adopt any particular ideological beliefs. Practices such as compelling others to use preferred pronouns is premised on the ideological belief that gender is a matter of personal choice or subjective experience, not sex. Many Virginians reject this belief. Additionally, the First Amendment guarantees religious freedom and prohibits compelling others to affirm ideas that may be contrary to their personal religious beliefs.”
Many school activities are held on Friday nights and Saturdays. These include: football games, graduations, standardized tests, mandatory review sessions, theatre shows and many more school events. As Jewish woman, my children were forced to choose between their religious practices and participation in school events, both academic and extracurricular, many mandatory. Your freedom of religion statement is only geared toward the religion to which you adhere. Where does one person’s freedom end so another’s can begin? If my children had not participated in school-based activities occurring on Friday afternoons/evenings or Saturdays they would not have attended: graduation, taken required tests to include AP, college entrance, or participated in any extracurricular activities related to school-- all which would impede their acceptance to college as well as significantly impact their high school performance. Yet none of these events or activities occurred on Sundays. In your policy, freedom of religion is based in the Christian view of religion—it does not account for any other.
Your policy states:
“Schools shall respect all students: All children in Virginia have a right to learn, free from unlawful discrimination and harassment. School division policies shall therefore implement the requirements of the Act in a manner that ensures no student is discriminated against or harassed on the basis of his or her sex. To this end, local school division policies shall implement the requirements of the Act in a manner that demonstrates respect for each student”.
For as long as many of us can remember, on the first day of school, when teachers confirm their rosters they ask, “What do you prefer to be called?” Your policy is a direct result of bias against students who are transgender. If it were the case that teachers no longer have to respect student’s wishes, then NO child should be allowed to determine what they prefer to be called. Theodore will be Theodore, Alexandra will be Alexandra. No Teddy. No Alex. No being called by your middle name. By only allowing some children to choose what they will be called you are not adhering to your above statement that schools shall respect ALL children.
Your policy states:
“As a part of that work, educators strive to meet the individual needs of all students entrusted to their care, and teachers work to create educational environments where all students thrive. The Virginia Department of Education (the “Department”) recognizes that each child is a unique individual with distinctive abilities and characteristics that should be valued and respected. All students have the right to attend school in an environment free from discrimination, harassment, or bullying.”
When a teacher refuses to use students’ preferred pronouns, citing religious beliefs, they are certainly NOT ensuring “All students have the right to attend school in an environment free from discrimination, harassment, or bullying”. You are validating an adult discriminating against a student as well as setting an example for others to bully, harass and discriminate against said student. You are absolutely not “recognizing students as unique individuals…that should be valued and respected”. You are telling each student who they are, what is and is not acceptable and that their value is dependent on the belief systems of someone else.
This policy is riddled with hypocrisy. In your quest to disenfranchise transgender students you have engineered a policy feigning acceptance that is clearly duplicitous. Your policy states schools should “defer to parents to make the best decisions for their child”, that “Schools shall respect all students: All children in Virginia have a right to learn, free from unlawful discrimination and harassment”. The policy claims “The Virginia Department of Education …recognizes that each child is a unique individual with distinctive abilities and characteristics that should be valued and respected. All students have the right to attend school in an environment free from discrimination, harassment, or bullying”. All the above policies paint a picture of acceptance. However, the final element, that “These 2022 Model Policies adhere to the First Amendment. The First Amendment forbids government actors to require individuals to adhere to or adopt any particular ideological beliefs” this is the foundation you use to invalidate all other aspects of this policy. Your acceptance that someone’s religion makes it impossible to use the name or pronouns students prefer is nothing more than a veiled rationalization for favoring one person’s beliefs over another’s. While it could easily be debated no religion actually directs people be required to maintain the sex and gender pronouns they were born with, what is really at issue here, is your aligning with those who share your biased beliefs, rather than really enforcing religious freedom for all. As cited above, when these policies have been put to the test, you have shown your support only if the student, parent or teacher is espousing beliefs that are gender normative and seeded in “Christian” dogma, thereby superseding all other religions and all other aspects of this policy. These policies are, at their core, discriminatory. Though your language is couched in equality and religious freedom, in practice this policy sanctions the exact opposite.
Robin Skobel, MEd


Do not do this.


Governor Youngkin New K-12 Model Policies

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I support Governor Youngkin's New K-12 Model Policies.  He has made a good decision by introducing these policies.  We need some common sense back in our government.


I oppose this fully.


Full and Appalled Opposition

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I am appalled and horrified by the Youngkin administration’s overhaul of key protections for transgender students in public schools. LGBTQ+ students already experience much higher self-harm & suicide rates because of the discrimination they face. This will only make matters worse.  SHAME ON YOU.


STRONGLY OPPOSE

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<p>STRONGLY OPPOSE. </p>


I oppose this in the strongest possible manor.


strongly oppose

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<p>Every single teen who kills themself over this didn’t commit suicide, they were murdered. The blood is on the governors hands, and anybody who supports these disgusting, discriminatory guidelines. Trans students belong, trans students deserve privacy, and trans students deserve safety. </p>
<p> </p>


Fully support, a good start

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Schools should not be able to counsel minor students on gender identity without parental consent.   Teachers are there to teach and not promote an ideology.


This will literally kill trans and non-binary CHILDREN. HOW DARE YOU.

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<p>I’m trans. I struggled enough in school with who I am as a person without having to worry about the government bearing down on me in such a disgusting manner, this policy will literally end with suicide. Is that what you want? Dead kids? </p>


Strongly oppose.


This will bring harm to trans kids.

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This will bring harm to trans kids.


Parents matter

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Thank you for listening to the parents!


Students in Virginia

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It is a cruel policy. Don’t do it.


I am completely opposed.


PARENTS are the primary care giver

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The parent/child relationship is a sacred one that schools do not have the authority to usurp.  Parenral knowledge and consent are a key foundation that schools must honor.  Thank you for these updated policies.


Fully Oppose: why not protect children instead?

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<p>Offering education, support, and acceptance to the development of a persons’ identity should never be viewed as wrong or something that “laws” need to address. We will continue to progress and teach acceptance regardless of the political stunts that get pulled. You want to protect children? Then do not pass this intolerant and damaging ruling. </p>


It is a grave mistake to pass this.

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It is a grave mistake to pass this.


Strong oppose this bill

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This bill will harm our children. LGBTQ youth have the same rights as everyone else to be themselves and we must support them in our schools. This bill puts their lives in danger and we cannot do that.


I OPPOSE THIS.

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STOP HATING TRANS PEOPLE STOP HATING TRANS KIDS STOP HURTING PEOPLE


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I oppose this in the strongest possible manor.


I oppose this fully.


I fully oppose this.


Restricting Rights for LGBQ Students

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I am vehemently opposed to this proposed legislation.  Schools are the one place where these students can feel safe and comfortable.  This is a solution to a problem that does not exist (I know as I work in a school).  If this is enacted, problems will exist where they currently do not.  Do not move forward with this proposal.


I am completely opposed.

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I am completely opposed.


Approve!

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<p>We are a Republic! Losing parental rights = socialist/communists countries. Thank God we are not. </p>


Strongly oppose

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<p>As a parent, I strongly oppose this damaging policy change. </p>


Do not do this.


I fully support 2022 Model Policies

enmass engineered responses from liberals

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I fully support 2022 Model Policies


This policy is harmful

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This policy harms all children. Trans and nonbinary children will be harmed the most. Some of them are not safe to be their true selves at home, and with the previous policy there was a chance that they could be accepted for who they truly are at school (it seems many schools were working with trans and nonbinary students to use their correct names and pronouns). Trans students won't be allowed to play sports; that hurts the entire sports community. And all kids will see that Virginia schools stand behind not accepting people for who they truly are, and perhaps they will think it's the right thing to do too, which leads to even more harm for trans and nonbinary students.

This is despicable. If this is truly about parent rights, please take my parental rights into account. I want all kids to be accepted for who they truly are at school. I do not want hate to have a place in the school my kid attends. The policy that was already passed on this is inclusive and allows kids to be who they truly are at school. This new policy caters to a certain set of parents who want their hateful values to be adopted by all.


Governor Youngkin

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I fully support Governor Youngkin's New K-12 Model Policies for Virginia


Strongly oppose.


Strong Oppose

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I strongly oppose this policy, as this is dangerous, will harm trans kids who are already incredibly vulnerable, and it is very scary to see this occur in the US as someone from Canada.


Dangerous, anti-family policy

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If you support family values, you support the safety of children. Hard stop. These dangerous policies will incite violence against innocent children and adults. Please resign.


I am strongly opposed.


Vehemently opposed to Anti-Trans/Anti-Non-Binary Legislation

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I would have to ask who exactly you are “protecting “ regarding this proposed legislation. It certainly isn’t good for those most vulnerable to discrimination, abuse, rejection and self-harm. I don’t believe the majority of educators are asking for this heinous legislation to be implemented. I believe this is simply a poorly conceived effort on the administration’s behalf to mimic the dogma that other states have attempted to implement, solely for our Governor to have made some impression on the voters or the media. It’s self-serving, dangerous and blatantly discriminatory and should not even be considered. It’s a shame that our slogan used to be “Virginia is for Lovers” when the bigots in power continue to show nothing but hate.


I am completely opposed.


Oppose

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I oppose the proposed policy change for transgender students.


Youngkin listens!

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Thank you for NOT dismissing parent's concerns and voices! That's why I believe Terry lost the election: ..because Terry was so dismissive of parents! Keep the kids safe from harm.


Youngkin K-12 policies

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<p>Fully support! Parents and common sense! </p>


I support empowering parents to support children

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<p>Empowering parents is not only a fundamental right, but it is essential to improving outcomes for all children in Virginia. </p>


I fully oppose this.


I fully support 2022 Model Policies


I oppose this fully.


Do not do this.


This will bring harm to trans kids.

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This will bring harm to trans kids.


Oppose

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<p>This is an attack on trans youth and completely uneducated decision. We should be creating legislation to support them instead of hurt.  You can’t erase a group of people because it goes against what you believe. It shouldn’t be up to parents. Students need to feel safe at school. There parents are not there to protect them like you want them to. Teachers need to be able to supply the youth. All of them. </p>


This Proposal is NOT Progress

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<p>Just when we thought we were making progress as a society in being open-minded, along comes Governor Youngkin (and the new GOP) to drag us back into the dark ages. I reference the recent Supreme Court ruling as another example. </p>


This will bring harm to trans kids.


I’m thankful for a Governor who uses respectful common sense!

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I support this legislation that promotes a healthy relationship between parents and schools where each know their role.


This is a terrible policy decision.

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This is a terrible policy decision.


I support Governor Youngkin...

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<p>...and his proposed state policy on transgender students.  The most important thing is to respect the dignity of the regular students.</p>


Opposed


This is a terrible policy decision.


Strongly oppose.


I am strongly opposed.


I strongly oppose Gov Northam's Anti-Trans Policies

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Governor Northam needs to honor the rights of the parents of transgender teens who are supporting and assisting them as they navigate transition. These are private matters that schools or governments have the right to intrude upon. I strongly oppose Northam's proposed policies that will target young Transgender Americans.

-Tess Partner

Charlottesville,VA


Protecting All Virginia Students

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As a resident of Virginia for over 25 years, as a parent who sent her daughter to Virginia public schools, and as a human being, I am opposed to this change. Couching this conversation in not allowing transgender students to participate in female sports is just a distraction. It has not been proven that there is a desire for trans students to want to participate in female sports. In fact, when it happens it is so rare it becomes a public spectacle because it is so rare.

Please pull back this change and protect ALL Virginia public school students. Stop the fearmongering and distraction from education.


Finally some common sense. Thank you governor.

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<p>Finally some sense. Since when has it been ok for children to make important decisions without their parents. Thank you governor. This democrat will continue to vote for you! </p>


I oppose this policy in the strongest manner

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<p>Protect trans kids. Governor, please don’t just protect the Virginians that you agree with, protect them all. </p>


Support

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<p>If kids are having psychological problems at school parents should absolutely know.  Also, girls should feel comfortable at school knowing they don't have to share a bathroom or locker room with a biological male.  Also, how would biological girls be kept safe in the boys bathroom. </p>
<p> </p>


I oppose this fully.


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I oppose this in the strongest possible manor.


Fully support - a good start

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Keeping parents in charge of their kids - once SOP, now a novel concept.

Many thanks for bending the curve back to normalcy.


OPPOSE!

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Please do not do this to some of our most vulnerable children. Childhood is a time to find their way, their identity, what makes them special. My kid decided they wanted to be called a different name in K, and their teacher did it because it didn’t take much effort and didn’t hurt anyone. Using correct pronouns and names will save children’s lives and is really not much to ask. And if the bathroom stalls had doors, it wouldn’t matter who goes where!


It is a grave mistake to pass this.

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It is a grave mistake to pass this.


I fully oppose this.


Strongly oppose

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As a gay man, I find it horrifying that teachers will be forced to out their students to their parents. A student's sexual orientation is not a teacher's business, and only LGBT people should have the right to disclose their sexual orientations.


Transgender kids’ rights

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Virginia has some excellent human rights laws, including protecting transgender kids’ rights.  You should be protecting their rights, also, instead of stripping them away.  Also, do not start stripping away other human rights, such as abortion, voting rights, marriage rights, etc.!!  We expect you to be a good governor, not an inhumane trouble maker!


parent

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I fully and vehemently oppose these policies.  I want our students protected and not targeted for harassment and discrimination by our public schools.


This will bring harm to trans kids.

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This will bring harm to trans kids.


It is a grave mistake to pass this.


No

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<p>Protect trans kids always! </p>


This is a terrible policy decision.


I am a mental health provider to youth and I absolutely oppose this proposed legislation

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It is unfathomable to me that a child's ability to feel safe being themselves in school is being potentially compromised BY LAW. When a child is exploring their identity, they ought to be in charge of who and how they get to navigate it. Research shows that the support of one--yes ONE--adult in a kid's life, especially for non-cisgender youth, is hugely protective against suicidal ideation and attempts. School is one domain to which youth have access to peers and adults who could be part of this support and prevention measure, particularly when family ideologies might not support the youth at home. In my line of work as a mental health provider for youth, confidentiality is one of the biggest reasons kids feel safe disclosing information that ultimately gets them access to the support they need. To force disclosure of private information could become not only dangerous to youth but could create barriers to them feeling safe asking for help and support when they need it. I urge you to consider that youth have enough safety concerns that are out of their control at schools right now (I live in Charlottesville and there were TWO incidents last week related to threats of gun violence in school) and they need all the protective factors we can give them to keep them in school, learning. To learn, the brain and body need to feel safe. Let's keep them safe versus threatening the core of their agency, self-determination and idenity.


I support parental rights

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<p style="text-align: right;">Thank you for including verbage that makes it mandatory to involve parents in the issue. I would not want my child determining policy with teachers and school staff and me purposely being left out of the conversation. </p>


I am strongly opposed.


110% opposed

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<p>I am in opposition to this legislation as it does respect our trans students and their right to be called by the correct pronouns. </p>


I oppose this fully.


Strongly support

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Parents need to have a say in their kids lives, thank you Gov. Youngkin for your common sense.


I am strongly opposed to this


Agree with Change

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Agree with this change of policy. Children under the age of 18 are still minors in the eyes of the law, so a parent should be involved in this process. The VDH Guidelines for Healthcare  in Classroom Page 6 states that "parents have the primary responsibility for providing appropriate health care for their children." Not the school teacher, the school counselor or the school administration.  What are all of the people opposing this change really afraid of? Why are they afraid of a parent being informed or involved?  Seems like this really isnt a transgender issue for them but anti-authority and anti establishment issue.


Protect Trans Youth

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The new policies regarding trans students pose great harm for no benefit. It is unnecessary to take time out of teachers days to call home about a students identity. The job of a teacher is to educate. Their job is not to use their time inform parents of every detail about their child unless they are a danger to themselves or others. If this policy were to be implemented every student who’s legal name was Benjamin but wanted to go by Ben would need to go through a whole tedious process just to use a name they have gone by for years.

School is a time for experimentation and figuring out who people are, by limiting students ability to safely discover themselves it leads to higher rates of depression and anxiety. If parents are not supportive of the LGBTQIA+ community and the student is a part of it, they might be afraid of being kicked out or abused. School provides a safe space for students to try things if that is not the case at home. The argument that using preferred name and pronouns may go against teachers beliefs is futile as it may go against another teachers belief to report a student for wanting to use a different name. Fundamentally the new policy is being used as an excuse to discriminate against LGBTQIA+ students. Safety should be the first priority of schools and in some cases students are in danger if their parents are aware of their gender identity.

I fight that this policy does not go into action.


Strongly oppose.


Fully Support

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<p>As a teacher, I fully support this policy. Teachers are paid to teach, not keep secrets and act as psychologists. Parents need to be involved. There are major safety issues at school since the implementation of the last policy, which only considers trans students and no one else. </p>


This will bring harm to trans kids.


This is a terrible policy decision.

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This is a terrible policy decision.


Completely oppose, children will be at risk

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<p>I completely oppose this measure. As we all know there is quite a large percentage of our commonwealth that would not take kindly to their child being "diffrent" like this. It is simply a matter of protecting children from harm, period. </p>


Strongly opposed

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<p>These policies are contrary to state law and to the evidence-based medical best practices of the American Academy of Pediatrics. If approved they will harm & endanger trans & nonbinary children. Please do not do this to Virginia's children!! </p>


This policy knowingly puts the lives of children at risk, I strongly oppose.

This policy is a horrendous step backward for Virginia, it is dangerous and cruel and will lead to child abuse and suicide. I have worked in the schools and I have preteen and teen children. This is an adult issue, this is not an issue amongst our kids. The vast majority of our kids are loving, accepting, and supportive of each other, it's the parents who are the problem. This policy is horribly divisive and will cause problems that do not currently exist in our schools. It's really very simple, CHOOSE KIND. We could learn a lot from our kids.

Key points from this policy:-Schools will be required to "out" students to their parents, even when the parents are unsupportive of abusive.

"Schools shall keep parents informed about their children’s well-being: To ensure parents are able to make the best decisions with respect to their child, school personnel shall keep parents fully informed about all matters that may be reasonably expected to be important to a parent, including, and without limitation, matters related to their child’s health, and social and psychological development."

"No policy, guidance, training, or other written material issued by the [School Division] may encourage or instruct teachers to conceal material information about a student from the student’s parent, including information related to gender."

-Schools will be forced to misgender and dead name students.

"2. [School Division] personnel shall refer to each student using only (i) the name that appears in the student’s official record, or (ii) if the student prefers, using any nickname commonly associated with the name that appears in the student’s official record."

"3. [School Division] personnel shall refer to each student using only the pronouns appropriate to the sex appearing in the student’s official record - that is, male pronouns for a student whose legal sex is male, and female pronouns for a student whose legal sex is female."

-Parents may require schools to use preferred names and pronouns, but only if both parents agree even when parents are separated because one is abusive.

"4. Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraphs (2) and (3) of this section, [School Division] personnel shall refer to a student by a name other than one in the student’s official record, or by pronouns other than those appropriate to the sex appearing in the student’s official record, only if an eligible student or a student’s parent has instructed [School Division] in writing that such other name or other pronouns be used because of the student’s persistent and sincere belief that the student’s gender differs from his or her sex."

"a minor with both parents living can only change his or her name upon the application of a parent, and the other parent must receive notice and have an opportunity to be heard if he or she objects to the change."

-Even if both parents have requested that the school use their child's preferred pronoun and name, a teacher can still refuse and knowingly misgender and dead name the child in school based on their own personal beliefs.

"Practices such as compelling others to use preferred pronouns is premised on the ideological belief that gender is a matter of personal choice or subjective experience, not sex. Many Virginians reject this belief. Additionally, the First Amendment guarantees religious freedom and prohibits compelling others to affirm ideas that may be contrary to their personal religious beliefs."

"Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (4) of this section, [School Division] shall not compel [School Division] personnel or other students to address or refer to students in any manner that would violate their constitutionally protected rights."

I'm going to stop here, but there's more. Read this, the policy is awful and so very transphobic. It takes little effort to call a child by their preferred pronoun and name, but it can have a huge impact on the child's mental health. Respect people and just be kind, it's that simple.Kids have to go to school, they do not get a choice in the matter. Youngkin's new transphobic policy would require teachers to out students to parents. School will no longer be a safe space for these kids. Some LGBTQ+ kids will be terrified to go to school for fear of being outted to unsupportive and potentially dangerous parents.

This policy gives school employees and other students permission to intentionally misgender and dead name children regardless of what the child and their parents want. This new policy favors bigoted beliefs over the transgender child. This policy will kill children if it is enacted as written.

Children will die. According to the American Medical Association, "transgender youth who could use accurate names and pronouns experienced 71% fewer symptoms of severe depression, a 34% drop in reported suicidal thoughts and a 65% decrease in suicide attempts".

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This policy is a horrendous step backward for Virginia, it is dangerous and cruel and will lead to child abuse and suicide. I have worked in the schools and I have preteen and teen children. This is an adult issue, this is not an issue amongst our kids. The vast majority of our kids are loving, accepting, and supportive of each other, it's the parents who are the problem. This policy is horribly divisive and will cause problems that do not currently exist in our schools. It's really very simple, CHOOSE KIND. We could learn a lot from our kids.

Key points from this policy:

-Schools will be required to "out" students to their parents, even when the parents are unsupportive of abusive.

"Schools shall keep parents informed about their children’s well-being: To ensure parents are able to make the best decisions with respect to their child, school personnel shall keep parents fully informed about all matters that may be reasonably expected to be important to a parent, including, and without limitation, matters related to their child’s health, and social and psychological development."

"No policy, guidance, training, or other written material issued by the [School Division] may encourage or instruct teachers to conceal material information about a student from the student’s parent, including information related to gender."

-Schools will be forced to misgender and dead name students.

"2. [School Division] personnel shall refer to each student using only (i) the name that appears in the student’s official record, or (ii) if the student prefers, using any nickname commonly associated with the name that appears in the student’s official record."

"3. [School Division] personnel shall refer to each student using only the pronouns appropriate to the sex appearing in the student’s official record - that is, male pronouns for a student whose legal sex is male, and female pronouns for a student whose legal sex is female."

-Parents may require schools to use preferred names and pronouns, but only if both parents agree even when parents are separated because one is abusive.

"4. Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraphs (2) and (3) of this section, [School Division] personnel shall refer to a student by a name other than one in the student’s official record, or by pronouns other than those appropriate to the sex appearing in the student’s official record, only if an eligible student or a student’s parent has instructed [School Division] in writing that such other name or other pronouns be used because of the student’s persistent and sincere belief that the student’s gender differs from his or her sex."

"a minor with both parents living can only change his or her name upon the application of a parent, and the other parent must receive notice and have an opportunity to be heard if he or she objects to the change."

-Even if both parents have requested that the school use their child's preferred pronoun and name, a teacher can still refuse and knowingly misgender and dead name the child in school based on their own personal beliefs.

"Practices such as compelling others to use preferred pronouns is premised on the ideological belief that gender is a matter of personal choice or subjective experience, not sex. Many Virginians reject this belief. Additionally, the First Amendment guarantees religious freedom and prohibits compelling others to affirm ideas that may be contrary to their personal religious beliefs."

"Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (4) of this section, [School Division] shall not compel [School Division] personnel or other students to address or refer to students in any manner that would violate their constitutionally protected rights."

I'm going to stop here, but there's more. Read this, the policy is awful and so very transphobic. It takes little effort to call a child by their preferred pronoun and name, but it can have a huge impact on the child's mental health. Respect people and just be kind, it's that simple.

Kids have to go to school, they do not get a choice in the matter. Youngkin's new transphobic policy would require teachers to out students to parents. School will no longer be a safe space for these kids. Some LGBTQ+ kids will be terrified to go to school for fear of being outted to unsupportive and potentially dangerous parents.

This policy gives school employees and other students permission to intentionally misgender and dead name children regardless of what the child and their parents want. This new policy favors bigoted beliefs over the transgender child. This policy will kill children if it is enacted as written.

Children will die. According to the American Medical Association, "transgender youth who could use accurate names and pronouns experienced 71% fewer symptoms of severe depression, a 34% drop in reported suicidal thoughts and a 65% decrease in suicide attempts".


I am completely opposed.

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I am completely opposed.


HEY!   TEACHERS!


Those who support this policy will be on the wrong side of history

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<p>History will not be kind to the legislators who vote in favor of this hateful, discriminatory policy. </p>


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I oppose this in the strongest possible manor.


This is a terrible policy decision.