<!DOCTYPE html>

Hate this bill and all it stands for - strongly oppose. Will you be coming for the "Virginia is for lovers" logo to say "Virginia is only for white heterosexual lovers?" s


Thank you - Complete agreement with the proposed policy

Concerned parent who wants less power in the schools so he can be a parent

<!DOCTYPE html>

Thank you for working to put parents first again with this policy revision to the policy. Parents are parents and schools are schools.  The simple fact that you have not eliminated the ability of inclusion but put it back into the parents hands is critical.

Time for the generic liberal agenda to end!


Liberty and Justice FOR ALL

<!DOCTYPE html>

It is the job of the state to support and protect ALL students - including & especially those in minority groups such as LGBTQ+ & Transgender communities. This policy will undoubtedly result in more youth depression & suicide ideations and is a MASSIVE step backwards in a modern society. Do not target our most vulnerable children for political gain.


Stop playing politics

<!DOCTYPE html>

<p>Stop playing politics with our children.  They are born male OR female.  It's parents who are pushing THEIR views onto their children.  You cannot have a male use a female locker room.  How can anyone in their sane mind think this is appropriate?  As an adult, think about this.....IF a man, who identifies as a woman, were to walk into a female bathroom and rape a woman, is this ok?  Absolutely not!  But it would be the system's fault for allowing this.  There's a difference between equality and equity.  Adults need to learn the difference and understand that life in the USA is phenomenal compared to other countries.  Just go try to live in another country and have the same privileges we have.    </p>


Thank you for supporting faith and parents and preventing perversion at schools

<!DOCTYPE html>

We need to educate our kids with human values based on faith and human ethics. We have strong forces coming at us to change our fundamental human nature and morals through these coerced ways to inculcate perverted values in kids. Please stop them and continue to have our  kids receive education with morals and ethics.


TRANS RIGHTS ARE HUMAN RIGHTS

<!DOCTYPE html>

protecting trans kids saves lives. these kids deserve to feel accepted in schools and this new policy puts children in danger and is not protecting anyone.


STRONGLY OPPOSE

<!DOCTYPE html>

I agree with the Albemarle County School Board who said today that it “respectfully but vigorously” disagrees with a newly proposed state policy that would reduce protections for transgender and gender-expansive students.

Several elements of the proposed policy are in conflict with the school board’s August 2021 Policy on the Treatment of Transgender and Gender-Expansive Students, which was adopted in accordance with guidance provided in 2021 by the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE).


Transgender subject

<!DOCTYPE html>

Yes I believe they should be supported and respected. But I do not agree with letting them into restrooms of their gender of choice. I feel even though it's a boy but they want to be a girl they still need to go to the boys bathroom and so forth with the girls wanting to be a boy they should still go to the girls bathroom. That is how bullying gets started or worse. I understand kids think that that's what they want but in all reality it's what they have had infront of them growing up and have thoughts about it, I think that they should only allow the restroom policy to be held up in colleges cuz by the time the kids are in college they have made up their mind or can make up their own minds for themselves. I think it's a disrespect to girls to have to have a boy in their restroom while they using it as well and so forth with a girl and a boy's restroom. I think there are other things more important than the new bathroom standard policy. It discussed me and if it were up to me I would pull my child out of the school that I know is allowing that. And this is coming from a bisexual woman so don't think that I'm being disrespectful or sexist.


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

<!DOCTYPE html>

<p>Governor Youngkin’s policy statement reminds me of all I studied about Nazi Germany and the “Treatment” of the Jews. First comes the demonization of a group of people, then the concentration of those people in a small, separate area where they are abused, starved and then comes the elimination of those people. It’s anti-Christian and inhumane. The governor’s plan for trans kids should be considered a crime against humanity in the making. Who will be next on the governor’s hate list? </p>


Oppose

<!DOCTYPE html>

<p>As the parent of two children attending a Virginia public elementary school, I strongly oppose this proposed policy. 1) It violates my parental right because it allows my children to be taught by people who bully children in the name of the First Amendment. This is wholly unacceptable anywhere, but especially in a state known for quality public education. We should not adopt policies that allow teachers and staff to bully children, yet this policy does so. 2) it violates my religious beliefs which require that all people be treated with dignity. 3) It’s probably illegal and will certainly be challenged in court. Enacting this policy is a huge waste of taxpayer dollars when it gets overturned. Requiring teachers to use a student’s preferred name and pronouns is NOT a violation of their first amendment right to religious freedom.  </p>


Total agreement-Thank you!

<!DOCTYPE html>

I very much support this and appreciate that it addresses the issue state wide rather than leaving it to the localities.


Transgender Policy

<!DOCTYPE html>

I strongly oppose this change in the treatment of transgender students in the Governor's proposal.


Strongly Oppose

Jordan Love, University of Virginia, and parent

<!DOCTYPE html>

<p>The governor is attempting to reverse protections for transgender students in the name of parents' rights.  Parents' rights to target and bully other students?  Transgender kids are not your kids.  The way they are cared for should be a joint decision between those kids' parents and their teachers.  Everyone else has no right to dictate that, least of all people who have no experience in working with trans students, mental health, or in education.  </p>


Absolutely support this bill

<!DOCTYPE html>

Boys don't belong in girls changing rooms or in girls sports. Protect our girls


Strongly oppose this change in guidance that will harm some of our most vulnerable students

<!DOCTYPE html>

Students who are transgender pose absolutely no threat to any other students. There has been extensive research into this and it has been proven time and again that these students are in fact the ones who are the target of physical, verbal and sexual abuse. By denying them them option to safely be who they truly believe that they are we are setting them up for an extremely challenging life. The rate of suicide for transgender youth is shockingly high and it is law like this that contribute to this mental health crisis. Instead of moving backwards and talking about girls seeing penises in locker rooms (which would not happen as generally transgender students struggle with body dysmorphia and would go to great lengths to hide their genitalia) we should be focusing on how to create an inclusive and safe environment for all of our students. I will actively oppose this new law and, as a public school teacher I will confidently call a student by their preferred name and pronoun - regardless of any legal ramifications or parental preference. The students are my top priority, not some politically exclusive stance.


Keep boys out of girls sports and locker rooms


Strongly Oppose

<!DOCTYPE html>

<p>These so called protections do nothing for the children in the care of the school systems. These are societal controls designed to further eliminate individualality, diversity, and equality. Stop this madness and take cares of the physical and emotional needs of the children in your charge. </p>


Parents raise their children not teachers


Strongly Oppose

<!DOCTYPE html>

<p>As a mother of a 7 year old, I stand with Albemarle County School District and oppose this proposed policy change </p>


Former Virginian

<!DOCTYPE html>

<p>This needs to go into place. Good luck with it all. I miss Virginia. I'm out in Oregon still having high hopes for Virginia. </p>


Strongly opposed to this

<!DOCTYPE html>

Virginia is better than this. Stop trying to find clever ways to belittle/demean LGBTQ+ kids and get used to the fact that they exist and deserve the same respect everyone else does, not this roundabout cruelty in the name of "religious beliefs" that embody neither the letter or the spirit of Christ's teachings.


Comment

<!DOCTYPE html>

<p>Keep boys out of girls sports and locker rooms </p>


Comment

<!DOCTYPE html>

Parents raise their children not teachers


Thank you for supporting parents and kids

<!DOCTYPE html>

Thank you for recognizing that PARENTS are responsible for their kids, not the school.
This proposal does NOTHING to hurt LGBT people, it simply recognizes that we as parents are responsible for the welfare of our children. They are ours, not the state's.

I also very much appreciate, as the father of 2 daughters, that girls will be able to compete with other girls and not boys in sports. That's just common sense. Look at the Thompson swimmer who was 400'th in men and then was #1 when he decided to swim against women.

I also appreciate my daughters not having to be in a locker room or bathroom with men. If only this policy had been in effect in Loudoun when a male student in a skirt raped a girl in the bathroom, that tragedy might have been avoided.

Thank you again for this common sense policy.


Oppose/ harmful, unkind, and unsupportive

<!DOCTYPE html>

Reading this guidance document as a trained school counselor with experience in Virginia's public schools, I see nothing that aligns with ethical guidelines required for licensing. I see unnecessary and unkind intention that harms kids who are vulnerable. I see parental and student rights being ignored to advance an intolerant agenda that goes against so much of what our public School educators work towards: creating a safe and supportive learning environment where students are welcomed and accepted as who they are.

I ran support groups for several years for young adults who were gay, transgender, or nonbinary. All of these students deserved support and kindness. Many parents were fully supportive and others needed some time and resources to become so. This policy is not intended to support these families. I implore you to use basic human decency as a guide post - it isn't hard to use someone's name appropriately, it isn't hard to be nice. This guidance document does make being good and decent humans "wrong" and it brings more ugly politics into public schools..please stop telling teachers what to say, how to say it, and please do not guide educators to be hateful, unkind, unsupportive of kids and families.


Proposed model is bad for our children and our state

<!DOCTYPE html>

As you well know, the proposed model policies are contrary to state law. The proposal will be extremely harmful to transgender and nonbinary kids (and thus to our state). We must protect trans and nonbinary kids. To do that you must RESCIND these model policies.


Thank you.

<!DOCTYPE html>

<p>As a parent, the past several years continues to be a challenge for raising children in a world where schools have more power than I do. I appreciate the respective way the law still values and provides some protections to transgender students while also INCLUDING parents in the conversations. Although I work for a division that has a much more extreme policy - I couldn't disagree with them more. Parents are PARTNERS. </p>


Strongly Oppose

Kelly Wells, Agnor-Hurt Elementary School, Albemarle County Social Services

<!DOCTYPE html>

<p>This policy change is INCREDIBLY dangerous for children and families in our community.  As an employee based in an elementary school and an employee of the Albemarle County Department of Social Services who works in the child welfare system I can say with utmost certainty that restricting children's access to services, requiring parental knowledge and consent and placing restrictions on the support that school staff can provide will cause undo harm to our community's children.  </p>


These model policies will harm students

<!DOCTYPE html>

As an educator, a transgender individual, and someone who completed my k-12 education in the state of Virginia, these model policies are ignorant, ill-informed, and dangerous. Forcibly outing trans students to their parents, or forcing them into conforming to their sex assigned at birth, does not prevent them from being transgender, just as teaching students about gender diversity and respecting a student's identity does not "turn" anyone trans. Trans students will continue to be transgender whether their parents like it or not. What these policies will do is put students at risk of abuse by their parents and peers, and put them at risk of suicide, substance abuse, and self-harming behaviors. The blood of the transgender youth that will die because of these policies is on the hands of the Youngkin administration.


Strongly Oppose - Will put students in danger

<!DOCTYPE html>

A child will only come out to a teacher if they feel safe with that teacher and not their own family. Requiring teachers to report a child coming out as trans to a parent could cause serious harm to that child. It could cause the child to be physically or mentally abused by their parents or disowned.

If a child does not feel safe coming out to their own parents there is a reason.

There is also little a teacher can do to even help a child transition especially in the elementary/middle school level, unless the parent is extremely absent in the child education. Teachers can't take a child to a therapist or a doctor. The only thing they can do is unofficially use the child's preferred pronouns and name and how the hell is that interfering with a parent's right to parent.

What helps trans teens and children the most is acceptance and if a child can only get that from a trusted teacher because their parents are bigoted in their beliefs why would you take away that safe avenue. Again all mandatory reporting does is increase the potential harm to the child as a child would come out to a parent if they felt it was safe to do so.

These types of policies would promote bullying of trans and other LGBTQ youth and put them in harms way.

When you start limiting events based on biological sex you start to create an environment where those who do not perform femininity or masculinity enough will be singled out and bullied. Girls who like to wear more masculine clothing will be constantly questioned as they enter a bathroom or locker room, it has already happened countless times.

Also anyone who is transitioning so they could be the top of their sport has other issues in life than being trans. We as a society are not tolerant enough for this to even be an issue. It also puts a negative spot light on society's obsession with competitive sports. Transitioning does not automatically make you the best in a sport. This weird belief that all boys are physically better than all girls is too black and white for reality and is down right sexist. Maybe we should look into de-gendering our sports, start with those that have little difference between sexes and start transitioning to competitive level first and gender second. Maybe we could also direct more funding to arts and music and less to sports.

I understand having parental consent to change official school records but requiring a written request to unofficially go by a nick name not based in the child legal name is just weird. It will create issues with teachers not understanding different cultures and while a parent can easily fix it, it will still cause unintended issues. For example, by growing up in our anglican society we know that Bill is a nickname for William same with Dick for Richard. But if you never grew up around this how would you know? Choosing to go by an unofficial nick name should be up to the teacher as it is the teacher who is interacting with the student. While teachers are not a student's friend, parents can not control the name their child's friends use, is the government going to try to control that next.

Why is there even a need for sex based dress codes? It should be all gender neutral and take into consideration different body types. Those with bigger chests are often dress coded for normal clothing that is within the dress code guidelines. Maybe instead of trying to get people to wear "traditional" cloths for their biological sex we should focus on anti-bias training.

Maybe these parents should start teaching love and stop teaching hate so the rest of us don't have to tip toe around their outdated hateful beliefs. Also whose parental rights are we going to support when they all have conflicting interests. The system we had before Youngkin was elected worked fine, parents who wanted to be involved were.

Teachers being accepting of LGTBQ+ students or just even being out themselves is not grooming (if you want to use that term the church is a better example of grooming). There are predatory teachers out there, don't get me wrong, but grooming specifically refers to getting a child to believe an inappropriate relationship with an adult is actually appropriate. By calling LGTBQ+ and ally teachers groomers you are just using the ridiculous argument that all gay people are pedophiles. Statistically the pedophile is more likely to be the heterosexual and a family member or pastor/religious leader.


Schools must respect students as they are.

<!DOCTYPE html>

For too long we have allowed the state and its schools to dominate the lives of our children in very regressive ways, quite the reverse of the theoretical harm claimed by the cultural right wing.

Schools consistently express the classism, sexism, and other bigotries, of the communities in which they reside. Our children are taught a largely sanitized version of our history with an authoritarian, anti labor bias built in to the curriculum, and the contributions and significance of people who look or think like them often written out. Gifted programs replicate class advantage, this has been proven.

So when right wingers come after our kids' right to be who they are, and be named as they choose, it is quite simply the last straw. Putting aside the sheer ignorance and cruelty of so many anti-trans activists, it must be highlighted that no harm is being done to their (so they assume) straight cis kids by being around trans kids who feel safe and respected and included, but that uncountable harm is being done right now by the active threat of that safety, respect, and inclusion being denied.

Schools are for children. They are not the laboratories of fanatical social engineers, and that is what these people are. They project that identity on to parents simply raising their children, and teachers simply telling the truth about human life. Anti trans activists will lose. They will lose not only this battle, but their right to comment on the lives of minors, the right to interfere with them in ways we would never ever tolerate under any other circumstances.

Virginians should be ashamed it has come to this, but proud of the thousands of children who walked out because they know better, because they know the values of mutual respect and honor that these bullying, willfully uninformed adults have forgotten.


Supporting transgender students at school is critical to their well-being

<!DOCTYPE html>

<p>Children need to be supported for who they are. School is often the only safe place in their lives and they should be protected from harassment, discrimination and denial of their humanity. Supporting transgender students at school is critical to their physical and mental well-being. Children also have a right to privacy, just like adults. </p>


It’s not fair that adults want boys to be in our locker rooms after games when we shower.

<!DOCTYPE html>

Why do adults want boys to be in our locker rooms? Something has to change. It’s not fair to the rest of us to be leered at while we are supposed to be in a space for all girls.


Opposed

<!DOCTYPE html>

This shameful attempt to create and prey upon fear and ignorance to gain votes is malevolent and hateful, wrong on the science, and will result in immeasurable pain among transgender youth and their loved ones. Shame on you, and how dare you impose these awful hurtful measures on our most vulnerable children. It's monstrously evil.

 It's also the most unChristian thing you could do. Jesus would slap the %$&$ out of you.


Folk are folk - Trans rights are human rights

<!DOCTYPE html>

This isn't about ideologies and opinions. This is about real people. Someone's lack of understanding and compassion does not constitute a legitimate reason to deny someone else's personhood.

Teach what you will at home, but public schools should be allowed and obligated to base teachings on reality and reason.


WISE UP!  Gender Dysphoria Has Been Around for DECADES!

<!DOCTYPE html>

Gender dysphoria...treatable for DECADES and has been a medically documented and proven mental health condition whether you want to face scientific facts or not.  DO YOUR RESEARCH, please; (just don't rely on Google).  Suddenly, not even 5 years ago, we now have tons and tons of gender-confused children!  Gee, why is that, parents?  Perhaps you're also confused?  Compassionate help is available for the entire family and has been for decades.  Before you allow your precious, innocent children to be permanently mutilated followed by severe trauma and regret, I highly encourage you seek the professional mental assistance that is available to you.  You have been duped.  May God show mercy to this blatantly depraved civilization we now live in.


I support this new balanced policy

<!DOCTYPE html>

As the father of a high school junior in a Virginia public school, I strongly support this new policy which brings much better balance than the old to a difficult situation.  It is important to support those with gender dysphoria while not forcing one view and approach on everyone.


Protect the rights of Virginia's trans students and continue to fight for equity.

<!DOCTYPE html>

Listen to your people!  "Virginia students begin walkouts over Youngkin transgender policy", The Hill, September 28, 2022. https://act.moveon.org/go/168458?t=23&akid=333934%2E11854205%2ELTgoUQ


Parental rights are paramount

<!DOCTYPE html>

<p>Parental rights are paramount. There should be nothing subverting parental rights, not the education system, not a teacher, and not the state. </p>


Fully support this

<!DOCTYPE html>

<p>This document protects individual choice while empowering parents, an essential aspect of protecting children. Parents know their children far better than anyone else, love them more than anyone else, and are better equipped to know what is best for their children and how/when to provide it than anyone else. There are exceptions, of course, but there are far more cases of children being harmed by non parents than by parents, law cannot protect from all exceptions. The best possible scenario for children is to support parental involvement. Studies have shown that parental involvement is the one unifying characteristic of successful children. In recent decades parental involvement has been eroded by both legal and cultural pressures, this is an excellent step back in the right direction.  </p>


Transgender rights

<!DOCTYPE html>

Hello. My name is Miles. I am a black transgender person. The fact that a middle aged white cisgender guy wants to take away my right as a human being is sickening to me. I am allow to identify how I want to identify genderwise. I am black; I struggle with racism as it is. The fact my own state wants to take this right from me is unforgivable. I struggle enough from unsupportive parents at home; I don't need my state to rub it in my face now. America, do better for your people.


This policy is illegal and des the exact opposite of protecting students

<!DOCTYPE html>

The 2022 Model Policy discriminates on the basis of gender and is illegal both from federal and state laws. It discriminates against any students in schools who portray themselves as a gender that does not align with their biological sex. That is illegal. It takes away the rights of those kids and makes them feel horrible inside. Taking away the right for someone to use their preferred pronouns increases the rates of suicide by a lot. According to the Trevor Project, if a genderqueer, genderfluid, nonbinary, transgender, etc. child has one adult in their lives who uses their correct pronouns, it can decrease the likelihood of suicide by up to 40%, which is nearly half. If teachers aren’t allowed to use a student's preferred pronouns, then that will mean that more people will die from self-inflicted harm. Another thing is that sometimes students will only feel safe to be themselves at school, which could mean that they are openly transgender at school, but aren’t at home. This could be for a variety of reasons; the child’s parents may not be accepting, may be violent, rude, never around, etc. If a child would like school staff to use different pronouns but their parents won’t sign for one of the reasons stated above or others, then that’s unfair for the child. Also, if one of the parents of the child is gone and not in touch anymore, that would mean that the child would not be able to use different pronouns, which is totally unfair. Outing a transgender child to their parents could cause a situation where it ends in suicide. With this policy, suicide rates will go up, and isn’t that what we’re trying to avoid? Last I checked, suicide is a bad thing, and I doubt that has changed in the past two weeks. Please consider this when you decide whether to make this official or not. Thank you, Kinsley.


What?

<!DOCTYPE html>

<p>How will this protect students? More stuents will be bullied of other students saying more to offend us, This is not for "better" It seems like you want us to get bullied. Transgender kids should be protected because teachers all around virginia want trans kids to have happy successful lives like every other student in the buildings. by making this we will feel unwelcome to any school in virgina. More kids will be getting worse because if the teachers treat them bad and more students will tream them the same. this is making no difference. </p>


Provide support for trans youth!

<!DOCTYPE html>

<p>Allow trans kids the support they so richly deserve! How can anyone say they are opposed. Do you have no feelings,  no heart, no empathy, no compassion? </p>


Strongly Oppose

<!DOCTYPE html>

I strongly oppose the Governor's discriminatory actions against Trans kids, his continued assault on our schools and the smoke screen effort to claim he is doing something for families or parents.  The Governor is only implementing the policies that will aide his ambitions for a National spotlight.  He clearly doesn't care about Virginians or kids or schools.  Shameful.


Strongly agree with parental rights!

<!DOCTYPE html>

This policy helps parents to raise their children the way they see fit. Parents who wish to have their children become homosexual or transgender then let them do that at home. What goes on in the bedroom, no matter who you are, is your business, I want no part of it. Parents who do not wish their children to be exposed to homosexuality or transgenderism should have the freedom to NOT have it taught in the schools. PERIOD!


Thankful for a SANE Governor!

<!DOCTYPE html>

Corrupt teachers, school board members, superintendants, etc. need to get back in their lane or RESIGN!  Parental rights belong to the parents!  Social/political issues ARE not and should NOT be part of your responsibility or "contract".  Teachers need to leave their personal sexual, social and political agendas and preferences outside the school and classrooms, effective immediately.  You're there to TEACH reading, writing, math, (REAL) science and (REAL) history, not indoctrinate!  Thanks for allowing all our students to fall behind on the basics...most of you really don't care and those who do, just remain silent. THIRD WORLD IN AMERICA....PITIFUL!


Strongly Oppose

<!DOCTYPE html>

<p>I strongly oppose this legislation. </p>


I support the 2022 Model Policies

<!DOCTYPE html>

The sexual assault of a girl, by a 15 year-old male posing as 'transgender', in the bathroom of Stone Bridge High School in Ashburn, in May of 2021, made clear how identity politics can be manipulated to put young people at risk in order to promote ‘diversity’ and ‘inclusion’. The 2022 Model Policies will abolish the political agenda that drove the 2021 Model Policies, in favor of common-sense recommendations, recommendations that respect the rights of ALL students, not just those promoting ideological causes, to a safe and sensible educational environment. The 2022 Model Policies also will restore the ability of parents, not school staff and ‘activists’, to make decisions about their child’s psychological and physical well-being.


I support the new policy which protects all children.

<!DOCTYPE html>

I am supportive of Governor Youngkin's policy and I have compassion for the LGBTQ+ youth. I believe that they can be supported without infringing on the rights of the remainder of the student body. Accommodations can be made for the LGBTQ+ students so they feel comfortable. However, I strongly believe that all students should use the bathrooms and locker rooms that coincide with their biological gender. If you have a Y chromosome, you are biologically male and should use the facilities designated for boys/men. If you have a Y chromosome you should be allowed to try out for and compete on the boys'/men's teams.

In addition, parents are responsible for their children and have a duty to raise them in the way that they feel is best. Schools and their policies should not come between parents and their children.

I strongly believe that there is a solution to this dilemma that can be accepted by most people. If our common goal is the education and compassionate treatment of all of the students, then we all want the same thing. We can find common ground.


Transgender Issues Policy

<!DOCTYPE html>

Thank You for updating the policies to return basic parental rights back to the parent. Especially on issues involving gender and sexuality of their children.


Proposed State Policy Will Reduce Protections for Transgender and Gender-Expansive Students

<!DOCTYPE html>

We, the members of the Albemarle County School Board, respectfully but vigorously disagree with the Virginia Department of Education’s proposed 2022 “Model Policies on the Privacy, Dignity and Respect for All Students and Parents in Virginia’s Public Schools.”

The proposed policies should more accurately be titled, “Model Policies on the Privacy, Dignity and Respect of Some Students and Parents in Virginia’s Public Schools,” dismissive as it is of students who identify as transgender or gender-expansive.  These policies would override the authority of local elected officials to support the values of the local communities they are elected to represent.  Nowhere are those values more powerfully lived than in our public schools, where the strengths of a community come together, reflected in the diversity and inspiration of life experiences, cultures, dreams and talents we offer one another.

It is incumbent upon us to truly respect the dignity and humanity of all students, to foster the enrichment that the diversity of the life experiences of all students bring to our schools and communities and to protect and provide for their healthy personal development of all students.

As public officials, we are called each day to empower all students to be the very best they can be, through the learning that takes place in the classroom, in the learning that flows from healthy and nurturing relationships and in the values that bind a community in unified purpose.

It is in honest and collaborative partnerships with parents that the highest levels of individual and collective success are delivered.  We always must seek out and benefit from parental engagement and to join with families and highly credentialed professionals to achieve the best interests of a child’s safety, health and personal development.

Wonderful would be a world in which family relationships are constructed upon irrevocable and enduring trust, care and support.  We live, however, in the reality that some relationships are imperfect and even harmful, including, on occasion, relationships in our homes.  Our response must be to honor personal choice, not the imposition of outside opinions that decide for a child in whom they are allowed to confide or from whom to seek healing.

Our existing policy to protect transgender and gender-expansive students is an inclusive model:

Schools must assess the needs of each student on a case-by-case basis. School administrators should discuss the needs and concerns of gender-expansive students with them and their families and apply the experiences and expertise of their colleagues as well as external resources when they are useful.

Our policy is consistent with the commitments we have made to every family and student in our strategic plan:

Equity: We will provide every student with the level of support necessary to thrive.

Excellence: We will mitigate barriers and provide opportunities for every student to be academically successful.

Family and Community: We will engage with and share the responsibility for student success with families and community partners.

Wellness: We will support the physical and emotional health of our students and staff.

We know from extensive data that, compared to their non-gender-expansive peers, gender-expansive youth are more likely to:

miss school;

view their school climate negatively;

suffer greater risk of self-harm and suicidal ideation;

Schools, as caregivers, must not be limited in their ability to deliver care and support, no more so than they are restricted in their responsibility and obligation to recognize and end any abuse of a child, whether it occurs in the home or in a school.

Educators play an essential role in creating a supportive school culture and advocating for the safety and health of all students.  Local communities, through their elected representatives, must create a culture and policies that respect and value all students.

The proposed policies unilaterally would usurp the ability of school boards to represent the physical, social and emotional health of those they are elected to serve.  It would require adherence to the views of those dissociated from the local communities they seek to control, elevating the risk of harm to children in crisis.

The merit of locally-developed and approved policies is found in the reasonable balance struck by our policy.  As an example, our schools will follow parental preference in the name by which their child is known but parental approval beforehand is not mandated.  We support safe, non-stigmatizing accommodations for any student who is uncomfortable sharing a sleeping area, shower, bathroom, or any sex-segregated facility with a transgender or gender-expansive student.

It will always be the responsibility and the privilege of Albemarle County Public Schools to maintain a safe and supportive school environment for all students, free from harassment, intimidation, and bullying and discrimination.   And to do so with policies and practices that call from within us the highest ethical standards, the greatest levels of responsibility and the deepest pools of compassion.

It is unfortunate that the proposed policies were not research-based and are without the input of school divisions and the population most directly and severely affected.  We regret that it ignores the experience of divisions that have enacted policies to protect the well-being and the lives of all students.

We urge the Virginia Department of Education to revise these proposed policies, to consult with local school divisions and to support locally elected school boards in the exercise of their constitutional responsibilities to provide all students with a safe and engaging public education, one that unleashes their highest personal development potential.


Retention of 2021 Model Guidelines for the treatment of Transgender Students in Public Schools

<!DOCTYPE html>

There is much value in the carefully developed 2021 Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Public and Secondary Schools.  The guidelines promote an inclusive educational environment; they do not promote a particular ideological "belief". This policy should remain in place, since the 2022 alternative provides less protection for students and their parents.  The 2022 guidelines are driven by a misunderstanding of the goals for an inclusive and equitable environment for educating students and supporting parents.

Encountering transgender persons is not unusual.  A family we know very well needed to move from Blacksburg, VA to Charlottesville because of the needs for their transgender child.  Even with stressful, persistent effort of her parents, the secondary school environment in Blacksburg was unable to suitably accept and support the transition of their child.  This disruption of family and community for them was unnecessary.  The 2021 Model Policies provide constructive actions toward establishing an accepting, diverse educational environment.  This environment supports the student as well as the parents. It essential that the Department of Education in Virginia is enabled to provide durable, consistent leadership in establishing safe environments for all students, independent of sexual identity.

The 2022 model, with its restrictive language, will reinforce negative stereotypes that lead to less accepting learning communities and unreasonable conflict.  Model policies that promote diversity and equity strengthen educational opportunities.  These accepting environments in public schools foster inclusion not exclusion and support families – students and parents through the challenges of caring for the emotional, educational, and physical needs of their children.


Gov Youngkin's school policy

<!DOCTYPE html>

We strongly support Gov. Youngkin's new school policy.  We support parental rights.  Children belong to their parents not the state (schools).  Children need to be protected from the radical leftist agenda

Eileen and Ed


Strongly Oppose

<!DOCTYPE html>

If the goal of the state government is to "provide a positive, safe, and nurturing learning environment for all students" then this proposal shall be deleted. The document as written assumes that orthodox christianity is the only morally correct belief system and the norm. In fact, by imposing these policies schools would become an unsafe environment for all students promoting bullying and bigotry. This would not just be aimed at those students who are or may be transgender but any student that is seen to be 'different' than the professed norm.

A truly positive, safe, and nurturing learning environment would teach empathy and acceptance of anyone who only seeks to live and love their best life without harm to others.

Regarding the role of a parent on these policies, the First and Fourteenth Amendments do not allow for a parent (or minority of parents) to determine how the rest of the student body are educated nor do they allow for parents to amend the human rights of students, teachers, or staff.

The statement that "The U.S. Constitution, the Virginia Constitution, federal law, state law, and relevant case law place, beyond debate, the rights of parents to be informed about their children" is directly contradicted by the Code of Virginia “[i]f the student has indicated that the reason for being at imminent risk of suicide relates to parental abuse or neglect, this contact shall not be made with the parent." So the school is not in fact required to notify parents if that will put the student in danger. Add onto that that by requiring school staff to notify parents without consideration for the student creates a demonstrably unsafe environment of any type (learning or social).

Finally, the statement, "Schools may separate their sports teams on the basis of sex. Neither the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, Title IX, nor the Virginia Human Rights Act require school divisions to allow students of one biological sex to participate on sports teams reserved for members of the other biological sex. Code of Virginia, § 22.1-23.3.A.1", specifically referencing "biological" sex is disingenuous and vague. Without specifically defining "biological sex" it allows you to cheat based on false assumptions and presuming that there is any real difference between a transgender male on puberty blockers and a cisgender male. Therefore, once again, if this policy is put in place it will encourage bigotry, bullying, and overall an unsafe environment in Virginia schools for any student that is not exactly like everyone else including transgender students.

You profess to want to protect and enrich our children. Start by deleting this document and beginning again with a diverse project team as well as collaborating with the students themselves because there are no fresher eyes to see this and no one it impacts more.


the policy

<!DOCTYPE html>

Don't risk lives to prove a ing point.


A start in the right direction

<!DOCTYPE html>

The current climate for all involved in addressing transgender students at school is laced with landmines. On which side will teachers, non-trans students, parents, and administrators err? Protecting the mental health of trans students, once labeled as having a mental condition that needed psychological intervention, and today judged to be needing protection of students with disabilities by the Fourth Circuit? Or recognize the fundamental, First Amendment right of individuals not to engage in compelled speech to support an ideology that opposes their deeply-held, religious beliefs?  Will schools threaten this latter group with the label of bullies out of fear of repercussions? It seems that inherent incompatibility exists in protecting the rights of all parties.


totally opposed

<!DOCTYPE html>

This rule will be the cause of increased suicides among transgender students.  They need a place to feel safe, sometimes even from their families.  If you think this view is excessive, just wait.


In Total Agreement

<!DOCTYPE html>

There have been so many abuses in regards to transgender policies, but this one can help avoid the abuses. These children certainly need to be treated with kindness and respect as they navigate such a culture driven condition. They can have their own bathrooms/locker rooms to be more comfortable, but just allowing kids to determine something like this because it is the flavor of the day rather than parental and professional agreement is not enough to put the majority of students at risk. (Remember Loudon County????)


Transgender woman - came out in Virginia schools - the support saved my life - please read this

<!DOCTYPE html>

1. Transgender students, and just students in general, are not complete property of their parents. Just as parents deserve rights in students health and safety, so do students deserve rights in their safety as well. This policy widely overlooks what it means to be transgender, and what it means to explore gender identity in schools. No reasonable person believes that teachers should lie to parents, but that was already not allowed. What this bill does, instead, is redefine lying as not informing, and its that mandated informing which makes this bill scary. Students deserve the right to experiment with their identity, and school is a really good place to do that. They may not know concretly what that identity is, and for some they may not be ready to tell their parents simply because they don't have the language yet. No harm is done by allowing a kid to explore, and this policy takes that right away from them and can genuinely put them in danger.

2. Teachers have a responsibility to respect all their students, and that includes using a students preferred name and pronouns. We don't allow teachers to claim personally belief in rasicm, sexism, or other bigotry, so why should we allow it for transphobia and homophobia? In addition, as a trans woman, not using these things - especially if a student is very out and in their transition - is distinctly pyschologically harmful. It will increase the students dysphoria, and thus expose them to feelings of depression, hopelessness, and more. No teacher has a right to bring this about a student.

3. Towards the end of the guidlines there is an outline of an example policy which bans transgender students from using the bathrooms of their gender identity. Not with standing the fact that this is pyschologically harmful to the trans student, it is also something I gurantee you no one actually supports. If there is a trans man (female at birth who transitioned to male) who has been on testosterone since he was 16 and has a deep voice, beard, etc, no parent wants him in the womens restroom. Trans women also have the same right to not be in a dangerous environment like a mens bathroom - which will subject them to bullying and possible sexual abuse. This charicture of a man dressing up as a women and using the policy to sexually assault women (cis or trans) simply. hasn't. happened. its not real, its a strawman used by politicians to roll back rights for trans people.

4. Sports. Currently there are more republican bills to ban trans girls in high school sports than there are trans girls in high school sports. Though that should be an argument enough to show how dumb this legislation is, their is also a scientific argument. Given that their hormone levels match that of a cis girl and they have gone under appropriate treatment - they truly have no advantage. Again, the science says that this argument simply. isn't. real.

5. conclusion. Trans students deserve the same rights and dignity as cis students, and I have outlined a refutation to the common arguments against this above. I plead you to reconsider this bill before you seriously harm the well being of hundreds of innocent virginia youth.


Christian Parent Opposed to Policies

<!DOCTYPE html>

As a Christian who believes every individual deserves respect and humanity, I must oppose the proposed policies by speaking up to defend the dignity of those who face gender and sexuality challenges outside what our society has narrowly defined as the norms. Children need compassion and understanding, not judgment and constriction. These policies will lead to greater dysfunction, depression and even suicide. Parents and teachers must work together to trust each other. Neither alone is all-knowing. As a parent of two successful children who attended public schools in VA, I worked with teachers to ensure a positive outcome, often deferring to their knowledge and training in the areas of child psychology and education. Gov. Youngkin and his followers must open their hearts and walk a mile in a transgender youth's shoes.


Insanely against!!

<!DOCTYPE html>

It feels good to be yourself and to live in a community that embraces you. Educate yourself and respect our children. We need a community that celebrates a new inclusive future. It’s happening- whether you want it or not. Be part of this amazing movement


Oppose, obviously

<!DOCTYPE html>

It’s “think of the children!” until the children are trans, huh? All children deserve to feel safe and respected, especially in spaces that they are required to be in. It is basic human decency to not terrorize and bully children, so please, at the bare minimum, be decent.


100% democrat and 100% in favor for protecting girls at school.

<!DOCTYPE html>

110% democrat thinks we need to get this straightened out. Even teachers at our school don't think restrooms should be shared with each other. One child complained to her teahcer that a boy was looking at her in the bathroom. The teacher told the principal and the principal told the girl to stop bullying him. This is getting crazy.


I strongly oppose the proposed policy

<!DOCTYPE html>

I write a Mom of a non-binary kid and as a retired registered nurse. These new proposed policies were not written according to accepted guidelines from the experts like the American Academy of Pediatrics, the AMA and the American Psychological Assn.  They are a threat to the health and safety of trans and non-binary kids across the Commonwealth.  I implore you to reject these policies.


Support new changes

<!DOCTYPE html>

As a parent and educator I think that the policy revision provides protections for transgender students balanced with protections for other students and teachers.

The previous policies went too far and removed parents from important decisions involving their own child.


This policy does not prohibit Transgender people from expressing their preferences

<!DOCTYPE html>

<p>This policy guarantees parents rights to guide and teach their children.  If a parent, in the best interest of the child, believes that the child is Transgender then the parent has the right to affirm this in writing to the schools that the child attends.  I am always in favor of the rights of the family and parents to guide and protect their children which shall not be interfered with by the government. </p>


Protect girls!

<!DOCTYPE html>

Protect trans... protect trans... protect trans??? What about the girls and women of our society? Why isn't anyone speaking up for them? Allow girls to grow up without having to deal with males in their bathrooms. They deserve safe spaces.  They deserve sports teams free from males taking away their scholarships. They deserve locker rooms and showers free from males.


Strongly Oppose

<!DOCTYPE html>

This policy, along with the rhetoric is extremely dangerous to children.  I want to raise my children in a state that welcomes diversity and includes all people.  We need to protect the most vulnerable and I strongly oppose this policy.


Vehemently Oppose

<!DOCTYPE html>

<p>I stand with the LGBTQA+ youth of Virginia to keep them safe. This proposal puts the safety of those trans and nonbinary youth at risk. This policy is transphobic and brings Virginia into the past, not into the future where children are encouraged to live their authentic selves. </p>


Parents have the right to raise their children. Teachers do NOT.

<!DOCTYPE html>

Teachers need to teach reading, math, and English and stay OUT of politics. How a child is raised is the decision of their PARENTS and no-one else. I support the proposal that PARENTS must be involved in their children's education and only PARENTS should be making decisions about how the child is named or addressed in schools or anywhere else.

Children under 18 are not legally allowed to smoke, drink, or do many other activities that can be harmful to them due to being influenced too easily. Why should they be allowed, or even encouraged, to make life changes before they are mature enough to realize the long-term consequences?


Strongly Oppose

<!DOCTYPE html>

I don't think parents should be able to define their childrens' identities. Trans folks often reckon with their identity during middle and high school, and all too often without the support of their parents. I believe that this Guidance Document would make their lives even more difficult, allowing parents to exert power over their children in a way that would prevent them from expressing their true identity in a public space. In the same way that parents shouldn't be able to censor the curriculum their kids follow in public school, they shouldn't be able to police how schools support their kids' identities.

If you disagree with my stance here, please consider this argument: why should we, as Virginians, hinder individual rights to this extent? I believe that if someone identifies as trans, it is simply not my business to decide whether or not that is acceptable. Who cares? As someone who went to school with dozens of trans folks over the years, and who came out as non-binary myself, I assure you that trans folks are...normal and wonderful and worthy of acceptance. Keep your religious views to yourself, and I'll keep mine to myself. Let's let our kids be whoever they want to be, so that they can feel safe and happy every time they step foot in a Virginia classroom.


STRONGLY DISAGREE TRANS HAVE RIGHTS

<!DOCTYPE html>

This bill would take away trans rights and make most of them uncomfortable at school. It also makes some of them forcefully come out to their parents even if they arn't ready. Thats why I strongly disagree


Strongly Oppose

<!DOCTYPE html>

In an ideal world, all parents would unconditionally protect, support, and love their children. We do not live in an ideal world. Putting already vulnerable youth at further, well-documented risk seems the opposite of conservative, caring, Christian values. Where is the compassion? This effort is likely illegal; it is unquestionably cruel.


Oppose!

<!DOCTYPE html>

<p>As a parent of two school aged children and a voter in VA I fully oppose the proposed policies regarding Transgender youth in Virginia Public schools. </p>


Protect our girls

<!DOCTYPE html>

<p>Strongly support new policy. Stop harming our kids. Walk in truth not the lie. Protect the rights of parents. Women’s rights are being stolen by this agenda. </p>


Support for Proposed Guidance Document

William A. Estrada, President, Parental Rights Foundation

Dear Superintendent Balow:
By way of introduction, the Parental Rights Foundation is a nationwide organization dedicated to protecting children by empowering parents. The Parental Rights Foundation was founded in 2014 to advance, defend, and protect the rights of parents to direct the education, upbringing, nurture, and care of their children. We write to you today on behalf of our organization, as well as on behalf of all Virginia parents, grandparents, and supporters of the traditional right of parents to direct the education and upbringing of their children.

We write today in strong support of the Virginia Department of Education’s recent publication of the Model Policy titled “2022 Model Policies On The Privacy, Dignity, And Respect For All Students And Parents In Virginia’s Public Schools,” and the Virginia Department of Education’s withdrawal of the 2021 Model Policy titled “Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia’s Public Schools.”
The 2021 Model Policy promulgated by Governor Ralph Northam’s administration had numerous flaws. Most notably, there was not a single reference to Virginia’s fundamental parental rights statute, codified at Va. Code Ann. § 1-240.1. There was no reference to the nearly 100 years of U.S. Supreme Court precedent that parental rights are a fundamental right. By not even addressing such critical legal issues, the 2021 Model Policy created confusion in Virginia’s public schools.
Indeed, our organization recently sent a letter to Fairfax County Public Schools. Our letter is but one example of the concerns raised by parents across the Commonwealth of Virginia over the last couple of years that Virginia school districts are ignoring parental rights when it comes to their minor children. Our letter is available online here: https://parentalrightsfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Parental-Rights-Foundation-Letter-to-Fairfax-County-Public-Schools-1.pdf
By contrast, the new Model Policy that the Virginia Department of Education just released, and for which you are soliciting comments, recognizes that parental rights are fundamental. It recognizes that all of Virginia’s laws, including Va. Code Ann. § 1-240.1 (which our parent organization, ParentalRights.org, was instrumental in drafting, introducing, and passing into law in 2013), must be respected by Virginia’s school districts.
Additionally, the new Model Policy that the Virginia Department of Education just released reflects the U.S. Supreme Court’s long-standing precedents that parental rights are a fundamental right.

In Pierce v. Society of Sisters, 268 U.S. 510 (1925) the Court said “[u]nder the doctrine of Meyer v. Nebraska, 262 U.S. 390, we think it entirely plain that the Act of 1922 unreasonably interferes with the liberty of parents and guardians to direct the upbringing and education of children under their control. As often heretofore pointed out, rights guaranteed by the Constitution may not be abridged by legislation which has no reasonable relation to some purpose within the competency of the State. The fundamental theory of liberty upon which all governments in this Union repose excludes any general power of the State to standardize its children by forcing them to accept instruction from public teachers only. The child is not the mere creature of the State; those who nurture him and direct his destiny have the right, coupled with the high duty, to recognize and prepare him for additional obligations.” Id. at 534.

In Wisconsin v. Yoder, 406 U.S. 205 (1972) the Court said “the history and culture of Western civilization reflect a strong tradition of parental concern for the nurture and upbringing of their children. This primary role of the parents in the upbringing of their children is now established beyond debate as an enduring American tradition.” Id. at 232.

In Cleveland Board of Education v. LaFleur, 414 U.S. 632 (1974), the Court said “[t]his Court has long recognized that freedom of personal choice in matters of . . . family life is one of the liberties protected by the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.” Id. at 639.

In Parham v. J.R., 442 U.S. 584 (1979) the Court said “[o]ur jurisprudence historically has reflected Western civilization concepts of the family as a unit with broad parental authority over minor children. Our cases have consistently followed that course; our constitutional system long ago rejected any notion that a child is ‘the mere creature of the State’ and, on the contrary, asserted that parents generally have the right, coupled with the high duty, to recognize and prepare their children for additional obligations. Surely, this includes a high duty to recognize symptoms of illness and to seek and follow medical advice. The law’s concept of the family rests on a presumption that parents possess what a child lacks in maturity, experience, and capacity for judgment required for making life's difficult decisions. More important, historically it has recognized that natural bonds of affection lead parents to act in the best interests of their children.” Id. at 602 (cleaned up).

In Santosky v. Kramer, 455 U.S. 745 (1982) the Court said “freedom of personal choice in matters of family life is a fundamental liberty interest protected by the Fourteenth Amendment.” Id. at 753.

And most recently, in Troxel v. Granville, 530 U.S. 57 (2000) the Court said “[t]he liberty interest at issue in this case -- the interest of parents in the care, custody, and control of their children -- is perhaps the oldest of the fundamental liberty interests recognized by this Court.” Id. at 65.

Virginia’s Supreme Court has also held that parental rights are fundamental, declaring in L.F. v. Breit, 736 S.E.2d 711 (Va. 2013) that “[t]he relationship between a parent and child is a constitutionally protected liberty interest under the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. Indeed, the Supreme Court of the United States has characterized a parent's right to raise his or her child as perhaps the oldest of the fundamental liberty interests recognized by this Court. Any statute that seeks to interfere with a parent's fundamental rights survives constitutional scrutiny only if it is narrowly tailored to serve a compelling state interest.” Id. at 721 (internal citations and quotations omitted).

As a national organization based in Virginia that works to ensure that parental rights are respected, we strongly support the “2022 Model Policies On The Privacy, Dignity, And Respect For All Students And Parents In Virginia’s Public Schools.”

Thank you for standing with Virginia’s parents and children. Thank you for respecting Virginia’s laws and the constitutional guarantees of parental rights established by the Constitutions of the Commonwealth of Virginia and the United States. And thank you for recognizing that the best way to protect children is by empowering parents.

Sincerely,

William A. Estrada, Esq.*
President
Parental Rights Foundation

* Licensed in the District of Columbia

<!DOCTYPE html>

Dear Superintendent Balow:

By way of introduction, the Parental Rights Foundation is a nationwide organization dedicated to protecting children by empowering parents. The Parental Rights Foundation was founded in 2014 to advance, defend, and protect the rights of parents to direct the education, upbringing, nurture, and care of their children. We write to you today on behalf of our organization, as well as on behalf of all Virginia parents, grandparents, and supporters of the traditional right of parents to direct the education and upbringing of their children.

We write today in strong support of the Virginia Department of Education’s recent publication of the Model Policy titled “2022 Model Policies On The Privacy, Dignity, And Respect For All Students And Parents In Virginia’s Public Schools,” and the Virginia Department of Education’s withdrawal of the 2021 Model Policy titled “Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia’s Public Schools.”

The 2021 Model Policy promulgated by Governor Ralph Northam’s administration had numerous flaws. Most notably, there was not a single reference to Virginia’s fundamental parental rights statute, codified at Va. Code Ann. § 1-240.1. There was no reference to the nearly 100 years of U.S. Supreme Court precedent that parental rights are a fundamental right. By not even addressing such critical legal issues, the 2021 Model Policy created confusion in Virginia’s public schools.

Indeed, our organization recently sent a letter to Fairfax County Public Schools. Our letter is but one example of the concerns raised by parents across the Commonwealth of Virginia over the last couple of years that Virginia school districts are ignoring parental rights when it comes to their minor children. Our letter is available online here: https://parentalrightsfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Parental-Rights-Foundation-Letter-to-Fairfax-County-Public-Schools-1.pdf

By contrast, the new Model Policy that the Virginia Department of Education just released, and for which you are soliciting comments, recognizes that parental rights are fundamental. It recognizes that all of Virginia’s laws, including Va. Code Ann. § 1-240.1 (which our parent organization, ParentalRights.org, was instrumental in drafting, introducing, and passing into law in 2013), must be respected by Virginia’s school districts.

Additionally, the new Model Policy that the Virginia Department of Education just released reflects the U.S. Supreme Court’s long-standing precedents that parental rights are a fundamental right.

In Pierce v. Society of Sisters, 268 U.S. 510 (1925) the Court said “[u]nder the doctrine of Meyer v. Nebraska, 262 U.S. 390, we think it entirely plain that the Act of 1922 unreasonably interferes with the liberty of parents and guardians to direct the upbringing and education of children under their control. As often heretofore pointed out, rights guaranteed by the Constitution may not be abridged by legislation which has no reasonable relation to some purpose within the competency of the State. The fundamental theory of liberty upon which all governments in this Union repose excludes any general power of the State to standardize its children by forcing them to accept instruction from public teachers only. The child is not the mere creature of the State; those who nurture him and direct his destiny have the right, coupled with the high duty, to recognize and prepare him for additional obligations.” Id. at 534.

In Wisconsin v. Yoder, 406 U.S. 205 (1972) the Court said “the history and culture of Western civilization reflect a strong tradition of parental concern for the nurture and upbringing of their children. This primary role of the parents in the upbringing of their children is now established beyond debate as an enduring American tradition.” Id. at 232.

In Cleveland Board of Education v. LaFleur, 414 U.S. 632 (1974), the Court said “[t]his Court has long recognized that freedom of personal choice in matters of . . . family life is one of the liberties protected by the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.” Id. at 639.

In Parham v. J.R., 442 U.S. 584 (1979) the Court said “[o]ur jurisprudence historically has reflected Western civilization concepts of the family as a unit with broad parental authority over minor children. Our cases have consistently followed that course; our constitutional system long ago rejected any notion that a child is ‘the mere creature of the State’ and, on the contrary, asserted that parents generally have the right, coupled with the high duty, to recognize and prepare their children for additional obligations. Surely, this includes a high duty to recognize symptoms of illness and to seek and follow medical advice. The law’s concept of the family rests on a presumption that parents possess what a child lacks in maturity, experience, and capacity for judgment required for making life's difficult decisions. More important, historically it has recognized that natural bonds of affection lead parents to act in the best interests of their children.” Id. at 602 (cleaned up).

In Santosky v. Kramer, 455 U.S. 745 (1982) the Court said “freedom of personal choice in matters of family life is a fundamental liberty interest protected by the Fourteenth Amendment.” Id. at 753.

And most recently, in Troxel v. Granville, 530 U.S. 57 (2000) the Court said “[t]he liberty interest at issue in this case -- the interest of parents in the care, custody, and control of their children -- is perhaps the oldest of the fundamental liberty interests recognized by this Court.” Id. at 65.

Virginia’s Supreme Court has also held that parental rights are fundamental, declaring in L.F. v. Breit, 736 S.E.2d 711 (Va. 2013) that “[t]he relationship between a parent and child is a constitutionally protected liberty interest under the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. Indeed, the Supreme Court of the United States has characterized a parent's right to raise his or her child as perhaps the oldest of the fundamental liberty interests recognized by this Court. Any statute that seeks to interfere with a parent's fundamental rights survives constitutional scrutiny only if it is narrowly tailored to serve a compelling state interest.” Id. at 721 (internal citations and quotations omitted).

As a national organization based in Virginia that works to ensure that parental rights are respected, we strongly support the “2022 Model Policies On The Privacy, Dignity, And Respect For All Students And Parents In Virginia’s Public Schools.”

Thank you for standing with Virginia’s parents and children. Thank you for respecting Virginia’s laws and the constitutional guarantees of parental rights established by the Constitutions of the Commonwealth of Virginia and the United States. And thank you for recognizing that the best way to protect children is by empowering parents.

Sincerely,

<img alt="A close-up of a logo

Description automatically generated with low confidence" height="77" src="data:image/png;base64,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" width="249"/>

William A. Estrada, Esq.*

President

Parental Rights Foundation

* Licensed in the District of Columbia


FULLY SUPPORT

<!DOCTYPE html>

Teens are finally going back to basics; letting parents be the parents. The Department of Education should NOT be the parent of our children. Accommodations are being made to support a very few at the expense on the most. This in not acceptable. Parents should be involved with the children.  Thank you for supporting parents rights.


Support LGBTQ- but get the hell out of my daughter’s locker room

<!DOCTYPE html>

<p>Common sense legislation from our governor </p>


Let Parents Guide the Way

<!DOCTYPE html>

<p>Thank you for keeping parent's rights in mind with the new policy change. Governor Youngkin brought forth the mamma and poppa bear and you are hearing us. </p>


Why are we politicizing our kids?

<!DOCTYPE html>

Honestly, I read this draft policy and couldn't see anything wrong with it, and I am a parent of a middle schooler.  It looks like it's trying to maintain a balance between respecting parents and respecting students.  Why is the school administration in Fairfax County getting so worked up over it?

It feels like this drama -- so many angry comments! -- is more about a cultural war than about trying to do what's best for kids.  Democrats, do you really want to have no knowledge of how your kid is acting at school? Especially if they're acting one way at school and another way at home? Republicans, do you really think that there aren't individual family situations that are harmful for kids if the school puts parental privilege over kids' safety?

I for one would be happy to see more of the kind of balance this policy attempts to strike and less of the righteous anger (on both sides) that is only possible when one is blind to the weaknesses of one's own position.


Reject the rule. Protect the children and stop the regression. Trans rights are human rights.

<!DOCTYPE html>

This rule harms a minority group (trans students) by erasing their existence and stripping them of their dignity as whole, sentient human beings. As a corollary, "[p]rotecting parents’ fundamental rights to make decisions for their children" is utter nonsense.


Protect vulnerable gender-expansive kids

<!DOCTYPE html>

As a parent of a nonbinary kid, I oppose the restrictive new model policies of this administration.

You argue that asking staff to use preferred names and pronouns is the promotion of a specific ideological viewpoint about gender. However, your proposed alternative is just as ideological, based on the belief that gender is determined by biology at birth.

The proposed framework contributes to the alienation and ostracizing of children who are already at risk due to their position as a gender minority. For some kids whose parents do not support their emerging understanding of their gender identity, school is the only place they are able to find support. Please do not take this haven away from them.

Nonbinary and trans kids should not be political pawns in the broader culture war. Please leave in place the earlier policies that protect their rights, rather than adopting these new policies in order to score political points with the conservative base. The mental health--and lives--of our young people are at stake.


OPPOSE Section III #7 and Section VI #18

<!DOCTYPE html>

III. STATUTORY AUTHORITY AND REQUIREMENTS 7.

Enforcement of sex-based dress codes

- where do you draw the line on this one? Boys wear pants and girls wear skirts no matter what? STRONGLY OPPOSE

___________________________________________________________________________

VI. ADDITIONAL RELATED LAWS #18

In Williams v. Kincaid, No. 21-2030 (4th Cir. Aug. 16, 2022), the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit held that gender dysphoria is a “disability” within the meaning of the Americans with Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C. § 12101 et seq

-the label of disability for those that do not fit the heterosexual/gender norm is a deficit based view and infers that these individuals need to be cured or fixed. STRONGLY OPPOSE THIS


NO


SUPPORT - Protect our children

<!DOCTYPE html>

<p>B I O L O G Y - trust the science.  </p>


Strongly Support Governor Youngkin's reforms

<!DOCTYPE html>

As a former public educator in the state of Virginia for 40 years I saw the effects of parents being left out of the educational system. Terrible consequences for students, parents and educators. I have first hand knowledge of elementary students assaulting other elementary students the same age or younger in a sexual manner and the administration covering it up.

No such thing as a transgender person. People were all made in the image of God and are either male or female. There was not any other gender created by God.

Parents have the right and the moral obligation to raise their children with traditional values. Rights given to us by God and put into our Federal and State constitutions. These values put a high priority on life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness but not at the expense of everyone else.


STRONGLY OPPOSE

<!DOCTYPE html>

<p>I strongly oppose this. It’s absolutely disgusting the amount of privacy they are disregarding for trans and non binary children in school. Enactments like this will cause bullying- and prevent AND DESTROY the growth that gives students the comfort to be their true self. This is a horrifying proposal that will hurt and invade children’s lives. The fact that republicans only care for CERTAIN children’s  lives is very telling of the kind of people they are. SCHOOL SHOULD BE A SAFE SPACE. </p>


<!DOCTYPE html>

III. STATUTORY AUTHORITY AND REQUIREMENTS 7.

Enforcement of sex-based dress codes

- where do you draw the line on this one? Boys wear pants and girls wear skirts no matter what? STRONGLY OPPOSE

___________________________________________________________________________

VI. ADDITIONAL RELATED LAWS #18

In Williams v. Kincaid, No. 21-2030 (4th Cir. Aug. 16, 2022), the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit held that gender dysphoria is a “disability” within the meaning of the Americans with Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C. § 12101 et seq

-the label of disability for those that do not fit the heterosexual/gender norm is a deficit based view and infers that these individuals need to be cured or fixed. STRONGLY OPPOSE THIS


OPPOSE!!!


Strongly Oppose

<!DOCTYPE html>

<p>Keep schools safe spaces for transgender and nonbinary youth! This proposed policy limits the rights and identity of youth. Children need to feel safe to be themselves in an environment that affirms their identity without fear of being outed. The unfortunate reality is that not all parents are accepting and supportive of who their child is - something that educators and counselors know to be true but apparently government does not. This policy will inevitably increase rates of suicide and overall risk for these youth. Being transgender is not a value, belief, or decision and it is not about how parents raise their child - it is their identity. Notice that in the 2021 Model Policy, journal articles and research were extensively cited regarding the mental health and well-being of transgender students but in this 2022 version there was none. </p>


STRONGLY OPPOSE

<!DOCTYPE html>

Ya'll are just trying to force kids back into the closet and open them up to harassment by other students, their parents, and staff. Ya'll are intentionally making it clear that you want trans people of all ages to not participate in any sort of public life and  you'd rather them get kidney infections rather than extend them the basic human dignity of  not being misgendered every time they gotta . Go  yourselves, I hope no one remembers your name, and for the rest of your life your bowels are filled with liquid, and your bladder filled with stones.


FULLY SUPPORT

<!DOCTYPE html>

Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward. (Psalm 127:3)

-Children are given to PARENTS by God...as a blessing (or "reward").

Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. (Proverbs 22:6)

-PARENTS are given the responsibility to be the ultimate "TRAINERS" of their children.

I FULLY support Governor Youngkin's support of PARENTAL RIGHTS in education.


STRONGLY OPPOSE

<!DOCTYPE html>

<p>As a FCPS parent I am deeply concerned with this reversal. Parents do not have the right to deny identities other than their own. These policies violate transgender students' rights. Please stop this; it is doing so much harm to our children. </p>


O P P O S E

<!DOCTYPE html>

<p>As the parent of a non-binary student, I feel strongly that this proposed policy does nothing but make it harder for children that identify as non-binary and/or transgender.  My child was bullied in the public school system but at least has the courage to share with us, their parents, of the abuse so that we could help.  This policy does NOTHING for children that may not have the same support system as our child.  How does this policy support impacted children that can not talk to their parents about this subject?  When children have support options removed they feel powerless and have increased potential to make rash decisions possibly leading to self-harm.  It is our duty to protect ALL children.     </p>


Opposed to the 2022 Draft Model Policy

<!DOCTYPE html>

The proposed model policy is a step backward for trans and nonbinary young people.  It stigmatizes them and will make them a target of bullying and violence, including in some cases from their own parents.  I oppose the 2022 Draft Model Policy.


Adamantly oppose this move. I stand in support of those who identify as transgender

<!DOCTYPE html>

<p>Before legislating an area that so greatly impacts the health and safety of a person, please take the time to speak to those who are impacted and to the medical profession without cherry picking. I am an educator and a parent. I count as family and friends parents of transgender youth. This policy proposal damages young people and creates an education environment that is adversarial and defeats the purpose of education. Please consider Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. All students should feel safe at school. </p>


Strongly Support

<!DOCTYPE html>

Thank you Gov Youngkin for standing up for parents and the hundreds of children who have to deal with the very few children that are confused about their sex. Also a shout out to RPS. You can't teach our children how to read, write or do math but you can teach them to lie to their parents about what they do at school.


People that support boys using our girl's showers and locker rooms are perverts

<!DOCTYPE html>

<p>If you think boys should be allowed to use the locker rooms and showers with school age girls then there is no hope for you.  You need help. </p>


STRONGLY OPPOSE

<!DOCTYPE html>

Please, do not let politics endanger the lives of trans and non-binary students. It is saddening seeing people spew hateful rhetoric that it is sinful, parents need to teach morals, and disregarding the lives of so many individuals. Protect trans rights, don't silence them.


strongly oppose

<!DOCTYPE html>

Trans kids are kids. They are beloved children of God, who loves them each step of their journey -- including their journey to become their full selves. In my 20 years of ministry in churches, camps, and nonprofits in Virginia, I have had the great joy and privilege of meeting quite a few trans kids. To a one, they are strong, proud, engaged young Virginians who desire only to be able to live the lives they are choosing. But the sad statistics on bullying and suicide make it clear that trans kids need the support and protection of schools and other institutions -- including faith communities -- to live their lives fully. The proposed changes will leave trans kids vulnerable and at risk. I have no doubt that some of them will attempt to take their own lives as a direct result of that vulnerability. That all-too-predictable outcome will be a stain on the Commonwealth and its leadership. This, too, is a choice the governor is making. It's not too late to choose a more faithful path.


Strongly oppose

<!DOCTYPE html>

The amount of religious justification for this bill exposes it as a projection of Christonormative values in a secular space to target a vulnerable minority identity that medical institutions have recognized as valid. Don't impose your religion on kids. Address them with respect and use the names and pronouns they find comfortable.


Strongly Opposed

<!DOCTYPE html>

<p>Shame on Governor Youngkin for limiting the rights and protections of transgender students under the guise of parental rights. No longer will our schools be a safe place for trans and non-binary youth. These policies will exacerbate the bullying and other discrimination that trans students face and lead to an increase in the already higher rate of self-harm and suicide exhibited by this group. The governor is deluded in thinking that all parents are accepting and supportive of a child who comes out - just listen to the experiences that many LGBTQ youth have related about their own lives. </p>


policy is a start but doesn't go far enough- stop mutilating children

<!DOCTYPE html>

People should be at least 18 years old before they can start slicing off body parts and adding new ones.


I am support new model policy

<!DOCTYPE html>

<p>I am strongly support new model policy.  Education is more important for our children </p>


Support Parental RIGHTS

<!DOCTYPE html>

I support ALL parents being involved with their children.  It isn't up to the government to parent a child. This isn't about taking "rights" from kids. It is about PROTECTING parental rights.


Support policy to reign in the abuse of our labor unions

<!DOCTYPE html>

Thank you governor. Our kids not help. Get the boys out of girls bathrooms!


Oppose

<!DOCTYPE html>

<p>I strongly oppose the discriminatory policy. </p>


School Choice, Money Follows The student.  Defund Public School

<!DOCTYPE html>

Compitition is very much needed.  Nothing else will work at this point.  It's too late.  School Choice, Money Follows the Student.  If the public school system goes under, so be it.  Put parents as the School Board and back in charge.


Strongly oppose

<!DOCTYPE html>

<p>This change to the already established policy takes us backward. Stating we are “giving parents more rights” is simply a way to hide the fact that you are hurting these already vulnerable students. Shameful. </p>


Oppose - vehemently

<!DOCTYPE html>

As a resident of VA, I am astounded that we as a state would recommend any policy that would target children. Mr. Youngkin should keep his hateful politics against Trans Gender people out of our schools. Our kids deserve an education without fearing for their life. Fear is not conducive to education. These policies will cause fear, depression, detachment, bullying, murder, and even suicide.

Doctors agree that Gender disphoria is real and not a belief as Mr. Youngkin (from Texas who has some awful rules against Trans Gender kids) has stated in the policy. Have you read the policy. He is making the case that Trans Gender people have setup their own belief system and that this belief is being pushed on Virginian families. This is what he calls protecting parents rights. If he sells Gender Disphoria as a belief ( think religion) he can use the law to keep parents from being exposed or indoctrinated(it is parents who want protected, children do not care who you are). When the opposite is the case... Gender Disphoria is a fact, Doctors agree and treat people using the process called Gender affirming care. This diagnosis has saved lives that I know. Selling a fact as a belief is evil. That is how Hitler killed the disabled, and the Jews and many more.

I am firmly opposed to these changes. Science is not a belief! Facts cannot be boxed into a religion so a Governor gets voted and then terrorizes our kids.

Stop this insanity!


I’m in support of protecting LGBTQ+ & trans youth!

<!DOCTYPE html>

No one has the right to go against anyone’s will. These matters take time

and should be up to the individual, when ready to be able to tell one’s

family members. Forcing or telling on someone will cause much physical and psychological

harm.


Support preservation of the english language- How is one person a them?

<!DOCTYPE html>

I am all for the LGBTQ community.... but what does changing genders have to do with forcing other people to adopt your form of the english language.  This seems more like a power play. If you want to actually create strives for LGBTQ, you would stop this other nonsense.


Thank you Governor Youngkin

<!DOCTYPE html>

<p>To allow people who have opposite physical parts into close unmonitored settings where our kids are at their most vulnerable is something I am having a hard time wrapping my head around. If I had a daughter who was confused about who she was, I cannot imagine sending her with her female body into a boys' locker room to undress. Just like I cannot believe that I am now sending my own daughter into a bathroom where boys can witness her undress, give her no privacy during her period and taking away her rights, dignity and modesty. Just like I cannot imagine a girl walking into the restroom and having my son's penis exposed to her while he is at the urinal. Thank you Youngkin for common sense. This is not a safe situation for anyone involved. Our daughter's deserve to be protected and we need to stand up for their rights. </p>


Strongly Oppose

<!DOCTYPE html>

<p>Stop using children as a political football.  This proposal will only hurt children.  Do not take away the rights of my children in their schools.  Teachers should also have to their jobs and teach.  Address children as they want to be addressed and teach! </p>


Parent/teacher strongly opposing this policy change

<!DOCTYPE html>

Children deserve to be who they are. They deserve to feel safe in their classrooms; otherwise learning cannot be effective.  They deserve to be free from restrictions imposed by other peoples' religious beliefs. Teachers and school staff should not be used to enforce these beliefs since, as government employees, they are representatives of the state, and the state has no business pushing such beliefs.

 Stop using fake science, fake concern, and outright lies to sell an ideological agenda.  There's absolutely no reason to intentionally interfere in the lives of trans youth; after all, I thought conservatives wanted smaller government.

Trans children are children, not political pawns. Leave them alone and let them be themselves, because their lives are no one else's business, anyway.


Opposed

<!DOCTYPE html>

I am opposed to the Governor's proposed changes to school policy regarding the treatment of transgender students. They serve no purpose other than to play to misinformed parents who have been manipulated into believing this is a "parents rights" issue when it is just a continuation of the culture wars the Governor's political party insists on waging.


School policy on transgender issues

<!DOCTYPE html>

<p>I support the proposed policy on school issues around transgender students.  First, we need to respect them as people and children prone to abuse and bullying. Forcing them to conform may only do more damage. Provision of separate restrooms and services for counselors to teach them coping skills may be needed. Trying to integrate these individuals into biological divisions doesn’t work.  I see women and girls unexpectedly confronting a trans in their restrooms and they carry the shock and even more intense negativity for some time. I am opposed to integrating transgender persons into sexually segregated activities and or facilities. I’m supporting bringing parents into the discussion and addressing their concerns for the needs of their children.  Body mutilation does not change the inherited DNA; they can be permitted to be different without warping the minds of normally gendered children who are the majority. </p>


New Jim Crow Laws - Gender Disphoria is a diagnosis.

<!DOCTYPE html>

Targeting kids for the facts the don't fit your norm is just as bad as enslaving people was. This policy will cause kids to be targeted, bullied, harrassed, and murdered. Those not murdered will sink into depression, or commit suicide. Just like kids that are victims of child abuse, those that groom or hurt them are in the home. Revealing anything to a parent like abuse when the kids says they are unsafe is the same situation here.

Those who have supportive parents are also impacted by this policy. Their kids is targeted by this policy, and they will suffer as well.


Parents are responsible

<!DOCTYPE html>

<p>We completely disagree with the transgender policies, they are unacceptable. We disagree with normalizing sickness. School employees are not there to teach morals or dictate social or psychological guidelines. My children are my responsibility,  and my family. I am responsible for my children's morals and mental health. </p>


Allow Kids to be Themselves

<!DOCTYPE html>

This proposal is outright dangerous to children. Being trans harms no one, but many harm people for being trans. If a child is trying to hide it from someone, it is for their safety.

This teacher knows that not only is it a danger to the children, but it is detrimental to education. This proposal will make student-teacher relations strained and damaged. Students should feel they can trust their teachers in order to have a safe and effective learning environment.