I oppose this bill. I want to know what is going on in my children’s school and being taught.

I am Appalled  at the government and governing officials that are trying to take over our home lives and teach stuff that is not ok in my opinion. It is not the government and the public schools to tell my children what sex they are either female or male. I am a parent.  I parent my children. I don’t need the government and the Public schools telling me what gender my child should be.  This is an infringement on my rights as a parent.  I never asked the Public School and government to cross that line of sexual identity. They have crossed that line. If children are struggling with their identity then work with those but you don’t need to subject the whole school to this Institutionalizing of gender.  The public schools and government want to push down our children’s throat that they need to adjust for a small Minority of children that are struggling with their identity. Commonsense has gone out the door I am extremely irritated. With the decision of the governing officials and the public school to cram down ideologies and institutional ways a child should be.  I oppose this Bill strongly. I am so disappointed in a public school. My tax dollars pay to help  keep teachers to teach educated about Science, Math, History and Language arts. The agenda that the public school and the governing officials are doing to our children is far more detrimental to there brains and hearts. All  because the government has an agenda. My children are not your Guinean Pigs.  My tax dollars are paying for children to have an education and NOT for my children to have sexual education. It’s amazing how people try to do out based education and you think this is going to work I believe some of your governing officials and public school educators need to go in and sit in the classroom and see what some of these teachers are dealing with and the students in the classroom. People need to have a reality check because teachers have a passion to teach but now we’re jamming all this junk down their throat about sexuality they don’t have time for that. The teachers worry about test scores because otherwise if they don’t get test scores they lose government funding. And you’re worried about transgender wording because it might offend somebody if you call them  male or female . Also governing officials and public school educators you need to take a step back out of your office and go sit in the classrooms not just for a check in day but for a few weeks to really see what is going on. Watch with the teachers what they have to deal with and you’re worried about wording if a child is male or female. Because it might offend somebody. Also the teachers didn’t go to school to know about mental health issues and a ADD, ADHD and dyslexia and all the stuff that they have to battle every day when they enter that classroom. Children that are having a meltdown because they’re being abused at home. Also the teachers didn’t go to school to know how to deal with medical issues and about mental health issues and ADD, ADHD and dyslexia. These are to name a few that they have to battle every day when they enter that classroom. children that are having a meltdown because they’re being abused at home. Instead of focusing on transgender wording because you’re afraid to hurt somebody or offend them. Why don’t we really take a look at what’s going on as a whole because with a mental health crisis and it’s affecting the children to learn and the teachers because their hands are tied.


Opposed

The responsibility of educators is to impart knowledge and truth and the desire to gain understanding as a person grows.  Helping to develop one's character through these formative years is a privilege.  Our society is reaping the abuse's of that privilege and the problems that existed many years ago, have not been solved or even helped in the least.  Clearly man's solution is failing and getting worse.  God has given us a moral code to live by and He is our help, but when we refuse Him, failure is the result.  I am sure we have all been witness to how our feelings and emotions lead us to mistreat people and to do or say things we wouldn't normally.  Allowing those feelings to take precedence over truth is not the answer.


Virginia School Transgender Polices: DONT DO IT

Dear Virginia Department of Education: During this COVID situation, there are many people who use the mantra "follow the science" and then, they never follow the science.  Public policies have not been made based upon peer reviewed medical studies or evidence based medicine but upon fear and non-science.  America has not even had a "public debate" over what really works and what does not...and if we are to be a body politic, public discourse that deals in real facts that are observable/provable needs to happen. And now, we are being threatened with more pseudo-science and unproven psychological theories that will be a direct threat to the well being of children and families. Do you really believe that a man can have a baby? Can a man have a period? Are you going to encourage young people to pursue sex changes, knowing that the majority of kids with gender dysphoria grow out of this mindset once they are into adulthood?  If a pregnant "person" appears in the emergency room and declares herself to be a man, are you going to demand/force that the medical staff treat the pregnant woman as a man, thus endangering the child???????  If you don't treat the woman as a man, can the woman sue because the medical staff treated her according to her "true, DNA identity?"  Would you be happy for this to happen?  I sure hope not! This is pure insanity. Do we really want to encourage people with psychological disorders by giving them legal rights to trample upon everyone and ruin their lives, all because we are afraid to say "THIS IS WRONG."  There have only been two sexes in the history of the world and Bruce Jenner will always be a man, whatever name he wants to be called by. Obviously, this is going to be an emotional discussion.  But let it also be a scientific (real medical knowledge please, not psychology) and logical.  And even though this is asking for a whole lot, the "morality" of encouraging people to be something that they are not must also be discussed.  This is not moral to perpetuate fraud. I realize that humans want to be completely in control of their "identity", but God and nature have assigned identity to people whether they like it or not. To deny this is to open up a Pandora's Box scenario that will harm children (boys in a female locker room, or vice versa...you know this is not going to end well) and such policies will cause far more harm  than good. It really is common sense.  But,  such is rare these days. Please insist that male and female are real,  and please do not make policies that give the transgender activists power to ruin the lives of students and good, honest families.


I Do Not Support

The proposed policies are another attempt to impose woke ideology on the common person, who (I hope to God) does not support it. They would facilitate complaints of "discrimination, harassment, or bullying." Invariably, the end result is that students, teachers, &c. are terrorized for offenses they did not commit, or arraigned for minor offenses against political correctness, &c. They would have school personnel withhold information "relating to a student’s transgender status" from parents, thus undermining the authority and right of parents as the principal caretakers of their children. They would "eliminate or reduce the practice of segregating students by gender to the extent possible," thus robbing students of valuable time spent learning and growing with members of their own sex. They would undermine the beauty of having two sexes with bland uniformity. There is no reason for "gender-neutral attire." They would subject confused female students to the terrors of the men's locker rooms. They would facilitate confusion and feelings of "superiority" and elevated social status. Students participating in the latest "fad" should not expect authorities to recognize their fad as sacred. Is it not miraculous that half the girls I know all of sudden are boys? They would subject school staff to yearly indoctrination sessions, imposing hateful woke ideology on innocent people. If the state actually cares what the people of Virginia think, they will listen to their valid concerns, rather than staging a mock townhall, then proceeding to do as they please. These proposed policies do not reflect the values of the people of Virginia. It remains to be seen whether or not authorities care.


Gender identity CAN NOT be independent of biological sex. Stop the madness!

The idea that gender identity can be independent of biological sex is unscientific and has no place in an educational environment. If the Department of Education truly wants children to learn then they will strongly oppose what is an obvious destabilizing agenda that only further divides and distracts from a proper education and has no place in public schools. It is issues like these why America is rapidly losing ground to other countries in terms of education and technology. What is the icing on the cake is that those who do not want to participate in this madness would be forced to comply or suffer penalty. Then who is discriminating against who? How would this be fair and just?


Document: Model Policies for the treatment of transgender students in VA's Public Schools/22.1-23.3

Because society has embraced this evil lifestyle of homosexuality, now you have young people confused.  I am praying and say let the children just be children. Your efforts are only confusing the little ones. Why not instead encourage them through examples of whole families with a masculine Male Dad and a feminine Female Mom. Why not start reading to them in the classroom about these family roles or allow for play time to be demonstrated by a Mom and Dad and children who are either a girl or a boy....just as it was done when I was in school in the 50's. We had no trouble back then wondering what gender we were! What you see through this effort will be the children having a healthy respect for how they were designed.  They will like themselves and look forward to the role God has created them to carry out. I believe this is a better alternative than what this bill is proposing. Confusion and the Bullying will cease because there will be no need for it. The kids needs examples and unfortunately when Mommy went out to work in the 70's, she became too busy to pay attention to how society was robbing her of her family. So now we all are asked to make excuses for all this sick behavior. Leave them to be how they were created, boy or girl....its simple as that. THEREFORE WE ARE OPPOSED TO THIS BILL! God bless you and help you to do the right thing and to honor God our Creator. Mr. and Mrs. James Quattrocelli


Oppose the Guidance

The policies put in place by Virginia's Department of Education place students and educators who hold the traditional view of men and women, a view based on both history, tradition, religion, morality, and most importantly SCIENCE.  It is perfectly appropriately to address a person with XY chromosomes as a male and XX chromosomes as female.  This is objective reality based on science.  It is measurable and ascertainable.  To address someone as other than they are is to LIE to them.  I cannot, in good conscience lie to my children or even to other children.  Nor would I have my own children lie to other children.  Moreover, it will put the guidelines in conflict with Article I, Section 16 of the Virginia Constitution.  To quote the relevant part: " No man shall be compelled to frequent or support any religious worship, place, or ministry whatsoever, nor shall be enforced, restrained, molested, or burthened in his body or goods, nor shall otherwise suffer on account of his religious opinions or belief; but all men shall be free to profess and by argument to maintain their opinions in matters of religion, and the same shall in nowise diminish, enlarge, or affect their civil capacities."  It is a matter of religious conscience that God created man and woman.  To be forced to profess that one is the other, or that there is some alternative to this duality is to compel a religious belief at odds with the Virginia Constitution.


I DO NOT APPROVE OF YOUR POLICY

I DO NOT APPROVE OF YOUR POLICY for transgender students. This is wrong on a moral level and should not be forced on our children. You should be ashamed of yourselves for even considering such a policy.


Product of the Alexandria Public School System

100% support

I support this guidance 100%. While I'm not trans, being allowed to use a nickname and dress how I chose when I was a student meant that I became a more confident and respectful adult. I never go by my full first name, even professionally. No one questions me when I ask to be called by a shortened version nor do they question my partner who goes by a middle name. When people get married and change names, no one questions them nor their prefixes if they go from Miss to Mrs. or Ms. Even as a kid, I had friends who asked to be called by nicknames and again, no one questioned this. We dressed like weirdos but were sure to dress respectfully for more formal occasions like church and special events. Our clothing choices harmed no one. All of my weirdo friends are now middle-aged parents with desk jobs and single-family homes. We are in every way "normal". Being different as children didn't harm us for life and it meant everything that we could explore who we were in a safe way. Names and clothing can all be changed. The confidence and dignity that comes with being allowed to express yourself and be affirmed and respected for those choices makes an impression that lasts a lifetime. Why are trans kids any different? Affirming who someone else is costs you nothing and means everything to that person whether it is calling them by a preferred name, letting them wear appropriate clothing that makes them comfortable, and/or using pronouns that reflect who they are. Seeing the joy in people who finally have their identifies validated is priceless. Schools have a duty to teach the whole child. This guidance is part of that. Please implement it.


Discrimination on Both sides

Good afternoon. I believe this policy is one sided and does not protect everyone. What about how it makes other children feel? I believe you should love everyone and meet people where they are, but what about the kids who feel uncomfortable. Telling parents that they cannot encourage them to embrace their god given birth sex is discrimination against other peoples religion (in the context of you teaching them that they can choose and putting new ideas in their head vs. already struggling with it) It will cause bullying towards people of religion, do we not care about them? If you are not religious then of course you wouldn't care how they would feel because it does not pertain to you. We must respect one another and not choose only one. Why are there not classes to teach people how to love another despite their differences and opinions?


Government overreach and assault on parental rights

+These policies are harmful to families, transgender students and all children. The affirmation and celebration of gender identities not in line with biological sex leads to dependence on cross-gender hormones, mutilating surgeries, the loss of private and safe spaces for girls. +The policies lead to confusion among all children as they question whether they can trust the body they were born in, or need to declare their pronouns. They are forced to address sexual identity issues before it is developmentally appropriate. +While some believe these policies are well-intentioned, they in fact undermine the primary role parents have in raising their children. +It is a gross act of arrogance for schools to insert themselves in the most intimate of developmental stages when children are wrestling with their identities. +These policies make no allowances for teachers, parents or students who disagree with affirming transgender identities based on biology, morality, common sense or safety concerns. This is bad policy for all Virginians!


transgender policy

I do not approve of these policies.  they have no place in our educational system.


I do not approve of the proposed policy!

This is crazy.  I do not approve - this policy is insanity.  I am ashamed to be a Virginian if this is what our new democrat overlords support.  CRAZY!


Transgender

I am 100% against this, As a father of a young daughter, it should not be ok for a male to use the same restroom as she. If you are going to approve such a ridiculous policy, then supply their own restroom.


Concern with Policy

I have worked in child development for 12 years - working with children ages 6weeks to 12 years in both the public and private sectors. I’ve worked with youth with many gender identity and sexual preferences. I believe they should not be bullied or discriminated against due to this lifestyle. I believe all children should be safe and protected at school. I believe children should be free from external stressors while on school to allow for the best learning and growth opportunities. I have committed LT professional life to our young community members and believe they are our future. I do not believe this is the way to provide the one things above. Some of the changes proposed related to ending gender split groupings, allowing free choice for bathroom and changing spaces and expecting an open dialogue so early on about gender fluidity are, for lack of any other appropriate term, HARMFUL. We are proposing dramatic and, quite possibly traumatic, changes to the school building and protocols for a very small number of students. In reality (and I know because I was a middle school teacher!) the students experiencing suffering related to these policies are not experiencing it due to which bathroom they can use! Their suffering is due to bullying and lack of discipline and expectations. Less rules and structure are completely in opposition of the true goal- to eliminate bullying and discrimination. As a mother, I am also super concerned about opening the door to allowing shared changing spaces. Our children are already specialized way too early due to our culture. Please do not further this by buying into the idea that an elementary child has ANY clue what their gender identity or sexual orientation may be or that it is different than their same sex peers! This is actually causing children to notice and identify their differences even earlier on! Please consider these decisions from the lease of limiting educational disruptions and encouraging mutual respect. I beg of you not to adopt this plan as is!


Concerned Garndparent-needs revision

While I do not believe the state has the right to take the decision about gender issues away from the parent, I can understand the concern in the schools. The ultimate responsibility for children, should always be with the parent, not the sate/school. I do not support this bill as written as I think it will create more confusion for children in our communities. I do think children that are suffering with gender dysphoria need support and this should be something that is address with parents and schools in partnership. However, by creating confusion and chaos for all other children in the school system by allowing the use of bathrooms and dressing rooms by anyone and making children and educators subjected to disciplinary action for not using a specific pronoun is not the way to solve this issue. People have the right to identify however they want but all others should not be punished or subjected to disciplinary action or forced to not honor their their religious beliefs because of the beliefs of a few. If a child is being bullied or made fun of because of gender issues, then disciplinary action is appropriate but not just because of using the wrong "pronoun." I strongly disapprove of this bill. It needs major revision to address the issue and I don't know what the answer is but this is bill is not the answer.


Model Policy for the Treatment of Transgender Students

I support this policy and support transgender students in general.


Pronoun policy

I disapprove–not mildly, but strongly. There are many pressing issues I had rather you address than this rather esoteric WOKE one.


Disapprove of Trans Language

The guidelines proposed by VDOE are absolutely in appropriate for schools & students. For any student to simply state a new identity on any given day, without parent knowledge or legal documentation to back up the change, is wrong. Parents oversee their children until they become “adults” at least until age 18 & have a right to know what is going on in school. Without requiring legal documentation, any student can exploit these policies to cause distraction, harm or negative consequences for teachers and other students. In addition, students must feel safe in bathrooms and locker rooms. They should never be expected to share these spaces with members of the opposite sex biologically!! Stop this madness!! I understand that trans students may not feel comfortable in life, but if a student is truly struggling with this issue then he/she need counseling, parent knowledge and support not wishy washy rules from VDOE that put other students, teacher and staff at risk for retaliation.


Draft Policies for Transgender Children

I do not approve of the proposed guidelines that are proposed based on radical theories that eradicate all distinctions between male and female students and indoctrinate our most precious assets, our children. I could state many reason I am opposed and primarily because this is a subject that should be left to the family and not government. Schools being allowed to assist students explore gender and make decisions without a parent knowing is unacceptable and another government power grab to take parental responsibilities away.  Other reasons include a failure to us a student's new preferred pronouns that could change day to day and even defy basic rues of grammar would be harassment and discrimination for both faculty and students and they would be subject to disciplinary action.


Disagree with Transgender proposal

I strongly disagree with the idea of public schools catering too a small, confused minority of students in regard to their gender identity. I am especially concerned about enabling the use of the locker room or bathroom for the opposite gender. I also appreciate the wonderful teachers we have in the public school system and do not think they should be forced, some against their conscience and beliefs, to refer to students according to the student’s preferred pronoun. That is going way too far. Teachers need the freedom to teach without additional restrictions and concerns that this policy would add to their plate.


This Policy Poses great Security and Safety Concerns for ALL.

This new transgender language violates the DOE Federal and State enrollment, Security and Safety policy.  And will violate public school registration of students. Every Public School Principal must be accountable for every student present in the school and on the school grounds.  The Public school administrators are responsible for ALL proper state documentation (birth certificate), medical records (vacinations/special needs) and legitimate copies are filed.   IF these documents are NOT provided the students can not attend school.   If students do attend and do not comply with state required documents than the school is in violation. These State regulations are the foundation to providing " accountability " and " security " for ALL students and staff within each school.  If parents are enrolling their children in school they have Federal, State and Medical documents that provide verification for that student. That verification is how each student is accounted for. It is for accountability and security at PUBLIC Schools.  If a student is enrolled, proper documentation will allow the school principal to clearly and account for that student at All times.  It is NOT up to the parents OR the students to identify or change their gender when enrolling in school. These are Federal and State regulations that allow students to be enrolled in public schools.  No papers/documents that legally reflect identity than Principal and administration can NOT enroll that student.   this is NOT a parent or student decision when attending PUBLIC school.   every student must attend PUBLIC school with legal documents.


I Support This Policy

As a teacher for over 42 years, I know how important it is for students to feel safe, accepted, and happy at  school for learning to take place. Ample research supports this. Indeed, why would we not protect every single child in our schools? It is a simple conclusion that a rigorous policy is needed to protect a vulnerable group of students, not only to safeguard their education, but to allow them to thrive emotionally and socially. Any less of an effort will have lifelong (and possibly life threatening) negative consequences for them. Therefore I support this policy.


This proposal promotes inequality - please ammend

Under the heading "Student Identification" the second paragraph begins, "When a student asserts that they have a name and/or pronoun affirming their gender identity, school staff should abide by the student’s wishes as to how to address the student."  This needs to be expanded to include additional support for child and community development! Examples include: "When a parent asserts that they have a parental philosophy affirming their child's gender identity, school staff should abide by the parent’s wishes as to how to educate that child." "When a community asserts that they have an education philosophy affirming a student's gender identity, school boards should abide by the community’s wishes as to how to educate that child." "When a school board asserts that they have an educational philosophy affirming a student's gender identity, VDOE should abide by the school board's wishes as to how to educate for that child." I believe we have turned this predicament on its head and fear that we will lead more gender nonconforming youth into disillusionment and despair by this anti-community approach.


Why are you not following the Science?

I do not approve of this policy. With Covid, we are told to "follow the science". But with transgender you are following feelings, not science. The persons DNA and chromosomes determine what sex they are, and the DNA and chromosomes cannot be altered. So being transgender is subjective, not factual. Where do you draw the line? If I identify as a dog, can I pee on a fire hydrant? Whose moral code are we supposedly all blindly following anyway?


NOT PART OF PUBLIC EDUCATIONAL CIRRICULUM _No responsibility to add policy definition

This is NOT a PUBLIC SCHOOL responsibility. Therefore no policy is required. Overstepping educational scope and responsibilities. "Gender Identity: A person’s internal sense of their own identity as a boy/man, girl/woman, something in between, or outside the male/female binary. Gender identity is an innate part of a person’s identity and can be the same or different from the sex assigned at birth.” (Definitions, p.6)


STRONGLY disapprove!

Not the purpose of the educational system. Please consider the concerns of the people. This actually hurts all involved.


I strongly oppose the VDOE proposed guidelines.

VDOE, I do not approve of the proposed guidelines based on radical theories that eradicate all distinctions between male and female and indoctrinate our school children.


Violation of Public School Responsibilities _Remove statement

Public School provide mental health staff to address MANY student concern.  Remove all language below as this is already covered under existing guidelines.  NOT a PUBLIC SCHOOL responsibility to state what parents can encourage or not.  Parents and school staff are partners in children's educational needs. (Public school does not have the authority to write policy on what parents can or can not do) "Parents who encourage their children to embrace their God-given sex would be at risk of being reported for child abuse or neglect by the school. “School staff should be prepared to support the safety and welfare of transgender students when their families are not affirming. … Whenever school personnel suspects or becomes aware that a student is being abused, neglected, or at risk of abuse or neglect by their parent due to their transgender identity, they should report those concerns to Child Protective Services immediately.” (Recommended Standard, p.13)"


New transgender guidelines


Transgender Policies

Totally opposed to these policies as they undermine parents and religious beliefs.


Transgender proposed legislation

Please do not pass this bill. It discriminates against parents. As a teacher, it makes my job harder & finally it would do a real disservice to anyone struggling with the issue of transgenderism. Counseling rather than rules need to be in place to help each individual cope with the realities of his/hers choices of changing gender.


Policy in Violation of Federal & State requirements (Security issues for ALL)

Federal and State laws have enrollment requirements for ALL Public School Safety and Security.  More oversight and audits are needed to ensure Public Schools are complying with Parents enrolling students. proper federal and state documents as to WHO is enrolling in school medical records indicating WHO is enrolling in school recommend removing vague statements below that DO NOT comply with public school enrollment requirements that provide safety and security in the schools. There should not be a Policy for "claiming identity" - poses a great security threat to ALL.  Every public school must have legally attending and accountable attendance of students and staff. Students will be allowed to claim to be either a biological male or female (or both, neither, or something else entirely) for any duration of time, without providing any evidence to a teacher or administrator, making it impossible for teachers to comply with these policies. “A student is considered transgender if, at school, the student consistently asserts a gender identity different from the sex assigned at birth… it does not necessarily require any substantiating evidence nor any required minimum duration of expressed gender identity ...” (Recommended Standard, p.12) “Schools shall allow students to assert a name and gender pronouns that reflect their gender identity without any substantiating evidence.” (Draft Policy, p.13)


transgender policies-horrified

This is so incredibly destructive that it amazes me it is ever proposed... will lead parents to remove children from public schools, will lead teachers to find other means of employment, will lead anyone who believes "God made them male and female" to wash their hands of the whole system. Where are the rights of parents? Government schools, you do not own our children.


Transgender Lunacy

Simply put, this is lunacy pushed by the left. Give me a birth certificate and I’ll tell you what gender you are. Sorry, but your genetics don’t care about your feelings.


Strongly oppose proposed transgender guidelines!

VDOE, I strongly oppose the proposed transgender guidelines.  They would eradicate all distinctions between male and female, distinctions that are CRITICAL for children to understand, and indoctrinate our school children, assuming a role that should be reserved for parents. Failure to use a student’s new “preferred pronouns” – which can change from day to day and even defy basic rules of grammar – should NOT be considered harassment (Recommended Standard, p.10).  Furthermore, students and faculty should NOT be subject to disciplinary action due to failure to use the preferred pronoun of a student. Schools should be explicitly forbidden from "helping" a student explore, facilitate and make decisions regarding his/her gender expression of sexual identity.  This is a role for parents to play, not anyone in the school system. Under the proposed guidelines, all students will be allowed to use any bathroom or locker room they choose, without being questioned by any school administrator or faculty.  This is inappropriate and would violate the privacy and safety of students in states of undress. Bill Parsons Springfield, VA


Children should not be pawns for government social experiments and power

For the safety and privacy of every child, objectively honor them by their biological sex of male or female.   To do otherwise is child abuse.  Do not endanger them physically, emotionally, and spiritually.


The proposed changes are contradictory

These proposed changes are contradictory.  How can a teacher treat this information confidential as stated here: “In addition to adhering to all legal standards of confidentiality, school personnel shall treat information relating to a student’s transgender status as being particularly sensitive, shall not disclose it to other students and parents, and shall only disclose to other school personnel with a legitimate educational interest.” (Draft Policy, p.12) IF the teacher is supposed to be doing the following: “A student is considered transgender if, at school, the student consistently asserts a gender identity different from the sex assigned at birth… it does not necessarily require any substantiating evidence nor any required minimum duration of expressed gender identity ...” (Recommended Standard, p.12) “School staff should be prepared to support the safety and welfare of transgender students when their families are not affirming. … Whenever school personnel suspects or becomes aware that a student is being abused, neglected, or at risk of abuse or neglect by their parent due to their transgender identity, they should report those concerns to Child Protective Services immediately.” (Recommended Standard, p.13) “A school administrator may need to direct school staff to abide by the wishes of a student on their asserted name and pronoun. A school employee’s intentional and persistent refusal to respect a student’s asserted name and pronoun is considered discriminatory.” (Recommended Standard, p.12)


Oppose this Guidance Dcument

I fundamentally oppose the intent as well as each of the individual articles.


Remove statement - unclear, confusing, vague, violates DOE regulatory enrollment guidelines

Remove this statement .  Policy contradicts the enrollment status of students and violates safety and security of other students. (will pose legal and lawsuits against schools)   This policy statement violates the PUBLIC SCHOOL EDUCATIONAL Mission.  School staff, parents are partnering for success of students and NOT hiding-consealing information.  The first sentence does not map to second sentence (remove all together or re-write for comment) The first sentence contradicts the use of biological references in other policy statements that say remove references BUT then references it below. (what is a biological male if you are now saying remove all references to male/female) How will you know if there is a biological male in a room?  Therefore PUBLIC SCHOOLS Have an Enrollment process that provides accountability and identifies ALL students. Recommend removing - all together this statement is not clear and concise Sc h ools would be prohibited from notifying parents if a biological male is using the same changing facility as their daughter that was designated for girls. “In addition to adhering to all legal standards of confidentiality, school personnel shall treat information relating to a student’s transgender status as being particularly sensitive, shall not disclose it to other students and parents, and shall only disclose to other school personnel with a legitimate educational interest.” (Draft Policy, p.12)


Transgender Policies

I strongly disagree with this proposal.


Unnecessary and Irrelevant

Teachers have enough on their plate already they do not need to add this non-academic  burden on teachers.


STRONGLY OPPOSE THIS POLICY!!!

I am appalled at the way this fascist, intolerant policy would co-opt parental responsibilities and place them in the hands of school bureaucrats, while advancing an agenda that sacrifices the well-being of children. The policy is not based on science.  Rather, it is forcing a Transgender Religion on everyone. And the purpose is not to improve the educational experience of all children in Virginia schools, which should be the primary focus of the Virginia Department of Education. This policy directly violates Section 16 of the Virginia Bill of Rights , which states: "That religion or the duty which we owe to our Creator, and the manner of discharging it, can be directed only by reason and conviction, not by force or violence; and, therefore, all men are equally entitled to the free exercise of religion, according to the dictates of conscience; and that it is the mutual duty of all to practice Christian forbearance, love, and charity towards each other. No man shall be compelled to frequent or support any religious worship, place, or ministry whatsoever, nor shall be enforced, restrained, molested, or burthened in his body or goods, nor shall otherwise suffer on account of his religious opinions or belief; but all men shall be free to profess and by argument to maintain their opinions in matters of religion, and the same shall in nowise diminish, enlarge, or affect their civil capacities..." The policy directly contradicts the U.S. Constitutional right of freedom of religion because it does not allow for any exceptions based on religious faith or conscience.  In the United States, the government cannot force everyone to adopt a particular religious belief, and the government cannot prohibit the free exercise of religion. Girls should be protected, not made vulnerable by boys/men who want to use girls' bathrooms, locker rooms, or other facilities. This policy would make girls vulnerable to sexual predators and cause harm to countless girls across the Commonwealth. This policy would also destroy girls sports because it would allow boys who "identify" as girls to compete on "girls" sports teams, thereby defying the common-sense intent of Title IX provisions ensuring equal opportunities for both girls and boys in athletics. THIS POLICY SHOULD BE REJECTED BY THE VDOE. The government should NOT impose a particular religion on all students/parents which is contrary to science, contrary to the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Virginia, contrary to the U.S. Constitution, would result in HARM TO GIRLS, and would DESTROY GIRLS SPORTS. Rather, a reasonable and legal alternative would be for LGBT+ activists to create their own private schools where people could self-select into them. That would allow LGBT+ people to exercise their freedom of religion without the government imposing a particular religion on everyone.


Totally disgusting, again hurting our most PRECIOUS resource, for less than 1% of society!

Disgusting, again hurting our most PRECIOUS gifts for less than 1% of the population,  This is child abuse!


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

VDOE please do not do this.  STOP.  Just Stop trying to force a new age morality.  This is immoral on so many levels.  Even if all relatives have deceased and the child is in a state group home of some kind, you should train the child up in the way they should go, the way they are designed.  In 99.8% of children, their sex is very very clear. Since you are only dealing with 0.2% of children, ADMIT IT, and handle as special cases.  I believe these special cases are best handled by parents with advice from others when asked by the parents.  Government STAY OUT of my FAMILY BUSINESS! Do your job, not mine.


Transgender policies

The proposed policy guidelines are truly abhorrent and disgusting. They would almost be funny if not for the fact that these are real children and the real future of our Commonwealth. Please do not enact or even consider any of these policy guidelines Thank you. Respectfully, Dean Dye


Strongly Oppose Transgender Policies

This is child abuse!  How dare you hurt our precious children and destroy our families with these lies and distorted views.  May God have mercy on you because what you are doing is pure evil.


TRANSDENDER CHANGES

I AM AGAINST THIS PROPOSED CHANGE!


Is this what you want for your children/grandchildren? NO

Please do not pass these harmful requirements.  I cannot imagine the mayhem this will create.  These recommended standards cause confusion in children/young adults, remove parents (who in most situations care about these children more than any one else, and by the way, pay the taxes for the public school system to educate their children) from involvement in their children's lives, and endanger children, especially girls, to harmful situations. Furthermore, there is no provision for exception or accommodation for those who conscientiously oppose.  In every way this is harmful to all students.  Conscientious and concerned parents will have no choice but to withdraw their students from the public system.  Perhaps that may be the best outcome from this entire onslaught.  Parents care about their children, care for their children, raise their children, and pay for their children.  VDOE must listen to the outcry of the parents!


100% Support

Please protect trans and non-binary students, teachers and other public school system people. This is a step in the right direction. You have my full support.


Students DO NOT have the authority to Do What Ever they want - when they Feel like it in PUBLIC SCHO

This is violation of DOE, federal and state guidelines on how to conduct Public educational instruction in a safe and orderly fashion.  This policy violates enrollment status accountability for ALL students through out the day.  This statement explicitly states that staff and/or school admin,, faculty "are NOT allowed" to do their job and question ONLY Transgender students. BUT non-transgender students are allowed to be questioned. Remove statement below, Invalid. Biased to ONLY transgender students. Violates DOE Federal and State mission and School Principal, staff, admins, faculty roles and responsibility who ARE responsible for ALL Students (who they are, where they are and what they are doing when conducting school business).  Students, specifically transgender students DO NOT RUN the Public Schools All students will be allowed to use any bathroom or locker room they choose, without being questioned by any school administrator or faculty, eliminating privacy and safety of students in states of undress. “Access to facilities such as restrooms and locker rooms that correspond to a student’s gender identity shall be available to all students.” (Draft Policy, p.18) “School staff should not confront students about their gender identity upon entry into the restroom.” (Recommended Standard, p.18)


Opposed to Transgender Policies - In Favor of Science and Safety for Boys and Girls - Children Grow

These suggested policies are hurtful not only to boys and girls who are sensitive to undressing at home for bath time (let alone at school or at a friend's home), but also to boys and girls who want to experiment with their gender identity. Gender and sex are not fluid realities. They are not social constructs. Gender and sex are God-given, scientific realities rooted in biology. A child who is consistently taught that he or she may identify as something or someone else may one day be in charge of boys and girls who identify as boys and girls. If and when that adult is allowed to enter a restroom or locker room with children of the opposite sex, that adult becomes a sexual pervert. That adult, regardless of his or her then gender identity, becomes a danger to those children. Remember: children who today are encouraged to experiment with a fluid concept of gender identity will one day be adults who may harm boys and girls. Thank you for your time and consideration. Sincerely, Tim


i support

I 100% support the Model Policy as a current student


I 100% support this document

Trans rights are human rights. Every child deserves to have systems in place that allow them to be children, free from discrimination and harassment. These guidelines use an evidence based approach to give tools to educators and other individuals in power to better support all their students, especially those at risk of maltreatment.


Student transgender and sexual identity

Concetrate teaching students classical education and leave social issues to their parents.


Oppose the new policies regarding transgender students

When someone suffers from gender dysphoria, society should help the person accept who they really are.  By expecting society to reject reality in favor of an internal disconnect, everyone (most especially the sufferer) loses, and we do a disservice to all involved.  Perception, even self-perception, is not always reality.  We should all strive to accept, then deal with, reality, even when it conflicts with our self-perception.  Understanding the reality is the first step.  To do otherwise puts us in the position of being an enabler and harming the individual with gender dysphoria (or any other kind of dysphoria, for that matter).  Such acceptance of erroneous self-perception opens the gates to further acceptance of unreality.


PUBLIC SCHOOL_ Students do not run the school.  PERIOD

Remove this statement.  Using over exaggerated language and overstated words to misconstrue context.  Public School and PE uniforms are already neutral.  DOE Federal and State guidelines on proper dress code exist.  Without citing every team uniform, band uniform, activity uniform..etc Policy should remain the same. High-level, related to ALL students and staff.  We (staff and parents) are teaching children proper dress for many different situations.    This policy is out of context, poorly written and should not be considered or re-written with clear and concise language for less ambiguity. The requirements for schools to maintain gender-neutral dress code standards will cause disruptions and distractions, permitting boys to wear skirts and girls to go topless in activities where boys can – such as swimming activities or teams. “Students have a right to dress in a manner consistent with their gender identity or gender expression. Schools shall administer and enforce dress and grooming codes consistently across the student body, regardless of actual or perceived gender identity or gender expression.  Requirements for attire for school-related programs, activities, and events shall be gender-neutral.” (Draft Policy, p.16)


This is an incredible step, approve and pass this to protect kids from bigotry in schools!

This is a fantastic first step. I am disappointed seeing some of the other comments on this forum that have so much bigotry and vitriol. Kids need to be respected, as we are not raising children but little adults. The behavior they learn in school carries into their adult lives, just as much as anything they learn at home. If they learn to respect trans and other LGBTQ members of their school community through these policies and normalize that respect, they will carry it into their lives hopefully and the world will have fewer of these vile people that are being so hateful. My younger brother is trans and deserves just as much respect and fair treatment as anyone else as a human being. Anyone saying otherwise is being hateful and is not based in science. Them using the bathroom is no more a concern than anyone else using that bathroom, the “bodily and religious concerns of others” are not effected. Someone else being trans being against your religion is not their problem. They have a right to practice their own beliefs, if you will, and being their true selves is part of it. The real infringement of rights is happening to the trans students, and they deserve to have their rights protected. This is vitally important, please PASS THIS.


Stop weaponizing speech

These policies will cause more harm then good. They are not based in science. They are the result of 100% group think that does not believe in objective reality or the scientific method. They will silence teachers and students who believe in science. They are a disservice to women's sports (see latest research below). They remove parental rights. They place power in the hands of ideologues. They will drive out good teachers. They will drive out students. They will result in lawsuits. They do nothing to prepare our children to be ready to participate in the 21st century. The emotional needs of students who may question their identity should be left to counselors, not school admins, teachers, and students. These policies will be weaponized and used by individuals to punish anyone that does not conform to their way of thinking. https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/trans-women-retain-athletic-edge-after-year-hormone-therapy-study-n1252764?cid=sm_npd_nn_tw_ma


Transgender policy

I do not approve!


Dangerous Policies

These are very dangerous policies for Virginia's children, parents, and teachers.  It does not make sense to enact these rules for a VERY small minority of children who identify as transgender.  Consider all of the problems caused by allowing biological boys to compete against biological girls in sports.  This has robbed these young women of opportunities and awards.  This is a slippery slope which Virginia should not go down.  No one can even imagine all of the complications that will arise.  Staff and students would be subject to "disciplinary action" and perhaps legal suits if they don't use the "correct pronouns".  Schools will be allowed to advise children to move forward with irreversible hormone treatments and surgeries, without the parents' knowledge.  Unfortunately the popularity of transgenderism is spreading and many young people are making irreversible life decisions that will affect their future health, happiness, and well-being.  We should not encourage this.  And these policies would allow persecution of students and parents who believe that God created male and female, and it was good.


Do Not Support These Proposed Changes

These policies will hurt children and adults alike. Gender and sex are beautiful, scientific realities. They are not to be taken lightly. All people have eternal dignity and worth because they are created in God's image.


Transgender policies

I do not approve!!


remove this draft policy statement. Public School staff DO NOT have the authority to withhold any information from parents/legal caretakers. This also goes against Federal and State Public School guidance to share information and colloborate on students achievements . Hiding information and/or knowingly with holding student incidents from parents is in violation Parents have the legal right, via the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA, 1974), Parents will not be notified that their child is being interrogated by school officials for allegedly violating these policies, or have the opportunity to intervene on their child’s behalf, UNLESS the complaints are not resolved “at the school level.” “Any incident or complaint of discrimination, harassment, or bullying shall be given prompt attention, including investigating the incident and taking appropriate corrective action, by the school administrator. …The [School Division’s Designated Contact] shall be available to hear concerns from students or parents when complaints are not resolved at the school level.” (Draft Policy, p.10)


100% Approve

I am full support the draft guidance provided by the VDOE. I am so proud to see this kind of document exist to better support the success and wellness of all students - no exceptions. These proposed model policies will truly save lives.


Strongly support

I strongly support the Virginia Department of Education's efforts to support transgender students with this policy. All students, including transgender students, thrive when their emotional, physical and learning needs are met and their rights are protected. This policy will help ensure that.


How much $$$ has VA put aside for when they get sued into the dark ages for this dystopian garbage

Hey, I'd like to make a stink about this but screw it. Time for private school!


Looneyville

I keep thinking this craziness will go away...nope! One journalist coined it "looneytune," that is what it feels like, that we are living in looney-toon-ville right now.  More harm is being done to our children by not standing for truth.  What kind of school do we have when truth and facts are being denied and letting feelings take over our education. When will the brave step forward in our school boards and in our legislature and say enough is enough? I strongly oppose such policies that causes so much harm for our children!


Public School CAN NOT TAKE AWAY PARENTS RIGHTS and withhold information

“School divisions will need to consider the health and safety of the student in situations where students may not want their parents to know about their transgender status … There are no regulations requiring school staff to notify a parent or guardian of a student’s request to affirm their gender identity...” (Recommended Standard, p.12) Parents have the legal right, via the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA, 1974), Public School staff and faculty DO NOT have the legal authority to withhold information and/or knowingly HIDE information from parents.  DO NOT approve recommend standard, p12 as written as it is in violation of parental rights.  legal lawsuits may follow against schools for withholding info


Model policies for the treatment of transgender students

To whom it may concern: While I fully agree that any student should be treated respectfully, these policies being proposed by VDOE are an overreach based on radical theories that eradicate all distinctions between male and female and treat our school children as a social experiment in sexuality. None of those theories have compelling evidence and support from the scientific community as a whole. Implementing these policies would in fact be potentially more detrimental to children's long-term health and well-being since much self-proclaimed transgenderism in younger people more often than not stems from a confused psychological state of gender dysphoria which requires the wisdom and maturity of professional accompaniment and counsel rather than an unbridled, unloving response of just giving license to whatever the student may be feeling at the moment. We're supposed to be the adults in the room here! Another difficulty with the proposed guidelines is that they assume a posture of disrespect toward the role of the parent as primary caregiver by handling student manifestation of transgenderism as knowledge to which the state is privy but the parent is not. What automatically qualifies the state to be more responsible in handling these matters than the parents themselves? This usurping of the authority of the state over the parent sets a dangerous precedent for the abuse of public power in other arenas as well.


STRONGLY OPPOSE STOP FORCING LIBERAL AGENDAS IN SCHOOL

Our children are LOSING ground and THIS is what VDOE is focused on?! THIS IS THE PRIORITY?! CAN WE PLEASE GET BACK TO ACTUAL learning and STOP the pushing social agendas?


security concern - Public School have to be accountable for ALL and know identity (pick one)

“Gender Identity: A person’s internal sense of their own identity as a boy/man, girl/woman, something in between, or outside the male/female binary. Gender identity is an innate part of a person’s identity and can be the same or different from the sex assigned at birth.” (Definitions, p.6) This is not a PUBLIC SCHOOL issue.  The Department of Education at the Federal and State level decide on curriculum NOT determining ones identity .  Remove statement above as it violates Federal enrollment status and poses a security concern due to loss of accountability


Model Policies for Transgender Students

I fully support these model policies to insure dignity, respect and safety of ALL persons.  I believe that LGBTQ persons are created by God and as such should be afforded protection from those who live in fear, ignorance, prejudice and bigotry.  As a Catholic I also say this as a FULL REBUKE of the hateful email sent by my parish--St Raymond of Penafort--urging all to oppose these policies.  The people who sent this from St. Raymond's would surely be in the "GIVE US BARABAS" crowd.


DISGUSTING - STOP RUINING OUR SOCIETY

How DARE you discriminate against anyone who believes that God made man and woman because that's what you are doing with the approval of this policy. Do not force teachers, parents and students to go along with your ideological agenda that we must all label everyone into a 'right' and 'wrong' group, further pushing society into decline and promoting division and hatred. If we do not agree with this ideology, that doesn't equal discrimination. In fact, you are the ultimate hypocrite! This policy is completely discriminatory against anyone who doesn't conform. At least try to save face and include a religious exemption. In fact, not only are you disseminating an anti-Christian mindset but remember, resulting suicides are a very real and increasing statistic in people who are transgender, and you are only fueling the fire towards it for those students who are in need of love and attention. Don't encourage the pain and suffering they are going through now. These negative outcomes occur many years later, so of course there would be no recourse on you for the damage you could potentially do with the approval of this policy. You are also absolutely overstepping your boundaries when it comes to my child's upbringing. You have no right to teach my child that this immoral behavior is okay and should be celebrated and embraced or face consequences if you disagree. And by the way, isn't the education of our children supposed to concentrate on the truth about biology, not the influence on it via societal values or lack thereof? And why is it okay now to change definitions all in the name of inclusion? Diversity and inclusion means excluding those who object to ideological uniformity. There is a fundamental breakdown of our school system if you disagree with this statement. And how does this policy teach our kids to be upstanding, truthful, and moral citizens? Why is it that you do not support a strong family unit? You have totally missed the mark if you are trying to insert yourself into our homes, challenging parents' rights. In fact, you would go behind parents' backs and actually call Child Protective Services crying 'child abuse' on me because I read the Bible to my child where St. Paul writes through the power of God, the Holy Spirit, saying that this conduct is a sin. Instead, I suggest you repent for your sins and not worry about my own or my child's. God created everything, sees everything, but still forgives everyone who asks.


SAY NO WAY _ identity without any substantiating evidence  (SECURITY CONCERN FOR ALL)

“Schools shall allow students to assert a name and gender pronouns that reflect their gender identity without any substantiating evidence.” (Draft Policy, p.13) Do NOT accept policy as written.  Accountability and Security considerations must be complied with.  Enroll with proper and legal documentation. Pick a nick name under current rules.  As a teacher, many students refer to generic nic-names (a female student likes to be called Bobbi.  Another male student likes to be called Staci.)  These are very appropriate ways already in place.  why we do not added policy with vague, unclear and ambiguous language. Public School has the resposnibility for knowing who students are legally - legally enrolled


I do NOT agree with these new policies,How is this even acceptable?

I heard a lady speak of this kind of thing. There are more girls claiming to be "gay" than ever before. And it's because it's the POPULAR thing to do right now, it does not mean they will continue on that path. How dare the schools and teachers even get involved with this on this kind of level. Everything about this bill is harmful and disgusting and opening doors that should not be. This will truly do more harm than good and I dont appreciate the fact that you all want to not only change history but now our children


Proposed guidelines for Transgender in Schools

As a Virginia citizen of four in high school, I do not approve of the proposed guidelines fir transgender which is based on radical theories that eradicate all distinctions between male and female and indoctrinate our school children. Regulating pronouns is absurd.  These guidelines are removing the parent from parenting their child.  The schools did not give birth to these children and should not be in the position of raising them.  VDOE must maintain a standard of educating children, not directing sexual identity or preference.  In addition, this is not factual or scientific at all.  How can any of these guidelines represent academics?  These guidelines belong to mental health professionals, not education department. Not only are the guidelines as non factual and wrong, it discriminates against parents who embrace God-given identity.  These guidelines are an overreach of VDOE. Where have the days gone when VDOE protected ALL children?  The guidelines purposely puts many children at-risk.  Sharing facilities is dangerous.  Why is it so difficult for VDOE to only educate children?  Why does VDOE have to impress transgender policies into the school and penalize those who oppose such guidelines? Where is the protection of those students or staff who have strong religious beliefs?  Is VDOE now infringing on people of faith rights?  Will VDOE start accepting behaviors of pedophila? Again, VDOE is putting children at risk! These proposed guidelines are a direct violation of rights for all people who oppose the indoctrination of transgender population in schools.  As a Virginia citizen, I oppose these proposed guidelines.


Please don't make this mistake

This experiment on children and their gender descriptions will create mass confusion and lead to many good people leaving your schools, etc. Do you really want to continue causing excellent employees and families to leave because they cannot in good conscience go along with these divisive policies?


GENDER NEUTRAL LANGUAGE

I take exception to the proposed legislation to eliminate gender specific language from our educational curriculums.  This is an extreme and harmful idea.  It defies the personhood of people and criminalizes my exercise of  freedom of speech   and freedom of religion in conscience to acknowledge God's design in human nature. Respectfully,  Patricia Stimers


REMOVE reference to "WISHES of a STUDENT" this is PUBLIC SCHOOL

“A school administrator may need to direct school staff to abide by the wishes of a student on their asserted name and pronoun. A school employee’s intentional and persistent refusal to respect a student’s asserted name and pronoun is considered discriminatory.” (Recommended Standard, p.12) Remove this recommended policy.  Legal terminology and policy do not use "wishes"  Public School Staff and Faculty can not cater to student "wishes". This policy is open for interpretation and mis leading.  Nick names are used everyday and they need to be professional in nature.  THIS ambiguous policy and do not apply to ALL students therefore remove and re-write to avoid discriminatory policy


100% SUPPORT THIS POLICY

As a parent of a transgender student in the public schools of Virginia, I support this policy for many reasons. Primarily because my child has been specifically singled out by a teacher because of a request made to use my child's preferred pronouns. The teacher was instructed by school administration and school board personnel to use the correct pronouns and the teacher refused creating a very unhealthy and potentially dangerous atmosphere for my child. All children should be given the same respect whether transgender,cisgender, or nonbianary. In my child's case, the teacher asserted his religious belief, and stated that it went against what he believed and therefore refused to use the correct pronouns even after a meeting that I had with the teacher prior to the school year begininng. Even after I explained the benefits of using the correct pronouns, in large part, the amount that it can lower suicidal ideation that the child may be experiencing. I do not believe that transgender students should be given over and above treatment to that of their cisgender peers, but I do believe that educators should consider the science that is more than evident and overwhelming and realize that these children have every right to be treated fairly while in the school. The schools have a responsibility to ensure a safe and equitable learning environment for all children.


Transgender Policies

In reviewing these policies, I have several objections.  These policies seek to confuse young people and make them believe that they can choose what genre they are when science clearly tells us that gender is determined by DNA. So even if a you changed their physical body to alter their body to looks like another gender, they would genetically still be the gender they were born with . 2) Studies have proven that their are higher rates of suicide for children who change their sex, so kids who feel they need this change need psychological help them deal with their feelings . 3). These policies take away the Parent's rights 4) These policies are against my Christian beliefs and I will not support them being introduced to your children .


Do NOT support!

It is unreasonable to discriminate against the majority in favor of the minority. Also, where is the belief in science now? We believe in COvid science facts, “evolution” science, etc, but not when it pertains to the science of the human body and DNA make-up? We cannot allow children to act on their feelings and possible mental illnesses in order to punish or cause even more harm to themselves and others. Do we allow the delusions of someone with schizophrenia to dictate how we run society? No, that would be absurd! The same goes for this gender dysphoria. We would allow a girl with fully developed breasts who then decides she is a male, to run around topless at a sporting event where the other males are also shirtless? This could lead to some possible sexual assault of this young lady who then identifies as a male or even unnecessary nudity that those young males would then be subject to see. I can see so many horrible consequences from these rules. You all are doing a great disservice to everyone to allow this confusion and madness to continue. There will be many sad consequences if this were to pass. What is evil will become good, and what is good will be evil—that is what we are seeing here. I am all for respecting every person that God has created, but you cannot punish other people for disagreeing with the gender changes. These kids that feel they are a different gender need loving guidance, counseling, and are certainly needing of respect, but these policies will only make so many things worse. Please do not allow this to happen in our school systems!!


I strongly support these proposals

I strongly support these proposals which are very much needed for the well-being and safety of all students.  The prejudice and ignorance on view in many of the comments posted attests to its urgency.


Remove reference to T-Gender.... Be inclusive and remember others (overweight kids, disabled kids..

“For transgender students, acts of verbal harassment may include the intentional and persistent use of names and pronouns not consistent with their identity.” (Recommended Standard, p.10) REMOVE this recommended standard, p10. UNLESS YOU insert all other acts of verbal harassment students endure (such as being overweight, too skinny, poor, wealthy, disabled, frizzy hair..etc Citing Transgender is not enough. this policy statement is ambiguous and can be taken out of context especially if the student is not transgender.  Current policy is inclusive and diverse to capture ALL Public School verbal harassment policy.


Transgender policies

This is wrong on so many levels.  This will open so many more issues in our schools.  Anyone can enter a restroom or locker room based on what they choose.  What stops sexual predators from identifying this way to enter the space of others of the opposite sex?  How is the school going to answer to rapes that may occur due to the oversight that would be taken away from teachers & staff?  We are teaching our youth that all they have to do is complain about something and rules will be changed b cause they are not happy with rules & laws.  I could go on & on.


Opposed

These changes fly in the face of science and reality in general.  They will penalize faithful Christian students, teachers, and families with children in the public school system.  These changes ought not be adopted.


Your attempt to protect the rights of one group severely limits the rights of others - Echoed

These polices/regulations take rights away from cisgendered students, families, religious communities, and teachers under the guise of equality. Protecting a minority by putting the majority at risk is not equality - it is a reversal of power, and spawns the same issues that inspired its implementation. The measures you propose do NOT protect ALL students. I strongly encourage you to revisit and rewrite these policies so that ALL students and staff alike are protected. These regulations, which were written to protect a minority, WILL be exploited by people acting in bad faith. These regulations place students that claim to be transgendered (whether they actually are or not) in a place of power, where they can punish teachers & other students they dislike by constantly changing their definitions of self so the teacher or other student is always doing or saying the wrong thing. It also puts other students at risk - predators WILL use the new regulations about locker rooms and restrooms under the guise of protection of gender identity in order to commit sexual assault. NO student should have to feel afraid using the restroom or locker room. To protect transgender students' privacy, I recommend that a third restroom/locker room be installed - a designated unisex one, with more than one toilet or stall so that transgender students AND cisgendered students alike can use this room without anyone knowing their gender identity, and those students that fear compromising situations can use the restroom or locker room that corresponds to their sex at birth. I strongly disagree that parents should be taken out of the decision-making process regarding their children, and they have a right to know what happens to their child at school. Parents are far more likely than administrators and teachers to truly know the needs and desires of their children, as they've raised them since birth and care for them on a daily basis. An administrator who deals with a student once a week does not know more than their parent about what they need or what's healthy for them. It is abhorrent that a parent can be reported to Child Protective Services for not supporting their child's gender identity. That is not congruent with child abuse. The human brain is not fully formed until age 25 - these are children that are still learning and growing, and they change their minds with the breeze of a wind. Parents should not be cut out of decision-making regarding the humans they've poured countless hours, time, and energy into sustaining. Being removed from your home by CPS is psychologically damaging to parents and children alike, and this measure will be used by people in bad faith to punish those that they dislike. A case of child abuse must be much more robust (evidence of ongoing physical or emotional abuse or neglect, which does not include simply disagreeing with your child) before you upturn the lives of families and children forever. The effects of a CPS intervention do not end with litigation or resolution - unwarranted removals can scar children for life. I again echo another commenter's words: "Undermining family and faith--the pillars of society--will not offer more stability for the Commonwealth. It is a long-term recipe for social collapse." It is a path of no return. Please do not support this.


Gender is not binary

Until we stop forcing an untrue issue, we will continue to see hate take root in people's hearts. For the religious readers, the bible says God created night and day. It doesn't specificially talk about all the other hours of the day, does it? What about noon? Would you say that noon doesn't exist because it's not in the bible? We live with something other than JUST night and JUST day. As such, when it says He created male and female, the bible encompasses every permutation and every person in between. You know WAY more people living along the spectrum of gender than on either end of it - people are just afraid to tell you or show you. It's time we accept the science AND embrace God's main message: LOVE ONE ANOTHER. This policy does just that. Thank you to the leaders embracing this and sowing seeds of kindness and acceptance instead of hate and denial.


DO NOT SUPPORT

After review,  these recommended Policies are not clear and poorly written. Students wishes and Students can do what ever they want when they want ... should not be in SCHOOL POLICY


I oppose this disgraceful act.

How dare you try to over ride the rights of parents whose job is to raise their children. Our government officials cant even do a good job ruling our state, now they are trying to rule our children.


I strongly oppose the policies listed in this document.  The removal of parental governance and rights is appalling.  Allowing children to change their gender at a whim is dangerous and disruptive to the educational system and teachers that work so hard to teach our children.  Punitive actions taken against our educators for so called "harassment" of using a pronoun that one of these children disagrees with is counterproductive and demoralizing.       I can't say strongly enough how morally wrong I believe these policies to be.


These policies will save lives

I strongly support this proposal.  Inclusion for this population is essential, as they are some of the most at risk students in our communities.  We need to support them and make them feel validated.


Transgenderism

How dare you try to change what God has created! God created us male and female. A union between a married man and woman brings life. Anything else produces spiritual death.


I oppose

I oppose the proposed agenda and am waiting for some common sense, moral policies that honor God and His word to be put forth.  God created us to be a man or a woman and He does not make mistakes!  We are tired of these liberal agendas being thrust on us!


Opposed to Flawed Model Policies

I oppose the model policies.  The model policies read like ones drafted with little consideration beyond the misguided and one sided gender affirming ideological narrative. Since these policies are not evidenced based and ignore studies and accounts (and now legal action) of those who suffered harm and who regret transition, they do not serve students who identify as transgender. The impact on girls who identify as girls and boys who identify as boys, and children and adolescents who detransition is recklessly disregarded. Teachers who validly object face professional discipline. Objecting students face discipline. Most concerning  is authority given to schools to interfere with and undermine parental prerogative. No one concerned for the welfare of children should champion these "model" policies.


Fully support the VDOE Guidance Document

As a parent of 3 students in Albemarle County Public Schools, I fully support this guidance document. LGBTQ+ students should feel safe in their schools! The transphobic/hateful statements on this public commentary are enough to see why students don't feel safe. This document gives me hope that these students may finally be able to overcome the discrimination and harassment they deal with currently.


Beware of Identity Politics

Is this not more about identity politics than actual prevention of bullying? I do not want to see kids bullied by the faculty or students. I also do not want to see parents limited to nothing more than mindless machines of our common wealth. Does this not open the door for boys who identify as girls to take place and ultimately dominate in girls sports because of their bodies natural tendency to produce testosterone (science)? Does this not potentially pave the way for the common wealth to dictate to parents how their children should be raised when the parents are concerned that puberty blocking drugs may damage their children in the long run (again science)? If parents and child decide to take this direction they have every right to be treated with respect by the  common wealth, if this is where this starts and ends, fine. Even though, I myself disagree with this on a personal and Spiritual level. However, in the public square no persons rights should trample another persons rights. This goes down to the basic principle of treating others they way you want to be treated. I have seen and have been bullied myself over numerous things including my Christianity. It was dealt with by my teachers or even by working with my parents and teachers. There was no need for action by the legislator. Which is why I ask, is this not more about scoring political points with identity politics than looking after the needs of our students. We all have different views and opinions and most should be respected, especially if it involves a healthy parent child relationship. In general public education families from all the different backgrounds, religious or otherwise should be respected. If this was written under more general terms and required the need for parents and faculty to work these things out together, I think you would have more backers. That includes myself. No one wants to be bullied, by students or the common wealth.


proposed DOE guidance document

do not agree with proposed documents, and with parents not being informed of school's actions with child


Completely unnecessary and dangerous

Why is this necessary? This only distracts the young and takes focus away from grade school learning. When they are young adults (18+), they can then choose to assert identity politics as they wish, but while they are a minor, they are under the complete responsibility and care of their legal parents or guardians.


Parent of 3 Students Supports This Policy

I support this policy - it is a great foundation for support to all students and will help make school a safer place. I am the parent of three Virginia public school students.


I support the draft guidance provided by the VDOE.


Dept of Education/transgender

Completely wrong and completely confusing to all involved. Please keep real biology and real science. Please leave fairy tales out of our schools.


Fully support this guidance

100% support this necessary guidance


Inclusive Policies Literally Save Lives

I strongly support the initiatives to protect trans and nonbinary youth in our schools. Trans and nonbinary students are owed the same respect from teachers and administrators as their cis peers. Institutional protections against discrimination and harassment can and will save students' lives, as they promote a broader culture of acceptance and inclusion. Every year, we lose too many LGBTQ+ individuals to self-harm and assault, both of which are largely a product of intolerance that is permitted at the institutional level and brushed off as insignificant. By fostering an environment of acceptance and enforcing non-discriminatory protections at the school level, we can transform our culture to be safer for this community. We have a moral obligation to build a foundation of inclusion and respect for the next generation, and this starts in the schools.


Completely Wrong and completely confusing. Let's keep science and biology accurate.

Please do not confuse things. Biology is science and there are only 2 sexes and cannot be changed. Please leave this garbage out of our schools.


I totally support this guidance.

Please follow the guidance for transgender students as described above.  It has my total support.


I completely support this!

This is all backed by science and is for the health and well-being of all students.


This will endanger all children

In an effort to give children freedoms they aren’t mature enough to handle, in order to protect their feelings, a decision like this would not only punish those being forced to act in strong opposition of their core beliefs, but it would foster an environment that would endanger all children. Forcing a student or staff member to go against their beliefs to cater to someone else’s sexual preferences or confusions is no different than forcing a person to either acknowledge faith in Jesus Christ as God’s Son or else be punished. Either scenario would produce insincere behavior stemming from fear. Instead, worry more about teaching children to be kind and respectful of one another’s differences and challenges, as staff sets the example. Don’t endanger young boys and girls. Don’t be the cause of fostering situations for rape and sexual abuse. This change pretends to protect some children, but would in the end harm them all.


Quit politicizing schools and concentrate on teaching students.

This transgender agenda makes no sense in our schools.  The job of the schools is to teach students not to brainwash them with adult agendas.  I guess now you want to change the English language to eliminate words than have been used for many years and start a new vocabulary.  I am totally against this.  I will work to reduce funding to schools and recommend all parents to send their children to private schools or to home-school them were they will not be subjected to this political agenda.  Don't forget you work for the people who pay your salaries.


DNA

"Follow the science," except when it comes to DNA.  This is horrific and completely upside-down.


?? Support this policy! ?? ??????

As a parent of 3 students in Albemarle County Public Schools, I fully support this guidance document. LGBTQ+ students should feel safe in their schools! The transphobic/hateful statements on this public commentary are enough to see why students don't feel safe. This document gives me hope that these students may finally be able to overcome the discrimination and harassment they deal with currently. Sadly, my kids have seen the struggles their LGBTQ+ friends go through with name-calling and even blatant disrespect school administrators. I know that if my children were struggling with these issues, I would do everything I could to make sure they has the same safe education as everyone else. I support this guidance because I want my kids and all of their friends to be in a school environment that is safe and welcoming for everyone. Virginia is for Lovers, not hatred!


Concerned teacher and parent

I understand that now a days there is an increasing number of children that are struggling with gender identity and this can be very difficult and confusing for the child  and their parents to go through. As a teacher I make every effort to treat all of my students with care and compassion and to support them socially, emotionally and academically. However, these policies are in my opinion overstepping the boundaries between teachers and school officials and families. As a parent I would vehemently oppose the school's involvement in counseling my child on any subject without my knowledge. As a teacher, I would not feel qualified or comfortable interfering with sensitive subjects such as a child's identity. Every trauma experience that a child may go through is unique to each individual child. These policies are ambiguous, impersonal and invasive. They do not protect the students, teachers, or parents; on the contrary they put all the above at risk of losing their individual rights to express their personal convictions and opinions in making the best decision for all.


Transgender

It’s life not confusing enough? Our children do not know right from wrong as it is, and now we want to confuse them even more by saying it is OK to be bisexual, gay or lesbian and now transgender! Practice what you want to practice if you must but do it in the privacy of your home not in the setting of public education!


I don't approve!

I do not approve of your proposed guidelines based on radical theories that eradicate all distinctions between male and female and indoctrinate our school children.


support transgender students

I write as a Mom, MomMom and retired registered nurse here in the Commonwealth.  I support the guidelines written to protect transgender students and keep them safe.


DO NOT APPROVE THIS

Please do not approve this sickening agenda


I do not support

These policies harm all children.


Support!

As a former Virginia public school student, I fully support this guidance. Transgender youth need, want, and deserve to feel safe in their schools.


Transgender BS

Forcing transgender anything on the 99% heterosexual population is wrong!!!


Totally Disagree

This is completely ridiculous! Totally Disagree! Terrible use of our tax dollars!


VDOE transgender policy

please.   Please.   PLEASE.   STOP with all this silliness. I absolutely DO NOT APPROVE of this     ' new ' Virginia Department of Education ' Guidelines ' for transgender students. FACT : A male or female's IDENTITY is imprinted, marked, branded on that individual by their PERSONAL ' DNA ' at the MOMENT ' HE ' or ' SHE ' is CONCEIVED . PERIOD You FOLKS are by far way tooooo Educated for this silliness. WAKE UP.   Even a devout atheist knows the reality of this biological truth.   ' Transgenderism ' is a psychological fantasy. Thank you for your attention.


Proposed transgender  policy.

I am totally opposed to any public school policy that puts my grand daughter violates her privacy. She should not have to shower or use restroom facility that allow biological males as joint tenants. Biological girls and boys are not meant to see each other naked!


gender

I do not support any measures to remove/reduce traditional gender from our schools. All children are born either male or female. Those that choose their own gender are the minority so we should not change our entire culture for those few individuals. This is indoctrinating the children into beliefs and views that are not aligned with traditional values. Treat everyone equal also means to treat the children with traditional gender roles equally and they deserve to use a bathroom or locker room meant for their gender in which they can feel comfortable.


Fully Support!

As a gay male who advanced through the Prince George County public school system, I can clearly see how many students this guidance would have helped...and saved. That was over a decade ago, meaning these guidelines are all the more needed, worthwhile, and valuable. These guidelines can and will quell the shameful ignorance and hatred many adults impose on their own and others’ children. It will save lives and improve the emotional health of cis citizens, applying the same principles of acceptance and respect to so many other areas. Only rightful good will come for this.


School transgender policies

Revolting perversion.


Education Equity

Gender is a construct that is on a spectrum. Our priority should always be our students first and that includes who they are as people. Inability to respect and nourish the well being of a student is a failure to understand the fundamentals of humanity and, furthermore, education. Inequity shall not be tolerated nor perpetuated. The safety and health of our students is necessary to create any real learning.


Transgender Proposal

I do not support this legislation. It will cause more harm than good.


Support!

I support this policy and it is a great first step in helping and respecting transgender students. Having access to information like this and teaching them while they are young can help save lives and create a more inclusive environment


Oppose the new guidelines based on eradicating male/female distinctions

As a retired elementary school teacher, I am strongly opposed to the new guidelines about eradicating distinctions between males and females.  Baldrige in education says that school is all about learning, learning, learning not constant chaos and arguments.  Anything that disrupts the teaching of SOLs needs to go.  Thus this policy needs to be tossed. I cannot tell you the number of times a boy pretended to enter the girls' restroom for giggles and the turmoil that seethed out into the classroom all that day.  ALL students have the right to privacy.  No student's individual gender choice should overcome this right of a free appropriate education for the whole group. During this time of the pandemic, teachers and students do NOT need one more thing interrupting the teaching of basics.  Students are woefully behind and need a safe, calm environment to catch up. Again, I am strongly opposed to these guidelines since they will be detrimental to the learning process.


YOU'VE LOST YOUR SANITY / OUR KIDS GET DAMAGED

If you implement any of this completely illogical, inappropriate, and confusing social experimentation in our tax-funded schools, you and you alone will be liable for the irreparable damage you will cause our children.  There are multiple layers to how absolutely foolish and irresponsible this politically correct garbage, but here's a few: Our kids' international competitiveness in the basics; (math/science, reading/writing and classical education) continues to decline annually, and this is DIRECTLY proportional to the # of new social experiment stuff you've increasingly introduced at the expense of actual EDUCATION-focused initiatives.  STOP and get back to the basics... this is what we're paying you for!! PARENTS and families OWN the responsibilities of dealing with the complicated subjects of sexuality and identity.  Schools can offer advice/mentoring WHEN SOLICITED, but otherwise need to STAY out of this business pushing agendas that don't align with the majority of tax payers.  Even if it did, this is NOT YOUR ROLE. Kids have dealt w/ identity questions for millennia.  Instead of leaving these issues to parents where they belong, or offering good guidance on the sex that NATURE made them, you are injecting absolute confusion when you entertain the prospect of the foolish deception of 'transgenderism'.  Step back for a minute.. do you realize how utterly ridiculous this is??  We were created with beautiful, glorious identities and natures, that have always needed a little coaching from moms, dads and sane adults.  Instead, you are injecting CONFUSION to impressionable kids that can only lead them down a path of further confusion, depression, and hopelessness.  YOU will be responsible and held accountable by our community and by God.. if you have any regard for Him and His creation?  If so- basic sanity check- He has never mistakenly made a man a woman, or a woman a man. DROP THIS TOPIC, STOP WASTING OUR TAX DOLLARS, AND FOCUS ON EDUCATION... the basics that continue to experience decline. John H. Husband, Father, Fairfax Cty Tax-Payer, U.S. Marine, Educator


Support for bill regarding treatment of transgender students in Virginia Public Schools

As a parent of an adult transgender child, I am grateful for this fine work and wholeheartedly support passage of this bill. Thank you!