STRONG SUPPORT- all children need a safe environment!

As a former FCPS virginia student i am writing in FULL SUPPORT of this act. It is essential that we support our children and provide a safe place for them to learn and grow. This is especially so for our most vulnerable students, including trans and nonbinary individuals. Many transgender students may not receive the support and kindness they need at home, and it is vital that schools remain a safe and supportive place for them to take refuge. Transgender students are particular vulnerable to abuse and can struggle with mental health issues when facing discrimination and violence. The transgender suicide rate is staggering, in both children and adults. We cannot let more children fall victim to this. There have been several concerns in opposition to this plan regarding sexual assault. This is primarily based in falsehood and bigotry. It is a common attack used against the transgender community in reality does not exist. Several studies have shown that supporting trans people and allowing to use their bathroom/ locker rooms of choice has no evidence in increased sexual assault. There are literally no cases of sexual assault committed by trans individuals once granted access to the bathroom corresponding to their gender identity. Transgender students will remain in our schools whether the school administration wants to acknowledge them or not. It is vital we provide them the support and protection they need. Ignoring them would be detrimental to their mental health and safety. When people are brave enough to stand up and be who they are without shame, the world becomes a better, more interesting place. It is our job to support and protect these children. Thank you Claire Hewer


Oppose Model Transgender Policy see comments

Bullying should not be accepted in any form. On page 7 it states: “First Amendment: The First Amendment protects freedom of speech and expression. Schools may not prevent students from expressing their identity.”  But the First Amendment also protects non-LGBTQ+ to freely express that people are either male or female.  Or would that speech be prohibited? On page 7, under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, it states “This may be understood” in the second sentence.  I will note the use of the “may.”  In that law, I believe the term “sex” meant male and female, not the other categories. On page 7 it states: “Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment: This clause guarantees every citizen equal protection under the law. It protects LGBTQ+ youth in schools from unfair or discriminatory school actions.” But doesn’t it protect non-LGBTQ+ from unfair or discriminatory school actions too?  Like the freedom to be in a locker room and not be exposed to the opposite sex’s genital? On page 6 is provides a definition for “LGBTQ+”, I believe the “L” “G” “B” “T” and somewhat “Q” are defined, but could you provide a definition for “+”.  Generally, in regulations and laws—terms need to be defined in a specific way to ensure the policy encompasses what it is supposed to.  It seems like the “+” would leave open the door to some group to say they are included in this regulation when the intention was not to include them.  Does the “+” include students who what the age of consent lowered to age 17? What about students that want the age lowered to 16 or 15 or maybe 12?  Does it included females that believe they were not made to be married to only one husband? Regarding this proposed policy, “Access to facilities such as restrooms and locker rooms that correspond to a student’s gender identity shall be available to all students.” It is easy to see that a male could use this policy to gain access to a female locker room for voyeuristic proposes.  In addition, if transgender is going to be acknowledged, there needs to be some way to officially change from one the other and not just letting students do it at anytime.  If a male walks into a female restroom for voyeuristic proposes and all he has to say to get out of trouble is “I changed to transgender for that time”—that should not be allowed. If a girl over 18 decides only wears the male part of a bathing suit at a swim competition and children are there watching, she could be charged with indecent exposure.  The only exemption to the law is breastfeeding. The family is the foundation of society.  If a child is having issues in this realm, the schools should be required to tell the parents of this issues.  School are not there to supplant parents.  Yes, if abuse is suspected it should be reported to authorities. Males and females are biologically different.  Allowing a male to participate in female sports is cheating and should not be allowed.  It robs females of equal protection and will rob them of athletic scholarship opportunities.  Funding used to support males in female sport should be counted as male expenditures for title IX.  If a female is injured due to a male being allowed to participate in a female sport, could there be any legal ramifications?


Proposed gender policy

I am opposed to the proposed gender policy primarily because it allows for deception of parents. Honest communication between educators and parents is very important. Also, there are problems with a policy that would stifle a student's ability to express their own beliefs for fear of negative consequences. I would rather not have children hurt because of gender OR religious beliefs. Nor would I want parents deceived.


Oppose

I can not believe that our world has come to this. We have to decide if we want to subject our children to russian roulette with a vaccine that is killing many, and now we have to decide if we can afford to quit our jobs to full time homeschool children if we do not believe in the right for boys to share a shower n locker room with our 12 yr old daughter. We have enough issues with teenage pregnancy, and this is going to cause even more cases. How is there not a religious exemption for this, or a way for there to be a room for each sex individually and then a separate area for those who wish and sign up to participate? No, forcing children into this is going to increase teacher/children rape cases, teenage pregnancy, unwanted advances... It is not about trangender. Need to look deeper folks. This is about turning children into little minions like they are trying to do to adults with the whole mask and vaccine stuff right now. Do not take away pur childrens innocence, and VA I am disappointed in you as well as governor Northan for even considering this as an option!!! Pray America!


SUPPORT

Absolutely support!!!! Trans people deserve the same rights as everyone else. America is about equal rights for all!!


Strongly disagree

I strongly disagree with the bill and there is no science to back up transgenderism, especially with children. This is a topic for each individual and family to handle and not the school system


Support--Trans Students Have a Right to feel Safe in School

I am currently earning my teaching license while working as a practicum teacher in a Richmond high school. I have met a number of students that identify as trans, non-binary, or gender questioning. These kids deserve to feel safe and comfortable while in school. If a student feels unsafe or unseen in the classroom, he/she/they have little hope of succeeding academically--a fact supported by many of the educational theorists I've studied in my licensure program. This policy would ensure that our trans students have the chance to excel without the threat of harassment or violence.


Transgender is a mental health issue.  Offer compassionate support towards true freedom

Biological and anatomical facts exist.  Confusion in the mind and emotions keep a transgender person from living true freedom of their gender identity. Kids deserve to be taught the real truth and origins of transgender struggles, many of which have come from abusive homes, drug use, psychological shaming, etc.


Strongly Support

I strongly support achieving equal rights for all people, including trans people.


Guidance document

Vote no! Do not support bill


Support LGBTQ+ kids

I support guidance for students and educators to accept and support trans youth in schools. Educational institutions should be a safe place where all children can learn and expand their horizons. We all benefit from a more open-minded and community oriented youth. May these children be able to live their truth safely in school.


Support

I, we, support the guidance. It’s a basic human right to feel safe and specially so while getting an education. Regardless of how one identifies themselves. No kid should have to struggle with these issues. All kids deserve to have 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.


mandating gender legislation

I do not support it. Teaching respect for human beings is very different than having school legislation regarding it. Bullying, given many times as the reason for support, is a distraction. Bullying for any reason should be mitigated by intolerance to it, regardless of the origin.


Safety for all students

I am in support of programs promoting safe learning environments for all student, regardless of sexual identity. This includes all students including those who are transgender, non-binary, and/or members of the LGBTQ community.


Strongly support

As a parent, a grandparent, and a retired educator in Bedford County for 29 years, I know this support for our students is greatly needed.


Vote NO!!!

strongly disagree!!!


Human rights

We are all human.  There is no logical reason why someone should be discriminated against because of their gender, or non gender.


Are you people crazy?

Who in their right minds thinks it's cool to allow confused boys into the girls locker rooms/bathrooms. Evidently, the answer is DEMOCRATS. Here's a suggestion. If a kid is confused about their gender (of which there are only TWO), get them some help. Don't make everyone else have to pretend that that kid is normal and entertain their mental illness. Gheesh


Strongly Support

This guidance is absolutely necessary.  All children in every community, including the LBGT Community, deserve to feel safe in their schools.  Discrimination, in any form, should not be tolerated in public schools.


I do Not Agree to any of this, outrageous

Every parent has the right to know what there children are doing. Everybody has the right to religious beliefs that will NOT be infringed upon. This is nonsense and needs to be stopped immediately


Oppose threatening children to be removed from home if they don’t comply with transgender pronouns.

I strongly oppose the language of threats used to make sure children and parents comply with transgender pronouns. The threat of removing a child from its safe and secure home will inflict more damage on that child because other children have an identity crisis. What sane person actually thinks you can control someone’s tongue?  It is not humanly possible for this to be done.  We rear our children according to the standards of our American way of life; we were taught right from wrong and good from evil, and that will never change. Doctors have been announcing the arrival of Boys and Girls for centuries. Scalia is going way beyond his esteemed position to impose such ridiculous thoughts upon young families, Whoever wrote this document should rethink their own humanity and see if they have any sensibilities left.


Strongly support. Trans kids need support and protection.

Don't really have anything to add. Just that trans kids need all the love, support, and protection they can get, and they deserve all the love, support, and protection in the world.


Strongly oppose

It is not the schools responsibility to teach children about transgender people, It is incredibly unacceptable that they should use bathrooms of the opposite gender and unacceptable that they play sports on their preferred gender team. No matter what they believe in their mind that their gender is their genetics say otherwise and should be kept separated in sport and bathrooms. If a boy wants to look like a girl that’s his choice but he should do so in the boys bathroom and on a men’s/boys sports team since that is his genetic disposition and vice versa for girls.


If You Care For Your Students, VOTE YES!

I strongly support this well-researched and evidence-based proposal. Public education systems are entrusted with the responsibility to serve ALL of our students and provide responsive, inclusive, and safe learning environments. Policies that actively support transgender students are associated with higher rates of school attendance, higher academic achievement, and improvements in both mental and physical health. As public entities entrusted with student safety, we should always act with the most vulnerable students in mind. This policy would protect previously vulnerable students and create safer, more inclusive learning environments.


strongly apposed to this policy. follow the science on covid but ignore it on biology? wake up!

parents should be the ones to guide their children on these matters.


Trans rights are human rights

Teaching kids to recognize one another’s differences as strengths and tools for building healthy communities should not be optional - it should be necessary. Protection of those identifying as transgender is imperative to stop the cycle of violence toward marginalized communities.


Care for Children and School Faculty

I have seen research indicating the dangers of affirming this transgender ideology and how children regardless of affirmation have a high chance of suicide. Most of the time, it is a phase children go through so to encourage it as truth is dangerous to them. Also, it creates unsafe environments for biological females as well as denies them the freedom in sports to compete against equal female peers. When a child is not allowed to give consent to counseling or other services until a certain age (typically 18), then why do we assume they can figure this information out? If we direct them to this framework of thinking, then we are sending children to harm, potential sexual abuse from peers, and potentially suicide. Also, for those whose conscience or religious beliefs do not follow this line of thinking can impose stress and difficulty on them to serve these children properly. We need an atmosphere of care, guidance, and respect for each other which demanding these things does not create. Thank you for giving people a chance to communicate concerns.


SUPPORT

I support trans youth be protected in schools.


Do Not support

"While the school must support and even encourage such sexual inquiry, the policy instructs staff to pursue potential removal of children from a home using Child Protective Services, should the parents become aware and disagree." If this is true this is a pretty big overreach by the government. I don't really know anyone who supports bullying or wants anyone to feel uncomfortable, but it feels like the government is going out of its way to push kids in the direction of questioning themselves rather than letting them be kids like we have for as long as I've been on this earth. If there should be separate bathrooms and locker rooms for this small minority, then schools should figure that out, but going out of your way to exclude parents in having any say seems a bit authoritarian. Perhaps there can be a compromise somewhere, but as written, this policy seems designed to create more problems than it solves.


Strongly support. Protect and nurture children as they grow.

As a Nonbinary identifying adult, it is incredibly important to protect children who are experiencing gender questioning or dysphoria. No good ever comes from repression and shame. Let children feel safe to explore their gender expression. Protect them. Please.


I love this

It's nice to know that students , possibly my own kids one day , will be supported no matter who they turn out being. It's hard enough to just be a kid in these times. I like the idea of making it easier for all kids to just be kids.


Strongly OPPOSED

Strongly opposed the transgender policy in school


Claiming to be wise they became fools

First they came for the Jews and I did not speak out because I was not a Jew. Then they came for the trade unionists and I did not speak out because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for me and there was no one left to speak out for me. Where does this end? Where is your conscience and protection of the young? May God help you whether from ignorance or evil. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things. Rom 1


STRONGLY OPPOSE

This policy is NOT backed by science.   Accepting a child that is confused, or wanting to be gay is one thing.   Accepting this nonsense of changing pronouns daily is creating an environment that is not conducive to learning.  It produces chaos and is not fair to those students who are there to learn.   Yes, implement kindness and non bullying policies.  DO NOT mess with Biological science.   You do not care about Kids and their education if you're spending your time creating these destructive policies.   Vehemently Opposed!!


STRONGLY OPPOSED

STRONGLY OPPOSED


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

If VDOE approves the draft policies, they would undercut parents’ involvement in the life of their children at school, and endanger the bodily privacy and safety of all students. Schools should not be accommodating the especially harmful view that youth is an appropriate time to be encouraging, in some cases, irreversible ‘gender transitions.’  The “model policies” represent an attempt by the state not only to aggressively intervene in the privacy of Virginia families but pit children against their legal guardians. Children live under the guardianship of adults (such as parents or grandparents) precisely because they lack the maturity, prudence, and experience to make safe, responsible decisions for themselves. If the "model policies" is approved the education of our children will no longer be the subject to the decisions of parents, but the whims of the state. I strongly oppose the “Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia’s Public Schools.


Stongly opposed

Please DO NOT allow the school to discuss topics as transgender to our previous young children!! They are in school to learn not to be confused about being a boy or girl.


NO to transgender policies

No.  It is illogical to say students can decide to use whatever restroom they want in any given day of the week.  Not because actual transgender students will abuse it but because others will.  Also, I CANNOT can a boy a girl and vice versus.  It violates my religious beliefs.  I love all students but should not have to sacrifice my convictions.  I just won’t use pronouns when addressing them at all.  Why aren’t my rights being protected?  The first amendment allows me to believe What I want in terms of religion.  But these very policies will prevent me from practicing my beliefs and will actually force me to go against them.


I STRONGLY OPPOSE

Parents have to be involved in any situation, whether is is the questioning child or the one being subject to abiding to these overreaching rules. Stop all bullying and harassment yes, but do not make schools a grand experiment for all children and youth. Counsel the questioning and help guide them to a gender decision with professional assistance, but do not force kids aged 6-18 to give up personal protections and beliefs of their own, which these regulations do.


Strongly opposed to new transgender policy

To Whom It May Concern, Please register my concern about the upcoming vote on transgender policy in schools.  Our schools are NOT the place to be teaching what is right or wrong about sexual orientation, and every policy that our schools are empowered to make about this and similar issues further takes away from our families to raise our children as we believe best.  The schools' purpose is to educate academics, not raise morally.  It is not right for school policy to divorce the rights and responsibilities of the family/parents from their children, especially with policy that includes non-notification of matters pertaining to the child. Schools can support children by encouraging mutual respect, integrity, kindness and other such values as they pertain to the school community.  But never should our government or schools be allowed to step into the rights of a family in matters of how to raise children in matters of religious and personal preferences.


FULLY SUPPORT A SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT FOR LGBTQ STUDENTS

We should be working on creating a supportive and affirming for a students, including lgbtq students


STRONGLY OPPOSE

Increased chaos in schools...fewer talented, caring teachers choosing to go into or stay in the public school system...schools violating parental rights...schools violating student safety and security...and the list of undesirable and destructive consequences to this model proposed by the VDOE could just go on and on.  This model flies in the face of what parents send their children to school for--a solid education that will prepare them for responsible adulthood.  This model might be appropriately called, "Really Good Plan to Rid Schools of Students, Teachers, and Parental Support".   Do NOT adopt this detrimental plan.


Strongly support

Thank you for creating much needed guidelines to support LGBTQ youth. Having set policies for all schools will remove a great burden from students, parents, teachers, and administrators trying to navigate challenges in school, year after year. Studies have shown how important it is to support  youth to benefit their mental health. Life can be hard enough for kids, let’s not add to that burden, but instead empower and encourage them.


Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia Schools

I strongly support this document.


Strongly Opposed

I am strongly opposed to implementing transgender policies in Virginia public schools. Please respect my parental rights in this matter.


LGBTQ

My wife and I strongly support the equal treatment of all of our young people without discrimination.


LGBT education

I strongly oppose this anti God indoctrination of our children.


Lying is harmful to families

In addition to my disagreement with mandating LGBTQ+ policies as part of public education, I am horrified to hear that these policies also encourage lying to parents if they are not supportive of their children's gender identity. Dividing children from their parents, by intentionally hiding information from the parents and teaching children to do likewise, cannot hope to create stability or support for the child or the parents.


Transgender

Your words (my questions in bold):  "These guidelines address common issues regarding transgender students in accordance with evidence-based best practices (what evidence??) and include information (from whom?) , guidance (from whom?) , procedures (whose?) , and standards (whose standards?) relating to: compliance with applicable nondiscrimination laws; maintenance of a safe and supportive learning environment free from discrimination and harassment for all students; prevention of and response to bullying and harassment; maintenance of student records; identification of students; protection of student privacy and the confidentiality of sensitive information; enforcement of sex-based dress codes; and student participation in sex-specific school activities, events, and use of school facilities." This parallels the U.S. House of Representatives efforts to “. . . honor all gender identities by changing pronouns and familial relationships in the House rules to be gender neutral.”  Gender neutral is oxymoronic (more accurately, moronic).  Their ( and your) proposed rules are not honoring anybody or protecting anybody, including those poor souls who want to think they are what they are not.  It is dishonoring/disrespecting us and them by playing let's pretend to pander to a bunch of self-anointed elitists who aim to control the rest of us as deplorables.  These rules suggest that if I think I am a dog/elf/god/whatever, I am - provided of course that I use the approved pronouns.  Being forced to say I am what I am not is stupid and Orwellian.  All my children and grandchildren know better - and so does my dog.  Is this political pandering, or stupidity, something else, or all of the above?  Yes to all.  This whole effort is more amoral value-free baloney being pressed on all of us to break down the culture and put us under the control of "the anointed" (actually self-anointed).


Everyone has rights

Let's respective the sensitivities of all. Designate all restrooms as male, female and others. Those who do not want persons of the other sex at birth in their restroom have rights too.


Everyone has rights


Oppose the policy

Every single child—including and especially those struggling with sexual confusion—should be protected from harm and harassment. There is no question of that. And Virginia has a good anti-bullying law. But this new, proposed policy goes way beyond prevention and crosses the line into mandatory promotion of politicized, sexualized ideology. Considering that scientific studies and medical experts make clear the majority of children outgrow gender confusion by the time they reach adolescence—it’s, at best, irresponsible to push involuntary promotion of gender confusion in a public education setting—and, at worst, actually damaging to kids who are still developing. If a boy thinks he's a fish, or would rather be a fish, he has a problem. The least hrmful solution is not surgery to make him more like a fish, but psychology, to persuade him otherwise. He'll change his mind when drowning, if not earlier. The proposed policy is child abuse, manipulating children to support a political ideology.


Strongly Oppose Special Treatment of Transgender Students

All students and teachers should be free from harassment, bullying, and abuse.  Let all teachers and students have a positive environment in which to teach and learn.  Implementing policies for a few students that harass, bully and abuse everyone else is unworkable.  The correct use of the English language should be a priority in public schools. Making an issue of gender identity in public schools is just another way of breaking down the discipline and respect of all human beings within the school system. Making policies that trample the rights of anyone, and harass teachers and students is only going to make the school environment full of fear , bullying, and abuse.


Strongly oppose all the ignorant, uninformed, small minded comments I see here.

I support the policy. It’s designed to support at risk kids and provide them a healthy safe environment for learning. Because they likely spend their home time around a bunch of ignorant Virginia red necks.


Transgender policy

Strongly oppose to transgender policy


strongly oppose

Strongly oppose this recommended proposal.  Might as well say kids can emancipate themselves as soon as they can speak.  This makes about as much sense.


Stop The Transgender Indoctrination In Schools

The model regulations infringe the First Amendment rights of parents to raise and care for their children. Schools have a duty to protect the bodily privacy and dignity of all students.


Oppose all policies

As a parent to three school-age children I strongly oppose all proposed policies.


I strongly and lovingly don’t recommend this policy.

It’s not a good thing to do.


UNICORNS ARE REAL CORNS

You're a hateful bigot if you don't acknowledge unicorns as being REALLY corny....


SEAHORSES ARE REAL HORSES!

You're a hateful bigot if you don't recognize seahorses as REAL horses...


School policies

School is meant to teach children the skills needed to survive in life with basic levels of understanding of math, science, government, and history. Schools should not participate in subverting children with issues not based on facts. Instead of focusing on him, her, z, they , it or whatever the popular term is of the day, schools should focus on teaching students on how to work together and cooperate to develop skills necessary to make the country truly better as Americans not defined by groups.


Hot Dogs are REAL dogs.

You're a hateful bigot if you don't walk your hotdog and take it for checkups at the veterinarian.


This policy is not safe for all

I fully support the idea that all students should be treated with kindness and have a safe environment at school.  This proposal itself states on page 10 that "schools should provide a safe educational experience for all students." However, allowing biological males into girls' bathrooms and locker rooms (literally) opens the door to abusive and predatory behavior and is absolutely not a safe environment for our girls.  An adequate number of single occupant bathrooms available to all students is a far better solution. Additionally, gender identity is a topic that must be handled with parental input and guidance.  Schools are not allowed to give a student a Tylenol without written consent from a parent or guardian; how could this policy presume to exclude parents from the far more significant discussion of gender identity? And finally, the idea that a parent could be reported to CPS for abuse is overreaching political nonsense.  Attempting to help a child who is experiencing gender confusion to think carefully and thoroughly about the issue is an expression of kindness and concern, and bowing to this political (not medical) policy could truly contribute to the harm of our children.


strongly oppose this policy

I strongly oppose this policy and do not feel that it will be healthy for our children or the teachers. Leaving parents out of the loop sets a dangerous precedent and should NOT happen!


strongly oppose this policy


This is absolutely unacceptable!

This is absolutely unacceptable!


Strongly oppose this purposed policy.  Schools shouldn’t be involved in this period.

Discussions of sexuality or anything pertaining to this should be left to the parents and their child.  Get back to basics....reading, writing and math.


Dangerous policy, keep boys out of the girls room

If you let some boy come into the girls locker room and he starts ogling and harassing my daughter I will sue the school district so fast you won't believe it. This is a dangerous opportunity for sexual harassment to occur.


I support transgender students, but oppose this policy

I agree that we should support all students, including transgender students and should discourage and prevent bullying or abuse.  However, I believe this policy goes too far because it will cause more harm than good. It will remove parents from helping their children, whether the child is exploring their identity, is accused of discriminating against a transgender child or is subjected to unwanted and uncomfortable bathroom use by people of the opposite biological sex.


You got to be kidding me

You got to be ing kidding me. If your kid has a penis he is a boy, if your kid has a vagina she is a girl no if ands or buts. That’s the way god made you so deal with it. If I see a boy going into the restroom with my daughter it’ll be his last. The parents shouldn’t condone such behavior


NO NO AND NO

This is absolutely unacceptable.


I am so disappointed

We have 4 kids in public schools and we are so grateful for the amazing teachers (and administrators) they have interacted with at their schools. I am very upset about these proposals.  There is no way that it can be safe for boys to have the freedom to walk in on a young lady changing or using the restroom.  None of my kids want to come back to school now because this new policy is making them feel unsafe (1st through 8th grade). My husband's only response was that he will sue the school if any boy walks in on his daughters.  But sadly, at that point the damage will be done.  We are very strongly considering homeschool from here on out if this is the direction schools are going.


Absolutely not

Absolutely not


My Gender Identity is literally Hitler. Teachers should call me by my pronoun: "Mien Furher"

My Gender Identity is Adolf Hitler. My sexual orientation is the holocaust. My pronoun is "Mien Furher." I should be respected with dignity and the government should pay for my transition. It's not wrong, it's natural. If you don't think this is as valid as the other tranny stuff, then you are a hateful bigot. If you don't like it, you are hateful bigot. ^This all of course is equally as reasonable as the policies proposed.


Policies need to be more moderate. Clearly two extremes voicing opinion here. Find the middle.

I think these policies are politically too far to the left. Clearly a large portion of population is vehemently against the policies for very valid reasons that should be considered (including believing the policies constitute child sex abuse.) Supporting these children is good, but you've got to find a reasonable middle-ground way to do so that actually respects the rights and duties of parents and their culture (as it stands, these policies are potentially xenophobic  and monocultural.) If you go through with these policies, it's very likely that many families will alienated from the public school system.


Opposed

These guidelines are too arbitrary and open to manipulation. Their implementation would cause confusion and worse -- would end up harming children.


Strongly OPPOSE

I pulled my children out of public schools when virtual school began.  The fact that this insanity is even being considered means they will never go back to public school.


new transgender policies- STRONGLY OPPOSE!!

Strongly opposed to this agenda.  This only gives freedom of choice and action to a small minority of students and any who opposes this policy is left with the aftermath of issues.  This will destroy the innocence of children and is abusive to force this agenda on the most vulnerable population we have.


STRONGLY OPPOSE

This will confuse children who knew exactly who they were.


OPPOSE Transgender Indoctrination- Nature and Biology assign our gender. It's SCIENCE.

God, nature and biology assign our gender. It's God's gift to us. It's science. Teach our children the truth about who they are and love and encourage them instead of promoting and adding to their confusion. You can provide a safe caring environment for all children without promoting one segment of the population above others.


Strongly Oppose LBGTQ Legislation & Indoctrination

The entire LBGTQ movement is utter nonsense and a non-issue; it should not be given one minute of legislative time nor one cent of taxpayer money.  You are born one gender or the other--period.  You may think, feel, perceive...whatever, yourself something else, but you're not.  Nor are you a minority or some kind of entitled, protected class.  What you are is need serious professional help.  Like everything else going on in our country now, the LBGTQ agenda is complete lunacy and madness.


Transgender policy in schools

strongly oppose the promotion of transgender indoctrination to children in schools.


Oppose!

strongly oppose as harmful and pernicious.


Strongly oppose

I strongly oppose transgender indoctrination in all schools.


Strongly oppose

As a parent or small children, I cannot imagine the amount of confusion or damage that will be done to their developing minds if they are taught this. This does not mean I do not sympathize with those who truly have gender confusion, I think these children need a lot of support. But to implement policies that require the teachings of schools to bring forth the idea of multiple genders, the ability to change genders as you see fit, and to punish those who may innocently say the incorrect pronoun of their peer, student or teacher whom they see as the pronoun they said? This is very, very disturbing. How is everything deemed offensive and punishable now? This ideology not only goes against our Christian beliefs, but it allows for complete confusion to our children by pressing the idea of gender being a choice rather than being biological. In addition, by allowing all genders to share restrooms and locker rooms will be a serious mistake and one where no parent or child will feel safe. Instead of only thinking of how not to offend those who are gender confused, please consider the majority who are uncomfortable sharing a bathroom with someone not biologically the same gender. There will always be those who abuse the system by pretending to be something they are not in order to take advantage of others and I think this would be a gateway for that to happen. My children won’t become victims of a system where a grown man is allowed to be in the restroom with them if he says he identifies as a female. Again I do sympathize with those who truly are afflicted with this confusion, but there will be more problems than benefits to all by implementing these new rules. My children will not attend public school if this is being taught. Please protect ALL of our children and do not force gender confusion into their precious minds.


I am absolutely opposed to this

Stop pushing transsexualism and sexual deviancy down our children's throats.  Children should be able to obtain an education without being force-fed anti-scientific delusions.  Schools should not be promoting sexual confusion and mental illness.  Any politician who votes for this should be permanently voted out of office at the earliest opportunity.


Oppose new policies regarding transgender students

I am writing to express opposition for the proposed policies that will affect school faculty, students, teachers, families, and the cultural development in Virginia regarding transgender children. The proposed policies completely disregard scientific facts regarding biological sex, and force faculty to impose this disregard for facts across the student body. It also undermines the family's role in raising children by alienating parental rights to know what their children are doing while at public school. I recognize that this policy aims to protect students assumed to be "at risk;" however, the collateral damage is far greater suffering across a student body forced to adopt language and cultural attitudes inconsistent with biological facts, the marginalization of parental roles and rights, and the inevitable conflicts that will arise when school staff is bound by these policies to enforce them. The proposed policy would once again put schools in a position to accept responsibility for cultural issues that have nothing to do with teaching / education. Children are not allowed to get tattoos and piercings under age 18 without parental consent; I argue that it is child abuse to permit children to engage in life long changes through school without parental consent or knowledge. These policies will create a mental health crisis that overshadows the mental health crises currently facing students. While gender dysphoria is a medically recognized condition, it usually resolves without necessitating permanent physical or hormonal changes prior to adulthood. Encouraging student to pursue changes while their brains and bodies are still developing is more than irresponsible, it is child abuse and will cause more lasting damage than the damage to children that this proposed legislation seeks to mitigate.


Opposed

While their should be anti-bullying policies the state state should not be involved in this issue.


Opposed!

We can support transgender kids without being this extreme.  My daughter should NOT have to compete with a biological boy in the pool or on the track. Of course I believe women are strong and amazing, but we are physically different.  It's a fact. We as women have fought to hard and for to long to have our own sports.


Oppose - Redundant Legislation

I do not feel the guidelines to this policy have been thoroughly assessed.  While the intent to curb bullying of vulnerable individuals is an important lesson for children to receive; it does not have to be done in manner which highlights one specific group.  Additionally, these protected individuals are already covered under all of the laws that are cited in the beginning of the document and subsequently additional state level legal parameters are redundant.  Please stick to providing private restrooms/changing facilities and mental health support without imposing additional regulations unnecessarily on the rest of the student body.


You've lost your minds

This is anti-science.  This is post-modernist BS. You've lost your minds. In most cases, these kids need psychological help, not affirmation and confirmation. You are making it worse.  Stop doing harm. This is part of the reason why suicide rates among teens have skyrocketed in the last 30 years.


Opposed!

I am opposed to these guidelines because they usurp the responsibilites of parents. The state is seeking to replace the role of  parents concerning the sexual identity of their children and is promoting deception by children.  Guidelines also will not provide a safe environment for all children because students will be allowed to use whatever bathroom or dressing room they choose. This is a violation of privacy and will have negative consequences particularly on young women.


Read the impressive document!  It educates, not mandates.

The document elevates the voices of this young and poorly understood population.  It offers education and guidance to school boards for use when making policy.  VA is lucky to have leaders who value medical input around health equity for all.  -an Alabama pediatrician.


Support DOE Transgender Student Protections for all those in educational institutions in Virginia.  Experience elsewhere shows abundantly that these basic civil rights protections are needed and must be fully implemented.


I feel bullied into accepting this

I’m feeling bullied into accepting this. I don’t want to be scared and bullied into allowing something like this to happen in the name of inclusion. I have younger brother and sisters that I feel like they were safe in school but if this happens I’m scared they won’t be. Schools are supposed to be safe spaces where we can learn and grow. Just because I treat others with respect as a human doesn’t mean I need to be bullied to be like them or adopt their way. Let me just be safe in school.


Enthusiastically support

As an educator and the parent of a transgender girl in the Virginia public school system, I enthusiastically support the VDOE's new guidelines. My daughter transitioned in 2nd grade and has been in the public schools for eight years now in her affirmed gender, with none of the problems and issues that are sometimes imagined by opponents of these guidelines. On the whole, we have had creative and supportive principals, teachers, counselors and nurses but have also repeatedly had to "reinvent the wheel" for each new school, administration, set of teachers and so on. Having these guidelines in place will give parents like us clarity that the policies and practices we have negotiated with one set of teachers and administrators will still be in place as those people change -- and also that solutions we have found will be made available to all students in the state who need them. I urge public support for these guidelines so that parents can worry less about their child's safety at school and so kids like my daughter can get on with the important tasks of learning and succeeding in school (especially now) without having to think about issues such as bathroom use or being called by the right name and pronouns that others take for granted.


Support whole-heartedly!

I support the guidance.


Fully Support

As the mother of a transgender teen, I fully support the DOE guidance on transgender student protections.  Our family has dealt with so much in navigating these issues with our school system.  Having guidance will help make the process of assisting children with these issues easier for the schools. This guidance is consistent with recent court rulings in the region and makes sense. Thank you.


Opposed!

Transgender policy   ......This is a difficult thing for an adult to figure out, let alone a young person. We don't let kids make a decision to vote or drink until older. Their brains are still developing. I know there may be a few that are able to make a decision that they are "transgender" but most are not. Special considerations could be made for those in that situation but it should not be a blanket policy.


Department of Education Transgender Policy

The proposed policies articulate views – such as the view that “Gender identity is considered an innate characteristic that most children declare by age five to six ” – that are far different from those of many parents. Through its blanket endorsement of views like these, the VDOE has gone far beyond the path the General Assembly prescribed. Schools have a duty to protect the bodily privacy and dignity of all students. No child should be forced to share showers, locker rooms, hotel rooms or other intimate settings with a member of the opposite biological sex. Many children would feel uncomfortable when they encounter a member of the opposite sex – particularly adults – in gendered facilities or when entering a shared hotel room as part of an overnight school activity. Children, particularly adolescents, can experience hypersensitive and traumatic reactions to these situations. Schools should not be accommodating the especially harmful view that youth is an appropriate time to be encouraging, in some cases, irreversible “gender transitions”. The model regulations infringe the First Amendment rights of parents to raise and care for their children. The Department’s proposed policies would pit children against their parents when it comes to important questions about sex and gender identity.


School Nurse perspective-Opposed

As a school nurse I have sat on the bathroom floor with a child who was crying, wrists cut and bleeding, telling me she had ruined her parent's marriage and was so unhappy she did know what to do.  Why?  Because she thought that becoming transgender was the answer to her problems.  And as she stated proudly to me that she was transgenger, inside she was breaking.  The Transgender Policy will not help this girl or her parents, and it will not help the teachers, counselors, principles or school nurses.  Under the guise of trying to help confused children, we are making things worse.  All chidren need to know that from the moment of conception their sex was determined by their DNA.  It was just genes.  Children have much to contend with these days in their personal lives, their family lives and in society.  Children need a firm foundation to stand on.  The school needs to stick to reading, writing, and arithmetic.  The family and it's traditions are responsible for teaching children the rest.  The School should focus on its job to prepare our children to be productive members of society.  And when the School does need to become involved, the parents, the child, and the counselors need to be in the same room deciding on a plan that is acceptable to all involved.  Schools as an extension of the government need only to provide a safe atmosphere for all children.  That is best done by keeping children busy in school doing schoolwork, teachers teaching the fundamentals of basic subjects, and principles and counselors maintaining dscipline by keeping children quiet and focused on school related subjects, or restricted from interating with their fellow students if they need punishment. Thank you.


Transgender policy and abortion change

We oppose


In Support of the Policies

Clearly, these comments reflect the fact that for many the idea of gender fluidity and trans identity is problematic, and in today’s already polarized climate we should make it a priority to address and discuss these issues through civil conversation.  Many of the comments I see here do nothing but deepen the divide between different perspectives.  My own opinion is that schools should not be burdened with the task of resolving debates over gender identity.  Public institutions should respect the most fundamental priority of our democracy, having to do with respecting the  equality of all human beings as such, regardless of their race, gender, or beliefs.  I believe it is always better to err on the side of safeguarding these ideals rather than of undermining them.  Otherwise, we risk re-creating institutionalized forms of discrimination that we saw under segregation not so many years ago.  African-Americans then were barred from using the same restrooms as whites, and now we view this as an outrage.  Gay and lesbian couples not long ago were prevented from marrying, and now—whatever our personal beliefs—most of the country believes these individuals should receive the same legal protections and have the same rights as heterosexuals.  Do we want to risk the same kind of short-sightedness now?  Though some may  believe these policies for the  treatment of  transgender students are based on false or dangerous assumptions about gender, I would urge that we recognize that these policies are motivated by a desire to do good, or at least to avoid harm to vulnerable individuals.  Questions about transgender identity will continue to be debated, but they are more likely to be addressed constructively—within families, in therapy, among friends and in communities— where there is a will to love and understand our neighbor.  Many of the students in these schools are already far more at ease with the  idea of gender fluidity  than their parents are.  I wonder, therefore, if objections to these policies  really have to do with what these young people themselves actually want  as a community looking to their own future.  Preserving and affirming the dignity and safety of human beings who are not harming us in any way, whoever they are and however one might disagree with them, I believe, is a good that our democracy is built on and that we must continue to sustain.


Model policy for treatment of transgender students

I am strongly opposed to this model policy. As a proud father of five children and grandparent of nine, I am so thankful that at least the five children have all gone through the Virginia public educational system. I am concerned about the grandchildren, all of primary school age. Due to COVID 19, three (2 in second grade and 1 in fourth grade) have been enrolled in private schools and their instruction and development in comparison to what they were receiving in public school is astonishing.  I can’t imagine what positive affect the model policy could have on public school education. I certainly sympathize with those who are struggling with gender identity and bullying. Prior to my Senior year I was the smallest child in my class and had not even gone through puberty. I was bullied constantly and was struggling with emotional problems. Had this model policy been in effect, I would have certainly wondered about my gender “assignment”.  A “supportive” school environment would be there and, if my parents even questioned a gender change, I could be protected from an “abusive” home environment.  My hormones finally kicked in and I grew to normal size. Thank God for me that this model policy was not in effect. This model policy may be helpful to some but I think that it will create more harm than good.  It will create yet another layer of bureaucracy and goldmine for litigation but do little to improve Virginia public education.  It will certainly increase the state’s encroachment on family structure and traditional family values.  We don’t need a Nanny state.


Rethink

“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.” So says this proposal.  But the statement is dangerous nonsense. A person's internal sense does not change his/her physical biology, and it is physical biology that determines our interactions with each other.  Athletes compete with their bodies, not their "internal sense of identity," and woman are raped and molested not by "male identities" but by (generally stronger) male bodies.  We disadvantage women and girls when we pretend bodies don't matter. People who suffer from gender dysphoria need help accepting their bodies, not the rest of the world pretending with them that bodies are irrelevant.  These guidelines, which are an massive exercise in make believe, should be rejected.


Opposed

Since when were schools supposed to take over the role of parents in the upbringing of their children?  It is my responsibility as a father to instill a sense of right and wrong, to demonstrate to my children how to act in a civil society, to demonstrate how to respect those in authority, and demonstrate how to treat others, especially those that we disagree with, as they want to be treated. These guidelines overstep the responsibility of the schools.  It is MY job to teach my children about sex, to teach my children about how they were designed, to teach my children how they were fearfully and wonderfully made.  That is NOT the role of the school system.  I refuse to allow schools to take away the innocence of my children by having children of the opposite sex changing in their presence.  It can be awkward enough changing in front of people of the same sex.  I could not imagine the unnecessary fears I would be placing on my children if these policies were to be enacted. If these policies are passed and implemented within Virginia public schools, then I will be exercising my right to educate my child at home or work a second job to send them to private school.  I refuse to have public schools actively undermining the upbringing of my children.  My children are my responsibility, they do NOT belong to the government.


Oppose Transgender Mandates

Oppose these transgender mandates. These are horrific rules that will cause severe and long lasting psychological problems for our children and their families. Parents have the right to educate their children and discuss these important ideas with them without school interference. Disallowing religious exemptions is unconstitutional and we will sue if you enforce these. I am a woman and proud of it. My children have the natural right be proud of their inherent gender. They also have the right to be protected from sexual assault, either verbal, emotional or physical, by other children or teachers who declare transgender and enter bathrooms, locker rooms etc of the opposite sex. These are ludicrous and evil mandates. Protect our children from false ideologies. Give parents the right to educate their children and to intervene when they see fit.


Parent Opposed

I oppose this policy because it effectually indoctrinates young children to accept  transgender policies as the right and required way.  The transgender agenda goes against my deeply held religious belief that God made males and females.  According to the guidance document, if students and staff do not accept the transgender mindset and practices they are likely to be disciplined for being a bully. I do not want my children to bully anyone, and I encourage them to be kind to all people, including people who are different from themselves.  However, Virginia schools should not push affirmation of the transgender student’s identity on others.  The guidance document requires students and staff to encourage the transgender person’s identity, likely against the deeply and sincerely held beliefs of many students and staff.


Absolutely oppose all of this.

These policies are a violation of parental rights and it is absurd you would consider allowing impressionable children to “explore” this without communicating with the parents. I absolutely oppose every single one of these recommendations. Preserving religious freedom as well is essential to our liberty on this country. Strongly, absolutely oppose these policies.


Undermining families does nothing for the health of society

I write in confident and urgent opposition to the proposals for Virginia schools. Obviously we want respect and love for our fellow humans to be the basis of any civics program; but as for this deep dive into a very specific and scientifically unsupported ideology of transgenderism and all it implies about materialist / dualist philosophy -- that is just not the same thing as an elementary school civics lesson. When a school system offers no exemptions to controversial programs, its aim can only be to supplant the family. If this is not what you intend, I encourage you to make ample exemptions available, on any basis, not just religious. Because when you undermine families, you necessarily undermine the mental health of society for decades to come, and ironically, you cut the fissures of the culture war even deeper. Schools ought to be in the business of educating, and supporting families in the education of their children -- especially in these times of remote learning when parents are more involved in their child's education than ever before. To insist upon replacing a family's values with that of the government's preferred culture is, on its face, cultural imperialism. So, in review, these policies seem to insist upon: highly debatable materialist philosophizing with our young students, counterproductive school-against-family culture wars, and cultural imperialism. Again, I trust this is not what the policymakers intend. But I find the lack of vision and lack of concern for the implications of broad policies like this to be very, very concerning.


As a teacher and father, I strongly oppose this

It is heartbreaking that something as contrary to reason and anti-God as these proposals to make accommodations to students who identify as transgender is being considered by the VDOE and elected officials. In a sane society, you would be removed from your positions for attempting to do something so evil. It is anything but charitable or caring to pretend that students who suffer from gender dysphoria can change their biological sex by pretending that they are something that they are not. Furthermore, to subject other children to this and have them go along with the charade is harmful to everyone's development and innocence. We already live in a culture that is far too sexualized, and going ahead with these measures will continue this downward trend to new levels of depravity. It is with my full voice, that I oppose these measures, and instead encourage you to have measures to help these children accept who God created them to be. May God have mercy on you for wanting to push these harmful ideas on children, and it is my prayer that you may see the severe error of your ways and use your positions for good. I must admit that the only reason why I am hesitant to speak out against these measures is reprisal for speaking up. There is a great sense of fear among people to speak up with recent revelations coming to light about conservative speech being silenced on social media platforms or us being consistently measured as conspiracy theorists. As a teacher, I fear my message may put my job at risk. This is something that I cannot remain silent about, even though I imagine many will remain silent. If I am punished, then so be it. The actions of this state government have led me to realize that I may need to move my family out of the state if we can find anyplace that has maintained its sanity. I believe measures like this have the potential to create a mass exodus from the state of Virginia and will result in the loss of many teachers who will not go along with these diabolical proposals. Furthermore, I will do everything in my power to ensure that my students either are homeschooled or attend private schools to ensure that they are not subject to these lies.


Strongly Oppose

This comment pertains to "Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia's Public Schools."  Although motivated by a desire to be gentle and kind to young people who are confused and suffering, this policy would erode parental control of moral teachings about sex and undermine the entire basis for separate facilities for boys and girls.  Given that the policy requires no evidence of transgender identity before a student may use the gendered facilities of his or her choice, this policy would allow adolescent boys to enter the girls' locker room at will with no repercussions whatsoever.  Indeed, the policy discourages school staff from even asking about gender before a student enters private areas.  Concerns for the modesty and psychological well-being of the vast majority of adolescent girls --- whose well-documented anxiety about body image would only be exacerbated by appearing unclothed in front of boys --- appear not to have factored into the creation of this policy at all.


Strongly oppose

Strongly oppose, children should not be able to make life altering decisions without their parent’s guidance before adulthood.


Penises in my daughter's bathroom? No thanks.

Per the draft policies, access to restrooms that correspond to a student's gender identity MUST be made available to all students, school administrators shall NOT confront students about their gender identity upon entry to the restroom, and what counts as a student's gender identity is ENTIRELY up to the personal discretion of the student and administrators CANNOT seek any substantiating evidence from the student. Does anyone with a working brain not see how this is a ludicrous policy proposal? What happens when my daughter tells me that she saw someone with a penis in her bathroom looking at her undressing? What happens to me when I tell her that was a biological male who is probably afflicted with gender dysphoria and who, for reasons her father cannot fathom, was allowed to pull his pants down in front of his daughter? The proposed definition of gender identity is completely incoherent. If the words "boy" and "girl" are objective enough that people can identify as, and actually be , boys and girls, how can gender identity also be a spectrum? What does it even mean to have an internal sense of gender? What does gender feel like? Apart from having a male body, what does it "feel like" to be a man? More importantly, why should feeling like a man, MAKE someone a man? Why do our feelings determine reality on the question of gender, but on little else? Our feelings don't determine our age or our height. What about able-bodied people who identify as disabled? I could go on, but suffice to say, it's so incredibly disappointing to see public servants in the education field trying to make policy on such brittle and incoherent principles. Our schools should be places that support the rights of parents to be primary educators of their children, not counteract parents who don't subscribe to the transgender activism spilling into our kid's lives. This proposal needs to go to the waste bin and never see the light of day again. Oppose.


Enough is enough!!

Enough is enough!  Stop forcing our children to be a part of this radical idolatry that we must allow someone of the opposite sex be in their bathroom.  There are different ways to accommodate children who are confused but don’t make the rest of the cch listen suffer and be afraid to enter a restroom in case a biologically opposite sex is in there.  Don’t force a parent out a child’s life, bring that parent into their life to work though their identity crisis.  Girls are girls and boys are boys.  If someone is confused help them but don’t force it upon the rest of us!!


This policy will harm kids

What will stop a pubescent boy from getting with his friends and deciding to sneak a peak at the girl cheerleaders in a state of undress by simply walking into their bathroom with the argument they happen to "feel like" women that day, but might feel more like men another day, and something in between another day? Per this draft policy, not a school administrator that's for sure. They would be expressly prohibited from questioning anyone's self-professed "gender identity" at the bathroom door. This is a nonsense policy, based on nonsense arguments. I thought we left the crazy back in 2020...


Strongly oppose

I strongly oppose the proposed transgender mandates for public schools!!


Vehemently oppose

The potential trauma that this policy of transgender students will do is insurmountable.  I strongly oppose it


Strongly support

I wholeheartedly support. Every person deserves to be accepted and supported at school.


Strongly opposed

I'm strongly opposed to these measures as an injustice to children and parents.


Strongly Support

I support the proposed guidance.


Strongly oppose!!!!!

Where the heck are we that this an even something that needs to be brought up? The last time I checked there are only two genders, male and female. To even threaten to intercede with parents' wishes is absurd and for teachers to have to be told they must address students with whatever pronoun they make up that day or there will be repercussions is also absurd. This is a small minority and we should not be pushing this nonsense on the majority. Be kind, yes, be forced to accept something that goes against everything I believe and nature, no!!!


Strongly OPPOSE

I strongly oppose the transgender mandates, which confuse the matter of biological gender. Children who are struggling with their identity need to be affirmed in the TRUTH of who they are, how they were born, and that biology matters. A girl may not want to dress in pink and ruffles; this does not mean that she should identify as a boy. Likewise, a boy may not want to be a top athlete and play with trucks; this does not mean that he ought instead to identify as a girl. When boys and girls are struggling with who they are, they should be encouraged to explore this, but in the context of truth. Truth does not harm. Those who seek to affirm gender dysphoria perpetuate lies, harm children during crucial years, and also lead others to moral dilemmas. To demand that children and teachers call a transgender student by the incorrect (though preferred pronoun) is to open doors to all kinds of lies being accepted. When will it end? It won't. And so you will find that if schools mandate this kind of policy, what was meant to be inclusive leads many to comply or lose their jobs. Comply with a lie or be called a hateful person. Comply with a lie, while silencing one's conscience, or be labeled a bigot. Complicity with lies eliminates all truth. Education is to pursue truth, not muddy it, twist it, and pervert it. Do children who struggle with the sexual identity need help? Yes. Absolutely. They ought to be treated with dignity and respect as all people. This should not lead to the disrespect and confusion of other students. Imagine the way a young girl feels if a boy comes into the school bathroom, but claims to be a girl? For this and so many reasons, we MUST uphold the truth of gender and biological sex while being sensitive to the needs of students who must be gently guided to their truth of their own sexual identity--not further confused by a misguided transgender agenda.


Jez Beasley, Teacher and advocate for all students

Ignorance can only be overcome with education and advocacy

As an educator, I strongly support and guidance and school-based requirements that support our transgender students. I am saddened by the number of negative comments based on ignorance and hate. These regulations will support students, who, in the past have lacked any acceptance or support.  I believe that education of staff, students, and parents should be an integral part of any regulation put forth to schools. We cannot stop ignorance and hate without education and acceptance.


Oppose Transgender Bill

As an educator I overwhelming oppose this transgender bill. What are you trying to do to young children and their families? Scientific research even supports that this bill is totally wrong. And whose definition of "abuse" are you going to use? Or is the definition revolving which is extremely dangerous? Shame on you for even introducing a bill such as this. You are endangering families, children, and educators who want to teach our children to be life long learners and good citizens.


Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you

“but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened round his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.” Matthew 18:6


VEA proposal on transgender policies for public schools

Strongly oppose!!!


I absolutely dissagree with all of this.

It is a monstrous falsehood that children can be born in the wrong body.


Support

I absolutely support this guidance, because I want my children to learn in a school environment that is safe and welcoming for everyone.


I support all guidance that supports transgender youth in all aspects.

It’s a scary topic...children that are transgender. Especially if you’ve had no occasion to have it personally impact your life. We grow up loving our children for who *we* think they are...the gender we, as their parents assign them based on their genitalia at birth. So, as they grow and age...and realize their brain gender doesn’t match the sex they were assigned at birth, does this mean I’m to stop loving my child? Does the funny, caring, creative, artistic person get thrown away? Of course not. As parents, we all want what’s best for our children...for them to be healthy, safe and find love. People who are posting negatively simply haven’t had their whole lives turned upside down by a child “coming out”. They have no vested interest in the outcome here. They are simply afraid of what they do not know. Please listen to the people who have walked this walk, who are living this life every day. Please make this world a kinder, gentler place for our children. Thank you.


Strongly support

Please support legislation to protect students that identify as trans, non-binary, gender queer or gender identity. They deserve to be protected. Every day they make valuable contributions to our society. They deserve the same rights and protections as every other student.


Strongly Oppose

Please do not support this legislation, this is an agenda driven measure to push more extreme ideas that will not help anyone. The very idea that a boy who claims to identify as a girl can use the same bathroom/locker room is appalling. The very idea that a girl who claims to identify as a boy could go topless in certain activities is ridiculous. This is government over reach at it's worst!


Oppose as Written

It would take more than 3000 words to write out all the reasons I am opposed. It is likely true that trans students are bullied or feel unaccepted, and an objective stated in these proposals is to prevent suicide and give assistance. These proposed changes do not do that. They reduce parental rights, increase the voice the school has in the lives of everyone who has children, nullify sports for girls, and pretend that no one will attempt to exploit these rules for their gain. The few who will exploit them, and there ARE some, will be the same problem students you already know & you are giving them more options for wrongdoing. Without a LOT more conversation and understanding of the issues schools are facing with data to back them up, I can only see the negative aspects I listed here. If I were a teenage biological female and this were enacted, I would want my own locker room and bathroom and I wouldn't want a biological male running in my girls track events no matter what the current President endorses. It seems to me the tail is wagging the dog.


Absolutely not!

This is destructive to both men and women who identify with their biological sexes and is also hatred to all of humanity. This will harm women’s rights and also reduce quality of medical treatments. We are made man and women by divine design and to go against this design is rebellion and deception that will lead to much sickness of mind and body.  So sad that anyone would support such ridiculous nonsense.


Transgender Youth Deserve Rights

I support the passing of this document regarding transgender students in schools. Transgender youth have the same rights to privacy, freedom of expression, and especially life, as any other student. A student’s identity should not dictate how they are treated nor how they are disciplined. Many  of those who oppose this document are in fear of the possible negative consequences that could occur if such rights are clearly stated. An example may be the assault of a cisgender student by a transgender student. These consequences, statistically, are minimal. Furthermore, if those negative consequences did occur, the victims have the right to be protected and the aggressor should be punished- the same way any cisgendered student would be punished for the same situation. Once again, statistically, a transgendered individual is more likely to be assaulted by a cisgendered individual. Another opposition to this document may be the immorality of being transgender. This immorality is linked solely to religion which is meant to be separate from legislation. The idea of gender is not universally defined as man and woman. Simply being and identifying as transgender does not inherently infringe on any other person’s rights. This is about equality and equity. Transgendered youth exist, and because they do exist and they do not inherently infringe on another individual’s rights, they must have access to the same rights as any other student. They must be supported and protected because they are more often than not the victims of violence and abuse. I hope that this document passes and garners more support than opposition. The fear of what “could” happen is not as important as what will happen if transgendered youth are not supported by their environment. Transgender rights are human rights.


VDOE Transgender Policy for Schools

Strongly oppose the proposed transgender policies.  Can’t believe you can even consider such harmful ideas!  Removes parental guidance, confuses students, and goes against God’s laws as well as common sense.


Transgender School Policy

I have just finished reading the "Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender STudents in Virginia's Public Schools" manual.  I have seldom read such an appalling attack on children, parents, our culture and our future than this document.  You expect students (and parents) to respect you AND, as educators, to believe you are telling the truth.  You are fond of the mantra "follow the science;" however, you yourselves follow a cultural agenda, not science at all.  It doesn't take a PhD., or a Masters, a B.S. or even a high school diploma to know that you are proposing a set of guidelines that are counter to science.  You cannot expect for any student, even a kindergartener to believe anything you have to say when you start the Terminology page with such drivel as "Cisgender: A person whose gender identity aligns with the  SEX ASSIGNED AT BIRTH."  In the Stanford University Medical School report The Stanford Tech Interactive, July 23, 2004 ( https://genetics.thetech.org/ask/ask35 ),  Geneticist Dr. Barry Starr states, "No amount of surgery, hormone injections or anything else will change someone's DNA from a man's to a woman's (or vice versa.)"  Read the article.  Of course, you don't need to read the article to know that we are genetically male or female.  That's all there is. There are no other genders and they are not assigned.  It is CHILD ABUSE to let children believe otherwise is a deception of the most egregious kind.  And to quote a psychologist who believes that children "declare" their gender identity by the time they are five or six is obviously a man educated beyond his own intelligence.  My five year old thought he was a dinosaur.  I thought I was Mary Poppins and could fly with my umbrella when I was five.  If children are equipped to make this type of decision at ANY time through majority, why no let them make other life-altering decisions?  Why not let them drive a vehicle? Make financial transactions? Sign contracts?  Why not let them drink alcohol? Smoke cigarettes?  Have sex with adults?  Why not let them lead armies? Operate machinery?  Why stop at letting them decide their sex?  Maybe my son really WAS a dinosaur and I cheated him out of his God-given right to live like one.  It is not loving, kind or compassionate to allow people to live in deception.  Ultimately, you are parroting and promoting the very first lie pronounced to human kind, "you shall be like God."


I strongly support these protections. Trans kids are kids!

Protect trans youth. Growing up is challenging, being your true self should not be.


Fed up Citizen and disgusted with the school system

Strongly Oppose

If we have transgender students in school, that is fine. The moment the DOE began imposing mandatory transgender education you are violating the rights of "other students". This is the reason why we need Parent Choice. I am very disgusted with the DOE & public schools and their bogus programs, not to mention school boards being sponsored by the muslim brotherhood and so forth. Non transgender students are having their RIGHTS VIOLATED. Start spending money on teaching AMERICAN HISTORY, MATH, READING.


Strongly Oppose

I strongly oppose!


Trans rights are human rights

I am a student in Fairfax. I support this


Support trans students

As a Christian who attempts to follow Jesus' care for those who are vulnerable, as an educator who knows how important a sense of belonging is for education to proceed, I support evidence-based policies to protect transgender students. They deserve to have learning situations free from harassment and that support their innermost sense of who they are. Promoting rigid gender norms will not change that sense of personal gender identity. The fears of some around washroom usage do not reflect the reality that students are unlikely (because of their own sense of gender identity and their own knowledge of the potential for bullying) to pretend to be something they are not. Rather, forcing transgender students to use the washroom that does not correspond to their gender identity subjects them to potential harassment and violence. As the parent of a high school student, a voter and a taxpayer, I commend those who have worked with such care on these guidance documents.


Strongly oppose

Out of concern and compassion for all Virginia children I strongly oppose this. Out of practical consideration for the purposes of education and the goals of the DOE, I also strongly oppose it. Thank you.


Fully support

I fully support this legislation. Implementing policies that create a more inclusive environment for transgender students will also create a healthier and more effective learning environment for all students.


Transgender education

I oppose this action by schools


Transgender policy

I am 100% opposed to this policy. This is wrong in every sense of the word. I do not believe anyone should be bullied or discriminated against but forcing teachers and students and parents to teach about transgender is just wrong. Threatening to take children from their family because they don’t support transgender is wrong. God created us as male and female and nothing we do or say can change that. Our schools should NOT be promoting this or forcing children to be exposed to this. Guys should not play girl sports and should not be in the girls restroom. Not should girls be allowed in the boys restroom. Please vote against this ridiculous policy.


Full rights for trans students!

This country is only as great as how it treats its most vulnerable residents. Trans students are here and aren’t going anywhere. By limiting their rights, they don’t disappear. They simply suffer. They must be respected, uplifted, and protected. Trans rights are human rights!


Strongly oppose

Strongly oppose this sickening agenda


transgender agenda proposal

I strongly oppose this agenda from the LGBTQ. This is not in the best interests of any child. The gender confusion issues need to be dealt with privately. Rules and regulations concerning these matters within the public school system are not going to be what helps these children. Catering to the freedoms of this type of agenda will only bring on more problems, not solve them. If one has eyes to see and ears to hear, one can see how complying with the gay rights movement has brought on more confusion and reckless behavior over the years within this country. This is a hindrance to the wellbeing of our children, not a help. We need to wake up and view the evidence, and where we have come to by buying into this agenda, and teaching our children that it is all good. Help can be given to these kids, but this isn’t the way in which to offer it.


Support This Bill, Support Trans Youth

Children who are gender or sex conforming in any way come to immense harm at the hands of their peers, and this is only made worse when institutional powers inflict specifically required gendering onto them. I am a trans adult, but I was not a "trans youth": if a teen, let alone a younger child, is already requesting a gendering other than assigned, they are in intense need of a place of safety, and in intense danger from the very people who are supposed to take care of them. Don't make school one more place of fear and hiding - if nothing else, it's terrible for their academic records. Also, for the record, I was extensively sexually harassed as a "female" child in restrooms by other cis girl children - excluding children based on their genitals can't stop something that already happens all the time.


I strongly object the draft on transgender in our public schools

I strongly object the Virginia Department of education draft proposing a new policy regarding transgender in our public schools. Parents have every right to be involved in issues of gender identity. Children need guidance as they walk through this. Parents must be included in this process. There should be policies for bullying & it should not be tolerated but forcing children to call someone a pronoun that they clearly are not & allowing them into whatever bathroom they want will cause just as many issues for children who aren’t struggling with their identity. Please do not pass this policy.


Strongly Support

We are now 2 decades into the twenty-first century, modern problems require modern solutions. We must acknowledge the social issues plaguing our society today! and we must ACT and EDUCATE!


I support making Jesus Christ Lord of ALL

2 Peter 2:2,3 Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up.


Strongly oppose transgender policy in schools

Strongly oppose transgender policy in public schools


Strongly Support

Trans people are murdered simply for existing every day. Children should not have to face this fear for their lives because they chose to live freely as they are.


Trans rights are human rights

Trans kids deserve to be heard. If any number is kids feel unsafe or threatened jn their school because of their identity and who they are, then it is safe for no one. I fully support any and all efforts to make our schools a friendly and open place for trans students to grown and learn without the added stress of not being recognized.


Strongly Oppose

strongly opposed to this


Support

Transgender students should feel completely safe in our schools and we should support them in any way we can.


I very strongly support this policy

Adopting this policy is progress for civil rights. I strongly urge the legislators to support this bill which would improve the lives of transgender students.


Strongly oppose isn’t up to the school system or the Commonwealth to make these decisions for us

I oppose this as written.   This iS not a matter for the Commonwealth or the school system I have no issues with transgender but I do not believe my daughter or granddaughters should be forced to go along with this because the school says it is right. I do not want boys/men in restrooms and locker rooms with my girls. Have a separate locker room/restrooms for transgender. Religious beliefs aren’t allowed in schools so don’t force other beliefs on anyone. It is not a school matter


Support Trans Rights

This bill is important because, despite what people may say, Trans students are heavily in danger in the current schooling environment, whether that be forcing themselves from transitioning to protect themselves and thus leading to body dysmorphia and mental illness or outright bullying from students. Despite the people not supporting them, that’s not gonna change how these students feel about themselves and it won’t stop them from being who they want to be. It’s better to have an environment that supports them and can keep them safe.


Gender

I strongly oppose the direction we are going in as a nation on gender. God has created male and female. Gender is determined at birth and nothing can change that. Bringing gender confusion into the school will make things very concerning. We should be helping those  that are confused as to their gender, counseling with love not making it morally acceptable and doing irreparable harm to our society. Please, do not bring this policy forth into our education system.


Transgender

STRONGLY OPOSED


Strongly Support

As someone who spent 15 years attending Virginia public schools, I fully support the protection of trans youth in the Virginia public school system. School should be a safe space for trans youth. Intolerant religious views should not be used as valid opposition to these protective policies, because this a public school system.


Strongly appose

Strongly appose discussion of transgender in schools. This is not biblical and God makes no mistake when creating us. This type of behavior is taught and kids would never know what it is unless told and pushed tontjink otherwise.


I 100% DISAGREE WITH THIS!!

This is total b.s. Yes i understand there is children that are confused about their sex. But, to propose that they are able to use the same restroom as the opposite sex as them because they "identify" as that sex is complete nonsense. It only allows for someone and i quote "more than likley a female" to be molested, assulted, or even raped. NOW onto the next subject. To say that a male can wear skirts to school is a little crazy to say the least, but to also state that a female could go topless in group activities that males can.  Now your really stepping on my toes NORTHAM. That is a quick way to invite every child molesting pervert in the state/country to occupy the seats. Democrat, Republican, Liberal, undecided i don't care. If you support this, you're whats wrong with this country. MY CHILDREN WE'RE BORN MALES AND FEMALES AND THERE ISN'T A DAMN THING THAT'S GONNA CHANGE THAT. You say that i can't teach my children about/or call them by their GOD GIVEN SEX as in my little girl or my little boy. HORSE . And, before you even start on me about being homophobic, you're wrong. My god tells me love everyone! But, he didn't tell me i had to support them using the same restroom as my boys and girls. Wake the hell up Virginia. If this passes i know atleast 5 kids that won't be in public school.


Protect the rights of transgender students!

There have been many cases of transgender students fighting for basic needs, like using the restroom for the gender they identify with. No student should have to go to court to be able to use a bathroom. No one should have to struggle for necessities. This bill will help so many and promote change within school systems. Their rights should not have to be voted on


Opposed

1000% Opposed


Oppose

I strongly oppose this, it isn't the schools job to teach my children who or what they are.  My rights and privileges as a parent are being jeopardized.


Strongly agree

We must protect, support, and affirm trans youth


Strongly Support

I strongly the model policy protecting transgender students and hope to see it put into place in Virginia as soon as possible.  Transgender students have suffered enough.  They deserve equal treatment.


NO

NO!!!!!! This does not belong in public schools.


Stop this insanity...??

Wrote a whole paragraph, hit submit it disappeared saying I had an invalid email... lets just say. THIS ENDS RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW. CALL YOURSELF WHATEVER THE HELL YOU FEEL LIKE....THERE ARE 2 GENDERS...MALE AND FEMALE, MOM AND DAD, BROTHER AND SISTER. THIS RADICAL PLOY IS AN ATTACK ON OUR Judeo-Christian Values and stops Right here and RIGHT NOW. LEAVE THE CHILDREN OUT OF YOUR "CHOICE" NOW CHANGE MY MIND!!


FULL rights & protections for all trans students! Strongly support!

Virginia's most vulnerable children must be fully protected in our school system. We must put a system in place to allow these children to safely attend classes and promote communities that are NOT threatening.


I 1000% SUPPORT TRANS RIGHTS

weird how we have to support the rights of other people when they're supposed to be unalienable. hope virginia can get our act together on this


Strongly Object

Strongly Object


Opposed

I strongly,  strongly  oppose  this.  Parents  grandparents,  or legal guardians, should  always have  the  authority of their  child  or kid, or  kids on what  they choose  best  for  them.  It has  always  been  what  was right  and what  was wrong.   Now  it is trying  to be  the opposite.   What  is happening  to this  great  country  that  was fought  for  hundreds  of years  called , ( and  still  hopefully  by many  today)  AMERICA.   Thank you,  for sending  this  out.


STRONGLY OPPOSE!

I strongly oppose these changes.  Allowing students of the opposite biological sex into a locker room is never acceptable.  Keeping this information from student's parents is even worse.  Ignoring the rights of the majority to accommodate a few is not the proper route.  If this passes I will financially support any legal challenges.


Support to protect the rights of transgender students

Transgender students, like all students, have a right to a free and equal public education. I am a Virginia voter and I support these guidelines to ensure transgender students can access that education safely. The hateful remarks in some of the comments here only confirms the painful necessity of instituting protections.


Transgender policy

I oppose this nonsense!! God made two genders...male and female...stop trying to confuse little children!!!


Protect Trans Kids

Trans kids are particularly vulnerable and need to be given the opportunity to safe, especially in schools.


Protect Trans Kids


Transgender policy


Support

PROTECT TRANS STUDENTS


Opposed

The thought that our country has come to this is so heartbreaking. As a child I can still remember going to bible school at school, saying the pledge, standing to cross my heart and learning values I would need throughout life. To allow this to be a concern on the list of needs in our school system is a disgrace. This is not a concern for public school. If there is an issue concerning someone's child and them determining who they are that should be handled by a counselor, parents, and medical doctors. A child does not know that they wish to be a different sex. To allow this in our school system that my tax dollars pay for is beyond unacceptable and disgraceful to our state and this nation. God help us and have mercy on our children.


Strongly Oppose

I strongly oppose any policy in regards to transsexual students in schools. From what I've seen, the proposed policies will punish those who speak out against encouraging these ideologies in our schools, including students and parents themselves. School should be a place where parents don't have to worry about boys identifying as girls in locker rooms with their daughters, or exploiting their biological advantage in sports. Instead of overlooking and encouraging moral depravity, more emphasis should be placed towards mental health services for these people. Schools should be institutions for learning, not for fulfilling fantasies inconsistent with basic psychology and biology. .


Fully support this!

I fully support this and am glad schools will be more accepting for all students in the years to come.


Strongly Support

I strongly support this document. As a school counselor in the state of Virginia, it is my job to advocate for each and every one of my students. Transgender students deserve an equitable public school experience just like the rest of their peers.


Support

I’m grateful to a member of my church for making me aware of the opportunity to comment on this guidance. Of course I support a safe and nurturing learning environment for all students! Children deserve love and support and the freedom to be themselves. All too often kids are harassed or harmed for being their non-binary or transgender selves. This is a step in the right direction to protect and nurture all students.


STRONGLY OPPOSE NEW TRANSGENDER POLICY. !!!

It is unbelievable that this policy has been proposed. It would so damaging in many ways and is not needed!


Trans rights are human rights!

Trans people deserve basic human rights! They are people and deserve to be treated with decency and respect


Strongly Support

I strongly support this Guidance Document.  I have to wonder if many of those expressing opposition have even read it. Transgender students deserve to be treated like all other students.  They deserve to feel safe in their school environment.


Full support. Protect Trans children

Fully support. Protect trans kids!


Support VDE’s guidance on inclusive learning environs for all includ. transgender & non-binary youth

We support VDE’s guidance for creating inclusive learning environments for all, including transgender and non-binary youths. typing to enter your comments. You are limited to approximately 3000 words.


Strongly support

Arlington Public Schools pride themselves in their academic standing in the U.S.  My three children attended public elementary, middle, and high schools here.  A vital part of their education was learning and experiencing tolerance, understanding, and respect for the entire student body.  Arlington needs to live up to its high standards of excellence including the inclusive and just treatment of transgender members of its community.


Do not support. You should seek Jesus for your answer.

My opinion is you should seek Jesus and your bible for your answer.


STRONGLY SUPPORT

I strongly support legislation to protect the health and well-being of trans students.


Oppose: those that encourage this mental illness (gender dysmorphia) deserve ridicule

I'm sure the same people that encourage gender dysmorphia in students would tell an anorexic that his/her perception is right, they do look a little fat (body dysmorphia). Perhaps they would tell a guy that works out three hours every day that he still looks a bit skinny (body dysmorphia, again). Those that have gender dysmorphia (or even, G-d forbid, simple confusion), deserve patience and guidance as they contend with their illness. People that encourage and exacerbate this illness (who should be reliable and mature adults), deserve every bit of ridicule they receive.


Strongly Opposed

Strongly Opposed


We Must Ensure A Safe Learning Environment for All

We must ensure a safe environment for all children and that absolutely includes trans children. It is vital that children are not going to school in fear. Fear keeps children from learning and growing. Fear will hinder a generation. Anything we can do structurally to support children as they learn and grow and navigate through their early years.


Full Support for Transgender Rights

Transgender students have rights just like any other student in our school system.  As a parent of a transgender child, my taxes support all children in Virginia schools.  Inclusion and equality for all students should exist in our public schools.  Any policy that supports equal rights for all, I fully support.


Support Trans Youth

We are already aware that trans students face discrimination in our schooling system that these reforms and statements will not fix; still, this is an important step in the right direction for Virginia schools and will hopefully improve the mental health of trans students by providing them resources for protection (if schools enact these policies in good faith). I would also hope that future changes would work towards abolishing sex-segregated policies like dress codes, which not only are incompatible with transgender students, but are often used as tools to police the bodies of young women. Virginia can be better.


Oppose

As a mother of three boys in the county I strongly oppose this. I think in this day and age it's hard enough just to be a child. Can we not just let them be children and grow up naturally without wearing it they're saying or doing something wrong to offend someone? Come on! I wholeheartedly agree that science dictates a sex not what you just choose for any given day. Why punish those that believe that? I'm a nurse with a Christian faith and I'm not ashamed of that.