Angela Callahan, Seek Your Serenity Counseling Center

I support this guidance for LGBTQ Youth!

I support protections for trans and non-binary students in schools because I have seen and heard the struggle youth and now-adults have gone through in schools when they haven’t had support, have been bullied, or struggled with their mental health to the point of suicidal ideation or attempts to kill themselves, merely because they believe those around them want them dead, or have made their lives so difficult contemplating suicide seems like a better option. These youth and adults are someone’s children, and no one should be made to feel this way, especially when we can provide safeguards in schools to educate youth on how to be respectful and kind citizens. The statistics don’t lie - upwards of 40% of adults be have reported thoughts/gestures of suicide, and many of their experiences came from their adolescence. Make Virginia a safer Commonwealth for TGNC youth, and allow them to focus on learning to improve their education and become contributing members of our society at large.


STRONGLY SUPPORT

Transgender kid's rights are human rights and should be protected. We as a society need to be better at listening to and supporting one another. We need to lead with love and acceptance for people's differences. What a dark world we would live in without love and support. Transgender children are entitled to feeling safe and accepted for who they are. It is not a choice to be trans.


Trans rights MUST be supported!

I am in full support of this! Transgender students deserve respect and are NOT a "poison" to other students but rather unique and special individuals just like the rest of their peers. The Constitution is meant to protect the rights of individuals, so opposing this motion would be to oppose key components of the document and other federal policies promoting and protecting LGBTQ+ rights. Please support this! In reality, it does no harm to cisgender students but could mean all the world for transgender students who disproportionately struggle with mental health problems and academic struggles, often due to the lack of protection from schools.


Comprehensive, ESSENTIAL, and well supported

This guidance will be paramount to protecting transgender students and ensuring equal access to education.  The authors did an excellent job of addressing the variety of issues that impact transgender students and providing detailed and clear guidance for best practices and supporting with the underlying laws and policies.  I look forward to seeing this guidance in implementation.


Whole Heartedly Support These Policies

I am a a transgender woman who works with parents of trans and non-binary teens and tweens. I hear their fears for their children when they talk about school. I also see the fear in the numerous commenters who oppose these protections. The fear of change and of things we haven’t encountered yet is strong. I spent 54 years fearing transition and being my authentic self. I feared how people would judge me, if they would acknowledge my name and pronouns, if they would let me use the restroom of my gender. When I hear the fears of trans kids I hear these same fears. Dropping classes they want to take because they know a teacher will misgender them, fearing a substitute teacher will call them by the wrong name, and going to the extreme of not drinking all day so they won’t have to use the restroom. These policies address many of the concerns trans and non-binary students. They do this by protecting the student. Whether that is protecting their right to not fear a teacher misgendering them, or protecting their privacy as they explore their gender identity with people with whom they feel safe. It is scary to challenge the gender your family assumed you were. It is hard to gauge what their reaction will be. Many trans kids get kicked out of their homes. We never want to put either a teacher or a trans student in the position that their action many make the child homeless. These policies go a long way to protect a small, but increasing, number of students who find their way to living authentically. I support these policies.


Oppose/ VA schools are supposed to support communication with parents not put up barriers.

In regards to the policies on transgender rights for students, these policies, as written, run the risk of creating a sense of mockery and distraction for students who are actually working through their identity.   Threatening teachers for not keeping up with daily whims of students who want to make a joke out of this is dangerous. Therefore, there truly needs to be a process and guidance for respectfully meeting the needs of students who may desire to explore an identity that is not apparent to those around them.   As long as I can remember, schools have been working hard to increase communication with parents about the welfare of the children in the families schools serve.   This document puts up barriers.   There has to be a better way to make all students feel supported and encourage communication between the schools and the community.


Oppose

Kids will be confused by these policies.


Strongly Support

My personal experience as a trans student is honestly, horrible and my heart bleeds thinking about what other kids go through. These are literal CHILDREN having their rights debated cause people feel as though they have the right to do so. It’s ridiculous. It’s extremely difficult to get basic human respect when you’re trans and school age children need to have at least a bill that defends them.


Never been more opposed to anything in my life

Gender is god chosen and given during development in the womb. If you want to cater to transgenders make a 3rd bathroom option. DO NOT endanger normal children in school.


Equal Treatment of Transgender Students

Totally Support.


Support for LGBT youth guidance

My son is in pre-school now but will be in Kindergarten in 2 years.  I would like for my son to be in a school environment where all students are treated equally and feel safe in their environment without bullies. I think guidance to support students in the LGBT community is necessary. I have watched my friend’s LGBT children struggle  in the current school system and I think we can and we should do better for our children and their future.   Thank you, Eileen Lamb


Strongly Support

Trans lives, especially trans children's lives, are always incredibly valuable and need to be protected


Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students.

No, I do not support the Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students being promoted in Virginia's Public Schools. I feels so much uneasiness because: -This stresses on Gender Construct instead of God, nature and biology. -There are false assumptions being pushed forward I  this doctrine that are detrimental to the child, parents, families and the school system. and- This totally undermines the rights of the parents and families! Please reject.


Strongly oppose

The idea that our educational system is now considering overstepping their boundaries into our personal lives at home is alarming and concerning. I have rights as a person and a parent in the constitution that give me freedom of religion and rights to raise my children as I believe. As a school, you do not have a the right to tell my child they can be a different gender, affirm them in their choice, and keep it from their parent. I have to sign for my child to leave school early, go on a field trip, even watch a movie in class but you are stating that I don’t have the right to tell my child they are who God created them to be?? The department of education has long flirted with crossing the line but this has gone too far!!


Support

Strongly Support!!!! LGBTQ rights are human rights!


SUPPORT OUR TRANS YOUTH. Put your bible down

With the pressure of college, teachers, social standards, academic and extra curricular activities, kids in Virginia take on a lot. It seems pretty insane to me to even speculate over the idea of whether or not we should support all children. Pretty simple answer, we should. Trans kids should be treated with respect, dignity, and should be taken care of in are public schools. Leave your bible at home. All kids are equal, treat them as such. Just because another child doesnt identify the same way as your fohawk ridden, blonde hair blue eyed, future cop baby...Doesnt mean they are any less of a person. Step aside Karens


Strongly Support

Students MUST be provided a SAFE learning environment. This is absolutely critical to the success of our students. It is positively appalling to even consider opposing the creation of a safe and positive learning environment for ALL students. Beliefs that this is wrong based in religion have no place in the public school system, period.


Strongly oppose this risky and premature policy change, parents of four APS grads

To begin, we heartily endorse all comments offered by Morna Comeau (2/1/2021, 5:51 pm).  A few supplementary observations to her very thorough treatment of the subject:  We object to the adoption of the new transgender policies in Virginia public schools for the following reasons: We believe that, absent a specific court order pertinent to particular family situations, parents’ rights in regard to the raising of their children trump those of the public schools or the state at large, and that parents should therefore not be excluded from any discussion of their children’s gender issues; It is our understanding from a review of scientific studies that the long term transgender data lack the longitudinal analytical evidence required to validate that irreversible physical interventions are in any way helpful, with much short term data suggesting that they are, in fact, injurious (e.g., high suicide rates post-intervention, significant rates of regret and requests for reversal surgeries, etc.); and We recognize that adolescents have always struggled with identity issues, and that “locking in” a gender identity contrary to their biological identity in adolescence is dangerous, ill-advised, and may be a cause for profound regret as the affected teenagers mature.  Indeed, there is significant evidence that a majority of adolescents that identify as transgender for a time eventually revert to their biologically determined gender identity and would regret irreversible transition therapies.


Transgender policies

STRONGLY OPPOSE!!! I don't hate. It's simply wrong. It is very wrong to remove a parent(s) from any decisions involving their children. It is wrong to encourage children to go against their parents. There are things a person can not decide or do until 18 or 21 for a reason. MATURITY. Everyone has changed their opinion about something as they have aged. Respect the family and stop trying to mold our children to suit your liberal agenda.


Equality Virginia Comment

First, I want to thank you for taking the time to read this comment. I am a current student going to college at George Washington University at the Virginia campus and I have been a Virginia resident for the last 4 years. Besides being a student, I'm also a Navy veteran and a transgender woman. I transitioned my last year in the military before getting out at the end of 2016. I believe the best path forward for Virginia is to support the transgender students we have in this great commonwealth, just like we should support and encourage all of our students to be their authentic selves. Once again, thank you for your time and I'm optimistic of a bright future where everyone is treated equally and with respect.


Focus on your mission

I am a registered consistent voter, parent of school-aged children, and active in my community.  I strongly oppose this measure. This is an enormous distraction from the core function and mission of our Board of Education. Virginia BOE's mission is: "The mission of the Board of Education and Superintendent of Public Instruction, in cooperation with their partners, is to develop policies and provide leadership that improve student achievement and prepare students to succeed in postsecondary education and the workplace, and to become engaged and enlightened citizens." Virginia already has, and has the ability to bolster, policies to protect children from bullying and should not tolerate any form of bullying for against any student, faculty or staff.  Matters dealing specifically with sexuality should be reserved for the privacy of one's home. At school, our children should be squarely focused on preparing themselves for further education and the workforce.  Matters of sexuality, religion, faith, family-lifestyle, and the like should be reserved for individual families to address. Thank you for your time and service.


Where are your morals? No transgender will be in a bathroom with my self or my children. Vote NO!

Where are your morals? No transgender will be in a bathroom with my self or my children. Vote NO to this nonsense.


Transgender policies

Strongly oppose these policies.


Strongly oppose

I very strongly oppose this plan. I can not believe that this is even being discussed. Unbelievable!


STRONGLY SUPPORT

I strongly support the rights of trans youth. It is the duty of the Virginia school system to ensure that all its students are provided a safe environment conducive to learning. This is not a matter of opinion. It would be an incredibly calculated, gross, and despicable mistake to not afford the same rights and protections, the same access to a caring and nourishing system, to the trans youth growing up in our communities. Schools have an obligation to support and protect their students.


Suicide more likely among transgender adults

Follow the science.  A study in Sweden, which is very accepting of transgender individuals, found that transgender adults were much more likely to commit suicide than those who stayed with their birth sex.  Studies of children continue to find that most cases of gender dysphoria resolve themselves with the child accepting their birth sex. So where is the science to show that children should be encouraged to question their gender and birth sex?  Legislation shouldn't be based on feel-good movies and feelings, but facts.  There are anti-bullying standards and much greater understanding of gender dysphoria that can help that small minority of children experiencing it.  The current legislation will create instead a hostile environment towards the vast majority of children, teachers and parents who have experienced that their sex/gender at birth is who they are.


A plea for empathy, support this guidance!!!

After reading a lot of comments something has become clear to me. Many opposing parents or others are saying schools should not be “pushing into the homes”. I’m confused, as they would not be. What they would be doing is providing an environment where trans students get treated with dignity and respect. How could anyone claim to teach children to love and respect themselves when in the same breath they condemn so many proclaimed truths made by these children? I don’t know who needs to hear this, but gender is an entirely social construct. Genitalia does not dictate gender identity, sex does not dictate gender identity. It is just that, an identity. No one can tell you who you are. That is something everyone must learn on their own. All this guidance would do is provide tools and knowledge for kids to help them with that task. It would also allow these kids to learn and grow in a school environment without the added anxiety, stress, and fear that comes with stigma surrounding any LGBT identity. Let our kids be who they are, unapologetically and with our support.


strongly support

strongly support


STRONGLY OPPOSE

I strongly oppose this because you are naturally born a male or female. Also, it is very dangerous road to take a child from their parents over the fact that their school declares a child transgender because that will absolutely scare a child for life.


Strongly Support - Love, Dignity, and Support

This is the 21st century- and its far past time for us to treat others with the love, respect, and support we all need to thrive. Transgender rights are human rights. Treating them as such is the first step on a long road to deeper understanding, tolerance, and common humanity. For the plethora of Christians opposed to such measures, I implore us all to find guidance in the call to love thy neighbor as thyself. Not understanding a sexual or gender identity is no cause for fear, but rather an opportunity to open our hearts in love, and allow those to speak and be heard who have for so long be silenced. Let us all humbly accept that we can’t know what it’s like to be transgender unless we are transgender - and let’s listen to those who know what they need to thrive and do our very best to provide. This is not a question of policy or legislation, but one of love.


Strngly oppose

Strongly oppose


Strongly Support

I strongly support these guidelines, which assert that transgender children have a right to learn free from discrimination and harassment. Virginia schools need this model to foster a safe and respectful educational environment for all students and protect and affirm vulnerable transgender children and youth.


This may cause others to take advantage of others who are not there for the right reasons. Oppose!

I believe this will allow others to take advantage of privacy. Perhaps just make private bathrooms for everyone and don’t make it about gender at all.


Privacy

it’s not in any way, shape, or form OK to allow people of the opposite sex into gender specific locker rooms where people are changing privately.  It’s their business how they want to “identify” with themselves BUT when it impacts and takes away the right of others privacy, that is WRONG!


A Concerned Educator

As a lifelong teacher and educator, I am extremely concerned with this proposed mandate. This mandate is disturbing on a number of levels. On an educational level, these pronoun references defy the rules of grammar. They would also place an undue burden on classroom and other teachers to modify their patterns of speech. With years of educational experience, I can see that this would be debilitating to teachers, whose job is hard enough as is, and may prompt many resignations. On a physical level, this mandate would expose students to abuse of privacy and safety with regard to locker rooms, restrooms and clothing choices. On a philosophical level, this mandate defies the definition of a human person. On a spiritual level, this mandate is abusive and constitutes harassment to those students and families whose faith lies in God's creation of humans as male and female. On an economic level, this mandate would expose the school system to legal prosecution by students and families, which it could ill afford.


No no no

Do not pass this.  You do not have the right to push any agenda or assistance without my knowledge.  The school system is not the place for this.


Oppose new proposed Model Policies for treatment transgender students in VA public schools

The Virginia Department of Education’s proposed “Model Policies for Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia Public Schools” harms parental rights and child’s safety.  First of all, it harms parental rights because it paves the way for schools to deceive parents.  They do this by suggesting plans where children who are wrestling with gender confusion can be aided in leading a “double life” unknown to the parents, if it is determined that the parents would not fully embrace or facilitate their child adopting a brand-new gender identity.  This even goes so far as to suggest that a different gender and name can be used at school but their given gender or name be used in the presence of the parents. This means the withholding of information that could make a lifesaving decision for that child. This doesn’t sound wise or safe! Secondly, these new policies would negatively impact student emotional and physical safety. The new proposed policies include the opportunity that boys who identify as girls to be allowed to use female restrooms and locker rooms.  This can all be done without ever notifying the parents! This is wrong! But, interestingly, no one is talking about the harm done to very young girls who feel powerless to expect physical privacy in the presence of biological males.  This is not to mention young men who don’t want to change in front of biological girls. These actions here mean that “gender” itself is ultimately a matter of identification, not biological sex. The state here wishes to use its coercive power not simply to stop mistreatment of people but to rescript the most basic human intuitions about humanity as male and female. How do we dispute the most basic facts of science and life: that there are two sexes? This is governmental coercion of publicly disputed trends in modern culture or the war in our culture taking place right now. We all, of course, do not want some to be harmed who is dealing with gender confusion or gender dysphoria. Even without these guidelines, students should have protections from discrimination, bullying, or harassment. All schools must ensure that all students, including LGBT students, are able to learn and thrive in a safe environment.  No student of any distinguishing characteristic is deserving of mockery, bullying, or intimidation. Christians believe that Jesus’ words in Luke 6:31 are relevant and apply in these circumstances: “And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.” It is a sad testament to our society’s decline in civility that serious discussion cannot proceed without questioning motives. One troubling thing includes the possibility that schools are encouraged to deceive parents about the struggles of their own child!  For example, school administrators are told to allow a student to be called a different name or use different bathroom facilities at school, while not informing their parents, if it is perceived that parents would not accept any possible revelations from the child might consider themselves another gender.  Children, then, become pawns of the state for the state to teach a cultural lesson, not a scientific one. This, ultimately, won’t work. There are good reasons to put boys and girls in different bathrooms and locker rooms and sometimes sports teams, reasons that don’t impugn the dignity of people but uphold it. Sex-differentiated bathrooms and sports teams and dormitories for men and women aren’t the equivalent of, say, a terrorist Jim Crow state unnaturally forcing people apart based on a fiction, useful to the powerful, that skin color is about superiority and inferiority. Every human being knows that there are important, and necessary, differences between men and women. Without such recognition, women are harmed, and men are coarsened. Every human being knows that there are important, and necessary, differences between men and women. Without such recognition, women are harmed, and men are coarsened. Moreover, the move here toward severing self-identity from biological reality will hardly stop at “gender.” If anything, there’s much more of a case to be made that one can feel to be a different age than one’s doctor’s exam or birth certificate would show. That’s relatively indifferent if all that this means is “You’re only as old as you feel” or “I’m a Millennial trapped in a Gen-X body.” It’s something else entirely if chronological self-identity is mandated for military service or the drinking age or the age of consent. People and neighborhoods and nations and cultures cannot live this way. God created us as human, and within humanity as male and female. Man needs woman, and woman needs man. My maleness and your femaleness aren’t about us at all. They fit us within a much larger stream—of a species by nature and by community. The Sexual Revolution, chaotically, wants to tell us that gender means nothing and that gender means everything. Neither is true. We should recognize that misleading caricatures of masculinity and femininity were always harmful, but now are potentially deadly. The little girl in your neighborhood who doesn’t like princess movies or dolls, and who would rather spend a Saturday in the deer stand, increasingly now is told by the culture around her that maybe she’s not a woman at all. The truth is that the male/female sex difference is objectively real. Biological science is built off of this reality.


OPPOSE


I OPPOSE the proposed transgender guidelines!


NO!!!!!!

NO!!!


Strongly oppose

Strongly opposed to this. Vote no


Vote no

Opposed to this. Vote no


Vote no

Vote no. Keep academics focused on academics.


No!!!!

Absolutely not the place for this.


I strongly oppose this legislation

We are doing the students of Virginia a disservice by trying to pass this legislation. 9 out of 10 adolescents who identify as the other sex will grow out of it by the time they are in their 20s and yet you are placing a disproportionate burden on teachers as well as fellow students to call these students by their "preferred" pronoun. Not only that, but you are trying to supersede the right of the parent in this matter. A parent is their child's primary educator and also has their best interests at heart. The school system obviously does not, otherwise why would they be trying to cut them out and reporting parents for child abuse? The real abuse of our children is the over-sexualization and fixation on sexual orientation in a classroom setting when what school's should really be focusing on is educating our children.


Protect children from the radical transgender agenda

Our children should not be subjected the radical, anti-science agenda of the transgender movement. Boys and girls are distinct, biologically, genetically and in nature. Our children go to school to learn many important subjects, political or anti-religious indoctrination that can poison their minds, should NEVER be a part of this. Children do not belong to the State.


Support Queer kids!

I support this wholeheartedly. All kids have a right to feel comfortable and accepted at school. Teachers and admin should have a standard that is inclusive and equitable when interacting with all kinds of children. Therefore a thoughtful, inclusive model indicating how they should do this is a good thing for parents, staff, and kids.


Transgender school policies proposed

I oppose these proposed policies surrounding sexual identity in the public school. These policies would allow parents to be deceived! These policies would deprive girls of necessary privacy!


Oppose draft transgender mandates

Children often pretend they are something they are not. It could be Superman, a tiger, a fish in the swimming pool...but they quit.  They go back to being who they really are.  They know they were only pretending.  When adults bounce on them and say yes you are, and then force them to continue in the pretending, that is very harmful and very confusing. When adults pretend they or children are something they are not, they are directly believing lies from Satan. Satan will be perfectly happy to possess their passions and possess their minds, causing them to waste all kinds of heartbreak, pain, money, and time on surgery and hormones, "counseling", political activism, and finding as many suckers they can to do the same... It is stupid and dangerous to believe and promote that you are not your biological sex.  This will do nothing but harm our society, and it is simply not true. The Department of Education has too much power.  Sexuality should not be taught in schools.  Parents are the best teachers, unless they give written permission for the students to be brainwashed.


"Transgender" guidelines

I strongly oppose the proposed guidelines which would affect all public schools within the Commonwealth of Virginia!


Vote No!

This is an infringement on our religious freedom. Keep your politics out of the classroom!


Protect our youth and vote no!

I am shocked we have to even think about this!  God makes no mistakes.   Vote No to protect our children!


Please do not do this

We ALL know this is not natural.  Why must this type of agenda be pushed?  What purpose does it serve?


ABSOLUTELY NOT!!!!

I STRONGLY OPPOSE THIS!!!!!!!


Proposed Policy by The Virginia Department of Education Concerning All Students

I am strongly against the proposed policy by the Virginia Department of Education concerning All Students in Virginia Public Schools under the pretext of "Transgender Students".  A bullying policy has already been passed in Stafford County which covered all students.  However this policy takes it to a whole different level and supports lying to parents regarding children as young as kindergarten regarding "gender expression".  This policy would allow school staff the exploration, facilitation, and involvement in the decision making process of your child's "gender expression of sexual identity" while at school. Furthermore, Parents who encourage their children to embrace their biological sex at birth in their own home would be at risk of being reported for child abuse or neglect by the school which has already happened in some states and is laid out in this policy . Inconceivably, all students will be allowed to use any bathroom or locker room they choose without being questioned by any school administrator or faculty, eliminating privacy and safety of students in states of undress. This policy clearly takes things beyond the concept of bullying and instead proposes to push an ideology on all students sidestepping Parental Rights, individual rights of Privacy, Safety, Religious Freedom and Freedom of Speech or Not To Speak (ie; pronouns) of all students and teachers .  Our founders of this great country and state never intended for people to be forced from their Rights of Conscience at school or at home.  They never intended to restrict citizens ( not subjects ) of their practice of Religious Freedom at home or prohibit underlying principles based on Morality.  They never intended for Schools to mandate ideology regarding sexual anything concerning their children and replace  parental discernment and guidance with school policy .  They never intended to thwart the principles of Genetic Science.  Therefore this policy should not be supported as it goes against Parents Rights & overall Constitutionality .


OPPOSE!!!

I STRONGLY OPPOSE THIS!!!


Protect ALL students, do NOT support this

As a STEM educator, parent, and taxpayer, I am firmly opposed to this document. It will not help children - either those who believe they are trans or the vast majority who do not. It is not transphobic to oppose these kinds of measures; transgender adults have often argued against the same kinds of approaches to education. All students should feel safe, but that does not mean that others should be forced to participate in gender confusion. Science and statistics testify to the failure of this approach. Kind and loving treatment of all children is possible without teaching and encouraging the lie that a child has been “born in the wrong body.”


Support

I am in support of the proposed guidance for trans and non binary students.


OPPOSE!!!

I STRONGLY OPPOSE TO THIS!!!! IF THIS GETS PASSED I WILL MOVE MY FAMILY & BUSINESS OUT OF VIRGINIA!!!!!!!


OPPOSE!!!!

As a parent and tax payer I strongly oppose this!  The PARENT knows more about their child than the school.


perhaps well-intentioned; but over-reaching.

Everybody wants students to be safe, and feel safe, in schools. However, Government and School Officials should abstain from involvement in very personal, emotional, psychological discussions related to gender identity and sexual preference, particularly for children. For certain, the parental role in sensitive discussions related to sexuality and gender should never be breached by a school official unless demonstrable physical harm is present. This document seems to leave room for a teacher, who may not agree with a parent's approach to their child, to identify said parent as a risk to the student's well-being. That is wrong; and dangerous. Presently, Virginia Public School students are rewarded, with regularity, for below-average demonstration of basic skills: spelling, grammar, math and reasoning. Virginia Public Schools, and local school boards, would serve all students and families well to first improve the quality of education. Better education leads to better leaders, and better economic opportunity, regardless of gender identity or preferences. This initiative, and so-called "Model" robs energy and resources from more important initiatives that benefit the entire spectrum of students. Virginia students deserve better.


OPPOSED!

Oppose. This is against American values and just plain wrong and STUPID.


OPPOSE!!!!

I strongly oppose this idea of pushing gender confusion.  ALL students need to be protected.  Other kids who are not transgender should not have to go to a restroom or locker room when there is the opposite sex in the room.  Anyone could pretend to be someone that proclaims they are the other sex as we have seen in the past to sexually abuse, peek on, or to abduct children.


No No No

As a parent and tax payer I strongly oppose this!


Please don’t implement this policy at school. Thank you!

To Whom It May Concern, As a parent, I am not against LGBQ community and I believe they are normal people just like us. However, I can’t imagine my 17 months old baby grow up to be one of them because it is against God’s will. Please don’t promote this kind of policies at schools. Thanks!


Oppose

I strongly oppose to this.


Strongly oppose

Strongly oppose to this I believe children should not be exposed to these beliefs at school.


Support our Trans Youth

Our worth as a fellow human beings can be firmly attached to how we treat and respect our children, ALL our children. No matter what they look like, gender they are, who they worship, or who they identify as, each and every child deserves equal rights and treatment as well respect. Please make sure to take that into account and protect our tans youth and give them equal rights and respect. Thank you. Sincerely, the Keefes


Model Policies for Treatment of Transgender Students in Public Schools

The government has NO RIGHT to undermine parents and to keep secrets from parents.  This policy will do both.  Children do not belong to you!!  This policy will be harmful to ALL children.


We owe our children support.

Trans youth deserve the support of all. Their identity, as they mature, is their choice. While most of us grew up with rigidly defined gender expectations, we owe our children more. When people tell you who they are, the right response is to listen.


Keep in mind the language used in the Draft Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students: “common issues,” “evidence-based best practices,” and “for all students.” As an American, a veteran, a parent, and longtime resident of Virginia. After seeing your “draft model policies for the treatment of transgender students,” I am mortified at what our Virginia General Assembly has directed the Department of Education (VDOE) to do to our children, and to us as parents through our children’s youthful naivete, impressionable state, and vulnerability to your institutional bullying, and special interest social-psychological engineering and indoctrination. Your attack on our children and through our children to numb and silence both them and us (as their parents, their natural biological and indeed lawful guardians) so that you can install your socio-psychological dictatorship in our neighborhood, towns, cities, states, and nation is a crime that goes far beyond the pale.  You, The Virginia General Assembly and Virginia Department of Education, are presently and clearly attempting to subvert science, ethics, morality, The Constitution of the United States of America, our freedom of speech, and right to think for ourselves as human beings. In fact, you have selected the battlefield of our children’s very minds, because your weaponized totalitarian social-psychological engineering rhetoric has limited affect against a well-educated and informed adult population.  You cry wolf, you wag your finger at, and falsely accuse children and parents of that which you yourself do in order to flip the narrative, to flip truth on its head. Yes, it is you The Virginia General Assembly, and Virginia Department of Education that IS bullying, shoving aside, dismissing, name calling, stigmatizing, and deceiving Virginian Citizens.  It is clear from your very references and source material that this is a targeted offensive attack on our children and our fellow Virginian citizens right to think and choose for ourselves. I am reminded of that classic album, I think you know it, I think you forgot the message of it as well; remember that album, The Dark Side of the Moon, by Pink Floyd, Second Part, “Another Brick In The Wall?” Remember: “We don't need no education We don't need no thought control No dark sarcasm in the classroom Teacher, leave them kids alone Hey, teacher, leave them kids alone All in all it's just another brick in the wall” In 2019, Jessica Shelton—writing for Song Meanings and Facts—wrote that: “In the second part, the narrator recalls his schooling days where his ‘evil’ teachers wanted nothing but to control him to do things in a particular way. He describes the teachers in a negative light. He apparently feels they gain some kind of gratification from mentally abusing and punishing children. The chorus urges a protest by kids against this kind of fixed technique which immaturely impedes creativity in young children.  The narrator also depicts the nature of certain behavioral controls that were introduced in schools during that period. … This kind of conditioning seems to have had an adverse effect on the singer who eventually qualifies it as another brick in the wall .” (Emphasis added. Also see reference below) School is not the place to inject, inculcate, dictate to children or parents the agenda of the special interest groups.  It is not the place where The Virginia General Assembly nor the Department of Education nor the education system in general gets to “condition” our children’s minds into little bricks and fit them into their socially engineered institutional wall so that they can contain the parents and blot out their natural and God given authority to choose how to raise our children.  The “common issues” of trans-gender children, or otherwise, is the sole responsibility of the parents and the paraprofessionals or professionals of their choosing to address in the privacy of their own homes, lives, or doctors’ offices.  All children, and the children before them had to come to grips and deal with the realities of life around them.  Oh please!  That “evidence-based best practices” is nothing more than a weapon thrown at administrators, teachers, parents, and students to disarm them and bend them into lock-step conformity.  Look at the special interest groups that are behind this, look at the party of your state government for a minute, just a second even.  They selected the sources behind the “evidence-based best practices” to conveniently fit their agenda.  They did so because they have the power and position to do as thy please, and there is no balance nor objectiveness in their walking roughshod over us.  It says, “For all students,” but that is yet another tactic to disarm every echelon of resistance, and they do it well indeed. The Nazis (Hitler) did this, the Soviets (Stalin) did this, Mao Tse-tung did this, and millions died.  They spread misinformation, disinformation, outright lies socially, scientifically, economically, and of religions. Children, friends, relatives, and neighbors turned against each other.  We have a Constitution, a Bill of Rights, freedom of speech, and we have choice; anyone, anyone seeking to demand control of our thinking, take away our speech, and choice, and even to the extent of using our children against us, are indeed marching down the very same road that led these three tyrants to power, and subsequently to murder their own people.  Yes, I am talking about you, every member of The Virginia Department of Education, and every special interest army (organization) you have lined up behind you, and every “fifth-column” parent that supports you; you are the Hitler, the Stalin, the Mao that seeks to kill freedom of thought, speech, and choice.  Yes, you seek to preach your religion in front of the class, in the hallways, in the lunchroom, and in the auditorium. Your proposed doctrine, your “draft model policies for the treatment of transgender students,” has informed all Virginians exactly what you will do if they think differently, if they voice their conscience, or position, or if they do not use your special list of words, or if they choose to oppose you.  How many children will you take prisoner in the end?  What will your social engineering anthem be? What will your pledge of allegiance be?    The Virginia General Assembly, the Virginia Department of Education, those special interest groups, and anyone else foisting this on Virginians ought to be ashamed of themselves.  Organizations, administrators, teachers, parents, and students ought to protest, and/or walk out if applicable.  I for one, do not need a totalitarian dictatorship or the totalitarian minded special interest groups, state officials, or anyone else to tell me how to love and respect another human being, whether that other human being is gay, straight, trans-gender or otherwise.  I wasn't raised to treat people disrespectfully.  It is your “Progressive-ism” that seeks to hate, hurt, and disenfranchise. I sign this anonymously because the “Progressives”--Democrats'--target those who speak out for justice. (Source: https://www.songmeaningsandfacts.com/pink-floyds-another-brick-in-the-wall-lyrics-meaning/#:~:text=Pink%20Floyd%E2%80%99s%20%E2%80%9CAnother%20Brick%20in%20the%20Wall%E2%80%9D%20is,to%20detach%20themselves%20mentally%20from%20the%20outside%20world.)


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

As a concerned Virginia citizen and parent of 3, I would strongly oppose the Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia’s Public Schools to instruct students in K-12 schools in Virginia on anything other than their biological gender.  The biological gender has been the model for all males and females throughout world history, and any other concerns of feelings of gender apart from the biological gender should be discussed and overcome with the help of professional counselors. A K-12 school setting should never be the training grounds for gender confusion.  It is impossible for a school system to handle the problems and the abuse that will come from this false training. Each individual is clearly created at birth with their biological sex which is either male or female.  Any feelings that are different from that biological sex gender should be loving, thoughtfully addressed by their parents or medical professional so that they can fully reach their potential in life with the gender that they were created with. I ask that all training that is contrary to biological gender be held out of our school system!  I would strongly and lovingly oppose ANY and ALL training that goes against the biological gender from birth.


Oppose new gender identity in schools

Oppose new gender identity in schools


NO WAY!!! NO WAY!!!  NO WAY!!! STRONGLY OPPOSED!!

Your gender is determined at birth!  God doesn't make mistakes.  He created a person as a woman OR man.  God doesn't make mistakes!  If God made you a man, you are a MAN!  if God made you as a woman, you are a WOMAN!  Plain and simple!  There is no confusion, it is one or the other . . . not to be determined by the individual, but by God when he creates  you in the womb!  Everything was created by the principles of God!  As the Bible states, In the beginning, God created the heaven and the earth.  (Genesis 1:1 KJV).  God doesn't make mistakes, people, including lawmakers, do.  READ your Bible people, it is the TRUTH!!!  God is perfect and God's way is perfect . . unlike the government's way!  Stand up for what is right, and God's way is right!


SUPPORT

Respect every human.


Strongly Oppose!!!

If you have to deceive school parents behind closed school doors—absolutely not!! Also, this will cause many many issues—rape of girls in bathrooms or assaults. Girls want privacy and so do boys!! Girls don’t want creepy boys coming in and looking over or under a stall at them! Trust me!! Target dealt with this same issue and were sued many times. We should not be pushing this agenda—it only creates more confusion in children! Schools teaching this...only creates more confusion!! The school must remember, parents are in charge and raise their children—the school must know its rightful position and ONLY teach education!! That’s why you’re there—to spend your valuable time teaching a proper education Math, English, Spelling, you get it...God knows how to make life work—He didn’t create someone or something and then say, “oops...that came out wrong!” He’s our divide Creator Who holds our very breathe in His hands—He gave each of us the exact body he wanted us to have for a specific purpose and reason. It would be prideful for a school to try to confuse and twist these truths. Genesis 1:27 states, “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.” Genesis 1:31 states, “And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.” We must simply have faith and trust that God clearly made no mistake. Creation is exactly as God planned it to be. To believe anything other would be to place yourself above God. Please don’t confuse these children. They are His creation.


OPPOSE

OPPOSE


Opposed

My husband and I are strongly opposed to anything that confuses gender confusion. Statistics have revealed the devastating effect on many of our teens who have chosen to embrace or experiment with a new gender identity.  The suicide rate for these young people is shocking and heartbreaking. Parents should have every right to bring up the kids the way they feel is right for their child and not be forced to do anything. Teachers and parents need to be on the same page and have communication about what is going on and what’s right for the child. Living two separate lives is even more confusing. As someone who majored in psychology, children have enough to comprehend without being presented with gender confusion or even purposely being swayed. We want our children to be safe in the restroom, locker room, not have to question anything. We are Christians and God makes it very clear this is not right.


I STRONGLY DISAGREE!!!!

This is crazy! It’ s a HUGE mistake!


Support our Trans Students!!

Just want to share an excerpt from an article my husband recently submitted to our county newspaper on the dangers of forcing children to out themselves to their parents. This is literally preventing child abuse!! Editor: In response to the recent letter from Thomas Black of Leesburg regarding gender identity policies in Loudoun County Public Schools, this couldn’t be any further from the truth. And given the quote the article starts with regarding how each individual soul is deserving of kindness, respect, and justice, it strikes me as categorically hypocritical and apathetic to the needs and safety of Loudoun’s children. First, on the issue of names, it is common sense that any parent who changes the name of a child should have the unquestioned ability to do so. But so should the child. When I attended school (decades ago) it was common practice for teachers to ask for nicknames or preferred names at the beginning of each year, not because of gender identity but because of basic respect. I didn’t go by my full name, many times teachers would use a nickname or my last name. Why would a parent need to be notified over something so small as a name preference? Probably because it’s conflated with some larger need for society to be involved in the gender identity of a child. In practice, this sounds like an ideal situation to have a loving, supportive parent who can assist their child in understanding their gender identity in safety and plan whatever steps they may need next in coordination with an affirming doctor and therapist. But that isn’t reality. As a child, I was the subject of great physical and verbal abuse because it was assumed I was gay because I was perceived as effeminate. I’m not. I could explain in gruesome details the injuries and hospital visits I suffered, but surely we all can understand that many children are the victims of such abuse. For many, appeals to police and courts prove unfruitful because parents either lie about how the child was prone to “accidents” or blackmail children into recanting lest it “ruin the family.” In November, my wife and I fostered a transgender boy who had been kicked out of his home at 17, early in his senior year and amid COVID after years of abuse. Imagine the difficulty in trying to assume adulthood, plan for college, and begin a life when your parents are actively trying to hurt and abandon you? How many children, LGBTQ+ and otherwise, commit suicide because they lack support and love while facing abuse in their family? How many hide scars because they are conditioned to believe that disclosing their abuse would only result in far harsher abuse? Far too many. This is not a rare occurrence. Not all parents are supportive and if a child feels they can’t share their gender identity, the school system should respect that for that child’s safety. As for how other people address transgender and non-binary students, I find it to be either an intellectually dishonest argument, a complete lack of understanding of true scripture, or a clear attempt to twist religion to support transphobic views to state that we must call people based on their “biology.” There is simply nothing to back up biblically mandated pronouns. If God created man, then certainly he created transgender man, too? Science has shown again and again that gender identity is deeply rooted in a person’s biology, their minds, and their body. Research has proven that failing to support a child’s gender identity by failing to use a proper name and pronouns, leads to a significant decline in their ability to learn and form friendships while leading to a significantly higher risk of suicide? The mental health community has affirmed repeatedly that gender identity is not a mental illness, but an inherent, biological part of who each of us is. Most people have talked to, worked with, or even shared a bathroom with transgender person without realizing they are anything other than their perceived gender. But even disregarding all of this, who are any of us to judge someone else for who they are? What about “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you”. (Matthew 7:1-3) In what way does calling someone the right pronoun infringe on our ability to be practitioners of our religion? Are we going to challenge every masculine woman or feminine man? What about those who legally change their gender? Or biologically change their body past the point it’s even perceptible they were born another sex? Where will we draw the line? We shouldn’t draw lines, we should just respect each other with basic human dignity. People exist along a spectrum and just like in every other aspect of life, they deserve kindness, respect, and justice. It can literally save a child’s life.


OPPOSE

you didn’t find better to help our kids.....


NO, please!

did you look the rate of teen death because of this type of experiment, review your data, please!


STRONGLY SUPPORT

I strongly support this bill and any attempts to add protections for transgender students in our Commonwealth.


I AM ABSOLUTELY OPPOSED TO THIS. NOT WHAT’S BEST FOR OUR CHILDREN!

THIS IS NOT WHAT’S BEST FOR OUR CHILDREN.


Vote "NO"

Transgender Policies in the VA School System: I am not in agreement with this suggestion to be implemented into our schools.  This would be very confusing and awkward for many younger students who would not understand this process or concept as it may contradict what is being taught at home.  I understand the urgency for all children, students, to feel accepted, but that is not at the cost of forcing such protocols upon us.  Acceptance and respect should be the goal.  Altering restrooms, and any other gender specific arenas, to accept all genders will be the doorway to other more serious issues and situations.  We have already made accommodations to address this issue.  We do not need, nor should we, blurr the lines.  We were created man and woman and should identify as such in respect to situations that might insight backlash.  We are entitled to feel as we wish, but not to use those feelings to cause disruption and to go against Godly principles and teachings.  I want all children to feel safe and accepted for whomever they want to be, but this is not a good move.  I do not endorse.


Support for Transgender Students

I fully support the Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia’s Public Schools. As a retired school teacher, I have seen first-hand how difficult life can be for a transgender or non-binary student. As your document indicates, we need to help every student feel safe in school. “Because of societal prejudice and lack of awareness or understanding, transgender students may experience rejection, criticism, or bullying, that affect their emotional health and academic achievement.” I support maintaining a safe and supportive learning environment free from discrimination and harassment for all students. Every student deserve respect and compassion. And every student has something marvelously unique to share with the world. Thank you.


Heck to the No.

HECK TO THE NO! THIS IS ABSURD!


Vote no

This goes against everything out country was founded upon. It is the parents responsibility and right to teach and train their child, not the government. Go study the constitution and see this is against it.


Opposed

I believe in respecting everyone including those who do not agree with transgender pronouns.  Children should not be encouraged to to want to identify as a different sex than the one they were born as.  Adults can make that decision but not children.


Support

These policies are essential for the safety and security of transgender students in a place where most feel vulnerable.


OPPOSE

Please do not put these awful guidelines on our students. Children CHILDREN should not even be considering SEX much less their sexuality at such a young age. MANY adults who had surgical sex changes at a younger age are now trying to have things reversed. This is NOT good for the mental Health of anyone involved.


OPPOSE

I strongly oppose this and feel such implementation would be harmful to our children!


Opposed / No to "Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender..."

Quite frankly, the contents of this document would be laughable if they were not so sad, so tragic.  I'm all for helping children, but they are not helped when adults knowingly remove clear gender/sex categories and advance ideas that defy science, creation, and biological facts.  To do so is to add confusion to the already-confused.  It is clear that bullying and mistreatment of any children is morally wrong and should be addressed.  Children, whether experiencing gender confusion, same-sex attraction, cognitive problems, mental challenges, or any other personal challenges, should not experience bullying or harassment. However, these things are already wrong, and children who bully are (or should be) addressed; it doesn't warrant any specialized document for a specific type of bullying/harassment. The proposed guidance reinforces and creates more confusion within not only with the gender-confused child (who needs help) but the surrounding children as well.  I'm strongly opposed to this measure. Donovan C.


Opposed to  draft model policies for the treatment of transgender students

I oppose this measure because it will train children, by regulation, to disrespect their parents. It will force social perception through group pressure. It will compromise free will. It will set a policy that establishes government as the responsible party in children's lives. (Will a teacher be there for them if they attempt to harm themselves or others in days past school years?) It will disrespect the transgender child by putting him/her in an uncomfortable situation when forced to go into a locker room with those who identify with their biological sex. It will contradict biological text books. It will contradict and attempt to re-envision American history. It will force a type of religion on all students since they must be "under the law". Pamela Ayres Newport News, VA


Support Trans Youth

Children deserve a safe environment to learn. In fact, they NEED such an environment in order to learn and grow to their full potential. Youth in Virginia rely on us as adults to make decisions that will affect them. We are simply not doing right by youth in Virginia if we do not support the proposed guidance.


NO NO NO NO

This is something that should be kept out of schools. A teacher should not be made subject to gearing a CHILD to even more confusion. There is also the possibility of a teacher not feeling comfortable being placed in that situation.


Opposed

Begin typing to enter your comments. You are limited to approximately 3000 words I am opposed to this


Do You Actually Know What Your Are Asking For?

I read the “draft” and many of the comments by those who support it, and UNBELIEVABLE! Here is what those in SUPPORT are ACTUALLY asking for (and don’t even realize the utter dangerous gaping openings, or “loopholes” in it); this is the pandora’s box YOU ARE fighting to open: 1.  State dictated morals and values 2.  State censured speech 3.  State mandated indoctrination 4.  State mandated penalty and punishment for failure to conform 5.  Your child to be victimized by the law 6.  Your child to be ridiculed, and silenced by rule of law 7.  Your child to be used by the state to convict you of being a bad, and dangerous parent 8.  That your child be able to be snatched away from you, to punish you, to instill fear into you 9.  That your child be driven to hate the special children by making those special children untouchable 10.  That those “claiming” to be transgender be given special untouchable status to do whatever they want 11.  That you give any miscreant child the space to play the system against itself—he said, she said… 12.  That the taxpayers pay for all the lawsuits that will arise 13.  For rapes, and sexual abuse to be committed by innovative child bullies 14.  Fights resulting from children protecting their siblings from predators 15.  Fights resulting from a class of individuals receiving special elite like status 16.  Increased prison population due to parents being taken advantage of by vengeful juveniles, 17.  Increased juvenile detention center population due the above, and the falsely accused 18.  Increased funding for foster care when the number of children entering the system result 19.  As a result, massively depleted the state coffers, due to the numerous lawsuits 20.  Pedophile teachers (predators) using the new laws to manipulate children, parents, and the system 21.  Teachers wasting time being manipulated by students into giving passing grades at the threat of being fired 22.  Counselors being fired, or convicted when they inadvertently, or are manipulated into providing the incorrect, inaccurate, wrong treatment, or advice to a child that may result in suicide or other mental trauma 23.  The State to assume totalitarian authority over its citizens 24.  That students be used against their teachers and parents 25.  That teachers be used against parents 26.  That an avenue, a tool be implemented to shut parents and teachers up when the state chooses to do so 27.  For the State to be the mouthpiece for special interest groups agenda’s  who strategically seek to circumvent (do an end-run around) the parent, science, and religion to access and use their children’s vulnerability against them 28.  That a door be opened to whatever happens to be the prevailing special interest of the time; because this “Draft Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students” will become a legal precedent.  NAMBLA must be overjoyed at the Virginia General Assembly and VDOE’s actions here. 29.  That every concerned parent takes their children out of public school and place them in private schools or home school or create other avenues of education or simply move out of state 30.  That parents that cannot afford those avenues in number 29 suffer subjugating their children to an environment so caustic it is mentally damaging 31.  That parents that cannot afford those avenues in number 29 be ever in fear of losing their children 32.  That they (through the state) can bully, manipulate, social engineer, stigmatize, etc. by rule of law any that oppose them 33.  That parents exit the state, or lose jobs, thus defaulting on loans, thus reduced spending, and tax revenues, essentially a chain reaction of events that is profoundly tragic in the end 34.  Finally, the State and School system will not be able to support the massive numbers of staff that will be required to handle the unsurmountable volume of erupting problems that will occur within our schools because of such a blatantly obvious perversion of the use of law. Those of you who are FOR, or APPROVE, or in SUPPORT of this new VGA, VDOE “Draft Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students” truly don’t even see your own fatal flaw of reasoning, or don’t want to.  I implore you, reassess your thinking on this proposed policy, think about the totality of its impact.


Because I love a transgender teen

Every child the right to be safe and learn in school. Be it Public or Private, No matter race or gender. I would be devastated if my child chose suicide as a means to end the pain of ridicule, and hurt from others students, because they where targeted as differnt. Being differnt is characterized in so many varios definitions. What background that defines our opinions are ours. It never gives the right for Harrassment and Bullying and should never be tolerated. We should have learned this in kindergarten. To bring harm to another because they are differnt from oneself is Unacceptable. Especially in a public school environment. Every Student has the right to feel safe!!!!I post this because of a child I love, and want safety for him.


Support

I am a step-grandmother of a student in your Virginia public school system My husband and I  burst with pride and love for my husband's granddaughter. I stumble on the pronouns and really cannot speak intelligently about the trans-student  situation but I know everybody needs love. I salute the school system's courage and forward thinking  approach. You are brave and  caring people. We live in Raleigh but people are people and I wish I could see something similar being discussed here. Forward with compassion and courage. Barbara Church, Raleigh, NC


PASS THIS !!  How students are treated should not be based in fear and misinformation. TRANSRIGHTS

Just because you dont understand something, doesn't make it wrong.  Just because you were born different than someone else, does not give you the power to say they do not deserve the same rights and protections you have.  Entitlement is never waking up wondering if you can be yourself without being told its wrong.  It is our job to protect our children--ALL our children--and to understand that as a people we evolve, change, grow and learn what we thought to be true, may not be.  That what society identified as true may have been a product of those times.  The earth is not flat.  The parts you were born with do not determine the gender you are.


NO!

Parents have a right to know critical information that concerns their children. The school should be a partner in the education process, not the proprietary owner of that process. School age children should fully evaluate significant life altering decisions with those who love them most, including their parents.


Support

I support this proposal. I think all kids should be able to get an education in a atmosphere they feel safe and respected in.  The proposal is doable and educating people on how important this proposal is can be key to it passing.  I would ask people to educate themselves and not react so negatively about something they know little to nothing about.  I ask people to look beyond what they think they know and really get to know theses kids and their struggles.  Let your old assumption go and open your mind.  Let's get this passed!!


Strongly and Sincerely Opposed

Strongly and sincerely opposed. Bullying (in general) should be addressed, because it is wrong. Purposefully sanctioning and supporting *children* to choose their gender based on what they *desire to be* is also wrong. Children need to be taught what is right and not permitted to engage in wrong practices.


Support Trans and Non-Binary Students

It's simple. We need to provide a healthy, safe space where ALL students can thrive. This includes our trans and non-binary students. By supporting and protecting them, we are teaching their peers how they should too treat trans and non-binary people. Trans people have higher rates of people harmed, let's send a message that this is unacceptable behavior and that trans people are people worthy of love and respect.


Support

As a family member of individuals who are trans or non-binary, I heartily support the protections afforded trans and non-binary students. Trans rights are human rights.


Virginia Public Schools

No to transgender push in our schools . As a teacher I resent the changes that are intended by our governor and school boards. We need PARENT INPUT, not radical ideas. Dr. Betty Ann Olson


OPPOSE!

I DO NOT AGREE THAT A PERSON CAN CHANGE THEIR BIOLOGICAL SEX.  IT IS IN EVERY CELL OF OUR BODIES.  THIS IS TOTALLY INSANITY.


OPPOSE

I COMPLETELY OPPOSE THIS


OPPOSE

I completely oppose this


Support

I wholeheartedly support this guidance and believe that trans and non binary students should be given the same chance as everyone. Thank you.


Absolutely Not, this is child abuse

Absolutely NOT!!! This is wrong on so many levels!


Oppose!

I oppose! Parents have the right to know what the school is doing for the child.


Strongly Opposed

I am extremely opposed to this.  This is an outrage! We should be protecting our children not exposing them to every vile thing in this world.


STRONGLY OPPOSE!

Our school systems should not be allowed to explore with children things they had not even thought about.  I consider this to be covert sexual abuse.  Also, parents should be the ones who any sexual conversations with their children, when it is the age-appropriate time to have a conversation. This is an obvious attempt to subvert parents from their rightful roles as parents. This is throwing the God-given gift of our sexuality back in God's face.


SUPPORT STRONGLY

STRONGLY support these reforms. As a former student in the VA school system, seeing first hand the need for these policies is immense as the inclusion of these proposals would allow for students to develop their identity and self-expression in an environment that is designed to provide a comprehensive education and cater towards the needs of students.


I oppose

I oppose


Oppose

As a grandparent and taxpayer, I oppose this legislation!  This is wrong on so many levels.


NO!!!!

No!! Strongly opposed!!


OPPOSED!!

NO, do not implement the proposed policy.  These are children.  to be harsh to children who have no gender issues is mean and cruel.  Kids are always tough on each other, that can't be changed.  Teachers can teach them to be nice as everyone was taught.  To invoke a mean, cruel reverse polity every time a child might utter a mean comment is unhinged at best----be adult and be nice to all, even children of faith who have not issues with gender.


OPPOSED!!

NO, do not implement the proposed policy.  These are children.  to be harsh to children who have no gender issues is mean and cruel.   Teachers can teach them to be nice as everyone was taught.  To invoke a mean, cruel reverse polity every time a child might utter a mean comment is unhinged at best----the State can require the teachers to inject kindness into the class--gender to gender, race to race, age to age, etc.  The teachers can teach kindness.


Support

I support the guidance to ensure that my children and all of their friends are in a supportive, safe and welcoming environment for ALL!


No!

I only support the anti-bullying section of this document.  However, the rest of it should go through the shredder!  Why are we catering to a .001% population? Make one bathroom per school open to anyone to use, allow them to dress as they choose...fine. But the indoctrination at elementary school and gender terminology preferences are all getting way to crazy!  Let’s go back to teaching our kids skills in life like Shop, Home Economics, Computer Science and Automotive skills so they can be successful in life vice spending any more unnecessary money to transgender indoctrination!


OPPOSE!

I strongly oppose. Hormones rage at this age, why would you even consider this?


Concern about Parent's role and funding question

The Department’s proposed policies would pit children against their parents when it comes to important questions about sex and gender identity. Is additional funding going to be allocated for the "single-user, gender-inclusive facilities or other reasonable alternatives"?


Support

As an elementary school teacher, I absolutely support these proposed policies. If there is one thing that I know for certain with all of my heart it is that school should be a place where students, no matter how they identify, feel safe, loved, and respected. When guardians send their children to public schools, they are putting their trust in the adults who work at that school to care for their children and to look out for them. Yet, there are entirely too many LGBTQ+ children attending public school in Virginia, and the United States in general, who dread coming to school every single day, fearful of what might happen to them within the walls of the school building. LGBTQ+ children face bullying at levels much higher than those of their cis-gendered, heteronormative peers. This bullying can have dire effects on a student's mental health leading to depression, anxiety, or suicide. LGBTQ+ children are just that: children. These children exist all across the country and they are relying on the adults in charge to do their job and help protect them. My job is to educate these children, but I can't do that job if they are living in fear and feeling unloved. It is not a child's job to make you feel comfortable. It's an adult's job to make sure a child is comfortable being their true, authentic self and that they are safe while doing so. So again, I whole-heartedly support these policies.


Strongly Oppose

Strongly opposed


transgender

I oppose the school system discussing any information about gender issues related to a particular child if that subject is in direct opposition to the family to which a child is born into, and I defer that the school system defer to the family that the child belongs to and if there are issues which the child makes discussion with regarding his /her gender identity it should be a family matter and the school system should butt out. Theses matters that the school system deems as child abuse where the school system states that the parent is basically insensitive to the gender of the child is simply put, ridiculous and at these times where many issues are confusing to children, the idea of gender confusion may very well enter in, but the fact that family crises cause most of these issues does not mean that the child needs to begin a permanent change in his body format because of temporary confusion. Why doesn't the school system offer more counseling to families to help with confusion prevention instead of creating division between parent and child. This is pretty disgusting.


DOE Sexual identity guidance

I am opposed to the guidance.  I see that many of the supporters of this guidance simply say they support it and want everyone to be treated equitably.  I would like to make two points.  First, for everyone to be treated fairly, you have to consider those children and families that feel that sexual identity is a physical issue assigned at birth and not a psychological issue determined throughout ones life.  Forcing everyone to align with one view or another is not treating everyone fairly.  Second, I agree with the supporters assertion that all should be treated fairly.  As another commenter has pointed out, bullying laws have already been established and teachers should ensure that everyone is treated with respect.  Americans need to respect everyone, not agree with everyone.  Healthy relationships do not ensue from being forced to align with an ideology.  Healthy relationships develop when opposing views can be presented (and adhered to) with respect for those opposing views.  The department of education needs to focus on its mandate to educate our children and not venture into establishing their personal moral views.


TOTALLY OPPOSED, THIS IS CHILD ABUSE!!!

THIS GOES AGAINST EVERY MORAL LAWS!!! THIS WILL LEAD TO CHILD ABUSE. NO SUPPORT !!!


NO to trans. Policies in any school!!!

Begin typing to enter your comments. You are limited to.      No to perversion in our schools or anywhere else!!!


NO, NOT A SINGLE OUNCE OF SUPPORT!!!

This is appalling!!! Total breach of role and responsibility.  Parents parent and raise their children. Not a public education system. Complete over reach and frankly I’m in disgust at such a proposal.


Strongly Oppose

Good evening! I strongly oppose these mandates!  These issues are personal in nature and for the family to decide as they are best situated to take care of the spiritual, mental, physical and emotional state of children. The school is in no way ready or able to handle such challenges.  Stay out of it! Thank you for a chance to comment. Respectfully, D Womack


Strongly Oppose - Parents are kids parents... not school or state

Strongly oppose this guidance as it sets to exclude the parent’s involvement in their own child's life. Moreover, it expressly pushes teachers, administrators, etc. to keep information of the child secret from the parents. The teachers, administrators, etc. have no idea what is happening at home, can only base judgement from one side (child), and the scant information they can collect; and thus, may be unaware of other health, mental, or social issues the child is facing. Such lack of information could be detrimental to the child and is why the parents MUST be included and informed. This is unacceptable to have the school system subvert the role of parents in the development of their own children.


Horrible Idea

This policy transcends all basic common sense, human reason, moral decency, and empirical science.  A policy of this sort will have far-reaching, unintended, and injurious repercussions for many years to come, up to and including possible emotional and/or physical scarring of the "normal" student population.


Opposed to the stated guidance.   Suggest expanding services for those with issues of sexuality

The current guidance should not be implemented in our public schools using tax payer funding.   I do believe we should provide support, services and understanding to those that are struggling with their sexuality.   That would help until the child is an adult and can make decisions on their own.   This guidance takes the parent out of the picture and that is wrong.


No to teaching lgbtq to our children

This is crazy!  First we take out God from schools and now we taunt him with teaching His children what he says in Bible is wrong.  Why are we letting satan control us to the point we would harm our own children to be publicly correct.  No, there's no way this can happen.


Policies for Treatment of transgender students

This policy is a dangerous road of experimentation based on no scientific fact. In addition it is being forced on others compelling them to acquiesce in the experiment.


I support these Policies.

I fully support the draft guidance provided by the Virginia Department of Education for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia's Public Schools. As a nurse and mother of three children I know that children need to be accepted and feel safe and supported in school in order to have any success in school. As a Christian I feel it is important that we help children listen to their inner voices and their inner knowings which are the ways that they will be able to connect most closely with God. In order to do that they have to have safe spaces. This set of policies and its adoption will allow teachers to feel better supported in order to help all students. These policies are not about pushing anyone to be or do anything but instead focus on what it means to make a safe environment for all individual children and teenagers. We love putting people into categories and groups and to make things black and white but we all know that on so many things we are not black and white or one or the other. Gender expansiveness and the gender spectrum are not new phenomena. Neither are issues of faith and doubt. We need to have  the language and understanding to be inclusive and affirming of transgender students. All students deserve to be seen and understood. Thank you for these policies and for prioritizing the safety, well-being, and inclusion of all Virginia students.


Eddy Aliff, Virginia Assembly of Independent Baptists

Concern over parental involvement

Parents are the caregivers of their child(ren). If a child is injured or sick or being bullied, a parent is (or should be) contacted. This should be the case even if the child requests the parent not be informed, including the situation of a child keeping secret a transgender status. A second area of concern is overnight school-sponsored activities. Others may not be bothered but any student who refuses to share a room with a transgender student should be permitted to be in a different room. A third concern is any student who claims to have a fluid gender and is creating havoc for teachers who never know how to address this student. In summary, children are the ultimate responsibility of parents even though schools do carry responsibility while the students are in their care. It seems the teachers are having another weight thrust on them with these additional guidelines. But remember that parents should always be informed of issues or changes faced by their child(ren) so that they can properly help their child(ren). Thank you for considering my comments. Sincerely, Rev. Eddy Aliff Executive Director Virginia Assembly of Independent Baptists


Totally opposed to this discourse.  After not being in school for a year they need to focus on basic

NO WAY should we focus on this at this time.  This is between children and parents.  Schools need to focus on teaching basics especially after being closed FOREVER!!!!   Our students are falling so far behind this state should be  embarrassed.  Shame on you!!!


absolutely oppose - and couldn't say it better than this:

(by Eric Hooks, thank you) Young children are not mature enough to make major life-changing decisions, which is why they are legally under the guardianship of adults, typically their parents who love them and want the best for them. Prior, sensible policy recognized the importance of creating a safe learning environment for ALL students, which requires moderating the excessive behavior of some students when they become potentially harmful towards others. A very small but very vocal minority of students, outside activists, and policy makers have banded together to try to normalize the aberrant and often self-destructive behaviors associated with gender dysphoria in young children. Worse yet, they seek to affirm these aberrant behaviors by forcing others to play along and call children by preferred pronouns, made up names, etc. This is nonsensical and encourages other youths who are merely attention seeking to mimic such behaviors because of the attention and control it grants them. Worse yet, it creates opportunities for sexually curious or sexually predatory children to parade into the bathrooms, locker rooms, and sleepovers of opposite gendered children and victimize them. What about the rights of the majority of children to privacy and security? And where will this end? Will male faculty be able to identify as female on a whim and parade into the girls' locker rooms as well? If not, why not? Where is the logical end to this? None of this is even the worst part of this guidance document though. The worst part is that it champions a duplicitous approach of deceiving parents who are opposed to this nonsense by referring to their children according to their legal name and gender when communicating with the parents about their children, while duplicitously indulging young gender dysphoric or merely attention-seeking children behind their parents' backs in the school setting. Driving a wedge between parents and their children has become the job of Virginia public schools? Abrogating their responsibility to create a safe learning environment by protecting young children from sexualization and sexual predation has become the job of Virginia public schools? Encouraging and indulging sexual dysphoria in young children has become the job of Virginia public schools? Ask yourselves - why have we maintained these gender distinctions over the centuries? Is all that is past bad? Is all that is past harmful and malevolent? Or could some parts of culture and custom perhaps be beneficial? Could they even represent tacit wisdom that should only be very cautiously discarded and replaced after careful consideration and consensus-building? Has it occurred to you that gender distinctions may be more beneficial than harmful? Has it occurred to you that parents who love their children might care more for their long-term health and development than you do about this politically charged issue of the day? Has it occurred to you that this naked affront to the guardianship of parents over their children will instead further drive a wedge between parents and the public school system? What are you really trying to accomplish here? What alternatives have you considered? Is there a better solution that does less harm?


Support adult LGBT rights. OPPOSE state interfirence into family matters

The proposal has many undefined or silly defined terms that are misleading and/or legally incorrect. It is nothing more than an attempt of the state to remove parental rights and impose extrimist ideology on citizens/taxpayers.


I strongly oppose this  regulation

I strongly and resolutely oppose this regulation.  It disregards and overrides the role of parents, placing in the hands of people with little to no oversight, the bodily privacy and safety of our children.  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.


Strongly oppose these proposed policies

I stand for the dignity of each person, who our Creator made in His image, male and female. I also stand for the right and role of the parents to teach the truth to our children, and the right of children to speak the truth without persecution.


I strongly disagree

God help our country!  Why are we destroying our children in our schools?  Everyone has a God given free will from God, but why do we have to teach about such a topic as gender identity in a way that makes it ok, normal, or just a choice.  Unfortunately our family base has become weaker, lack of guidance and children in many homes are left to figure out life on their own.  Maybe we should start teaching the bible in school, God's word, oh but that might offend someone, after all it would be more of a rewarding life to follow, and maybe teach them how to respect others, love each other, and how to become a productive adult in a shattered, immoral world. I agree that children need to understand that some children are different, medically, psychologically, or by choice .  All people need to be respected, but I will teach my grandchildren Godly things, not things of the world or what our school system wants them to believe.  Our leaders of our country, our local government, and our school leaders need to ask themselves, who do I serve? God or the world?  Unfortunately, I don't believe our leaders listen to our concerns anyway or the above as written.   Again, God help and heal our country.


Strongly Opposed

This bill would interfere with the essential relationship between parents and children.  It would also violate students freedoms of speech and religion.  All in pursuit of encouraging transgenderism amount vulnerable teenagers, when studies have shown that 90 percent of teenagers who question their gender change their mind as adults.  This bill is designed to help adult transgenders feel powerful rather than to actually help struggling teens.


STRONGLY OPPOSE!!!

Rom. 1:24-32  So God abandoned them to do whatever shameful things their hearts desired. As a result, they did vile and degrading things with each other’s bodies. They traded the truth about God for a lie. So they worshiped and served the things God created instead of the Creator himself, who is worthy of eternal praise! Amen. That is why God abandoned them to their shameful desires. Even the women turned against the natural way to have sex and instead indulged in sex with each othe r. And the men, instead of having normal sexual relations with women, burned with lust for each other. Men did shameful things with other men , and as a result of this sin, they suffered within themselves the penalty they deserved. Since they thought it foolish to acknowledge God, he abandoned them to their foolish thinking and let them do things that should never be done. Their lives became full of every kind of wickedness , sin, greed, hate, envy, murder, quarreling, deception, malicious behavior, and gossip. They are backstabbers, haters of God , insolent, proud, and boastful. They invent new ways of sinning, and they disobey their parents. They refuse to understand, break their promises, are heartless, and have no mercy. They know God’s justice requires that those who do these things deserve to die, yet they do them anyway. Worse yet, they encourage others to do them , too.


Strongly oppose

This is totally focused on destroying the family and values of the tenets our nation was founded on.


Carla Pratt Keyes, Ginter Park Presbyterian Church

Support

As a Christian, as the pastor of Ginter Park Presbyterian Church, as a mother of teens with transgender friends, and on behalf of my own transgender friends, I very much support this guidance. It is essential for all children and youth to feel safe and welcome at school. LGBTQIA+ young people deserve special support as they navigate life in a culture that upholds harmful cisgender, heterosexual norms. The church has been a part of establishing those norms, so I feel a special responsibility to say: we have work to do, in order to make sure EVERY CHILD made in God's image knows they are a beautiful human being, worthy of love.


Strongly oppose

Used to be a teenage boy.  Would have loved to use girls locker room then.  For all the wrong reasons.


Oppose

Oppose strongly.


Strongly oppose

This is not education. It's indoctrination .


Transgender Policy

STRONGLY OPPOSE this policy which ignores science.


Model policies for transgender students

VDOE should not over the parents’ in their role as primary educator, counselor and role model.


STRONGLY OPPOSE

I strongly oppose the policies set forth in this guidance document, Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in VA Public Schools. The Acknowledgments section clearly indicates a lack of diversity in viewpoints, and no reasonably-minded parent could ever support the nonsense contained within this draft policy. You have, out of concern for a small group of people, endangered so many more. It is my absolute right as a parent to trust that my children, in their most vulnerable circumstances, such as using a restroom or changing room, would not have their privacy violated by the mere unchallenged assertion of identity from another student. The social dynamic imposed by these policies, as well as the unreasonable limitations placed on teachers who might otherwise be able to use common sense to protect the innocence of children, will create a disastrous educational environment the no parent could ever think of educating their children in. I strongly oppose the pretenses of this document, and strongly oppose these policies and any school who chooses to adopt them.


Strongly Oppose

The purpose of public education is to provide educational instruction to students, not to indoctrinate them into embracing the newest progressive social issue. That is my first objection. There are additional points to argue--but first and foremost we should focus on the purpose of our public education system. Sexual practices, whether heterosexual or homosexual, and instruction and exploration into gender identity--these are issues that should not be taught in a public school--they belong elsewhere--in family homes, in places of worship, among close friends, or with private counsel.


Model Policy for the Treatment of Transgender students is misguided

The proposed policy is misguided on many grounds.  I will highlight only three. 1.  Children need guidance from their parents, who have the moral and legal responsibility for their well-being.  The policy explicitly interferes with that relationship by excluding the parents in a crucial area of the children's lives.  Decisions about a child's gender should be made with parental knowledge, input and in most cases, with their consent. 2.  Children, by their very nature, are young and immature.  A fair reading of the policy would seem to allow school authorities and medical personnel to facilitate or at least encourage  puberty blocking treatment.  There is strong scientific evidence that such treatment is medically and psychologically damaging. 3.  Sports activities become a quagmire when children are allowed, at their whim, to decide that they are a male or female from one moment to another.  Yet the proposed policy seems to allow it.  There have been more than a few publicized cases where it is apparent on its face that a child with mostly, if not all, male physical characteristics, is able to compete against female athletes.  The inherent unfairness is self-evident. There are some laudable goals here.  Transgender children should not be bullied.  We must act with compassion and understanding.  But cutting off parental knowledge and input is a bridge too far.


Big picture - oppose

The number of public school students are declining because of the policies that the state has made. This will add to the decline.  While this is proposing being "inclusive" , it is actually exclusive. This should not be approved.


Proposal goes too far

I oppose this legislation.  The State is placing itself in front of the family in determining the welfare of children.  This is an issue that is outside the bounds of the schools, and should be left alone unless the family raises the issue.


Opposed

Any policy that encourages children to question their gender should be opposed because it will result in future health issues to the very children that the policy tries to protect.


transgender and non-binary students

LGBTQ+ young people deserve a learning environment of safety, respect, and stability, the same safety, respect, and stability provided for other students. This is the right thing to do, the moral thing to do. Please do what it takes to ensure this is the case in all Virginia schools.


Transgender teachings in the public school.

Virginia being in the bible belt, Our Nation which states "in GOD we trust", Our bill rights states that our rights are endowed by our Creator.  This un-Godly, unnatural, un-American practices & teachings should NOT enter our public schools.


SUPPORT

Every human being deserves to be treated with dignity, respect, and acceptance. PLEASE adopt this policy to ensure that every student in Virginia is given the rights they are entitled to. Love trumps hate.


Shannon Lindbloom, Integrated Schools Richmond

I support the VDOE's Guidance

Our transgender and non-binary children deserve to have their identities accepted and honored by their public schools. I support the VDOE's guidance to create inclusive and equitable environments for ALL of Virginia's children.


Love all our students

I am thrilled to see policy that is trying to address issues that used to be swept under the rug or ignored. Our public schools should be a welcoming and safe place for all of our students, whatever their needs, preferences, home life, etc. Adding specific policies to ensure the equity of transgender students seems like a step that should’ve already been taken. It has been a tumultuous year for our nation and our state. For me, it has been a wake up call that going back to decent, common practices of tolerance, acceptance, and respect for our fellow man needs to be more of a priority in our culture and society. Given that so many social interactions happen within our schools means that we need to be addressing situations that may feel uncomfortable or that may counter what some parents or families are trying to promote at home. Without contradicting a parents’ right to instill their opinions in their child, I want to be in a classroom where all of my students feel welcome and accepted and able to speak up and share their opinions without fear of repercussions or ramifications from administration or their peers. To that end, I support proposed legislation that would alter policies to ensure that transgender students have equal rights, equal say, and equal protection.


Absolutely opposed

I'm absolutely opposed to this proposed action. Please stick to teaching an academic curriculum focusing on the core subjects that we send our kids to school to learn. Stay out of the area of individaul family value systems that each family has the right to instill in their children. What you're doing is an outrageous overreach, an arrogant "politburo"-like assumption that you know better than the "ignorant masses." It's absurd and outrageous for a public school system to think its role is to impose its own views on children to advance a specific cultural and political agenda, while completely dismissing families' personal, private, and religious beliefs. That is tyranny. Just stick to teaching them core subjects.


Opposing gender confusion policies in schools

God created male and female , forcing secular beliefs on our children and promoting immorality and forcing transgender education on our kids is not a decision for the government to take! The department of education role is to educate children not teach them to hide their thoughts from their  parents and live a double life! as a Christian parent, mother and daughter,  I disagree and oppose to such a law that will only endanger my children safety and make it easy for a sexual molester to abuse my kids and be protected by this law. If you allow to have a gender neutral bathrooms and lockers, I don't see how can the children be protected!! Children gender is defined in the womb and before creation and confusing our children to believe otherwise is not education,  but destruction and challenging religions. I oppose and refuse such a law.


Strongly Opposed

As a former educator, a parent, and a grandparent, I am appalled that this would be even considered! The education of our children should not include sexual preferences or even be addressed in curriculum in the school setting. These types of conversations should be left to each family to discuss with their children in their home. This goes completely against the Christian belief and forces Christian children and parents to go along with something that they are being taught by their parents, their church, and their culture is wrong. Treating each other fairly, can be done without forcing everyone to believe something that is not right in their own eyes! It would be just as easy to develop curriculum to teach children to love each other and to respect other people's decisions without forcing them to go along with someone else's decisions.


Support Inclusive Policy

I support this proposed VDOE policy which will help to protect and reduce discrimination against all students who do not identify as cisgendered. As a PhD in Counseling Education I know that discrimination against non-cisgendered students is widespread and its effects extremely harmful and long lasting. Our students deserve to be treated with respect and decency by all educators and classmates. This legislation will be one needed step in that direction. I also request that if students and their guardians request that student name and gender be updated on school records (even if different than their birth certificate) that request be honored by school districts.


Strongly Opposed to Mandatory Queer Theory Policies

Any policy or law that requires citizens to violate their freedom of conscience, their religious beliefs, their understanding of biology and the human sex binary, and their freedom of speech must be vigorously opposed. No one has the right to dictate what pronouns someone must use when speaking about them in the third person. It is also highly inappropriate and even dangerous for government employees to be given the right, and even the mandate, to violate parental rights by perpetuating gender confusion and transgenderism in schoolchildren. What is being implemented in these proposals is Queer Theory. This is an ideology concocted in universities by academics such as Judith Butler. It demands that people believe that biological sex is fluid and even meaningless. This is scientifically wrong and medically dangerous. Truth and First Amendment rights are paramount, not ideological fads and unconstitutional mandates.


Oppose lgbtq in education

Strongly oppose!!