If you oppose this, ask yourself why you feel so threatened

As a parent and clinical psychologist, I strongly support this policy. All children need to be able to learn in an environment of safety and acceptance. The rate of suicide and mental/emotional distress among the transgender population far exceeds the rates in the general population, and so it is clear this represents a mental health crisis that as a community, we need to address. Some of the comments I have read make it very clear that many people have not had any training on trans issues, or have no exposure to an actual human being who identifies as trans, and are simply regurgitating unsubstantiated fears. I am disappointed that we can't all come together and choose the obviously compassionate path here. At the end of the day, gender is a social construct anyway. Does it really matter what gender a person identifies with? Many cultures see gender on a spectrum. It is only because someone at some point decided to dichotomize gender that we have decided, in the West at least, that one can only identify as one of two genders, and your gender "should" match your genitalia. This forces us to marginalize anyone who doesn't neatly fit into these two categories. We literally don't have a place for them. Can you imagine how that might feel if you were one of the people who experiences a more fluid sense of your gender, or if you have more ambiguous genitalia, or hormonal or chromosomal differences? If we stopped caring so much about a person's gender designation, these policies might not feel like such a big deal. I urge everyone to examine your own worries and fears around this topic and explore where those come from. Your reaction is not about anyone who identifies as trans. It is about you.


PROUDLY SUPPORT - Much Needed to Ensure ALL Students Safety in Learning

The 22.1-23.3 Code and regulation is clearly and unequivocally supported by our own Federal and State laws to ensure the safety of ALL students and individuals. This does not need each citizen support because it already has each citizen support in the existence of... - The First Amendment - where we ALL have freedom of expression - Equal Protection under the Fourteenth Amendment - where we ALL have protection (FYI, this is the one we haven't been honoring as our LGBTQIA+ youth have not been protected) - Title VII of the Civil Rights Act - where sexual and gender protections exist - Title IX of Education Amendments - where it PROHIBITS discrimination of these youth in schools!!! Though I am glad to live in a democracy and glad that our State allows for our input in such decisions -- our PERSONAL OPINIONS and PERSONAL FEARS are not of concern here. LGBTQIA+ youth and individuals exist and deserve the same rights and protections of any other citizen in this country. By denying these rights, we are not living up to our Constitution, we are not living up to what it means to be an American, we are not living up to our basic democratic philosophies. Our country was built and has been continuously made better by our differences, by our diversity, by our inclusion. We have proven time and again that though our neighbor may disagree with us, we, together, can find the common humanity that exists between us. Our LGBTQIA+ youth are asking YOU to see their common humanity. How can we deny that? Every child, our most vulnerable population, deserves protection and support - no matter who they are. I am in FULL support of this and believe it is PAST TIME to implement these changes!


Not the Answer

The document claims to seek to assist those students who identify as transgendered. It is of course laudable to assist those who are in need. However, these proposals go much further than just helping and in fact promote the “transgender ideology”. First, the definition of gender identity is itself problematic: “A person’s internal sense of their own identity as a boy/man, girl/woman, something in between, or outside the male/female binary” (p. 6). Thus “School divisions should accept a student’s assertion of their gender identity without requiring any particular substantiating evidence, including diagnosis, treatment, or legal documents. A student is considered transgender if, at school, the student consistently asserts a gender identity different from the sex assigned at birth...” (p.12). This amazingly fluid, subjective, and unscientific definition is the basis for the document’s policies. Consider what this means for parental rights: “There are no regulations requiring school staff to notify a parent or guardian of a student’s request to affirm their gender identity...[A] plan may include addressing the student at school with their asserted name and pronoun while using the legal name and pronoun associated with the sex assigned at birth when communicating with parents or guardians” (p.12). In other words, not only could a school leave the parents out of decisions and deliberations profoundly impacting their children; it could also deliberately deceive them. Further, consider students’ privacy, modesty, and safety in the use of bathrooms and locker rooms: “Access to facilities such as restrooms and locker rooms that correspond to a student’s gender identity shall be available to all students... School staff should not confront students about their gender identity upon entry into the restroom” (p.18). These policies would also compel speech: “For transgender students, acts of verbal harassment may include the intentional and persistent use of names and pronouns not consistent with their identity (p.10)...A school employee’s intentional and persistent refusal to respect a student’s asserted name and pronoun is considered discriminatory” (p.12). In other words, one must comply with the transgendered vocabulary. This is forced participation in error, another kind of verbal bullying. It is one thing to claim transgendered status and ask for kindness to those who are transgendered. It is another thing entirely to compel others to use language approving of it. Again, it is laudable to want to ease the sufferings of others. But this document, in seeking to accommodate one group, cuts against parental rights, student safety, and freedom of speech.


We have the power to do better, by supporting transgender and gender diverse youth

As a pediatrician and a parent, I echo support for this document provided by the DOE to protect children who are gender diverse from discrimination. There is strong data that children and adolescents who identify as LGBTQ+, and particularly children and adolescents who are gender diverse, suffer severe mental and physical health consequences, through no fault of their own, when they are taught living as their authentic selves is wrong. The remedy? There is also strong data that putting aside your biases and supporting youth to live authentically in their gender has the power to almost completely eradicate those poor outcomes. Schools and other institutions have particular power in this area, as they model to communities how ALL people can, and should, be safe and respected. And despite fears, there is NO data to support the idea that meeting the needs of gender diverse people of any age is a safety risk for anyone else, including in bathrooms. Instead, it is a clear safety risk to people who are LGBTQ+ to continue to teach intolerance, as we know there are high rates of suicide and homicide against them. We have the power to do better by these children, and in doing so create a more inclusive, supportive environment for all children.


FULLY SUPPORT

We need to support all of our students to ensure best outcomes for all of us.  Fully Support this initiative.


SUPPORT

I support protections for Trans and Gender Non-binary students. As a parent and proud resident of Virginia, I would feel more confident and trusting of a state that values all lives and rejects bigoted viewpoints that are not based on fact or love but based on hateful ideology. I am also a foster care social worker and know that LGBTQ+ youth of color face huge disparities in our state and this is one step in addressing systems that are not built to support them.


Strongly oppose

Ridiculous


Reject this "guidance" based on radical ideology

We should emphatically reject such misguided "guidance" that is being imposed on our schools based on a radical ideology that the vast majority of parents oppose. The proposed policies articulate views – such as the view that “Gender identity is considered an innate characteristic that most children declare by age five to six ” – that are far different from those of many parents. Through its blanket endorsement of views like these, the VDOE has gone far beyond the path the General Assembly prescribed. There is much talk about the need to protect students who describe themselves as "transgendered." Certainly these confused individuals deserve our sympathy and help and respect for their dignity as human beings. But 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 as part of an overnight school activity, or other intimate settings with a member of the opposite biological sex (particularly adults!) -- which will inevitably happen under this policy. And the resulting traumatic reactions of students to these situations (especially girls) are also inevitable. Who speaks for them? It also tells you a lot about the intentions of those pushing this guidance that it prohibits schools from even notifying parents if a biological male is using the same changing facility as their daughter that was designated for girls. (See the Draft Policy, p.12) Schools should also not be accommodating the especially harmful view that youth is an appropriate time to be encouraging, in some cases, irreversible “gender transitions." Nor should they be infringing on the First Amendment rights of parents to raise and care for their children, as this "guidance" would do. Finally, who will speak up for the students, parents, or teachers whose speech will be compelled under this guidance? This policy provides no exceptions or accommodations for a student or teacher whose religious faith, conscience, or understanding of biology and sociology prevents them from being able to go along with the “transgender” ideology and policies. It would also subject faculty and students to disciplinary action if they are unable to keep up with the ever-changing, totally subjective "gender identity" or "preferred pronouns" of their classmates. This is madness. Please reject this incredibly misguided and unworkable policy, which will force all students, faculty and administrators to comply with an empirically false view of sex and gender, even if it directly conflicts with their own fundamental beliefs.


Opposed

Transgender children should be treated with compassion and understanding and bullying of any kind should not be tolerated. With that said, cutting off parental knowledge and input is absolutely unacceptable. Parents have the moral and legal responsibility for the well-being of their children and it is in no way the right of the state to remove those parental rights.


Strongly Support

As a school counseling graduate student, I strongly support this policy as a great start for reducing some of the mental health concerns of trans students. This guidance says that they will follow "evidence-based best practices" which demonstrates that the suggestions in this guidance are supported by research and have been agreed upon by experts in the field as the best ways to support these students. As others have stated, the rates of suicidal ideation and mental health concerns for trans students are way higher than for other students. If this guidance can help these students in any way, why would anyone question implementing it? This guidance simply states that it encourages the maintenance of a safe and supportive learning environment free from discrimination and harassment for all students--if you are opposed to this type of learning environment, you need to take a serious look at yourself and your values. These students are human beings and deserve to be treated with the same dignity and respect as everyone else. Before firing off a "strongly oppose" comment, I encourage you to have empathy and imagine what this would feel like if YOU were one of these struggling transgender students.


Barbara Powell, Tax payer in the USA and State of Virginia

Transgender guidelines

I do not support it.  You are what you were born with!  Teachers should leave it alone.


I do not support it.

Teachers need to stay out of itl


Strongly Oppose

I strongly oppose this


Strongly oppose for several reasons

The school system has lost its focus.  It is entering the realm of social manipulation intead of teaching basic knowledge and skills such as "reading, writing, and arithmetic."  Students will be distracted by concerns over recalling what "identity" a classmate has and what to call them in order to stay out of trouble, instead of learning actual class content. While you claim to be "sensitive" to a transgender student, the result is that you fail to be sensitive to ALL students who don't fall into this category.  What happened to science? DNA shows only 2 sexes, male and female.  Anything else that is claimed is in the area of supposition and unsubstantiated. Your new policies usurp the role of the parent and takes away their rights to raise their children according to their values and beliefs.  It is not the job of the school system.  Threatening a call to child protective services has overtones of a police state, not a school system.


Strongly Oppose

I am a school counselor and strongly believe in respecting the dignity of all students. This is a complex issue. The current policy of allowing schools to work with the transgendered students and their families to offer a private alternative for using the restroom affords privacy to both that student and all the remaining students. The argument can be made that makes the student stand out form their peers. However, dressing in front of individuals of a different biological sex does that even more. In respecting the needs of individuals we also must consider the needs of the whole student body to feel safe and comfortable. It is important to also get anonymous student input not just that of adult advocates.


Strongly Oppose to Allowing Men and Boys into the Girls Bathrooms, Lockerrooms, and Showers

STRONGLY OPPOSE ALLOWING TO MEN AND BOYS INTO GIRLS BATHROOMS, LOCKERROOMS, AND SHOWERS It is biologically impossible for humans to change their sex and their DNA.  Any attempts to claim or pretend otherwise in order to accommodate delusions, and then attempt to re-assign and manipulate existing rights, distinctions, and protections between the two sexes, is nothing more than based on falsifications, fabrications, fraud, and therefore illegal. It is unfair, discriminatory, and inhumane to force biological men and boys into the bathrooms, locker rooms and showers of biological females who may object based on conscience, religion, science, medicine, comfort, and safety. It is unfair, discriminatory, and unjust to allow biological males to compete in female sports, may result in physically harm females, and violates TITLE IX US Civil Rights law (created to protect the rights of females and ensure equality between the two sexes). It is child abuse and cruel for the government to encourage, subsidize, and provide access for sexually confused children to be given dangerous and harmful drugs, permanent surgery to remove healthy and vital body organs, and force sterilization, when medical journals report 9 out of 10 sexually confused children grow out of their sexual confusion by adulthood and align with their own biological sex. It is unfair, discriminatory, hateful, and bigoted to harass, penalize, and violate those who may do not support the unjust impositions from such harmful proposed policies by a confirmed mental disorder, including unjustly discriminating and violating civil rights and first amendment rights against those that are Muslim, Catholic, Evangelist Christians, Orthodox Jews, Mormons, Rape Victims, Medical Professionals, Biologists, Scientists, Psychologists, Counselors, Military Soldiers, Female Athletes, and even the plethora of Ex-Transgenders.


OPPOSED! I am against the Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia’s Public Schools for the following reasons: Failure to use a student’s new “preferred pronouns” – which can change from day to day and even defy basic rules of grammar (“ze/hir/hirs”, “they/them/their”) – would be considered “harassment” and “discrimination”, for which both faculty and students would be subject to disciplinary action. Schools should not be permitted to help a student explore, facilitate and make decisions regarding their gender expression of sexual identity while at school, without a parent even knowing! Parents should be informed about everything regarding their child and the school system. It takes a team of educator, student and parent in public school education. Parents who encourage their children to embrace their God-given sex would be at risk of being reported for child abuse or neglect by the school. Schools would be prohibited from notifying parents if a biological male is using the same changing facility as their daughter that was designated for girls. • 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. The requirements for schools to maintain gender-neutral dress code standards will cause disruptions and distractions, permitting boys to wear skirts and girls to go topless in activities where boys can – such as swimming activities or teams. Parents will not be notified that their child is being interrogated by school officials for allegedly violating these policies, or have the opportunity to intervene on their child’s behalf, UNLESS the complaints are not resolved “at the school level.” The policies provide absolutely no exceptions or accommodations for a student or teacher whose religious faith, conscience, or understanding of biology and sociology prevents them from being able to go along with the “transgender” ideology and policies. There are many more reasons to oppose the proposed Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia’s Public Schools. These policies are detrimental to our educational system and will only add more problems then what they hope to solve. Please do not support these policies!


Support

as a trans person who came out in high school, I fully support this measure to explicitly include trans rights for students in Virginia. I was lucky enough to attend a school that allowed me to use my chosen name and bathrooms that align with my gender identity. Some of my trans friends who went to other schools did not have the same experience. All students deserve to be treated with respect and equality while they learn. Dealing with bigotry on a daily basis is incredibly harmful to students mental health and leads to higher rates of suicide for trans children. Therefore this measure to provide inclusive rights for trans kids is LIFE SAVING and its potential positive impact cannot be understated.


So VERY OPPOSED

Usurpation of parental responsibility and involvement.


Transgender Student Policy House Bill 145 and Senate Bill 161

I support the guidance.  I think the time has come for us to stop pushing back on discrimination and inequality.  So much time is wasted on trying to tear people down and treat them as inferior, when we should all be working to build each other up and support each other.  This is particularly important for our youth and particularly when they are just trying to get an education and get a start in the world.  Anything that can help them along their way should be encouraged.  Something set in place to help one person doesn't have to been seen as somehow removing rights from someone else.  It isn't a zero sum game and it's time we started to realize that. I have a niece who called me the day before Christmas to tell me that they had themselves into a mental health facility.  She/they are struggling to be understood at home, and given where she lives, I would imagine that her classmates give her a hard time for her pronouns.  This is a waste of time and energy. Why are we tearing down a child?  What is the point?  To try to get them to conform to an idea that is stale and useless?  We need to broaden our minds, broaden our hearts and start caring for and loving ALL of our children.


Opposed to the proposed Transgender Policy

Opposed for many reasons. Parental rights need to be protected. End the Government overreach. Enough of the state-imposed social engineering 'mandates'!! Leave  us alone!  Get out of our personal business, and let parents provide their children with the proper guidance and morals, as well as the psychological and medical treatments if and when needed.


Transgender policy

I do not support the proposed policy.  This is an area that should be under the parent's control, not the school.


Strongly disagree

I strongly disagree with this agenda for our children.


I support this!

I support this! Step in the right direction. Inclusivity!


Strongly disagree with this proposed policy

Please respect the rights of parents and the well-being of students and do not enact the proposed changes.  If the new transgender regulations are adopted and implemented by VA Public Schools, it will cause great harm to students.  (It will also drive families who can afford it out of public schools and into private schools that act with more common sense and respect for parental rights and duties.)


Proposal Document

I agree with this proposal.


Strongly Oppose

This policy is messed up big time.  Spend more time teaching and less time playing God.  Everyone should treat everyone with respect and love no matter their feelings, gender, race etc.  However, you are leading parents and children down a path that supports your ideology.


Opposed

A fundamental issue here seems to be acceptance of people who are different, which has been true in our public schools since the beginning. What legislation is in place for bullying and lack of acceptance related to people who are "different" with things like cleft palate, down syndrome, missing fingers, learning disabilities... ad infinitum?  Why is the issue of trans-gender such a hot topic when so many teens would already say they get bullied and mocked at school?  Not only is it being singled out as an issue, but these policies (helping a fractional minority) would step on all kinds of people who morally disagree. People can "accept" someone's feelings while still disagreeing about those feelings, and can ALSO do so without being mean or cruel. Teaching parents and children about THAT would be way more productive than forcing them to adhere to policies, procedures, and beliefs about something with which they morally disagree. For example, it is NOT OK for girls to share bathrooms and gym showers with teenage young men who think they are women. How many days will we go before some young man is willing to say he's trans-gender (even though he's not) just so he can hang out in the ladies showers. This puts our daughters at risk under the name of "acceptance and support". Absolutely ridiculous. Regardless of your religious or moral stance, this is just a big political move that will cost us all a lot more than we think. I completely oppose this policy.


Very Definitely Opposed

I am strongly opposed to this policy for the following reasons: No child should be compelled to share private settings such as showers or locker rooms with a member of the opposite biological sex. Children, particularly adolescents, can experience hypersensitive and traumatic reactions to these situations. The proposed regulations infringe upon the First Amendment rights of parents to raise and care for their children in a manner that reflects their values The Department’s proposed policies would pit children against their parents when it comes to the issues of sex and gender identity.


Strongly against

I disagree with this idea of including transgender policies in our public schools. The teachers are there to teach. Gender confusion is a private affair that should be handled at home not publicly in our schools.


Strongly Oppose!

We are born as female or male just as God intended for us to be when he created us. The whole society is set up with this in mind as is marriage. We are reinventing the wheel for a few students and not considering all of the other kids that is totally confused about this craziness.


Strongly opposed

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


STRONGLY OPPOSE

I strongly oppose the guidelines put forth by the schools. While all students deserve protections, these guidelines exceed protections and indeed are quite the opposite. They are inherently abusing those who choose to support traditional gender forms; they are overstepping the boundaries of any sort of educational system; they are setting forth a moral code defined by a school administration and enforcing it against anyone who does not agree. Further, the ages at which schools are seeking to encourage children to choose gender forms they desire does not jive with appropriate psychological and emotional developmental guidelines in which parents should be the first and foremost authority and confidant in their child’s decision and lives. Further, to conspire with a minor in subjugation of a parent’s authority is essentially criminal and should not be supported.


STRONGLY OPPOSE


STOP THIS NONSENSE NOW!!

Give me a break!  Young children are still learning about life and who and what they are.  WE, as adults, have a responsibility to assist them in this endeavor.  Guidance along biological lines IS appropriate.  God created a man, and then He created a woman.  He DID NOT create two men or two women.  If, as they grow and mature, they decide that this is what they want, then so be it.  We don’t put young children behind the wheel of an automobile, we don’t give them the right to vote, etc.  Their minds have not yet mature; they require guidance, not to be left alone to wander like mindless sheep!


I strongly disagree with this agenda for our children


Opposed to this harmful policy

I agree that every child, including and especially those struggling with sexual confusion, should be protected from harm and harassment. There is no question on that. And Virginia has a good anti-bullying law. But this new, proposed policy goes way beyond prevention and crosses the line into mandatory promotion of politicized and sexualized ideology, by assuming that every child with gender confusion should obviously change genders and by essentially criminalizing any effort to help children be comfortable with their own bodies. Considering that scientific studies and medical experts make clear the majority of children outgrow gender confusion by the time they reach adolescence—it’s, at best, irresponsible to push involuntary promotion of gender confusion in a public education setting—and, at worst, actually damaging to kids who are still developing.  It also pits schools against parents, and requires schools to teach that sex is arbitrarily and randomly "assigned" at birth (rather than determined by DNA and manifested in male or female genitalia), which is objectively false.


I support the model policies. As an attorney, I run a legal clinic that helps transgender people change their name and gender marker on legal documentation. In the clinics and my own private practice, I have helped dozens of transgender youth. Even when things go smoothly, the process can take a year or longer. Trans students awaiting correct documents should not face persistent misgendering or deadnaming in school. It is well documented that the risk of suicide is dramatically lower when students are identified by their intended name and according to their gender identity.


Gender confusion

I recommend that all legislators see the DVD's "In His Image" from the American Family Association.  Also that all parties interested in gender issues see www.changed.com.


Virginia Public Schools are heading for disaster

Virginia public universities are heading for disaster.  Teachers unions and the democratic party are trying to eliminate male and female identification. Their goal is to reeducate our children.  Look at Nancy Pelosi's banning the use of father, mother, sister, brother, gender based pronouns, etc in the House of Representatives. Democrats claim to follow science when in reality they are facists.  I don't hate anyone who identifies as a gender besides their God given sex, but do believe that they are confused at best.  When you hear a  lie long enough you start believing it.  I think this is what the democratic party has done.  Now they are forcing this lie on our children and the public.


Stop this nonsense, don't harrase innocent kids

Stop this nonsense. Do you want your daughter to share bathroom and locker room with guys?


Stop the Insanity Presented as Loving and Caring

This policy is ludicrous.  Instead of attempting to help children during their maturation process which is sometimes confusing, the education department is sentencing confused children into life long turmoil under the guise of fairness.  This is not loving or kind, but merely a political payoff to a well funded lobby that would like everyone to submit to their lifestyle choices. It is contrary to science and will only lead to more heartache and destruction in the future.  Moreover, it is in violation of the First Amendment which protects the rights of parents in freely practicing their religion.  (Which you suspiciously left out in your description.) Do not put this policy in place.


I strongly & whole-heartedly disagree with this proposed policy.

I strongly & whole-heartedly disagree with this proposed policy for the following reasons: The proposed regulations infringe upon the First Amendment rights of parents to raise and care for their children in a manner that reflects their values The Department’s proposed policies would pit children against their parents when it comes to the issues of sex and gender identity. No child should be compelled to share private settings such as showers or locker rooms with a member of the opposite biological sex. Children, particularly adolescents, can experience hypersensitive and traumatic reactions to these situations. Please respect the rights of parents and the well-being of students and do not enact the proposed changes.


Don't eat a bowl of stupid!

See comment regarding Transgender policies and indoctrination. Lets actually tell kids the truth and not submit them to further confusion and make them think they can change their gender.


Transgender Policy

As a former teacher and elementary school principal, I want to speak out against the transgender policy in the Fairfax County Public Schools. NO schools should be promoting any POLICY about sex. Apart from the fact that children are male or female, this policy promotes personal confusion, social problems and difficulties for parents who under no circumstance accept this immoral teaching. I would suggest that the Fairfax County Public Schools get back to teaching the normal curriculum for each grade and STOP promoting social policies. The result of not concentrating on the curriculum is that students are now UNEDUCATED and ill-informed. As a result, corporations can NOT hire students from the Fairfax County Public Schools since they are NOT prepared for the REAL world. As a result, more of them are committing suicide and turning to drugs and crime. Jane A. Quill 3179 Lindenwood Lane Fairfax, VA 22031


Transgender indoctrination

I am opposed to teaching transgender as an assignment of sex at birth. I believe that we are all born with a biological sex and our DNA proves that fact. I also believe that parents have the right to teach their children what the Bible says about being born as male or female and that the government has no compelling right to deny them of that teaching. I also believe that present laws protect so-called transgender children through the no bullying statutes.


Opposition to DOE Proposed Transgender School Policies

I am writing to strongly oppose the Virginia DOE Proposed Transgender School Policies.  Current school policies already protect transgender students, together with all students in Virginia public schools, from discrimination.  These new proposed policies go far beyond this protection to single out transgender students for privileged treatment above other students.  The result of these policies will be the denying of rights to other students such as the rights to privacy, freedom of association, parental involvement, and a school environment free of coercion.  There is also much medical evidence coming to light as to the devastating affects of encouraging gender confusion in children.  Encouraging children  to decide for themselves if they are male or female irregardless of their biological gender and DNA is emotionally detrimental; and if they are encouraged to pursue a course of medical gender transition, the devastating physical outcomes are also well documented.  These polices are not for the good of our children, but are being used to promote a political agenda which will also further lessen the effectiveness of our educational system as valuable personnel and material resources are spent on enforcement of these polices rather than on a sound academic education.


Strongly oppose

I am saddened by this atrocious “Guidance Document”. Children being used as political pawns by misguided adults has no place in our schools or our culture. God have mercy.


Do not put our kids in a potentially dangerous situation!


Unacceptable

This is unacceptable and should be allowed to be taught to our children of any age. This should be left up to the parents to teach. This is a disgrace and a abomination.


Transgender policies harmful to majority of students

Students who are sincerely struggling with gender issues should seek professional help handling it, always with their parents involvement, if it is to be successful.  That said, it is very short sighted and harmful to the majority of students, or any students, who don't have those issues, to be subjected to all the problems your new policies would create. The students who are not struggling with this issue would have their personal space, modesty, untroubled attitude, and play in sports, for starters, all be questioned if not outright attacked. All this harm to untroubled students would not even benefit who it's supposed to help since even with much professional help they still have many issues to resolve.


I strongly oppose the new Transgendered Public School Policy


Strongly disagree with gender, transgender teaching in schools

At a time when our country is significantly behind other countries in the areas of reading, writing, math, science, languages, etc. even though those other countries spend much less money on education than we do, I truly believe those should be the things that are taught in our schools.  By trying to weave in gender and transgender issues which can be very confusing for many children and even teens, it requires teachers to be "pretend" psychologists without the training or understanding to be effective and can cause significant harm to young people.  We need our teachers to focus on their area of education/expertise and learn the best ways to be effective in teaching the core subjects that we expect our children to learn at school to be able to succeed in future jobs and life.  If a child truly struggles with a gender issue, that is the place to have a well qualified counselor (Take the money you would spend on incorporating gender into other studies and spend it on getting outstanding, well-trained counselors while better preparing teachers to teach their core subjects!) work with the child in combination with the parents, but that is no reason to take up valuable core-subject classroom time for everyone which will by definition keep them from learning the topics needed to succeed and also potentially confuse children that have absolutely no question about their gender.  As a woman with many female friends who have been successful athletes, I also 100% disagree with having anyone with male genetics and hormones compete in women's sports.  That is not fair to young girls and women and is terrible for their self-esteem.  We need to FOLLOW THE SCIENCE on this.  Males have a biological advantage.  It is totally not fair to future opportunities, including athletic scholarship opportunities for girls.  We've spent years trying to get funding into schools for girls sports only to now consider disadvantaging biological girls in sports.


Transgender policies

I strongly oppose these policies.  This is the parent's responsibility; not government.  Some of these policy changes are a real danger to our society and our children.


Strongly Opposed

I am strongly opposed to the transgender policies proposed by the Virginia Department of Education, as they would pit children against their parents when it comes to important questions about sex and gender identity. Please do not enact the proposed changes!


Bad Policy

this measure could penalize parents who would encourage their child’s birth gender, and also provides no religious exception for students or teachers who would have different beliefs. It is neither moral nor ethical to favor one persons freedom of speech over another. If this measure passes, the failure of logical foresight as to the issues this would cause would be shameful.


This transgender policy does not support biological reality.

Haven't you read that in the beginning, our Creator made us either male or female? We do not make that decision, our Creator made that decision for us at the point of conception. Does your own biological body not teach you this most basic concept of our existence on this planet? So how is it that you profess yourself to be wise by creating gender confusion among the people of Virginia through your appointed policies that ignore the basics of mankind? Why do the nations rebel and the people plot in vain?  The governor of Virginia and certain delegates and people take their stand and conspire together against their Creator saying, "Let us tear off their chains and free ourselves from their restraints.  The one enthroned in Heaven laughs; the Lord ridicules them.  Then, He speaks to them in His anger and terrifies them in His wrath. So now governor and delegates, and people... be wise, receive instruction, return to sanity, and end your foolishness with "transgender" confusion policies.


Strongly oppose

Students can be supported when struggling with any personal issues and confusion regarding gender identity without resorting to adopting curriculum and instruction that creates more issues and confusion for students who are not struggling with this. Appropriate support for a transgender student who is being bullied is to teach bullies that their action is wrong, not to try and convince the bully and every other student, bully or not, that the transgender student is right and allow their confusion or ideology to negatively impact countless other students and families. This is not education. It is indoctrination to an opinion that is not shared by everyone. Our education system should teach character that is easily agreed upon by the families it serves, not attempt to have everyone think the same way on issues that are not easily agreed upon by the majority of families that are entitled to public education in the United States. It is agreeable to teach that bullying is wrong. This will not create controversy. It is not agreeable to teach that gender is fluid and that genders are randomly assigned at birth. This will create enormous controversy, and this isn't the role of our educational system. Legislators need to think of better ways to help students, families, and teachers. This is NOT a good idea.


Strongly Oppose

No explanation necessary.  This is wrong, wrong, wrong.  Not only goes against Common Sense, but Decentcy and Morality.


Gender Identity

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


Transgender Policy   Virginia

As a former teacher and principal, as a citizen and as a resident of Fairfax County, I do NOT approve your "Transgender Policy." Preferred pronouns, gender expression of sexual identity at school without knowledge of parents, subjective gender identity, reporting parents for child abuse if they disagree with this immoral policy, transgender bathrooms and locker rooms, outlandish  dress codes, allowing girls to go topless in pools because boys do, interrogating students about what their parents think and ignoring the religious beliefs of families are all OUTRAGEOUS in my opinion. Schools must get back to the curricula at each grade level NOW and STOP this socialist propaganda. If schools do not teach the curriculum, they should be defunded immediately! Jane Quill 3179 Lindenwood Lane Fairfax, VA 22031


Respect children and their parents!


Terrible policy

This is a terrible policy that affects both sexes, male and female.  It especially harms the females who are the fairest sex.  Dispose of this policy which is helping the homosexuals.


Vehemently oppose transgender proposal!

As a former teacher I vehemently am against this proposal from the VA Department of Education encouraging gender confusion and emotional harm among its students by allowing girls in boys bathrooms and locker rooms and visa versa.  At this age, that is a travesty and a disgrace! The proposal is also filled with deception and poor policy.


Stongly Oppose


STOP TAKEOVER OF CHILDREN GENDER DETERMINATIONS BY LOUDOUN CO. SCHOOL BOARD!

MUST STOP THE INTRUSION OF LOCAL AND STATE EDUCATION INTO QUESTIONS OF GENDER AND SEXUALITY WHICH ARE THE LEGITIMATE DOMAIN OF PARENTS.  THIS IS MORE OVERREACH BY GOVERNMENT!


Strongly Opposed

At a time when our country is significantly behind other countries in the areas of reading, writing, math, science, languages, etc. even though those other countries spend much less money on education than we do, I truly believe those should be the things that are taught in our schools.  By trying to weave in gender and transgender issues which can be very confusing for many children and even teens, it requires teachers to be "pretend" psychologists without the training or understanding to be effective and can cause significant harm to young people.  We need our teachers to focus on their area of education/expertise and learn the best ways to be effective in teaching the core subjects that we expect our children to learn at school to be able to succeed in future jobs and life.  If a child truly struggles with a gender issue, that is the place to have a well qualified counselor (Take the money you would spend on incorporating gender into other studies and spend it on getting outstanding, well-trained counselors while better preparing teachers to teach their core subjects!) work with the child in combination with the parents, but that is no reason to take up valuable core-subject classroom time for everyone which will by definition keep them from learning the topics needed to succeed and also potentially confuse children that have absolutely no question about their identity. I also 100% disagree with having anyone with male genetics and hormones compete in women's sports.  That is not fair to young girls and women and is terrible for their self-esteem.  We need to FOLLOW THE SCIENCE on this.  Males have a biological advantage.  It is totally not fair to future opportunities, including athletic scholarship opportunities for girls.  We've spent years trying to get funding into schools for girls sports only to now consider disadvantaging biological girls in sports.


Opening Pandora's Box

These proposed policies place an unreasonable burden on our kids at a place (school) and time (the school day) to protect themselves when their time and energy should be focused on their studies. I  spoke to a recent graduate from a Virginia Beach public high school last week. She was grateful she was out and scared for those young girls still in school if this comes to pass. She stated consensual sex in bathrooms, locker rooms, stairwells was already a problem in her high school. These new proposed policies would only increase that problem many times over while at the same time completely undermining the school environment as a place for learning. If that was not cause enough to reject these proposals then certainly the blatant attempt to place barriers between the student/parent relationship should be. If adopted as proposed, I see a great exodus from public education which is certainly something I would highly recommend to any parent concerned about their child's well-being.


Respect the fundamental rights of parents to bring up their children

If public schools are allowed, let alone required, to adhere to the proposed guidelines, they will unleash substantial harm on families. They will step into the role, previously reserved to parents, to guide children through one of the most personal and private transitions of life, namely their attitudes toward their own sexuality. It's one thing to teach students about sex and procreation; it's entirely another to "counsel" them about topics such as gender identity without parental involvement. Please respect the foundation of human society as it has been known and developed over millennia: the family.


UNconstitutional

This planned teaching approach wrt 'gender'  is UNconstitutional. This teaching is also illogical and tries to ignore true facts and replace them with woke PC lies. It would be the teaching of a religion founded on evil and doing what satan wants done to destroy the USA before Armageddon arrives. It would be another assault on religion and what the majority knows is correct.  Unfortunately too many people who say they are 'christians'  are mistaken and deluding themselves by staying silent. The constitution guarantees us freedom OF religion not freedom FROM religion.  And this attempt to further destroy the truth must be stopped now.


STRONGLY OPPOSE

This is not protecting all children's rights.  The state education officials are not including kids’ bodily safety and privacy into their definition of “safe for all.” Because according to this policy, schools must allow boys identifying as girls, for instance, to use the girls’ bathrooms or change in female locker rooms and this can all be done without ever notifying parents. Sadly, no one ever talks about the harm done to very young girls, for example, who feel powerless to expect physical privacy in the present of biological males, not to mention young men who don’t want to change in front of biological girls. Also, considering that scientific studies and medical experts make clear the majority of children outgrow gender confusion by the time they reach puberty—it’s, at best, irresponsible to push involuntary promotion of gender confusion in a public education setting—and, at worst, actually damaging to kids who are still developing.


Transgender Policy

This program will cause gender confusion in students at their most vulnerable stage of life. It will also endanger girls by having boys comingling with them while in the locker room in partial states of dress, and it will destroy any privacy they may desire. Further, parents are responsible for their children until the age of 18 y/o and this program takes away any knowledge or parental input into the situation! Please do not pursue this terrible program further for the benefit and safety of our children.


transgender policy

STRONGLY OPPOSE.  Do not allow this to happen.  Parents need to be in charge of their children not the state!!


Being for Transgender Sports is Being Against Women!

How does the party that claims to be for women propose these policies that eviscerate women's/girl's sports?  There is nothing fair about this, and is damaging to the psyches of women and girls.  News flash - men and women are different!


OPPOSED

I can't wait for transgender males to take over girl sports. Boy will that make some liberal heads spin off their body! You all deserve exactly what you get for messing with God, nature and science.


Stop School Administration from Indoctrinating Children with transgender policies

as a Christian parent , I want to teach my children and grandchildren Biblical values and truths. I want the public school system to support my decision and allow parents to view any materials relating to transgender policies. If they are not in line with Biblical truths, please allow parents to withdraw their children from having to read or participate in activities related to this subject. We believe counseling and information in personal, emotional and purity so matters should come from the family only. Allow the teachers and administrators in our public school system to teach the educational foundations of reading, writing, math, science and social studies as they are trained. Families should be allowed to raise their children with their own values without government interference.


Strongly opposed - New DOE guidelines for transgender students

We absolutely need to protect, support, and care for children. In situations where students are being deprived of food, shelter, or where words are used to berate them (words used to express a different viewpoint, when shared with kindness, are NOT berating or damaging) or physical harm delivered to them, we should be unmoved in our resolve to protect and give parents tools to support their children. But this policy regarding transgender rights allows for the watering down of what constitutes abuse, leading to unnecessary and dangerous calls for child removal from the home and strips parents of their rights to guide their children. No person should control the flow of information that goes to a parent. This policy will allow for serious subjectivity and bias and tie the hands of parents.


Strongly Opposed.

I didn't know we were no longer the home of the FREE.  If a person chooses to change their sex, that's their business and to force others to play their charade is wrong on so many levels. If they want to be a different pronoun, that's their business but forcing others to go along with something they don't believe in is saying one person's rights are more important than another person's rights.  Treat everyone with respect, absolutely, but allow teachers and students to use the transgender students first or last name to reference them instead of swallowing the lie of a pronoun. Thank you.


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

I would like to offer my support for the Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia's Public Schools. This document demonstrates thoughtful considerations for ways to maintain a safe and inclusive school environment with a specific focus on transgender students. As a former school counselor, I can attest to the positive impact that attending school in an environment that feels safe and welcoming has for transgender and gender non-binary students. Additionally, creating a school environment where one group feels safe (especially a group that has been significantly marginalized) increases the likelihood that all students will feel safe and supported. Many have commented that "this issue" should be left to parents. While I agree that parents should have conversations about gender identity with their children, this document more explicitly addresses school safety and culture which is not under the purview of parents. Everyone should feel affirmed in the educational setting and this model policy provides specific guidelines towards that end. My only suggestion would be that all school staff, teachers, and administrators have the requirement of annual training related to LGBTQ+ issues. This directive should not be limited to school mental health professionals.


I strongly oppose the proposed transgender policy for public schools!

I am writing to strongly oppose the Virginia DOE Proposed Transgender School Policies.  Current school policies already protect transgender students, together with all students in Virginia public schools, from discrimination.  These new proposed policies go far beyond this protection to single out transgender students for privileged treatment above other students.  The result of these policies will be the denying of rights to other students such as the rights to privacy, freedom of association, parental involvement, and a school environment free of coercion.  There is also much medical evidence coming to light as to the devastating affects of encouraging gender confusion in children.  Encouraging children  to decide for themselves if they are male or female irregardless of their biological gender and DNA is emotionally detrimental; and if they are encouraged to pursue a course of medical gender transition, the devastating physical outcomes are also well documented.  These polices are not for the good of our children, but are being used to promote a political agenda which will also further lessen the effectiveness of our educational system as valuable personnel and material resources are spent on enforcement of these polices rather than on a sound academic education. Plus, this proposed policy makes no allowances for religious exemptions and is therefore a violation of 1st Amendment-Freedom of Religion guarantees  There will be lengthy and expensive court challenges as a result of this which will further strain the already tight school systems budgets. There will be many parents that will simply pull there children out of public school and opt to homeschool rather than subject their children to this indoctrination. That will be a further detriment to Pubic education. You need to think through ALL the ramifications of this action!


Transgender

Strongly oppose this policy. It is insane. This is not a subject for schools to teach but parents. This is why our education system is falling behind the rest of the world. We are teaching kids things that do not obtain to education but philosophy(religion). Get back to teaching our kids math, reading and writing. I am all for protecting individual rights but not at the expense of what the majority believes to be correct. Please do not sign onto this bill.


I Strongly Oppose Transgender Policies

I strongly oppose transgender policies in Virginia schools! As a Va. teacher for 42 yrs., I feel that it is damaging to teach gender confusion to minors!!!


Gender is not negotiable

Gender is biological. Neither words, policies, laws nor medical intervention can change that.


Oppose transgender policy

I oppose this policy. For one thing, I am the parent and I know what’s best for my children. No one should have the authority to undermine my parental rights. I don’t want my children or anyone else’s children to be confused by these detrimental policies. Why are these policies being introduced? Why are heterosexuals being discriminated against and being forced to agree with psychological damage to their children? Where are the laws that protect underaged children?


Equality Bill

On Equality bill, I think it'd be great for the trans students to have their safety and be free for who they are! I am one of the trans person, specifically genderfluid, who really needs that bills to pass!


Home Schooling Available; Parents ARE the main educator of their children.  Look into home school...

The Parents ARE the first and main educator of their children.  There are many home schooling businesses now that can help with curriculum, testing, and materials.  This is a great option to accepting a curriculum that is 'unacceptable' to the parent (s).  The taxes we all pay ?  Well, vote for administrators, representatives that are less 'progressive' in their educational agendas.


I oppose this radical policy

I STRONGLY OPPOSE the proposed model policy for the treatment of transgender students in Virginia’s public schools.  In the guise of inclusivity and protective compassion, it promotes a radical anti-family, anti-establishment and anti-science agenda.  It escalates gender confusion, removes student’s privacy, mandates speech, and creates a wealth of punitive measures to use against any student, parent or teacher disagree with or refuse to affirm the “LGBTQ+ cultural competency” it mandates.  If enacted, disagreement with any of the policies can be defined as harassment, bullying and discrimination. It promotes indoctrination by “rewriting of educational content (history, literature and science)” to add ‘transgender affirming content’.  Far from protecting gender-confused students, it directly threatens the free speech, free exercise of religion and freedom of conscience of the entire school community.   This ‘nondiscrimination’ policy appears to be a cudgel created specifically to discriminate against and crush any who disagree with its extreme and harmful transgender ideology. This is NOT the way to educate and protect our children.


Gender Ideology is Child Abuse

The new, proposed policy goes far beyond prevention and help for trans students and crosses the line into mandatory promotion of politicized, sexualized ideology. Scientific studies and medical experts make clear the majority of children outgrow gender confusion by the time they reach adolescence.  To push gender ideology and sexualization on children is child abuse. According to the proposed policy, schools must allow boys identifying as girls, for instance, to use the girls’ bathrooms or change in female locker rooms—and this can all be done without ever notifying parents.  This is an utter violation of children's privacy and as well as parental rights. While paying lip service to “safety” and “respect,” the proposed policy obviously disrespects religious and socially conservative families and educators, as well as students who simply want physical privacy.


Misguided and damaging policy

Possibly well intended, this transgender public school policy is severely misguided and puts everyone in a vulnerable position. While bullying and abuse should never be tolerated, this is not a logical solution.


Strongly oppose


Follow the science

It is a scientific fact there are only two sexes.  One is called male and the other is called female.  This truth has existed for thousands of years and this truth will continue to exist no matter what leftist crackpot theories claim otherwise.   Now that you know this fact, indoctrination of children to believe fraudulent information is destructive to children, families, religious beliefs, and society.  It is small wonder the Virginia educational system is declining and becoming dangerous to the mental, physical, and emotional health of children.   Follow the science stupid!


I am vehemently opposed to DOE proposed transgender school policy

I am vehemently opposed to the DOE proposed transgender school policy. Stop government overreach. Protect parental rights. Political and state imposed social engineering mandates are unconstitutional.


Wholly opposed

I wholly and completely oppose this proposed DOE proposed policy on Transgender Policy for public schools. It is wrong to adopt a policy that in any way undermines the parents as the primary source of care and leadership, regardless of what a school board member or educator believes. Anti-bullying policies are appropriate, policies that encourage secrecy or force a view on all students for a position held by only some is overstepping boundaries. Represent the majority and vote against this policy rather than pandering to the loud minority.


This Will Help So Many Kids

This could of really really helped me 3 years ago. My school outed me to my parents. I was kicked out of the house and I lived with my friend for the rest of the school year. I had to go to therapy with my parents to be allowed back home. Even then, I endured verbal abuse and more ‘therapy’ through my church until they were satisfied and believed I was “cured”. I am now safe but my high school life would of been a lot easier if this has been in place.


Common sense

I oppose this document. Let's not confuse children and complicate matters. Keep it simple. Two facailities for two genders. It biology not perception.


Disagree with the proposed policy

As a parent and a teacher, I oppose the proposed transgender policies to take place in public schools. Parents should be allowed to intervene as needed.


Strongly oppose transgender policy

Strongly oppose this bill.


Strongly Oppose

I strongly oppose and can not fathom that this is even up for discussion. Schools are for teaching reading, writing, math etc. It is not ok for the school to decide what is taught to my child outside of learning those things. I will not have my children conform and obey a school systems beliefs over our own. We are the parents of these children and have the right to teach them what we believe. The school has absolutely no right to do that.


NOT SUPPORT

NOT SUPPORT


Support

strongly support!!


transgender guidelines

Strongly oppose. This takes away parents rights to seek counseling for students who have gender dysphoria. If a student wants help, they have the right to receive it. "Conversion therapy"  does not exist and is a term used to scare people. Therapy for those who want help with this transgenderism is similar to therapy for anorexia. The term "evidence-based" is used very loosely here. No hate here. Love all children. Science is very shoddy and one-sided in this study.


Strongly Support!!!

Protect all trans kids!


Strongly oppose!

Strongly oppose! I strongly oppose this policy. Do not take away the rights of our biological boys and biological girls to have safe and private restrooms and changing rooms without the fear of opposite biological sexed people in their safe spaces. Do not take away the rights of biological girls to fair competition in sports.


I support this

I support this. All students should feel safe while at school.


Absolutely and strongly SUPPORT!

This guidance is long overdue for VA Dept of Ed, other departments and agencies in VA, plus the same in all other United States. My kids grew up in Fairfax County schools in VA. I have a transgender son who came out his sophomore year of high school. He was incredibly brave and resourceful in educating the school administrators how to make changes within the school systems in order to make him be more welcome and accepted as who he was, as the administrators had limited experience in such matters, plus had no guidelines from the county school board or the State DOE. The school administrators also were unprepared to anticipate and then handle discriminatory actions by faculty that included homophobic slurs, offensive attempts at gender humor, unsolicited and unacceptable personal questions, and, of course, no concrete approach to providing adequate bathroom allowances. A true effective learning environment for all students requires a diverse, accepting environment for all students, no matter who they are, what their differences are, who they love, or how they dress. Any religion I ever studied held a common theme that God loves all humans and accepts his diverse creation no matter what. All people deserve equal, human rights, no matter who they are. Thank you for taking this very important step in VA, plus for your courage being one of the first state legislatures to pave the way for this country wide. This will greatly help countless students going forward who, like my trans son, just happen to be different than you, me, and many others.


Strongly oppose. No No No

Strongly oppose. No No No


I strongly support

this should be implemented every where ! I strongly support this policy!


No. Just no.

This policy would open a whole new “can of worms.” The fact that a school would be prohibited from telling the parent about a biological male using the same changing facility as a female is ridiculous. So many false allegations and other mishappenings could easily come from this. Not to mention the easy access for underage and unsafe sex and abuse would be easily accessible. Another concern is the fact that those parents who chose to teach their children about their God-given gender and identity would be more than likely frowned upon and open to bullying. Due to religious beliefs this definitely would cross a major line in numerous religions. I am definitely opposed I this and think it should NOT be passed. If it does then you will see the downfall of public education because parents will simply feel like their children are unsafe.


Strongly oppose

for the safety of our children I strongly oppose


STRONGLY OPPOSE!

The schools should not have the right to push this nonsense on our children. I do agree to teach your children to love one another even if different. But seriously this is beyond ridiculous. Let the parents parent their children. Also when I was in school I would have felt very uncomfortable using a bathroom/locker room with the opposite sex so I don't agree with the bathroom policy.


Oppose

I oppose


Strongly oppose

This change in policy will have detrimental effects to our children, and will put many girls at risk of sexual assault. What will it take to decide that the safety of our daughters is an important matter as well?


Support

As a parent, this is exactly the type of evidence based public policy I want to see implemented in my community. It is abundantly clear that the opposition has a fundamental misunderstanding of the intent and scope of these guidelines, which is unfortunate.


Strongly Disagree

I urge you to reconsider. This a disgrace to parents and students. There are many religious beliefs you are trying to disrespect. I think transgender students should be handled on a case by case basis privately with administrators and accommodations made with in reason. But the rights and safety of my children who identify with their God given gender shouldnt have their rights infringed upon by those who decide to live different nor should their safety be risked by another gender entering their bathroom. It is not your right to discipline a child without contacting a parent either. You have a problem I want to know, I raise my children not the school.


Opposed

Menstrual products should not be in the boys bathroom. While every student deserves respect, fair treatment and equal education opportunity, this policy goes too far and will create more problems than it solves.


Strongly support

Trans students should be supported and protected from bullying and harassment.  They deserve to be free to express their identities and to have the opportunity to thrive.  These policies seem like a step in the right direction.


An Immodest Proposal

I am shocked, grieved and frightened by this proposal. To even suggest that the culture and the government care more for the well-being of any student than the student's own parents is in nearly all cases absurd. That any child should be in danger of sexual exploitation in the bathrooms and changing rooms because of another student's feelings about their identity on any given day is a horrible prospect. If any of you believe that schools should be a safe place, I beg you to consider how dangerous this proposal would make them.


Strongly oppose this is not a civil rights issue this is privilege

I don't understand why this anti-science move is being awarded. This is not a civil rights issue. Please stop.


I support trans youth

I am a parent of a child of the lgbtq+ community. He had struggled in school both in Henrico county and Powhatan county. Although the staff in the school is very supportive, the issues that are faced daily make it difficult to feel safe and comfortable as a student. He has to use the clinic bathroom and gets bullied for being himself. He is an awesome, compassionate individual who deserves - all students deserve to feel safe at school.


NO SUPPORT. What next...any thing goes for pedophiles?

Outrageous! You are out of your minds.  Please throw away this garbage legislation.


Support Trans Kids!

Protect Trans Lives!


Transgender mandates

These mandates obviate the role of parents in protecting their children.  The state does not have the right to use tax dollars to override conscientious objections to this policy.


I support!

i believe in equality !


Oppose!

Children should feel safe at school, not wondering who might be peeking at them in the bathroom. Strongly opposed!


Oppose

Oppose


Transgender policy

Why disregard science, that is - biology!


OPPOSE

While the thought of anyone being bullied is horrible we can not support this bill as written. Please don't overreach by taking away parent's rights and forcing these topics on young children. There is a place for these discussions but it's not in elementary school. Please also keep mind that young girls and boys might not be comfortable with members of the opposite sex in their restrooms and locker rooms. Write a bill that addresses safe solutions for all of children! And for the love of all that is good please don't teach the nonsense "that sex is arbitrarily “assigned” to babies at birth". Just teach the subjects that will help our children graduate and move on from this school system!


Transgender school bill

I strongly oppose this bill! It will put girls as young as 5 at risk for exploitation and violence at the hands of male students. It is an assault on women's rights and violates our Title IX rights. Passing this bill would violate the dignity and safety of all women in Virginia, takes a massive step backwards towards inequality, and excludes us from fair and equal participation in sports. This is insanity and reflective of your complete disregard for the women of Virginia. You will disenfranchise and anger millions of women by passing such ludicrous legislation.


STRONGLY OPPOSE!!!!!

This proposal will adversely affect women's sports programs.  Biological males will be competing against us women and THIS IS NOT FAIR.  Stop this insane transgender nonsense!


Every student deserves respect

Everyone is entitled to their own opinions but someone’s identity is not an opinion. It is a bathroom and everyone has the right to a bathroom. As a student who identifies as Non-binary, it is upsetting to be misgendered or looked the wrong way simply for having to use the girls bathroom.


Opposing the "Model policies for the treatment of transgender students in VAPS

I wanted to state I'm opposed to the policies in this document which have restrooms and locker rooms open to any student and forbids educators/administrators from questioning them.  This will cause problems and will be abused by students who aren't truly transgender or gender fluid.  In trying to make some feel safe, this policy will make no student safe. I am opposed to the whole policy.


Opposed

Opposed to this proposal.  Parents are responsible for caring for their children, not a government mandate.


Support Support

Absolutely support this bill


Absolutely NOT

This is absurd and will be leading to things happening that shouldn’t be happening in bathrooms and locker rooms i general. Sports should be based on their given abilities. Girls will not hold near the abilities as boys and vice versa. I just can’t understand how that is fair for either student. Parents have every right to know as the child is technically under the age of 18 and they are responsible for the child not the school. Their is no grounds there. Schools need to take a step back and   Take into consideration how uncomfortable this is going to make others as well. I certainly don’t want a girl looking at my son in the boys locker room who “may” identify as a boy who’s to question. You may as well let them all dress and have community bathrooms and locker rooms that they all use.(sarcasm inserted) I’m beyond upset this is even being considered and may look to boy only private schools if this becomes a thing.


Strongly support this!

The VA Council on LGBTQ+ Advocacy strongly supports this. Thank you for your consideration!


Transgender Student School Policies

This policy goes waaay too far by stripping parents of their authority over their own children, being secretive, causing more confusion and fear of saying the wrong pronoun or not obeying their child’s wishes and to students and teachers and parents who do not adhere to this radical policy.  Students can change daily,if desired,  their sexual identity whenever they feel like it and teachers, parents, and children will be reprimanded if they do not address them with the proper pronoun.   Parents ought to be able to help guide their child until an adult. That said ,” transgender “ children should be respected and not bullied, as any other student. This policy as written, is too restrictive, not allowing for freedom of speech, freedom of religious beliefs which have molded our country and policies for centuries. Please, please, please, let’s rewrite this so there is freedom for ALL.


Strongly Oppose

What about the other students who will be uncomfortable in the locker rooms because a boy who wants to be a girl is changing with them?


Oppose

Opposed to this


strongly support

As a member of the LGBT community, providing equal protections for marginalized groups is extremely important and should be passed to ensure the success of all students


Strongly Oppose

Strongly Oppose for those rights to be allowed by our government.


Absolutely NO to transgenders going into bathrooms if the opposite sex.

I am absolutely opposed to boys being allowed in girls locker rooms and bathrooms. What in the world are you trying to do to our children? Give the transgenders their own bathroom. Girls are going to be spied on or raped. Governor Northam, it’s bad enough you are for killing babies, now you want to make it open season for gang rape. You and your cronies have ruined our great state.


Absolutely OPPOSE this!

Absolutely OPPOSE this! Against every moral and family value.


Strongly support

The Richmond chapter of GLSEN strongly supports this effort.


Oppose

This is a slippery slope. I am in favor of finding a solution to ensure that people who feel the need to transition are embraced with love, but I am not in favor of any of these actions, and I fervently oppose adopting this policy.


STRONGLY OPPOSE ! THIS IS RIDICULOUS !!

God made man and woman, all other genders were created by men, not from God.


PROTECT OUR TRANS KIDS

Please protect our children!


Strongly Oppose Transgender Policy

This is wrong. To go behind a parents back and try to convince an innocent child of this is horrible. Stay out the house and teach children how to read and write.


shame!

To propagandize children with the transgender ideology is a human rights offense of the gravest kind. The "Laws of Nature of Nature's God" cry out against this.


I strongly oppose transgenderism being encouraged in schools. It is damaging to all exposed.

Children are not able to make this type of decision about their body before their body is fully formed. Their parents have a right to know what is going on. Other children in the school should not be exposed to this kind of behavior. Boys should never have access to girls locker rooms and vice versa. There are reasons that they are separated. A bathroom needs to be completely private and should never be accessed by the opposite gender weather or not the child “feels like” the opposite sex. This is damaging to our society and the future of our country and world. Children should be children and they should not have to be exposed to this type of brainwashing. You are born with one sex, accepting it and embracing it should be encouraged and not discouraged. Everything else needs to be addressed by the parents and not the school or teacher. Any problem should be discussed with a parent.


Strongly disagree

no


Strongly Oppose

I strongly oppose this proposal.


very strongly opposed!!

PLEASE do not do this!!!!


LGBTQ agenda in schools j

I absolutely oppose adopting this agenda. It is wrong for the state and the country.


Adamantly oppose

The government should not be strong persecuting children and parents for their beliefs.  This is against the the first amendment which allows free speech and freedom of religion.  It is completely outrageous that children would be taken from their home and their parents because they disagree with a militant minority.


In Support

Simply put, if this proposal for model policies for the treatment of transgender students in Virginia public schools had been the operating policy for the treatment of transgender students in the Kentucky public schools that I attended, I would have had a much less stressful time coming to know myself as transgender, would have had a more fruitful time in school, and been a more successful student because of it. I firmly believe the well-researched and evidence based positions this proposal motivates for it's model policies would improve outcomes for all students; even cis students benefit when their Trans peers can know themselves thoroughly and publicly, without fear or professional, academic, or social friction. Nedra (they/them)


Protect transgender students and staff!

I strongly support protecting transgender students at all Virginia schools!!


Strongly Oppose

I have several objections regarding the proposed regulations. In effort to protect students regarding sexual identity matters the regulations overreach. They endanger the safety of students (especially females) by permitting access to rest rooms and licker rooms, they infringe on parental rights by degrading the parents roles in such an important matter their children face, they provide problematic use of pronoun protections that cannot effectively be enforced resulting in potential capricious disciplinary actions against teachers and students, and they infringe on respect of traditional religious beliefs of many that have consistently endured for centuries.


STRONG SUPPORT

According to GLSEN’s 2019 National School Climate Survey, 20% or more of students surveyed in Virginia are prevented from using the bathroom corresponding to their gender identity, using the locker room corresponding to their gender identity, and using their chosen name and pronouns. It is long past time that we do right by trans students and their allies in school communities across Virginia. I strongly support this proposal as does GLSEN. You have our support in passing it and in implementing it across northern Virginia schools!


Oppose implementing this agenda.


This TOO much! Oppose!!!!

This is awful! These policies are written for advocate groups and special donors. This is not what our kids need! It is not the responsibility of the school division to raise children. God made them! A guidance counselor should not be encouraging them to try to be a he/she or both. These are conversations for parents!


I strongly oppose

Hi, I have nothing against same gender adults around the same age with each other. I oppose it when it is children. I believe undesturbed children should play with other children their same age. By play I mean sports, recreational activities and doing kid things. Yes, there might be a child with more advanced thoughts or experiences. I wish that child to always know its only play time and nothing more. I don't want my children returning to me sexulized or even pondering it in any symbolic, mystical, artistic, political or nuanced way. My fear is that society today is taking youth and streamlining them for a confused existence that is more than a simple challenge for parents. I don't want my kids playing doctor with other kids today. I prefer them to not know any of these things until they are over 10. Finally, I want my kids to be respectful to all walks of life but always be aware and listen to the seeds of thought coming from others. Thank you.


No way

I am amazed that anyone would condone this. Obvious violation of our parental rights and religious freedoms. Some of these young kids are still learning to count, tie their shoes, etc. and the government thinks they have the mental maturity to "decide" their gender?? Another tactic of destroying the family dynamic. Drugs have already taken a toll on our families and now the school systems are encouraging another divide. This has nothing to do with education but clearly indoctrination. Those support this agenda, have every right to encourage this behavior at their own homes. The ones that oppose it, also have the right to teach their beliefs to their children.


In support of Transgender rights and protective policies

I am in support of any and all states who support transgender rights and provide protective policies. Especially to the youth of their communities. Thank you for this forum to help educate people on the need for equality to ALL people, regardless of gender identities and sexual orientation.


Transgender Proposal - Oppose

I strongly oppose the proposals put forth.  Any attempt to force this issue will be very divisive and unfair to ALL children and Educators. If it’s that important to those proposing, then work through the process to put it forward as a voting referendum to the Virginia Constitution.  Put it forward this year on the Gubernatorial platform. If those proposing it are proud of their effort they will be happy to have this issue debated by the Candidates and all affected voices will be heard.


Strongly OPPOSE

Strongly OPPOSE


Vehemently oppose.

I vehemently oppose and disagree with  this Transgender policy.  It is state sanctioned child abuse.


Strongly Oppose!

I strongly oppose this policy.  Changing the rights of our biological male and female children for a small percentage of confused and misguided children is not the answer.  There are other avenues we can explore in order to resolve these concerns, but forcing children of each sex to coexist, in what should be private areas and compete against one another in athletic activities, is just wrong.  This should not be forced upon our children.


TRANSGENDER POLICY IS RECKLESS

Our poor children! Why can't they enjoy their youth? Why must they be exploited and manipulated by social activists who just use them to push their own deviant agendas? Transgender programs DO NOT belong in the public education system: If any young person struggles with learning, physical, social, or emotional issues, then a nurse, counselor, or caring teacher can initiate private support. There are policies in place now for struggling students. Public education has deteriorated, so to divert attention from this widespread abysmal failure, social radicals have to create their next victim/cause. Also, transgender males should never compete against females in sports. They have a natural advantage and can deprive female athletes of scholarships. Protect young people from this dangerous trend.


STRONGLY OPPOSED

I strongly oppose the proposed transgender policy. PARENTS - must not be left out of THEIR child's decision regarding such a life altering action.  Taking action without parental knowledge is unacceptable.  I can't fathom why any school district would prevent a parent from knowing what is happening to their child.  What I find hypocritical is that a school system MUST notify a parent if they are giving the student a "Tylenol" or "Advil" for a headache, but will take a girl out of the school to an abortion clinic to have an abortion, all WITHOUT PARENTAL CONSENT.  That's crazy. BIOLOGICAL GIRLS/WOMEN - must be protected at all costs.  The hyper-sexualization of women and girls is unacceptable in today's society.  Allowing biological boys who identify as a girl to use girl designated bathrooms or locker rooms is unacceptable and a threat to girl/women safety. Case in point, in another state, a transgender boy (biologically a male) identifying as a girl was allowed to use the girls locker room.  Three girls complained about the situation that they felt uncomfortable and threatened by the boy's presence and school administration continued to allow the boy to use that locker room.  The administration allowed this despite the boy's inappropriate behavior while in the girls locker room, while in his underwear, the boy would prance and gyrate his hips in a sexual manner in front of the girls. They felt very threatened by his behavior.  The three girls decided to use an alternate locker room to feel "safe."  However the trans-boy followed them to the locker room and while the girls were changing, the trans-boy his inappropriate behavior in his underwear in the presence of the girls. GIRLS SPORTS - Allowing transgender boys to participate in girls sports will devastate girls sports entirely.  Transgender boys, even those that have taken hormone blockers, STILL have a distinct advantage over girls in any sport due to muscle mass and bone structure.  At the molecular level, any trans identifying as the opposite sex is still biologically the sex they were born as, male or female.  The fastest female Olympian runner the United States can run the 400m in ~49 seconds.  That's fast.  However, about 300 high school boys can run the 400m in less time.  How is that fair to girls?  It's not. HOW MANY STUDENTS? - My son informed me that out of 1,000 randomly chosen students, you'll have two "2" that are transgendered.  I agree with that statement especially after being a teacher for 10-years.  Out of the almost 1,500 children I taught in high school, a dozen were homosexual, about the same number were lesbian, and one was transgendered.  That said, if you were in my class, you were treated with respect and dignity by myself and I commanded it of my students.  Further, at my son's school, any trans student could use the bathrooms in the guidance counselors office.  It was safe, clean, and nobody challenged them. However, having unlocked bathrooms for use at any time is a recipe for disaster. Should this policy be implemented, I fear that our young girls will lose educational and sport opportunities as well as scholarships because they can't compete with transboys.  Further, girls will be subjected to boys in rooms they don't belong in simply because they identify as girl. Please don't implement this policy.


Strongly Support

Trans rights are human rights. This being passed will make trans students feel like they are seen as real people, not just people pretending to be something they aren't. Sexual assault is most commonly done by someone the victim knows, and is usually an adult cis male. Sexual assault among minors should not be a concern, and even if it were, would be as much of a concern now as if this were to be passed. Sexual assault does not always occur between an assigned female at birth person and an assigned male at birth person. Additionally, I believe that all the opposition here based on religion should not be valid. There is a separation of church and state for a reason, and the laws should not be based off of the bible. As a trans person, I am hoping to see this bill passed. Thank you.


Def not ok!

i disagree! I see where people are saying all kids should feel safe at school (in agreement with this policy) ALL kids should feel safe not a small small minority. My kids should feel safe without sharing a bathroom or being scared to get in trouble for calling someone he/she instead they/them!! Kids need to focus on education they have their entire life to make decisions about things like this WITHOUT THE PUSH FROM OTHERS!!!! Money spent on this is crazy when it can be spent towards children suffering ACTUAL abuse at home.


Oppose

I oppose,  for the safety of all children this will cause more problems than it would solve.


Transgender policy

These policies proposed by VDOE are totally unworkable in the day to day running of schools.  It would force teachers/administrators to go against their fundamental beliefs in order to comply with these policies. If they don't, they run the risk of losing their jobs.  It is totally unfair and as most governmental policies it sounds good on paper but the carrying out of it is impossible and would place an undue burden on the educational system.


Strongly appose

Simply abnormal


Forcing beliefs.

it’s sad that as a Christian I cannot express my opinions because I’m being cruel to someone who disagrees. But if your bisexual pan sexual transgender etc you can force your views and opinions onto others and it’s viewed as expressing yourself. Hypocritical is what it is. This is absolutely insane. Basically me being a big chested woman if I was in school I could take my shirt off and “go free” outside if I falsely said I’m a boy. So many people are going to be bullied even more, sexually assaulted and no one seems to care. People only care if the “new” views and opinions are allowed. No one truly cares about the safety of children. Forcing these rules/topics/beliefs is so wrong. You say it’s neglectful if you as a parent tell your child your a girl because you have a vagina but it’s not neglectful for anyone to use whatever bathroom cause they “want” to. So kids can go have sex whether it’s consent from both parties or NOT. Adults need to grow a pair and tell people no. If someone wants to start a private school system where this is allowed by all means go for it and then those that agree can send their children there. We have two genders. Female and male. There is nothing else, whether you look at this biblically or scientifically. This is all nothing but scared ignorant people scared to make one person upset even if it means harming handfuls of children. I can tell you right now if this is allowed my child and many more will not go to public school and the counties funds can dry up for all I care.


Strongly Oppose

Schools must deal with mental health without denying physical facts and ignoring reality. To do otherwise is a disservice to all children, including transgender children.


Do NOT take away our parental rights!!

Do not kowtow to less than 1% of the population who are gender-confused. And do NOT take away parents' right!! STOP your cowardice and stand up for the truth!


Oppose

STRONGLY Oppose!!!!


Strongly oppose

Parents and teachers MUST work together to guide students. This bill creates division between parents and students. My middle and high school children strongly oppose this. They fear feeling uncomfortable in a restroom or locker room. It is NOT okay for students to have this much decision-making power. Teachers need to remain authority figures who are allowed to question a student’s intentions or actions.


Guidance Document

Strongly oppose. A person's gender is determined at conception and cannot be changed. Jesus spoke these words in Matthew 19:4: "Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning made them male and female?" These proposed changes are outrageous and clearly against God's design and His creation.  Implementation of this transgender school policy would result in government mandated promotion of gender confusion.


Fundamentally Flawed

The proposed model would be devastating to Virginia’s families, children, and parents, as well as many teachers and other school staff. It would deny their right to freedom of speech, including freedom from compelled speech. It would also violate the right of parents to raise their children according to their own values and beliefs, which is specifically protected by Virginia Code Section 1-240.1. There is already a prohibition against harassment and bullying of students and unauthorized disclosure of their personal information, regardless of their gender identity. The proposed model would make transgender students a specially protected class of people above cisgender students (e.g., by treating the status of a transgender student as “particularly sensitive”), thus violating cisgender students’ constitutional right to equal protection of the laws. The proposed model would create an unsafe and stressful environment for cisgender students by requiring them to share their bathrooms and locker rooms with transgender students who have not fully transitioned. This would be especially unsafe and stressful for cisgender girls. If the Board of Education truly cares about the well-being of all students and their families, then it must revise the proposed model to correct these fundamentally flawed policies.


Dr. Noelle St. Germain-Sehr, William & Mary

STRONGLY SUPPORT THIS VITAL POLICY!

As a faculty member in the School of Education at William & Mary, a Licensed Professional Counselor and Counselor Educator, and the parent of two transgender teenagers, I believe this policy is essential to the physical, psychological, emotional, social, and spiritual well-being of transgender youth. A 2020 survey of transgender youth indicated the following: Over 60% reported engaging in self-harm in the past twelve months More 50% seriously considered suicide in the past twelve months 3 in 4 reported symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder in the past two weeks 1 in 3 LGBTQ youth reported that they had been physically threatened or harmed in their lifetime due to their LGBTQ identity 46% of LGBTQ youth report they wanted psychological or emotional counseling from a mental health professional but were unable to receive it in the past 12 months 29% of LGBTQ youth have experienced homelessness, been kicked out, or run away 61% of transgender and nonbinary youth reported being prevented or discouraged from using a bathroom that corresponds with their gender identity Transgender and nonbinary youth who reported having pronouns respected by all or most people in their lives attempted suicide at half the rate of those who did not have their pronouns respected ( https://www.thetrevorproject.org/survey-2020/ ) My own child came home from school today extremely distressed at being misgendered by a substitute teacher because he wore makeup. For those who cannot understand the experience of having you personhood denied by others, please try to image how it would feel if you were continually referred to by others as a gender other than the one with which you identify. Moreso, imagine how it would feel if the person you loved most in the world (your child) lived in a world where every day they were told they were sick, damaged, wrong, unnatural, mentally ill, and the many, many other messages that they get from a cisnormative culture daily. Youth suicide can be prevented. Youth homelessness can be prevented. Youth self-harm can be prevented. Youth anxiety, depression, and other mental health concerns can be prevented. Discrimination and harassment of LGBT youth can be prevented. This policy can make a difference in preventing harm to our children. We can make a difference in protecting our youth and ensuring their right to a safe and supportive educational environment. Please put this policy in place so that all children are guaranteed the safety to learn and grow in a supportive and safe environment; so that they know that their lives matter! Thank you. Dr. Noelle St. Germain-Sehr


Oppose

This is a travesty to public schools. Why are bills continually being implemented that go against the majority of Virginia voters wants? This bill has no place in the Virginia school system. This opens up the door for sexual assault on an unprecedented level! This is nonsense.


I strongly oppose.

Strongly oppose.


Transgender in Schools and women’s Sport

I total against this transgender in school. No women should subjected to a transgender man in her bathroom and never the locker room. Children that are under age right will be violated .  Woman sports will die.  Women have gained freedom in sports and you are planning to put men.  No matter how much the transgender uses drugs to learn their man muscles and genetics the women loses everything they have fought for in freedom to be a women


Strongly Oppose

As followers of Christ we are strongly opposed to this legislation. The Bible clearly states God created them, male and female. As a Christian we are called to follow his word which goes against everything in this legislation. As parents of 2 young daughters this legislation is terrifying. Passing this opens the door to potential sexual abuse in bathrooms, locker rooms, etc.  The thought of a man being in the same bathroom with our girls is nauseating.  There is nothing that stops a sexual predator from using this label as an excuse to get closer to our children and yours. As an educator who frequently takes students on overnight trips this is also concerning for the reasons mentioned above. Further, your legislation suggests giving accommodations to someone who feels uncomfortable. These trips are already expensive and allowing someone to have a room to themselves because they are uncomfortable just doesn't makes sense. Sports are not addressed yet but we know this will be a stepping stone. We want our young girls to have the opportunity to compete against other young ladies in the future in fair competition.  Any athletic event where a girl will be forced to compete against a transgender male will not be fair and put the girl at a disadvantage. This is common sense and just plain science. We believe everyone to be equal and no one should be harassed or abused but when your rights tramples on the rights of our girls, we have now become the victims. Please do not pass this legislation.


Transgenders in Public schools

STRONGLY OPPOSE! IF THEY HAVE A PENIS, USE "BOYS" BATHROOM. IF NOT, USE "GIRLS" BATHROOM OR ---   MAKE THEIR OWN SEPARATE BATHROOM "OTHER"


STRONGLY SUPPORT

I support the protection of all children, gender aside