Oppose - Dangerous Bill for youth and parents

These laws would endanger children and the rights of parents to raise their children according to their conscience. Abuse of minors in the public school system is a very real danger, laws that would promote secrecy and pressure to conform to sexual content at the risk of being removed from one’s home will provide child predators huge leverage in our system. Also, while we want to believe that the people claiming a sexual identity different from their biological sex are being sincere, this law completely abolished protections for students against those who would misuse the law. Imagine an older male student using the female bathroom to prey on young women, and then threatening to report them as having anti-Trans views if they don’t comply with their sexual demands. That same student might be too afraid, as many young women are who are attacked, to come forward, fearing they might be removed from their home or punished in some way at school. We already have anti-bullying protections on the books, we do not need to turn our schools into re-education camps where people with peaceful opposing views are threatened for wanting to uphold their views in their own homes. This is a dangerous precedent to set. Imagine if the tables were turned and schools were teaching that you cannot identify as LGBT or you will be re-educated and made to deny yourself. Further yet that your LGBT status reflects on your home life and that you should be removed from your home. This is not the place of our education system, sexual politics and dangerous intrusions into the familial relationship are not appropriate. There are already laws that protect abused children and stop bullying at schools based on any sort of sexual, ethnic or racial basis. This is an unnecessary overstep that will open the door to great harm.


This is such an overstep on parental rights!!

Strongly OPPOSE. Read the entire policy outlines everyone!

These policies are an outrageous, dangerous overstep on parental rights and should not even be considered to be put in place. My children will never step foot in the school system with these policies and I would encourage all I know to stand against this and pull their own children out as well.


Bad Policy

I am sympathetic to those who do not know what gender they are and to those who present as one gender but identify as the other (or experience "fluid" feelings regarding their gender), but allowing children the ability to choose which facilities to use with regard to their gender identity is a bad idea, because it has the likelihood of making a large percentage of those affected by the policies very uncomfortable or even endangered. I wish there could be 100% individual facilities, but that is not feasible. For decades (centuries?) males have shared facilities with other males who have same sex attraction. While not a perfect system, it has worked reasonably well. The current problem this guidance wants to fix is not much different. In essence, the guidance takes a problem that affects a relatively small number of people and makes it a problem for a vastly larger number of people. While I am no expert, the way I see it you need one facility for people who anatomically, hormonally, psychologically, etc. are female and are attracted to males (group A let's call them). You need a second facility for people who anatomically, hormonally, and psychologically are male and are attracted to females (group B lets call them). That would take care of 95% or more of the population.  I do not know but perhaps private facilities can be provided for all others? (I am hesitant to say let's call them group C because I know these people could be grouped into several other groups based on combinations of anatomy, hormones, psychology, etc.) Some may claim this might ostracize those that use them, but what is called for is education, support, and information that those that use these private facilities are equal in worth and dignity with all others. They are simply different. The same way a woman is different from a man. Again I am sympathetic to those who do not fall into group A or B, but I am also concerned that a small number, particularly from group B, might use the policy to enter facilities meant for the other heterosexual group.  That would be disastrous. I addition, the guidance would allow students and administrators to circumvent the parents from all this. The parents are the primary caretakers for their children and if there is concern for the safety of the student, circumventing the parents will only sweep the mess under the carpet setting the stage for a potentially calamitous future situation. All in all, we need to go back to the drawing board on this issue.


Most Strongly Oppose VDE's Proposed Transgender Policy

We do not approve of the Virginia Department of Education’s proposed draft model policies for the treatment of transgender students.  These guidelines are based on radical theories that eradicate all distinctions between male and female and indoctrinate our school children. 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 “harassment” and “discrimination”, for which both faculty and students would be subject to disciplinary action. Schools will 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! The definition of “Gender identity” is completely subjective to each person claiming it, hence it cannot possibly be known by anyone except that person. Since it cannot be tested or ascertained by any objective method, nothing could prevent any student from constantly “changing” their “gender identity” to exploit many situations. 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. Students will be allowed to claim to be either a biological male or female (or both, neither, or something else entirely) for any duration of time, without providing any evidence to a teacher or administrator, making it impossible for teachers to comply with these policies. 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.


Oppose indoctrination of our children

This policy would take away the rights of parents to be the primary responsible person to train their child what is right and wrong. Teaching and convincing children that transgenderism is ok when it is a mental illness would be child abuse. We need to help children who are confused through their issues but teaching children this is ok is wrong.


Wholeheartedly Opposed!

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.


Gender policies

How can gender be reassigned?  We are who we are and I believe we are born with a physical gender that should be integrated and accepted into who we are.


Protecting ALL children?

As a Virginia public school educator, I firmly believe in protecting all students. Each and every child should feel welcomed and cared for by their educators. Unfortunately, the proposed Transgender Policy will not do that. Even though I consciously disagree with transgender culture, no student should be harassed. The state, however, desperately needs to reevaluate what constitutes harassment. I could just as easily argue that an adolescent boy who identifies as a girl who uses the girls’ restroom and openly changes for PE in the girls’ locker room with my 13 year-old 8th grader is in itself harassment. In fact, this policy is worded in such a way that would prohibit me as a teacher or parent, or even my daughter,  from reporting a boy lied about his identification just so he could get into the girls’ locker room, not a far-fetched notion for an adolescent teen of any gender. If a student is uncomfortable changing in a locker room or using a bathroom that is not specifically associated with the gender with whom he or she identifies, then a separate place should be provided. That satisfies the student discomfort without forcing other students’ discomfort. My second biggest issue with this policy is the state’s assertion that it knows better than a child’s parent. Parents should never be kept out of any discussion or decision that impacts their child in public school. In asserting otherwise, the state is trying to assume guardianship of that child, and that is wrong. In my opinion, education is overly involved in students’ home lives as it is because a lot of the public relies too heavily on schools to meet all the needs of their children, which is taxing the system. Finally, as a mandated reporter, I have had the obligation of notifying CPS, which I have done a few times in my 18 year career. Parents arguing with a child about transgender issues is not abuse. For goodness sake, parents have been raising their children since the beginning of time and arguing over several issues, especially with their teenage children. To say that makes them unsupportive and unloving is ridiculous. This policy is riddled with problems, assertions, and wording that, if passed as is, would create more problems, not protect the small population of students it is written for.


Transgender bill

Why are we wasting our time on something were there is a very slim majority.  This is all nonsense.   Is this what our legislators do with our tax money?


Proposed Statewide Transgender Policy

The proposed policy is impractical and fraught with danger. This policy promotes an activist political agenda at the expense of a safe educational environment for all children.


Strong Support for VDOE Model Policies on the Treatment of Transgender Students

I am a current social work graduate student who graduated from Virginia public schools in 2015. As a high schooler, I was involved in multiple extracurricular activities, such as the ADL's Peer Training Program, where I had the privilege of working with and learning from trans and non-binary students at my school. While these niche spaces were quite affirming and allowed students of all gender identities and expressions to thrive, the overall school environment was not as welcoming and this produced a notable difference in how trans and non-binary students were able (or rather, not able) to come into this larger space and feel safe interacting with their peers and educators. As a former public school student and as a current social worker, I know that trans and non-binary students are more likely to be mistreated by students, teachers, and administrators than their cisgender counterparts. Trans and non-binary students have the right to the same education as any other student, but it much harder for them to have the same chance to succeed in their education if their very identity is being scrutinized, invalidated, or attacked at school. The study of human development tells us that the school environment plays a large role not only in a child's intellectual development, but in their socioemotional development, as well. It is therefore vital that we listen to trans and non-binary children, allow them agency over their identities, and set in place regulations that affirm their experiences and promote their wellbeing as they grow into adults. These model policies were drafted by an abundance of qualified stakeholders and community members, and I believe that the policies should be adopted as currently written in order to ensure that trans and non-binary students in Virginia are protected within our school systems.


I do not agree with fluid gender policies.

Having a policy to include fluid gender is just too broad.  If you have transitioned or are in the process of transitioning, current policies cover you.  Leave well enough alone!!


Do NOT adopt a policy that essentially mandates promotion of gender confusion to school kids.


1st Amendment Rights of Christian Educators in Proposed Gender Policies

It has come to my attention that in the midst of a pandemic, when many families are struggling to survive on limited income and through job loss that the VA dept of education is proposing changes that could pose a risk to the jobs of thousands of VA teachers of faith. I agree that no student should be bullied or threatened, especially those struggling with gender confusion, but requiring staff to address students by chosen gender pronouns poses a risk to the jobs of educators of all Abrahamic faiths. Many VA educators hold sincere religious beliefs regarding the nature of biological sex. Forcing teachers to use pronouns that go against the truth of biology is compelling speech and a violation of the first amendment rights of educators. As Christians, knowingly telling a lie or leading a child astray is a sin. We take very seriously Matthew 18:6 where Jesus warns "whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were drown in the depths of the sea." VA DOE would be asking the educator not only to lead the gender confused child astray, but also to undermine the trust that teachers work so diligently to build with every student that is listening. As an educator of over 20 years, I have watched as my students learn and grow. It is natural for children to go through changes as they mature. Life changing decisions should not be left in the hands of minors while they are developing and experiencing hormonal changes. Many teachers, who care deeply for their students, will not affirm them in a lie that could lead them to seeking hormone treatments or unnecessary dangerous surgery that could sterilize them for life. Parents have the right to be made aware and involved in life changing decisions for their minor children. The VA DOE has the responsibility to protect students rights, as well as faculty and staff and parental rights in education. By moving forward with these proposed changes you  violate parental rights and leave teachers and schools vulnerable to lawsuits. These proposed policy changes put educators in the position to chose between sinning against their God or losing their job.


Strongly opposed to this politicized policy

I feel the transgenderism is an issue for adults and there are much more important things to focus on the class room, and the privacy and protection of young women is in danger by this policy by choosing to embrace the delusions of some saying they are not who they are genetically and hormonally speaking. Let's propose a scenario. A young man claims to trans and asks to change in woman's locker room. Can you see where this is going? This provides an easy opportunity for misbehavior of many kinds. And even if the boy's, telling the truth that he believes he is this way, you're violating the privacy and endangering emotional health of an entire mass for a sole person. That doesn't seem fair. Instead, we should hold firm to what science proved through the human genome project that there are two genders, but that neither is better than the other nor should be treated as such. Man is no better than woman and vice a versa. Period. I do believe no child should face bullying or harassment. That is given and should be addressed for certain, but this policy goes too far by over-stepping the parents and hurting the majority for a few. How will this affect Muslim and other religious communities in the public school systems? Do they have a say on how they raise their child? It feels forced upon them. Do students who practice Judaism or other Abrahamic faiths have to forfeit their belief in two genders under threat on school punishment? Not everyone can afford private school. Especially during a pandemic. I feel this also creates a target on the backs trans-students in a way, opening up more ridicule and the potential for lashing out. As someone who has been bullied in Virginia schools, this sets me uneasy for their safety.


Proposed statewide transgender school policy

I strongly oppose the statewide transgender school policy. I believe this policy will have the effect of promoting and causing gender confusion in children. This is an irresponsible and harmful policy.


I strongly oppose

This policy and the supposed "science" behind this transgender movement is one of the most harmful ideas that has been thrust upon the school systems.  The whole idea is nothing but an excuse to defy the Creator, who created them "male and female."  As though kids today had nothing to cause them fear and confusion, the forcing of teachers and students to refer to a girl as a boy and vice-versa defies logic. May blind eyes be opened to see the lies behind this kind of thinking.


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

I am 100% AGAINST this proposed Treatment of Transgender Students!  It is PURE EVIL!  To even put into a child's head that there is a chance God made a mistake in his/her identify as a boy or girl at birth is truly an abomination to the Lord!  Lawmakers should be ashamed of themselves for even considering such an action!  "Lord help us ALL!"


I wholeheartedly support this policy.  I have a 15 year old nonbinary grandchild.  They should not be discriminated in their school for their gender.  Current gender science identifies many more than two genders.  Biology does not determine gender.  Please adopt this policy state wide.  Thanks


Menstrual supplies in the Boys bathroom?

The model policies for the treatment of transgender students in public elementary and secondary schools ( HB 145 and SB 161 ) would undercut parents’ involvement in the life of their children at school, and endanger the bodily privacy and safety of all students. of the many problematic parts I will highlight this: 22.1-6.1 of the Code of Virginia requires each school board to make menstrual supplies available at all times and at no cost to students in accessible locations in each elementary school and in the bathrooms of each middle and high school. Accordingly, these supplies should be made available in all bathrooms to be gender-inclusive. and this: 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. This should involve more than a casual declaration of gender identity, but it does not necessarily require any substantiating evidence nor any required minimum duration of expressed gender identity, and expression of gender identity can present differently from student to student. I see nowhere in these policies concern for my daughter's safety and comfort and well-being.  There is really no attempt whatsoever to prevent the inevitable situation of ill-intentioned boys going into girls' bathrooms, locker rooms, hotel/cabin rooms and simply stating that they are "a girl".  There are no guards to protect my daughter in this scenario. This anything goes approach will just open the floodgates to situations where our children will be forced to accept unwelcome behaviors that violate their dignity and innocence.


Parental Rights & Proposed Transgender School Legislation

As a parent of young children, I believe that those children are my responsibility. My husband and I should be able to decide how to raise our children. This legislation is an extreme overreach on the behalf of our government. For a school system to know about issues involving our child and not notify us is outrageous. When a child is at school and going by a different name/gender identity, the parents should know. It's obvious that something is wrong there, and it is the responsibility of the parent to seek help with that issue however they see fit. The duty of the school should be to report these requests to the parent immediately. Other parts of the legislation also remove parent rights and notification of what is happening at school with their minor children. If girls are changing in the locker room and a transgender male is allowed to enter the locker room at the same time, parents should be notified. I strongly oppose this legislation, and I hope and pray that it does not pass. Parents have the right to know what is going on with their children when they're at school. Schools should communicate that information with parents.


Opposed to new transgender policies

Please hear the voices of so many parents, who are opposed to these new rules. The age group this applies to is so vulnerable and many are so broken by their life experiences already as tweens and teens. Kids need guidance from their parents who know and love them, not the government or school system seeking to replace the authority of parents. These youths should not have to fear the vulnerability of changing in front of their biological opposite. Teachers, who have already been through so much this past year, should not have to fear retaliation if they can't remember what to call someone, or if they have a conviction that male and female are distinct from each other.


Strongly Opposed for the sake of all children and staff

These troubling policies proposed by VDOE are totally unworkable and 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 to transgender regulations proposed by VA Department of Education

If VDOE approves the draft policies, they would undercut parents’ involvement in the life of their children at school, and endanger the bodily privacy and safety of all students.


Oppose

Strongly oppose.


transgender school policy

While I understand the need to protect transgender students, this policy will only further promote gender confusion.    It promotes dishonesty between parent and child and it could cause trauma to students who have to share changing and bathroom facilities with students who are biologically of the opposite sex.  It is also a a disaster for girl's and women's sports. I recommend all who can, send your kids to private or religious schools and stay away from public school education.  Or home school.  And remember, elections have consequences.


Transgender Policies - Please focus on academics and not political ideology

I am a firm believer that all humans should be loved and treated with respect. I am also a firm believer in education - academic education provided by the schools and value/moral/worldview education provided by the parent. This was never the government’s role to teach political ideology. Let’s keep our anti-bullying laws, but we don’t need to force ideas not everyone believes in (even scientists) on our most vulnerable population. Nor should we consider subjecting our children to uncomfortable moments with a child of the opposite sex in the bathroom, locker room or sports team. Please think about your own young daughters, nieces or sisters. Please allow our family to share our own values while you share yours within the context of your home. Allow school to remain an academic institution and nothing more.


Support!!!

My daughter is gay & was picked on during high school.  We met many transgender students at her school and other schools.  I wanted my daughter and her friends to have a the same safe education as everyone else. I support this guidance because I want all students to be in a school environment that is safe and welcoming for everyone.


Oppose House Bill 145 and Senate Bill 161

While every child is certainly entitled to a safe education in public schools, attempting to teach children that the transgender lifestyle is "normal" or acceptable or for anyone/everyone is wrong.  The idea that gender is simply applied to infants at birth is tantamount to saying we are all given two arms and two legs by accident.  I strongly oppose this bill.


VDOE Draft Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students

I am adamantly opposed to the above proposed policy.  I am especially appalled with the provision to allow students of one biological gender to use the bath and dressing rooms of the opposite biological gender and to do so without any interference from school officials.  What are you thinking?  The wishes of a vocal and very minor minority should not supersede the right of the vast majority for decency!


Strongly oppose transgender bill

The model regulations infringe the First Amendment rights of parents to raise and care for their children.


Promoting gender confusion in schools

This goes too far and is unnecessary. Parents can talk to their children if and when they are ready. Schools need to get back to teaching math, reading, history, CIVICS, and geography. This is not for teachers to be teaching!


VA Department of Education Transgender Model Policy

I believe the Virginia Department of Education is usurping the rights of parents by mandating a K-12 transgender model policy in our public schools. Parents are their child’s first role models. Parents are teachers as a child advances to the  developmental stages. Parents are the authority of their family ensuring the child’s moral, spiritual, physical, mental, and social well-being by the values and beliefs they affirm.


Made in His Image - Oppose Confusion Policy

As a pastor, and father, that has worked in the healthcare industry for over a decade, I agree with the Family Foundation that the church can no longer remain silent on this and other issues involving the indoctrination of our children.  No matter what people may think or say about us, the health (mental, physical, and spiritual) of our children & grandchildren should be the priority before allowing the state to plant seeds of confusion that has been proven to lead to anxiety, depression and suicidal tendencies in those that attempt to live alternate identity lifestyles than how they were created. This is why I will be tackling this issue, along with the rest of the liberal sexual agenda, by making our church members aware of this by the following actions: > Showing the “In His Image” movie to our congregation  ( https://inhisimage.movie/ ) > Providing & discussing the following literature with all parents * Gender, A Conversation Guide for Parents and Pastors ( https://bit.ly/3p5qvo5 ) I hope that the church rises to the occasion for the sake of the next generation. Proclaiming the truth in love is imperative to combat the darkness (Eph.4:14-15).


Strongly oppose gender ideology in schools. A child's sex is determined at conception by God.

Children are only confused by this ideology, which does not correspond with reality.  And they are too young and innocent to realize that they are just being used.  Let's protect them, not abuse them!


I do NOT support this

i feel like while you’re trying to protect one, you are neglecting the other. You can’t protect one at the expense of another, it’s backward


the transgender policy is not considering all individuals' needs

The policy on transgender does not protect all individuals but is merely trying to push an agenda and indoctrinate young people. What protection is there for young girls who do not want to share a bathroom or locker room with a biological boy? What protection is there for an individual (student, parent or even teacher) whose beliefs align with science (that DNA clearly defines a person's gender) to be able to practice their faith with out being considered bullying, or abusing? What protection is there for a confused young person who is being taught to pursue transgenderism when they are just naturally going through a stage and the majority of young people will outgrow this gender dysphoria and may have huge regrets for pursuing something they weren't mature enough to really make a decision? What protection is there for the family unit if the school is teaching children to deceive and hide things from their parents? This policy is terrible and not in the best interests of anyone.


Strongly oppose

I cannot back a policy change that should not even be on the table regarding our schools.  Schools are meant to educate our children and teach them certain subjects.  When children are growing their minds they do not need to be concerned with things that do not have a place in schools.  There is no reason to call people by preferred pronouns in a school setting.  We all have a first name that is used in our documentation.  Gender only has two identities  male and female.  Sexuality has nothing to do with gender.  Our developing children need to be at school to learn and gender and sexuality have absolutely no place in a school or classroom.


I do not support the transgender guidelines

i am deeply concerned about the transgender guidelines, especially as they do not require any formal evaluation of students.  Our understanding of gender identity issues is far from settled and efforts to impose  on the community as a whole a series of practices that purport to serve the interests of a very small minority while simultaneously failing to take into account the social and emotional development of the vast majority of children who are not experiencing these difficulties is unjust, inappropriate, reckless, and irresponsible.  The special needs of these students should not dictate a whole new regime of bathroom sharing and individualized pronouns, as well as a deeply troubling misunderstanding of biological facts.


Stop corrupting children. Local companies can’t hire these poorly educated, brainwashed kids.

Stop corrupting these kids with your filth.  They desperately need better education in math, science and an appreciation of their country’s history.


MUST ALLOW STUDENTS TO BE WHO THEY ARE!!!!

How is this even a question! Trans people deserve equality and equity! We MUST grant our students FAIR TREATMENT. Transphobia is NOT about morals its about VIOLENCE and FEAR and its ABSURD that those two things even cross peoples minds. I suggest we even provide education about out transgender health and history so as to teach kids THE TRUTH rather than letting continue to be taught BIGOTRY AND HATRED!


DOE Transgender policy

I do not agree with this policy. Stop pretending that elementary,  middle school,  or high school kids are mature enough to make these types of decisions.  Most kids who FEEL like they can drive a car cannot and any caring parent would not give them the keys. We have a legal drinking age in this country even if you are serving in the military, why?  We don't want immature young sailors, soldiers, airmen, marines or guardsmen to openly use a substance that could negatively impact their performance. Sex misused or endorsement of ideas not consistent with their birth identity is basically giving a child the keys to a vehicle they are not licensed to drive after giving them a beer. Religious point of view aside, stop setting our teachers up for failure and creating further distractions and avenues for deviant behavior and lawsuits. As a former military supervisor I can attest to the disruption this causes for what is truly only 1% of the population. Parents should never be disqualified from helping their children navigate this subject. Simply appalled.


Adamantly against

I stand against these gender confusion  proposals


This harms young women harassed by predators.

I am against this sickening attack on women. You men want to prey on young women by going into to stalk and rape. Stop your WAR ON WOMEN!


Please oppose these transgender policies that is harmful for kids

I agree that every single child—including and especially those struggling with sexual confusion—should be protected from harm and harassment. There is no question of that. And Virginia has a good anti-bullying law. But this new, proposed policy goes way beyond prevention and crosses the line into mandatory promotion of politicized, sexualized ideology. Considering that scientific studies and medical experts make clear the majority of children outgrow gender confusion by the time they reach adolescence—it’s, at best, irresponsible to push involuntary promotion of gender confusion in a public education setting—and, at worst, actually damaging to kids who are still developing. They may never be the same again and later deeply regret such a choice for many years after - https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/voices/2019/02/11/transgender-debate-transitioning-sex-gender-column/1894076002/ and experience much higher rates of suicide https://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/ny-transgender-non-binary-lgbtq-youth-suicide-trevor-project-survey-20200715-qz4wut4mwzdglfpzesc6akltky-story.html . Also- according to these studies below - Most kids grow out of it. 1. https://www.transgendertrend.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Steensma-2013_desistance-rates.pdf?eType=EmailBlastContent&eId=680533cc-5199-403c-991f-fde320fe86b1 2. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25231780/ 3. https://www.transgendertrend.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Steensma-2013_desistance-rates.pdf?eType=EmailBlastContent&eId=680533cc-5199-403c-991f-fde320fe86b1 In light of these facts, please allow the current anti bullying rules and laws to do what they should for all children in school and stop promoting dangerous transgender policies and instruction that can inflict much greater harm and possibly result in grave regret or even death. If they want to pursue transitioning- they can still do so when they are older and have a broader view to see if they still even desire to do so. Thank you.


This puts an end to Title IX

As has happened in Massachusetts, this policy will open the door to biological males to compete directly against girls who train for years to gain scholarships to college.  No one should have a hand in this policy who does not have a teen girl in their household.


I oppose transgender education programs in schools

I oppose any laws or policies that shift authority for the health and wellbeing and moral instruction of children and minors away from parents and grants it to school employees. This is unconscionable and a hallmark of totalitarian governmental systems, not a free society. Parents have the right and responsibility to know what their children are being taught and what they are going through. How dare you propose to use my tax dollars to reduce my knowledge of my childrens' needs? I have serious concerns about a blanket responses to transgenderism. Children develop at different rates and learn in different ways. A programmatic approach to transgenderism is confusing. Underlying needs, such as depression and early childhood trauma could go unaddressed. Statistics show that most youth diagnosed with gender dysphoria outgrown the condition. Due to this and the many physical health concerns related to blocking hormones in developing adolescents, as well as the irreparable effects of invasive surgeries, there is a growing ethical movement among physicians who do not support gender altering medical intervention in youth. Many chronic and debilitating medical conditions could result. Transgenderism should be treated medically, not politically. Anything less than this is distorting and grossly irresponsible.


Protect ALL not just some - stand against Transgender Indoctrination in VA Schools

As an educator, I firmly believe in providing a safe learning environment for all students and teachers, protecting all students emotionally and physically. Each and every child should feel welcomed and cared for by their educators. Unfortunately, the proposed Transgender Policy will do the exact opposite of that. I do feel concerned for those students who identify as transgender; I want no student harassed. However, this proposal is only supporting a few individuals and promoting harassment towards many that still identify as their biological gender of male or female. Who is going to protect the young girl confronted with by a ‘male’ in the locker room, using the excuse of identifying as a female just to gain access to the girls? And who is going to protect the young ‘boy’ from being mocked by ‘girls claiming identification as a boy to gain access to the ‘male’ locker room? If a bill such as this is passed, will locker rooms/bathrooms be provided for those who want to be only with their biological identifying peers? Or are they no longer to be protected? This policy also puts teachers in harm’s way rather than protecting us and providing us an environment where we can do the job we have been called to do – teach. What protection is there for an individual (student, parent, or teacher) whose beliefs align with science (that DNA clearly defines a person's gender) to be able to practice their faith without being considered a bully or abusive? Furthermore, this policy is usurping authority from the parents. Parents are ultimately responsible for their children and should never be kept out of any discussion or decision that impacts their child. I oppose any laws or policies that shift authority for the health and wellbeing and moral instruction of children and minors away from parents and grants it to school employees. This policy is filled with problems, assertions, and wording that would create additional problems rather than providing protection and education for students in a safe happy environment. Stop Transgender Indoctrination in VA Schools


Oppose transgender policies

I oppose transgender policies and teachings. Teach the basics: reading, writing, math, civics and American history.


Trans kids need support NOW

All children deserve support, ESPECIALLY trans children. This is a step towards real progress. Don't sit on the wrong side of history.


Do not support transgender indoctrination in public schools

The indoctrination of transgender ideals in public schools is a terrible mistake. There is not a one size fits all, and to say that all children should be taught about this in a tax funded school system is dangerous and ridiculous. I believe in supporting all students, not just some.


SUPPORT SUPPORT SUPPORT SUPPORT SUPPORT

STRONGLY SUPPORT


Do not impose transgender beliefs upon our children-no to DOE proposal

Please allow parents to do the teaching on the topic of sexuality. By imposing the beliefs outlined in this policy, it goes directly against many families' foundational, religious beliefs that God created men and women male and female and their anatomy reflects that. Moreover, young children are not emotionally ready to deal with such a difficult topic. Teenagers are in a state of turmoil and flux hormonally. The over-sexualization of our culture only adds to that confusion and turmoil. Finally, asking children, even teenagers - who are still children under the law - to share a bathroom or a changing room with someone who does not share their anatomy does more harm than good. Should the DOE go against common sense and science, we will be studying the fallout from this harmful policy for decades.


Transgender Policy--Another Point for the Case for School Choice

As you can see by the comments, many parents and teachers are adamantly opposed to the introduction of mandatory "transgender" policies in Virginia public schools.  Counseling eight, nine or ten year old students, most of whom do not know their favorite flavor of ice cream, on whether they would like to change their gender (sic)* without consulting parents is particularly abhorrent. If the Commonwealth persists in imposing such policies, which many of its citizens vigorously oppose, it should also make a provision for school choice, through vouchers, for those who cannot afford the alternative to the secular ideology of the public schools. *BTW, when I was in school, "gender" was a grammar term.


Support Trans Kids In School!

This is a long overdue and great step forward in creating a healthy and supportive environment for trans and non binary children, who are at great risk of harassment and worse in current conditions. Please support! Thank you.


Proposed Gender Identification Policies Hurt Children

Educational policies should not be adopted to promote gender spectrum views. The articles at the sollowing links show that either there is a high risk of harm to the children, or the policies are not needed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25231780/ , https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/study-finds-health-risks-transgender-women-hormone-therapy-n890031 , https://www.transgendertrend.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Steensma-2013_desistance-rates.pdf?eType=EmailBlastContent&eId=680533cc-5199-403c-991f-fde320fe86b1 , https://www.apa.org/monitor/julaug07/challenges I urge that you do not move forward with this, similar and other policies that are designed to harm society, families and children.


STRONGLY OPPOSED

I strongly oppose the DOE Transgender policy as they violate my religious freedoms and responsibilities as a parent.


Strongly support

Kids in school deserve a learning environment where they feel safe and secure, and these changes allow for that outlet.


Strongly 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. 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.


Gender policies in school

Are you kidding me?  This is an affront to common sense thinking and now the ridiculous thinking of the new far left. If they want to be special put them in special classes together or give them transgender bathrooms and showers.  Why mess with the other 99% who know who they are and feel differently and want their own boy/girl bathrooms and shower facilities. Parents are responsible for their children, not the teachers.  No wonder parents are increasingly homeschooling or going to private schools.  Hey, maybe that is the idea.  Make less work for public schools. Make the teachers use the kids bathroom facilities and see how they feel about it. Insane ideas period.


Supporting Students

Any policy changes that facilitate anti discrimination, and foster a more well rounded and supportive community should be overwhelmingly welcomed by the people it’s affecting. I strongly support this change, as it teaches kids from a young age that they are allowed to be their true self and not fear repercussions of it in school. Learning is a fragile balance of outside forces, it would be nice if gender discrimination was eliminated as a force.


STRONGLY OPPOSE

Please listen to the voices of so many parents who are opposed to these new policies. The age group this applies to is so vulnerable and could create more confusion and damage to growing kids... Most of whom, cannot decide what to eat or wear or which toy to get. Kids need guidance from their parents who know and love them, not the government or school system wanting to replace the authority of parents. Parents should never be kept out of any discussion or decision that impacts their child in public school. I do not believe it is protecting ALL children's rights. This won't be safe for ALL kids. As we know, kids brains do not fully develop till they are in their 20s so to push this policy is VERY IRRESPONSIBLE and VERY DAMAGING. Also, teachers, who have already been through a lot this past year should not have to fear retaliation if they can't remember what to call someone, or if they have a conviction that male and female are distinct from each other.


opposed

Please listen to the voices of so many parents who are opposed to these new policies.


Support

I wish this guidance had been around when my children were school age. Everyone deserves to be safe and welcomed at school. I'm proud to support this guidance and all LGBTQ+.


SOGI and our public schools

I am strongly opposed to the imposition of many of the contemplated SOGI regulations.  While I understand they are aimed at aiding those who are in the midst of gender dysphoria, the proposed regulation would only spread the confusion concerning gender into our open classrooms and do little to aid those in distress, while denying parents their rights to be most intimately involved in their children's life decisions.  Schools will be permitted to help students, explore, facilitate and make decisions regarding their gender expression of sexual identity while at school without a parent even knowing!! Additionally, the definition of "gender identity" is totally subjective to each person claiming it, hence, it cannot possibly be known by any person other than the one claiming it.  Since it cannot be tested or ascertained by any objective method, nothing could prevent any student from constantly "changing" their "gender identity" to exploit situations to what they perceive as being to their advantage.


Transgender policy

I strongly oppose any regulations that would mandate that children be exposed to the confusion  that is currently being advanced concerning the truth about human sexuality.  Parents are the natural and first educators of their children.  They have a sacred duty to do this.  All children are to be cherished and protected as gift's from God, who made them with the help of parents.  This abrogating of parental rights will only lead to further breakdown of the family.  Please rethink this regulation and find better ways to ensure the health of children and families.


Please oppose new transgender policy

Research process that 80 percent of kids who struggle with gender dysphoria in their youth, outgrow it in adulthood.  Yet, the recent trend toward approval of such dysphoria is causing youth to take hormones and permanently alter their anatomy which causes permanent harm to their reproductive abilities.  Suicide rates among this population are high and it's not because of a lack of acceptance since acceptance is at an all time high.  It is dangerous to the health of our youth to promote this risky behavior. In addition, while no one should be harassed in terms of physical harm, it is an extreme and radical step to punish teachers for speech that misuses a pronoun. Finally, it is the schools job to protect all students and not to cause harm or discomfort to those students who choose to identify with their birth sex by making them share bathrooms with those of different anatomy.  We should have anatomically correct bathroom policies so that kids can focus on learning reading, writing, and arithmetic and not be distracted or confused by things of a sexual nature at a young age.  The parts are different, the bathrooms should be different.  No matter what your belief about your anatomy is, if it looks different from each other, it should be afforded different space for changing, showering, etc. Please oppose this legislation.  It's not healthy or safe and does not promote a learning environment that will excel our youth in bettering the technological advancement of our country. Thankyou for listening.


Srongly opposed

I fully support protecting any and all students from bullying. I strongly oppose forcing students to change clothes and share bathroom facilities with other students who are of the opposite sex anatomically.  I do not support forcing the VHSL to allow students to compete as the gender they want to be called. I strongly oppose forcing teachers to change pronouns daily. Adopting these proposed initiatives will be very harmful to a large number of students, and it will not address underlying issues that cause depression and anxiety.  On the contrary, it will create more anxiety for everyone affected by it.  Have any of the potentially harmful consequences even been considered? I do support modest dress codes for all students, those that de-emphasize physical attributes. I do support an environment with no bullying.  I do support parents and families. I support guidance counselors being available to counsel students who are depressed and help them to develop good, positive habits and skills for handling conflict. I taught in the public school system, and my students knew they could not harass or bully their classmates. I see that the schools have made a tremendous effort to confront bullying, let's keep that up!


Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia’s 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 effects of encouraging gender confusion in children.  Encouraging children to decide for themselves if they are male or female regardless 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 because of this which will further strain the already tight school systems budgets. There will be many parents that will simply pull their children out of public school and opt to homeschool rather than subject their children to this indoctrination. That will be a further detriment to Public education. I copied this from another commentator who is far more eloquent than myself, and I would add that perhaps Virginia schools might make better use of their taxpayer funded time by having a push to have every child that graduates being able to read, write and be mathematically proficient (they are not) instead of spending valuable resources on issues that are clearly the sphere of family life and values.


Strongly opposed to transgender policy!

Strongly opposed to transgender policy!


Amendment-Keeper and Bearer (You know which one...)

The Devil Seeks to Devour your Children

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8 We will not allow you to devour our children's souls. Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter. Isaiah 5:20 We will not allow you to to corrupt our children with evil. It would be better for them to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around their neck than to cause one of these little ones to stumble. Luke 17:2 We will not allow you to cause the little ones to stumble. Woe to the sinful nation, a people whose guilt is great, a brood of evildoers, children given to corruption! They have forsaken the LORD; they have spurned the Holy One of Israel and turned their backs on him. Isaiah 1:4 Woe to you who lust to be purveyors of evil !


Transgender Former NNPS Graduate Supports this!!

I am a Woodside High School graduate of class of 2004. A product of Newport News Public School system. I was not out during my high school years. However I always indicated I was more female inside when I attended. That being said, I have had several friends who were not on the gender binary during my school years. Many of them were rejected by even their own parents. These children, my FRIENDS, frequently hurt themselves due to rejection. I strongly welcomed them with open arms. I myself am now out, open and honest with myself. I am now transgender myself. During my HS years, I actively avoided the locker rooms because of this dysphoria. However, everyone is different. Those who are opposed due to "men being in women places" have it all wrong, Transgender Women are indeed women, so this argument holds no water. Further, there are already laws in place to protect women and men both from the fears they already have (predators using gender identity to prey on women/men). Also why is it always about "men" entering "women" bathrooms and never the other way around? Instead of pushing their viewpoints onto others and making the transgender individual feel like second class citizens, I propose we delegate those that are opposed to such policies be forced to use single-occupancy restrooms. This will solve the entire problem! Nobody is forcing the cisgender individual from using the bathroom assigned to their gender. They instead choose to force their viewpoints onto others. The transgender individual isn't the one with the issue, rather the cisgender person is the one with the issue here. Their rights stop where mine start. I am available for assistance if needed in helping transition to a more inclusive environment in our schools. I am not a professional (yet) however as I am trans, I can help provide lived experiences and will help in any way possible.


Strongly Opposed!

"Apparently, 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." Virginia already has anti-bullying laws...use them! Stop ignoring the science/DNA of biological differences!  You are only hurting kids and my guess is you will lose good teachers who have to adhere to the ever-changing, confusing, cultural "rules".


Strongly Oppose

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


Strongly oppose

Strongly oppose forcing confusing content on small children; agree to protect All children; whichever persuasion they are coming from. I grew up with controversial issues and still recall how some teachers caused perturbations for me; wishing not having to go to school. Hi


Please listen to the majority of parents and my own voice as a student.

I graduated from VA public high school a couple years ago. As policies like these continue to roll out, it breaks my heart to think of peers and younger children that will be collateral damage to these policies. Our government recognizes that even college age students like myself lack sufficient maturity to make wise decisions when it comes to handling substances like alcohol. Why are laws beginning to be passed to allow children to decide whether or not to receive hormones that have permanent effects on their bodies? Students spend their time in grades k-12 not just learning how to read and write and do math problems- they're learning about themselves and what it means to be a man or a woman. I am all for making everyone feel safe and happy, but I don't think it's responsible to encourage young children who are confused about their gender to embrace an ideology that has at best a questionable backing by science. Most children with gender dysphoria end up finding confidence in their physical bodies and sex ( source) . PLEASE consider the parents' opinions on this site. Parents are the ones who know what's best for their children and can provide the love and support to empower children to be their best. My parents certainly did that for me. Please hear the parents' voices.


Support

I support the guidance. Trans kids deserve respect.


Strongly oppose

I am strongly opposed to this decision! As a mom of two girls I feel this will open doors that may put them in a place of harm. Whether it be physically or emotionally.


Strongly oppose

I strongly oppose the VDOE's proposed guidelines for transgenders


STRONGLY OPPOSE

I do not approve of these proposed VDOE guidelines.


Please, no!

I agree with you that every single child—including and especially those struggling with sexual confusion—should be protected from harm and harassment. There is no question of that. And Virginia has a good anti-bullying law. But this new, proposed policy goes way beyond prevention and crosses the line into mandatory promotion of politicized, sexualized ideology. Considering that scientific studies and medical experts make clear the majority of children outgrow gender confusion by the time they reach adolescence—it’s, at best, irresponsible to push involuntary promotion of gender confusion in a public education setting—and, at worst, actually damaging to kids who are still developing.


oppose oppose oppose. We should not be teaching our kids this in school.

Oppose we shouldnt be teaching our kids this in school. There shouldn't be any harm to any kids agreed. But this is something that should not be taught in school. Oppose . This should be illegal. Our kids are already being taught things we can't control.


Strongly oppose

I am opposed to this bill which uses our children as political plunder for this cultural war.


Love our students and teachers; please, please reconsider

This policy is well-intended—the stated goal is non-discrimination—but I write with concerns about the way we’re seeking to get there.  I really feel that the measures this policy suggests will not help our children understand themselves and experience love in a community in the way we perhaps hope.  We should be cutting into something much deeper than what this policy points at; the easy thing and the right thing are often not the same thing.   Man or woman speaks of a biological half in reproduction; what kind of body are you biologically?  Sex and its associated pronouns do not have to mean anything more than that, but when we treat them as if they should, we make dangerous stereotypes, create a lot of confusion, and even promote the sense that some people don’t belong in their own bodies.  Sex doesn’t have to be confining insofar as what traits a person can have or what kind of dynamic should exist between a man and a woman, let alone among people of the same sex.  If we keep defining what sex we “should” be by the societal roles (by feelings, positions held, personality traits, interests, etc.) that people of particular sexes have played historically—thus shifting our pronouns and promoting shifts in our bodies for this reason—we will both lose our sense of self and continue to stake a great deal on things that distract us from ever knowing who we truly are.  It should be socially okay for a guy to spend more time with/feel more at home with girls or a girl to spend more time with/feel at home with guys, but we should take a closer look when we see that someone feels a need to actually be a sex that he or she is not.  There’s more to the picture than we’re considering.  When we simply promote the changes for fear of hurting someone (though sensitivity is 100% imperative) rather than seeking to see a person’s heart, we aren’t cutting to the roots of why a person would feel a need to actually change gender pronouns or even, in some cases, undergo actual body-changing (and potentially dangerous) procedures later in life.  This is not a prudent way to help our students. Beyond ramifications for students, it should be noted that this policy would put teachers who may hold legitimate personal or religious beliefs—not a desire to be unloving toward their students but a sense of moral obligation to love in the way they understand love—in a position that would force them to act against their beliefs or potentially lose their job, which would be inherently discriminatory and unconstitutional.  The state is not and should never act as if it ought to be a person’s highest dictate of moral authority, and if we desire true inclusion, we need to approach this issue differently.


I object to this policy

I strongly oppose this policy.  The parents of a child are the people to best raise the child.  The school system is there to educate the children, not replace parental guidance. This regulation removes the parents from gender discussions and decisions made by a child and that is inappropriate.


Transgender

I oppose this policy. Parents can teach their children concerning this subject.


oppose

I strongly oppose the humanistic doctrine being taught in schools, including the indoctrination of the transgender agenda. It is extremely dangerous mentally and emotionally to children to undermine parental guidance.


Transgender is an assumptive term attempting to denote normalcy. It is not based on medical science

The definition of “Gender Identity” is completely subjective to each person claiming it. It cannot possibly be known by anyone except that person. It cannot be tested or ascertained by any objective method in direct contradistinction to a person's gender based on chromosome analysis or objective, observable anatomy. 400 times in my medical career I have declared to all present at a birth, "It's a boy or it's a girl." That was a declaration of observable fact, it was not an assumption. Gender dysphoria exists as a subset of "body dysphoria" where a person's view of their body is distorted. An example of body dysphoria is eating disorders where a person views themselves as overweight and "fat" despite their objective weight or visible body characteristics. Yet we treat dysphoric individuals radically different. One we give hormonal medications or perform surgery to attempt to alter the body to align with dysphoric thinking. The other we therapeutically address the dysphoric thinking to align with the reality of the body. Would a physician perform liposuction at the request of an anorexic teenaged patient because the patient views themself (dysphorically) as obese? Would a physician perform liposuction and breast removal surgery at the request of a biologic/genetic female teenaged patient because the patient views themself as both obese and as a male when the patient is visibly neither obese nor anatomically a male? It is overtly abusive to force objectively determined male and female students to share positions on sports teams and locker room facilities with those claiming a subjective, dysphoric identity that overtly conflicts with visible reality.


Transgender

I oppose any policy that pushes or teaches our children about transgender issues. Those are topics to be discussed at home not in school.


Support Trans Kids!

Trans kids have it even harder than trans adults as they are limited in resources on how to feel included, validated, and accepted. Can you imagine trying to find help while getting bullied and ridiculed in school? We absolutely need protections for them so that they feel safe and heard.


oppose

This is so confusing and now another distraction from the real job of teaching academics.  Why is this even an issue in our schools?  This should be a private matter !


Transgender legislation.

Strongly oppose this measure. No scientific evidence to back any of this proposal. It will harm many children and youth in our commonwealth.


Strongly oppose the proposed transgender policy

Every child —including and especially those struggling with sexual confusion—should be protected from harm and harassment.  Virginia has a good anti-bullying law. But this new, proposed policy 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; therefore it is, at best, irresponsible to push involuntary promotion of gender confusion in a public education setting, and, at worst, it could actually damage kids who are still developing. In addition, it is a scientifically false statement that people are just arbitrarily “assigned” a gender when they’re born.  This totally separates gender instruction from basic DNA science and biology. In addition, the draft policy clearly reveals the Virginia Department of Education wants this radical thinking incorporated in all educational content and curriculum, such as history, literature and science. Please reject this radical policy for the protection of all our children and their parents, families and teachers.


Strongly Oppose

I strongly oppose this policy, which seeks to force the state's public school students to positively affirm those suffering from the disorder of gender dysphoria. This draft guidance also seeks to undermine parents' authority to educate their children in the area of sexual mores. If imposed, this guidance will force students and parents who object to this offensive intrusion into this sensitive area, to either protest loudly and constantly, and, or pull their children out of Virginia's public schools. Accommodation may be able to be made for students suffering from the gender dysphoria disorder, but forcing this on all students and staff, and proposing to spy on and turn-in parent to CPS, is not only wrong-headed, it is an assault on the freedoms of conscience, expression, privacy, and religion.


Model policies for the treatment of transgender students

I find this policy very concerning and a tremendous overreach of education into attempting to rewrite natural law. You stick to reading, writing and arithmetic and we shall raise our children. Your proposal smells more like indoctrination, not education. Stick with what you were assigned by the people of Virginia to do. Teach, do not indoctrinate!


Oppose all kinds of discrimination

No child (or person) should be bullied, harassed, or discriminated against. Puberty is a confusing enough time for youth and it is also the time when they are most likely to experience sexual abuse for the first time.  We should do everything we can to protect youth, certainly from any sexual behavior by adults but also from sexual experiences that they don't want or aren't ready for in the context of peer relationships. We should all be able to agree that vulnerable children, including those who may be experiencing a sense of conflict between their birth sex and their own sense of gender identity should be respected. However, please consider the following in crafting final regulations: 1. It is absolutely unacceptable for schools to act in loco parentis with respect to a child's sexuality. School officials should never keep a minor's professed gender identity secret from parents or facilitate the child accessing any medications without parental approval. While access to puberty blockers do not appear to be part of the current draft regulations, I am concerned they might open the door to this in the future. If school officials are concerned that a child's home environment is abusive for any reason, they have the ability to involve CPS. They should be required to share relevant information about a child's health with parents. 2. I agree with the new regulations that the school should not enforce sex-specific dress codes. If a minor wants to dress in a way that is consistent with their personal preference but within the boundaries of the overall school dress code, that should be fine. Parents can decide what clothes they are okay with their child wearing to school. If this represents a change from the status quo, however, school dress codes should be clear about what parts of the body must be covered for all youth to promote student well-being (in other words, there should not be widely different standards for males and females). 3. Bathroom usage rules have become a political flashpoint. They shouldn't be. We need win/wins instead of win/lose propositions in public institutions. People, especially youth, should be able to toilet in privacy and safety. People should also be able to toilet in a way that does not subject them to harassment. I might be generally politically right of center, but bathroom wars annoy me. We should all be able to agree on both of the foregoing statements. What this means to me is that there will need to be major reconstruction of school bathrooms IF genetic males and females will be allowed to go in multi-person bathrooms previously labeled for the other sex. This is because we are dealing with people, and some (not necessarily transgender people) will take advantage of the new regulations to behave in unsafe ways. So, either, people toilet based on their genetic sex, which seems problematic for certain reasons, OR they toilet where they wish BUT the school bathroom stalls are updated to provide complete visual privacy. My daughters know what some kids at school are like and they are worried about being spied on by someone who might think it amusing or sexually gratifying. They don't want to change in locker rooms with someone who is a genetic male. That should be their choice and they should not be harassed for their privacy preference. If genetic males/females are allowed to change and toilet with females/males based on their current and perhaps changing sense of gender identity, then accommodations should be made to allow students who desire it to have whatever level of privacy makes them feel safe. 4. Names and pronouns appear to be another flashpoint for discussion. Again, everyone should be respected but "everyone" includes youth and school staff who recognize only two sexes. How do we deal with this? To be a civil society we need to respect everyone. Instead of simply imposing one point of view, can we come to a rational and respectful compromise? Surely, staff can refer to students as "students" instead of "boys and girls." In one of the schools my daughter goes to, we have an excellent principal. He makes a point of learning every child's name and he encourages school staff to learn their names too. He wants everyone to feel "seen." That's excellent. But schools have many children and, even if no one had an objection to doing so, it seems unreasonable to expect staff to learn any possible pronoun or nickname that a child may adopt, especially if these might be able to be changed frequently. No staff member or student should get in trouble simply for calling a child by the name that is recorded in school records.  One reasonable accommodation might be that someone who believes that there are two sexes might address youth only by the student’s name of record and not by pronouns. (whether their belief be based on their understanding of biology, sociology, faith, or conscience). Whatever changes are made should be made with common sense and respect for all persons in view. There should be a realistic appraisal of "what could go wrong" with a change, recognizing that some youth are prone to mischief and enjoy trying to get authority figures or peers in trouble. For example, what happens if a youth who has no symptoms of gender dysphoria decides they want to be addressed by a different nickname or a different set of pronouns each week? What if they decide they want to switch locker rooms from week to week? What if student A is in the locker room not associated with their genetic sex and makes an inappropriate comment to student B who tells staff about the comment: who gets in trouble -- is it student A for the inappropriate comment or student B for reporting it? Please know that I don't believe students who are experiencing gender dysphoria are especially likely to be these mischievous students. I tend to believe they will not, but that other students will take advantage of the rule changes to make trouble for their peers or staff. That should not be allowed. The point is that regulations should respect parents, respect the beliefs of students and teachers, AND protect youth from bullying, harassment, or discrimination. Regulations should also promote consistency: consistency with the youth's name/nickname of record and consistency over time. Most school systems already have strong anti-bullying policies. If those are working, they should not be forced to change them.


Strongly Support Affirming Environments

As someone who has cared for over 100 transgender and gender-diverse youth as a physician, many in Fairfax Schools, I am beyond confident that affirming treatment is life-saving and ethically mandated as part of non-discrimination policies. I am happy to contribute to policy efforts if contacted.


Transgender: The role of parents in public education should not be removed or threatened


Strongly oppose

Follow the science! Feelings aren't fact.  There are so many confusing things a child goes through as they mature into adults. Why would we feel the need to confuse them further?  We need strong, steadfast voices declaring real truth to these kids. We do not need to be telling them that the truth is whatever they want it to be.  Being the light for children in crisis doesn't mean just telling them what they want to hear.  It means being brave enough to guide them and love them.  If a child truly believes that eating a package of cookies every afternoon will make them happy, that doesn't mean it's the truth.  Adults are supposed to have a wider view that we use to help guide our children.  Why are we really considering forcing this on every child?


STRONGLY OPPOSE THIS MADNESS

These guidelines are NOT based on science and are not sustainable. This is absolute madness.


Strongly opposed

This is crazy.  This "science" is crap and how much money did you spend to make up the facts that supposedly back this up?  Kids go through so many phases in life, a lot of confusing emotional/hormonal phases.  Kids have been going through this since the beginning of time.  God created male and female.  You people are out destroy this world.  You don't care about these kids or any American.  You only care about your own agenda.


SupportPr

Providing a safe, inclusive, affirming environment for trans, non-binary, and gender non-conforming students to learn and thrive is an obligation of a healthy society. Suicide rates among trans youth are still tragically high and we should all be doing our part to dismantle the ways we still discriminate and make LGBTQIA students feel inadequate and excluded. Lives depend on it.


Support Trans and Non Bionary Children in Schools

Please vote to support the rights of trans and non binary students in schools. As a parent I want my child to go to school in an environment that is supportive and understanding of all of its students celebrating their diversity. I urge you to vote to support the rights of transgender and non binary students. It is imperative to their mental well being. Thank you!


upskirting and sex will become a problem

Just imagine this for a second. It’s gonna happen


STRONGLY support

This proposal is a vital stepping stone in achieving equal rights for all children, ESPECIALLY transgender children. These children deserve the right to privacy and advocacy in their schools in the unfortunate event that they are not receiving that support in their homes. Regardless of age, children are human beings with the right to choose how they identify and this is a decision that should be completely their own. Our job is to offer them the support and resources they need in order to lead a healthy life as who they truly see themselves as. This bill is not threatening families - it is protecting all family members but giving these children a safe environment to be who they were born to be.


Suppprt

Support.


I support 100%

I support 100 %. Trans people deserve to be treated with respect and love. Who ever opposed needs to look at themselves and realize that we are all human beings and deserve equality and that no matter who you are, you deserve equal rights and support. I think it’s absolutely disgusting for those who are being incredibly rude. Grow up and look at this world. Provide love and respect, stop giving hate.


Oppose

I strongly oppose any legislation granting transgender rights while in school.  If a girl or boy decides after school that they want to be transgender, so be it.   However, school is certainly not the place for making that decision, using different bathrooms, etc.  Children/teens often find school difficult for many reasons.  This would make everyday life much more difficult for them.  For the safety of all involved, please do not grant transgender rights while in school.


Strongly support

ALL students should be protected from harassment and discrimination in school. I fully support this legislation that protects the well-being of trans and non-binary youth.


strongly oppose!!

This is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard. This will only harm our children.  It will not help them in any way.


Strongly opposed

Imagine a society without male or female mankind would die out.How foolish are leaders are. This is the end result when you have taken God out of are society.


Protecting trans youth is a necessity, not an option. Strongly support.

It's really appalling to see how many people are viewing children's lives as expendable. It's unethical to think that juggling transgender rights is a game, instead of someone's reality. Transgender youth deserve protection, safety, and access to resources in order to have the same livelihood as other children. People need to invest in their own education regarding LGBTQ+ policies and protection. I support these policies to keep children safe. I support these policies because transgender rights isn't an option, it's a necessity.


off all the parents

I couldn’t imagine a more destructive or reckless policy.


Transgender Guidance Document

Completely Opposed


Fully support

I fully endorse the promulgation of these regulations as written. The Virginia General Assembly voted to pass this legislation, the regulations must not bow to the narrow views of those who lack the compassion to protect transgender children.


Strongly oppose

This is indoctrination at its finest and does not belong in the schools of Virginia.  This has nothing to do with children and everything to do with forcing adults people’s feelings on those that don’t agree.


Strongly support for the wellbeing of trans students.

I strongly support this for the improved health and wellbeing of trans students.


I hope the LGBT community is happy, trampling women’s rights. Extremely disturbing. Virginia is lost

terrible


This is excellent, necessary, guidance for our schools. Thank you!


All students - regardless of gender identity-deserve love and support

Trans students, gender diverse students, gay lesbian bisexual or agendered , neuro typical Neuro atypical :  all  students deserve a thoughtful unbigoted learning environment and educators who champion inclusion and belonging for all!


fully support, trans rights are human rights

trans rights are human rights


In Strong Opposition

This is an unacceptable policy in our public schools. We cannot and will not accept this perversion as an acceptable environment in which we task our children to learn. This policy would make our public schools “unsafe,”prompting parents to remove their children (and their support) from public education, forcing them to find an alternative educational track. The church may facilitate this alternative to the greater extent. This drastic change would ultimately result in declined attendance, support, and resources available to all public schools. In the the end, children unable to afford or attend a private Christian school- will be hurt. I stand in strong opposition to this. God help us.


STRONGLY OPPOSE

If this simply protected minority students/families, I would support it, and I believe so would the vast majority.  But that's not the case.  Actual effects of these "guidelines": Gives public schools and faculty roles and authorities which it has never known, nor should it have.  It is not the function or purpose of the school system, or the government, to "guide" children in the discovery of their sexuality.  That belongs to the parents / guardians and to the children themselves.  The schools exist solely to educate our children, academics.  Even sports are only a function to support academics. Gives the schools / government a "back door" into the homes and rights and privileges of private families.  It violates the rights of families to guide their family's upbringing based on their religious, philosophical, and moral perspectives.  Nothing prevents a youth from choosing a different path when they become an adult, and this is very frequently the case. Inserts the government / schools / staff between children and their parents, and follows the pattern of stretching an ever expanding definition of "abuse" as a reason to do so.  Many times resulting in physically removing children from the parents, even if it's only for a temporary period.  It's traumatic for the parents & the children alike; and 80% of the time it turns out to have been completely unnecessary, if not completely false pretenses.  Parents are effectively put on "notice" and no protection or rights of parents is mentioned or acknowledged anywhere in these "guidelines". There is no consideration given to biological females who are uncomfortable with changing or using the restroom with biological males, and vice versa.  No guidelines provide for what qualifies as "consistently affirming" that they are male or female; it's completely subjective.  What about the rights of these to feel safe and secure in their person. While you may not want to admit it, every law or statute that is created to "protect" one group may be exploited by predators and / or others with some malintent for nefarious purposes.  There is nothing here that prevents that.  It is either incredibly naive, or sadistically purposeful to pretend that some children and / or some staff will not take advantage of an environment such as this would create.  There are always stories in the news of teachers, staff, or other students that are arrested and brought up on charges for inappropriate conduct toward other students.  How can you possibly pretend that this isn't a very real likelyhood? These guidelines would create a major distraction away from the purpose of being at school in the first place.  It is for these reasons that all boy and all girl schools exist.  No one blames children for wanting to explore things.  But having your school highlight and parade and encourage these things AT SCHOOL or even away from school creates an environment in which it is even more difficult to learn. Forcing people to use "preferred pronouns" is a violation of free speech; and one that goes against actual science and causes people to violate their conscience.  There are only two biological sexes; male and female.  Scientifically speaking, there are no others.  This attacks the most basic and fundamental and well understood and established truth of our humanity.  Then it attaches punishment for those who disagree with this unscientific and false view of biology, and offers absolutely no protections for religious or philosophical differences of view; rather, it attacks the ALREADY EXISTING RIGHTS of freedom of thought.  If we have a right to free speech, then we have a right to free thought. At every turn, the parents are kept "in the dark" about what is happening with their child.  Regardless of whether the student is "experimenting" with their "sexual identity" or being reprimanded for not using the proper "preferred pronouns", or if a child of the biologically opposite sex is changing or showering in their locker room or bathroom, no notice is given.  Previously, anytime I was sent to the principle's office, or some other notable situation arose, my parents always received a letter or phone call.  Parents are being told that they have no right to direct their children's upbringing, and are not allowed any assurances that their children will be protected. Both Virginia law (1-240.1) and the Supreme Court of the United States of America (Troxel vs. Granville) have affirmed that parents have the right to make decisions about the upbringing, education, and care of their own children, and that it's one of the oldest rights recognized in our country.  Virtually every line of these proposals violate these long upheld understandings / rights.  Our children belong to us and are not property of the state.  The educational system is there as a service to the people which benefits the state by having an educated populace.  It doesn't matter if you like it or not.  That's how it is. There already exists a massive movement against bullying.  There already exist policies that disallow discrimination on the basis of race, sex, religion, and ethnicity.  These "model policies" create far more problems than they solve.  To ram these guidelines down the throats of 99% of the population to protect an already protected 1%, is rightly seen as an attack against families and individuals of faith or philosophically different ideologies in the favor of those who differ.  And to pretend that this is an epidemic in our schools and society is the height of living in an illogical and disconnected, alternative reality at best; and a blatant, insidious, and desperately wicked scheme against the fabric of our society at worst. You have a few choices with these policies under consideration: Reject these policies completely. Remove them from consideration until all of these and other reasonable concerns have been properly addressed / fixed.  Or, Go ahead and pass these policies and prove to all of us what we already know; you don't belong in your positions; you don't represent the people; and you care NOTHING about true equality, fairness, or freedom. We'll be watching with great interest.  Thank you for your consideration.


Strongly opposed!

Ridiculous policies being proposed.


Fully Support

I fully support this measure and the protection of all trans students (as well as everyone in the LGBTQ+ umbrella).


Strongly support

I fully support this policy.


Opposed STRONGLY! Children are confused enough about life, God doesn’t make mistakes

why would you (meaning any responsible adult) allow our children to be, get, or encourage them to question who God made them? Plain evil


I strongly support the Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia’s Public Schools (Guidance). It is based on science and facts, and it aims at protecting the most vulnerable group within the student population. Thousands of people in the US do not fit the roles assigned by society based on sex and gender. This is an undeniable reality. The evidence lies on the testimonies and experiences of millions of people in the US and around the world who suffer from exclusion, discrimination and violence only because their gender and sexuality do not correspond with societal expectations and preconceived norms.  Evidence also shows that gender non-conforming youth are at highest risk of depression and suicide, caused by marginalization and bullying. Governments have an obligation to protect every citizen, especially our youth. A reading of Grimm v. Gloucester County School Board (4th Cir. 2020) leaves no doubt that the Guidance is constitutional. It also complies with the Virginia Human Rights Act, and the right to equality as established in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, signed by the US in 1977 and ratified in 1992. The most important reason to support this Guidance, is that it is the right thing to do.  The Guidance does not force anyone to do anything and it does not put any other group at risk.  The argument made by some people that integrating trans people may put girls at risk in schools is unfounded.  Gender and sexual based violence against girls is a serious problem, but it does not come from trans people. The Guidance is a move in the right direction to assert the right to equality of some of our most vulnerable kids and teenagers.


Strongly opposed

Undermining parental authority is most concerning.


Strongly oppose!

Strongly oppose the transgender draft model. Since the day children are born they are identified as male or female based in their dna. Creating an environment of confusion for children and being punished for the use of pronouns is ridiculous. My children would be extremely uncomfortable if a male used the same restroom and locker room. They would not feel safe and have already expressed their concerns with me on the topic. Do you care about my daughters safety?? It is a parents responsibility to discuss social aspects of their life. It’s the schools responsibility to educate my child on core curriculum (math, science, language, etc). They should not be discussion sexuality or gender confusion without parental permission.


Strongly support!!!!!!

Trans rights are human rights


Protect Transgender Students

I fully support the protection of the health and well-being of transgender students in Virginia public schools. Children have a difficult enough time growing up. Allow them the safe space to be their authentic selves.


STOP!! You are forcing parents to pull their kids from Public Schools

STRONGLY OPPOSE - this goes far beyond Transgender equality

As if Virginia needed another reason for parents to seriously consider pulling their children out of Public Schools.  This policy/bill as written goes FAR beyond equality for transgender students.  It essentially mandates promotion of gender confusion to young children, and specifically provides a divisive "privacy" mechanism for the school system to separate children from their parents.  People are paying attention now more than ever to what is going on in our school systems.  You clearly have not thought through the ramifications of continuing to force another radical policy (CRT wasn't enough?), further indoctrinating our children.  You are giving the masses no choice but to re-locate, homeschool or send to private.  Our children will not be your pawns in political agendas and identity politics.  ENOUGH!!!


David who has lived in and paid taxes in Loudoun County since 1987.

Oppose

The key issue with assignment of gender is would parents of a girl want a boy, either self-identified or parent-identified as a girl, welcome in the girls restroom? Obviously no. Doesn't that question make some parents feel like the school system and the government are taking control of their children's identity which comes from the parents DNA and not the school system or from any level of government, or the Supreme Court? Back off, please. Changing sexual identity does not align with DNA (not to mention physiology) which very clearly identifies kids and grownups as male or female. Have you ever looked at a DNA strand? I have. Besides ignoring biological fact, isn't it presumptuous or even arrogant to think that by changing one's identity, one will or can change their DNA? DNA is like gravity. It is given. It has rules and tendencies. You learn to live with them and they can actually offer some benefits. Kids can and mostly do work through sexual identity issues without being told who and what they are by the school system or the government. Leave the duty of affirmation to their parents. Back off, please. If the County and the Commonwealth declare no relationship between DNA and sexual identity, and the abolition of sexual identity becomes the basis of law, isn't that totalitarianism? Strikes me as edging towards Nazi Germany. Male and female identification since the history of civilization has never been mandated or considered totalitarian. It just is. It is natural law. Male and female are actually a one of many bases for unity among civilizations for millennia. Work with it, folks as civilizations have for the past thousand of years. The assignment by any level of government of sexual identity erodes unity in our culture. We own our identity, not any level of government. Do we really need this issue to further divide us given the current broader political climate and divisiveness in the U.S. and specifically in Virginia and Loudoun County? Don't fix what is not broken. My vote is no.  Thank you.


Dani Chowen, Virginia Tech Student Government Association member

Strongly support

Trans rights are human rights. ALL students, including transgender students, deserve to feel safe and welcome in schools and to have their freedom of expression and right to safety and health protected.


Strongly support, please protect trans youth


Strongly support

As someone who went through the Virginia public school system, kindergarten through college, I strongly support an initiative that supports ALL VA kids. This isn’t about your religion and isn’t going to lead to “sex in schools”, it’s about kids feeling comfortable being themselves. I wholeheartedly support an initiative that will help and support an already at risk population and stand with Trans youth and Trans lives everywhere.