Please support this life-saving legislation

Trans and nonbinary students are at increased risk for suicide and self-harm due to social isolation, bullying, and discrimination. These youth do not pose a risk to anyone's safety or privacy; they are kids who deserve to be safe and need legal protection that affirms their identity and protects them from discrimination in schools. Simply stated, this legislation will save young people's lives and prevent the devastation to those left behind when a child or friend commits suicide. Please support trans and nonbinary children and their families, including mine. Thank you.


Here is an idea

How about making a third bathroom...locker room...sport for those who are sexually confused instead of causing more bullying and caos in our school like there's not enough confusion already...i strongly disagree


Oppose and if passed my children will never go to public school again

No way under the god of heaven this should ever happen


Support for this fueled by love

Every student deserved the right to feel safe and protected at school. Our trans youth are not individuals to be feared in any way, shape, or form. A huge part of transitioning and being part of the LGBTQ+ community is questioning. And that is okay. We question and doubt so many things of our lives. Protect our children and show our children we support them. I am in full support of this


No protection for people who have strong religious faith

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.


Parent's rights

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.


Support

I support transgender youth and these model policies


Students privacy

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.


STRONGLY SUPPORT

All children should feel safe and welcome at school. It’s ridiculous that this is even up for debate.


Strongly Agree

This policy would be very helpful in protecting trans kids.


Strongly Opposed

Considering that scientific studies and medical experts make clear the majority of children outgrow gender confusion by the time they reach puberty—it’s, at best, irresponsible to push involuntary promotion of gender confusion in a public education setting—and, at worst, actually damaging to kids who are still developing.


Strongly against this

We should not expose children to this kind of idiocy.I don't know how making weirdos normal helps anyone. Oh,and communist ralph northam too


Oppose

While I support anti-discrimination actions, these policies, as I understand them, seem to go too far.


Strongly opposed.

These proposals replace the family and parent rights with what the government has determined is best. This is a dangerous route to go and limits the religious freedoms of teachers and families, which is unconstitutional. Parents and guardians should always be informed of what’s happening with their minor children. Nothing, including gender preferences, should be cloaked in secret from parents. In addition, to penalize teachers for not following the guidelines is outrageous. This places an unnecessary hardship on teachers and an undue burden on schools to ensure these mandates are carried out. That a child can change their gender arbitrarily from day to day signals being “woke,” not an actual preference. These mandates and laws do not safeguard the majority population from abuses. For instance, what will protect our daughters from changing in a locker room or using a restroom with a biological male who is abusing the new laws in a perverted way, rather than for legitimate reasons? Absolutely, do not do this. The government has no business creating laws of this nature. These should be local decisions.


Full Support

This is only going to improve the lives of transgender/GNC students it wont change the lives of cis students. I went to a public high school in Virginia where accommodations were made for transgender/GNC students and they were protected from severed bigoted bullying and it affected no one else what so ever. The idea that we should ostracize these students for being their authentic selves is barbaric and by allowing such behavior students will be hurt at the expense of your twisted and old fashioned beliefs. If you are so afraid of your child being exposed to non-threatening real word people maybe you should homeschool them. Your child is in no danger but the school not allowing for a Trans/GNC student to be harassed for wearing certain clothes or by having access to a separate bathroom. Your childs quality of education will not change, your childs opportunities will not change. people are opposed to this on fear alone and that fear only harms people. I fully support this and I hope that even if bigoted people keep it form passing schools will see this as an opportunity to make individual accommodations that will benefit these students.


Strongly opposed

I do NOT support the proposed changes to educational policy that disregard parental rights, students’ privacy rights, and the First Amendment rights of teachers and administrators. It is an overreach of educational policy to involve itself in matters of sexuality and/or identification.  Certain topics have been deemed unfit for classroom discussion out of respect for the views of others--religion being one of the primary topics.  Gender is another.  It has no place being addressed in the classroom and should be presumed to be part of the normal parent/child dialogue, just as it is with religion.


DO NOT SUPPORT

I do NOT support the proposed changes to educational policy that disregard parental rights, students’ privacy rights, and the First Amendment rights of teachers and administrators.


Sopport

I strongly support the development of this policy guidance to ensure an educational environment in which transgender and non-binary students can thrive and be protected from harassment and discrimination.


Oppose

Children who feel uncomfortable with their bodies especially when going through puberty should not be told they are trapped in the wrong body. Our limited educational revenue should not be utilized to hold children hostage to ideology against their parents knowledge or consent.


Strongly Oppose!

Strongly Oppose! These students need counseling to affirm the gender they were born with!


STRONGLY SUPPORT

In strong support of providing safety to all students. All students deserve respect and safety. Period.


Strongly Oppose

Considering that scientific studies and medical experts make clear the majority of children outgrow gender confusion by the time they reach puberty—it’s, at best, irresponsible to push involuntary promotion of gender confusion in a public education setting—and, at worst, actually damaging to kids who are still developing. 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.


Strongly Support

As the parent of a transgender man who experienced bullying in the school system by his peers, I cannot overstate how important it was to see the adults in school administration wholly throw their authority in supporting my child. It meant that teachers who had other ideas and beliefs couldn't misgender him to intentionally fuel the bullying. It meant that appropriate accommodations got put into place for trans students who followed. It meant that my child survived high school and wasn't a suicide statistic. I offer my full support to these proposed policies.


Strongly Oppose

This proposal codifies Perversion - it should not even be entertained!


Disturbing Proposal

The legislation proposed is alarming. None of us wants any student to be bullied. Any mistreatment of anyone in our schools must be addressed. Yet middle ground must be found. The guidelines proposed are acceptable to only a few students and parents and, if adopted, would lead to even more dramatic policies in the near future. For example, our daughter was a state champion in public school track & field, yet her daughter will not have such an opportunity if forced to compete against biological boys! We have 3 grandchildren under the age of 4 whose parents will, no doubt, feel forced to send their kids to private schools AND leave their teaching jobs if this nonsense goes forward. And the same is true for the parents of hundreds of thousands of other students in Virginia. Is this what we want?


Strongly Support

Trans youth are some of the most vulnerable kids and need the full support of their school system in order to thrive.


Oppose


Strongly Support

I fully support legislation needed to promote the health and well-being of trans youth!


STRONGLY SUPPORT

ALL children deserve to receive an excellent education in a safe and supportive environment. Trans youth are more likely to be bullied and shamed by their peers as well as adults, which leads to depression, anxiety, and sometimes suicide. No matter what you believe about transgender people, you must believe that every child has the right to live and learn in peace.  Let's protect out most vulnerable kids.


I support this.

I ask you all voting in opposition: what is so wrong about letting children determine their identity for themselves? Is your child nothing more to you than a ball of Play-Doh? Does their sense of self take a back seat to photos of the soccer team you share on Facebook? Are you so insecure in your ability to love your own child without conviction that the kind of genitalia they have between their legs is a breaking point? Not long ago, I watched my dearly beloved cousin struggle with depression and substance abuse. It resulted in him being stuck in the revolving door of halfway houses and rehab programs for over six years. And, it wasn’t born of laziness, sinfullness or any other excusatory factor; it was because he attended a Catholic school which scorned him for being gay. It wasn’t until he finally transitioned from being a woman to a man that he found happiness and stability in life. But, without support and understanding from his peers and loved ones to make the brave decision to transition, my cousin would probably be dead of overdose or a DUI. We must learn to support transgender people as early as we can in their lives. Years of disapproval and scorn solve nothing in this context; all that does is ignore the problem and let it continue to spiral out of control. Good luck “getting rid” of transgender people; you are out numbered. To those conservative minds refusing this proposal outright, I asl you: have you no decency? What’s the worst thing that could happen?


Strongly support

Strongly support


STRONGLY SUPPORT

As a public school teacher, I think these policies are long overdue and much needed. Schools should be welcoming and affirming places for ALL students. I strongly support this legislation and protecting our LGBTQ students.


Opposed/Transgender Policies

I am strongly opposed to the proposed Transgender policies. This policy is outrageous and will put students at risk for sexual molestation. Parents are responsible for their children and not the state. Your job is to educate. You have no business messing with biology.


Strongly support

This shouldn’t even be up for debate. If you want all children to grow up feeling freedom of expression, enjoying the same educational opportunities as their cisgender peers, you’ll support transgender students. What is truly damaging to students is not feeling loved, not feeling a sense of community or safety. Affirming students with compassion will lead not only to happier students, but more successful ones down the road.


Strongly Support

I strongly support this policy. Trans youth are a high risk group and they deserve to have policies that support them.


Strongly support

I strongly support this bill. It is both necessary and important.


I strongly support this

I fully support this guidance to help trans youth.


Strongly disagree/Transgender in school

Seriously people your even considering this?  Girls going top less?  Boys in the girls locker room just so they can get a peek?  No, absolutely no.  Parents need to raise their children, not the schools.


Strongly support

I fully support legislation to promote the health and well-being of transgender youth.


Strongly oppose, this is extreme

While I can respect the va dept of education trying to look out for those that at times cannot look out for themselves, this is extreme. This is forgetting completely about those students who are satisfied with their identity. This is creating a stressful environment which is detrimental to students mental health, their education, and quality of life. The stress of being punished for using the wrong pronoun? The stress of not knowing who will walk in a bathroom or locker room? What if there is a younger child and an older one of the opposite sex walks in? Male or female. This is just asking for trouble. At a time where sexual abuse and protecting yourself has become so known and expressed to stand up for yourself and speak up, we do this to our children??? Not to mention handling our children without parents consent. Did you carry them for 9 months within your body? Did you get up with them when they were screaming at night? Did you feed/bath/care/teach/love them? You have no right to come between a parent and their child. This is stepping on so many basic human rights its unreal. I’m all for helping those students who are confused, who need guidance, who need help with their feelings. But this is NOT the way.


Support

I fully support legislation needed to promote the health and well-being of trans youth. They should have legislation that protects them.


Strongly support

I have read many of the opposed comments on this board and I ask, why does promoting a young child's well-being threaten you or others in the school? Who do these protections hurt? Why are you against anti-discrimination policy? I have lived through high school as an openly transgender student. I did not cause any harm or stress to my peers because my transition did not affect anyone besides myself. These children deserve the same respect and dignity that you give every other child in that school. These children need protection from those of the same mindset that oppose this legislation. This population of youth is much more likely to commit suicide because they already feel like they are an outsider in their school. They need and deserve all of the support that can be provided.


Support health policy based on science

It is the responsibility of legislators to enact public health policies based on science and public health research. Not feelings.  Not faith.  Not politics. I am a nurse and a public health professional and I support trans youth and their rights to a healthy, full life.  Without exception.


Strong support

I strongly support legislation to ensure the safety and health of trans youth in Virginia (and everywhere).


Yes to anti-discrimination

Many of the people who are expressing their opposition to this legislation say that this topic is not appropriate for public schools. Anti-discrimination is not only appropriate but critical topic to be addressed through the public school system.  Virginia's schools should support and protect all students, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.


Strongly support

Reading through several oppositional comments I can feel that fear is driving them. Concern for your child, grandchild, or community's children is healthy but the line is crossed when that fear prevents trans and nonbinary children (and I repeat: CHILDREN) from absolute protection. I went to school in Virginia in the 90s-00s and remember these same conversations, scorn, and hate being directed towards LGB youth. Something as simple as attraction was criticized and now parents want to criticize gender identity. I agree with them that school years are formative, but they're formative for everyone. No child should have to stifle and hide who they truly are in these critical years of youth- when they should be given time, counseling, and a safe space to become who they are. Opposing this bill is opposing human nature. We often strip children over authority of their bodies, but that is an antiquated way to treat them. They too will have jobs, hold offices, make public comments like these one day. Our sole responsibility over them adults, authorities, and lawmakers, is to keep them safe by nurturing them into who they are meant to be. It's not our decision who that is or how it looks. Delaying a child from authority over their own body arrests their development and creates an unhealthy society. Passing this bill allows us to step into the future, to make a step towards positive mental health for our children, and to protect the life, liberty, and happiness of future trans and nonbinary adults through a strong and supportive educational foundation.


Concerns About Proposed Transgender Rules

All students, including those who identify as transgender, should have a positive and safe learning environment, free of bullying and harassment. However, I have concerns about these guidelines that must be adopted by all VA School Boards by the 2021-22 school year. 1) The proposed rules treat parents like inherent problems instead of as partners. They go into detail about how to keep information from parents regarding the issues with which a child is dealing, even recommending keeping separate records so that communication with parents does not disclose the child’s preferred name and gender identity he or she uses at school. Instead, the default should be to inform parents about what is going on with their child and then, if parents threaten neglect or abuse, the authorities should be contacted and further information be potentially withheld from parents. Deliberately keeping parents uninformed about their child’s choices risks children being urged down a path of life-altering decisions without those closest to them involved in those decisions. 2) The proposed rules eliminate sex-segregated spaces where privacy is desired (locker rooms and other changing areas, bathrooms, sleeping arrangements, etc.). There are legitimate reasons why schools and other public facilities engage in sex-segregation when it comes to these areas. Female-only facilities are a key legacy of women’s rights movements and protect women against harassment, abuse, and assault. Girls (such as my daughters who attend VA public schools) or boys who desire privacy from the opposite sex when using the bathroom, changing clothes, or sleeping should not have the onus placed on them to request or find alternative arrangements or be stigmatized for wanting to have their legitimate desires respected. 3) The use of the phrase “sex assigned at birth” is problematic when referring to the anatomical differences between male and female has ideological origins rather than scientific ones. The use of this phrase implies that sex is not an objective criterion, but instead something that doctors and/or parents “assign” to a person. Gender dysphoria is a real phenomenon, but sex is real too. The existence of the former does not obliviate the need to be scientifically accurate regarding the latter. 4) Educators, administrators, and other school personnel should have access to the full spectrum of research, data, and personal experiences when it comes to children who experience gender dysphoria. The thread running through the proposed rules is that anything but full-throated affirmation of a child’s expressed desire is harmful to the student. Yet, the feelings of gender dysphoria that children experience often subside over time as they go through puberty. Some children, particularly during the difficult teen years, feel uncomfortable in their bodies. This is normal and usually dissipates over time. According to The Economist, “At least half a dozen medical studies show that between 61% and 98% of children presenting with gender-related distress were reconciled to their natal sex before adulthood” (see source at end). Many children experiencing gender dysphoria and who want to change their gender identity suffer from depression or are on the autism spectrum. Increasingly, children are being told a way to escape feelings of discomfort is to declare themselves “non-binary” or “gender-queer” and use different names, pronouns, and engage in gender-nonconforming behavior. They are being referred for treatment that can lead to irreversible damage to their healthy bodies. Some young people regret having gone down this road but cannot reverse the things done to their bodies. The stories of “detransitioners” are heart-wrenching (there are many online, please read about them)! The guidelines contain no words of caution. There are no heterodox viewpoints represented in the resource materials. These rules do not engage with the growing body of evidence that many teens, mostly girls, are starting down a life-altering road of puberty-blockers, cross-sex hormones, and irreversible surgery on healthy bodies and are doing so because the culture, which includes our public schools, is worried that thinking critically about this difficult issue will be seen as non-affirming. In conclusion, I think the proposed rules should be amended to: 1) provide notice to parents unless there is evidence or threats of neglect or abuse; 2) protect sex-segregated spaces, particularly the hard-fought legal gains of females to have privacy from males; 3) use the word “sex” in place of “sex assigned at birth;” and 4) provide resources to schools that document the experiences of detransitioners, the phenomenon of rapid-onset gender dysphoria, and the number of young people who experience gender dysphoria but whose feelings do not persist. Source: The Economist (December 2020): “In 2018 Andrea Davidson’s 12-year-old daughter, Meghan, announced she was ‘definitely a boy’.…the family doctor congratulated her and asked what pronouns she had chosen, before writing a referral to the British Columbia Children’s Hospital. ‘We thought we were going to see a psychologist, but it was a nurse and a social worker,’ says Ms. Davidson (both her and her daughter’s names have been changed). ‘Within ten minutes they had offered our child Lupron’—a puberty-blocking drug. ‘They brought up the drug directly with our child, in front of us, without discussing it with us privately first.’ There was no mention of other mental-health issues, which are known to increase the likelihood of gender dysphoria, the feeling that you are in the wrong body. ‘There was no therapy on offer and we were just brushed aside when we raised it.’… You can read the rest here: https://segm.org/Keira_Bell_ruling_global_repercussions


Laura Sirgany (parent Charlottesville City Schools/ Dev. Psych M. Ed. UVA)

Strongly support respecting the human rights of our Trans students

As a parent of a trans student and a researcher with a masters degree in developmental psychology specializing in identity development, I am urging the state to recognize the inherent worth and dignity of all its students by respecting the gender identity of students.  When students assert what they need, it is our job as parents and educators to support their needs. Evidence-based practices that affirm students' identities are shown to foster healthy development, academic achievement, and social-emotional skills.  If we want a more just and compassionate society, then we must lead by example and model respect  for one another through acknowledging and honoring the needs of our trans students.


Opposed!

This is a terrible idea!  I do not want my daughter in the same bathroom/locker room with the opposite sex.  This policy is asking for dangerous and troubling times.  What if my daughter is in the bathroom alone and a group of boys come in and sexually harass her?  Then what?  Where would the proof come from?  This policy is inciting sexual violence especially at the age of teenagers who are exploring.  I am praying the good Lord will stop this policy from becoming real.


Disagree

I strongly disagree. The majoriy of students in a school are not transgender. It is as much our right to not have children changing in front of the opposite sex. I personally don't think it belongs in schools but IF you must make accomidations then make a seperate changing/bathroom for transgender students. I feel you also open yourselves up to a lot of students being misleading. This opens up a lot of pitential lawsuits.


Strongly Support, for my sister

My sister did not feel safe enough to come out as transgender while enrolled in k-12, which has led to an increase in her level of dysphoria, hence anxiety/depression. If she had felt safer, she might have been able to come out and start hormonal therapy earlier and the impact testosterone had on her body might have been lessened. She graduated in 2014, and I hate to imagine another child like my sister having to go through puberty twice just because they're afraid they'll be attacked (legally or physically) for using the bathroom. Please protect trans youth.


Strongly Disagree with Transgender Policy Legislation

I strongly oppose transgender policies being enforced in public schools K-12 for the following reasons:  1. the language “affirming” gender identity is unclear and ambiguous, 2. parents rights to information about their child must be protected not violated in schools, 3. Virginia has a good anti-bullying law already in place.  Legislation should protect the rights of all children, even ones who hold conservative viewpoints.  Protect our children’s innocence.


Strongly support

ALL students deserve to feel safe and supported while at school.


Strongly Oppose

Please do not pass this proposal. It inflicts irreparable damage to children and to humanity as a whole. ALL people need to be treated with dignity and respect. Period. Let parents be parents, let teachers be teachers, let children be children.


Strongly support

School should be a place where all children are recognized, accepted and valued. There's no downside to teaching children that all people are worthy of kindness, acceptance and friendship. We should all support inclusive policies.


Strongly support

I strongly support Virginia DOE's guidance on creating inclusive learning environments for transgender and non-binary youth.  We should all work together to make sure children are supported and safe.


Strongly oppose

I strongly oppose policy that embodies radical ideals which deny the basic biological differences between the male and female sexes. Especially when it comes to athletics. Women stand to lose everything we’ve fought for with Title IX, including opportunities for advancement, college scholarships and will encounter risk of injury by biological men competing in their sport.


I am strongly opposed to this.

God made male and female. As a mom and grandmother I do not want boys going into the girls bathrooms or vice versa. I do not feel this is safe for our kids or right. Alot of pervert boys could easily say they want to be a girl just to get in the bathrooms to see them or sexually assault them. I think there will be more problems than you could ever imagine.  And as far as taking away parents rights to what goes on at school is completely wrong,too. Please do not pass this. Our children's lives are at stake. My child or grandchildren will not attend public schools again if this happens.


Strongly oppose

I am strongly opposed to this bill. As the parent of two female athletes, I’d like to know when we are going to care about the feelings of the girls? Our daughters should not have to be uncomfortable in school locker rooms and bathrooms. The percentage of transgender students is very low; yet this state is willing to make an entire population of students feel uncomfortable to acquiesce to a few. This bill is also a violation of parental rights. Parents have the right to know what their minor child is doing at school, as well as how they might identify at school. This is an issue that families, as a whole, need to be informed about. Keeping information from parents is never a good idea and should not be standard practice. Stop trying to normalize behavior that ignores biology.


Opposed!

Please do not put my child in harms way.  Keep her safe from sexual predators which can happen in the teenage years.  This is not okay in the Bible and it is a sin!  Please stop this now!  This is a good way to push more people to drop out of public schools.


STRONGLY SUPPORT. Violent christian values hold no place in our society

There should be no issue for Trans people gaining access to education and job opportunity. Bad peoples feelings and continued cultural violence towards LGBTQ+ people should not get in the way of this. The christian agenda has harmed America for too long.


Strongly support

I strongly support legislation needed to promote the health and well-being of trans youth!


Strongly Support

It is the right of every student to feel welcome and supported within the school system. This policy would ensure that students who identify as transgender would be supported and feel empowered to access the resources they need.


STRONGLY SUPPORT

Every student deserves a safe learning space.


I strongly support

I support the policy. All children need to be protected from bullying and abusive behavior and discrimination. This policy is not about teaching sex education or forcing believes onto students. It is giving transgender kids a safe environment where they can learn and be their true self without fear. All students should be respected and protected.


Strongly disagree

I do NOT support the proposed changes to educational policy that disregard parental rights, students’ privacy rights, and the First Amendment rights of teachers and administrators.


STRONGLY OPPOSED IN SCHOOLS

PLEASE DON'T ALLOW THIS TO HAPPEN IN OUR SCHOOLS.


Strongly opposed

I strongly oppose policy that embodies radical ideals which deny the basic biological differences between the male and female sexes - Especially when it comes to athletics. Women stand to lose everything we’ve fought for with Title IX, including opportunities for advancement, college scholarships and will encounter risk of injury by biological men competing in their sport.


STRONGLY SUPPORT

Strongly in support of transgender students and their safety and equality in our schools.


I support this guidance

I do not have a transgender child, but I do have two children in public school. I support policies that support children and these proposals do that.


Strongly Support

As a long-time resident of Virginia and former Fairfax County Public Schools student, I strongly support these measures to ensure that transgender students have a positive and safe learning environment. I am particularly in favor of the principles of privacy, ensuring that students have the ability to determine their name and gender pronouns, the gender-neutral dress code, restroom access, and training espoused in these policies.


Not in Favor - Especially for Younger Students

As someone who is educated and has a masters degree which includes human growth and development, and over 30 years working with children ages 2-12, I am  NOT in favor of this  action.   It would be confusing and overtly lean towards even the youngest children opting towards these "new" gender explorations and choices.  It would also lead to overt prejudice and discipline for those, students and adults, who do not support these new terms and treatment of others, which is not inclusive at all.   I do support tolerance and treating all others with kindness and respect, but this is far more than that in one direction that would infringe on many individuals' rights to disagree.   Even more so, children below the concrete operational stage in their development are not at the right stage yet to be understanding, much less making these life choices.   Minors are also  their parent's dependents and their parents deserve to be part of this and have a choice in what is taught to their young children (and even older children who are still minors under the law.)


STRONGLY OPPOSED

Strongly oppose this legislation


Support Trans Students

I fully support legislation that supports trans youth/students.


Strongly support I support this guidance.

I support this guidance. There is a far greater threat To our LGBTQ students than FROM them in today's envircomment.


Strongly Support

Trans students have the same rights to an education free from administrative discrimination as anyone else. No cis students will face any negative consequences from schools adopting anti-discriminatory policies


School

STRONGLY OPPOSE


Strongly in support of the guidance

Virginia must be a place for all youth to thrive, and this guidance supports that. I have a dear friend who is trans, and when we were in high school (not in VA), she didn't have nearly the support or understanding she needed to be happy, healthy, and able to show up fully, and struggled with self-harm and depression as a result. We can do better for trans students in the future!


STRONGLY SUPPORT

All children deserve to be treated with dignity, to have their identities respected, and to be welcomed in their communities. Transgender students should feel safe at school, and we have a responsibility to ensure that safety.


Strongly oppose this abuse of children

You are doing nothing more than attempting to brainwash vulnerable children, which is tantamount to child abuse. Parents, NOT THE LOCAL, STATE, AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENTS, are responsible for teaching topics other than reading, writing, and arithmetic to their children.


Support this policy

As a Virginian, I support this policy, which will enable a safe learning environment for transgender students to bring their full selves to school.


Strongly oppose

You are NOT God. And you have no right to remove a parent's ability to raise their children. This proposal will mess with their emotional and spiritual well being. IF a child has transgender thoughts FOR THEMSELVES, giving them support is one thing. But to subject ALL children to your mind games is pure evil. Leave our children alone! Such a shame when we can't even trust our education system. Homeschooling is the best option for those who can afford it. Unfortunately, too many can't.


STONGLY OPPOSE

Do not implement this!!!


Strongly do NOT support

Bullying is bullying and transgender should be covered under bullying.  We treat people kindly and how we would want to be treated. We are to spread kindness not hate but this does not mean we need to conform to something that threatens the privacy of our own children.


Strongly Support

This is a no brainer. Everyone should be treated equally. Done.


Revisions needed to project religious freedom

Letter to Virginia Department of Education (DOE)-- draft guidelines on “Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia’s Public Schools” The undersigned pastors, church leaders and staff from Virginia are writing to urge you to make significant changes to draft guidelines released Jan. 4 on model policies for the treatment of transgender students in Virginia’s public schools. We seek changes to promote the physical, emotional and spiritual well-being of residents of our state and to protect religious liberty and freedom of conscience for Virginia residents. We are concerned that, under the DOE’s guidelines, many Virginia students, parents, and school staff would no longer be able to love and care for those who identify as transgender in ways that follow their conscience or faith. While we write out of concern for freedom of religion, we believe that biology and medical research affirm what our conscience demands – that there are two genders, male and female, and they are made to align with the biological sex with which we are born. We recognize that some people experience a sense of disconnect between their gender and biological sex, and that gender dysphoria can be very painful and difficult. We believe that true love and compassion for children experiencing gender dysphoria or who identify as transgender can only occur in the context of our creator’s design for us as male and female, and that science and clinical research, while fallible, will ultimately support this truth. We are concerned that the Department’s draft guidelines would enforce an ideology of gender and sex that is harmful to children (by promoting the idea that their malleable, psychological sense of self should over-ride their biological sex, including to the point of undergoing medical interventions with irreversible outcomes) and discriminates against students, school staff and parents who may hold different beliefs due to their interpretation of science and/or religious convictions. Virginia has a long history of leadership in freedom of conscience and religion and we urge you to support and continue in this leadership. As you know, Virginia’s Constitution states: “That religion or the duty which we owe to our Creator, and the manner of discharging it, can be directed only by reason and conviction, not by force or violence; and, therefore, all men are equally entitled to the free exercise of religion, according to the dictates of conscience...” and “all men shall be free to profess and by argument to maintain their opinions in matters of religion, and the same shall in nowise diminish, enlarge, or affect their civil capacities.” We are troubled that the Department of Education would put forth policy that would have the effect of diminishing the civil capacities of those who disagree with it because of their religious beliefs. Consistent with Virginia’s constitution, and in support of continued freedom of conscience and religion, we ask you to make significant changes to the draft guidelines, which as written would suppress and impede the free exercise of religion and disadvantage parents whose teaching of their children is guided by religious beliefs that diverge from the guidelines. Specifically, we urge you to include a statement that “students, staff and parents remain free to speak and act consistent with their religious beliefs regarding sex and gender. Individuals will not be subject to discipline or otherwise be disadvantaged for expressing views based on these beliefs, including views on sex and gender identity. All students must be protected from bullying and harassment, whether from gender identity or religious belief, and all students must comply with policy against bullying, harassment and discrimination.” We urge you to make this change to the draft guidelines on transgender students in order to protect the freedom of conscience and religion which are foundational to the well-being of Virginia residents. Signed: Joseph R. Burkholder, Arlington, VA Rev. Thomas H. Oostdyk, Falls Church, VA Rev. Matthew C. Gibert, Arlington, VA Rev. Edwin M. Grudier, Falls Church, VA Wayne Hsu, Great Falls, VA Rev. Steve King, Arlington, VA Dr. Kendall R. and Cynthia A. Lord, Arlington, VA Pastor Greg M. O’Dell, Annandale, VA


Addendum: In support & gender-specific programming is still needed

I previously submitted a public comment articulating my general support of the policy document for Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia’s Public Schools. I continue to be in general support. We need to create equitable learning environments where all students are treated with fairness, respect, and are safe from harm. In addition, after I spent some more time with the document, I found that one policy would lead to the drastic reduction and/or complete elimination of gender-specific activities in schools. I am concerned that this particular approach does not adequately take into account an intersectional framework that addresses the realities and impacts of patriarchy, sexism, misogyny, and the ways these systems interact with other systems such as racism. Because of the impacts of patriarchy, sexism and misogny on students of all genders, I believe that there continues to be a need for gender-specific extracurricular activities in schools. I also believe that trans, genderqueer and nonbinary students should be allowed to choose the groups that they would like to join, and that they should have access to activities that are not gender-specific and that occur at the same time as those that are targeted to students of specific genders. I therefore would request an amendment to the existing policy that would address these needs. While I am now a college professor, an earlier part of my career involved working as an programs coordinator and a high school teacher at a Washington, D.C. public high school. During that time, I facilitated and oversaw a number of gender-specific programs for my students such as: a group for boys that met over lunch with staff from the organization Men Can Stop Rape - they worked with boys to help them develop a healthy sense of masculinity; approaches based on healthy power, and not violence and misogyny and an afterschool exercise program for girls where they could build confidence, talk about healthy self-esteem, and girls of all body shapes could exercise in a more judgement free-environment than they would have in a P.E. class with all genders. I also personally benefited from these kinds of programs --for example, I would not be the Black feminist leader I am today without the formation and leadership development I received from participating in a club that was started and led by and for Black girls in my high school. I still remember the pain many of us felt when it was forced to disband when a "non-discrimination policy" was used against us. While these programs were focusing on the unique needs of students that arose because of the intersections of social identity and systems of power and privilege, any students could opt in to participate. I believe that we still need such programs. For example, if there are eight afterschool activities offered at a school (art club, a drama program, a gaming club, and so on - most of which are not targeted to any gender), I would hope that a Boys Can Stop Rape and a Black Girls Matter club, for example would also be allowed among them - with all of these options inclusive of cis and trans boys and girls, as well as those who are genderqueer, trans and nonbinary.


Oppose

Strongly oppose! While I have many oppositions, below are just two under the bullying/harassment/discrimination section: “...perceived race, color, national original, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or any other characteristic...” Perceived? How quickly perception can change, especially as a child is growing, learning and developing. Not functional. Not sustainable. Not conducive for a learning environment. “The [Schools Division Designated Contact] shall be available to hear concerns from students or parents when complaints are not resolved at the school level.” How often will parents have no idea that there was conflict/reprehension/hard situation involving their child? So dangerous! Purposeful deception is not acceptable.


STRONGLY SUPPORT

I fully support children feeling comfortable with themselves and being able to identify how they feel. They should feel safe in school, and all public spaces! Children deserve to speak about what they are feeling and not be dismissed. Safer and support is key to growth and some of the easiest emotions to teach. I fully support children being who they are and feeling safe as trans.


Transgender policy

I do NOT support the proposed changes to educational policy that disregard parental rights, students’ privacy rights, and the First Amendment rights of teachers and administrators.


I am apposed to the Transgender agenda

I am opposed to the Transgender agenda in schools. It is my right as a parent to instruct my children in the ways of our beliefs. I do feel transgender have rights as anyone else does but do not want the agendas forced upon families that are apposed. As a public school system you are required to accommodate all people not trade off ones right for another’s.  The best way to do this is to be neutral in all aspects  of religion and political agenda’s. Stick to traditional subject matter. These groups can carry on in there own spaces as churches and synagogues and Mosk do (to name a few). We are all equal and need to stop stereotyping!!!!!! This is creating more separation.


Strongly Support

Strongly support transgender students, their safety, and equality in our schools and throughout our community.


Transgender policy


Fully Support/Terese Colling, concerned parent and human being

Thank you to all of the people who worked on this excellent guidance document. Stay the course. Great work.


Support all students

Trans students have so many issues to deal with.  We must support them with every effort possible, just as we do other students.  I strongly support this legislation.  Thank you.


Strongly opposed due to safety concerns

I oppose this! in short permanent decisions should not be made by children. what happens when a predatory child uses these bathroom/locker room policies and sexually assaults another child? what happens when kids figure out they can go to the bathroom or locker room and have sex? By adopting these idiotic policies you are endangering the many’s safety for concerns of a few of the student population! don’t force us to homeschool or private school our children because of these idiotic policies!


Strongly oppose

I strongly oppose this policy.  In the name of support, you are actually causing confusion and endangering our children without parental knowledge.  Public education needs to stick to education and leave "Life choices" to families!


SUPPORT 100%

Fully support children feeling comfortable with themselves and being able to identify how they feel. They should feel safe in school, and all public spaces! Children deserve to speak about what they are feeling and not be dismissed. Safety and support is key to growth and some of the easiest emotions to teach. I fully support children being who they are and feeling safe as trans.


Strongly Oppose

I'm writing to you to share my concerns and share my voice as I am a lifelong resident to Virginia. Please do not approve the transgender guidelines but instead fight for our next generation: - Protect children - Safeguard student health and stop mental illness that will develop if these guidelines are approved - Prevent sexual abuse in the classroom (this is active and needs to be prevented at all cost), it leads a life long damage to the mind and heart. These children are priceless and need to be protected at all cost and these new guidelines will do the complete opposite.


Strongly support!

I strongly support legislation to promote the health and well-being of trans youth.


Revisions needed to protect religious freedom

[RESUBMISSION TO CORRECT ERROR IN "COMMENT SUBJECT"] Letter to Virginia Department of Education (DOE)-- draft guidelines on “Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia’s Public Schools” The undersigned pastors, church leaders and staff from Virginia are writing to urge you to make significant changes to draft guidelines released Jan. 4 on model policies for the treatment of transgender students in Virginia’s public schools. We seek changes to promote the physical, emotional and spiritual well-being of residents of our state and to protect religious liberty and freedom of conscience for Virginia residents. We are concerned that, under the DOE’s guidelines, many Virginia students, parents, and school staff would no longer be able to love and care for those who identify as transgender in ways that follow their conscience or faith. While we write out of concern for freedom of religion, we believe that biology and medical research affirm what our conscience demands – that there are two genders, male and female, and they are made to align with the biological sex with which we are born. We recognize that some people experience a sense of disconnect between their gender and biological sex, and that gender dysphoria can be very painful and difficult. We believe that true love and compassion for children experiencing gender dysphoria or who identify as transgender can only occur in the context of our creator’s design for us as male and female, and that science and clinical research, while fallible, will ultimately support this truth. We are concerned that the Department’s draft guidelines would enforce an ideology of gender and sex that is harmful to children (by promoting the idea that their malleable, psychological sense of self should over-ride their biological sex, including to the point of undergoing medical interventions with irreversible outcomes) and discriminates against students, school staff and parents who may hold different beliefs due to their interpretation of science and/or religious convictions. Virginia has a long history of leadership in freedom of conscience and religion and we urge you to support and continue in this leadership. As you know, Virginia’s Constitution states: “That religion or the duty which we owe to our Creator, and the manner of discharging it, can be directed only by reason and conviction, not by force or violence; and, therefore, all men are equally entitled to the free exercise of religion, according to the dictates of conscience...” and “all men shall be free to profess and by argument to maintain their opinions in matters of religion, and the same shall in nowise diminish, enlarge, or affect their civil capacities.” We are troubled that the Department of Education would put forth policy that would have the effect of diminishing the civil capacities of those who disagree with it because of their religious beliefs. Consistent with Virginia’s constitution, and in support of continued freedom of conscience and religion, we ask you to make significant changes to the draft guidelines, which as written would suppress and impede the free exercise of religion and disadvantage parents whose teaching of their children is guided by religious beliefs that diverge from the guidelines. Specifically, we urge you to include in the guidelines a statement that “students, staff and parents remain free to speak and act consistent with their religious beliefs regarding sex and gender. Individuals will not be subject to discipline or otherwise be disadvantaged for expressing views based on these beliefs, including views on sex and gender identity. All students must be protected from bullying and harassment, whether from gender identity or religious belief, and all students must comply with policy against bullying, harassment and discrimination.” We urge you to make this change to the draft guidelines on transgender students in order to protect the freedom of conscience and religion which are foundational to the well-being of Virginia residents. Signed: Joseph R. Burkholder, Arlington, VA Rev. Thomas H. Oostdyk, Falls Church, VA Rev. Matthew C. Gibert, Arlington, VA Rev. Edwin M. Grudier, Falls Church, VA Wayne Hsu, Great Falls, VA Rev. Steve King, Arlington, VA Dr. Kendall R. and Cynthia A. Lord, Arlington, VA Pastor Greg M. O’Dell, Annandale, VA


Strong support for transgender protection!

I strongly support this document. As a social worker who has many transgendered clients, I feel strongly they need additional protections. Students who are transgender already experience many barriers to their mental health, including shame, anxiety, and fear about repercussions from others. Transgendered people are very misunderstood and subjected regularly to both subtle and over acts of aggression. This can include anything from being physically bullied to being the subject of "jokes". There is also an extremely high rate of suicide in the LGBTQIA population among students but this is especially true for transgendered students. Richmond could make a name for itself as an inclusive school district if they were to put these protections in place, and provide a safer space for a population that is often the subject of discrimination. Students could finally feel more comfortable being their true selves, and what district doesn't want that?


Strongly oppose

These guidances are far too broad and general and give authority to minors who need guidance and shepherding during the difficult times at school. Gender identity is a life altering topic and enabling students to make these decisions is child abuse. To deny a God given gender will set a person up for emotional, physical and spiritual uncertainty. I realize that a call to embrace your God given gender is not at all popular these days, but it is done from a heart of concern and love for those struggling with identity. What I do not like most about these guidances is that they give no aid or support to the students in question. It seems more like a way to appease the populace.


Strongly oppose

There has to be a way to protect the rights of some without hindering the rights of others. You can enforce anti-bullying policies without erroneously making others "bullies." Can you imagine being a teacher who needs to send a note home? They risk a lawsuit because they accidentally divulge a student's school-used transgender pronoun to a parent or a lawsuit because they didn't use the appropriate school-used pronoun. They can't win for losing. My adult, transgender brother would never want anyone to be afraid to speak or communicate with him or others. We are taking our necessary and positive role models and making them the enemy. The last thing our children need is less positive influence. There can be middle ground without these extreme policies. Stop trying to take rights away from parents and adults. As a parent I accidentally call my children the wrong name and constantly have a slip-of-the-tongue when speaking to them. Can you imagine a teacher making a simple mistake and risking being sued? This is all absurd and completely ignorant.


Strongly Support Safety & Well being of Trans Students

I fully support legislation needed to promote the health and well-being of trans youth. All students deserve to be safe in their schools. Schools have a duty to support the healthy and positive development of their students, this must include transgender and gender non-conforming students. These students experience higher rates of bullying and discrimination compared to their cisgender peers. We must ensure every child has the ability to live out their truest self for their mental and physical health. Schools must take steps to create inclusive, supportive environments so their students can prosper.


Strongly support

I strongly support this. Bullying has no place in school, it is detrimental to the learning process. I support my trans, non-binary, and genderfluid friends.


Strongly support, stop hate

Hate has no business being in our schools.  People need to be able to learn, and be able to pursue happiness without the fear of persecution.  Everyone trying to feign concern is trying to conceal bigotry.  Justifying hate under the guise of religion perverts the very meaning of what was written. Matthew 22:36-40 36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ [ a ] ( A ) 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ [ b ] ( B ) 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” ( C ) “I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.”- Mahatma Gandhi


Support!

I strongly support policies that support and protect transgender students.


Strongly Oppose

I strongly oppose the suggested policy guidelines as I believe they seek to push an ideology on the students that is neither wise, supported by studies, or fair to all students. It seems like an attempt to bend over backwards to push the ideology that anyone struggling with gender confusion is best served by indulging their confusion rather than helping them find satisfaction in their biological gender. While all students deserve respect and protection from bullying or harm, it seems these guidelines only seek to protect the interests of the student with gender confusion. Where is the concern for the girls who don’t want to share locker rooms with students with male genitalia? Where is the fairness is sports competition for girls competing with males? I believe these guidelines are not in the best interest of the majority of school students.


strongly opposed to transgender policy in public school

very concerned with lack of privacy , lack of parental notification and teachings proposed


Support inclusion

School has to be a safe place for all students to learn not only about the world, knowledge, skills, but also about themselves.   It is important that all students feel welcomed and respected in order to become the best they can be.


OPPOSE

Oppose


Strongly oppose these misdirected policies which exclude diverse approaches and freedom of speech

Within Virginia’s Department of Education ‘Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia’s Public Schools’ draft (no date given) there are a few significant areas of failure that invite strong opposition to the policies described within. Firstly much supposition, opinion, and one-side conversation characterize this document.  In citing various studies (2018, 2020 see document p. 9) of young individuals claiming to be transgendered with data stating higher “rates of depression, anxiety, alcohol and drug use, and lower self-esteem” or “report feeling depressed or down over the past week….(and) report feelings of worthlessness and hopelessness in the past week” and finally “report trouble sleeping at night”.  The VDOE however gives away their views in what becomes their conclusion the end paragraph on p. 9 by stating “Furthermore, a recent study found that socially transitioned transgender children who are supported in their gender identity have no elevations in depression and only minimal elevations in anxiety relative to population averages (Olson, Durwood, DeMeules, & McLaughlin, 2016).”  There is no alternate conclusion presented.  There is no follow up.  When other studies (pew research, cdma etc.) and the experiences from the social, moral and religious fabrics of our nation are flashing warning signs of opposition on what has become part social experiment with children we must be diligent to listen to both sides of the issue and carefully move forward.  Where is the concern for these students regarding puberty blocking drugs or surgeries or hormonal treatments that all seem to be unhealthy attempts to address gender dysphoria?  Where is the concern about their family life and negative influences that might be driving them to unhealthy even addictive tendencies?  Why isn’t he VDOE offering alternative counseling and support for students and families wanting to achieve acceptance of their born sex?  The VDOE policies in this document remove the vast majority of the parental and community authority and responsibility to our schoolchildren. The second reason for opposition is that the policies clearly take one side of the issue…and ignores the rights of many students and families attending Virginia public schools.  The document states “The First Amendment protects freedom of speech and expression. Schools may not prevent students from expressing their identity.”  What about the FIRST part of the First Amendment? “(Congress) shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.”  What about those students and families who have deep convictions regarding gender and equality formed by their faiths?  Where does the policy describe protection for their faith, freedom to exercise that faith in assent or disagreement with their rights to free speech?  What about their rights to privacy in the classroom or the locker room for the vast majority of our students who are not considered LGBT? Lastly the document is filled with contradictions, failures in logic and simply lacks common sense in some cases. For example, the paragraph on p 10 states “For transgender students, acts of verbal harassment may include the intentional and persistent use of names and pronouns not consistent with their identity. Gender-based harassment may also include the disclosure of the student’s transgender status without their consent as this presents safety concerns for the student.”  This statement seems contradictory in that in the first sentence we are directing persons to acknowledge the claimed gender of the student, yet in the second to not acknowledge the claimed gender, limiting free speech.  In another statement “schools have a responsibility to respond to discrimination on the basis of sex, including on the basis of the student’s nonconformance to stereotyped notions of gender.”  Where are the qualifications for this responsibility?  What is the student’s nonconformance varies…one year they claim one sex, the next month they claim another and tomorrow they claim non-binary?  The weakness of the argument is clearly seen.  The polices are intent on “eliminat(ing) gender-based practices to the extent possible.”  Why?  If protecting one’s gender identity why not celebrate the claimed diversity?  The ‘oldest practice in the book’ of male and female reproduction is just one of a staggering number of reasons that builds foundation on celebrating and continue gender-based practices for the fulfillment and safety of our students and families.  Finally the “school staff should not confront students about their gender identity upon entry into the restroom” (so biological males, or basically anyone of either born sex, can enter female restrooms?) and “supplies should be made available in all bathrooms to be gender-inclusive.”  From ck12.org “Ovulation is part of the menstrual cycle, which occurs each month in a sexually mature female.”  Is the person female?  Is the person ‘not female’ if they decide to be?  Again the weakness of the position is clearly seen in the light of well-founded facts of science biology. As part of a community and as a parent of students in the state of Virginia, I applaud Virginia’s Department of Education goal to ensure “a positive, safe, and nurturing learning environment for all students.”  But the Education ‘Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia’s Public Schools’ not only fails to include other positions and successful approaches to gender dysphoria; but simply falls to include ‘all’ students as it claims.  These policies are heavily biased and one-sided where the majority of students and family’s opinions and beliefs are ignored.  Freedom of speech is limited and there is no provision to allow discussion on other views based on one’s social, moral or religious makeup.  Those who claim to be part of the LGBT community should be respected, protected and treated fairly as any other individual but not with privileged rights at the expenses of other Commonwealth citizens.


Emphatically SUPPORT

In this day and age, we need to stand on the right side of history and support our transgender and non-binary youth. All the negative and hateful comments come from a place of discrimination and ignorance over something people don't understand. It wasn't too long ago that some people thought segregated schools in this country were okay, but now that concept is abhorrent. We need to get to the same place with regard for the treatment of transgender/non-binary students. This new code will lay out a clear policy for how every school in the state of Virginia should positively treat these students. There will be no room for anti-transgender policies. Please don't let a loud group of discriminatory people block this forward progress.


Agree - please disregard any past opposing votes. we all got together and changed our minds

Sorry we didn't know what civil rights were :( we looked up the definition and we now want to change our old, embarrassing comments


Trans rights are human rights- strongly support this measure

This measure protects trans children from bullying and discrimination. Something that from reading the other comments here, Virginia sorely needs.


STRONGLY OPPOSE!

Please do not force this upon our children. Provide a single user bathroom for gender confused children.


Support the guidance on creating inclusive learning environments for transgender and non-binary kids

Trans and non-binary youth have been with us all along.  It's time to recognize them and provide them a supportive learning environment.  Let's move forward and see how we can do this in a way that benefits all students.


Strongly Oppose

I work with middle and high school students and deal with their emotional and spiritual problems on a daily basis. This proposal of our school systems teaching “sex being assigned at birth” is dangerous and will hurt our nation and young people. It’s not factual. Not scientific. The child’s brain and emotions are being developed in these years and they need stability and where is there stability if even the very truth and core of who you are, your gender, is being questioned? Statistics show that transgenders are more likely to have depression and commit suicide and those who get the operation to “become” the other gender aren’t full satisfied and left feeling more empty than before. Men and women of leadership in our states government- Lead well.


Strongly Oppose

It is wrong to add to the confusion of sexual identity in children.  It is wrong to allow a male child dress/undress in a locker room with my daughter and vice versa for a female child to dress/undress in a locker room with my son, more or less, participate, engage in activity with the opposite sex. God made us MALE and FEMALE- He created human beings in His image.  For the education system of our nation to encourage this type of behavior is sickening.  That tax dollars are being spent to support a one sided ideology is sickening.  What about my child (the one who is uncomfortable with the opposite sex)? When does he/she become a victim of hostile environment being created for them? STOP! This is not okay.  It is sickening to think that we are aiding and embedding this type of behaviors in our children.  Children body/brain are still growing (some of them cannot even put their shoes on the right foot), the allowing of a child to act out "just because they feel different" is a poor judgment on the adults that support this type of behavior.  Do we allow a child to touch a hot stove because he/she wants to or do we educate on why not to touch the stove. Gender confusion is something that this nation is teaching our children; we allow the family to be torn down (mommy & mommy; daddy & daddy); love is love (not the way God designed it).  The family ordained by God as a husband and wife (mommy & daddy) is being stripped away in the demoralizing society.  When do we as the Christian family become a minority - when does it stop? or does it?  I would never have thought I would have to worry that a man could follow my daughter in to a restroom because he feels feminine.  I am DISGUSTED! We are totally pushing away from the foundation of creation and what we were created for; this nation will be held accountable, maybe not by the world's law but by the LAW!


Strongly Support

Schools need to do more to protect their transgender students. We deserve protection from the vile people who try to dehumanize and sexualize children's bodies just because they are trans bodies. Let kids use the bathroom that corresponds with their gender identity. Degender dress codes so they can apply to all students fairly. I went to a school that didn't provide training to teachers in how to handle a student's transition and resulted in endless disrespect and embarrassment for the student. Continuing to ignore transgender people within schools won't make us go away, but will instead cause life-long resentment and trauma with schooling. We deserve to belong in our schools openly.


Strongly oppose

As a parent I STRONGLY OPPOSE the Virginia Department of Education's draft proposing a new policy regarding transgender ideology in our schools. Parents have the right and freedom to teach or not teach (and when to teach) their kids about such sensitive topics. Teachers need to stick to teaching academics and parents are the ones that need to teach morals and religious values based on their own personal faith. If this is passed our children will never attend the public school system as it will not be considered a safe place for them.


Strongly Oppose

I am for the welfare of all children as a school age program coordinator, but I do not agree with this policy. I think it puts more children at risk and it ignores the role of school in a child's life while ignoring purpose of family.


STRONGLY APPOSE - Have you lost your minds?


Strongly Support

This policy advocates for the basic rights of the people within the Virginia school systems. The benefits go beyond students and before the trans community. This is about nurturing and supporting students as their whole selves, and encouraging administration and beyond to continue to open their minds to better work with the student body.


Please vote NO on VDOE Transgender Policies

I urge you to reject the proposed policies regarding transgender students in Virginia's public schools. As a longtime educator at both the secondary and higher education level, I have worked with students who identify as transgender, and while I have great compassion for them, I do not believe their mental health issues should direct school policies which could adversely affect all students. As a parent of three children in Virginia public schools, I am strongly opposed to allowing students with gender confusion to utilize locker rooms and restrooms with students of the opposite sex. I believe this is bad policy and will create problems we cannot even imagine in both the near and long-term future. Please stand up for Virginia's families ; these proposals threaten parental rights in choosing how to raise their own children and seek to force social standards that a small minority ascribe to onto all of us in the public school system. If these measures pass, many families will feel they have no choice but seek other educational opportunities, outside the control of the state. This alone would be incredibly damaging to our school systems. I urge you to do the right thing and vote no.


Against Bathroom policy

I am against the bathroom policy as this is asking for inappropriate things to happen. I feel another bathroom should be created as a unisex bathroom for whomever needs it. I feel like this is asking for bad things to happen and people to take advantage of being able to use whichever bathroom they choose. Especially in a middle school and high school where kids are curious. Kids may take advantage of the bathroom policy to have sex in the bathrooms or rape other kids. I am not saying a transgender person will be the one doing this but this is opening up a door by having someone abuse the policy. I think it would be in the best interest for all students to just have unisex bathrooms added and then this will eliminate any person or group of people to be uncomfortable. If necessary even make a unisex locker room as well. I don't feel like it is okay to take away someone else's rights to feel safe and comfortable in their surroundings by giving someone else the right to be allowed to do something that can be accomadated differently.


Empathy demands support

There are many comments on this issue expressing opposition, frequently on religious or moral grounds. Such opposition evokes a, "Think of the children," tone, which is ironic. What these commenters really mean is, "Think of my children." Of course we all are thinking of our own children when it comes to this issue, but those in support are often also considering the all the students who would be protected by these policies. I personally don't want to see my own child suffer bullying or discrimination, just because they do not conform to the "expected" norms. I also do not wish such acts on any other child. My worldview extends beyond my own immediate feelings and considers the feelings of others. If we are to be empathetic beings we must protect everyone.


Support

I support this guidance and the impact it could have on making ALL of our kids feel safe in schools.


Strongly oppose

Strongly opposed to this; the state (which public schools are an instrument of) must never be allowed to deny parents information about their own child’s developmental issues as it undermines a parent’s role in their child’s life.


Strongly Support!

It is disappointing to read the hurtful comments on these proposed guidelines. All students deserve to be treated fairly and respectfully, and this is a step in the right direction. It does not force anyone’s beliefs on others, it merely protects our transgender students from being mistreated based on their gender identity. Whether or not individual parents or teachers believe it’s ok to be transgender is irrelevant. Some students are transgender. All students deserve to be treated with respect. Therefore, I strongly support these guidelines to protect all students from discrimination. As a teacher, my job is to create a safe environment for learning and growth, and I believe that these guidelines will help us do so.


STRONGLY OPPOSE the Va. Dept. of  Education Transgender Policies

I strongly object to this entire draft.  These policies support the minority and penalizes the majority plus gives no exceptions or accommodations for students, parents or teachers whose religious faith, or conscience cannot allow them to adhere to these policies. Furthermore, the backbone of our society is the family unit and the government was created to support the families in our society.  These policies pull families apart by not communicating with or discussing these issues with the parents.  The government was not created to take the place of parents.


STRONGLY OPPOSE THIS RECKLESS POLITICAL ACTIVISM & PSEUDOSCIENCE

When a proposal starts out by using made-up language (fake pronouns) and phrases like "sex assigned at birth", we're not talking about science but political activism. Sex is not assigned at birth, it is determined by DNA at the moment of fertilization. It can be discovered by a blood test at 10 weeks and via ultrasounds as early as 14 weeks. THIS is science. This proposal is an outrageous pseudoscientific overreach that severs foundational parent-child relationships and replaces them with an activist and dishonest bureaucracy. This one-sided approach to a problem (that is being created and increased by school systems, themselves) is not an effective way to deal with crucial issues of human sexuality. Many of the citations are from LGBT groups who generated the data with zero substantiation and pose a serious conflict of interest as they SELL the "gender spectrum" curricula (e.g. GLSEN) that is being recommended. The First Amendment, according to the Proposal's authors, allows students to "express" their gender identity. Well, it's the same amendment that allows Americans to verbally and legislatively oppose such an ideology. This proposal is reckless and needlessly drives a wedge between students and their parents who are the ones responsible for every aspect of that precious child's life. As parents, we're the ones who deal with the fallout of harmful decisions. We're the ones who have to clean up the mess of educators who aren't (naturally) tasked with providing for that child's overall well-being. It is not the role of the government to assume the role of parent(s), replace the foundation of family, dictate what one's religious beliefs may be, or promote junk science as a means of healing. No matter where you are on the political spectrum, this Proposal is irresponsible and in violation of numerous federal laws. You can't fight alleged discrimination by implementing more distortion and discrimination. Our children deserve better.


Transgender Rights are Human Rights

And human rights are transgender rights. Vote Yes.


Strongly Support

As an educator and human being I support other human beings and this!!!!


Transgender rights policies in public schools

Strongly Oppose!!!!!!


Strongly Oppose!

i can’t imagine the detrimental effects to children if this were passed. Already confused children would be more confused..degenderizing things will make a gateway to a lot of sexual harassment and abuse. This violates the right of parents to be able to teach their children their beliefs and morals. It’s appalling to think that boys would be aloud the same changing and restroom areas as girls and vice versa..sickening..and demoralizing.


I SUPPORT a safe learning environment for trans youth

I strongly support policy that protects trans youth in public schools. Trans youth represent one of the most vulnerable groups in public schools and educating public schools on how to care for these children is absolutely essential.


How dare you try to play God!!!!!

How dare you first of all try to come between the relationships parents and their children have? Schools should stick to teaching what has been taught from day 1. You have no business getting involved in matters of sexuality considering you didn't create men and women to begin with. There are 2 sexes, male or female. If you don't know which you are, I would suggest you look between your legs but if you still can't figure it out because you are so engrossed in this worlds view of things, let me explain. Men have penises and women have vaginas and no, even if you could surgically alter that, the fact remains they were born that way and that's what God intended them to be. I am highly opposed to passing this into our school systems and absolutely appalled that you think you all have the right to promote a child doing something without their parents consent. If they are of legal age, they can do as they please and that is up to them but you have no business sticking your nose where it doesn't belong. You are setting our children up to being abused on massive levels but you obviously don't care or you wouldn't consider such an asinine law. It's obvious that you all are trying to destroy the family unit and that you're overstepping your boundaries. Leave our children alone and get back to doing what you're paid to do. One last thing, you better be reading your Bible and getting right with God because this kind of thing will not be tolerated by Him on judgment day and you will pay for it when you stand before Him. Stop trying to fit in with the world because this is not your final resting place.


Transgender in women sports

Absolutely Not approving of this . what happened to women’s rights compete in sports of your sex that you were Born not that you chose.  Not fair to born females on a competition level.


Strongly Oppose

Schools should educate, not indoctrinate, their students!


Strongly oppose! Leave our kids alone!

These proposed policies violate the most vulnerable of Virginians and distort their understanding of themselves, their classmates, and the world around them. It needlessly sexualizes children and confuses what should be a period of  instruction in facts relevant to their growth and academic improvement. The only people who support children having a "sexuality" are pedophiles - keep this away from Virginia schools! It also clearly violates the religious freedoms and beliefs of millions of Virginians of Christian, Jewish and Muslim faith, whose tax dollars will be diverted to indoctrinate their own children against their beliefs. 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.


Transgender policies in school

STRONGLY DISAGREE!   PLEASE NO!  Crazy for even thinking this!


STRONGLY SUPPORT MOVING FORWARD! Not back!

I’m honestly stunned at how long it took us to get here! This entire policy is something that has been needed and available to students for such a long time. There is zero reason anyone should ever have to feel uncomfortable in their own skin. As adults, we should be working to create an environment where we help alleviate those extremely difficult experiences as much as we are able to. Growing up is already a daunting experience. Adding the pressures that society can place on these particular things, even more so. This policy helps all students to feel that they are accepted for who they are, valued, respected, comfortable, and treated in ways that amplify and nurture a confidence will stay with them all their lives. Those are things you should want for any and every kid. I also love that we are looking to give our teachers and leaders as much information and tools as possible to do this. That’s a huge step for so many reasons! These changes don’t seem as though they would be hard to apply, either. (At least, in my opinion.) However, they are monumental to these kids and that is what’s important.


Protect, support, and defend transgender students and transgender people

State of Virginia and School Decision Makers, Regarding this proposal, I encourage the focus to only be on protecting, supporting, and defending transgender students, transgender school employees, and transgender people, in general. Never focus on accommodating power majority. In this context, power majority are cisgender and transphobic. Do not be deterred and distracted by hateful language in this comments section, in professional meetings among politicians and school decision makers, and from parents and community members. Instead , provide protective factors for transgender people to prevent and reduce cisgender and heterosexual abuse of power, harmful laws, policies and procedures, and hate crimes against transgender people, gender non-identifying people, and gender non-conforming people. This is the time to be intentional and overt in making changes to all aspects of education including interactions while in school buildings, harmful cisgender-centric and transphobic language, restrooms, dress code, and learning materials used in classes. Unfortunately, many school officials and many school teachers across the nation are transphobic and find overt and covert ways to be harmful. It is necessary that state decision makers and school decision makers stop being tricked by smiles and stop allowing people to harmfully claim "freedom of speech," "gender traditionalism," and "freedom of religion." Many adults are cisgender-centric and transphobic bullies yet claim to want anti-bullying programs for children. Harmfully abusive hypocrisy. Signed, 365 Diversity


objection to transgender policy proposal from VDOE

I oppose this proposal. It will endanger the bathroom and locker room privacy of young girls (and potentially of young boys as well). It also can lead to deception of parents who are not necessarily told about gender confusion in their own children. It would force school personnel and students to comply with a view of sex and gender that they have a religious and/or constitutional right to disagree with. Protect kids who are gender confused, but do not impose this policy which goes way too far.


Strongly Oppose Transgender

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 puberty—it’s, at best, irresponsible to push involuntary promotion of gender confusion in a public education setting—and, at worst, actually damaging to kids who are still developing.


trans rights

PEOPLE DESERVE TO BE TREATED LIKE PEOPLE


I STRONGLY OPPOSE THIS DOCUMENT

I am not against an adult being able legally to do lots of things that I would not do (jump out of an airplane, ride a motorbike, have sex with someone of the same gender), but surely as adults, we should not allow children to do such things. I include in that list deciding the question as to whether one is a boy or a girl. When children reach adulthood, they can decide for themselves who they are and take whatever steps they wish to as a consequence of that. But children are and should be treated differently from adults for a reason. They are not mature enough to make such determinations. In fact they should be protected from making such decisions until they are fully aware of what it means. I am also appalled at the thought of punishing staff or students for not using the pronoun a student prefers. An individual can prefer whatever pronoun they like, but they cannot insist that a teacher or a fellow student use anything but the pronoun that corresponds to the child's birth gender. And thirdly, how can you force young girls to share their bathrooms with boys? Even if those boys claim to be girls? Physically they are boys. Why punish 99% of a school to accommodate the preferences of a fraction of one percent? Finally, when the school is placed in loco parentis, it behooves them to inform the parents of any event that could impact a child's well being. If you want to drive parents away from public schools with all that that implies (including an unwillingness to pay their tax money to schools and administrators who implement such policies) go ahead. You are making the best case I have yet heard for school choice.


STRONGLY OPPOSE - STOP CIRCUMVENTING PARENTAL RIGHTS

"In the situation when parents or guardians of a minor student (under 18 years of age) do not agree with the student’s request to adopt a new name and pronouns, school divisions will need to determine whether to respect the student’s request, abide by the parent’s wishes to continue using the student’s legal name and sex assigned at birth, or develop an alternative that respects both the student and the parents." “There are no regulations requiring school staff to notify a parent or guardian of a student’s request to affirm their gender identity...[A] plan may include addressing the student at school with their asserted name and pronoun while using the legal name and pronoun associated with the sex assigned at birth when communicating with parents or guardians” (p.12). In other words, not only could a school leave the parents out of decisions and deliberations profoundly impacting our children; it could also deliberately deceive us. This quote puts a big question mark on the genuineness of the intention to help students. Why are you trying to usurp parents authority and responsibility over their OWN children. You do not own our children! Parents who support this legislation now, wait until it's something YOU happen to disagree with. Then you will lose your right to know what is going on with your own children. Can't we all agree that as parents, we have the RIGHT to know what is going on with our children while they are at school.


STRONGLY OPPOSE!

PLEASE STOP THE HARRASMENT OF NON TRANSGENDER YOUTH!


STRONGLY SUPPORT

Trans lives matter! All human beings deserves rights and to be treated fairly.


Strongly oppose proposed transgender policies

I am strongly opposed to multiple issues of this proposed policy but this is one example: that 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.


Strongly oppose!!

I, along with MANY other Virginia parents, strongly oppose these initiatives. This will take away more parental rights in the lives of our children. It’s completely absurd to take away the rights of parents to know what is happening in our kid’s lives during their school day. In regards to trans students being allowed in any restroom of their choosing, this is just completely unsafe for any children, no matter their gender! The best solution for trans students is to have a unisex bathroom and locker room in every school. Each and EVERY student should feel safe in the restroom, not just trans students. As a Crohn’s disease patient, I spent A LOT of time in the restroom as a student. I can’t begin to explain to you how fearful I would be going into a restroom in school now, knowing a boy could legally follow me in, no questions asked. In regards to trans students being allowed to play in any gender sport, this just logically doesn’t make sense. Boys who have been through puberty are naturally stronger than girls. This is just the truth. You give trans students who choose to play in girls sports a HUGE advantage. It’s not fair to those girls who might be working hard to receive a sports scholarship for college one day. Let’s make actual education the focus of our children’s school day, rather than political agendas.


Bathroom policy

I am mother and grandmother of girls and though I believe we must have compassion and understanding for all students, I am very much opposed to allowing biological boys into girl’s private bathrooms and changing spaces!!  This puts developing girls in awkward situations and possibly threatening situations!  How does this possibly help anyone? Additionally, I am opposed to children being treated differently in schools than how the parents are teaching them about sexuality.  This is not the schools place to trespass on the family and home!  I strongly oppose these policies. Thank you for your time. Janet Heddings


Strongly Support

Trans kids are more likely than cisgender kids to be the victims of violence in restrooms and therefore need our protection. These policies will not limit the rights of cis kids or their families; they will only promote the health and wellness of trans kids. Trans kids deserve support, dignity, and to have their identity affirmed by their communities just like cis kids do. They are entitled to an educational environment where they can get their basic human needs met safely and with dignity.


STRONGLY SUPPORT

I am appalled by some of the comments from parents & others who oppose this policy.  I believe that what the VA Dept. of Education is trying to do is protect the rights of LGBTQ+, specifically Transgender, youth and provide guidance to the public school systems regarding the treatment & specific needs of these students, NOT take away anyone's parental rights.  Virginia is clearly lacking in updated guidelines that can assist Principals, Teachers, Counselors & School Staff with implementing standard practices for these at-risk youth in our schools.  The anxiety, depression, & suicidal risks for these youth are at least 3 to 4 times as high as their peers.  We really cannot afford to sit back and maintain the status quo. I realize many people were raised to believe that gender is binary, i.e. there are males and females.  I am one of those people.  However, I currently have an LGBTQ+ student, and I'm learning that the way my generation views gender norms, gender identity, and gender expression is quite antiquated.  If parents, teachers and school administrators don't educate themselves about these societal changes, how can we possibly relate to or understand what our youth are dealing with, let alone create policies & practices that support these students in our school system? Even if this policy is not perfect, I would wholeheartedly like to see it passed to protect my child and other students in the Virginia Public School System.


Transgender Policy

STRONGLY OPPOSE


Strongly opposed

Strongly opposed to the transgender stuff


Strongly support Transgender rights

The rights of transgender people need to be protected.


Strongly disagree with the transgender agenda

This agenda goes completely against who we are created to be. We are created male and female. We are created to reproduce and that takes male and female. Anything other than that is a gross perversion of who we are as human beings. I urge everyone to vote against this mockery of humanity. This goes against everything that is natural.


Focus

Kids have not been in school in months. Suicides and drug overdoses are skyrocketing even though the media will not say a word about it.


Oppose

This document cannot be passed.  The debilitating effect this will have on the psychological wellness of the students cannot be calculated.  It may seem charitable to listen to children when they are struggling with their "gender identity" but it is not. Boys and girls are defined by their sex, which is defined by their very DNA.  This is measurable.  A constant.  And as such should be the basis of our legislation.  Not the opinion or fancy of a minor. Furthermore, the utter chaos that will inevitable follow from allowing boys to enter a girls locker room depending on their preference is unfathomable. This proposal does not serve to protect children, it simply creates more situations in which children will be harmed physically and psychologically.


Oppose— doesn’t belong in public schools

This should not be in our schools, period.


Strongly Support

Trans students deserve to be able to live and attend school without fear of discrimination and stigma. This document has the ability to save LIVES. I strongly support.


Transgender rights, Strongly Oppose

Strongly Oppose!!!


Trans policy guidance for K-12 public schools in VA

Presently most people have an overly simplified definition of gender. As a result, transgender, non-binary and otherwise gender-expansive people are often stigmatized and not understood. It is time to create welcoming and inclusive environments in our schools for ALL students. Everybody deserves complete acceptance and equality. I believe that gender diversity education should be part of K-12 curriculum in VA. Once people become aware of the true diversity of gender, it will become attainable to create society where it is safe for everyone to be visible, supported, represented and acknowledged.


Strongly OPPOSE

We should not disregard the role of parents in public education. Oppose this bill, as parents are the best advocates for public education and have the primary role in teaching true science to kids


Support

I support this in school systems.


Support

I stumbled upon this policy proposal by reading a strongly oppositional opinion article in my local newspaper and decided to make my own decision based on the facts laid out in the actual proposal.  It is my belief that transgender students deserve the same respect provided all students in our VA public school system.  They should not be discriminated against or harassed based on their identities and if we need more policies in place, I’m in support. Over the years we have learned quite a bit about the importance of inclusion and the detriment of exclusion.  Should we not strive to be more inclusive in our school-wide practices? I believe we should and I believe this is a step in the right direction.  Specifically, I agree with encouraging school systems to change dress code descriptions to be less gender specific/stereotypical and more in line with which parts of the body should be covered. I also believe that the policy’s emphasis on working through transgender issues with families in mind is critical – supporting transgender students and their families and helping them navigate these policies in a safe, and private manner (when preferred), on a case-by-case basis, is important.  I assume the role school counselors play in this will be extremely important. All kids are different and a "one size fits all approach" to issues surrounding gender identity does not work. As a parent of children who attend public schools in VA, I want my children to understand the importance of treating others with kindness, respect, and empathy.  All kids, including transgender kids, deserve a safe space, and for many, that is our school system.


I strongly support the effort to provide a healthy learning environment for transgender students

I strongly support any and all efforts to ensure that our transgender students are given a comfortable, equitable learning environment where they feel safe and valued. We cannot claim to provide the best possible education to our students when there are students who feel excluded and unappreciated for being their true selves.


STRONGLY OPPOSE

I am appalled at these radical and scientifically flawed recommendations by the Virginia Board of Education.  The parents of Virginia will not allow the bureaucrats in state government to dictate & attempt to indoctrinate crazy gender fantasies to our children.


strongly oppose

strongly oppose this. I do not want my kids having to deal with the opposite sex coming into the bathroom while they are in there.


Support Trans Students

As a nurse and social worker who works extensively with LGBTQ youth and adolescents in the State of Virginia, I  support these model policies for LGBTQ students. It is important that all youth are able to learn without harassment, discrimination or fear of violence. A national survey by GLSEN has found that 75% of transgender youth feel unsafe at school, and those who are able to persevere had significantly lower GPAs, and were more likely to miss school out of concern for their safety. Furthermore, we know that LGBTQ youth experience higher rates of homelessness and are five times more likely to attempt suicide than their non LGBTQ peers. Through my time as a volunteer, social worker, and nurse I have directly seen these statistics in practice. These policies will help the safety of students and lay out how schools can prevent gender-based harassment or address it effectively to support and protect students to ensure everyone has equal access to education.