Laura Bryant Hanford, mother of FCPS students

Model Policies for Treatment of Transgender Students--Oppose

While I agree wholeheartedly with the goal of protecting all students, I strongly oppose the Model Policy as currently formulated.  Its ambiguous terminology and definitions, unacceptably vague legal terms, and sweeping assertion of school authority, jeopardize the safety and privacy of both students and staff. Generally, the Policy: 1) gives unprecedented and illegal power to schools to intervene between parents, students and medical providers; 2) jeopardizes the safety of girls in particular by removing all legal recourse to abuse of privacy in places where they have the legal right to emotionally and physically secure facilities such as restrooms, lockers and overnight accommodations, and 3) places an untenable burden on staff and students who have philosophical, scientific or religious objections to claims by other students and to the ideological and scientific assertions of the Model Policy. 1)  The Policy explicitly allows schools to conceal from parents consultations with minors (p.12). Such intentional secrecy is both illegal and tremendously harmful to students and families.  School staff at best have a highly limited awareness of the student's needs and circumstances, and are in no position to unilaterally determine the best interests of the student.  To intervene intentionally, in secret, on such a sensitive topic is prejudicial, wrong, and illegal. Relatedly, the provisions of p. 13 are unacceptably broad and vague, and grant inappropriate and dangerously broad authority to the school for decisions it is not qualified to make.  Parents, not the school, are best suited to provide support and make medical decisions for their child.  To equate questions of how to handle a student's request for name or pronoun changes with child abuse--as this language broadly does--puts the best interests and health of the child at great risk and usurps the ability and rights of parents to care for that child. It is not the place of the school board, or staff, who have but a momentary glimpse into the child's psyche, circumstances, needs and health, to intervene in ways that can have lasting adverse psychological impact on the student, including by damaging the fabric of family relationships.  These provisions of secrecy are both illegal and harmful, and they are absolutely unacceptable. 2) In seeking to provide safety and prevent "emotional harm" for transgender students (p. 16, 17, 18) the Policy puts a far greater number of students at risk of physical and emotional harm, by removing any ability to protect designated female spaces. Any male can access protected female spaces and inflict harm, with no ability on the part of students or staff to question the student/staff, as the Policy bars staff and students alike from confronting students upon entrance to facilities.  Decades of privacy provisions designed to protect women and girls are removed, giving any intruder with ill intent full access to young girls.  This provision will lead inevitably to abuse and assault, and nowhere in this Policy is protection provided. Such tragic abuse will rightfully lead to lawsuits and damages against the school that actively opened the door to assault. This policy must be altered BEFORE girls and women are irreparably harmed by those who will abuse it. There is no emotional harm to transgender students if gender neutral bathrooms are accessible, and female spaces are protected. Until the safety of half the student population can be assured, the policy cannot place the safety of a few over the safety of the many. Relatedly, the Policy denies parents and students the right to know if their child will be sharing lockers, facilities or overnight accommodations with a student of the opposite biological sex.  The Policy provides no means of ensuring the child's safety from abuse of this provision, and harms the entire student body by placing the claims of a few students prejudicially above the safety of all the others.  The Policy must find a way of accommodating the safety of students, particularly of girls, and must be modified accordingly.  The policy gives transgender students the right to any accommodation, while stripping the rest of the student population of the presumptive right to emotional and physical safety and requiring the majority, not a tiny minority, to affirmatively request exceptions for lodging and facilities. 3)  The Policy provides no protections for staff or students who have objections of conscience, science or religion to unquestioning affirmation of gender identity over biological sex.  Further, the training, terminology, phrasing and resources are entirely one-sided in the perspectives presented.  Gender identity and transition are developing medical fields, and the resources cited largely rely on a handful of advocacy groups and small numbers of medical professionals who have authored policy papers for associations, often heavily funded by advocacy groups. There are countless medical professionals and scientists who do not support unexamined gender identity affirmation, and the science is not one-sided as presented in this Policy explanation. This Policy relies primarily on advocacy groups and makes no provision for staff, students and families who may choose to respectfully disagree with the philosophical, ideological, and scientific claims asserted by this Policy.  Whether such objections are scientific, philosophical, or religious, they cannot simply be subverted wholesale by the school or students, particularly if there are consequences or damages involved in expressing such objections. This is particularly the case as the definitions are so vague as to be nearly meaningless, and therefore open to abuse.  To cite but one example, the discussion of Student Identification on page 12 describes a student as transgender if there is "more than a casual declaration of gender, but...not necessarily requir[ing] any substantiating evidence nor any required minimum duration of expressed gender identity".  This phrase has no clear or defined legal meaning and yet is used as a standard for identification, and possibly claims of abuse or discrimination, and punitive action. This Policy should not be put forward under any circumstances until appropriate provision is made for the the rights of staff and students who have objections of conscience and/or religion to the ideological or scientific claims (in part or in whole) of gender identity. It is clear from both the Policy itself, and the resources and references provided, that this Model Policy was developed from a unilateral perspective, without involving any stakeholders other than the advocacy and position papers representing the claims of transgender and advocacy groups.  The Policy should be put on hold until participation of stakeholders across scientific, philosophical and religious perspectives can demonstrably be shown to have occurred.  To ensure that the needs of all students are met, this process must particularly include parents and families drawn from broader student populations, beyond the families of transgender students only. In sum, this Model Policy usurps parental, staff and student rights, creates vague and ambiguous standards that may be abused, and strips away physical and emotional protections for women and girls.  While the goal of ensuring the mental and physical health and safety of transgender students is laudable, this iteration of a Model Policy is absolutely unacceptable as written, and will perpetrate real harm in the name of doing good.


Support

As a non-binary parent of a 5th grader, it is incredibly important to me to see trans kids supported more by the school system. Childhood is already such a confusing time to learn who you are, it shouldn't be any more difficult for trans kids than anyone else. Starting the support young makes such a big difference for the rest of their lives.


“Protecting Trans kids” doesn’t mean anyone is forcing your kids to be trans

I’m genuinely confused by the outpouring of indignation about children being FORCED to switch genders, since that is not what’s happening? This is about protecting and supporting children who identify as trans or non binary. It is not about stripping away parental rights, or forcing/encouraging children to change genders. LGBTQ+ youth experience disproportionately high levels of bullying and depression specifically because they often have no support. Many people seem to think that this is a “choice” (it isn’t) for trans kids. If that’s the case, then obviously you should support putting an infrastructure in place with counseling and resources that allow a child to understand and make informed decisions about what they’re experiencing. Again, these are children. Sad to see that so many people’s bigotry is so deeply ingrained that they’re willing to allow a child to suffer, rather than attempt any modicum of understanding. That said, trained staff should be handling these matters, not teachers who are already overworked and underpaid.


Fully Support

It is our responsibility as educators to provide a safe and supportive environment for all students. Unfortunately, we know (from data and more importantly young people themselves) that this is not currently the reality in all Virginia schools. Far too many of our trans and nonbinary youth report feeling unsafe at school, and we must do everything in our power to respond to the discrimination and violence taking place. It is our duty to ensure all of our students are able to thrive, and these policies are a crucial step in that direction.


Strongly agree

Strongly agree


Oppose

This is wrong on so many levels.  Keeping parents in the dark is a lawsuit waiting to happen! Being  transgender is becoming trendy and is a mental health issue.  It should not be forced by the government on to students!


Nope

No no no no no!


trans rights are human rights

Whereas recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world, Whereas disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in barbarous acts which have outraged the conscience of mankind, and the advent of a world in which human beings shall enjoy freedom of speech and belief and freedom from fear and want has been proclaimed as the highest aspiration of the common people, Whereas it is essential, if man is not to be compelled to have recourse, as a last resort, to rebellion against tyranny and oppression, that human rights should be protected by the rule of law, Whereas it is essential to promote the development of friendly relations between nations, Whereas the peoples of the United Nations have in the Charter reaffirmed their faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person and in the equal rights of men and women and have determined to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom, Whereas Member States have pledged themselves to achieve, in co?operation with the United Nations, the promotion of universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms, Whereas a common understanding of these rights and freedoms is of the greatest importance for the full realization of this pledge, Now, therefore, The General Assembly Proclaims this Universal Declaration of Human Rights as a common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations, to the end that every individual and every organ of society, keeping this Declaration constantly in mind, shall strive by teaching and education to promote respect for these rights and freedoms and by progressive measures, national and international, to secure their universal and effective recognition and observance, both among the peoples of Member States themselves and among the peoples of territories under their jurisdiction.


SUPPORT

These proposed protections are necessary and a bare minimum. Let people express their gender identity and feel comfortable and safe in their schools. Respect people's pronouns and identities. There is absolutely no harm done in allowing people to be themselves. Please protect trans youth!


In support of this important legislation

As a physician I know firsthand the life long impacts that transgender youth face due to bullying and violence. School should be a safe place for all youth to thrive and grow. I fully support this legislation.


Support protection of Trans rights

as a teacher I see firsthand how important it is for students to feel they are seen, heard, and cared for. There is no point in trying to deny or fight the notion anymore that there are people who identify as trans and will continue to do so. I continuing to deny acknowledgment and protection of this group, we are perpetuating a state that has been a time and again in education. It is imperative that we make the students feel safe, supported, and heard by offering them protections that are clearly desperately needed. We have an opportunity to address this now, rather than allowing it to be another case of Virginia falling behind.


Strongly oppose

I am very opposed to this proposal on many fronts. Parents, not the government and not teachers, are responsible for raising their children.  Parents should have a voice in what their children are taught or exposed to. Many of these proposed changes can put children in potentially harmful situations. in addition, I am a Christianand do not support the belief that gender is decided upon by the individual, and subject to change on a whim.


Support for ALL of our children

I support this measure. It’s important that we provide a safe place for children no matter how they identify. I’d want to know that my son was protected at school no matter what.


Transgender Policy in Schools

I start with saying all people deserve respect and love & basic human rights no matter how they identify. Now to my issue: Transgender used to be called "Gender Dysphoria" which is a mental issue. We are born biological male or female. To teach that this is normal and that kids can decide which gender they are is dangerous. The attempted suicide rate for the Transgender population being 45% or higher should tell us that. This isn't because of bullying, you can look at different communities where bullying is higher and the suicide rate is substantially less. So if bullying is not the issue we go back to medical mental issue. To have boys in girls restrooms and vice versa because of how they identify or how their parents/society tells them to identify is dangerous and unacceptable.  If anyone really cared about the issue they would look at the root cause and really do some good, but it seems in our current climate this kind of talk is "Hate Speech". This doesn't even cover the males who identify as females playing female sports and dominating. How is that fair to our daughters/women out there putting the work in? This type of legislation is dangerous and opens the doors to many more problems ranging from criminal acts to completely diminishing 'women's rights'. Now lets talk about the same scenario and restrooms/locker rooms.  I shouldn't have to explain why we have female and male restrooms and it has nothing to do with how you identify but your biology.  Ending, everyone deserves to be loved and is created with purpose, but real, true love is sometimes not easy. If you love someone, you tell them when something is wrong and you get them help. Instead, it is my fear that this type of legislation amplifies the problem by pandering to things that aren't true just because it might make you or them feel good.


STRONG SUPPORT of trans youth

The evidence and science is extremely clear, trans youth needs protection and to be treated properly. Anyone against it is delusional and morally incoherent.


STRONGLY approve

We need to keep individuals safe in our schools.


trans rights are human rights

i’ve known that i’m gay since birth. gay and trans kids have existed, continue to exist, and will always exist. you must do everything you can to protect them.


STRONGLY SUPPORT

Protect trans and nonbinary students in Virginia! Pass this measure!


Oppose transgenders in biologically opposite gender sports, locker rooms, showers

It is inappropriate for schools to call CPS because parents of a transgender student are not affirming of their child's transgender status. The schools' role is not to enforce LGBT status in families. Biological males should not be allowed to compete in women's sports.? Males are generally taller and stronger which gives them a competitive edge in most sports. Females are at risk of injury from the stronger males. It is wrong to make the majority of students uncomfortable in bathrooms, showers,  and locker rooms because a transgender does not like his or her biological characteristics.


Parental Priority

Parents must always be consulted.


No Way

This is an area the schools should not be involved in!  This is a family matter, and I for one do not want my normal kids being forced to share a bathroom or locker room with somebody of the opposite biological sex because they wish to pretend to be something that they are not.


Strongly Support

Human rights must never be blocked or censored.  I think opposition to transgender acceptance has its roots in fear and fundamental misunderstanding.  We need to move forward to educate each other and do our best to defend the safety and civil rights of all transgender young people.


Support

Guidance is so over needed for students in common wealth schools.  It is unfortunate that we need standards, but is a need that the new law addresses. Without the guidance many students may face prejudice and hate unnecessarily. Dani Butler Fredericksburg, VA


Oppose

Forward:  Maybe our elected officials could stop bullying first??? Science is real.  Right?  Or is science convenient?  If you have a penis, your are male.  If you have a vagina, you are female.  This determines what bathroom to use.  We already have anti bullying policies in place.  If you want to identify as a different gender, that's ok.  My children are taught to not bully or make fun and to accept.  They already have experience with this now in high school and there have been no issues.  You all are making this out to be a bigger problem than it is.  DO NOT TAKE YOUR PENIS INTO MY DAUGHTER'S BATHROOM!!!


Fully support

Support the LGBTQ+ community and its youth.


Patty (parent of three children in Virginia public schools, physician)

STRONGLY SUPPORT

I fully support the document entitled "Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students." I hope the decision-makers understand that these are real children, actual students, and denying their existence (as some other commenters have done) is asinine. I am a pediatric physician and also parent to 3 VA public school students. I feel that any transgender student has the same right as my cis-gendered children to feel safe, valued, and protected at school. I have witnessed the mental health crises that arise when a transgender child is bullied and denied basic rights. This policy aims to create a learning environment that will protect those who are the most vulnerable in terms of depression and suicidal ideation (for sobering scientific facts about this truth, here is a great resource: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/LGBTQ_MentalHealth_OnePager.pdf ). I entrust these decisions to be made by the experts who wrote this policy - psychologists, school counselors, lifelong educators, healthcare providers - and not random people driven by religious zealotry and fear who have made comments opposing this policy. I am also Christian and I know of many religious and spiritual people who believe in tolerance and the value of all humans, including transgender students. Thank you for reading my comment.


Strongly apposed

absolutely not.


Full Support!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am a middle school student in Richmond Public Schools and I support this policy because I believe that all students deserve to feel safe and don’t have to worry about feeling uncomfortable. Discrimination against trans students is harmful and should not be a part of our schools. Safe schools for everyone!


Equal Protection for Trans/Non-Binary Students!

I'm writing to support equal protections for transgender and non-binary students in all of Virginia's public schools. These students deserve a safe place to learn and succeed.  These protections will help facilitate a positive learning environment for everyone.


Strongly support!!!

Trans rights are human rights!!


K-12 Teacher and Mom Who FULLY Supports This Guidance!!

As an educator in public schools and mother to a school-aged child, I fully support lifting up vulnerable youth. In my experience, teaching young people about the immeasurable diversity of the world is not harmful. Everyone is entitled to their own beliefs, but we should agree to protect ALL students and not discriminate.


I oppose!

My family and I strongly oppose! This is outrageous!!


I support

"I support the model policy protecting transgender students.”


In support of this document:

The protection of transgender students in schools is a must. Every student deserves the right to be treated fairly and to be protected by their school.


STRONGLY SUPPORT

Strongly support.


In Support

I am in support of trans rights in Virginia


STRONGLY OPPOSE!!

I strongly oppose, it is an outrage, I will not send my children to public school if this is passed.


Finally!

Finally! This bill represents an important step towards making Virginia more welcoming and inclusive of all. Transgender and non-binary students thrive when they are able to live their preferred gender identity and shouldn't have to worry about their own safety at school. This is about basic human rights here!


Support!

I support ours students, or any person for that after, being allowed to be their true selves. Students should be able to learn without judgement or discrimination. Keep places of learning supportive and encouraging.


STRONGLY STRONGLY OPPOSE

OUTRAGEOUS, WILL NOT SEND MY CHILDREN TO PUBLIC SHCOOLS IF THIS IS PASSED


Adoption of transgender policies in VA public schools

Strongly oppose transgender policies being adopted in VA public schools.  Confusing standards just promote more confusion.  One's sex is not simply a matter of what one wills it to be.


Protections for Transgender Youth and all students in VA schools

Good Afternoon, I am writing to support protections for transgender and non-binary youth in all of Virginia's public schools.  Students deserve a safe place to learn and succeed.  Protections will help facilitate a positive learning environment for all. I am a veteran educator for over twenty-five years.  As a school counselor I have worked with transgender students and their families on inclusion and safety issues.  The Commonwealth of Virginia must protect every student who walks into a school building ready, willing, and able to learn.  It is our duty to serve everyone. Please do what you can to protect all LGBT student under the care of the entire Virginia public education system.  It is the right thing to do! Thank you for your time, Kelly Carruthers, NBCT


SUPPORT TRANS KIDS! ??????

it's time to put policies into place to protect and support trans kids so they can live happy and healthy lives! allowing trans youth to express who they are freely with appropriate guidance could absolutely save lives! let's work together to make this happen!


Not in support of this bill

Not in support of this Bil


Oppose

Opposed.


NO!

This goes against so many rights it’s unbelievable. Parents should ALWAYS have a say on what their child is exposed to/not exposed to. It is NOT the school’s responsibility or right to force beliefs or values on children, period. This has gotten out of hand. If this law passes I will be taking my child out of the school system and either pursuing homeschool or private school. I’m sure many will do the same thing which will then only hurt the school system as they will lose funding.


Oppose

I oppose the Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia’s Public Schools.  I believe it is not appropriate to bring the subject of one’s sexuality into open discussion in school.  I feel this would violate the norms of my faith and expose my children to influences that would only serve to confuse them.  While I am sensitive to the plight of those individuals who may struggle with their gender identity or sexual orientation, I don’t feel that it applies to enough students where it needs to become a focal point of education.  I am also concerned that such an effort may take the form of “recruitment” toward certain gender and sexuality ambivalence that are mere steps in the typical evolution of self identity in childhood and adolescence, and may have the tendency to arrest that development if children are encouraged to identify in a non-binary way because it is “new,” “cool,” or “rebellious.”  I think if you start doing this, you are going to do more harm than good.  How about better drug abuse prevention efforts?  Can we not spend our resources and time in a direction that really needs it, or are we more interested in serving the needs of the few over the needs of the many?


Strongly oppose for so many reasons

I am strongly opposed to allowing any type of transgender actions to be allowed in the school. Boys should not be allowed in females bathrooms or locker rooms, as well as girls should not be allowed in boys locker rooms or bathrooms, no matter which gender the child identifies with. Girls should DEFINITELY not be allowed to go Topless. All of these actions could most definitely could cause sexual misconduct. Boys allowed to wear skirts and dressing as girls is an open invitation for bullying, as well as girls dressing as boys. Allowing these kinds of behaviors in schools will most certainly cause a lot of confusion for many kids with their sexual identities. This is absolutely not ok!!! If these new policies are allowed in schools certainly many kids will be going to private schools.


Strongly support; trans students have a right to a fulfilling and safe education

This is a great policy and should serve as a model for other schools and school districts. Transgender students, nonbinary students, and LGBTQ+ students deserve to feel affirmed in their identity. Schools are made to serve all students, and having policies such as these lay the groundwork for that support.


Strong Support

As a loving sister of a gender non-binary person, I believe these regulations are an important step in making our schools accessible and welcoming spaces for all. School can be hard enough without state-supported harassment for your gender identity - creating and affirming space for all is consistent with the learning and development goals in Virginia's school system. I commend the Department of Education for the open and inclusive process in creating this guidance and strongly support these changes.


Strongly Oppose!!! Stick to Teaching Reading, Writing, and Arithmetic!!! This is complete insanity!  You should all be ashamed of yourselves!!! VDOE has become the Department of No Education!!!


Support

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


I strongly oppose

Transgender School Policy


Strongly support!

I strongly support this proposal which would protect some of our most vulnerable students. Transgender youth are at high risk of suicide and instituting school protections promises to reduce that, as well as increase school attendance and academic achievement. Protect trans youth!


Strongly opposed

As a mother and grandmother I strongly oppose this. As a woman I would not want a man in the restroom with me nor a boy in the restroom with my daughters and granddaughter. There is enough child porn in the world without encouraging it!


transgender student policies

This is disgusting.  This needs to stop.  These policies are wrong.


TransGender indoctrination

Strongly OPPOSE for many reasons!


STRONGLY OPPOSE

I am writing to strongly appose this legislation. My children are not legal adults; they are my dependents and as such I 100% have a right to know if they are exploring a change in their sexuality. This undermines our role as parents and also as a Catholic family. Gender identity is not a legal and political issue but a human, fundamental issue and one that the church has a strong opinion about. If faculty and staff at a school are allowed to let students wear hijabs and be exempt from celebrations involving different cultures or faiths, why are Christian students not allowed to be exempt from adhering to this law? If you are going to say that it is up to the family to practice those beliefs and to keep those beliefs at home, then you are contradicting your earlier statement about keeping parents out of the loop. How can we discuss these matters with our children if we do not know what they are choosing at school? If a child is allowed to be an athiest or to choose his/her own gender without risk of being taken out of his/her home, I also do not see why we must have a removal of science by threat in this law as well. The familial structure is now at risk in an already fragile time period. If you are worried about acceptance and tolerance at the family level, then this new policy should be worded differently to include mandatory counseling services as needed and not simply "parents will not know and will lose their child." This is infuriating and frightening. My children will not be bullied into a belief system that does not uphold their Christian values and I would never ask that of a non-Christian family either.


Strong Support

I am in strong support of this initiative. Some of the previous comments alone are reason to provide safety and understanding to ALL children.


Rights

Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights ) Act, 2019 It protects transgender individuals against discrimination in education, employment and healthcare. It recognizes the gender identity of the individual, and there are provisions in the law for a certificate to be issued with their new gender identity.


Strongly opposed!!!

Will not send my children to public school!


Oppose

Too many safety issues for children since there can be people that will abuse this if you pass it. Transgenderism is a mental illness that should be addressed medically not by the DOE or the government. Kids can change their minds about this since their brains aren't fully developed until the age of 25. Plus, being woke is a trend that some people want to hop onto but in the end you're going to hurt the children or even yourself. Please, use common sense not wokeness for the children.


Oppose

Strongly oppose


Support Trans Students

Our students are identifying as trans in elementary school. We need to keep them safe, keep them happy, keep them feeling good about themselves. Some of the people opposing this are not coming from a place of seeing the whole child.


Strongly Oppose

I am strongly opposed to this proposed legislation.  My top concerns include: As a parent, it is my job to nurture my children and facilitate the development, growth, and well-being of my children.  As such, it is completely unconscionable that decisions as serious as gender identity would be handled without either parental knowledge or parental consent of school-aged children.  Schools require parental consent for activities as simple as field trips and participation in sports.  In no way should the school be allowed to help minors make decisions as serious as gender identity without informed parental guidance and consent. The draft policy stipulates that potential incidents of discrimination, harassment, or bullying would not be brought to a parents’ attention unless they are not resolved “at the school level.”  This is counter to any other conduct of disciplinary action in schools, for example in-class behavior issues, attendance, etc where parents are informed and are allowed to care for their children as appropriate.  Removal of parents from the resolution of these situations could harm parent-child relationships and force minors to make decisions without the advice of their legal guardians. As a parent of daughters, I am also particularly concerned about provisions that would allow the use of bathrooms and locker rooms by either gender with no notice or means for parents or even school officials to defend my daughters against individuals who would abuse such a system in a predatory manner, to the potential harm of the health and well-being of my daughters and the daughters of other parents. As written, there is no consideration for religious or ideological views that vary from this proposed legislation.  As parents, we have the constitutional right to exercise religious freedom free from government persecution, and that includes in how we care for and raise our children.  We have the ability to opt in and out of any number of school programs based on religious or philosophical views, why is this topic different?


Strongly support

I absolutely support this. I am a mental health clinician and have an obligation to protect children no matter their identity. I believe this will allow those who are transgender to feel more respected, and it will not infringe on the rights of other students. Being transgender or questioning your identity/sexuality does not make you more likely to have problematic or sexualized behaviors at school. We should support all students to be their most authentic selves.


Strongly support!!

Strongly support!!


Absolute Support

It is well past time for these kinds of changes to take place. All students deserve to feel safe being who they are in a school setting. Trans lives are valid and need to be protected in policy!!


STRONGLY SUPPORT

Trans and non-binary kids are far too often excluded and left behind. They deserve to feel safe and validated EVERYWHERE and school is an environment where acceptance and fair treatment can be fully implemented.


Oppose the VDOE model policy for treatment of transgender students

I oppose the VDOE model policies for the treatment of transgender students.


Strong Support

I am writing in strong support of this bill, which will help ensure the safety and well-being of trans and non-binary students in Virginia's public school system. Protection against bullying, harassment, discrimination, and victimization is a basic human right.


STRONGLY OPPOSED

STRONGLY OPPOSED, this is a disgrace to humanity that we would remove dignity from the family unit that these schools are built to support.  This will result in a collapse of the public education system.


Strongly oppose!

Strongly opposed! This is sheer lunacy!


I strongly oppose to this!!

I strongly oppose to this because I would not like to use the bathroom at school and have a man walk in. Transgenders should not be allowed to do this! I would not like my children sharing a woman’s bathroom with men. Same goes for sports at schools as well. Transgender men should not be allowed to participate in women sports, and transgender women should not be allowed to participate in men’s


Excellent Step Forward!

This is a very heartening to read and I am proud to be a Virginia alumnus and to have my kids currently enrolled in Virginia schools. Education is about more than what textbooks say and its more than how to solve equations. Education is also about learning how to be a good citizen and I'm happy to see that this will now involve recognizing the gender identity of the students, not only so that they can feel accepted and supported, but also so that their cisgender classmates are exposed at an early age to classmates whose gender identity isn't the same as their own and that that's not weird or scary. It's just different. I heartily support these guidelines.


SUPPORT

I am in strong support of equality and protections for trans, non binary, gender non confirming youth!


STRONG SUPPORT!

I strongly support this initiative! Supporting children includes supporting trans children. We need to protect our communities kids!


Strongly Opposed

I do not agree that the public schools should have the right to enter into gender issues with children. This should be a parents job with their own children. The schools job is to educate children in History, math, science, English, and the arts, and should not dictate what teachers need to teach concerning sexual issues. The problem our schools are facing is not because of gender issues, but lack in teaching the core courses and leaving everything else to parents. The government need to stay out of what are parental rights.


STRONGLY OPPOSE

I do not agree with this at all. I oppose this!


OPPOSE!

I do not support this bill.


Strongly Support

I support the policies outlined in the proposal. It is imperative that Virginia's public schools be clear and unwavering in their promise to protect LGBTQ+ students. We must advocate for trans and non-binary students not only as a safety and equity issue, but because children will be looking at the example we set. We must do right by all of them. By not being explicit in our promise to protect students, by allowing our educators to be bullied and swayed by narrow-minded parents and public servants, we will only perpetuate discrimination and violence, and fail all students as a result.


STRONGLY OPPSE AND WILL REMOVE MY KIDS FROM SCHOOL SYSTEM


Vote NO!

Vote NO, because I want to protect my children .


Strong Support

Several studies have shown the overall quality of life (not to mention significantly reduced suicide risk) of transgender children who are able to present and reflect their actual gender, and this would help immensely with recognition and improvements, not to mention that it would help cisgender students in seeing transgender students as just a different person; not anything negative to be scared or worried about. Acknowledging and support transgender students in their identity will help to improve the lives of all students, and to reduce bigotry by increasing education about gender identities.


Strongly oppose

I strongly oppose this bill. It is not the government’s, or in this case, the school’s, job to tell us what to believe or how to live.


Highly Oppose!! From the Hispanic Community

To whom this may concern, Please do not support this bill. I am highly opposed to this bill as it gives more power to teachers than to the child’s very own parents. This will bring si un confusion to children’s minds and is in no way healthy. I oppose this bill in the strongest possible way.


Strongly opposed

I am strongly opposed to this. This should be considered child abuse.


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

Strongly Oppose!


Rowen, I Am Me Mentors Tutoring & Curriculum Development Cooperative

STRONGLY SUPPORT!

I strongly support this well-researched and evidence-based proposal. Public education systems are entrusted with the responsibility to serve all of our students and provide responsive, inclusive, and safe learning environments. Policies that actively support transgender students are associated with higher rates of school attendance, higher academic achievement, and improvements in both mental and physical health. As public entities entrusted with student safety, we should always act with the most vulnerable students in mind. This policy would protect previously vulnerable students and create safer, more inclusive learning environments. As a transgender educator who went through public schools in Texas, this type of guidance would have been life changing for my own personal growth and development. This does nothing but support marginalized students and does not negatively impact any other groups as many of the other comments suggest/imply it would!


Support! TRANS RIGHTS ARE HUMAN RIGHTS. Anyone opposing this is cold hearted and ignorant.

I strongly support this, as should everyone with an ounce of empathy and intelligence. Unfortunately there will be cold hearted, ignorant people in every generation. The transgender community has faced some of the worst, most violent oppression of our time. It’s time we do something about it. Anyone commenting their lack of support needs to take a good look in the mirror. People like you are the villain in these stories. You want to harm and oppress innocent people, people who have done nothing to you. You should be ashamed of yourselves. I can only hope your children grow up to be better people than you, despite the poor example you’ve set for them. Love will always win.


VDOE Trans and Non-Binary Student Protections

I am writing to urge passage of protections for our transgender and nonbinary students across Virginia. The moral issue is fairly simple: Trans and nonbinary students don't "choose" their gender any more than they choose their race or ethnicity; they discover as they age what gender identity is natural for them. It is always wrong to single out a child for separate treatment, segregated schooling, or second-class status based on a non-chosen characteristic. Trans and binary kids need access to restrooms like any other human beings, and they deserve full participation in sports, gym class, and everything else we taxpayers pay for so our children and our neighbors' children can thrive and learn. Therefore, it only makes sense to allow these kids, like all kids, to use the restrooms that correspond to their gender identity; to do otherwise is to subject them to endless harassment. Even if this issue is new to many educators and voters, many of whom have no transgender friends or neighbors or coworkers, that is no reason to deny its seriousness to the small minority among us who live with their transgender identity every day, including the children in three families I happen to know through my neighborhood and church. Thank you.


Strongly Oppose!

Strongly Oppose


STRONGLY SUPPORT

Strongly support


OPPOSE

Leave politics outside the school. Teach manners, reading, writing, math and history.


Strong support: this will save trans youth's lives

I want to voice my strong support for this guidance document. The Trevor Project has done comprehensive studies show that LGBTQ youth are 40% less likely to commit suicide if they have one supportive adult in their life. They also show episode of LGBT victimization, such as physical or verbal harassment or abuse, increases the likelihood of self-harming behavior by 2.5 times on average. Training and equipping schools to be able to provide the support, resources, and protection for trans students will literally save lives. It does not hurt anyone to protect trans youth. It does, however, hurt and can even potentially kill trans youth to not create supportive and safe environments for them.


Transgender policies

STRONGLY oppose transgender policies!


Strongly Oppose

This goes way beyond trying to help transgendered students feel included. I agree that no one should be put down or bullied for any reason. But this? This is outrageous! You are saying that an 18 year old male can walk into a girl's bathroom, without question, where my 14/15 year old daughter could be changing/using the restroom unsupervised. How is the safe? This is crossing way over the line of indoctrination. Yes, many students are questioning who they are in their teenage years, but it is not the school's job to tell them who they are. Parents know their children, it is their job to parent. It is not the school's job to help a confused young person explore their gender identity. And where does it stop? The law states that these students may not identify as male or female? What will the school say to them? Tell them they can be anything they choose that day? Ridiculous! Our schools need to protect ALL students. This law is protecting the few while putting many at risk. NO, I am not saying that transgendered students are violent sex offenders, I am saying that once young people understand what they can get away with under this law, that there will be innocent students hurt. By all means, train your guidance counselors, principals, gym coaches, athletic trainers, teachers, etc., what to do and how to guide students who reach out to them. But this is taking it TOO FAR!


OPPOSE - VERY PROBLEMATIC

While well  intentioned, these proposed policies are extremely problematic. They articulate views - such as the view that "Gender identity is considered an innate characteristic" - that are unproven and far different from those of many parents. Through its blanket endorsement of views like these, the VDOE has gone far beyond the path the General Assembly prescribed. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition, gender dysphoria prevalence accounts to 0.005-0.014% of the population for biological males and 0.002-0.003% for biological females. There are few studies examining adult outcomes for children who present as transgender, and those few studies indicate that more than 2/3rds of pre-pubescent children who present as transgender eventually drop their trans identity and desist to their biological sex. Given that there are no objective or reliable methods to differentiate between temporary or mistaken transgender identities and persistent ones, schools should not be promoting the especially harmful view that youth is an appropriate time to engage in sometimes irreversible "gender transitions." In the laudable desire to provide support to the small percentage of students with Gender Dysphoria, the school system cannot disregard the health and welfare of all other students. Schools have a duty to protect the bodily privacy and dignity of all students. No child should be forced to share showers, locker rooms, hotel rooms or other intimate settings with a member of the opposite biological sex. Finally, the model regulations infringe the First Amendment rights of parents to raise and care for their children and have the potential to pit children against their parents when it comes to important questions about sex and gender identity.


Strongly oppose!!!!

I do not support this! My child SHOULD Not be forced to call a he a she and vice versa. We are a Christian family and do not support this bill.


Jesus ChristII

I STRONGLY OPPOSE THIS TRAVESTY YOU ARE TRYING TO INFLICT ON OUR CHILDREN.


Strongly Oppose

This is ridiculous! As a parent and educator I am devastated that this would even be considered. It's unacceptable to think that a teacher can correctly associate a students gender from one day to the next. Am I supposed to ask each student as they enter my room what gender they are identifying with for the day or take a poll at the beginning of every class? I am really starting to get confused as to what my role as a teacher is. Is it to teach the extensive content that has been laid out for me and that ultimately determines my worth as a teacher for those that teach SOLs or to forego that curriculum and spend my class time talking about feelings and sexual orientation?  Biologically speaking there are two genders, sexual identification is not something that the public school system should be able to actively "teach" to my or anyone else's child. Young children are very easily influenced by Hollywood "trends" which often has nothing to do with how they truly feel or identify, but rather what they can do to draw attention to themselves. Does no one see an issue with students of the opposite sex using the same restroom? Is a young man trying to sneak a peek at the opposite sex going to be excused for his actions simply because he decided to identify as female for the day.  Individuals that are actually in the school would know that this is a very real possibility. And we also know that nothing would happen to this child because taking responsibility for your actions are wrong.   That is not something that I as a parent is comfortable with. I don't want any member of the opposite sex using the same bathroom as my son or daughter. This is a very slippery slope indeed.


STRONGLY oppose transgender policies

STRONGLY OPPOSE!


Strongly oppose

I strongly oppose the Transgender School Policy. Our schools need to get back to the basics and teach their subjects.


Child abuse

I am a concerned citizen, military spouse & mother. It is concerning that the school boards would even consider this to pass. Implementing this would be a threat to the mental health of our children in our schools. It is considered child abuse and neglect from the board of education. It goes against our children’s civil rights. Our children should be cared for not subjects of social experiments. This bill is a threat to my children and we as parents have the right to stop education board on applying political issues into their system, it is against the law and they should stick to teaching the ABC’s this is easily proven to be child abuse! I am sure they will think carefully.


Hey sheople!

Opposed - Parenting minors is the right of the parents, not the school or government. Wake up!


Evidence based, comprehensive, clear

As a researcher who works in the field of gender affirming care for young adults, I was pleased to see this thoughtful, evidence-based proposal for how schools can support gender diverse youth. Youth who have access to supportive environments, safe environments, and environments where they know they can access support in times of crisis are more likely to be able to thrive. For some youth who do not have parental support, school can be the only safe place for them to be themselves. For others, school is a part of living a whole and healthy life. This protocol is clear and comprehensive. It addresses the needs of both gender diverse and cisgender students by seeking to eliminate gender-related barriers to successful education. I strongly support the implementation of this policy and believe it could be a model policy for other state boards of education.


THIS WILL END PUBLIC SCHOOLS AS WE KNOW IT! STRONGLY OPPOSE!!!YOU

You all had better not even think about bringing this disgusting evil to our schools or we will all take our children out!


Strongly Oppose!

This is way overstepping parental rights.  This is pure evil. The words “sexual preference” and “CHILD” should never even be used in the same context.  Strongly, strongly, strongly opposed.  Children need to be allowed to be CHILDREN.


Fully support

Absolutely support


Support

I support this bill to protect trans youth.


Support!

I support the guidance. Thank you, Kelly Alexis


Transgender rights are human rights!

Please support t ransgender rights! Transgenders deserve to be protected as any other person. What is done as an educational institution will impart how children behave toward others as adults. What will we teach?


Strongly Support the trans kids

I strongly support the protection of trans kids in school. These kids need it . You have no idea what it’s like because you are not in there shoes. EVERY person is different so we should let them feel comfortable with who they are. And not worried what’s gonna happen next. How  is anyone going to learn  while stressed. Think about it.


I support all LGBTQ+ rights, trans included

I support any and all legislature that supports and protects LGBTQ+ children and adults. Everyone deserves to feel and be safe.


SUPPORT!!

Trans rights are human rights, let kids be who they are in school.


In Support of Policies for Treatment of Transgender Students

As a science educator, I am in full support of the guidelines developed in support of transgender students. It is the job of teachers to ensure a positive, safe, and nurturing learning environment for all students. Teachers have the power to either create a safe space in their classrooms or a hostile and alienating space for trans and gender-nonconforming students. As stated in the policy document, "a 2019 national survey by GLSEN found that 84 percent of transgender youth feel unsafe at school." A study from the American Academy of Pediatrics (Toomey et al., 2018) found over 50% of trans* male participants and almost 30% of trans* female participants had attempted suicide at some point in their lives. These rates compare to around 9% for cisgender boys and girls. This is a pretty clear indicator that trans* students feel unsafe either at school or at home. I should add as someone who studied molecular biology and genetics, biological sex is way more complex than simply X and Y chromosomes and secondary sex characteristics, and has nothing to do with gender (a self-concept) or sexuality (to whom someone finds attraction). For anyone who is curious about the distinction between these concepts, you may find this site informative: https://courses.lumenlearning.com/atd-hostos-child-development-education/chapter/defining-sex-gender-and-sexuality/


Strongly oppose! To give ppl no choice is not american!

To not give ppl the choice and to pull children from their loving homes because a parent does not want to do this. That is very wrong a d an abuse of power. Disgusting bill.


Strongly oppose

I strongly oppose these policies being considered by our Department of Education. This is a gross overstep of the schools authority to govern our children. Our children are sent to school for education... it is the parent/ guardian/ family's right to counsel, guide and support our children in these more personal areas.


Mental illness needs to be treated not celebrated.

The school house is not a place where mental illness should be pushed as something that is celebrated or accepted. It should be treated with care which does not mean allowing boys in girls rooms or girls in boys rooms. As adults, you need take a stand and acknowledge to the young people who look to you for guidance, that gender is not something that you can change, it is something that you are born with. Acceptance of reality is vital to mental well-being and teaching that gender is fluid and changeable is not only wrong on many levels, it is dangerous and in many cases, lethal. This is not a subject to which you should bow to the PC police, children are much more important than the temporary and fickle approval of the mob. Rather, you should teach the children the actual truths of biology, proven by science, not the science of feelings to which the transgender ideology belongs. You should be encouraging parents to have this conversation with their children and realize that it is not the place of the public school system to push a social agenda.


Strongly oppose

DOE’s role is to teach our children abc’s and 123’s.  It’s parents responsibilities to raise the children as they see fit to their beliefs, values and morals.


Strongly support

Strongly support the guidance to trans children


Transgender policy

I strongly oppose this Transgender Policy that is being drafted by the Virginia Department of Education. What kind of society are you trying to form? An Animal Kingdom?? Leave it to parents to teach their children right from wrong. What is moral and what is immoral. This is not a dictatorship society where you force your opinions and beliefs on everybody else and make it a Rule. Even the world dictators never dreamed of such a ruthless, unthinkable rule. A child's mind is not a game to be played with. Wake up Virginia. Wake up America.


YES! STRONGLY SUPPORT

This document was clearly well thought out and researched. This is the direction we need to be moving and has SO many upsides in terms of safety. Giving children ample space and resources to figure out who they are with support along the way is the best thing we can do for them. I am really disgusted by the opposing comments and I ask all of you to think about your children’s well beings and freedom of expression more than your weird dated preconceived ideas about gender. Grow up.


Oppose

We need to protect our children


SUPPORT

SUPPORT TRANS KIDS


Transgender boy in boys bathroom next ends up pregnant LGBTQ?

Oppose!


I Support the Guidance Document

Respecting and supporting our most marginalized students and community members is the most powerful way to show our character and model for all students what respect and inclusion really mean. As an educator, I know how vital this guidance is for trans, non-binary and gender non-comforting students and also the positive example it sets for everyone.


VA Dept of Education guidance documents re: supporting transgender kids in public schools

Our schools should model an equitable, caring, student-centered approach to addressing the diverse needs of our students. To this end, as a mental health professional and a parent of a soon-to-be kindergartner in Virginia public schools, I wholeheartedly support trans-affirming guidance and policies.


Strongly Support Guidance Document

As a mental health worker in the community, I have come in contact with many young people who are impacted by lack of policy in the school system to protect their personhood and whose mental health and academic success have suffered greatly due to lack of support and enduring discrimination.  Transgender students are at a higher suicide risk than their peers, and often experience harassment that can have long-term consequences on their mental and emotional well-being.  This document ensures a safer environment for young people to learn and to diminish traumatic experience within the school system.  It is informed by medical and psychiatric expertise, not individuals in the community who fear what they do not, or will not, understand.  This is an important distinction when determining best action-- do we want to pursue action based in evidence or action based in fear? My hope is that most of us want our children to grow and learn in environments that foster inclusion and safety. This document is a step in the right direction.


Full support

This is a must in my mind as a parent, educator, physician and cisgender heterosexual woman.  This is evidence based, allows us all to meet our potential and saves lives.


Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia’s Public Schools VDOE 22.1-23-3

Oppose I am a husband, father, grandfather.  I believe firmly in compassion and understanding but: Unless emancipated, parents and legal guardians are the ones legally responsible for their children’s actions and formation. Students, minors under the age of 18, are the legal responsibility of the parents and/or legal guardians, not the VDOE, not the teacher’s union, not the public-school teacher, the aid, assistant and so on. By definition a minor has no legal rights The school does a serious injustice, without providing parental legal recourse, to the parents when the school shelters, from the parents, any and all activities that occur while in the school’s care that “they” the school deem necessary (Pre-K through Senior year) The school creates undue stress and confusion to the majority of students, our children, who are taught and understand the biological, physiological, physical fact-based sciences and differences between a male and female.  VDOE are you demanding that our children and ourselves “pretend” that a biological male is a female, and/or a biological female is a male?  The Emperor’s New Clothes Females are typically physically weaker than males The school will create a biased environment against biological female students by forcing them to athletically compete against biological males in the same arena The school will create an unsafe environment for those student athletes and others females in the locker and restroom settings, especially while attending to personal hygiene matters such as: changing, showering and relieving themselves. During these times, vulnerable female students are out of the public view, away from the general student population and at a greater risk from being the object of a physically stronger biological male(s) who may have ill intent and motives. By moving in this direction the school is totally ignoring the physical, emotional and behavioral responses that occur in puberty and human sexual development between males and females. If this VDOE Transgender agenda is truly the path the VDOE decides to take, including all the forthcoming law suits to be paid for by the taxpayers, as reasonable consideration, I demand that simultaneously with any such approval, Parent-Student Vouchers are included.  This will allow those parents and legal guardians to reclaim their responsibility and take their child’s educational formation somewhere else.


Oppose transgender and opposite sex using same bathrooms.

Oppose


Mental doesn’t change physical - OPPOSE!

We all know males and females are anatomically different. Sex specific facilities and activities were created because of these physical differences. We are defined as male and female within every cell in our bodies, which cannot be changed with hormones and outward appearances. Also, "feelings" of boys and girls are not binary. Why are we teaching children these falsehoods? We should teach children to love themselves and be accepting of others. We should not force or encourage these children to make harmful and irreversible physical changes to their bodies in an attempt to achieve the unobtainable.  This policy will only add to this harm. Let us refocus our schools back on education.


Support

Protecting our most vulnerable children is paramount - protections for trans and non-binary students are crucial and should already be the law of the land. Good job, VA.


Oppose

I oppose the transgender ideology being pushed upon our children in schools.


Retired School Administrator and Grandfather is Opposed

As a retired school administrator with forty-one years of service in the public schools of Virginia, Ohio, and North Carolina, and as a grandfather of three children currently enrolled in Virginia public schools, I oppose many of the policies of this proposed model. That they would encourage and enable school personnel to take actions without parental knowledge and consent undermines the public’s trust in the schools. They are in stark opposition to the historic rights of parents to nurture and guide their children as they see fit in a free society. Furthermore, when school personnel are put in the position of accepting and affirming thoughts and actions presented to them by inexperienced students who are frequently susceptible to the suggestions of peers and the media, they would find themselves in the untenable and uncomfortable position of cooperating with this immaturity. Disruptions to the orderly instruction and operation of the school could be endless once students find they can get adults’ full attention regarding gender-based concerns and complaints. Schools already have effective anti-bullying and other disciplinary policies in place, and they have trained professionals to assist students and their families with coping with genuine issues of gender dysphoria as well as other health matters. Lastly, there is no protection for the school personnel whose religious beliefs are in opposition to the current popular ideologies that have brought on this focus on transgenderism. This may have an unintended consequence of forcing many people of faith to leave public school service. Or is that an intended consequence?


Strongly Oppose draft policies on Transgender guidelines

I do not approve of the proposed guidelines based on radical theories that eradicate all distinctions between male and female and indoctrinate our school children. Good anti bullying laws are already in place. The unacceptable thing with this new, proposed policy is that it goes way beyond prevention and crosses the line into mandatory promotion of politicized, sexualized ideology. Scientific studies and medical experts make clear the majority of children outgrow gender confusion by the time they reach adolescence. It is unwise and irresponsible to push involuntary promotion of gender confusion in a public education setting. Also The definition of “Gender identity” is completely subjective to each person claiming it, hence it cannot possibly be known by anyone except that person. Since it cannot be tested or ascertained by any objective method, nothing could prevent any student from constantly “changing” their “gender identity” to exploit many situations. This interjects chaos in the school system. Most distressing is that these 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. This is an infringement on parents/ teacher rights and their religious freedom. 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. Respectfully PLEASE do not adopt. Thank you!


Support of transgender youth

I fully support the proposed document. Although currently retired, I have cared for these youngsters for years.  They need appropriate support from family, friends, medical personnel and especially school where they spend much of their lives.  There is more and more scientific evidence that there is a medical/biological basis for their "difference".  It is not a matter of "choice", much as skin color is not a choice..


STRONGLY OPPOSE proposed guidelines

1.  It is absurd to force school children to know on any given day whether a fellow classmate identifies as a girl or a boy and to force them to use the proper pronoun.  Where is the common sense?  I personally know of a child who was brought to the principal's office because he didn't know. 2.  It is not up to schools to help a child determine their sexual identity, but strictly the parents. 3.  It is a horrendous idea to think that a boy would be in the girl's bathroom and locker rooms.  I can only imagine how damaging this will be to middle and high schoolers - all ages, for that matter.  Have some common courtesy and respect the wishes of the majority who prefer that bathrooms and locker rooms not be mixed. 4.  Where will it ever end?  One day he's a boy, next day he's a girl...I wish as much would go into our children's education as the state is putting into trying to fundamentally transform our children and their sexual identity.  Stay out of it!!


Support of transgender youth

I fully support the proposed document. Although currently retired, I have cared for these youngsters for years.  They need appropriate support from family, friends, medical personnel and especially school where they spend much of their lives.  There is more and more scientific evidence that there is a medical/biological basis for their "difference".  It is not a matter of "choice", much as skin color is not a choice. I apologize for duplication but forgot to sign my name. Reuben Rohn, MD


Strongly agree to protect trans youth

Protect trans youth


Opposed

Opposed


Opposed (Reason: Worldview / Safety)

Based on my foundation in the Bible and faith in Jesus Christ, I cannot support these policies. Worldview - this policy imposes a specific agenda on teachers, parents and students and is not inclusive for those who have other religious worldviews.  Imposing a policy that directly contradicts the belief of a child who adheres to a Biblical worldview forces them to accept an agenda against their morals .  To advance it further and declare that the non compliant student is engaging in harassment, is a direct attack on the student's belief system.  There is only one truth when it comes to gender and that is founded on the authority of our creator (Genesis 1:27), otherwise gender is subjective, which engages fallacious reasoning. Safety - if bathrooms are open to all, this will give more possibilities for bullying to occur and those with the intent of maliciously taking advantage of the open bathroom policy will abuse it if given the opportunity.  I realize bullying still occurs in gender specific bathrooms however, declaring gender subjective in relation to school bathrooms, opens up more possibilities for a child to be abused/bullied , which is the opposite direction of the goal in having safer schools. I sincerely thank you for the opportunity to voice my thoughts.


No to Brainwashing our Children

The hypocrisy here cannot be ignored. On the one hand, it's okay to say that COVID-19 is based in science and anyone who doesn't believe it is ignorant, but on the other hand, gender which is also based in science (determined by your DNA) should not be accepted as "real"? The number of persons who support this policy, although thank goodness still in the minority, prove that brainwashing has occurred.  Each of us is born with a sexual organ, and each person should use the bathroom that goes with what is between one's legs or these very confusing policies created by very confused persons will only serve to confuse our children.  There is enough out there (internet and media) fighting against our children's success and ability to contribute meaningfully to society.  Please don't be fooled (brainwashed) by these radical few.


support for nonbinary, trans, two spirit, and genderqueer youth

Support for nonbinary, trans, two spirit, and genderqueer youth, and those who my language does not cover. Young social worker here. Identity is powerful! Existing in a world that does not value your identity the same because of who or how you exist is a hard and dangerous existence. You deserve better. We're all doing the best we can with what we have. Everyone deserves to be treated as a human with unique value and worth. Everyone. I believe in you just as you are.


Strong support of this guidance document (Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students i

It is imperative to the health of children to provide them with a supportive and affirming environment in which to learn, play, and interact with others. Denying a child's right to be who they are causes serious harm and multiple well-designed research studies have shown that affirming a child's self-stated gender identity can allow for improvements in mental health, physical health, and social well-being that can last beyond childhood. There is also data showing that denying or trying to force a child to change their gender identity can be harmful and may result in increase in depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation and challenges with education, housing, and medical care, among other problems. This guidance seeks to provide a safe environment in which transgender children and all children can learn, free of bullying, harassment, and discrimination. I strongly support this guidance document.


Completely Misguided Policy

Do not approve this completely misguided policy. In your effort to protect children you are causing far more harm than good.


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

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


Support

As a Catholic parent, I unequivocally support this guidance. My dearest friends have a child who is transgender, and they have suffered bullying in school and insensitivity from administrators regarding issues regarding bathroom usage and physical education.  If it was not for their supportive parents I cannot imagine what their life would be like.  We must make sure they are safe and welcomed at their school. All of God's children deserve to have happy and successful lives and a school and education system that supports that goal.


I Strongly Support the Guidance

Thank you for releasing the updated Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia’s Public Schools . When my son came out as trans last summer, we were relieved that FCPS had a gender policy in place that covered most of our concerns. We were left, however, with our son's birth name still in place after we were informed that the district could not change his name without a new birth certificate or court order. At that time, he had just started on his gender journey; we were nowhere near making legal changes. As all instruction so far this year is virtual, he is confronted with his deadname multiple times a day: in BBCU chat; in assessments; in attendance records; in Google Classroom. Every time he posts a comment, he is misgendered. Every time we receive mail from the school district, he is misgendered. Every time he logs in to school, he is misgendered. Having a "preferred name" field as the primary First Name indicator would not only affirm trans voices; it would also allow those cisgender students who go by nicknames or middle names to affirm their own identities. I appreciate all of the hard work that you have put into this document for the benefit of Virginia’s transgender (et al) students. I strongly support the Guidance.


Transgender Mandate

I oppose this policy.


Oppose

I oppose.


I wholeheartedly support the guidance.

I wholeheartedly support the guidance.


I SUPPORT LGBTQ RIGHTS

I SUPPORT LGBTQ RIGHTS, AND ASK THAT ALL RIGHTS BE EQUALLY EXTENDED TO THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY.


Strongly oppose

As the mother of a prospective kindergartener this fall of 2021, it is legislation like this which makes allowing my son to benefit from the public schools in this area, sadly, unthinkable. It is the right of the parent to choose how and when they expose their children to topics regarding sexuality, and legislation such as this allows teachers and school officials to bypass the parent, enabling those who would think themselves a better judge to influence an extremely vulnerable and suggestible child in a fundamental way. This is not the same as a health class which parents may choose to keep their children home from, this is a change which would invite influence on a child’s fragile sense of self on a daily basis. I strongly oppose.


Oppose policies that deceive and confuse children

How greatly our children would benefit if only the adults in their lives would assure them that each one of them is BEAUTIFULLY and WONDERFULLY made!  A gift from God!  No one is "assigned" a sex at birth! (This is a rather obvious lie - perpetuated by a very confused culture!) Every person conceived is born male or female.  Children should be encouraged to joyfully accept their biological sex - and to see that neither sex is "superior" to the other, but rather complementary!! Nature maintains a near perfect ratio of males to females!  What an incredible miracle! A child's understanding of the gift of their maleness or femaleness will evolve as they grow & especially as they observe healthy adult role models of both sexes in their lives. It is clear that children should use the bathroom that corresponds to their biological sex.  Males should not be in female locker rooms.  Females should not be in male locker rooms. If any child is getting bullied - for any reason - they can request permission to use a private bathroom. Males and Females are not the same. It is a tragedy that adults create policies that perpetuate confusion instead of providing children with truth about who they are!  We can do better!


DON'T FORCE GENDER IDEOLOGY

Most of the people of the state believe gender is not whatever I say it is, as this is not even a logically sustainable way to live. By making gender mean anything at any time renders it completely meaningless. Stop confusing kids!


Strongly oppose

Christians are the target and any other religious groups. This policy creates a hostile enviroment for families, students and teachers/staff who hold deep religious belief.


LGBTQ supporter BUT I OPPOSE gender confusion being forced on Kindergarten to 12 grade children!

Clearly this isn’t something LGBTQ is pushing for! This is an attempt for government to set up a way to slowly and methodically break up the family unit. Making school the place where kids go to ‘be themselves’ or whatever the school lets them be without ever telling the parents what’s going on. Why else would our education system want a Kindergarten girl to be in the bathroom and have a 5th grade boy come in the same restroom to use the facilities and not get in trouble for invading a young girls’ privacy because he’s able to say “nope! I identified as a girl today.” It’s so ludicrous that I can’t believe we’re at this crossroads, as a nation, as a state. Defend and protect our children! Stop using them for propaganda. And stop setting them up to be easily raped, hurt, feel embarrassed or have their privacy invaded. It’s disgusting!!


Wrong Choice - policies should focus on diversifying girls/boys activities rather than nullify gend.

Transgender individuals, or individuals diagnosed with GD, in developmental years, would be placed at unnecessary risk competing on opposite-gender sports teams. Students at this age should feel free and protected to express their preferred appearance, while competing on sports teams contingent with the anatomical makeup of their assigned sex and utilizing restroom facilities contingent with their assigned sex. These are formative developmental years for the establishment of gender, and according to various clinical studies, only one in seven children/adolescents that suffer from GD ultimately are diagnosed. Protect children through these confusing formative years by promoting full development of assigned gender, rather than now allowing for them to be treated as anatomically similar with the opposite gender.


strongly oppose

Strongly oppose these gender confusion topics being used in our Virginia schools. This is not for a school system to teach.


Truth

Imagination, feelings, expression - nothing is wrong with having these.  We all have them.  As kids, this is healthy.  In most cases, there is nothing wrong with our kids but the same cannot be said for our culture.  What we teach our kids and how we impact them matters.  How many of our kids are abused mentally, emotionally, physically or socially.  Some by their own families.  Sometimes by others.  What other factors or lack of thereof are missing?  Where are our adult role models.  Role models who can show our kids what it means to be a "man" or a "woman".  How to treat others with respect and dignity but able to stand up for what is right.  Where are the adults who can "teach" our kids right from wrong.  Without morality, nothing else matters and the essence of this is Truth.  We have to be able to know what is True and stand for what is right.


support - trans rights are human rights

We must allow trans youth to exercise their rights to bodily autonomy and freedom of self-identity. Support for trans youth is suicide prevention.


Oppose

I don't think this is something that should be legislated. This is a medical issue that should be kept between the parents, minor and their doctor. Why should any gov't be involved in decisions a family makes with their child. Gov't should not be involved with any medical treatment between parent and child. Most parents care more for their child than a nameless gov't employee who has to follow some whim of the elected politician.


Middle school teacher opposed.

It would appear that the authors of this document have spent very little time speaking to teachers who deal with these issues in school everyday. 'School staff should not confront students about their gender identity upon entry into the restroom' 'Allowing students to use the locker rooms that correspond to their gender identity' These two items put students at risk, particularly female (biologically) students.  The right of privacy of these students has been forgotten in favor of a few student with identity issues.  I respect the rights of transgender students and schools need to create facility accommodations to suit their needs. The rights of a few should not justify the taking away of rights for many. As teachers, we strive to have open, honest communication with parents. If you are asking us to deny natural parental rights, by not informing them of issues their child may be facing, then you are asking us to create an atmosphere of distrust between parents and schools. In the school where I work, we have students who have parents who are supportive of their child wanting to change their gender and others who feel that their child will probably grow out of this phase of adolescence.  We support both. The people who support this bill do not appear to realize that many of the items that are in it, are already implemented in school districts. Bullying and discrimination are always on the radar of teachers.  We are aware that our students will not learn in an environment where they do not feel safe.  But is anyone thinking of the safety of our daughters in the bathroom and the locker room?


Boys are male and girls are female. Stop this insanity. PROTECT kids.

STRONGLY OPPOSE

You can say whatever you want, but our eyes, DNA, SCIENCE and conscience knows the TRUTH.  Do your job and PROTECT the children instead of telling them lies! The babies that are not murdered in their mothers wombs are born either male or female. They are then lied to to think they are something other than the obvious.  All children are curious and confused as they grow up, but need to be taught the TRUTH. Why are so many people suddenly buying this lie? Wake up America. Parents stand up for your kids and protect them from these lies. Becareful of what you vote for ... "unity" and all our Constitutional rights are being taken away because so many are educated by these lying people and they don't even know basic truth when it stares them in the eyes! Boys are male and girls are female. Stop this insanity.


STRONGLY OPPOSE The Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in VA's Public Sc

If you force people to use the pronouns that others choose, you risk forcing people to deny the truth of science (only 2 genders), to violate their own consciences, and to violate their religious views--and nothing is more central to our existence than our religious views (or non-religious views), for they govern our views of Truth, proper behavior in this life, and eternal existence in the next life.  oppose it! So much work has been done to ensure equal athletic opportunities for females.  Why would anyone seek to destroy that?  Allowing males to compete against females in physical activities/sports, especially when such unequal competition can have long-term consequences (e.g., university athletic scholarships), is wrong.  Oppose it! We have millennia-old moral values that have stood the test of time.  Why would anyone want to alter them?  Why should a male get to walk naked in a girls' locker room?  Why should a female get to go shirtless/topless ina sport/physical/athletic event where boys can go shirtless/topless?  This is not about "equality;" it's about morality, decency, and reducing the opportunity for sexual aggression, violation, and rape.  Oppose it!


I support this common sense guidance document

As a family physician who provides medical care to transgender and gender nonconforming people, the proposed guidance document strikes me as sensible and evidence based. LGBTQ+ youth and children, especially trans youth and children, suffer so much harm when their gender identities are rejected. Supporting them and listening to them has been shown to prevent this harm.


Absolutely OPPOSE this Harmful Policy

This proposed policy essentially mandates highly controversial and even harmful transgender affirming rules to be accepted and even facilitated within all K-12 school systems, effecting every student and faculty member.  There are SIGNIFICANT issues with the proposal that cause GRAVE concern for Parents and ALL taxpayers that must fund school systems that support policies that clearly go against Parental Authority, Basic Safety Concerns, Conscience and Biological Science. Here are just a few (of many) of the DISTURBING issues with this proposed policy of which EVERY PARENT should be 1) Failure to use a student’s new “preferred pronouns” – which can change from day to day - would be “harassment” and “discrimination”, for which BOTH FACULTY AND STUDENTS WOULD BE HELD TO DISCIPLINARY ACTION? (RULE IS RIFE WITH ARBITRARY and CAPRICIOUS JUDGEMENT) 2) 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.? (SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE...TELL ME THIS ISN'T A CONCERN FOR POTENTIAL SEXUAL ASSULT) 3) 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. (AGAIN, SAFETY AND POTENTIAL SEXUAL ASSAULT ISSUES) 4) SCHOOLS will be permitted to help a student explore, FACILITATE and make decisions regarding their GENDER EXPRESSION of sexual identity while at school, WITHOUT A PARENT EVEN KNOWING!? (HUGE OVER STEP OF STATE AUTHORITY) 5) 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. (PARENTS KNOW THEIR CHILDREN BEST AND WHY GIVEN LEGAL AUTHORITY TILL ADULT) Absolutely OPPOSE this harmful policy.


Strongly oppose these misguided and destructive policies for an educational environment.

These policies are misguided and destructive and therefore must be rejected. They place the State over the Parent as far as authority is concerned. Thoroughly repulsive and disgusting in every shape or form. Rid the State of such complete nonsense! Sincerely, Jimmy Candeto


Strongly oppose

to not allow choice and to punish a natural development in children is not okay and should not even be something put into law. And this is discriminatory to those who would like the option to use a gender. And sexual abuse is on the rise and this does not allow for social safe guards to stay in place.


Staff of public schools should not be required to implement compelled speech

To whom it may concern, I have a parent who worked as a school administrator in public schools and was compelled by law to let a boy use the girl's bathroom when parents asked if it was ok. He couldn't say no. You may say that this is the boy's right under federal law. That is quite flawed because then you are taking away the educator's rights to speak against that, which he cannot say no. So you're giving someone some (should I say undeserved "right" to not be offended) in order to take away another person's actual right to say no? If gender (and many more issues!) are simply a social construct then Gee, good news for criminals, they can now make up anything they want and put others at risk. Yes, it is a comparable situation. So, tell me, should a creepy person be allowed to enroll in your school (even though they are above 18) but they tell you they are 5? With this form of thinking you cannot and should not deny them that. They are 5 after all! Oh, fantastic, now they can use the same bathrooms as your students. Delightful! See where I am going with this? I can construct some fake world as far as I want with this form of thinking. Let's stop it while we are ahead and look at the issue as we should... black and white....In their anatomical and physiological makeup. You have that part I have this one. Thank you.


trans gender mandates in public schools

The transgender mandates proposed for public schools is an outright affront to Religious freedom and cannot ever be tolerated. This is a serious issue and harms both parents and children.  Religious freedom is our right in America. How dare any elected official threaten parents and /or children , for exercising their right to refuse any and everything in this false idea that children may be born in the wrong body. It is not a fact. It is not the truth. Lucy Dartley Ashburn VA


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

Strongly oppose the immoral overreach.


Strongly oppose the immoral overreach

Strongly oppose the immoral overreach


Supporting LGBT Youth

LGBT youth are the most likely to be bullied, and even discriminated against by faculty. We must support them, help them come to terms with their identity. Trying to force them to conform to someone else's idea of who they should be or love makes the world a sadder and more cruel place.


I support the guidance

Thank you for giving space for gender nonconforming students to fully express who they are. This will help them bloom into more confident, secure, compassionate adults ready to make the world a stronger and more inclusive place.


All humans are created equal

i have seen first hand how important strong support from teachers is for children assuming a no comforting identity. I have seen unbelievable strength in children as they begin to understand who they are and need guidance and support from the most significant person in their daily life - their teacher and by default their school. I am proud of our state for drafting this legislation, equity is the foundation of our system of government and we must realize this as Virginians and Americans.


Stop denying science

Gender is a fact of life.  To suggest otherwise is to deny biological science.  The proposed guidance will confuse children during their already challenging adolescent years and is particularly unfair to females who may be forced to compete against males in athletics.  The minority who struggle with their gender and their sexuality need to be helped, but not by denying the biological truth.


This will be a horror show!

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.


Please oppose an unscientific assault on parents and children

To pretend that this is either compassionate or scientific is insulting to the intelligence of all Virginians.  This policy is nothing more than an attempt to usurp the role of a parent in raising their children, and to demonize and prosecute those who do not subscribe to the recent "discovery" of multiple genders and the rest of the politicized sexual agenda.


Strongly oppose Model Policies for the treatment of transgender students in public schools.


Strongly oppose!!

God help us!!!


Gender confusion

I am opposed to this abusive policy which hinders not helps these poor confused children.


Treatment of transgender

Strongly oppose as a public school teacher.  This is nonsense that isn't backed up by science.  A boy is a boy and a girl is a girl based on biology.  You can't change this!! I can not imagine having the opposite sex in bathrooms.


SUPPORT

I strongly support these model policies. All children need to be protected in school, especially from adults they are supposed to be able to trust. School staff personnel are there to provide quality and equitable education to ALL students, no matter what. It is therefore appropriate that all staff should undergo training about how to handle children who are transitioning. I am not saying that ALL school staff personnel need to like it, but they need to move into the 21st century with the rest of us and understand this is (and always has been) a fact of life. School staff who choose to be ignorant and refuse to accept training or to be disrespectful of ANY child should be severely punished. School staff personnel are there to provide facts, education, and be understanding with the children in their care, not to allow their own personal opinions or feelings get in the way. These model policies are not overly burdensome to schools and they just make sense.


This will cause fear and anxiety in our children

I would like to state that I find the Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia’s Public Schools harmful and dangerous to our children.  The fear and anxiety that this policy will produce in our children cannot be overstated. Just take, for example, the part where failure to use a student’s new preferred pronoun would be harassment and discrimination.  This is confusing to the child speaking and is unreasonable.  It would be challenging for an adult to consistently use the correct pronoun with a friend or colleague that is transgender.  (I know, because my favorite work colleague changed genders and, while I tried to be very careful to demonstrate respect at all times, on occasion the pronoun I had used for the previous year just slipped out.)  Can you imagine the nightmare this would present for a child trying to do the right thing?  Anyone with children and a heart can see the harm this does.


Strongly Support to Affirm Our Most Vulnerable Children

I strongly support this so that we create a supportive and affirming environment for transgender children. These kids are often misunderstood by their families of origin and/or bullied at school. Transgender suicide rates are incredibly high, and that is especially true for transgender teens. We have to do better. This is one way we can start.


Family Doc in Support of this Guidance

As a family physician, I support the model policies guidance for the treatment of transgender students because every student deserves a safe and inclusive learning environment.


Concerned Educator and Virginia Resident- Please Oppose

While it is absolutely necessary to ensure that all students are treated with respect and kept safe from harm, the policies that are being proposed while supposedly lifting up our transgender children are potentially harmful for the transgender children, school staff and faculty, and other children in the school. The policy is harmful to transgender children and families.  While children are young, their minds are constantly changing and going through phases.  If a child goes through a phase where they would rather not stick to gender roles, there is no need to encourage them that that is their true identity.  I believe that the decision would be for the child in later life to address themselves or be addressed by the family.  Making permanent changes mentally and physically can be dangerous for young children.  It is also harmful to families of transgender children to withhold information about their child from them.  The parents are raising the child with the assistance of the school--not the other way around. The policy is also harmful to school staff and faculty.  It is very unnecessary to jump all the way to firing or harassment allegations for misuse of pronouns.  1) With a child, the idea of their pronouns may be a very fluid idea, constantly changing.  2) The policy would discriminate against staff that have religious beliefs that do not agree with transgender behavior.  While I do believe it is still the teacher's responsibility to teach, love, and respect all the children in their classroom, there are other ways to show respect than using opposite pronouns to address a child.  i.e.- use the child's preferred name. The policy is also harmful to other students as it freely allows children of the opposite biological gender into bathrooms, locker rooms, and sports teams.   It would be very uncomfortable for both students and their families to have students of the opposite biological gender dressing/undressing, using the bathroom in the same space as their student.  It allows for no privacy for anyone involved.  Also because transgender students would be allowed to use these private spaces without question, this opens the door for lack of privacy, abuse, and rape in private spaces with no questions asked.   I am also against biologically male students competing on female sports' teams.  It is obvious that once children reach a certain age the athletic differences between biological males and females becomes very different.  Allowing biological males onto girls' teams would take away from biological girls the ability to succeed in sports.


Model Policy for treatment of Transgender Students in Public Schools

Strongly oppose Model Policies for treatment of transgender students.!


Strongly Oppose!!

Strongly oppose!!


Support for transgender students in VA Public schools

We have seem over the last year the importance of a safe school environment. We have closed many public schools in order to save the lives of students, teachers, staff and their families from the pandemic of COVID-19. We have taken extreme measure to ensure that lives are saved. We have shown through our actions that we truly value the lives of our students. That same care and intention needs to be made for all of our students, no matter their gender identity. The must be provided safe access to restrooms that match their identity. Teachers and staff must take measures to prevent bullying from other students and adequate counseling services must be made available to them. As a religious professional that works in a community with transgender teens, I can personally attest that they are just as valuable, just as loving and just as deserving of basic human dignity as any other teen. Galatians 3 : 28 states: "There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus" It is a reminder that in the eyes of the creator, gender, race, or station are not what determines ones worth. We are all deserving of the same basic needs. Please ensure that our young people see that value being lived out in all of our institutions, especially their schools. Rev. Walter Clark Asst. Minister Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington.


Concerned mother

I am deeply troubled with The Virginia Department of Education promoting gender confusion to school children.  The policies that could be enforced directly challenge a biblical perspective.  I am a product of HCPS and would love to send my children to receive a great public school education however if these policies are implemented we will be working harder, longer and more jobs to send them to private schools that support our beliefs.