Oppose the Model Policies for treatment of transgender students.

It is alarming that these policies advocate no parental involvement. Most parents know their children well and should be informed if child expresses confusion about gender. The family should be referred to private counseling.


Stongly oppose!  God made 2 genders. Stop Marxist chaos and confusion.

Children need boundaries. A parenting crises is being perpetuated by those who have, sadly,  had disfunctional family lives themselvs.  We need health and well-being for ALL children.  ALL have worth and value but they need leaders who understand classic virtue.  God's DNA code is best--we did not create ourselves and the arrogance of our carving ourselves up and in a worldly image is criminal.  Halt this nightmarish practice-- it is Satanic!!


Strongly Support

I am high school teacher and a LGBTQ (PRIDE) sponsor.  ALL students need to feel safe and supported.  When students basic needs are met, learning can happen.  When a student feels bullied, unsafe or just uncomfortable, they have a harder time learning in school.  In addition, their depression and suicide rates are way higher.  Please do the right thing and ensure every students feel welcome and equal.


respect and include transgendered students

Transgendered children deserve to be accepted for who they are and who they identify as. Full acceptance and rejection of abuse in any form should not be accepted in the school system. Rejection of transgendered children in the name of religion, etc is not acceptable. VDOE needs to meet all children's needs - this means transgendered children too! Transgendered experience rejection too much in our society and many complete suicide because of rejection in school. Stop the rejection!


Teacher support

Trans rights are human rights!! There have been ZERO attacks by trans people in bathrooms for all of you opposed. Keep our trans friends safe and honor their rights!


Strongly oppose these regulations

I strongly oppose these regulations. They are, by nature, divisive, do not encourage equality and are not inclusive. They willingly cater to special interest groups, and sacrifice the sanctity of biological normalcy and the physical, mental and emotional safety of our children. They encourage moral depravity and are just one more step toward removing what is good for the sake of what is evil. There are two genders. God made each of us unique and made us male and female by HIS design. Blurring the lines and taking any other stance is perverted. Those seeking to enact these types of regulations and open the door for this kind of license are condemning themselves and our society and invoking the wrath of God for GOD will NOT be mocked. Whatever a man sows, he will reap. These regulations are sowing discord and wickedness, and if we think we have confused children now, just wait. It can only get worse if we do not stop this kind of legislative overreach.


Very strongly oppose.

I very strongly oppose this proposal.


The Lunatics are running the Asylum..............

And I'm not talking about persons who identify as transgender. The "Lunatics" are the members of the General Assembly who believe this bill is necessary. There is a lot of "Feel Good" language in this bill. Unfortunately, it is unnecessary rhetoric. Laws, policies and rules are already on the books that accomplish everything this bill proposes to do. Therefore, the time spent drafting, considering and voting on this bill is time wasted. Once again our so called "Lawmakers" are wasting our time and tax dollars. What really needs to be addressed is bathroom, shower room and locker room use. The idea of forcing female students (most underage) to take showers with a student who identifies as female but still have male genitalia is lunacy. Do they not have the right to not shower beside someone with a penis? The language of this bill allows for use of separate facilities at the transgender students request for privacy. What about the privacy of students who do not identify as transgender? Students who identify as one gender but are still anatomically another gender should be required to use separate facilities whenever a state of undress is part of the activity. Not allowing students with different genitalia to be naked together is simply common sense for a multitude of reasons. Unfortunately, common sense isn't very common anymore. Especially within our Virginia legislature. Come on Ladies and Gentlemen you can do better than this!


This is CRAP!

This is such crap. Those that allow this in their children is creating a worst environment for their children as well as every child around. No child knows what they want, that’s up to us as parents to guided them what is right and wrong. I mean how many children think they unicorns or cats and dogs etc. Are we to now raise them as such because of this ? ‘Oh you’re a dog? Go outside to pee, here’s your food in a dog dish to eat on the floor’ oh right, that would be child abuse! It’s the same to allow this crap. I’d rather homeschool my children then to allow them to be a part of this crap that’s being allowed in the world.


Trans Protections

Hello, I support the trans protections that are currently proposed.  Protections implemented by the government are needed when a minority class are being treated as other than human.  This is one of great legacies of the US. Not to say that discrimination is any where near being stomped, but at least there are efforts coming from the top for progress.  It is my understanding that this proposal does not include rights for trans woman/girls to participate in female sports.  I fully agree with this as even before puberty, boys excel much more than females. It is an unfortunate situation, but my opinion is that not allowing transgendered girls to participate in girl’s sports is unfair based on the premises of why they are separated in the first place and has nothing to do with trans discrimination, trans phobia, and dislike/demonization/dehumanization of trans people. Some people may take it that way, but government stepping in to help underdog should  include these girls as well.


Support This Policy Document

This is an excellent document; the Terminology section alone could teach a lot of educators to be more supportive and open-minded of trans students. To all saying that this document is not needed; The violence rate against Trans people in this country says otherwise. To all those invoking their religion; that is your personal choice to believe that. The rest of us should not be subject to your religious beliefs. Enroll in a private, religious school if you want to hide from progress. Strongly support this policy document.


my husband and I are grandparents and we are against the new school policies on transgender issues.

This policy contradicts the science of who each child is.  We are inadvertently teaching them that their feelings determine reality not the other way around.  With all the confusion and “special status” in identity politics it is no wonder they are struggling emotionally and doubting who they are.  They need to sort this through with the help of their parents who love them more than anyone else 24/7  and want the best long term outcome for them.  You are taking reality in real-time from teachers who cannot do their jobs without a solid base to stand on.  Imagine having to lead each day with givens such as gender changing.  When other students witness it the confusion will spread.  Please do not fold on this due to strong special interests groups.  It is not healthy for our society and culture.  Thank you for a chance to weigh in.


Support the students! Everyone has a right to be who they are!

All students should have the right to be supported no matter what their gender designation is. If they declare that they are different from what it says on their birth certificate, it harms no-one. It is discrimination to treat them any differently than human. No-one declares they are different than they are designated at birth for special treatment, because honestly they are always abused for it. They are asking to be treated as they have always felt themselves to be, and it has been proven in scientific studies that the brain is not always the same sex as the body is. Everyone deserves to be treated with respect.


Strongly support protecting our transgendered students

As a teacher and a parent, I strongly support these policies to protect one of our most vulnerable populations. As some of these comments make painfully clear, many of these students will not be finding a safe place at home. We need to make sure their schools are a safe and welcoming environment for them. Many of the arguments being made against policies to support transgender students were made regarding racial integration. They were wrong then and they are wrong now.


STRONGLY OPPOSED

"The norm for human design is to be conceived as either male or female.  Sex chromosome pairs "XX" and "XY" are genetic determinants of sex, male and female, respectively.  They are not genetic markers of a disordered body or birth defect.  Human sexuality is BINARY by design with the purpose being the reproduction of our species.  This principle is self-evident. Barring one of the rare disorders of sex development (DSD), no infant is "assigned" a sex or gender at birth.  Sex declares itself anatomically in utero and is clearly evident and acknowledged at birth"  - The American College of Pediatrics As a Christian, I follow scripture and uphold it as the Word of God who is the Highest Authority of this fallen world.  Deuteronomy 22:5 CLEARLY states that the differences that God created in humans is NOT to be disregarded. As infants, WE ARE NOT aware of our gender, that develops over time. We are completely derailing our children's perceptions by the world's sinful influences and relationships and adverse experiences they may have beyond their control.  I am not without sin and have my own struggles, but I am redeemed and restored by the blood of Jesus.  We must acknowledge that this is sin, in loving ways, to help restore their hearts and minds back to what their Creator intended.  I am all for unity and inclusion but within the confines of scripture.  Our response should be as Jesus would have exemplified...go share the gospel and lovingly show them the way.   Give our kids a chance! And NO President Biden, there is NOT a third sex!!


Strongly opposed

These proposals that deceive parents by not telling them what is going on at the school should not be instituted. Parents need to be more involved in their children’s lives and the schools - not less.


Fervently Apposed

I am enraged at this proposal and very concerned of the future of my daughter in an environment she could be sexually violated.why is there an assault on the innocents of our children. You are are a confused group of people and should not be leaders In Society. It is hard to articulate words through my rage at such a suggestion. LUKE 17:2 it were better for him that a milestone were hanged around his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.


SUPPORT

I support the draft guidance provided by the VDOE.


Guidance Document

I oppose this legislation


Oppose legislation

Oppose


Strongly oppose Transgender curriculum being taught in public schools.

I believe God laid out his instructions to us as to how we are to live in the Bible. Genesis 1:27 says , "So God created man in his own image , in the image of God he created him ; male and female he created them. I believe God set forth healthy boundaries for us to live in for our good and for us to pass on to our children . He wants intimate relationship with each of us and wants to free us from the curse of sin , our own selfishness and rebellion against Him that was brought forth at the beginning of creation when Adam and Eve ate of the forbidden fruit God had told them not to . Our union with God as represented by Adams relationship with God in the Garden was broken as Adam and Eve were deceived by Satan to eat that which God had told them not to . Since that day the curse of sin has been affecting the human race in an adverse way and bringing forth bad results . God saw that the only way to bridge this chasm of sin , that we as humans could not was to send His one and only Son Jesus to be the perfect sacrifice for our sin. Jesus came as a baby , stepping down from His royal throne and becoming fully human. He experienced all the things we do and yet He remained in perfect communion and lived a perfectly Holy life while here on earth. Epesians 2:8,9 says , "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves , it is the gift of God - not by works , so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship , created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do . You see Jesus came not only to take the curse of sin upon himself and die in our place but also to represent what it looks like for us to be submitted to God in all his living . His will was completely submitted to His loving Heavenly Father who gave him understanding and wisdom along with unconditional love to live his life in total obedience to God . so how does that play into our lives. God wants us also to be free to live for His glory and not be bound by our own sin and selfishness. He calls us to follow after Him and deny ourselves and instead live for His glory . In choosing to follow Him and obey His Word by His Spirit we can actually live in the most glorious way possible. God has given each of us gifts and talents that He wants us to use to bless others and to be a living representation of His love to those around us . He wants us to find and live in the freedom of His Spirit rule and reign and to walk in Heavenly authority here and now. To teach children that they can be whatever they want to be is in direct opposition to what God has ordained in creating them in His own image and giving them distinct male or female genitalia. If children are confused about their correct identity , I believe the best approach to leading them is to lovingly teach and train them in how God sees them and council them in what their appropriate gender roles should be . Offering a spiritual perspective as part of their education is very much an important part of development and without it we are not doing a complete job . I believe as we bring God back into our education system and seek His wisdom we as people will again find his favor and blessing in our lives and the lives of our children and we won't see the terrible results of a generation of kids depressed , strung out on drugs and dealing with a high rate of suicide. Let us seek God's council and find that which our hearts long for .


Strongly Support

All students should feel safe and supported in their learning environments regardless of sex, sexual orientation


Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia Public Schools

I am strongly against the Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia's Public Schools.  Gender Dysphoria should be treated as such.  It is horrible to enable such revolting and unnatural disruption in a child's life.  It is irresponsible and disgusting for adults to force such confusion on tax paying citizens and most certainly on our children.  This is not a matter of equality.  It is a matter of forced political propaganda, when we all know how it can effect the psychic of our children.  To force this on our children is child abuse.  Kids that think they are transgender need help, not to be encourage that it is acceptable. They don't need enablers that want them to believe the problem is OK.  Don't ignore those who suffer or encourage maltreatment of those affected.  You as educators need to treat this dysfunction and help these children who are afflicted with this problem.  These proposed policies do not help; they hinder and deceive, all at the expense of the children.  Our society will not stand if we continue to accept this farce of promoting the fact that we all know is not natural.  You are born a male or a female and policies are unable to physically change that fact.


Children are treated by law as minors—parents have the right and obligation to raise them!

This proposal is as insane as it is diabolical. Young children can be easily influenced and confused by forces outside the home.  It is the law that they are incapable of exercising discretion and therefore judgment on matters of such gravity. That the “state”would attempt to impose control over the morals and mores of children even to the extreme of denying parents of their God-given rights and responsibilities is Orwellian and shuddering in its frightfulness.


We are strongly against the new school policies on transgender issues


Very Strongly Support

As someone who attended Virginia public schools from grades K through 12, I very strongly support and applaud the proposed measures. These steps are essential to supporting our children as they grow into the fulfillment of themselves, giving them a supportive environment within which to explore questions about themselves and their identity.  The benefits of what is described in this Guidance Document far outweigh the potential harm, which is largely overblown and rooted in inaccurate and bigoted assumptions about gender essentialism. Moreover, these measures encourage the growth of all Virginia students, cisgender, transgender or otherwise, into responsible citizens who are able to empathize with and appreciate the innately diverse identities and experiences of others - something that is absolutely essential in our increasingly divided age. I very much wish that guidance like this had been available to me as I was growing up in Virginia schools. Learning about human diversity, especially gender diversity, from an early age would have helped me understand how beautiful the range of human expression can be, and would have lessened the "reality check" I received upon encountering friends and loved ones outside my personal experience. As a cisgender person, I strive to be an ally, and I think of how much unconscious harm can be caused by allowing outdated and inaccurate assumptions about "normal" human experience to persist.


In Support of Guidance and a Note on “Religious Freedom”

I support this guidance and policy, because every student deserves a safe and supportive learning environment free from discrimination and harassment. This guidance will ensure students all across the commonwealth are afforded these basic protections and assurances which they are owed. Any suggestion that this guidance or policy violates someone’s First Amendment right to freedom of religion demonstrates a misconstruction and misunderstanding of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution and the relevant jurisprudence. For example, since other commenters made note, Christian notions of “God created man and woman,” or any definition of “man” or “woman” rooted in Christianity, or in any religion, have no place in policies and decisions affecting students in public schools.


Strongly opposed

I am strongly opposed to the current draft model policies for the treatment of transgendered students, for a variety of reasons (including direct references to the evidence-based treatments and supporting research, if any, that inform the proposed guidelines). What remains to be demonstrated is what is lacking in the current administrative guidelines concerning acceptable conduct, behavior, and providing support for all individuals involved in school and educational environments, enforcing and addressing adherence to these existing guidelines, and if any shortcoming exist, what has been done to date in order to address any observed, studied, or annotated areas for improvement, to ensure that educational environments are a neutral, safe environments for all students, teachers, and staff.


I support Transgender Rights

I support transgender rights. The child you protect may turn out to be your own.


Strongly Support for the Benefit of All Students

I strongly support this guidance to support transgender and non-binary students in Virginia.  All evidence shows that providing a safe and supportive environment for all students, including allowing noncisgender students to express their identity without fear is the best way to foster mental health and positive outcomes.


Strongly Support

I strongly support this!


Strongly oppose

There is too much confusion in the world and teaching impressionable children that there are more genders or that they are genderless is wrong. Let children be innocent and learn who they are naturally not forcing them to make a decision. If a person is born the "wrong gender" than they should know that without it being taught to them


Strongly oppose the proposed VDOE guidelines

I do not approve of VDOE's proposed guidelines for the treatment of transgender students. These guidelines, based on radical theories,  eliminate all distinctions between male and female. Not only is this indoctrination based on faulty science, but the result will clearly endanger our children. The guidelines admit that defining gender identity is completely subjective, cannot be tested, or ascertained by any objective method. It is impossible to hold faculty responsible for "preferred pronouns" that may change at any time. Further, the guidelines seek to eliminate parental rights to protect their children by making non-disclosure to parents on sexual issues the norm. Parents will not be informed/involved: When the school helps their child explore/make a decision about sexual identity. When a biological male is using the same changing facility that is designated for girls. All students will be allowed to use any bathroom of their choice regardless of biological sexual orientation without being questioned by school staff. Parents who encourage their children to embrace their God-given sex will be at risk of being reported for child abuse or neglect by the school. These measures are dangerous to our children's health. Also, they systematically erode the understanding that parents have the primary responsibility for their children - hence should always be consulted in such an important life choice as sexual identity.


Love & Acceptance

Love and acceptance are what is needed.  We are all unique individuals and need to support each other.  It's sad that we have to create policy in order to do this because we can't figure out how to respectfully come together for the good of the whole.  Creating policy allows for education and a standard for all to abide by as we learn proper ways to welcome and connect with all.


Strongly Oppose

I strongly oppose this proposed legislation.  First, I do not believe that any child should be bullied for any reason.  However, having a child be subject to disciplinary action for using a wrong pronoun is absurd.  This is an overreach by the government.  In addition, the school is not capable of providing counseling - nor is it their job.  We are the parents and you are working to take away our parental rights.  My child should feel safe and comfortable changing in a locker room or going to her designated bathroom.


Oppose since it has no basis in objective truth

As a parent of three I urge VDOE to not disregard the role of parents in public education. If so this will have a bad affect on the confidence we have in the public school system.  I oppose this policy because transgender ideas are based on objective feelings rather than the objective truth of the nature of the sexes of male and female.  It therefore harms the true identity of the person by encouraging them to explore who they wish to be rather than who they truly are by nature.


OPPOSED

I agree and believe schools should offer a discrimination free environment for children to learn. There are already sufficient laws and policies for this. I DO NOT believe schools or staff should facilitate students request for trans treatment, pronouns, etc - unless the student's parents first give the school permission to do so. Parents must be aware and support any student's desire for such affirmation before school staff do so. I HOPE schools truly support this proposed language below if these policies unfortunately end up being approved: "Upon request, single-user, gender-inclusive facilities or other reasonable alternatives shall be made available to any student who seeks privacy. Any options offered shall be non- stigmatizing and minimize lost instructional time. " And so -  every cisgender student that wants a private place to shower or dress -  must be given that privacy every time requested !!


Adamantly against Model Policies/Transgender Students

Once again, the State is overreaching its powers and inserting itself between a child and the child's parents. How dare you teach such radical ideas without informing the parents?. How dare you teach a pop ideology that is based on popular opinion, psychology and feelings as hard science? Your policies also drive a wedge between parents and their child if the parents do not agree with the child's wish to have a new name and pronoun. The will of the child is absolute and the parents shall not interfere with the child's wishes. If they do so, it is child abuse and Child Protective Services and/or lawyers will be called. That is a little draconian, isn't it?  Your policies take away the loving support and understanding of parents when they are needed most. It is the parents' responsibility to guide their child to maturity, not a school which has limited knowledge and exposure to the child and is basing its judgment solely on the child's reports. In addition, allowing a child who is biologically male but feels that he is female into a girls' locker room can be excruciatingly embarrassing for the girls. From personal experience, as a girl in high school who not only was in PE classes but also played sports, I hated undressing in the locker room in front of other girls. I can't imagine what I would have done if there had been a boy in that room. Please do not put girls (or boys if the situation is flipped) in that situation. High school is hard enough to get through without the added burden of dealing with that.  Be as sensitive to the cisgendered as you are to the transgendered. These policies set up the school to act as a therapist for which it is not qualified. It does not have the authority or competence to determine the treatment plan for a child with regard to the issue of gender confusion. A school's sole responsibility is to provide a quality education in a safe environment for ALL its students.  Period. Please DO NOT implement your Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia's Public Schools. Thank you.


Parental Rights and Duties

Please do not disregard the rights of parents to educate and guide their children. Parents have the child's best interests at heart, and they must have the final say as to what their children are taught.  For the government to remove this right/duty of parents would be nothing more than tyranny.


Support This Bill "Treatment of Trans Students in Virginia Schools"

I am in full support of this bill for "Treatment of Trans Students in Virginia Schools" Children must be safe in school and affirmed in their identity and self worth. I work with Transgender individuals in counseling and in advocacy.  This is a critically important bill to affirm them and their right to safety and inclusion. Those in opposition do not know transgender people themselves or they would not have such hate and ignorance expressed in these comments. I am appalled in so many ways to the lobbying efforts of hate groups and so called 'family' organizations, coordinated in non- Virginia locations and spread into churches and communities which have no contact with real people.  The lies are outrageous and should be condemned in the strongest possible terms.


Support HB 145 and SB 161

As a Christian who believes Jesus would have protected and welcomed all children into God's loving embrace, I urge support of HB 145 and SB 161 that would extend protections for trans children in Virginia. Would any of us wish for our children to be dismissed, overlooked, cast aside or shown hatred? Trans children do not choose their gender identity and that identity should not be used as a weapon against them. All children are equal and loved in God's eyes and must be protected from factions that would sow division and hate. Please support these two bills. Thank you.


Strongly Oppose

This is an overreach of government.  You do not have the capabilities to counsel children on such a topic.  I do not believe any child should be bullied; however, you are infringing on the rights of children who are not transgender.


Strongly oppose

i am strongly oppose to this forum. Our school system was set up to teach the basics. To let a few that have different views turn our schools upside down is mind blowing. I feel that this issue is between the child and parent. I don’t agree with children being bullied but feel that this is pushing a problem on others that shouldn’t be involved. As a parent in a Christian family I feel that there has to be a better way to handle this. I’m completely distraught that we are even going through this mess. Prayers to all of us.


Supporting transgender and gender nonconforming youth

I would like to add my voice to support transgender and gender nonconforming youth in Arlington va and throughout va. As a mom of trans-high schooler, we had to pull our child out of Arlington public high schools because of the anguish caused by Arlington county policies. For instance, there is only one bathroom that is available for gender nonconforming youth that do not wish to use either the designated girls or bits rooms. In a school of 2500 students! That restroom is in the nurses office where multiple times my child was denied the ability to use the designated bathroom because it was for sick people only. Often the nurse was not there and a person ill informed would be there and would deny entry. This happened multiple times. arlington and the rest of Virginia needs to stop being afraid and step up to support tranS and gender nonconforming youth. They are just kids. Like any other kid. I support all efforts to make Arlington and va schools trans friendly and supportive


Treatment of Transgender Students

Isn't there hypocrisy in telling people that transgender people are no different than anyone else, then telling everyone they are to be treated using special guidelines because they are different?  To me, this is akin to trying to teach ethics.  If you are not brought up in an environment where ethical behavior is walked and talked, someone is not going to be able to teach it to you later in life.  You may teach the boundaries of what is ethical but it will not be something innate in the behavior of the person.  Don't call it ethics, call it rules.  That's what it becomes when you have to teach it.  The same holds true for teaching someone how to treat others.  If someone is hurtful or cruel to another person, that should be addressed for whatever reason but it is not the school's job to help a child figure out their identity.   I am STRONGLY opposed to the schools teaching any of this to elementary and middle school aged children.  Provide access to private bathrooms for those people who find it difficult to go to a bathroom with others of their own physical gender.  Despite how they identify, my children don't need to be a party to someone else's confusion regarding their identity.  Some kids identify as gangsters and killers...do you plan to write a special document to indoctrinate my child into that community too?


Strongly support

I am writing to express my support for the Virginia Department of Education’s guidance on creating inclusive learning environments for transgender and non-binary youth. Providing an environment that is supportive and free from discrimination, harassment and bullying for all students should be our common goal. Creating a safe and welcoming school environment for all students provides for a better personal, social and educational experience. In addition to improved quality of life, this leads to improved short- and long-term outcomes, ranging from higher levels of productivity in society and a decreased burden on mental health care. Finally, treating others with respect and kindness is vitally important, and plain common sense.


In support of the guidance

I am the parent of two Fairfax County PS alums, and my youngest is still in HS. All three had friends that were gay or trans, and one of my children is gay. They did not feel supported or safe in school. They were targeted, verbally, by students, and did not get the support they needed from the Administration or staff. I believe it is essential for school to be a safe place for all students -- physically and emotionally. They need to know they are valued and protected. This guidance is an important step towards not only protecting and supporting LGBTQ students, but embracing them....just as every student should feel embraced by their school community.


I strongly support

ALL our kids have a right to a safe education. I am strongly in support.


Strongly Support this Guidance Document

I was deeply encouraged and heartened in reading the proposed Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia’s Public Schools. This guidance document is a critical component in our responsibility in supporting the mental and physical health and well-being of children and youth, and their families and communities, across Virginia. As the document states, "The key guiding principle of the model policies is that all children have a right to learn, free from discrimination and harassment." The guidance is specific yet flexible to accommodate the diversity of school contexts, and touches on key facets of student experience that must be supported in all contexts: bullying, harassment, and discrimination; student privacy/confidentiality; student identification; school records; dress code; and access to activities and facilities. The document also contains a number of helpful resources, definitions and connections to relevant federal and state policies and regulations. Developed by a representative group of students, parents, education staff, specialists, advocacy organizations and state agencies, this document is a thoughtful and inspiring model of where we should be going as a state and as a nation. It makes me proud to be a Virginian, and I deeply encourage the Virginia General Assembly to adopt these protections for transgender students in the public school system.


Strongly Support

I see nothing in the proposed document that would infringe on others' rights. It simply proposes that we do more to protect the rights of this very vulnerable and valuable population.


Strongly Support

It's time we recognize that gender, like sexual orientation, is not set in concrete at birth.  Thousands of children know intuitively that their physical body does not match the way they view themselves, and to force them into a procrustean mold is to do great psychological harm.  Our schools need to recognize this and implement policies that allow them to be themselves with all the rights and privileges of persons of the gender they perceive themselves to be.  And our government needs to protect and encourage those policies and provide penalties for those schools that continue to discriminate against transgender children.


I very strongly oppose

This policy would promote Radical Gender Theory in curricula, activities, facilities, counseling, and advocacy.  It would provide a means of going around parents to embrace and provide services to a child who is identifying as transgender without the parents' knowledge or consent.  Advocacy for this Radical Gender Theory which tells children that they can decided what gender they choose based on socially defined traits is wrong.  It denies the reality of God as our Creator and the author of our sexuality.


Forgot to enter my name


I strongly DO NOT support this!!!!!

The fact that this is a thing is sickening to me. I definitely do NOT support any of this. Have you lost your minds? Honestly. To allow all genders to use the same bathrooms and locker rooms? That could become a MAJOR problem especially for girls. Are you trying to have innocent kids touched and harmed? Because that’s exactly what is going to happen especially with the whole girls can go topless in sports that boys do. NO! This is not okay and shouldn’t even be an option honestly. This whole thing disgusts me on soooo many levels. You’re also insulting peoples religions and beliefs with this might I add. Not everyone believes in multiple genders , some people believe in the original and only , two. Male and female. I surely hope America wakes up soon because this is far from okay and I be damned as a parent if my children will attend school if this gets put into place. Whoever came up with this is just a very sick person who needs to be checked mentally.


Support

I support the guidance. Why are we still debating who deserves protections? We all do. That’s the country I want to live in.


Oppose.

While it could be argued that some students might be psychologically harmed by the way they are treated after making a decision to 'identify' as a gender different from their God-given birth gender, I do not believe that supporting the lie with the policies in this document is the answer. I really believe this is not addressing the underlying problem, which is a lack of God in people's lives. I will point out some of the more obvious problems here. For one, parents are kept in the dark as far as their child's choices regarding their God-given gender. Parents have a right to know what their child is going through. For these children, having a parent who loves and cares for them, and who can help them navigate through this confusing time in their life, can make the difference between life and death. Not all parents will evict their child from their home, as this document suggests. If this is a concern, let's help the parents who are struggling with acceptance. Not keep them isolated. "Schools shall allow students to assert a name and gender pronouns that reflect their gender identity without any substantiating evidence. School staff shall, at the request of a student or parent, address the student using the asserted name and pronoun that correspond to their gender identity." (p 13) Even more disturbing, as the paragraph above from page 13 states, a parent is allowed to label their child as the opposite sex, to the detriment of the child. The teachers and staff at the school can do nothing to support the child. Even if this label the parents have chosen is child abuse (which I believe it is), the teacher/staff can do nothing to stop this abuse. If you see a little boy who is 6 years old start being dressed as a girl, and he obviously is anxious and having problems, would you just ignore it? Teachers are there to teach, and to teach the truth. Teaching and supporting this lie goes against the love that teachers should have. These are just some of my views, and reasons why I oppose this. Carolyn Johnson


Strongly Support

Proud Virginian and proudly support this guidance document. Well done to the drafters. Thank you for making VA schools a better place to learn and grow for all students.


Strongly support

Strongly support Model Policy.


Full support

Transgender students are going to enroll in our schools, regardless of whether this motion passes. The question for this body is whether it is appropriate to provide reasoned, even guidelines for all Virginian schools or leave it to each district to determine how much they care to support or not support their students. I think it is obvious, reading through these public comments, that transgender students need this supporting document in order to fairly access the free and appropriate education promised to them. They should not and cannot be left to the whims of those who claim that they, or their God, are somehow harmed by the happiness and individual medical decision-making of another. They endure enough psychological trauma existing next to bigots, they deserve an educational plan that writes bigotry out of their bathrooms and locker rooms. Thank you.


I do NOT support the DOE transgender policies

I do not believe that it is safe for any one to be able to enter any restroom  or locker room of one's choice. Our current physical environments do not allow complete privacy. I believe that there will be students who use restrooms /locker rooms just to view persons of a particular sex.


Strongly support

Need to move in direction where restroom and changing area configurations allow for privacy - individual areas; that way no need to choose. May be more expensive at outset but overall greater cost and non-cost benefits than financial upstart costs. This architectural model/approach should expand to all public areas. Individual locking restrooms and changing areas also would promote safety and reduce opportunities to trap people and assault or bully them in current restroom/changing area set-ups.


Support

I am an associate professor in human development and family science, as well as a parent of three boys in the Montgomery County school district. I fully support the VDOE model student policies to support our transgender and non-binary students. As someone who co-founded and ran a support group for trans youth and their families in our area, I know how much the lack of guidance around these issues has negatively affected residents in our commonwealth. This guidance would allow all schools to be equipped with the policies and procedures they need to confidently provide a safe and inclusive educational experience for all students, especially our LGBT youth.


STRONGLY, STRONGLY OPPOSE

The Natural Order according to The Creator for ALL of creation is male/female. HE did NOT create them as Man and Woman and then say, “You decide.”  No!  HE did NOT! STOP the INSANITY and STOP the CONFUSION of promoting false narratives to highly impressionable children and others who can not think for themselves. Provide psychiatric help for only one reason and that is to heal anyone that wants to change their gender.


Strongly oppose.

This is taking authority away from parents and infringing on religious rights and convictions especially with regards to coming up with a transition plan and not having the parent(s) involved. If a school is able to do that with consent then what else can happen down the line? What are the boundaries?  Also, what do you regard as abuse or neglect? Is telling a child how God made them considered that? This sets a dangerous precedent.


Unsettled Father of Two

I understand the intent of the regulations and the protections they are trying to provide to the transgender population.  I am not arguing against finding a method for inclusion, however, I am unsettled by more than one area in these draft policies and recommendations.  They are in need of correction. In more than one area these policies are attempting to seize the legal and moral responsibility of parents and substitute the school staff/faculty in that role.  As any father or parent, I am responsible for my child’s development, physically, mentally, and spiritually.  By sending our children to school, we are entrusting some of this development to the system/faculty.  With that said, while relying on schools for educational development, parents are better suited for this innate responsibility to nurture our children in their overall and continuous development.  Even if staff to faculty ratio were 1:1 throughout K-12 and children were getting individualized attention as at home, as currently written, information withheld from parents relating to their choices, development, and/or the safety of their learning environment is an overreach and doing a disservice to each child. Specifically, 1) there are no regulations requiring school staff to notify parents of a student’s request to affirm their gender/identity (Recommended Standard, p.12) and 2) in the draft policy (p.12) 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. This doesn’t do enough to take into consideration the overwhelming majority of the student population and the potential abuses of these broad based policy changes (likely not by the transgender community).  The no questions asked policy lacks any enforcement to provide a private/safe place for other populations (Recommended Standard on page 18 - "school staff should not confront students about their identity upon entering into the restroom").  Where these policies are intending to provide a safer environment for the transgender community, I couldn’t live with myself if my daughter was allowed to be put into a compromising situation where someone was taking advantage of these changes nefariously. As written, I would seek alternatives instead of sending my children to public school.


Guidance Document (Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia’s Public Sch

Opposed - If approved this policy would represent a huge injustice and threat to students (especially girls), parents and teachers.


I strongly object to the proposal of HR 145 and SB 161

To whom it may concern The use and implementation of HR 145 and SB 161 could be disastrous to the state, the country and further education of children as a whole as there should be no law, mandate, or anything else that would forcibly separated a family from their children or siblings because someone outside of the family has a different belief system opinion on governmental policy or religion. Left, Right, Center views are completely irrelevant to this because Child Protection Services ( or C.P.S) already exists if you would like to change expand or integrate in a different or more effect manner great let's start a discussion on the subject, to start that change and move forward but do not allow the education system to decide how or what you should or should not teach or tell your children as what is right or wrong to believe as it will be used against anyone that disagrees with the VDOE or as a political weapon against minorities or political enemies. Any parent/parents with emotional, ethical and moral maturity mindset know that their knowledge of what is best for their child, IS What is best for their child! Transgender, blue, yellow, up, down, gay or straight is unimportant, you as the parent of your child, know more about what is best for your child, then any teacher does so because of this you should never have your child taken away from you, because some teacher or principal decided they know more about what is best for your child then you do. The implementation and execution of the Spirit of this proposal is criminally negligent and incompetent with the room for abuse and corruption it will cause along with the blatant grab for social and or political power it is because of the established existence of C.P.S. This proposal should have been a call to change and expand the mission profile of the C.P.S. not to give the education system of Virginia the ability and authority to make changes to law and order under the lie that it is for the protection and betterment of the children. So in closing this proposal of HR 145 and SB 161 should be rejected immediately and be extensively rewritten, to include a section on the expansion, support and integration of the C.P.S into a more active role in our education system and communities of the state of Virginia as a whole with the full and active support from VDOE in all aspects of the problems and challenges that we will face in the coming years. Thank you for your time Sincerely A concerned American


Strongly OPPOSE 100%

I have a right to know what is going on in my children’s lives. This is inciting sexual harassment and sexual abuse with possible “pretenders.” I do not want my children subjected to the genitals of the opposite sex. I also do not want them to be uncomfortable changing in front of The opposite sex regardless of how that person identifies. This is infringement on religious beliefs, American freedoms and the family unit.


Strongly Oppose

I strongly oppose these regulations; they are inappropriate for public education here in Virginia. They not only overrule the authority of the family in the education of children, they can actually endanger children in the public school system.


Lgbtq

Please do not support this transgender policy,These children are still minors and should not be subjected to such life altering policies. There are doctors who have expressed that it is abusive to send children down this pathway. Think of their futures. Some of these  medical treatments cannot be reversed. Many children who have gender confusion will outgrow it.Growing up is difficult  enough without adding these confusing policies.


Model policy for transgender students VA public schools

Strongly oppose this baseless proposal. The “ theories” are not only harmful to the children you are purporting to help, but by bypassing parents it is an attack on family itself. Put the politics aside and vote no on this senseless, no data supporting or evidence basis proposal!


Strongly Against

Noone should ever have the right to influence a child against or excluding their parents unless that child is in danger of being harmed. By secretly encouraging a child to do, say or think the things this represents is harmful and abusive. How dare anyone think it okay to push their agenda and say what's best for a child who does not belong to them. No wonder more and more families are home schooling their children. I was not in favor of that but I certainly am now. I would never have allowed my children to be subjected to this kind of ridiculous power.


Strongly support

A person is a person and that's that.


strongly strongly against!

Does God not mean anything you any of you????  God made the decision.  Done. Love can get those who are confused through and their issues can be resolved. God had made that decision......not us!!!!!!  or a child!!!!!!


Strongly support

I fully support these policies.  We as a society need all of our children and youth to feel safe in their learning environment so that they can fully  concentrate on their academic development and to thrive in their social and emotional development.


STRONGLY OPPOSED!

I'm a mother of 3 sons, 2 of which are public school teachers. I strong oppose this action, as public school students are already facing tons of challenges. This move would be harmful to students, creating a very dangerous, unsettled environment, and hindering a students desire to learn in a safe setting. There are freedoms already in place, please do not create more  situations which cause them even more problems. Our students need a safe place to learn. This would errode at the current somewhat stable education learning environment.


I am vehemently opposed to DOE proposed transgender school policy

Parents, not the school system, are responsible for their children.


Supporting all youth- including ?????? Gender Queer students

I am a woman’s healthcare provider and care for Gender Queer people.  It is my pleasure to provide care to the marginalised with regard to gender.  Healthcare has no place for discrimination and neither does education.  I support any policies that will provide a safe place and environment for ALL students. This will be a tightrope to walk- but it can and must be done.


VA Schools gender resolution

I support a safe and health environment for childhood education. I do no support Virginia's unwise elevation of any times of childhood gender confusion. It is not uncommon for young people to go through a time of self doubt about their sexuality. This is a time of changing hormones and physical body changes and is no time for the school to mandate that the child in question have to make a decision on bathroom choice or put other youth in that uncomfortable position. This will prove to only put the student in question into a situation that they be stigmatized and possibly injured for life. We all remember those kids being labeled as brains, jocks or in other situation even more hurtful names and designations. This policy will only elevate that situation, not lower it or protect it from the whole student bodies' involvement. I believe that a youth should be quietly guided through these times by friends, family, medical or faith councilors or other other trusted adult leaders until the youth has become and adult and can make decisions for their future without the mass influence of a whole school. Their dignity should be preserved and not labeled by a new sexual designation that they are not mature enough to fully understand. The bottom line here is we all remember the difficult days of our youth and public education, many have scars and regrets from those days. Let's not do more harm to a generation of youth that have already seen great challenges. REMEMBER SCHOOLS ARE HERE TO ONLY EDUCATE CHILDREN!


AGAINST

As a parent to two children, I strongly oppose the bill that supports and endorses anything related to transgender or LGBT. We should be teaching and raising our kids to treat students as humans regardless of any of these other factors. There should be no more division that separates us from the fact that were all people. This bill perpetuates further division. Absolutely absurd. And the fact that there is a proposed bill supporting transgender students isn't the worst part. The WORST part is that there are transgender students at all. Quit pacifying political correctness and stand up for what is right. Teaching and treating everyone as the humans they are is right. Dividing us further into more subcategories will lead us straight into communism. I can't imagine many parents in VA will be keeping their children in public schools much longer you all keep going down this road.


Support

Every student deserves to feel safe and included!


Transgender policies in schools

I am STRONGLY opposed to the school policies and am saddened to see the number of those supporting this. God created them male and female.


Totally against Radical Gender Theory.  .

Totally against Radical Gender Theory!!!!  Parents should be involved with their own children’s upbringing!!!


Model Policies for Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia Public School

Strongly oppose After reading the guidelines of the proposed model policies for the treatment of transgender students, I am opposed to this for the following reasons: They subvert parental authority and opens greater usurpation of that God given authority. These suggested guidelines pervert children emotionally, mentally, physically, socially and spiritually. Virginia already has a good anti-bullying law. Teachers who love their subjects and the children they teach should not have to submit to the whims of a child who one day think they are one gender and the next day another gender or no gender at all.  Allow them to do what they are trained to do without fear because they forgot to refer to a child by the child's selected gender.


Definitely Oppose!!!

Parents should be responsible for their children’s values.


Transgender policy

DO NOT support this!!!


Re  VDOE Reject the Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia's Pu

I do not approve of your proposed guidelines based on radical theories that eradicate distinctions between male and female and to endoctrinate our school children! You should not disregard the role of parents in public education!


DO NOT support this policy!!!

this is absurd!!!


Totally against!

Parents are responsible for their children’s values NOT the unchristian liberals!!!


Fully support

I fully support these necessary measures as a means to provide overdue protections for our trans students. Legislation to protect vulnerable groups is absolutely imperative and these guidelines are offering options and choices, not "indoctrination". Children must be safe in school to access learning and trans students unfortunately still have an undeniable set of ingrained hindrances they must navigate through daily. I can only guess that those opposing these measures don't know a single person navigating these daily struggles. Trans students are a tiny minority just as deserving of safety and security as the rest of the majority. To those opposed on the basis of curriculum, I encourage you to read the guidelines in full. This legislation is not about curriculum (p.20- local school boards should consider ... ensuring LGBTQ-inclusive curricula... to include contributions of LGBTQ+ people in state and US history curricula.) The schools are not out to teach your children to adopt a different gender identity or sexual orientation. Furthermore, from those of us that live with, love and affirm the cherished LGBTQ+ people in our lives, we'd resoundingly say these are not traits that are taught. They are, however, traits that are shoved to the corners by default and closed-mindedness. This legislation simply provides guidelines for our schools' ability to respect within our community any trans child's rights to privacy, daily function and support. All our children — trans or cisgendered — will benefit when our policies promote individual respect, value in diversity and prevention of oppression. This is supporting basic humanity, not governmental overreach.


Model policies for the treatment of Transgender Students i

I do not support the proposed changes to the educational policy that disregard parental rights and the First Amendment rights of teachers and administrators.


Strongly support

I strongly support transgender rights. Allowing children to feel safe, supported and nurtured as the gender in which they identify does not harm other students in any way.


Dr. Cindy Cunningham, Appomattox Regional Governor's School

Support of the Model Policies on the Treatment of Transgender Students

I am writing in support of the Model Policies on the Treatment of Transgender Students because I believe all students should have equal access to education where they can thrive and reach their full potential. Every student deserves to attend school without fear of being bullied, harassed, or discriminated against by other students (or teachers.) Students need to feel accepted and to feel free to engage in learning within a community dedicated to education within a safe environment for all.  Schools help students become better citizens and the proposed rule will enhance Virginia schools by creating a more effective learning environment for transgender and nonbinary students; this, in turn, creates a better learning environment for all. GLSEN's 2019 National School Climate Survey reveals that transgender and nonbinary students feel less safe at school and miss school more often because of feeling unsafe compared to their cisgender peers.  We need to make sure this stops happening. Thank you for your commitment to ensuring safe and welcoming schools for all Virginia students.


Strongly support!

strongly support inclusive policies for all students including our most vulnerable and transgender students.


SUPPORT!!!

Trans rights are human rights. Period


Strongly Oppose!!!

I strongly oppose and DO NOT SUPPORT THE PROPOSED CHANGES to educational policy that disregard parental rights, students' privacy rights and the First Amendment rights of our teachers and administrators. Please do not go along with this agenda and support our students privacy rights.


Transgender Student Policy

I am a former parent of the Fairfax County Public Schools system, a piano teacher, and retired music director for youth theater. My experience working with young people has taught me the importance of good public policies in our society, but especially in our school system, where our children and teens spend so much of their time. I strongly urge all schools to adopt the guidance outlined by the Virginia Department of Education concerning transgender and non-binary students.


Parent In Strong Support

I am strongly in support of this language and action to protect trans children from discrimination in schools, and am frankly appalled at the language of the comments I’ve read opposed to it. All of which invoke their religious beliefs to infringe on the rights of trans students to exist freely. History will not look kindly on such basic abuses of human rights, as it has on past arguments - religious or otherwise - for oppressing fellow humans that are different from you.


Strongly oppose schools promoting gender dysphoria

As Virginia residents who raised a family in this state and are now blessed with grandchildren and great-grandchildren, we are concerned about this outrageous proposal. 1. Schools already have anti-bullying policies to keep children safe and punish wrong-doers. 2. Issues of gender should be taught by parents and families, not teachers and school bureaucrats. 3. Schools should be focused on giving children the education they will need for their futures, not "social engineering." 4. These sweeping proposals offer no protections for those who disagree on religious or conscience grounds. 5. Giving males access to female bathrooms and locker rooms is putting our girls at risk. With the Democrats already pushing to reduce school police officers in schools, this will make our schools more dangerous. 6. Issues of this scope should be handled at the local level, with input from local school boards and parents, not imposed from Richmond.


Strongly Against

I am against this as I have a young girl. How is it now that because they feel uncomfortable now my daughter and future children have to be uncomfortable. Make them their own personal bathroom if that’s what they want. Don’t push it on everyone else. Don’t make my daughter uncomfortable in going to a bathroom. My daughter will be going to private school if this happens.


Todd Gathje, Ph.D., The Family Foundation

Model "Transgender" Policies Threaten Student Safety, Parental Authority and Freedom of Speech

On behalf of The Family Foundation, I wish to express our strongest objections to these proposed policies which risk the health and safety of all students and undermine the ability of parents to care for and nurture their child. There is broad agreement that every single child—including and especially those struggling with their sexual identity—should be protected from harm, bullying and harassment. Currently, Virginia has a strong anti-bullying law and well-established anti-bullying policies. Despite those strong protections, the proposed Model School Transgender Guidelines stretch well beyond prevention of harm and crosses the line into mandatory promotion of viewpoints that will be impossible to implement. Given the growing body of scholarship that makes clear the majority of children outgrow gender dysphoria/confusion by the time they reach puberty, it’s improper to impose policies that will contribute to more gender confusion and ultimately cause long-term damage to children who are still developing. (See statements about most kids outgrowing gender confusion in this Psychology Today article , as well as in this study and this one .) Unfortunately, these draft policies were developed without input from professionals, clinicians and stakeholders who recognize the natural distinctions between biological males and females.  Thus, these guidelines present a biased viewpoint that is void of any clinical and sociological data that demonstrates the harms of policies that promote transgenderism. These proposed model policies also create a number of issues and contradictions that will make it difficult for administrators and local school divisions to administer and enforce them in any logical or coherent way. Below are several examples. 1. The guidelines propose a definition of “gender identity” that is purely subjective that does not require any formal evidence, making compliance with such policies impossible. “Gender Identity: A person’s internal sense of their own identity as a boy/man, girl/woman, something in between, or outside the male/female binary. Gender identity is an innate part of a person’s identity and can be the same or different from the sex assigned at birth.” (Definitions, p.6) “A student is considered transgender if, at school, the student consistently asserts a gender identity different from the sex assigned at birth… it does not necessarily require any substantiating evidence nor any required minimum duration of expressed gender identity ...” (Recommended Standard, p.12) 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. A student who claims it’s innate in them to be “gender fluid” could exhibit qualities of either sex at any particular moment in time.  As a consequence, a biological male who claims to be “gender fluid” could attempt to use the female restroom one week and the male restroom (the bathroom that aligns with his biological sex) the next week, without having to show any documentation or “proof” of any change. While the commentary of the draft guidelines states that changing one’s gender “should involve more than a casual declaration of gender identity,” it also adds that there is NO “required minimum duration of expressed gender identity.”  This will allow students to claim to be either a biological male or female (or both, neither, or something else entirely) for any duration of time, without providing any supporting evidence to a teacher or administrator, making it impossible for teachers to comply with these policies. 2. Policies that permit a student to change his or her gender without any documentation for any duration of time will make it impossible for faculty to use the student’s “preferred pronouns,” putting faculty at risk of disciplinary action. “Schools shall allow students to assert a name and gender pronouns that reflect their gender identity without any substantiating evidence.” (Draft Policy, p.13) “For transgender students, acts of verbal harassment may include the intentional and persistent use of names and pronouns not consistent with their identity.” (Recommended Standard, p.10) “Complaints alleging discrimination, harassment, or bullying based on a student’s actual or perceived transgender status shall be handled in the same manner as other discrimination or harassment complaints.” (Draft Policy, p.10) 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 subject to disciplinary action. These policies, as drafted, make it impossible for any student or faculty to comply with them.  For example, if a student is permitted to frequently “change” their gender, without any substantiating documentation for any duration of time (as outlined above), teachers and administrators will be unaware of a student’s “preferred pronouns” on a weekly, daily, or even hourly basis. (e.g. Is this not inherent within the concept of “gender fluid” students, which the Guidelines reference?) These policies are also void of any religious exceptions or accommodations for faculty and students who believe using pronouns and other speech would violate their religious identity, conscience, or their most basic understanding of biology and sociology.  A policy that fosters pervasive promotion of a one-sided, politicized transgender agenda throughout the school actually creates a hostile environment for students, faculty, and families with deeply held, faith-based convictions. A likely consequence of these forced pronoun used and compelled speech will be that good, qualified teachers will leave the public schools to teach elsewhere. 3. These policies grossly undermine parental authority by permitting schools to help and encourage students to explore, facilitate and make decisions regarding their gender expression of sexual identity while at school, without a parent even knowing . “School divisions will need to consider the health and safety of the student in situations where students may not want their parents to know about their transgender status … There are no regulations requiring school staff to notify a parent or guardian of a student’s request to affirm their gender identity...” (Recommended Standard, p.12) The law in Virginia clearly affirms the primacy of parents’ authority in Va. Code § 1-240.1, which states that “A parent has a fundamental right to make decisions concerning the upbringing, education, and care of the parent’s child.” Furthermore, in 2000, the U.S. Supreme Court also upheld the rights of parents in Troxel v. Granville when it noted that “the liberty interest….of parents in the care, custody, and control of their children is perhaps the oldest of the fundamental liberty interests recognized by the Court.” It is abundantly clear that through these guidelines parental authority is being undermined by implementing rules that violate the legal rights and responsibilities of parents. The model policies encourage schools to outright deceive parents.  They provide that schools should “respect” students if they don’t want their parents to know about their new transgender identity. The policy specifically allows that in cases where parents are not embracing or facilitating their child adopting a new gender identity (like using a new name, pronoun, etc.); teachers can use the child’s new identity at school, but in the presence of the parent use the original legal name and pronouns. It is extremely unwise for schools to actively encourage kids to lead a different life in secret that involves hiding vital information from parents.  (There are already disturbing controversies like this happening in Wisconsin and Utah .) 4. Parents who encourage their children to embrace their God-given, biological sex would be at risk of being reported for child abuse or neglect by the school. “School staff should be prepared to support the safety and welfare of transgender students when their families are not affirming . … Whenever school personnel suspects or becomes aware that a student is being abused, neglected, or at risk of abuse or neglect by their parent due to their transgender identity, they should report those concerns to Child Protective Services immediately.” (Recommended Standard, p.13) The model policy will give teachers and faculty the full discretion to determine what constitutes “affirming,” and report concerns to Child Protective Services if they merely suspect there is a potential for abuse, despite lacking the necessary training to make such an assessment. We all agree that parents should unconditionally love, nurture and protect their children regardless of the circumstances, and that physical or verbal abuse is always wrong. This policy, however, opens the door to defining people of faith who aren’t deemed to fully embrace or comply with transgender politics as “abusers.” For instance, it states that in situations “when their families are not affirming,” the school should “be prepared to support the safety and welfare of transgender students” and then encourages schools to report abuse concerns to Child Protective Services immediately. Under these guidelines, parents will also not be notified that their child is being interrogated by school officials for allegedly bullying or harassing a transgender student, or have the opportunity to intervene on their child’s behalf, UNLESS the complaints are not resolved “at the school level.” “Any incident or complaint of discrimination, harassment, or bullying shall be given prompt attention, including investigating the incident and taking appropriate corrective action, by the school administrator. …The [School Division’s Designated Contact] shall be available to hear concerns from students or parents when complaints are not resolved at the school level .” (Draft Policy, p.10) Failure to notify the parents when a child is being interrogated by school administrators is inconsistent with recent precedent established by the Virginia legislature.  In 2020, legislation was passed that ensures that parents must be notified and have contact with a child if he or she is being interrogated by police for an alleged crime.  If a child cannot be interrogated by police without allowing the child to speak to a parent, then it’s reasonable to expect that schools not engage in such interrogation actions without first notifying a parent. 5. Policies to maintain confidentiality of a student’s transgender status would be used by schools to deny notifying parents if a biological male is using the same changing facility as their daughter that was designated for girls.  All students will be allowed to use any bathroom or locker room they choose, without being questioned by any school administrator or faculty, eliminating privacy and safety of students in states of undress. “In addition to adhering to all legal standards of confidentiality, school personnel shall treat information relating to a student’s transgender status as being particularly sensitive, shall not disclose it to other students and parents, and shall only disclose to other school personnel with a legitimate educational interest.” (Draft Policy, p.12) “Access to facilities such as restrooms and locker rooms that correspond to a student’s gender identity shall be available to all students .” (Draft Policy, p.18) “School staff should not confront students about their gender identity upon entry into the restroom.” (Recommended Standard, p.18) These policies ironically disregard minors’ bodily safety and privacy as part of the effort to create a “safe for all” learning environment.  These policies will allow schools to permit boys identifying as girls, for instance, to use the girls’ bathrooms or change in female locker rooms, all done without any parents being notified.  Sadly, no one ever talks about the harm done to very young girls, for example, who feel powerless to expect physical privacy in the presence of biological males.  Conversely, there is no consideration of young men who don’t want to change in front of biological girls. 6. The requirements for schools to maintain gender-neutral dress code standards will cause disruptions and distractions, permitting boys to wear skirts and girls to go topless in activities where boys can – such as swimming activities or teams. “Students have a right to dress in a manner consistent with their gender identity or gender expression. Schools shall administer and enforce dress and grooming codes consistently across the student body, regardless of actual or perceived gender identity or gender expression. Requirements for attire for school-related programs, activities, and events shall be gender-neutral.” (Draft Policy, p.16) This policy provides that students may dress in a manner “free from gender expectations, as long as the student’s attire complies with the school’s dress code.”  However, the goal of a dress code is not intended to promote modesty, rather it’s “to ensure the health and safety of students and not contribute to a hostile or intimidating atmosphere for any student.”  Whether through distractions or questionable dress, there could be unintended consequences if VDOE requires schools to amend current dress codes to comply with these misguided policies. 7. These guidelines present a scientifically false assessment that people are arbitrarily “assigned” a gender when they’re born, which is contrary to knowledge of basic DNA science and biology and will only lead to more gender confusion. The guidelines make it clear that the VDOE wants schools to incorporate this radical “educational content that is transgender affirming into the general education curriculum, such as history, literature and science.”  This would make it impossible for teachers to instruct students about time-honored scientific statements about sexual realities simply to accommodate an unscientific social construct. For these reasons, we strongly oppose these guidelines and request the Board of Education to make the necessary changes that protect the privacy and safety of children, respect the fundamental right of parents, and guarantee protections for the conscience and rights of all students and faculty.


Oppose Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students

opposed Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender students.


Full Support for these students

All students in Virginia public schools are entitled to equal rights and privileges.  Those who try to harm others should receive appropriate consequences.  Those who are living their true lives and not causing harm to others are given the rights of "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness".  Let's make sure our schools are providing these essential freedoms.


Strongly in favor

Strongly in favor! Trans rights are human rights. Protect our children


Oppose transgender policy

I strongly oppose your policies for allowing this type of policy that will not and does not protect our children. I can’t believe you are even considering this to begin with.


fully support - TRANS RIGHTS ARE HUMAN RIGHTS

While trans people are increasingly visible in both popular culture and in daily life, they still face severe discrimination, stigma and systemic inequality. Every human being deserves the RIGHT to feel comfortable, safe, and supported in their own skin. These policies may not be perfect but it is a START. It is a step in the right direction and I vehemently support any action taken to support this marginalized community.


Strongly support

It should be a human right to express your true self. Anyone who harasses another human being for just being should be educated and learn that it is not right to judge people on who they are.


STRONGLY AGREE AND SUPPORT THIS!!!!!!

This is about keeping all of our kids safe!!!


Support human rights

Strongly support the input of HUMAN rights. Trans people are still people. This isn't about politics or religion, and should not have input into this. This is purely about making sure that trans people get what they need. They aren't going to hurt anyone. They aren't predators. They are just people who need to use the bathroom they're comfortable in. If you bible thumpers see issue with that, then take it up with the bible. Read it for real this time. With all the facts intact and not just one verse you cling to so desperately because taken out of context it "supports" your claim.


Strongly Support

Trans and gender non-conforming individuals are among our society's most vulnerable and misunderstood, doubly children and teens in this group. This guidance is critical, not only to ensure the safety and well-being of these kids in school. This guidance may save lives in danger of suicide and transphobic violence. This guidance may also help keep a roof over the heads of teens at risk of being thrown out on the streets by parents who don't accept them. Please don't let opposing voices, no matter how ugly and venomous, dictate your course of action. It is one of kindness and humanity. These children deserve to be treated as human beings. Thank you for proposing this model policy.


Support Virginia’s Transgender Youth

Please keep moving ahead with legislation that supports transgender and LGBTQ+ youth in schools and in our communities. This group suffers from discrimination regularly and needs support, acceptance, and love.


ABSOLUTELY AGAINST!!!!!

The government has no right, legal or otherwise, to take over parental rights. Schools are supposed to be for teaching reading, writing and arithmetic, NOT for engaging in politics. Teachers and school administrators MUST NOT be engaged in teaching or pushing values. That is the job of parents, the first educators of their children. I am totally against this LGBT nonsense ( not just nonsense, total lies, totally unscientific and harmful to ALL children) being forced on EVERY CHILD OF EVERY PARENT.


I fully support this

I fully support this!


FULL support

Regardless if some support transgender people or not, kids should always have support systems in place and faculty to help them through a time they are vulnerable and growing. I think the concern with bathrooms may be valid in some cases , and if it helps those concerned, a promise to keep a close eye on the bathrooms could be beneficial. However it is more important to recognize the harm that comes from forcing a developing child who may be going through a difficult time to use a bathroom they are not comfortable with. My brother is a trans adult and had a very tumultuous time in middle thru high school due to bullying, cliques and toxic behavior. I beg you to think about the developing minds of these kids and what is best for them to feel peace at mind and social safety in the classroom. Thank you


Bethany Koszelak, Fairfax County Public Schools

Strongly Support

I serve as the Mental Wellness Specialist for Fairfax County Public Schools and strongly support the information proposed in this guidance document. This Guidance Document provides gender-expansive and transgender youth with the support and rights that they deserve. Additionally, this document provides school divisions with guidance to create a caring and supportive school environment for all students. Members of the LGBTQIA+ community face disproportionate challenges in schools. They are more likely to; be bullied, be sexually harassed, experience depressive symptoms, be victims of emotional abuse by dating partners, and seriously consider suicide. This guidance ensures that all students are treated equitably and with dignity while attending school. As school divisions, when we respect a student's request to use their chosen name and identified pronouns, we potentially decrease the likelihood that they will experience thoughts of suicide and/or attempt suicide. The information provided in this document provides schools with guidance that supports student mental health and wellness.


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

I STRONGLY OPPOSE THE PROPOSED TRANSGENDER POLICIES.  Girls should not be competing with biological males in sports and changing rooms. Transgender students can be supported in different ways.


Fully support!!

I fully support legislation promoting the health and well-being of transgender children. They are children just like any other child. No restrictions or discrimination should be in their way especially in education.


100% Support

I strongly support the guidelines in this legislation. Trans students are at high risk for bullying, home insecurity, mental health crises, and drug abuse. Like all students, trans students learn best and thrive when they feel safe, their social and emotional needs are met, and when they can bring their whole, authentic selves to the table. I agree with another commenter that "Schools should be guided by policies that honor all children and not be guided by religious intolerance."


Strongly Oppose

The stated rules rely on pseudoscience and open our kids to abuse that will be completely on the heads of administrators.  Parenting is the role of parents.  Not school administrators.  Keep your hands and eyes out of our personal lives.


Strongly Against -- Are You Being Bribed, Blackmailed, or Brainwashed to Betray the Public?

My three boys are long gone but how you treat teachers matters to the  community. It's okay to protect deviants. It is not okay to encourage deviance in children who are far from reaching adult consciousness. It is not okay to penalize teachers with your woke . This is not California where they have used sex education to brainwash children, roll out drag queens  to play with children, and more. I am rapidly coming to the conclusion that elected and appointed officials are being bribed, blackmailed, and/or brainwashed and no longer represent the public interest -- nor are the elections honest, they are rigged. This document tells me that every one of you should be investigated.  Your social and professional contacts should be studied, your bank accounts and spending examined, and an official investigation should take place with respect to who is making this crap come into being. Virginia is two thirds red-blooded patriot Americans and one third carpet baggers.  I am pretty sure Gade beat Warner with 57% of the vote but the carpetbaggers controlled the  electronic fraud and related methods (https://unrig.net is instructive). I am waiting for April to make a decision on whether I move to Texas.  Between your lockdown and mask and potential mandatory vaccinations, and now this, Virginia has become a place to live and work. You are destroying the family and the community with this crap.  Stop it, please.  I will say no more on this matter and mean you no ill will, but if this kind of thing keeps coming out of your offices then I and my two businesses and family will leave Virginia. Very respectfully, Robert David Steele Veteran Marine Corps Infantry Office Veteran CIA Clandestine Operations Officer Founder Marine Corps Intelligence Activity Founder Open Source Intelligence Movement Recommended for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2017 https://robertdavidsteele.com


Strongly Oppose!

I strongly disagree with the changes this policy will bring forward. I do not feel as if this will make school a safe place for children.


Praying for our babies

Absolutely not in favor!  My heart hurts for the future of all children.  For 2,020 years there have been only two genders in all species and will be that way FOREVER! I fully support and stand on Bibical principles and values.  Just because you don’t want to be want you was born as doesn’t make it okay.  This society is all about getting, having, being what we want instead of being satisfied with what we have.  What our schools need is mental health counseling and biblical teachings!  I can’t believe this is even a discussion, come people...what are we doing to our babies!  I DO NOT SUPPORT ANYTHING IN THIS BILL!


Strongly Oppose

Many Christian teachers will face the choice of following their faith (not affirming transgenderism through "gender neutral pronouns") or keeping their job. Many good teachers may be lost because of this. Most of those teachers truly love their students and want nothing but the absolute best for them. Regardless of my faith, as a mother, I would fear to send my children to the public school system under these policies. Allowing students to choose whichever locker room they want to use or girls to swim topless is absurd. Students do not understand the potential consequences of these decisions. We should be protecting our children not exposing them to potential harm. Also, as a parent I would want to know what is going on with my child at school. I would love and care for my child regardless of their gender decisions and how I feel about them. Not allowing the very people who have the responsibility of raising and caring for these children to be kept in the loop about their child's gender decisions is wrong. By all means, please protect children from parents who are abusing them, but parents and children will have disagreements, and that is not going to hurt them.


Oppose

Strongly disagree


Absolutely support!

I fully support the legislation aiding in protecting the rights, health, and wellbeing of transgender youth.


School Board transgender Policy

I am completely opposed to this change.


NO. NO. NO.

No.  Completely opposed to this change.


Jessica Smith, concerned parent & foster parent

Fully OPPOSE Transgender Policies!!

I believe that children are created in the image of God and their biological gender is determined at birth.  I strongly oppose a mandated transgender policy in Virginia taxpayer funded public schools.  Do not jeopardize the bodily privacy and safety of my child and other children!  Passing such a policy will be detrimental to all students and I urge you to oppose this!!


Transgender issue

Another waste of tax dollars....  STOP moralizing your social issues and just TEACH. All children should be treated as students and I am so tired of one community demanding special privileges.   Making sex an issue is just so stupid.   IF YOU PEE STANDING UP USE THE  BOYS RESTROOM,..., IF YOU PEE SITTING DOWN USE THE GIRLS RESTROOM.  Stop making sex an issue-- it's a waste of tax dollars and DOES NOT serve education.


Very much support

I strongly support the Board of Election’s policies/guidances regarding transgender and non-binary students. These students need our support as they navigate their formative years. We should embrace their uniqueness and make sure that neither school personnel nor other students are given any kind of a green light to make things difficult. Thanks.


Opposed

Strongly Disagree!!! This is wrong on some many levels.


Fully support

A policy like this is a crucial start and would have made school a safer place for some of the dearest people in my life. K-12 education is a formative time for all of us, and the persistent, negligent denial of identity I've seen my fellow students subjected to in Virginia's public schools creates long-lasting emotional damage. Trans rights are human rights!


Proposal is flawed. Court cases will interpret the policy at financial risk to VA Dept of Education

1 - The proposed policies will be implemented ad hoc by each school district.  There are no proposed oversight, metrics, standards, or measures regarding the impact of the proposed policies. 2 - As written, the interpretation of the proposed policies will be refined over time by litigation in the courts.  This creates an extreme financial risk to the school boards and the Virginia Dept of Education. 3 - There are no oversight or safeguards to ensure that personnel implementing these policies will not engage in conversion activities on any children, including cis-gender. 4 - The privacy portions of the proposed policy as written, in the guise of protecting the child, also serve to protect predatory adults.


STRONGLY SUPPORT

I fully support legislation to promote the health and wellbeing of trans youth.


Strongly opposed

Strongly opposed


Strongly Support!

Members of the LGBTQ community, particularly the transgender community, are at a far higher risk of bullying, harassment, abuse (physical, verbal, and sexual), and self-harm/suicide than other groups of people. This includes children in our schools. Refusing to treat this community with respect and refusing to grant them basic human rights condemns them to facing trauma and hardship no child should have to experience. As a future educator, I will never stop advocating for every single student's rights; however, without legal safeguards such as this, teachers can only give so much protection for our students. I implore our representatives to do their duty to fullest extent and ensure protection for transgender children in our schools.


SUPPORT - granting rights to others will not infringe on yours

To the bigots, hypocrites, and idiots opposed: Trans rights are human rights. Granting safety and acceptance to our state's youth can be nothing but good. Open your eyes and ears to the cries of these children in need. Religion has no place in our public education system. Religion has no place in government. Our government should only prioritize the well-being of its citizens, and ESPECIALLY our future generations. If you are opposed to supporting transgender students or ANY marginalized group you are hateful and a close-minded individual. You are not leading a Christian life. You are the downfall of this society. If you are not transgender you have no right to oppose policies that aim to support the transgender community. Express your support or keep your mouth shut. Thank you.


Strongly Support!


Strongly Oppose

I am writing to strongly oppose these potential changes to the Virginia Public School system concerning transgender, gender identity etc. Also many of the proposed changes are in my opinion unconstitutional based upon past supreme court precedent. Parents have the right to direct the upbringing of their child and as many scholars agree that to weaken that right would severely weaken American families. The erosion of the family contributes to many of the problems that we have in society today. That being said, discrimination in any form is unacceptable and it can occur in many fashions outside of what these guidelines are attempting to establish. Discrimination occurs on things that you cannot help or cannot change, if you can define your "gender" then it erodes many of the protections and rights put in place to protect that class of people. By definition gender identity can change and thus supports that it is a choice. I can't choose the color of my skin. I can do skin grafts  or apply makeup to lighten or darken it, but it is genetically set. Our schools should be focused on educating students on science, math, writing, history and not wasting time and resources on things that go against those core goals. The state isn't allowed to force a certain religion upon students and while this is a choice it is a also a distinct right guaranteed under the US constitution's first amendment. The science of the matter is that we are either genetically XX or XY, that is what determines our gender and is the underlying function within our bodies that dictates our sex. Under extremely rare circumstance a genotypic XY individual has a faulty SRY gene which results in the body developing like an XX phenotype. It has also been proven through science that the brains development for most people is not complete until around the age of 25 so to push and encourage children who are not fully developed (and not an adult as well), puts them at risk for other mental health issues later down the road. Being a child/teen is difficult enough with everything going on. Our schools should not be making things more complex nor should they be hiding data from parents or pushing controversial policies without parents consent. Students struggling with the issues these policies promote are not looked out for in the long run, the policies seek to put adult decision making on a brain that is not developed nor have enough wisdom and life experience to make an educated decision after considering every factor possible. It is my hope that the state will look into other avenues to support students who struggle with gender identity, but it should not include stripping other students of basic rights and making them feel uncomfortable as well. Nobody wins in this situation where these policies are pushed down upon schools and students.


Yes! Strongly Support!

I'm very glad we've reached the point where this kind of legislation can be passed, and I hope it is so that all students can start to get the educational experience they're entitled to


I strongly  disagree with this!

I strongly  disagree with this


Support the Trans kids

HI, I am writing in support of the Model Policies on the Treatment of Transgender Students, because I believe all students should have equal access to education where they can thrive and reach their full potential. My beautiful kid is now in 4th grade. She transitioned when she was 7 and started 3rd grade under her new name and gender. Our school was very understanding and helpful and all the parents and kids were very supportive. There was however a big issue that came up as the school began. Her Legal name showing up on all her assignments and school portals. She felt betrayed and thought this was so wrong to have her old name in her face everyday and for other kids to see it even though she was now known and accepted under her new name. Last summer when our school counselor called us and announced that she was going to be able to have her real new name on all school related material we were over the moon. It may seem like nothing for most of us but for an 8 year old kid a name means almost everything. Without the support of House Bill 145 and Senate Bill 161 , this would still be an issue where my daughter would need to explain herself to every new kid she meets and subject to name calling and bullying at school. No one deserves to be bullied, harassed, or discriminated against in their school, which is a place where they are supposed to be able to learn and be a part of a community that accepts them for who they are. Schools teach students how to succeed but they also teach students how to treat each other. This proposed rule will make Virginia schools a better place to learn for transgender and non-binary students, which creates a better learning environment for all.  Thank you for your commitment to ensuring safe and welcoming schools for all Virginia students. Thank you!


Fully oppose transgender policy.

Hello! Please do not impose this transgender policy in the school system. We are in the Chesterfield County School district. This is a very dangerous mandate that would put children at risk for molestation ( girls in boys bathrooms/locker rooms etc.) This would also illicit more bullying and the school system is not the place for displaying this type of activity. Children are not adults and should be protected from potential harm from themselves and other students. Please keep the educational system about education and leave these topics out. Thank you, Dana Potter


OPPOSE transgender policy mandate

I strongly oppose the mandated transgender policy for Virginia taxpayer funded public schools.  I believe that God created all people in His image and made them to be distinctly biologically male and female.  Gender is a biological fact determined by a person's anatomy, not their personal choice.  Therefore, I strongly oppose this policy that would be harmful to my child and all children.  I urge you to oppose this policy and not jeopardize the safety of our children!


Strongly opposed to new legislation

I am deeply concerned about these new proposed policies and the dangerous precedent they set for limiting parents' rights and likewise encouraging the severing of parent/child ties and trying to replace this irrevocable bond with school/child ties. I am also concerned about the dismissal of the valid concerns of a majority of students for privacy in the state's attempt to make all students comfortable. Allowing transgender youth access to their bathroom or locker room of choice does not solve their discomfort with their own bodies, nor does it alleviate their sense of alienation or otherness. It's a politically expedient move to place the desires of the minority over the privacy of the majority. Surely we can provide supports for transgender youth that don't put the rights and privacy of every non-transgender youth in jeopardy.