[System]
You are an expert policy analyst classifying public comments submitted to the Virginia Town Hall
regulatory comment system. You will be given the text of a proposed regulation and a single
public comment. Return ONLY a JSON object — no other text.

Definitions:
- stance: the commenter's position on whether the regulation should be adopted.
  "support" = wants it approved (as-is or with changes);
  "oppose"  = wants it rejected or substantially weakened;
  "neutral" = takes no position, asks a question, or provides factual input only;
  "unknown" = too vague, off-topic, or uninterpretable to classify.
- tone: the emotional register of the writing, independent of stance.
  "positive" = affirming, hopeful, appreciative;
  "negative" = angry, fearful, alarmed, or contemptuous;
  "neutral"  = matter-of-fact, procedural, or informational;
  "mixed"    = contains both positive and negative emotional content;
  "unclear"  = tone cannot be determined (e.g., a one-word comment).
- stance_confidence: float 0.0-1.0, your confidence in the stance label.
- stance_rationale: 1-3 sentences explaining the key evidence; quote specific phrases where possible.
- tags: up to 5 short topic labels relevant to the comment's specific concerns (e.g.
  "parental rights", "student safety", "privacy", "religious freedom", "LGBTQ+ inclusion",
  "bullying prevention", "school sports", "bathroom access"). Empty array if none apply.

Return exactly these keys: stance, stance_confidence, stance_rationale, tone, tags.

[User]
## Proposed Regulation
Title: The Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia’s Public Schools
Description: The Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia’s Public Schools guidance document was developed in response to House Bill 145 and Senate Bill 161, enacted by the 2020 Virginia General Assembly, which directed the Virginia Department of Education to develop and make available to each school board model policies concerning the treatment of transgender students in public elementary and secondary schools. These guidelines address common issues regarding transgender students in accordance with evidence-based best practices and include information, guidance, procedures, and standards relating to: compliance with applicable nondiscrimination laws; maintenance of a safe and supportive learning environment free from discrimination and harassment for all students; prevention of and response to bullying and harassment; maintenance of student records; identification of students;  protection of student privacy and the confidentiality of sensitive information; enforcement of sex-based dress codes; and student participation in sex-specific school activities, events, and use of school facilities.

---

## Public Comment
Comment ID: 96922
Title: This issue is not for schools, this is a parent /family issue for home.
Body:
This issue is not for schools, this is a parent /family issue for home. The burden on schools is to only teach the basic academic  subjects for an education. It is not the jobs of strangers to guide decisions of developing minds that are not your own personal children. The schools are to teach. Mom, Dad, and immediate family are the ones who raise up our God given children. It appears to be exploiting all school children by allowing or encouraging any peer /child   to behave in ways that encourage exploitation. Schools are to teach. Spiritual, physical and mental health issues are for the parents.

---
Classify this comment per the instructions. Return only JSON.


[System]
You are an expert policy analyst classifying public comments submitted to the Virginia Town Hall
regulatory comment system. You will be given the text of a proposed regulation and a single
public comment. Return ONLY a JSON object — no other text.

Definitions:
- stance: the commenter's position on whether the regulation should be adopted.
  "support" = wants it approved (as-is or with changes);
  "oppose"  = wants it rejected or substantially weakened;
  "neutral" = takes no position, asks a question, or provides factual input only;
  "unknown" = too vague, off-topic, or uninterpretable to classify.
- tone: the emotional register of the writing, independent of stance.
  "positive" = affirming, hopeful, appreciative;
  "negative" = angry, fearful, alarmed, or contemptuous;
  "neutral"  = matter-of-fact, procedural, or informational;
  "mixed"    = contains both positive and negative emotional content;
  "unclear"  = tone cannot be determined (e.g., a one-word comment).
- stance_confidence: float 0.0-1.0, your confidence in the stance label.
- stance_rationale: 1-3 sentences explaining the key evidence; quote specific phrases where possible.
- tags: up to 5 short topic labels relevant to the comment's specific concerns (e.g.
  "parental rights", "student safety", "privacy", "religious freedom", "LGBTQ+ inclusion",
  "bullying prevention", "school sports", "bathroom access"). Empty array if none apply.

Return exactly these keys: stance, stance_confidence, stance_rationale, tone, tags.

[User]
## Proposed Regulation
Title: The Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia’s Public Schools
Description: The Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia’s Public Schools guidance document was developed in response to House Bill 145 and Senate Bill 161, enacted by the 2020 Virginia General Assembly, which directed the Virginia Department of Education to develop and make available to each school board model policies concerning the treatment of transgender students in public elementary and secondary schools. These guidelines address common issues regarding transgender students in accordance with evidence-based best practices and include information, guidance, procedures, and standards relating to: compliance with applicable nondiscrimination laws; maintenance of a safe and supportive learning environment free from discrimination and harassment for all students; prevention of and response to bullying and harassment; maintenance of student records; identification of students;  protection of student privacy and the confidentiality of sensitive information; enforcement of sex-based dress codes; and student participation in sex-specific school activities, events, and use of school facilities.

---

## Public Comment
Comment ID: 96923
Title: STRONGLY OPPOSE
Body:
This policy breaks the parent- teacher partnership that so many schools claim to have. It does nothing to help a child’s mental health; rather, it is detrimental. It dismisses the parents who have raised this child. This policy also assumes that the school personnel has a more vested interest in my child that I do as a parent. That assumption is incredibly inaccurate. When a child leaves the school system, she/he will always have family. The schools should not put a wedge in that relationship. Major life decisions (such as repeating a grade, holding back for a “gift of time” to delay kindergarten, and any  conversation about gender) should always be in the parents’ hands— not the schools! Family will always be part of that child; the school system is only part for a few years of her/his life.

---
Classify this comment per the instructions. Return only JSON.


[System]
You are an expert policy analyst classifying public comments submitted to the Virginia Town Hall
regulatory comment system. You will be given the text of a proposed regulation and a single
public comment. Return ONLY a JSON object — no other text.

Definitions:
- stance: the commenter's position on whether the regulation should be adopted.
  "support" = wants it approved (as-is or with changes);
  "oppose"  = wants it rejected or substantially weakened;
  "neutral" = takes no position, asks a question, or provides factual input only;
  "unknown" = too vague, off-topic, or uninterpretable to classify.
- tone: the emotional register of the writing, independent of stance.
  "positive" = affirming, hopeful, appreciative;
  "negative" = angry, fearful, alarmed, or contemptuous;
  "neutral"  = matter-of-fact, procedural, or informational;
  "mixed"    = contains both positive and negative emotional content;
  "unclear"  = tone cannot be determined (e.g., a one-word comment).
- stance_confidence: float 0.0-1.0, your confidence in the stance label.
- stance_rationale: 1-3 sentences explaining the key evidence; quote specific phrases where possible.
- tags: up to 5 short topic labels relevant to the comment's specific concerns (e.g.
  "parental rights", "student safety", "privacy", "religious freedom", "LGBTQ+ inclusion",
  "bullying prevention", "school sports", "bathroom access"). Empty array if none apply.

Return exactly these keys: stance, stance_confidence, stance_rationale, tone, tags.

[User]
## Proposed Regulation
Title: The Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia’s Public Schools
Description: The Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia’s Public Schools guidance document was developed in response to House Bill 145 and Senate Bill 161, enacted by the 2020 Virginia General Assembly, which directed the Virginia Department of Education to develop and make available to each school board model policies concerning the treatment of transgender students in public elementary and secondary schools. These guidelines address common issues regarding transgender students in accordance with evidence-based best practices and include information, guidance, procedures, and standards relating to: compliance with applicable nondiscrimination laws; maintenance of a safe and supportive learning environment free from discrimination and harassment for all students; prevention of and response to bullying and harassment; maintenance of student records; identification of students;  protection of student privacy and the confidentiality of sensitive information; enforcement of sex-based dress codes; and student participation in sex-specific school activities, events, and use of school facilities.

---

## Public Comment
Comment ID: 96924
Title: TRANS RIGHTS ARE HUMAN RIGHTS - STRONG SUPPORT
Body:
Trans rights are human rights. These measures are minimum basic rights and protections that will SAVE LIVES. I know this is the south but the amount of hate and transphobic vitriol displayed by our community in these comments is disgusting, terrifying, and deeply saddening. Why do so many people hold such evil views? Protect and support our trans students!

---
Classify this comment per the instructions. Return only JSON.


[System]
You are an expert policy analyst classifying public comments submitted to the Virginia Town Hall
regulatory comment system. You will be given the text of a proposed regulation and a single
public comment. Return ONLY a JSON object — no other text.

Definitions:
- stance: the commenter's position on whether the regulation should be adopted.
  "support" = wants it approved (as-is or with changes);
  "oppose"  = wants it rejected or substantially weakened;
  "neutral" = takes no position, asks a question, or provides factual input only;
  "unknown" = too vague, off-topic, or uninterpretable to classify.
- tone: the emotional register of the writing, independent of stance.
  "positive" = affirming, hopeful, appreciative;
  "negative" = angry, fearful, alarmed, or contemptuous;
  "neutral"  = matter-of-fact, procedural, or informational;
  "mixed"    = contains both positive and negative emotional content;
  "unclear"  = tone cannot be determined (e.g., a one-word comment).
- stance_confidence: float 0.0-1.0, your confidence in the stance label.
- stance_rationale: 1-3 sentences explaining the key evidence; quote specific phrases where possible.
- tags: up to 5 short topic labels relevant to the comment's specific concerns (e.g.
  "parental rights", "student safety", "privacy", "religious freedom", "LGBTQ+ inclusion",
  "bullying prevention", "school sports", "bathroom access"). Empty array if none apply.

Return exactly these keys: stance, stance_confidence, stance_rationale, tone, tags.

[User]
## Proposed Regulation
Title: The Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia’s Public Schools
Description: The Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia’s Public Schools guidance document was developed in response to House Bill 145 and Senate Bill 161, enacted by the 2020 Virginia General Assembly, which directed the Virginia Department of Education to develop and make available to each school board model policies concerning the treatment of transgender students in public elementary and secondary schools. These guidelines address common issues regarding transgender students in accordance with evidence-based best practices and include information, guidance, procedures, and standards relating to: compliance with applicable nondiscrimination laws; maintenance of a safe and supportive learning environment free from discrimination and harassment for all students; prevention of and response to bullying and harassment; maintenance of student records; identification of students;  protection of student privacy and the confidentiality of sensitive information; enforcement of sex-based dress codes; and student participation in sex-specific school activities, events, and use of school facilities.

---

## Public Comment
Comment ID: 96925
Title: Transgender policy in Va public schools
Body:
I do not agree with the proposed transgender policies for Va. schools but this does not mean that I don’t care deeply for families and children who are struggling with this issue.  I am a mother and have worked as a teacher in a private school. The public schools are not the place to facilitate help for a very complex issue.  Public school teachers are often overwhelmed and stressed with many challenges and the suggestions of these policies would only make life more difficult in the classroom.  Calling a child the wrong “preferred pronoun”  could be described as “harassment or discrimination.”  Parental rights and privacy could be ignored by the school staff who try to help children explore their gender expression.  This is not the role of the public school. Studies show that most young children who are not exposed to suggestions of changing their gender ID,  learn to accept their biological sex by the end of puberty.  Children should be protected from social media, movies and TV that suggest such concepts are possible....of being able to change one’s gender.  The vulnerability of a child with autism or ADHD can be a factor as well. The public school systems will have to change their high school biology textbooks.  Science matters and science proves that one can not change your biological sex assigned at birth.

---
Classify this comment per the instructions. Return only JSON.


[System]
You are an expert policy analyst classifying public comments submitted to the Virginia Town Hall
regulatory comment system. You will be given the text of a proposed regulation and a single
public comment. Return ONLY a JSON object — no other text.

Definitions:
- stance: the commenter's position on whether the regulation should be adopted.
  "support" = wants it approved (as-is or with changes);
  "oppose"  = wants it rejected or substantially weakened;
  "neutral" = takes no position, asks a question, or provides factual input only;
  "unknown" = too vague, off-topic, or uninterpretable to classify.
- tone: the emotional register of the writing, independent of stance.
  "positive" = affirming, hopeful, appreciative;
  "negative" = angry, fearful, alarmed, or contemptuous;
  "neutral"  = matter-of-fact, procedural, or informational;
  "mixed"    = contains both positive and negative emotional content;
  "unclear"  = tone cannot be determined (e.g., a one-word comment).
- stance_confidence: float 0.0-1.0, your confidence in the stance label.
- stance_rationale: 1-3 sentences explaining the key evidence; quote specific phrases where possible.
- tags: up to 5 short topic labels relevant to the comment's specific concerns (e.g.
  "parental rights", "student safety", "privacy", "religious freedom", "LGBTQ+ inclusion",
  "bullying prevention", "school sports", "bathroom access"). Empty array if none apply.

Return exactly these keys: stance, stance_confidence, stance_rationale, tone, tags.

[User]
## Proposed Regulation
Title: The Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia’s Public Schools
Description: The Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia’s Public Schools guidance document was developed in response to House Bill 145 and Senate Bill 161, enacted by the 2020 Virginia General Assembly, which directed the Virginia Department of Education to develop and make available to each school board model policies concerning the treatment of transgender students in public elementary and secondary schools. These guidelines address common issues regarding transgender students in accordance with evidence-based best practices and include information, guidance, procedures, and standards relating to: compliance with applicable nondiscrimination laws; maintenance of a safe and supportive learning environment free from discrimination and harassment for all students; prevention of and response to bullying and harassment; maintenance of student records; identification of students;  protection of student privacy and the confidentiality of sensitive information; enforcement of sex-based dress codes; and student participation in sex-specific school activities, events, and use of school facilities.

---

## Public Comment
Comment ID: 96926
Title: Support
Body:
I support the guidance for trans student policies and protections

---
Classify this comment per the instructions. Return only JSON.


[System]
You are an expert policy analyst classifying public comments submitted to the Virginia Town Hall
regulatory comment system. You will be given the text of a proposed regulation and a single
public comment. Return ONLY a JSON object — no other text.

Definitions:
- stance: the commenter's position on whether the regulation should be adopted.
  "support" = wants it approved (as-is or with changes);
  "oppose"  = wants it rejected or substantially weakened;
  "neutral" = takes no position, asks a question, or provides factual input only;
  "unknown" = too vague, off-topic, or uninterpretable to classify.
- tone: the emotional register of the writing, independent of stance.
  "positive" = affirming, hopeful, appreciative;
  "negative" = angry, fearful, alarmed, or contemptuous;
  "neutral"  = matter-of-fact, procedural, or informational;
  "mixed"    = contains both positive and negative emotional content;
  "unclear"  = tone cannot be determined (e.g., a one-word comment).
- stance_confidence: float 0.0-1.0, your confidence in the stance label.
- stance_rationale: 1-3 sentences explaining the key evidence; quote specific phrases where possible.
- tags: up to 5 short topic labels relevant to the comment's specific concerns (e.g.
  "parental rights", "student safety", "privacy", "religious freedom", "LGBTQ+ inclusion",
  "bullying prevention", "school sports", "bathroom access"). Empty array if none apply.

Return exactly these keys: stance, stance_confidence, stance_rationale, tone, tags.

[User]
## Proposed Regulation
Title: The Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia’s Public Schools
Description: The Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia’s Public Schools guidance document was developed in response to House Bill 145 and Senate Bill 161, enacted by the 2020 Virginia General Assembly, which directed the Virginia Department of Education to develop and make available to each school board model policies concerning the treatment of transgender students in public elementary and secondary schools. These guidelines address common issues regarding transgender students in accordance with evidence-based best practices and include information, guidance, procedures, and standards relating to: compliance with applicable nondiscrimination laws; maintenance of a safe and supportive learning environment free from discrimination and harassment for all students; prevention of and response to bullying and harassment; maintenance of student records; identification of students;  protection of student privacy and the confidentiality of sensitive information; enforcement of sex-based dress codes; and student participation in sex-specific school activities, events, and use of school facilities.

---

## Public Comment
Comment ID: 96927
Title: strongly oppose
Body:
I strongly oppose this policy for a myriad of reasons.  I will note several. All students should be treated with respect.  However, this policy goes well beyond preventing transgender students from being bullied to forcing teachers, students, and parents to accommodate behaviors and world views that conflict with their own strongly held convictions and religious beliefs.  I also firmly believe this policy will open the door to an increase of sexual harassment and exploitation, especially of girls. The education of children is primarily the responsibility of the parents.  Failure to communicate with parents, especially about issues such as gender identity undermines the responsibility and rights of the parents to teach their children academically, socially, morally, and spiritually and breaks down trust within family relationships. Most importantly, transgenderism runs counter to God's created order as described in His Word, the Bible, and therefore should not be encouraged.

---
Classify this comment per the instructions. Return only JSON.


[System]
You are an expert policy analyst classifying public comments submitted to the Virginia Town Hall
regulatory comment system. You will be given the text of a proposed regulation and a single
public comment. Return ONLY a JSON object — no other text.

Definitions:
- stance: the commenter's position on whether the regulation should be adopted.
  "support" = wants it approved (as-is or with changes);
  "oppose"  = wants it rejected or substantially weakened;
  "neutral" = takes no position, asks a question, or provides factual input only;
  "unknown" = too vague, off-topic, or uninterpretable to classify.
- tone: the emotional register of the writing, independent of stance.
  "positive" = affirming, hopeful, appreciative;
  "negative" = angry, fearful, alarmed, or contemptuous;
  "neutral"  = matter-of-fact, procedural, or informational;
  "mixed"    = contains both positive and negative emotional content;
  "unclear"  = tone cannot be determined (e.g., a one-word comment).
- stance_confidence: float 0.0-1.0, your confidence in the stance label.
- stance_rationale: 1-3 sentences explaining the key evidence; quote specific phrases where possible.
- tags: up to 5 short topic labels relevant to the comment's specific concerns (e.g.
  "parental rights", "student safety", "privacy", "religious freedom", "LGBTQ+ inclusion",
  "bullying prevention", "school sports", "bathroom access"). Empty array if none apply.

Return exactly these keys: stance, stance_confidence, stance_rationale, tone, tags.

[User]
## Proposed Regulation
Title: The Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia’s Public Schools
Description: The Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia’s Public Schools guidance document was developed in response to House Bill 145 and Senate Bill 161, enacted by the 2020 Virginia General Assembly, which directed the Virginia Department of Education to develop and make available to each school board model policies concerning the treatment of transgender students in public elementary and secondary schools. These guidelines address common issues regarding transgender students in accordance with evidence-based best practices and include information, guidance, procedures, and standards relating to: compliance with applicable nondiscrimination laws; maintenance of a safe and supportive learning environment free from discrimination and harassment for all students; prevention of and response to bullying and harassment; maintenance of student records; identification of students;  protection of student privacy and the confidentiality of sensitive information; enforcement of sex-based dress codes; and student participation in sex-specific school activities, events, and use of school facilities.

---

## Public Comment
Comment ID: 96928
Title: Parent
Body:
Coming in with a strong PASS not a matter for schools

---
Classify this comment per the instructions. Return only JSON.


[System]
You are an expert policy analyst classifying public comments submitted to the Virginia Town Hall
regulatory comment system. You will be given the text of a proposed regulation and a single
public comment. Return ONLY a JSON object — no other text.

Definitions:
- stance: the commenter's position on whether the regulation should be adopted.
  "support" = wants it approved (as-is or with changes);
  "oppose"  = wants it rejected or substantially weakened;
  "neutral" = takes no position, asks a question, or provides factual input only;
  "unknown" = too vague, off-topic, or uninterpretable to classify.
- tone: the emotional register of the writing, independent of stance.
  "positive" = affirming, hopeful, appreciative;
  "negative" = angry, fearful, alarmed, or contemptuous;
  "neutral"  = matter-of-fact, procedural, or informational;
  "mixed"    = contains both positive and negative emotional content;
  "unclear"  = tone cannot be determined (e.g., a one-word comment).
- stance_confidence: float 0.0-1.0, your confidence in the stance label.
- stance_rationale: 1-3 sentences explaining the key evidence; quote specific phrases where possible.
- tags: up to 5 short topic labels relevant to the comment's specific concerns (e.g.
  "parental rights", "student safety", "privacy", "religious freedom", "LGBTQ+ inclusion",
  "bullying prevention", "school sports", "bathroom access"). Empty array if none apply.

Return exactly these keys: stance, stance_confidence, stance_rationale, tone, tags.

[User]
## Proposed Regulation
Title: The Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia’s Public Schools
Description: The Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia’s Public Schools guidance document was developed in response to House Bill 145 and Senate Bill 161, enacted by the 2020 Virginia General Assembly, which directed the Virginia Department of Education to develop and make available to each school board model policies concerning the treatment of transgender students in public elementary and secondary schools. These guidelines address common issues regarding transgender students in accordance with evidence-based best practices and include information, guidance, procedures, and standards relating to: compliance with applicable nondiscrimination laws; maintenance of a safe and supportive learning environment free from discrimination and harassment for all students; prevention of and response to bullying and harassment; maintenance of student records; identification of students;  protection of student privacy and the confidentiality of sensitive information; enforcement of sex-based dress codes; and student participation in sex-specific school activities, events, and use of school facilities.

---

## Public Comment
Comment ID: 96929
Title: Opposed to Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia's Public Schools
Body:
All human beings should be treated with respect. Respect requires that adults refrain from harming children by intentionally confusing them as to whether they are male or female. As a matter of science, every person is either male or female; and it is important that children are affirmed in their biological sex, not taught that it is fluid or a matter of choice. Many things are a matter of choice. Whether a person defies sex stereotypes as to career choices or child-bearing choices represent true and important choices. But one's sex is not a matter of choice. Our chromosomes determine our sex and program our bodies to develop accordingly throughout our lives. To teach a child that she might be male, or he might be female, harms the child emotionally, mentally, and physically. The recent social construct that there is a difference between sex and gender is detrimental to the healthy development of a child at all stages of development. Hormone therapy causes devastating and permanent harm to a child or adolescent. In the not-distant future, this brief period during which educational "experts" promoted a severely harmful ideology will rightly be viewed as an extreme form of child abuse that left far too many young victims permanently harmed. Virginia should choose the wise course, which is to let other states experiment with this harmful ideology and observe the results. In a decade, scientific data undoubtedly will show that this ideology inflicted needless and grave suffering on too many children. If adopted, these model policies will expose Virginia school officials to lawsuits by former students, who as adults will want to hold accountable those who foisted a harmful ideology on them when they were too young to understand the permanent harm they were doing to themselves by undergoing hormone therapy or endless surgeries. Finally, calling these policies "model" policies is deceptive and a misrepresentation unworthy of public servants. A "model" policy is a policy that is optional. These "model" policies expressly require that school districts adopt them or more extreme policies. These "model" policies coerce school districts into adopting these policies whether or not the elected school board members think these policies harm the children in their districts. Please reject these "model" policies. Generations of Virginia's children will thank you.

---
Classify this comment per the instructions. Return only JSON.


[System]
You are an expert policy analyst classifying public comments submitted to the Virginia Town Hall
regulatory comment system. You will be given the text of a proposed regulation and a single
public comment. Return ONLY a JSON object — no other text.

Definitions:
- stance: the commenter's position on whether the regulation should be adopted.
  "support" = wants it approved (as-is or with changes);
  "oppose"  = wants it rejected or substantially weakened;
  "neutral" = takes no position, asks a question, or provides factual input only;
  "unknown" = too vague, off-topic, or uninterpretable to classify.
- tone: the emotional register of the writing, independent of stance.
  "positive" = affirming, hopeful, appreciative;
  "negative" = angry, fearful, alarmed, or contemptuous;
  "neutral"  = matter-of-fact, procedural, or informational;
  "mixed"    = contains both positive and negative emotional content;
  "unclear"  = tone cannot be determined (e.g., a one-word comment).
- stance_confidence: float 0.0-1.0, your confidence in the stance label.
- stance_rationale: 1-3 sentences explaining the key evidence; quote specific phrases where possible.
- tags: up to 5 short topic labels relevant to the comment's specific concerns (e.g.
  "parental rights", "student safety", "privacy", "religious freedom", "LGBTQ+ inclusion",
  "bullying prevention", "school sports", "bathroom access"). Empty array if none apply.

Return exactly these keys: stance, stance_confidence, stance_rationale, tone, tags.

[User]
## Proposed Regulation
Title: The Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia’s Public Schools
Description: The Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia’s Public Schools guidance document was developed in response to House Bill 145 and Senate Bill 161, enacted by the 2020 Virginia General Assembly, which directed the Virginia Department of Education to develop and make available to each school board model policies concerning the treatment of transgender students in public elementary and secondary schools. These guidelines address common issues regarding transgender students in accordance with evidence-based best practices and include information, guidance, procedures, and standards relating to: compliance with applicable nondiscrimination laws; maintenance of a safe and supportive learning environment free from discrimination and harassment for all students; prevention of and response to bullying and harassment; maintenance of student records; identification of students;  protection of student privacy and the confidentiality of sensitive information; enforcement of sex-based dress codes; and student participation in sex-specific school activities, events, and use of school facilities.

---

## Public Comment
Comment ID: 96930
Title: Strongly stand against this! Not morally acceptable!
Body:
strongly stand against this! I will not feel safe with my child going to a public school system like this! Please don’t do this!

---
Classify this comment per the instructions. Return only JSON.


[System]
You are an expert policy analyst classifying public comments submitted to the Virginia Town Hall
regulatory comment system. You will be given the text of a proposed regulation and a single
public comment. Return ONLY a JSON object — no other text.

Definitions:
- stance: the commenter's position on whether the regulation should be adopted.
  "support" = wants it approved (as-is or with changes);
  "oppose"  = wants it rejected or substantially weakened;
  "neutral" = takes no position, asks a question, or provides factual input only;
  "unknown" = too vague, off-topic, or uninterpretable to classify.
- tone: the emotional register of the writing, independent of stance.
  "positive" = affirming, hopeful, appreciative;
  "negative" = angry, fearful, alarmed, or contemptuous;
  "neutral"  = matter-of-fact, procedural, or informational;
  "mixed"    = contains both positive and negative emotional content;
  "unclear"  = tone cannot be determined (e.g., a one-word comment).
- stance_confidence: float 0.0-1.0, your confidence in the stance label.
- stance_rationale: 1-3 sentences explaining the key evidence; quote specific phrases where possible.
- tags: up to 5 short topic labels relevant to the comment's specific concerns (e.g.
  "parental rights", "student safety", "privacy", "religious freedom", "LGBTQ+ inclusion",
  "bullying prevention", "school sports", "bathroom access"). Empty array if none apply.

Return exactly these keys: stance, stance_confidence, stance_rationale, tone, tags.

[User]
## Proposed Regulation
Title: The Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia’s Public Schools
Description: The Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia’s Public Schools guidance document was developed in response to House Bill 145 and Senate Bill 161, enacted by the 2020 Virginia General Assembly, which directed the Virginia Department of Education to develop and make available to each school board model policies concerning the treatment of transgender students in public elementary and secondary schools. These guidelines address common issues regarding transgender students in accordance with evidence-based best practices and include information, guidance, procedures, and standards relating to: compliance with applicable nondiscrimination laws; maintenance of a safe and supportive learning environment free from discrimination and harassment for all students; prevention of and response to bullying and harassment; maintenance of student records; identification of students;  protection of student privacy and the confidentiality of sensitive information; enforcement of sex-based dress codes; and student participation in sex-specific school activities, events, and use of school facilities.

---

## Public Comment
Comment ID: 96931
Title: Strongly Agree
Body:
We need to provide a safe place for everyone to learn and grow in, and this is a step in the right direction.

---
Classify this comment per the instructions. Return only JSON.


[System]
You are an expert policy analyst classifying public comments submitted to the Virginia Town Hall
regulatory comment system. You will be given the text of a proposed regulation and a single
public comment. Return ONLY a JSON object — no other text.

Definitions:
- stance: the commenter's position on whether the regulation should be adopted.
  "support" = wants it approved (as-is or with changes);
  "oppose"  = wants it rejected or substantially weakened;
  "neutral" = takes no position, asks a question, or provides factual input only;
  "unknown" = too vague, off-topic, or uninterpretable to classify.
- tone: the emotional register of the writing, independent of stance.
  "positive" = affirming, hopeful, appreciative;
  "negative" = angry, fearful, alarmed, or contemptuous;
  "neutral"  = matter-of-fact, procedural, or informational;
  "mixed"    = contains both positive and negative emotional content;
  "unclear"  = tone cannot be determined (e.g., a one-word comment).
- stance_confidence: float 0.0-1.0, your confidence in the stance label.
- stance_rationale: 1-3 sentences explaining the key evidence; quote specific phrases where possible.
- tags: up to 5 short topic labels relevant to the comment's specific concerns (e.g.
  "parental rights", "student safety", "privacy", "religious freedom", "LGBTQ+ inclusion",
  "bullying prevention", "school sports", "bathroom access"). Empty array if none apply.

Return exactly these keys: stance, stance_confidence, stance_rationale, tone, tags.

[User]
## Proposed Regulation
Title: The Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia’s Public Schools
Description: The Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia’s Public Schools guidance document was developed in response to House Bill 145 and Senate Bill 161, enacted by the 2020 Virginia General Assembly, which directed the Virginia Department of Education to develop and make available to each school board model policies concerning the treatment of transgender students in public elementary and secondary schools. These guidelines address common issues regarding transgender students in accordance with evidence-based best practices and include information, guidance, procedures, and standards relating to: compliance with applicable nondiscrimination laws; maintenance of a safe and supportive learning environment free from discrimination and harassment for all students; prevention of and response to bullying and harassment; maintenance of student records; identification of students;  protection of student privacy and the confidentiality of sensitive information; enforcement of sex-based dress codes; and student participation in sex-specific school activities, events, and use of school facilities.

---

## Public Comment
Comment ID: 96932
Title: STRONGLY SUPPORT
Body:
Trans students in elementary and secondary schools deserve to be treated the same as trans high school students.

---
Classify this comment per the instructions. Return only JSON.


[System]
You are an expert policy analyst classifying public comments submitted to the Virginia Town Hall
regulatory comment system. You will be given the text of a proposed regulation and a single
public comment. Return ONLY a JSON object — no other text.

Definitions:
- stance: the commenter's position on whether the regulation should be adopted.
  "support" = wants it approved (as-is or with changes);
  "oppose"  = wants it rejected or substantially weakened;
  "neutral" = takes no position, asks a question, or provides factual input only;
  "unknown" = too vague, off-topic, or uninterpretable to classify.
- tone: the emotional register of the writing, independent of stance.
  "positive" = affirming, hopeful, appreciative;
  "negative" = angry, fearful, alarmed, or contemptuous;
  "neutral"  = matter-of-fact, procedural, or informational;
  "mixed"    = contains both positive and negative emotional content;
  "unclear"  = tone cannot be determined (e.g., a one-word comment).
- stance_confidence: float 0.0-1.0, your confidence in the stance label.
- stance_rationale: 1-3 sentences explaining the key evidence; quote specific phrases where possible.
- tags: up to 5 short topic labels relevant to the comment's specific concerns (e.g.
  "parental rights", "student safety", "privacy", "religious freedom", "LGBTQ+ inclusion",
  "bullying prevention", "school sports", "bathroom access"). Empty array if none apply.

Return exactly these keys: stance, stance_confidence, stance_rationale, tone, tags.

[User]
## Proposed Regulation
Title: The Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia’s Public Schools
Description: The Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia’s Public Schools guidance document was developed in response to House Bill 145 and Senate Bill 161, enacted by the 2020 Virginia General Assembly, which directed the Virginia Department of Education to develop and make available to each school board model policies concerning the treatment of transgender students in public elementary and secondary schools. These guidelines address common issues regarding transgender students in accordance with evidence-based best practices and include information, guidance, procedures, and standards relating to: compliance with applicable nondiscrimination laws; maintenance of a safe and supportive learning environment free from discrimination and harassment for all students; prevention of and response to bullying and harassment; maintenance of student records; identification of students;  protection of student privacy and the confidentiality of sensitive information; enforcement of sex-based dress codes; and student participation in sex-specific school activities, events, and use of school facilities.

---

## Public Comment
Comment ID: 96933
Title: Support All Students
Body:
There is no evidence that allowing transgender students choose which bathroom to use is in any way damaging or unsafe for any student. There is, however, plenty of evidence to show that transgender students are very much susceptible to harm when they are NOT allowed to choose. At my children’s elementary school, there are two bathrooms marked as being available for ANYONE to use. These are the most convenient restrooms for students with disabilities, students with IBS, adults visiting the building, and yes, transgender students. Basically, anyone not comfortable using one of the large public restrooms in the building. These restrooms accommodate one person at a time. This shouldn’t even be an issue. With the bullying and suicide rates of students in the LGBTQ, and particularly the transgender community, being seven times that of their peers, it would seem maximizing support and safety for ALL students would be a no-brainer.

---
Classify this comment per the instructions. Return only JSON.


[System]
You are an expert policy analyst classifying public comments submitted to the Virginia Town Hall
regulatory comment system. You will be given the text of a proposed regulation and a single
public comment. Return ONLY a JSON object — no other text.

Definitions:
- stance: the commenter's position on whether the regulation should be adopted.
  "support" = wants it approved (as-is or with changes);
  "oppose"  = wants it rejected or substantially weakened;
  "neutral" = takes no position, asks a question, or provides factual input only;
  "unknown" = too vague, off-topic, or uninterpretable to classify.
- tone: the emotional register of the writing, independent of stance.
  "positive" = affirming, hopeful, appreciative;
  "negative" = angry, fearful, alarmed, or contemptuous;
  "neutral"  = matter-of-fact, procedural, or informational;
  "mixed"    = contains both positive and negative emotional content;
  "unclear"  = tone cannot be determined (e.g., a one-word comment).
- stance_confidence: float 0.0-1.0, your confidence in the stance label.
- stance_rationale: 1-3 sentences explaining the key evidence; quote specific phrases where possible.
- tags: up to 5 short topic labels relevant to the comment's specific concerns (e.g.
  "parental rights", "student safety", "privacy", "religious freedom", "LGBTQ+ inclusion",
  "bullying prevention", "school sports", "bathroom access"). Empty array if none apply.

Return exactly these keys: stance, stance_confidence, stance_rationale, tone, tags.

[User]
## Proposed Regulation
Title: The Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia’s Public Schools
Description: The Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia’s Public Schools guidance document was developed in response to House Bill 145 and Senate Bill 161, enacted by the 2020 Virginia General Assembly, which directed the Virginia Department of Education to develop and make available to each school board model policies concerning the treatment of transgender students in public elementary and secondary schools. These guidelines address common issues regarding transgender students in accordance with evidence-based best practices and include information, guidance, procedures, and standards relating to: compliance with applicable nondiscrimination laws; maintenance of a safe and supportive learning environment free from discrimination and harassment for all students; prevention of and response to bullying and harassment; maintenance of student records; identification of students;  protection of student privacy and the confidentiality of sensitive information; enforcement of sex-based dress codes; and student participation in sex-specific school activities, events, and use of school facilities.

---

## Public Comment
Comment ID: 96934
Title: As a parent and educator, strongly support! All students deserve to be accepted and protected!
Body:
As a parent of a transgender child and educator, I strongly support these policies. All students deserve to be accepted, protected, and valued. Too many are responding out of rigid beliefs and fear but the harm is truly only being felt by the trans youth themselves. We don’t have to agree with or understand someone’s perspectives or experiences to still value treating them with dignity and their safety. Schools should be a safe place for ALL students. Safety includes being able to be themselves.

---
Classify this comment per the instructions. Return only JSON.


[System]
You are an expert policy analyst classifying public comments submitted to the Virginia Town Hall
regulatory comment system. You will be given the text of a proposed regulation and a single
public comment. Return ONLY a JSON object — no other text.

Definitions:
- stance: the commenter's position on whether the regulation should be adopted.
  "support" = wants it approved (as-is or with changes);
  "oppose"  = wants it rejected or substantially weakened;
  "neutral" = takes no position, asks a question, or provides factual input only;
  "unknown" = too vague, off-topic, or uninterpretable to classify.
- tone: the emotional register of the writing, independent of stance.
  "positive" = affirming, hopeful, appreciative;
  "negative" = angry, fearful, alarmed, or contemptuous;
  "neutral"  = matter-of-fact, procedural, or informational;
  "mixed"    = contains both positive and negative emotional content;
  "unclear"  = tone cannot be determined (e.g., a one-word comment).
- stance_confidence: float 0.0-1.0, your confidence in the stance label.
- stance_rationale: 1-3 sentences explaining the key evidence; quote specific phrases where possible.
- tags: up to 5 short topic labels relevant to the comment's specific concerns (e.g.
  "parental rights", "student safety", "privacy", "religious freedom", "LGBTQ+ inclusion",
  "bullying prevention", "school sports", "bathroom access"). Empty array if none apply.

Return exactly these keys: stance, stance_confidence, stance_rationale, tone, tags.

[User]
## Proposed Regulation
Title: The Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia’s Public Schools
Description: The Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia’s Public Schools guidance document was developed in response to House Bill 145 and Senate Bill 161, enacted by the 2020 Virginia General Assembly, which directed the Virginia Department of Education to develop and make available to each school board model policies concerning the treatment of transgender students in public elementary and secondary schools. These guidelines address common issues regarding transgender students in accordance with evidence-based best practices and include information, guidance, procedures, and standards relating to: compliance with applicable nondiscrimination laws; maintenance of a safe and supportive learning environment free from discrimination and harassment for all students; prevention of and response to bullying and harassment; maintenance of student records; identification of students;  protection of student privacy and the confidentiality of sensitive information; enforcement of sex-based dress codes; and student participation in sex-specific school activities, events, and use of school facilities.

---

## Public Comment
Comment ID: 96935
Title: Strongly oppose
Body:
Our children are born male or female, it’s science! It is a shame in this society that parents can not be trusted to raise their children in the way they seem fit. Please do not push an agenda children that is unhealthy for the students. If this is going to be required it should also be required for students to take a bible class.

---
Classify this comment per the instructions. Return only JSON.


[System]
You are an expert policy analyst classifying public comments submitted to the Virginia Town Hall
regulatory comment system. You will be given the text of a proposed regulation and a single
public comment. Return ONLY a JSON object — no other text.

Definitions:
- stance: the commenter's position on whether the regulation should be adopted.
  "support" = wants it approved (as-is or with changes);
  "oppose"  = wants it rejected or substantially weakened;
  "neutral" = takes no position, asks a question, or provides factual input only;
  "unknown" = too vague, off-topic, or uninterpretable to classify.
- tone: the emotional register of the writing, independent of stance.
  "positive" = affirming, hopeful, appreciative;
  "negative" = angry, fearful, alarmed, or contemptuous;
  "neutral"  = matter-of-fact, procedural, or informational;
  "mixed"    = contains both positive and negative emotional content;
  "unclear"  = tone cannot be determined (e.g., a one-word comment).
- stance_confidence: float 0.0-1.0, your confidence in the stance label.
- stance_rationale: 1-3 sentences explaining the key evidence; quote specific phrases where possible.
- tags: up to 5 short topic labels relevant to the comment's specific concerns (e.g.
  "parental rights", "student safety", "privacy", "religious freedom", "LGBTQ+ inclusion",
  "bullying prevention", "school sports", "bathroom access"). Empty array if none apply.

Return exactly these keys: stance, stance_confidence, stance_rationale, tone, tags.

[User]
## Proposed Regulation
Title: The Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia’s Public Schools
Description: The Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia’s Public Schools guidance document was developed in response to House Bill 145 and Senate Bill 161, enacted by the 2020 Virginia General Assembly, which directed the Virginia Department of Education to develop and make available to each school board model policies concerning the treatment of transgender students in public elementary and secondary schools. These guidelines address common issues regarding transgender students in accordance with evidence-based best practices and include information, guidance, procedures, and standards relating to: compliance with applicable nondiscrimination laws; maintenance of a safe and supportive learning environment free from discrimination and harassment for all students; prevention of and response to bullying and harassment; maintenance of student records; identification of students;  protection of student privacy and the confidentiality of sensitive information; enforcement of sex-based dress codes; and student participation in sex-specific school activities, events, and use of school facilities.

---

## Public Comment
Comment ID: 96936
Title: Strongly Oppose
Body:
We need to help our children to get up when they are falling!!!! Who if it’s not an adults (us parents, grandparents and so on) responsible for children to guide them to teach them and instruct them so they would not go screw minded!!! "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6

---
Classify this comment per the instructions. Return only JSON.


[System]
You are an expert policy analyst classifying public comments submitted to the Virginia Town Hall
regulatory comment system. You will be given the text of a proposed regulation and a single
public comment. Return ONLY a JSON object — no other text.

Definitions:
- stance: the commenter's position on whether the regulation should be adopted.
  "support" = wants it approved (as-is or with changes);
  "oppose"  = wants it rejected or substantially weakened;
  "neutral" = takes no position, asks a question, or provides factual input only;
  "unknown" = too vague, off-topic, or uninterpretable to classify.
- tone: the emotional register of the writing, independent of stance.
  "positive" = affirming, hopeful, appreciative;
  "negative" = angry, fearful, alarmed, or contemptuous;
  "neutral"  = matter-of-fact, procedural, or informational;
  "mixed"    = contains both positive and negative emotional content;
  "unclear"  = tone cannot be determined (e.g., a one-word comment).
- stance_confidence: float 0.0-1.0, your confidence in the stance label.
- stance_rationale: 1-3 sentences explaining the key evidence; quote specific phrases where possible.
- tags: up to 5 short topic labels relevant to the comment's specific concerns (e.g.
  "parental rights", "student safety", "privacy", "religious freedom", "LGBTQ+ inclusion",
  "bullying prevention", "school sports", "bathroom access"). Empty array if none apply.

Return exactly these keys: stance, stance_confidence, stance_rationale, tone, tags.

[User]
## Proposed Regulation
Title: The Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia’s Public Schools
Description: The Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia’s Public Schools guidance document was developed in response to House Bill 145 and Senate Bill 161, enacted by the 2020 Virginia General Assembly, which directed the Virginia Department of Education to develop and make available to each school board model policies concerning the treatment of transgender students in public elementary and secondary schools. These guidelines address common issues regarding transgender students in accordance with evidence-based best practices and include information, guidance, procedures, and standards relating to: compliance with applicable nondiscrimination laws; maintenance of a safe and supportive learning environment free from discrimination and harassment for all students; prevention of and response to bullying and harassment; maintenance of student records; identification of students;  protection of student privacy and the confidentiality of sensitive information; enforcement of sex-based dress codes; and student participation in sex-specific school activities, events, and use of school facilities.

---

## Public Comment
Comment ID: 96937
Title: As an elementary school teacher  I STRONGLY oppose these policies!!
Body:
As an elementary school teacher, I STRONGLY oppose these policies!!!  There is enough confusion going on around these kids without adding this into their school day.  Or ours!

---
Classify this comment per the instructions. Return only JSON.


[System]
You are an expert policy analyst classifying public comments submitted to the Virginia Town Hall
regulatory comment system. You will be given the text of a proposed regulation and a single
public comment. Return ONLY a JSON object — no other text.

Definitions:
- stance: the commenter's position on whether the regulation should be adopted.
  "support" = wants it approved (as-is or with changes);
  "oppose"  = wants it rejected or substantially weakened;
  "neutral" = takes no position, asks a question, or provides factual input only;
  "unknown" = too vague, off-topic, or uninterpretable to classify.
- tone: the emotional register of the writing, independent of stance.
  "positive" = affirming, hopeful, appreciative;
  "negative" = angry, fearful, alarmed, or contemptuous;
  "neutral"  = matter-of-fact, procedural, or informational;
  "mixed"    = contains both positive and negative emotional content;
  "unclear"  = tone cannot be determined (e.g., a one-word comment).
- stance_confidence: float 0.0-1.0, your confidence in the stance label.
- stance_rationale: 1-3 sentences explaining the key evidence; quote specific phrases where possible.
- tags: up to 5 short topic labels relevant to the comment's specific concerns (e.g.
  "parental rights", "student safety", "privacy", "religious freedom", "LGBTQ+ inclusion",
  "bullying prevention", "school sports", "bathroom access"). Empty array if none apply.

Return exactly these keys: stance, stance_confidence, stance_rationale, tone, tags.

[User]
## Proposed Regulation
Title: The Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia’s Public Schools
Description: The Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia’s Public Schools guidance document was developed in response to House Bill 145 and Senate Bill 161, enacted by the 2020 Virginia General Assembly, which directed the Virginia Department of Education to develop and make available to each school board model policies concerning the treatment of transgender students in public elementary and secondary schools. These guidelines address common issues regarding transgender students in accordance with evidence-based best practices and include information, guidance, procedures, and standards relating to: compliance with applicable nondiscrimination laws; maintenance of a safe and supportive learning environment free from discrimination and harassment for all students; prevention of and response to bullying and harassment; maintenance of student records; identification of students;  protection of student privacy and the confidentiality of sensitive information; enforcement of sex-based dress codes; and student participation in sex-specific school activities, events, and use of school facilities.

---

## Public Comment
Comment ID: 96938
Title: Strongly oppose.
Body:
Strongly oppose.

---
Classify this comment per the instructions. Return only JSON.


[System]
You are an expert policy analyst classifying public comments submitted to the Virginia Town Hall
regulatory comment system. You will be given the text of a proposed regulation and a single
public comment. Return ONLY a JSON object — no other text.

Definitions:
- stance: the commenter's position on whether the regulation should be adopted.
  "support" = wants it approved (as-is or with changes);
  "oppose"  = wants it rejected or substantially weakened;
  "neutral" = takes no position, asks a question, or provides factual input only;
  "unknown" = too vague, off-topic, or uninterpretable to classify.
- tone: the emotional register of the writing, independent of stance.
  "positive" = affirming, hopeful, appreciative;
  "negative" = angry, fearful, alarmed, or contemptuous;
  "neutral"  = matter-of-fact, procedural, or informational;
  "mixed"    = contains both positive and negative emotional content;
  "unclear"  = tone cannot be determined (e.g., a one-word comment).
- stance_confidence: float 0.0-1.0, your confidence in the stance label.
- stance_rationale: 1-3 sentences explaining the key evidence; quote specific phrases where possible.
- tags: up to 5 short topic labels relevant to the comment's specific concerns (e.g.
  "parental rights", "student safety", "privacy", "religious freedom", "LGBTQ+ inclusion",
  "bullying prevention", "school sports", "bathroom access"). Empty array if none apply.

Return exactly these keys: stance, stance_confidence, stance_rationale, tone, tags.

[User]
## Proposed Regulation
Title: The Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia’s Public Schools
Description: The Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia’s Public Schools guidance document was developed in response to House Bill 145 and Senate Bill 161, enacted by the 2020 Virginia General Assembly, which directed the Virginia Department of Education to develop and make available to each school board model policies concerning the treatment of transgender students in public elementary and secondary schools. These guidelines address common issues regarding transgender students in accordance with evidence-based best practices and include information, guidance, procedures, and standards relating to: compliance with applicable nondiscrimination laws; maintenance of a safe and supportive learning environment free from discrimination and harassment for all students; prevention of and response to bullying and harassment; maintenance of student records; identification of students;  protection of student privacy and the confidentiality of sensitive information; enforcement of sex-based dress codes; and student participation in sex-specific school activities, events, and use of school facilities.

---

## Public Comment
Comment ID: 96939
Title: Support for All Students  & Families
Body:
You have the right to be treated according to your gender identity . I don't want people being treated over color, gender, or their beliefs in a space that should be safe for all students. Time to move forward and start arguing about other issues not how to keep holding other people down. Title IX is a federal law that makes sex discrimination illegal in most schools. Most courts who have looked at the issue have said that this includes discrimination against someone because they are transgender or because they don’t meet gender-related stereotypes or expectations. Several other federal and state laws also protect transgender students.

---
Classify this comment per the instructions. Return only JSON.


[System]
You are an expert policy analyst classifying public comments submitted to the Virginia Town Hall
regulatory comment system. You will be given the text of a proposed regulation and a single
public comment. Return ONLY a JSON object — no other text.

Definitions:
- stance: the commenter's position on whether the regulation should be adopted.
  "support" = wants it approved (as-is or with changes);
  "oppose"  = wants it rejected or substantially weakened;
  "neutral" = takes no position, asks a question, or provides factual input only;
  "unknown" = too vague, off-topic, or uninterpretable to classify.
- tone: the emotional register of the writing, independent of stance.
  "positive" = affirming, hopeful, appreciative;
  "negative" = angry, fearful, alarmed, or contemptuous;
  "neutral"  = matter-of-fact, procedural, or informational;
  "mixed"    = contains both positive and negative emotional content;
  "unclear"  = tone cannot be determined (e.g., a one-word comment).
- stance_confidence: float 0.0-1.0, your confidence in the stance label.
- stance_rationale: 1-3 sentences explaining the key evidence; quote specific phrases where possible.
- tags: up to 5 short topic labels relevant to the comment's specific concerns (e.g.
  "parental rights", "student safety", "privacy", "religious freedom", "LGBTQ+ inclusion",
  "bullying prevention", "school sports", "bathroom access"). Empty array if none apply.

Return exactly these keys: stance, stance_confidence, stance_rationale, tone, tags.

[User]
## Proposed Regulation
Title: The Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia’s Public Schools
Description: The Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia’s Public Schools guidance document was developed in response to House Bill 145 and Senate Bill 161, enacted by the 2020 Virginia General Assembly, which directed the Virginia Department of Education to develop and make available to each school board model policies concerning the treatment of transgender students in public elementary and secondary schools. These guidelines address common issues regarding transgender students in accordance with evidence-based best practices and include information, guidance, procedures, and standards relating to: compliance with applicable nondiscrimination laws; maintenance of a safe and supportive learning environment free from discrimination and harassment for all students; prevention of and response to bullying and harassment; maintenance of student records; identification of students;  protection of student privacy and the confidentiality of sensitive information; enforcement of sex-based dress codes; and student participation in sex-specific school activities, events, and use of school facilities.

---

## Public Comment
Comment ID: 96940
Title: Strongly Oppose
Body:
If these policies are passed, my children will not be attending public schools.

---
Classify this comment per the instructions. Return only JSON.


[System]
You are an expert policy analyst classifying public comments submitted to the Virginia Town Hall
regulatory comment system. You will be given the text of a proposed regulation and a single
public comment. Return ONLY a JSON object — no other text.

Definitions:
- stance: the commenter's position on whether the regulation should be adopted.
  "support" = wants it approved (as-is or with changes);
  "oppose"  = wants it rejected or substantially weakened;
  "neutral" = takes no position, asks a question, or provides factual input only;
  "unknown" = too vague, off-topic, or uninterpretable to classify.
- tone: the emotional register of the writing, independent of stance.
  "positive" = affirming, hopeful, appreciative;
  "negative" = angry, fearful, alarmed, or contemptuous;
  "neutral"  = matter-of-fact, procedural, or informational;
  "mixed"    = contains both positive and negative emotional content;
  "unclear"  = tone cannot be determined (e.g., a one-word comment).
- stance_confidence: float 0.0-1.0, your confidence in the stance label.
- stance_rationale: 1-3 sentences explaining the key evidence; quote specific phrases where possible.
- tags: up to 5 short topic labels relevant to the comment's specific concerns (e.g.
  "parental rights", "student safety", "privacy", "religious freedom", "LGBTQ+ inclusion",
  "bullying prevention", "school sports", "bathroom access"). Empty array if none apply.

Return exactly these keys: stance, stance_confidence, stance_rationale, tone, tags.

[User]
## Proposed Regulation
Title: The Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia’s Public Schools
Description: The Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia’s Public Schools guidance document was developed in response to House Bill 145 and Senate Bill 161, enacted by the 2020 Virginia General Assembly, which directed the Virginia Department of Education to develop and make available to each school board model policies concerning the treatment of transgender students in public elementary and secondary schools. These guidelines address common issues regarding transgender students in accordance with evidence-based best practices and include information, guidance, procedures, and standards relating to: compliance with applicable nondiscrimination laws; maintenance of a safe and supportive learning environment free from discrimination and harassment for all students; prevention of and response to bullying and harassment; maintenance of student records; identification of students;  protection of student privacy and the confidentiality of sensitive information; enforcement of sex-based dress codes; and student participation in sex-specific school activities, events, and use of school facilities.

---

## Public Comment
Comment ID: 96941
Title: Oppose Transgenderism being Pushed - Respect children please
Body:
We learned decades ago from the feminist movement that children do not have to play with gender sterotypical toys.  Now at this point, if a boy plays with "girl" toys or the reverse, that child is at risk for being pushed into transgenderism. We need to listen to the voices of those who have chosen to detransition.  They are telling us of their regrets.  One woman with a deep voice (from the hormones meds I am assuming) stated how her body dysmophia changed toward a positive outlook once she started running not with living a trans life.  I have attended a Planned Parenthood training.  I have spoken to high school students on STDs, and sexuality. We are doing them a disservice by encouraging them to be intolerant of each person that will not change pronouns at their whim.  And we have not long lasting research on what happens as older adults when they were put on hormone suspenders early in life.  When we push transgenderism, we increased the pressure students internalize as we tell them not to embrace the gender of their body and we encourage body dysmophia.  Listen to the voices of those who have detransitioned and wish that adults would not celebrate their coming gender bending but would have encouraged gender embracement.  We know that one out of 8 women has breast cancer.  Many of these breast cancers are estrogen driven.  What hormone related cancers are we exposing our children to?

---
Classify this comment per the instructions. Return only JSON.


[System]
You are an expert policy analyst classifying public comments submitted to the Virginia Town Hall
regulatory comment system. You will be given the text of a proposed regulation and a single
public comment. Return ONLY a JSON object — no other text.

Definitions:
- stance: the commenter's position on whether the regulation should be adopted.
  "support" = wants it approved (as-is or with changes);
  "oppose"  = wants it rejected or substantially weakened;
  "neutral" = takes no position, asks a question, or provides factual input only;
  "unknown" = too vague, off-topic, or uninterpretable to classify.
- tone: the emotional register of the writing, independent of stance.
  "positive" = affirming, hopeful, appreciative;
  "negative" = angry, fearful, alarmed, or contemptuous;
  "neutral"  = matter-of-fact, procedural, or informational;
  "mixed"    = contains both positive and negative emotional content;
  "unclear"  = tone cannot be determined (e.g., a one-word comment).
- stance_confidence: float 0.0-1.0, your confidence in the stance label.
- stance_rationale: 1-3 sentences explaining the key evidence; quote specific phrases where possible.
- tags: up to 5 short topic labels relevant to the comment's specific concerns (e.g.
  "parental rights", "student safety", "privacy", "religious freedom", "LGBTQ+ inclusion",
  "bullying prevention", "school sports", "bathroom access"). Empty array if none apply.

Return exactly these keys: stance, stance_confidence, stance_rationale, tone, tags.

[User]
## Proposed Regulation
Title: The Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia’s Public Schools
Description: The Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia’s Public Schools guidance document was developed in response to House Bill 145 and Senate Bill 161, enacted by the 2020 Virginia General Assembly, which directed the Virginia Department of Education to develop and make available to each school board model policies concerning the treatment of transgender students in public elementary and secondary schools. These guidelines address common issues regarding transgender students in accordance with evidence-based best practices and include information, guidance, procedures, and standards relating to: compliance with applicable nondiscrimination laws; maintenance of a safe and supportive learning environment free from discrimination and harassment for all students; prevention of and response to bullying and harassment; maintenance of student records; identification of students;  protection of student privacy and the confidentiality of sensitive information; enforcement of sex-based dress codes; and student participation in sex-specific school activities, events, and use of school facilities.

---

## Public Comment
Comment ID: 95941
Title: Please do not ignore parental rights
Body:
As a mother of 6 children all in Virginia public schools, I am appalled that the Department would put such a wedge between parents and their children.  Saying that "schools should help make decisions about gender identity without the parents being informed" is an outright attack on the family unit.  The family unit which is the foundation of society, and the provider of stable tax dollars used to fund your schools.   While every single human being has innate dignity and worth, your approach to achieving "equality" it is inappropriate.   Children should be affirmed in ways that uplift the beauty of their body, and not at the cost of dismantling the truth and goodness of human sexuality.  This "Guidance" only fortifies regressive, sexist stereotypes by enshrining the notion that subjective feelings and preferences (like hobbies, attire, emotional patterns, or style of interaction) are what define a man or a woman.  What an insult.  Many sex specific environments have cultivated support, growth and success among women and men- which is tremendously vital during the developmental years of a child's life.  This guidance document is NOT what Virginians want.

---
Classify this comment per the instructions. Return only JSON.


[System]
You are an expert policy analyst classifying public comments submitted to the Virginia Town Hall
regulatory comment system. You will be given the text of a proposed regulation and a single
public comment. Return ONLY a JSON object — no other text.

Definitions:
- stance: the commenter's position on whether the regulation should be adopted.
  "support" = wants it approved (as-is or with changes);
  "oppose"  = wants it rejected or substantially weakened;
  "neutral" = takes no position, asks a question, or provides factual input only;
  "unknown" = too vague, off-topic, or uninterpretable to classify.
- tone: the emotional register of the writing, independent of stance.
  "positive" = affirming, hopeful, appreciative;
  "negative" = angry, fearful, alarmed, or contemptuous;
  "neutral"  = matter-of-fact, procedural, or informational;
  "mixed"    = contains both positive and negative emotional content;
  "unclear"  = tone cannot be determined (e.g., a one-word comment).
- stance_confidence: float 0.0-1.0, your confidence in the stance label.
- stance_rationale: 1-3 sentences explaining the key evidence; quote specific phrases where possible.
- tags: up to 5 short topic labels relevant to the comment's specific concerns (e.g.
  "parental rights", "student safety", "privacy", "religious freedom", "LGBTQ+ inclusion",
  "bullying prevention", "school sports", "bathroom access"). Empty array if none apply.

Return exactly these keys: stance, stance_confidence, stance_rationale, tone, tags.

[User]
## Proposed Regulation
Title: The Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia’s Public Schools
Description: The Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia’s Public Schools guidance document was developed in response to House Bill 145 and Senate Bill 161, enacted by the 2020 Virginia General Assembly, which directed the Virginia Department of Education to develop and make available to each school board model policies concerning the treatment of transgender students in public elementary and secondary schools. These guidelines address common issues regarding transgender students in accordance with evidence-based best practices and include information, guidance, procedures, and standards relating to: compliance with applicable nondiscrimination laws; maintenance of a safe and supportive learning environment free from discrimination and harassment for all students; prevention of and response to bullying and harassment; maintenance of student records; identification of students;  protection of student privacy and the confidentiality of sensitive information; enforcement of sex-based dress codes; and student participation in sex-specific school activities, events, and use of school facilities.

---

## Public Comment
Comment ID: 95942
Title: support. lets go boyes
Body:
So ummmmm why wouldn't you support trans kids??? Neglecting them and going against them messes them up mentally and that's just not good dudes!! I don't care about your religious or political beliefs, they may be important to you but that's no excuse to berate and invalidate trans students!! "yOuRE jUST ConFUsInG OuR ChiLDREn" We're not ing dumb Melissa. "iTS a MEnTaL IllNEsS!!!!" Be quiet, Diana. "GOD DIDN'T MAKE YOU THIS WAY!!!!!!!!" Coming from a religious person, if God loves everyone so much, then why do you say that trans people will go to hell just for being trans?? Everyone should be treated equally. And nobody is forcing this into your children, they're just making the environment safer for trans people who need safety. from a trans person :]

---
Classify this comment per the instructions. Return only JSON.


[System]
You are an expert policy analyst classifying public comments submitted to the Virginia Town Hall
regulatory comment system. You will be given the text of a proposed regulation and a single
public comment. Return ONLY a JSON object — no other text.

Definitions:
- stance: the commenter's position on whether the regulation should be adopted.
  "support" = wants it approved (as-is or with changes);
  "oppose"  = wants it rejected or substantially weakened;
  "neutral" = takes no position, asks a question, or provides factual input only;
  "unknown" = too vague, off-topic, or uninterpretable to classify.
- tone: the emotional register of the writing, independent of stance.
  "positive" = affirming, hopeful, appreciative;
  "negative" = angry, fearful, alarmed, or contemptuous;
  "neutral"  = matter-of-fact, procedural, or informational;
  "mixed"    = contains both positive and negative emotional content;
  "unclear"  = tone cannot be determined (e.g., a one-word comment).
- stance_confidence: float 0.0-1.0, your confidence in the stance label.
- stance_rationale: 1-3 sentences explaining the key evidence; quote specific phrases where possible.
- tags: up to 5 short topic labels relevant to the comment's specific concerns (e.g.
  "parental rights", "student safety", "privacy", "religious freedom", "LGBTQ+ inclusion",
  "bullying prevention", "school sports", "bathroom access"). Empty array if none apply.

Return exactly these keys: stance, stance_confidence, stance_rationale, tone, tags.

[User]
## Proposed Regulation
Title: The Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia’s Public Schools
Description: The Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia’s Public Schools guidance document was developed in response to House Bill 145 and Senate Bill 161, enacted by the 2020 Virginia General Assembly, which directed the Virginia Department of Education to develop and make available to each school board model policies concerning the treatment of transgender students in public elementary and secondary schools. These guidelines address common issues regarding transgender students in accordance with evidence-based best practices and include information, guidance, procedures, and standards relating to: compliance with applicable nondiscrimination laws; maintenance of a safe and supportive learning environment free from discrimination and harassment for all students; prevention of and response to bullying and harassment; maintenance of student records; identification of students;  protection of student privacy and the confidentiality of sensitive information; enforcement of sex-based dress codes; and student participation in sex-specific school activities, events, and use of school facilities.

---

## Public Comment
Comment ID: 95943
Title: I vehemently oppose
Body:
Strongly oppose

---
Classify this comment per the instructions. Return only JSON.


[System]
You are an expert policy analyst classifying public comments submitted to the Virginia Town Hall
regulatory comment system. You will be given the text of a proposed regulation and a single
public comment. Return ONLY a JSON object — no other text.

Definitions:
- stance: the commenter's position on whether the regulation should be adopted.
  "support" = wants it approved (as-is or with changes);
  "oppose"  = wants it rejected or substantially weakened;
  "neutral" = takes no position, asks a question, or provides factual input only;
  "unknown" = too vague, off-topic, or uninterpretable to classify.
- tone: the emotional register of the writing, independent of stance.
  "positive" = affirming, hopeful, appreciative;
  "negative" = angry, fearful, alarmed, or contemptuous;
  "neutral"  = matter-of-fact, procedural, or informational;
  "mixed"    = contains both positive and negative emotional content;
  "unclear"  = tone cannot be determined (e.g., a one-word comment).
- stance_confidence: float 0.0-1.0, your confidence in the stance label.
- stance_rationale: 1-3 sentences explaining the key evidence; quote specific phrases where possible.
- tags: up to 5 short topic labels relevant to the comment's specific concerns (e.g.
  "parental rights", "student safety", "privacy", "religious freedom", "LGBTQ+ inclusion",
  "bullying prevention", "school sports", "bathroom access"). Empty array if none apply.

Return exactly these keys: stance, stance_confidence, stance_rationale, tone, tags.

[User]
## Proposed Regulation
Title: The Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia’s Public Schools
Description: The Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia’s Public Schools guidance document was developed in response to House Bill 145 and Senate Bill 161, enacted by the 2020 Virginia General Assembly, which directed the Virginia Department of Education to develop and make available to each school board model policies concerning the treatment of transgender students in public elementary and secondary schools. These guidelines address common issues regarding transgender students in accordance with evidence-based best practices and include information, guidance, procedures, and standards relating to: compliance with applicable nondiscrimination laws; maintenance of a safe and supportive learning environment free from discrimination and harassment for all students; prevention of and response to bullying and harassment; maintenance of student records; identification of students;  protection of student privacy and the confidentiality of sensitive information; enforcement of sex-based dress codes; and student participation in sex-specific school activities, events, and use of school facilities.

---

## Public Comment
Comment ID: 95944
Title: Strongly Oppose Transgender Guidelines
Body:
VDOE as you know a teacher’s job is very difficult. It is totally discriminatory to take away the rights of teachers and other students by insisting that using the given name of a child instead of a name or pronoun a child chooses on any given day is harassment.  To say the child’s name is not harassment or discrimination. People are not mind readers and most people do not photographic memories.  Schools do not have the right to take away parents authority over their children.  This is what is done in communist or socialist countries were no one is free.  Many children are confused about their gender when they are young. Most outgrow the confusion naturally. Children do not need school personnel causing more confusion in their lives by going behind their parents back and teaching them about sexual identity. Gender identity is not subjective and to say it is only causes confusion in a child. How can parents who encourage their children to embrace their God-given sex be abuse or neglect?   Parents want what is best for their children. They know their children better than any school personnel. To allow a child access to bathrooms or a locker room on any day based on the whim of the child’s sexual identity for that day takes away the other children’s right to privacy and will ultimately lead to sexual abuse. Parents should always be involved in any interrogation of their child by school officials. Parents have the God given right to know what their children are being taught. These ideas should never be school policies. These policies will inter with a teacher’s ability teach and educate the children. These policies will cause teachers and students unfair treatment by school official and administrators. None of these policies are good for our children or Virginia. They will do more harm than good even to the students they are supposed to help.

---
Classify this comment per the instructions. Return only JSON.


[System]
You are an expert policy analyst classifying public comments submitted to the Virginia Town Hall
regulatory comment system. You will be given the text of a proposed regulation and a single
public comment. Return ONLY a JSON object — no other text.

Definitions:
- stance: the commenter's position on whether the regulation should be adopted.
  "support" = wants it approved (as-is or with changes);
  "oppose"  = wants it rejected or substantially weakened;
  "neutral" = takes no position, asks a question, or provides factual input only;
  "unknown" = too vague, off-topic, or uninterpretable to classify.
- tone: the emotional register of the writing, independent of stance.
  "positive" = affirming, hopeful, appreciative;
  "negative" = angry, fearful, alarmed, or contemptuous;
  "neutral"  = matter-of-fact, procedural, or informational;
  "mixed"    = contains both positive and negative emotional content;
  "unclear"  = tone cannot be determined (e.g., a one-word comment).
- stance_confidence: float 0.0-1.0, your confidence in the stance label.
- stance_rationale: 1-3 sentences explaining the key evidence; quote specific phrases where possible.
- tags: up to 5 short topic labels relevant to the comment's specific concerns (e.g.
  "parental rights", "student safety", "privacy", "religious freedom", "LGBTQ+ inclusion",
  "bullying prevention", "school sports", "bathroom access"). Empty array if none apply.

Return exactly these keys: stance, stance_confidence, stance_rationale, tone, tags.

[User]
## Proposed Regulation
Title: The Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia’s Public Schools
Description: The Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia’s Public Schools guidance document was developed in response to House Bill 145 and Senate Bill 161, enacted by the 2020 Virginia General Assembly, which directed the Virginia Department of Education to develop and make available to each school board model policies concerning the treatment of transgender students in public elementary and secondary schools. These guidelines address common issues regarding transgender students in accordance with evidence-based best practices and include information, guidance, procedures, and standards relating to: compliance with applicable nondiscrimination laws; maintenance of a safe and supportive learning environment free from discrimination and harassment for all students; prevention of and response to bullying and harassment; maintenance of student records; identification of students;  protection of student privacy and the confidentiality of sensitive information; enforcement of sex-based dress codes; and student participation in sex-specific school activities, events, and use of school facilities.

---

## Public Comment
Comment ID: 95945
Title: OPPOSED STRONGLY
Body:
Keep it out of schools!!!!!

---
Classify this comment per the instructions. Return only JSON.


[System]
You are an expert policy analyst classifying public comments submitted to the Virginia Town Hall
regulatory comment system. You will be given the text of a proposed regulation and a single
public comment. Return ONLY a JSON object — no other text.

Definitions:
- stance: the commenter's position on whether the regulation should be adopted.
  "support" = wants it approved (as-is or with changes);
  "oppose"  = wants it rejected or substantially weakened;
  "neutral" = takes no position, asks a question, or provides factual input only;
  "unknown" = too vague, off-topic, or uninterpretable to classify.
- tone: the emotional register of the writing, independent of stance.
  "positive" = affirming, hopeful, appreciative;
  "negative" = angry, fearful, alarmed, or contemptuous;
  "neutral"  = matter-of-fact, procedural, or informational;
  "mixed"    = contains both positive and negative emotional content;
  "unclear"  = tone cannot be determined (e.g., a one-word comment).
- stance_confidence: float 0.0-1.0, your confidence in the stance label.
- stance_rationale: 1-3 sentences explaining the key evidence; quote specific phrases where possible.
- tags: up to 5 short topic labels relevant to the comment's specific concerns (e.g.
  "parental rights", "student safety", "privacy", "religious freedom", "LGBTQ+ inclusion",
  "bullying prevention", "school sports", "bathroom access"). Empty array if none apply.

Return exactly these keys: stance, stance_confidence, stance_rationale, tone, tags.

[User]
## Proposed Regulation
Title: The Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia’s Public Schools
Description: The Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia’s Public Schools guidance document was developed in response to House Bill 145 and Senate Bill 161, enacted by the 2020 Virginia General Assembly, which directed the Virginia Department of Education to develop and make available to each school board model policies concerning the treatment of transgender students in public elementary and secondary schools. These guidelines address common issues regarding transgender students in accordance with evidence-based best practices and include information, guidance, procedures, and standards relating to: compliance with applicable nondiscrimination laws; maintenance of a safe and supportive learning environment free from discrimination and harassment for all students; prevention of and response to bullying and harassment; maintenance of student records; identification of students;  protection of student privacy and the confidentiality of sensitive information; enforcement of sex-based dress codes; and student participation in sex-specific school activities, events, and use of school facilities.

---

## Public Comment
Comment ID: 95946
Title: Concerns about scientific accuracy
Body:
While I surely support compassion and appropriate care for children who experience various kinds of gender dysphoria (e.g., https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gender-dysphoria/symptoms-causes/syc-20475255 ), I wish to register concern about the proposed model policy document.  It strikes me as a well-intentioned but misguided overreaction.  As a professional scientist, I would hope that before taking actions that seem to defy common sense (such as allowing boys and girls of school age to mix in bathrooms or even overnight accommodations according to self-selection criteria that can not be criticized), one would at least seek to have a model policy based on sound and noncontroversial science.  We are not at that point yet. Why do I say that this document and part of its reasoning are based on statements or principles that are not scientifically proven?  For example, the document asserts “Gender identity is considered an innate characteristic that most children declare by age five to six.”  This is not an uncontroversial scientific fact.  Rather, studies show that children who exhibit gender dysphoria will normally resolve that according to their sex assigned at birth in the majority of cases by the time of puberty.  This is stated, for example,  by Dr. Stephen Stathis, Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, Children’s Health Hospital, Queensland, Australia, in this article, https://www.childrens.health.qld.gov.au/blog-gender-dysphoria-in-children-and-adolescents-is-not-a-phase/ .  The approach explained by Dr. Stathis and used in Queensland recognizes both the seriousness and the complexity of the problem and the need for a compassionate and scientifically and practically sound response to children who are affected by various gender-related situations.  No one solution suits all. Furthermore, a 2018 article [Littman L (2018) Parent reports of adolescents and young adults perceived to show signs of a rapid onset of gender dysphoria. PLoS ONE 13(8): e0202330. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0202330, https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0202330 ] speaks of “… the possibility of a potential new subcategory of gender dysphoria (referred to as rapid-onset gender dysphoria) that has not yet been clinically validated and the possibility of social influences and maladaptive coping mechanisms. Parent-child conflict may also explain some of the findings. More research that includes data collection from AYAs, parents, clinicians, and third party informants is needed to further explore the roles of social influence, maladaptive coping mechanisms, parental approaches, and family dynamics in the development and duration of gender dysphoria in adolescents and young adults.” Another 2018 article states “virtually nothing is known regarding adolescent-onset GD [gender dysphoria], its progression and factors that influence the completion of the developmental tasks of adolescence among young people with GD and/or transgender identity.” (Kaltiala-Heino R, Bergman H, Työläjärvi M, Frisén L. Gender dysphoria in adolescence: current perspectives. Adolesc Health Med Ther . 2018;9:31-41.  Published 2018 Mar 2. doi:10.2147/AHMT.S135432, available at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5841333/ ) Gender and its dysphoria are very complex matters about which the science is not yet settled (the science in any case can not settle the inevitable philosophical questions concerning the very meaning of the terms themselves).  In particular, it is not clear to me that it is wisest that the child should be the one allowed to make the determination about gender identity.  Children are continually interacting in a variety of ways with other children, adults, family, teachers, and professionals.  This is a complex matrix in which children are situated, and identity is an emergent phenomenon arising from such a complex set of interactions. More than the child is involved in making this determination. If I were to try to identify the most significant problem with the present document, it focuses too much on the particular child who has special needs with respect to gender issues and fails to account for the ways others need to be taken into account in dealing with that child’s issues.  I for one would have a problem in Virginia being a teacher in a public school under these guidelines since they defy common sense and I would have to be very critical of them, as stated above (but I have never been such a teacher).  I see these policies as potentially quite harmful to other children or to parents who do not agree with the principle of “fixing” a complex problem by an educational policy.  Yes, I do support the need for special care and compassionate treatment of children who experience any kind of gender dysphoria.  But the “cure” may be worse than the “problem.”  Consequently, I hope the Virginia Department of Education will truly listen to voices that do not share their perspective on these matters and revise this policy document accordingly.

---
Classify this comment per the instructions. Return only JSON.