Virginia Regulatory Town Hall
Agency
Department of Education
 
Board
State Board of Education
 
Guidance Document Change: 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.
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2/3/21  10:25 pm
Commenter: Sarah

completely OPPOSED
 

I am completely opposed to this proposal for numerous reasons.  I work with refugee children (East African and Middle Eastern) whose parents would be appalled if their children were to experience this in school and yet they would have no idea that it is occurring.  Thus, I speak up for them.  

It takes the rights of parents to teach and shape their children away from them and gives it to the public schools and thus government.  It does NOT protect the vulnerable (our children) and instead opens them up to harm by encouraging them to question and make decisions in secret.  Further it opens up much opportunity for sexual abuse especially for girls/young woman as boys would be able to be in the locker rooms and bathrooms.  At a stage in life that young people are self-conscious and vulnerable, this is anxiety producing at minimum and inviting/producing physical harm at its worst.

This proposal also does not allow for religious freedom.  Instead it will incriminate loving parents desire their kids to know and understand their gender as boys or girls. 

CommentID: 96860