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.