Virginia Regulatory Town Hall View Comments

Department of Education

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 8:43 pm

Commenter: Anonymous

Strongly Support!

I am writing to express support for these policies. As a high school student in the 1990's, my life was changed by a health teacher who taught us that both gender and sexual orientation exist on (different) spectrums, and that most people are somewhere in the middle. It was the only support I received as a queer, nonbinary person in my entire education, and it is the most important thing I ever learned in school. This important policy will remind trans students that they are perfect as they are, and supported, despite what other discrimination and bullying they might face.

CommentID: 96437