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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1/6/21  3:27 pm
Commenter: Rollin Mohler

Strongly Oppose
 

While this policy may be on the table to promote equal treatment of all regardless of gender or sexual identity, it in effect will create an atmosphere that is impossible to manage and will result in greater problems.  The policy is overreaching, taking away the roles and responsibilities of parents and guardians.  It will cause greater confusion in students who already are dealing with so many confusing things in the culture.  If the policy is followed as proposed, it seems like a young man may end up seeing a young woman, who identifies as a man, topless.  I understand striving to promote equality, but the young men seeing young women topless will not equate to a proper environment for education or school athletics.  The rights and protection of all are endangered in this policy.  Not to mention, if a person may identify as a man one day and a woman the next, how will any in position of leadership be able to provide proper care and protection in such cases?  This policy needs significant work to accomplish what it is generally striving to accomplish.  I strongly oppose.  

CommentID: 88643