As a youth arts educator based in Virginia, I’m commenting in support of implementing the policies outlined in this guidance document. I am an advocate for the implementation of evidence-based policies that protect the mental and physical health of our students. I have worked with transgender and gender non-conforming (TGNC) youth and am aware of the unique barriers they face. Studies funded by the NIH have highlighted the lack of services for TGNC youth within public schools and have demonstrated an “urgent [need for] implementation of social and educational measures of gender identity support”. Transgender students do not have the same protections as cisgender students in Virginia and the policies outlined in this guidance document are a step in the right direction that provide clear guidance for school systems in how to create safe and supportive educational settings for TGNC youth. Please act to protect the rights of students to be free from gender-based discrimination and harassment in our schools.