I read the VDOE suggested policies regarding trans students and have a number of concerns I'd like to share. First and foremost, literally decades of research have shown that the vast majority of children and teens that identify as trans, actually transition to their biologic gender by adulthood with watchful waiting, and are happy with that decision! I find it concerning that schools would interfere with parental guidance about sexuality, especially if deemed non-affirming. Non-affirming is not automatically, or the equivalent of, abusive. Pushing a trans agenda because a student "feels" that way for a time can lead to irreversible consequences of hormone treatments and/or surgery. We don't have solid evidence-based medicine to endorse these policies; we are likely causing future harm for the majority of trans students that will switch (or wish they could switch) back in future years.

Particularly concerning is the utter disregard for the vast majority of non-trans student rights! Without some form of verification of trans status, what will prevent curious/devious/predatory persons from taking advantage of these policies for their own pleasure. I doubt it will take long for a number of teen boys to realize they can enter a girls locker room to watch girls change, and they can't even be questioned. Even if questioned, they could claim they "felt" like a girl that moment, day, etc. This will cause psychological harm to many children.

A similar concern involves the discrimination policy. If students can change their preferred gender, name, and pronoun at will, it'll be nearly impossible to keep up for peers and faculty. It won't take long for a clever student to change as needed to claim he or she or ? is being discriminated against by someone they don't like. How would you ever be able to sort this out the way the polices are written. We're asking for more problems than providing solutions.

Lastly, while students are wrestling with these important issues, I agree they should not be harassed or abused. However, I don't see how current policies fail to protect them from bullying the same as anyone else.