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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1/8/21  8:28 pm
Commenter: Anonymous

Strong support of the model policies
 

I strongly support the model policies, because they protect the rights of transgender and gender creative children. All children need our love and support. When transgender and gender creative children are forced to suppress who they are, it increases their rates of depression and can lead to a range of negative thoughts and behaviors, including suicide. We have the tools and knowledge we need to support young people: which is to listen to them, allow them to be themselves, and ensure an environment where they are free from discrimination and hate. 

When we support our transgender and gender creative kids, we create an environment that helps ALL kids flourish. It builds trust, mutual understanding, and celebration of the ways in which we are all different. These model policies should be adopted by public schools.  

CommentID: 89159