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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1/12/21 11:50 am

Commenter: Courtney Fox

STRONGLY SUPPORT!

I passionately believe that all children, including transgender and non-binary children, have a right to feel safe and included in their school communities. I oppose bullying, harassment and discrimination of any child in school and support transgender students and their families. I believe that transgender students should have the right to self-determine their gender expression (names, pronouns, and dress code) in schools and that school records should be updated accordingly. Additionally, schools should provide for non-segregation in facilities, in extra-curriculars and classes and training for school mental health professionals, at a minimum, should be mandated.

All children in the Commonwealth of Virginia deserve to be accepted and honored for who they are. Let's do the right thing and make that official and enforceable.

Respectfully,

Courtney Fox

Arlington, VA

CommentID: 89678