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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2/3/21  8:16 am
Commenter: Richmond Resident

Opposed
 

Distinction of public accommodations (restrooms) should be based upon biological sex, not gender. I agree that there is a need for improvement in school support systems for trans students, but the excess of these guidelines is inappropriate for school-age children. Standardized educational programs, designed and enforced by the state, that demand a distinct aspect of culture be accepted are out of line.

Fundamentally, I do not believe humans can be transgender. BUT, I do believe that no human should be put down for what they believe in, what they want to wear, how they want to behave, what they want to call themselves. Who am I to get in the way of self-expression? Or decide what’s real and what’s not? To reiterate, these guidelines just overstep public education boundaries. Please, I am begging you to come up with some reasonable proposals. There does not need to be a dramatic shift in ideology.

Also, in hopes that some other citizens will read this, stop trying to press your religion upon others. Your faith does not, and should not, define rule of law. Separation of church and state is a two-way street. 

CommentID: 94844