As a school employee in Virginia, I recognize the difficulty trans students face in school each day. Transgender students deserve to have their education protected and to be treated with equal respect. It is our job to make sure that when a student walks into school each day their main priority is to learn and grow. Every day that Virginia fails to protect and encourage transgender students is a day when Virginia fails to provide high-quality, cutting edge education to all. In order to serve our future, we must serve our students - and that INCLUDES our transgender students. I strongly encourage the state of Virginia to take all necessary steps to provide transgender students the education and protections they need and deserve.