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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1/5/21  12:41 pm
Commenter: Kristen Allen

Government overreach and assault on parental rights
 

+These policies are harmful to families, transgender students and all children. The affirmation and celebration of gender identities not in line with biological sex leads to dependence on cross-gender hormones, mutilating surgeries, the loss of private and safe spaces for girls. 

+The policies lead to confusion among all children as they question whether they can trust the body they were born in, or need to declare their pronouns. They are forced to address sexual identity issues before it is developmentally appropriate. 

+While some believe these policies are well-intentioned, they in fact undermine the primary role parents have in raising their children. 

+It is a gross act of arrogance for schools to insert themselves in the most intimate of developmental stages when children are wrestling with their identities. 

+These policies make no allowances for teachers, parents or students who disagree with affirming transgender identities based on biology, morality, common sense or safety concerns. 

This is bad policy for all Virginians! 

 

CommentID: 88292