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.
Previous Comment     Next Comment     Back to List of Comments
2/3/21  11:04 pm
Commenter: Shyamali Hauth

Support for our transgender students
 

I strongly back legislation which supports our transgender students in Virginia. It is critical to build a better learning environment for our transgender students. As the mother of a transgender non-binary adult child, I know that using appropriate gender pronouns and chosen names is an important element of acceptance. But that is just the bare minimum. Including curriculum which is Transgender inclusive is essential to educating not just transgender students, but all students. This will help de-stigmatize LGBTQ youth and foster a safer and more welcoming environment. Ensuring all students have access to sanitary, safe, and affirming facilities is important and a basic human right. Lack of access to these facilities encourages bullying and anti-transgender violence. Additionally, having affirming and supportive counselors who respect the students privacy is critical. Our children across Virginia deserve the best education in a safe and welcoming environment. Transgender inclusion is key to making this happen.  ~ Shyamali Hauth, Reston Virginia. 

CommentID: 96977