Virginia Regulatory Town Hall
Agency
Department of Education
 
Board
State Board of Education
 
Guidance Document Change: The guidance document "Model Policies Concerning Instructional Materials with Sexually Explicit Content" was developed in conjunction with stakeholders in order to comply with SB656 (2022).
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8/1/22  12:34 pm
Commenter: Kimberly Irvin, RCPS

Strong Opposition to SB 656
 

The removal of “sexually explicit materials” is FAR too ambiguous and what the policy really targets is the removal of LGBTQ+. The inclusion of LGBTQ+ language in written material does not make children “gay”. Furthermore, the removal of LGBTQ+ language in written material will not make persons who identify as such go away. What this policy will do is set back our state by decades, returning our students to a high risk of suicide because they feel unwanted. Our students are far more perceptive than we give them credit for. This policy will trigger emotions of rejection and shame which we know to be the key components for suicide. I STRONGLY oppose this policy and the intent behind it.

CommentID: 124348