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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8/3/22  10:42 pm
Commenter: Anonymous

Strongly Oppose
 

As a taxpayer in Loudoun County I would like to state my opposition to this policy. I don’t approve of the state intervening to portray queer people as deviants. Homophobia and transphobia harm the LGBTQ community and this policy would not only contribute to that harm, but also perpetuate it. Parents can monitor and make decisions for their own families right now. This policy is unnecessary. I strongly oppose this policy as it leaves in place the § 2.2-2827 definition of "sexual content" that includes homosexuality as a sexual deviancy. It also expands content to include all books within a school library. Age-appropriate LGBTQ+ books contain artful stories and can help queer children and their allies find context, purpose, and humanity.

Children deserve to see themselves and their stories in the available literature so they know that we all have a place in this beautiful tapestry of life and community.

CommentID: 127083