I am a parent of two children in Fairfax County Public Schools and I strongly oppose this proposed guidance. This proposal is a solution in search of a problem and the mere suggestion that the discussion of LGBTQIA lived experiences is sexually explicit is discriminatory and perpetuates harmful stereotypes about LGBTQIA folks. The erasure of LGBTQIA experiences from our schools seeks to erase LGBTQIA kids and their families, which cause irreparable harm to our at-risk LGBTQIA youth and result in a substandard education for all Virginia students.

Don’t inflict your culture wars on our kids. 600+ kids have already voiced their opposition and parents like myself across the Commonwealth deserve to have our voices heard so that our children will receive the excellent and inclusive education that they deserve.

The purpose of public education is to create good citizens who will contribute to and enrich our society and support the democratic institutions that Americans (and Virginians) so value. Model policies that erase and vilify LGBTQIA will not create good citizens, but they will endanger at risk students and shortchange ALL students of the education and tools they need and deserve.

Sincerely,

Michelle Wiss

Fairfax County