As a professional biologist who also has training in human gender and sexuality studies, I strongly support this evidence-based policy. We are in a period of rapidly learning more about the incredible diversity of human beings, at all levels of both biological sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. This policy applies that new knowledge to making schools safer for our children.
Opposition to this policy which claims to be based in biology or "common sense" ignores decades of work in biology, psychology, and the social sciences. I strongly encourage the VDOE to listen to the research, and to the many transgender people who would have benefited from similar policies. We have an obligation to make things better for the next generation.