Dear Governor Younkin and Secretary Guidera:
I appreciate the opportunity to comment on Draft Guidance for SB 656. I oppose having politicians approve the terms of "sexually explicit content." In my 60 years as a proud Virginian, with many years experience in the Arlington, Fairfax, Prince William, and Stafford school systems, I have never met a teacher or librarian who did not use thoughtful, reasoned and respectful common sense concerning sexually explicit content. These educators generally do right for children. This Draft Guidance has the strong potential to undermine education. Instead of promoting free speech and an educated population that seeks to nurture the unique good in each child, this legislation will likely create extra burdens for already over-burdened teachers, shame kids who are different, cancel free speech, and ban books.
Virginia does not need this cancel culture.
Respectfully,
Jean