We should strive for inclusion and an understanding of intrinsic human value and dignity.
I am astounded that many statements from our politicians, and leaders have stated that this policy "simply require[s] the involvement of parents in important decisions about the lives of their children" or current policy "allows teachers and school administrators to keep parents in the dark about important information about their own children" or "we should not accommodate your mental illness" and many more. At the same time these same people espouse to the notion of "pro life".
Let's take a step back and think about the value of All human life and the dignity of ALL human life. I am a parent of a large family in current standards. Our children who have gone through Virginia Public Schools and we value ALL life no matter where that person is in their life journey. When you look at ALL people with dignity and respect, you cannot dismiss them so easily or demean them or discount their struggles because you do not understand or it is not convenient for you or socially acceptable for you to engage with them.
Our children are our future and our present. We should protect, educate, guide, love, and cherish them for who they are and all they have the potential to become. In doing so, we are charged with working with our community, neighbors, teachers, and others to raise the next generation of citizens to be their best people they can. Not all families are this supportive and therefore the community must take up the slack and help. Transgender children who have supportive parents will have no issue working with the tribe around their child but those who do not have supportive parents need that tribe to protect them and work to help those parents understand and work with their child. The proposed policy does not provide support for the youth who have no support to start with. The rates of self harm, bullying, harassment, violence, and suicide for these youth are astounding. This policy would make things worse and these numbers will only rise.
The schools are not keeping parents in the dark, they are not denying parents to be involved in their children's lives and this is not a mental illness problem. The schools are providing the safe environment they have tried to be for centuries to children. Let's focus on educating parents how to speak with their children and allowing children to have a voice. Children need to have a safe environment to be true to themselves and that space SHOULD be at home and at school! Do not take one of these away as they may only have one space to begin with. None of this is easy but let's not make it harder.
I am an LGBTQ+ ally as I believe in the dignity of ALL human life. Therefore, I cannot support the Youngkin proposed policy and hope our leaders do not as well.