These thoughtful model policies provide guidance for school divisions and schools in how to comply with Virginia nondiscrimination law and maintain a safe and supportive learning environment free from discrimination and harassment for all students. Having a VDOE model policy reduces the burden on each local school division and school board to develop their own policy from scratch. And this policy incorporates best practices for making sure that every student has the opportunity to learn in a safe environment. No child should fear going to school because of who they are.
I care about this because my faith tradition teaches that there is that of G-d in every person, including gender variant people who are often pushed to the margins by the dominant culture. I also care about this because it will make a concrete difference in improving the lives of young people who I know and will reduce the stress on their parents related to navigating conversations with school staff.