VDOE,
I strongly oppose the proposed transgender guidelines. They would eradicate all distinctions between male and female, distinctions that are CRITICAL for children to understand, and indoctrinate our school children, assuming a role that should be reserved for parents.
Failure to use a student’s new “preferred pronouns” – which can change from day to day and even defy basic rules of grammar – should NOT be considered harassment (Recommended Standard, p.10). Furthermore, students and faculty should NOT be subject to disciplinary action due to failure to use the preferred pronoun of a student.
Schools should be explicitly forbidden from "helping" a student explore, facilitate and make decisions regarding his/her gender expression of sexual identity. This is a role for parents to play, not anyone in the school system.
Under the proposed guidelines, all students will be allowed to use any bathroom or locker room they choose, without being questioned by any school administrator or faculty. This is inappropriate and would violate the privacy and safety of students in states of undress.
Bill Parsons
Springfield, VA