Virginia Regulatory Town Hall
Agency
Department of Education
 
Board
State Board of Education
 
Guidance Document Change: The Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia’s Public Schools guidance document was developed in response to House Bill 145 and Senate Bill 161, enacted by the 2020 Virginia General Assembly, which directed the Virginia Department of Education to develop and make available to each school board model policies concerning the treatment of transgender students in public elementary and secondary schools. These guidelines address common issues regarding transgender students in accordance with evidence-based best practices and include information, guidance, procedures, and standards relating to: compliance with applicable nondiscrimination laws; maintenance of a safe and supportive learning environment free from discrimination and harassment for all students; prevention of and response to bullying and harassment; maintenance of student records; identification of students; protection of student privacy and the confidentiality of sensitive information; enforcement of sex-based dress codes; and student participation in sex-specific school activities, events, and use of school facilities.
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1/14/21  8:54 pm
Commenter: Carl Twigg

DOE Sexual identity guidance
 

I am opposed to the guidance.  I see that many of the supporters of this guidance simply say they support it and want everyone to be treated equitably.  I would like to make two points.  First, for everyone to be treated fairly, you have to consider those children and families that feel that sexual identity is a physical issue assigned at birth and not a psychological issue determined throughout ones life.  Forcing everyone to align with one view or another is not treating everyone fairly.  Second, I agree with the supporters assertion that all should be treated fairly.  As another commenter has pointed out, bullying laws have already been established and teachers should ensure that everyone is treated with respect.  Americans need to respect everyone, not agree with everyone.  Healthy relationships do not ensue from being forced to align with an ideology.  Healthy relationships develop when opposing views can be presented (and adhered to) with respect for those opposing views.  The department of education needs to focus on its mandate to educate our children and not venture into establishing their personal moral views.

CommentID: 90093