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.
Previous Comment     Next Comment     Back to List of Comments
1/15/21  9:21 pm
Commenter: Joanna

Oppose drafts on transgender policies HB145 and SB161
 

I am opposed to the drafts on transgender policies, HB 145 and SB 161.  These policies would infringe the First Amendment Rights of parents to raise and care for their children and they would potentially pit children against their parents on important issues regarding sex and gender identity. 

Also, no one, child nor adult, should be forced to share showers, locker rooms, or other intimate settings with members of the opposite biological sex.  Many children, and adults, would feel uncomfortable and even threatened, when they encounter a member of the opposite sex in gendered facilities.  

Schools should NOT accommodate the harmful view that youth is an appropriate time to encourage "gender transitions", especially irreversible ones.

CommentID: 90301