I fully support the draft guidance provided by the Virginia Department of Education for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia's Public Schools. As a nurse and mother of three children I know that children need to be accepted and feel safe and supported in school in order to have any success in school. As a Christian I feel it is important that we help children listen to their inner voices and their inner knowings which are the ways that they will be able to connect most closely with God. In order to do that they have to have safe spaces. This set of policies and its adoption will allow teachers to feel better supported in order to help all students. These policies are not about pushing anyone to be or do anything but instead focus on what it means to make a safe environment for all individual children and teenagers. We love putting people into categories and groups and to make things black and white but we all know that on so many things we are not black and white or one or the other. Gender expansiveness and the gender spectrum are not new phenomena. Neither are issues of faith and doubt. We need to have the language and understanding to be inclusive and affirming of transgender students. All students deserve to be seen and understood. Thank you for these policies and for prioritizing the safety, well-being, and inclusion of all Virginia students.