Over the course of the last fiver years I had the privilege to work with many students along the LGBTQ+ spectrum. These students were incredible in so many ways and a joy to work with. They were passionate, hardworking, creative, and spirited individuals. Their gender identity was not always easy and often a process of discovery. I am so thankful that my class and school overall (for the most part) could be a safe space for these young adults. Unfortunately not all schools in Virginia create safe spaces for trans-gender (gender-expansive, nonbinary, and gender nonconforming) individuals. This policy is a step towards providing a safe learning space for all students in Virginia's schools. While our state and nation's history is full of discriminatory policies and laws, Model Policies presents us with an opportunity to do better going forward. I want my state's laws and policies to reflect values of freedom and respect for the most vulnerable among us - our children.