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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2/3/21  1:51 pm
Commenter: Anonymous

Strongly Oppose
 

This goes way beyond trying to help transgendered students feel included. I agree that no one should be put down or bullied for any reason. But this? This is outrageous! You are saying that an 18 year old male can walk into a girl's bathroom, without question, where my 14/15 year old daughter could be changing/using the restroom unsupervised. How is the safe? This is crossing way over the line of indoctrination. Yes, many students are questioning who they are in their teenage years, but it is not the school's job to tell them who they are. Parents know their children, it is their job to parent. It is not the school's job to help a confused young person explore their gender identity. And where does it stop? The law states that these students may not identify as male or female? What will the school say to them? Tell them they can be anything they choose that day? Ridiculous! Our schools need to protect ALL students. This law is protecting the few while putting many at risk. NO, I am not saying that transgendered students are violent sex offenders, I am saying that once young people understand what they can get away with under this law, that there will be innocent students hurt. By all means, train your guidance counselors, principals, gym coaches, athletic trainers, teachers, etc., what to do and how to guide students who reach out to them. But this is taking it TOO FAR!

CommentID: 95510