Identity is important. Sex and gender are complicated and not as straight forward as we tend to make them. Both are crucial to the development of one’s identity. We must support students who do not fit what has too long been consider the “traditional” identity mold. The world has changed and we must update policies to reflect those changes. Students spend majority of their days at school and we must create spaces in which they are safe, comfortable, and accepted. By continuing to force students to use their “sex assigned” bathrooms, locker rooms, sports, dress code, etc. we are inherently teaching them we do not value who they truly are as individuals and perpetuating outdated ways of discrimination through a series of falsehoods, misinformation, and stereotypes as excuses to not put forth these needed policies. This can only lead to continued harm to identity creation, social-emotional development, and unjust treatment
I support the practices and updates outlined in the VDOE document and look forward to the progress we can make together for the future of our transgendered students.