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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1/8/21  4:42 pm
Commenter: MMC

In opposition to transgender policies
 

VDOE should NOT approve the model policies giving special accommodations to students who self-identify as transgender.  These policies disregard the rights of the many, many students who would be negatively affected by these accommodations for the very, very few students in question. These policies particularly hurt girls and young women by creating opportunities for those of the opposite biological sex to victimize and abuse them in private settings, such as locker rooms, hotel rooms, and bathrooms.  Why on earth, in this political and cultural moment, would you open up avenues for this exploitation of and assault on women?  Schools have a duty to protect the bodily privacy and dignity of all students.  Students have the right to this privacy.  Parents have the right to demand the upholding of these rights for their children.  Let me repeat this last point: The model regulations infringe upon the First Amendment rights of parents to raise and care for their children, protection of them from all harms -- bodily and psychologically are key here -- being paramount.  Oppose these proposals immediately.

CommentID: 89087