My children will attend Fairfax County Public Schools when they are old enough and I look forward to policies like Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia’s Public Schools being in place when they get there. Whether or not my children identify as transgender, it is crucial that every person has safe and respectful treatment at school, mandated by VDOE, with clear education and guidance that may not come from the homes, faith groups or agencies that train teachers, staff and other students to lead or navigate a school setting full of people with diverse gender expressions. 

My faith nurtures all people as we are all made in the image of our loving creator, our whole lives-- any argument that people of faith don't support Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia’s Public Schools is bunk. There are plenty more parents of faith like me.

As our schools support our children as they grow into bright and capable adults, we must remember the plurality of our communities and that we have to ensure children in any minority who could be targets for cruelty or any treatment that derails education must receive extra protection and the staff and teachers around them must have the language and guidance to make sure all students receive high-quality education and growth experiences. 

Maybe next year we can take it a step further and offer similar protection to transgender staff and faculty...