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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1/18/21  3:57 pm
Commenter: Anonymous

Strongly Oppose
 

I am registering my strong opposition to the changes regarding language (preferred pronouns) and use of bathrooms. These changes will have detrimental effect on the physical and mental health all children. Your intent may be to sooth feelings of some children. Enacting these rules, however, will be creating an environment negatively effecting the overwhelming majority of students. These rules will only increase severe mental health issues related to depression and anxiety, not reduce these issues. We've already seen massive increases in depression and anxiety among children and adolescents, and increases in suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, and, sadly, suicide. These result can be avoided by reversing and not implementing these directives. 

CommentID: 90634