Dear Viginia Department of Education, 

You have an important proposal before you, one which I wholeheartedly endorse. 

I had the pleasure of living in the fine state of Virginia for a while, in college, and found it to be a beautiful and welcoming place. This proposal, for the protection of trans students in public schools, is in line with the friendly spirit I encountered there.

A number of trans friends have enriched my life over the years, from a myriad of backgrounds and ethnicities. Sadly, they all have one thing in common - their school years, which should be a positive time for any young person, were marred by constant mistreatment at the hands of teachers and administrators - who were clueless at best and malevolent at worst.

The school system should be a haven of learning and new experiences through one of humankind's greatest gifts: the pursuit of knowledge. Prejudice and bigotry have no place in American educational institutions. And the stakes could not be higher: trans youths are at risk from a greater suicide rate than any other group of Americans. Misunderstanding, hatred, and venom are literally killing these children.

The department's approval of this proposal will create an even better environment in Virginia's well-respected public school system. Your support will make such a tremendous and wonderful difference in trans students' lives, letting them study under faculty who have been given the proper tools to help and support them. The proposal will be beneficial for cis students as well, to learn about (and celebrate) one of the many differences interwoven into the patchwork of American diversity.

Thank you as a once (and perhaps future) Virginian for the privilege of sharing my comments in support of this extremely important proposal.