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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2/3/21  8:34 pm
Commenter: Anonymous

Strongly oppose
 

I strongly oppose this bill. This allows school personnel to insert themselves into the life of a child and drive a wedge between them and the parent. Not using correct pronouns is not violence and should not be a reason to contact Child Protective Services. Also, I do not want boys to be allowed to enter a girls bathroom without being stopped. This opens the door to all kinds of issues. If there is a transgender kid and they would prefer a different bathroom, give them access to a completely separate private bathroom. They should NOT under any circumstances enter the bathroom of the opposite sex. This will protect all parties. Another consideration is if a female who feels they are a boy enters the boys bathroom could be hurt by the biological males. They need to be protected as well and should use a separate bathroom if they do not want to enter the girls bathroom. All this to say, is the transgender conversation should happen at home with parents and should not be influenced by school personnel AND all parties (females, males and transgenders) should be and feel protected in school bathrooms. 

CommentID: 96407