By  Carissa Temerson

As you have probably heard, Governor Youngkin has proposed new policies that restrict the rights of transgender students in Virginia Public Schools. The proposed restrictions include forcing students to use bathrooms and locker rooms that align with their sex assigned at birth, only allowing students to participate in sports teams that align with their sex assigned at birth, and making it incredibly difficult for youth to be referred to by their correct names and pronouns.

According to NPR, under the proposed policies, “the legal name and sex of a student can’t be changed even upon written instruction of a parent or eligible student without an official legal document or court order.” Teachers and school officials will only be allowed to call students by the pronouns associated with their sex assigned at birth, not their gender identity. Teachers and school officials would also not be required to refer to students’ correct names regardless of paperwork filed by parents if they feel doing so would violate their constitutional rights.

Beginning on Monday 9/26/2022, the Virginia Department of Education will open a 30-day public comment period on the Virginia Regulatory Town Hall website. Please, submit your feedback here and let Governor Youngkin know that the rights of transgender children and youth must be protected!