Gov. Glenn Youngkin Reverses Virginia Schools’ ‘Transgender’ Policies

The state of Virginia in 2021 enacted policies to allow individuals pretending to be the opposite sex access to private facilities like restrooms and changing rooms designated for the opposite sex. The policies also allowed boys to play on girls’ sports teams, and vice versa. Government schools began implementing the policy.

Under Governor Glenn Youngkin, the Virginia Department of Education seeks to reverse the policies and replace them with new ones: “2022 Model Policies On the Privacy, Dignity, and Respect For All Students and Parents in Virginia’s Public Schools.” From the report (PDF) on the model policy (emphasis added):

The 2021 Model Policies promoted a specific viewpoint aimed at achieving cultural and social transformation in schools. The 2021 Model Policies also disregarded the rights of parents and ignored other legal and constitutional principles that significantly impact how schools educate students, including transgender students.

The department now seeks to provide “clear, accurate, and useful guidance to Virginia school boards that align with statutory provisions.” One of the guiding principles is for schools to respect parents’ values and beliefs. Schools also must keep parents informed about the well-being of their children.

Under the new policies, participation in sex-specific sports, overnight accommodations, locker rooms, “and other intimate spaces used for school-related activities and events shall be based on sex.”

Virginia’s “transgender” policies were a factor in parents rising up and flipping the state from blue to red. Parents attended school board meetings and made their disapproval known. Such policies not only violate the rights of parents but also violate the privacy of girls and undermine their safety and sense of modesty.

A father in Loudoun County was arrested at a school board meeting for accusing the board of covering up his daughter’s rape. She said a boy wearing a skirt followed her into the girls’ restroom and raped her. The school sent the boy to a different school, where he allegedly assaulted another girl.

Attorney General Jason Miyares convened a grand jury in April to investigate how Loudoun County Public Schools handled the incidents. The school district asked a court to dismiss the investigation. The court refused. The Virginia Supreme Court recently rejected the school district’s request to file the appeal under seal.

Glenn Youngkin reverses Virginia policy on pronouns and transgenders in public schools:

“Staff and students cannot be forced to use preferred pronouns and on bathrooms and locker room use, students must use facilities consistent with his or her sex.” pic.twitter.com/kHGjrsrFMY

— Citizen Free Press (@CitizenFreePres) September 17, 2022

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