A trio of Northern Virginia school districts vowed to oppose an order from Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s administration that would sharply curtail the rights of transgender students, while others suggested they would comply as school leaders across the state swallowed a 180-degree U-turn in gender identity politics.
Late last week, Youngkin (R) ordered all 133 of the state’s school districts to adopt new “model policies” after a comment period. They will require that transgender students have access to school facilities and programs consistent with the gender assigned to them at birth. The state will also require families to submit legal documentation if they want to allow their children to change their name or gender on official school records. Teachers and other school personnel may not refer to a student by a different name or pronoun unless parents request the change in writing.
Early reaction from school leaders suggests that while much of the state may comply with the order, Youngkin is likely to face resistance from more liberal districts. There is already talk of a lawsuit challenging the order, with opponents arguing it violates the Virginia Human Rights Act, which protects individuals in public settings, including schools, from discrimination based on gender identity.
The Washington Post reached out to every school district in the state for comment, and most had no initial comment. But in Northern Virginia, the initial response from several districts was starkly negative.
Virginia’s policy is the latest attempt to limit the rights of transgender students
Alexandria Public Schools leaders have vowed to maintain their commitment to “gender-affirming policies” for all students.
“We are concerned about these ‘model policies’ which are not aligned with our mission, vision and core values of supporting all students and staff, in particular our core value of ensuring we provide a welcoming environment for everyone in our school community ,” said a letter to staff and families from the district’s school board president, Megan L. Alderton, and interim superintendent, Melanie Kay-Wyatt.
Falls Church City Public Schools also suggests it can hold up. In a statement to the community, leaders said they wanted to “reassure our community that we value and support every student in our charge.” They wrote that the district is committed to following the Virginia Human Rights Act and case law, which require “respecting the gender identity of transgender students like any other student.”
A similar statement came from Arlington Public Schools, along with a link to resources for LGBTQ youth and assurances that existing nondiscrimination policies remain in place.
Other counties said they were awaiting additional guidance from the state, and some suggested they would comply with whatever directives are issued.
“Pulaski County Public Schools maintains the position that it always follows state law and includes policies and procedures as directed by the Virginia Department of Education,” said Kevin W. Sears, superintendent for the district. “That’s how we arrived at our current policy and the guiding principle by which we will make future adjustments.”
The new policy is a reversal of the statewide order put in place just two years ago by Youngkin’s Democratic predecessor, Gov. Ralph Northam. His version mandates that transgender students have access to restrooms, locker rooms, and changing rooms that match their gender identity. The guidelines also mandate that schools allow transgender students to participate in school programs consistent with their gender identity, and require districts and teachers to accept and use students’ gender pronouns and identities without question.
Culpeper County Public Schools said the district is already in compliance with the new rules and that it never adopted Northam’s guidelines in the first place.
Department Superintendent Anthony S. Brads said in an email that teachers and staff are required to address students by the names and pronouns listed on class lists, and that if a family wants to change that, the student and at least one parent must do so. application to the school principal. He said transgender students are accommodated with bathroom access if they “consistently and honestly identify as their gender” and if it is confirmed by at least one parent or legal guardian.
“We believe that with such an important decision, children need parental permission,” added Russell Hawk, executive director of student services at Culpeper. “We cannot take students on a field trip, take medication at school, or participate in a sports team without written parental consent.”
He said it was not fair for teachers to expect them to call a student by one name in class and call him another when talking to parents. If students are afraid to talk to their parents about their identity, he said, the school can help prepare them for that conversation. “We believe that almost all parents, once given time to process and learn more about gender dysphoria, will lovingly support their child, because that’s been our experience.”
Stafford County Public Schools official James Stemple said his district already requires a gender support plan for transgender students, which must be initiated by parents or guardians.
And a spokesperson for Chesapeake Public Schools said the district is reviewing the new guidelines and “will present proposed amendments for board approval if warranted.”
Martinsville Public Schools spokeswoman Kali Hietala said the district allows transgender students to use school facilities and participate in sports according to their gender identity and that teachers use students’ preferred names and pronouns. Students can initiate changes to their names or pronouns, and teachers are not required to tell parents if this happens.
She did not indicate what would come next.
“Whether or not our current policies change is a matter for our school board to decide,” she said. “We will respect the decisions they make.
Hannah Nathanson contributed to this report.
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