Read the long response from ACLU-VA to Youngkin's transgender policy guidance
ACLU-VA points to several reasons they believe the guidance is illegal.
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Read the long response from ACLU-VA to Youngkin's transgender policy guidance
The ACLU of Virginia submitted their formal comment opposing the new transgender student policy guidance recently released by Governor Glenn Youngkin. The comment from ACLU-VA is long and highlights several different areas where they believe the new policy guidance is illegal.
“The 2022 Model Policies will not create a learning environment that is safe for all students,” the comment begins. “Instead, they will result in school district policies that threaten transgender students’ identity and basic humanity, ostracize them, and deprive them of the same opportunities afforded to cisgender students.”
ACLU-VA believes the 2022 Model Policies violate Virginia Code § 22.1- 23.3.
This section of the code states that the Department of Education shall develop model policies concerning the treatment of transgender students in public schools that address common issues regarding transgender students in accordance with evidence-based best practices and include information, guidance, and procedures.
“The 2022 Model Policies are not evidence-based, and they do not reflect the multi-disciplinary consensus around what best practices are necessary to ensure that transgender students have equal access to education in a manner free from discrimination, fear, intimidation, and bullying,” ACLU-VA wrote in their comment. “The 2022 Model Policies cite no evidence supporting the effectiveness or benefits of any of the proposed policies, nor do they reference any established best practices or recommendations”