Tonight’s School Board meeting in Stafford Co. will be dominated by debate over transgender student bathroom policy. Â A young boy who considers himself a girl is being permitted to use the girls bathroom, and girls who are uncomfortable with this are being told they must wait to use the bathroom. Â Students and parents are uncomfortable and upset with this situation. [read_more]
In an email to School Board member Scott Hirons, Equality Virginia pushes aggressively for the policy. Â When state and national organizations are coming in to pressure local school boards, it is important to support your school board member as he represents you and stands up to outside pressure.
Good afternoon School Board Member Hirons,
Equality Virginia is a statewide, non-partisan organization that actively engages in public education, outreach, and advocacy efforts to ensure equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) Virginians. One of our main programs is called Safe Schools, and through this program our main focus is to address bullying policies and make sure that all students, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression are protected. In addition to addressing bullying policies, our organization supports policies that ensure that all students have equal access to public accommodations, including restrooms, locker rooms, or changing facilitates.
It was brought to our attention that bathroom access for transgender students in the Stafford County public schools may be addressed by some constituents during the Citizens’ Comments period at next Tuesday’s board meeting, and I’ve taken the liberty to attach a document complied by GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network) and NCTE (National Center for Transgender Equality). This document provides a best practices approach to model policy language, definitions, case examples, and a resources page. Also, for context, I’ve attached a copy of Massachusetts’ guidance for creating a safe and supportive school environment, which specifically addresses non-discrimination on the basis of gender identity.
These documents are intended to provide you with some background, foundational material and I would be more than happy to discuss them over the phone if you would like, and/or provide you with additional supporting documents. Also, please feel welcome to utilize our organization as a tool for public education and support – we would be happy to work with leaders in your community to put together a public education workshop at your convenience.
Thank you for all that you do to ensure the safety and well-being of all Stafford County students. I look forward to your response!
All my best,
VirginiaVirginia Lamneck
Program Director
Equality Virginia
6 comments
that’s my dad
I apologize to everyone who read Jay Hughes outburst and the foul language contained in it. Jay is welcome to post here if he can avoid profanities.
I was there and spoke. I posted my report of what occurred in The Bearing Drift. Russ Moulton and the Lineweavers did an excellent job. Well done!
The school systems are paid for by taxpayers and are to serve students and students’ parents. Special interest groups outside the realm of Virginia values try to shame and intimidate the groups who want to maintain Virginia standards but should be told not in PUBLIC schools. Parents can still remove their children from those schools who feel it is their primary mission to alienate students from their parents’ values and start their own cooperative schools.
I am sorry but your chromosomes determine your sex and unless you’ve been tested and found to have an extra female chromosome then your still a male . I’m sorry but being born with an extra chromosome is rare . You can wake up one day and claim your a unicorn but that doesn’t make it so . And why should the girls be forced to share their bathroom with a person who claims they are female ? If he has a penis then he should use the boys bathroom . If I had a daughter I sure wouldn’t want her to exposed to a male coming into the restroom with her . If his parents don’t like it home school him .
Isn’t this the group that gives money to Bill Howell?