Students Across Virginia Walk Out Over Anti-Trans Policies
Students across Virginia walked out in protest because of anti-trans policies proposed by the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) under Governor Glenn Youngkin’s Republican administration.
Students marched out of school carrying Pride flags and holding signs supporting the trans community, according to LGBTQ Nation.
Students at Annandale High School chanted “Protect trans youth” and “Say no to the DOE.” A trans student spoke about their personal experience not being affirmed by their parents.
“Emphasize that you have a legal right to protest,” the Pride Liberation Project – a group of over 500 LGBTQ+ students and allies from across the state who organized the walk out – wrote on Instagram.
The proposed policies would require permission from a student’s parents before teachers can use a name or pronoun they were not given at birth. Teachers will be allowed to misgender students even if parents submit all the required requests, because of a teachers’ rights to free speech. Teachers will also be required to share with parents information regarding students’ gender identity.
Students would also be required to use locker rooms and restrooms, play sports, and participate in all other gender-segregated school activities according to their sex assigned at birth.
The policies are currently in a public comment period until October 26.
Throughout Youngkin's campaign, he repeatedly denigrated transgender people, referred to trans girls as “biological males” who are “not fair” for trying to participate in sports, and was honored at a gala by an anti-LGBTQ+ group – which was supported by hate groups and Trump-affiliated organizations. Days before the election, Youngkin said he is against same-sex marriage, although he pledged he “will support” that right when he is in office.
Read related myGwork articles here:
Virginia Reverses Protections For Trans Students
Virginia Governor Plans To Force Teachers To Out Students
Virginia House Passes First Bill To Roll Back LGBTQ+ Rights After Republicans Won It Back
Republicans Are Hoping To Make Virginia The Next State To Ban Trans Youth From Sports
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