Law
New law protects transgender students
By Hannah Natanson, Washington Post, adapted by Newsela staff
Published:
Word Count:790
Recommended for:Middle School - High School
Text Level:12
Transgender students attending public school in Virginia can expect more comprehensive safeguards against harassment from peers, teachers and administrators under a measure signed March 4 by Governor Ralph Northam, a Democrat.
The legislation, which mirrors policies adopted by roughly a dozen other states, requires the Virginia Department of Education to develop and publish rules regulating the treatment of transgender students in elementary, middle and high schools. The guidelines will span topics including bullying, dress codes, school record-keeping and the use of bathrooms.
The department must finalize and publish its guidance by the end of this year, and school boards throughout the state must adopt the rules by the start of the 2021-2022 school year.
"In Virginia, we fully expect our schools to treat transgender students - like all students - with the dignity and respect they deserve," Northam said. "This bill represents an important step toward making Virginia more welcoming and inclusive of all."
The measure, proposed in the House by Delegate Marcus Simon, Democrat of Fairfax, and Delegate Joshua Cole, Democrat of Fredericksburg, is the latest in a string of landmark LGBTQ rights measures to pass the General Assembly this year, landing on the governor's desk with the backing of Democratic majorities in the House and Senate - a level of dominance Democrats have not enjoyed for a generation. The vote on the measure split along party lines in both chambers of the General Assembly.
On March 2, in another victory for LGBTQ advocates, Northam signed a bill banning conversion therapy for minors.
In pushing for the transgender regulations, students, parents and activists argued that a lack of statewide guidance has led to significant variation in how transgender children fare in Virginia schools.
Some students are treated well, allowed to use the bathroom matching their gender identity and to swiftly alter their name and gender as recorded in school documents, such as their high school diploma. But others, families and activists say, are suffering - pain that has sometimes preceded suicide attempts.
Research suggests there are roughly 4,000 transgender teenagers in Virginia, and studies have shown that transgender youth are far more likely to try to take their own lives.
"Kids are at enormous risk," Robert Norris Rigby, a Virginia high school teacher and president of Fairfax County Public Schools Pride, said in December.
The case of Virginia student Gavin Grimm - a transgender student who was barred by school officials from using the boys' restroom - received national attention in recent years. Grimm sued, and his suit ascended to the Supreme Court. It was later returned to a lower court, where a judge ruled in August that Grimm's rights had been violated.
In the years since Grimm's case, some school districts sought on their own to improve the experience of transgender students: Between 15 and 20 systems, out of more than 130 in Virginia, passed regulations to protect transgender students.
But at least two school systems stipulated that students must use facilities that match their biological sex. Policies such as these seem likely to conflict with the forthcoming Education Department guidelines.
The bill sponsored by Simon and Cole passed the House 60 to 39, with almost every Democrat (one did not vote) and six Republicans in favor. The Senate passed it 22 to 18, with every Democrat and one Republican voting for the measure.
Both chambers also passed an identical Senate bill, proposed by Senator Jennifer Boysko, Democrat of Fairfax, and Northam signed that measure on March 4, too.
"Transgender students, their peers and their teachers will benefit from a consistent statewide policy," Boysko said.
Anthony Belotti, a 19-year-old Richmond college student, found out the morning of March 5 the legislation had passed when he walked into Cole's office, where he has been interning part-time, and a colleague jumped up to tell him the news.
Belotti, a graduate of Colonial Forge High School in Stafford who identifies as transgender, helped craft the bill in January, offering advice on substance and syntax. It feels surreal, he said, that a piece of legislation he assisted in shaping has become the law of his home state.
"I am so excited that it has passed so that no student will endure what I did," said Belotti, who developed urinary tract infections after Colonial Forge administrators barred him from using the men's restroom, causing him to wait until he got home.
He plans to celebrate by gathering with a group of transgender friends - and he will be relishing a few sentences in particular.
"My favorite part of the language in this law," Belotti said, "is that it allows for districts to add more protections if they feel it's necessary."
It feels, he said, like "built-in next steps" leading to a better future.
I think that it is a positive thing that these schools in Virginia are progressing with the times and making the school environments more welcoming of all students creating a safe atmosphere where these kids can feel free to express themselves
ReplyDeleteWhile, yes, students have more freedom to express themselves, I would personally feel very uncomfortable if I knew that a boy who now acts and believes that they are a girl, enter a bathroom I am using or the locker room.
Deletei feel the same way if a girl who transitioned to a boy came into somewhere i am such as a bathroom or locker room id flip out
DeleteWhat these Virginia school are doing is a positive thing but it's important to also see how it's going to impact other students. Other students may not feel comfortable with Trans-boys/girls using the facilities that are meant for the gender opposite to the one they were born as.
DeleteAlthough it is great to see how times are changing and people can now express themselves more than ever, I do agree that it would be awkward to have these encounters.
DeleteI mean its just labeled as a safe atmosphere, but as you can see, nobody would really be ok with it. When we had that transgender kid in 9th grade he didnt even last till the end of the year. He was on my bus and would just get into fights and saying girls look like a man when was a man trying to be a girl. Then he ended up moving districts. Like i dont even see an easy solution. A LOT of people don't agree with the transgender thing and like you can't force people to be nice to them even if you try to make them equals though legal action.
Deletepeople are strange and they do strange things. Trans people have the right to believe they are the opposite gender but they should not go into facilities meant for the opposite sex than the one they were born with. this can lead to situations where someone uses the facilities to peep claiming they are trans.
ReplyDeleteagreed
DeleteI agree as there are some situations where trans people are accused of peeping or other low crimes when they truly haven't done anything wrong but made a decision that wasn't at the right time.
DeleteI agree as there are some situations where trans people are accused of peeping or other low crimes when they truly haven't done anything wrong but made a decision that wasn't at the right time.
Deletethere's nothing against making a safe environment for students like these but also have to take into account how it can affect others. some people aren't going to be very welcoming to this idea.
ReplyDeletei agree. after all, there are separate bathrooms for a reason.
DeleteAlthough they have the right to use which ever bathroom they feel comfortable using, these new ideas aren't going to be welcomed with open arms. Over time people would become more accustom to them but won't stop the fears people have about it.
ReplyDeleteIts great to see how schools are taking different measure to protect the kids freedom of expression but unfortunately this is something that will never sit well with some people and thats the sad reality to it.
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DeleteI agree, there will always be someone who judges or feels uncomfortable with a new reality.
DeleteI agree. I think it's sad people would still not all a transgender person use the bathroom of their choice.
DeleteI don't see whats so hard about going to the bathroom associated with your biological gender. They did it most of their lives. It's just weird. I mean I get the whole equality thing, and when it comes to peoples level of comfort, the law doesn't really care (unless its nudity) so if you even try to force them to go to their normal bathrooms it would just be a big lawsuit. There's no winning. Either the transgender is uncomfortable or the people around them are uncomfortable.
ReplyDeleteThe issue is they are not comfortable in the gender they were born with. They feel and want to be a different issue and the ability to use the bathroom of choice is a fundamental right for transgender population.
DeleteEvery individual has equal right to express and show their feelings and
ReplyDeleteNo one has the right to belittle or discrimanate others, but they need to consider the right of using a Bathroom.
It is true that the students must use facilities that much their biological sex because nowadays people are getting worst
and this thing can lead them to peep and can draw them into the wrong work.
So, in the article about Virginia they need to think of the right ways so that their students can express their feelings freely. Conducting seminars are good also they need to be aware of their student's situation and behaviors also for their staffs.
All people should be treated equally, it’s sad there’s so much problems trying to treat people with decency.
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ReplyDeleteWhether your transgender or not everyone has the right to express themselves but they should also understand that not everyone feels comfortable in their environment. Everyone has a different perspective and you're allowed to say and express how you feel if you don't feel comfortable in your own skin but you cant expect everyone to see the world the way some people do because not everyone is the same however we are all equal and should be treated equally.
ReplyDeleteIf you identify as a certain sex or orientation you are still human and should be treated as that. Although some people may not value that statement, more and more people are advocating for the LGBTQ community. The laws that have been passed help the community build awareness and acceptance. As well as help the children who identify as such to feel comfortable in public places like a school, which should already be accepting. The laws that are being put into place prove that the LGBTQ community is being heard.
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ReplyDeletePeople have many different opinions and will continue to judge or comment on someone's belief. We just need to support those in need of help. We can't let our belief's get in the way of a new system of living
ReplyDeleteI believe that everyone should be treated equally no matter what you identify as. There will always be negative people out there who don’t understand transgenders, and because of that they turn to depression or even suicide.They are people too and they deserve as much of rights as anyone else.
ReplyDeletei completely agree
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ReplyDeleteAlthough it would be rather odd for someone who is not transgender to see a transgender walk into a bathroom or locker room, I believe that everyone should treated equally and if they feel as though they can use the bathroom that they identify as then by all means go ahead. People shouldn't immediately look down on them and should realize the fact that transgenders have the same rights as anyone else.
ReplyDeletei understand why schools are ensuing these policies for transgender students, but many students as well as myself would feel uncomfortable. A solution that may work that many universities have been starting is installing gender neutral bathrooms so any student can feel comfortable using the bathroom.
ReplyDeleteI 100% understand why this is a huge topic. This is something that should be spoken about greatly. Some would feel uncomfortable and others may not. Simple due to the fact that they have been used to two bathrooms, two genders their whole life. However everyone should be treated equal no matter the color, race, beliefs, or identity.
ReplyDeleteEveryone should be treated equally no matter what even if people don't agree to it. All that matters is the person's happiness of who they are.
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