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School buses in Virginia: Trans children should be guided by their biological sex
PHOTO: KEVIN LAMARQUE / REUTERS
Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin has restricted the rights of trans students in the US state of Virginia.
That emerges from the new model guidelines of the Ministry of Education, which were published online.
Among other things, the guidelines state that schoolchildren should only use the toilets and changing rooms that correspond to their biological sex.
Schools should be allowed to separate their sports teams by biological sex.
The guidelines also make it difficult for students to change their names.
They should be addressed by the names and pronouns supported by official documents, unless their parents consent to a name change.
Parents must also be given the opportunity to object before gender identity counseling services are offered.
The guide is subject to a 30-day so-called public comment period, which begins later this month.
Thereafter, local school boards must adopt policies that are "consistent" with departmental policies but may be "more comprehensive," the regulation says.
2021 policies reversed
As recently as 2021, then-Democratic Gov. Ralph Northam passed guidelines allowing trans students to use names and gender pronouns that reflect their gender identity without having to provide official documentation to prove it.
The guidelines also stated that students have access to programs and spaces that are consistent with their gender identity.
A spokesman for incoming Governor Youngkin, who took office in January, said the updated guidelines meet the governor's commitment to upholding the dignity and respect of all students in public schools.
The updated guidelines also state that schools must ensure that no students are discriminated against because of their gender.
Pupils with special needs must be accommodated.
It also includes students "with a persistent and sincere belief" that their gender identity is different from their biological sex.
Conservative "enthusiastic"
Conservatives in Virginia welcome the new guidelines.
"We are thrilled that Governor Youngkin is leading our schools to respect the privacy and dignity of all students and to honor the vital role of parents in their children's lives," said Victoria Cobb, president of the Family Foundation, a Christian fundamentalist organization.
Democrats and LGBTQ advocacy groups have criticized the changes.
The policy was "absolutely disgraceful," tweeted Democratic Rep. Mike Mullin.
»Trans children deserve to learn and thrive in an environment free from bullying, intimidation and fear.
That means being spoken to for who they are and supporting them in who they will be.«
Senate Democrats called the move "a gross violation of the civil rights" of the people of Virginia in a joint statement.
This continues former US President Donald Trump's policy of wiping out diversity and inclusion.
ptz/AP
