CW: This email contains language regarding recent transphobic attacks led by Virginia school board members and Governor Youngkin. Please read with care. Dear John, As many students head back to school, we’re thinking about the LGBTQ+ youth who are excited to be back with their peers but remain uncertain about their school climate. Virginia schools should be a space where all students feel safe to learn, grow, and be themselves. Yet many students - particularly transgender and nonbinary youth - are going back to school across the Commonwealth and entering actively hostile environments. This past Tuesday, we saw the Hanover County School Board pass a harmful bathroom and locker room policy that will require transgender and nonbinary students to provide private information, even a criminal background record, before receiving approval from the School Board to use the bathroom. This policy is discriminatory, invasive, and unnecessary. It will put transgender and nonbinary students at further risk for bullying and harassment. On the heels of Hanover County School Board’s decision, Governor Youngkin has made it clear that his campaign against transgender and nonbinary students is not ending anytime soon. At a back to school rally in Fairfax yesterday, the Governor spent his time attacking the Virginia Department of Education’s model policy for transgender and nonbinary students, reaffirmed his opposition to transgender inclusion in sports, and yet again said LGBTQ+ youth should be outed to their parents– regardless of whether they’re ready or not. For students who do not have supportive families, forced outing can lead to decreased mental wellness, as well as financial and housing insecurity. It is urgent we assert that transgender and nonbinary youth belong in school, provide safety so they can thrive, and respect their privacy. No matter where you live, there are three things you can do to support trans youth today: - Send a message to Governor Youngkin letting him know that decisions between parents and students, and students and teachers, should be respected and honored.
- Support our Safe Schools Action Network (SSAN) with a donation of $22 today.
- Sign up to join the SSAN to hear about advocacy trainings and other opportunities to take action.
Equality Virginia’s Safe School Action Network (SSAN) provides on-the-ground resources, trainings and support to transgender and nonbinary students, their parents, educators, and community members. The SSAN equips local leaders with the skills they need to make Virginia schools more inclusive and affirming for LGBTQ+ students. Over the past six months our Safe Schools Action Network has: - Tracked all 133 school board meetings and agendas for anti-LGBTQ+ policies.
- Hosted 14 public comment workshops.
- Trained 100+ community members on how to advocate for transgender equality at school board meetings.
- Directly trained 35+ advocates in Hanover County.
- Hosted postcard writing parties and delivered 70+ constituent postcards to Hanover County School Board members.
- Held two rallies ahead of Board of Supervisors and school board meetings.
- Attended school board meetings to offer in-person support to parents and advocates.
In the coming weeks we’ll be launching our public facing school board tracker where you can see if your school district has adopted the model policy for transgender and nonbinary students, when your local school board meeting is happening, and if any anti-LGBTQ+ policies are being introduced. Your continued support of the Safe Schools Action Network helps make that tracker a reality. With a gift of $10, $20, or $35 you can help us continue to unite, strategize, and uplift the needs of transgender and nonbinary students in every county across Virginia. I hope you can chip in so we can support everyone, everywhere to become a relentless advocate for transgender equality in their local school district. Let’s all work together to create schools where transgender and nonbinary youth have the safety to thrive. | 
