Dear John, GREAT NEWS: Today the Senate Public Education Subcommittee recommended passing by indefinitely (killing) three transgender athlete bans - SB 911, SB 962, and SB 1186. While the full Senate committee still has to vote on their recommendation, we’re one step closer to these bills being gone for good! ACTION ALERT: The House Education Early Childhood subcommittee is reconvening tomorrow morning (Friday, January 27th) and three bills Equality Virginia opposes-- HB 1707 (Durant), HB 2432 (LaRock), and HB 2170 (Williams) are on the agenda. We do not know the exact start time for this hearing, but it will begin 15 minutes after the full House of Delegates adjourns (sometime after 12:00 PM). There are two easy ways for you to take action on these bills: - Sign up to speak virtually against the bills at bit.ly/NoForcedOuting (select “Signup to Attend Meeting Remotely and Speak”) by midnight tonight
- Submit written comments against the bills at bit.ly/NoForcedOuting (select “Provide Written Comments”) by midnight tonight
Additionally, if you're in or near Richmond and available to share your opposition in person, the meeting will be held in the House Committee Room in the Pocahontas building (900 E. Main Street). We want to pack the room with opposition to these bills, so show up and show out! Please read below for brief information and talking points on HB 1707, HB 2432, and HB 2170: Bills: - HB 1707 (Durant) and HB 2432 (LaRock) would require public school personnel to contact a student's parent if they believe that the student's self-identified gender does not align with their "biological sex"
- HB 2170 (Williams) would amend the law concerning parental access to educational records, and would require written parental consent before a student may participate in any school-sponsored sport, team, or club, or any sport, team, or club that meets on school property. It also requires the school to notify a parent if a student participates in a sport, team, or club without that written permission.
Why We Oppose These Bills: - These bills would force school districts to “out” students to their parents.
- Every LGBTQ person’s journey is unique, and for many, their discovery of self can be a sensitive time. A child’s decision to disclose parts of their identity should remain solely in their hands.
- Some provisions in these bills would force school officials to betray the trust of students by demanding they “out” students to parents, even if the student is not ready. Pushing school staff to disclose deeply private information to parents breaches trust and creates an uncomfortable school environment for LGBTQ+ youth.
- This effort to “out” children is unethical and unenforceable. The adults that work in schools are there to educate and protect children, not police their identities and serve as agents for a discriminatory political agenda.
- These bills would destroy trust between students and school staff.
- While we agree that important information about a child’s welfare should not be withheld from their parental guardians, we are suspicious of provisions that do not consider the consent of the minor in question.
- Trust between school staff and students is necessary to provide adequate mental-health support. If students feel that their communications are not confidential, they will be less likely to disclose important information to their school counselors and teachers.
- This legislation endangers LGBTQ+ students, who already face high rates of bullying, harassment, and isolation.
- LGBTQ students who lack support and face harassment and discrimination at school experience increased isolation, depression, and risk of suicide and are more likely than their peers to miss school, often in an effort to avoid abuse.
- These negative experiences can have serious long-term negative impacts on these students’ health, education, and well-being.
We acknowledge that these bills are moving quickly, which can be overwhelming and stressful for those who are directly impacted or have loved ones who are. Please keep checking in with yourself, and take breaks as you need. We’re all in this fight together, and we appreciate your dedication to protecting transgender and nonbinary youth. In solidarity, Narissa Rahaman (she/her) Executive Director Summary of Key Information: There are two easy ways for you to take action on these bills: - Sign up to speak virtually against the bills at bit.ly/NoForcedOuting (select “Signup to Attend Meeting Remotely and Speak”) by midnight tonight
- Submit written comments against the bills at bit.ly/NoForcedOuting (select “Provide Written Comments”) by midnight tonight
Information for those coming in person: What: House Education Early Childhood & Innovation Subcommittee hearing When: January 27th after the full House of Delegates adjourns (after 12:00 PM) Where: House Committee Room in Pocahontas (900 East Main Street) How To Share Your Opposition: In-person, no sign-up required |
