From Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia:
Statement on Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin Putting Transgender Kids and Families’ Lives At Risk With Hateful Policies
Richmond, Va – On Friday, the Youngkin Administration released a document with proposed model policies that revoke protections put in place to protect Virginia’s transgender students and their families.
Jamie Lockhart, Executive Director of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia:
“This action by Governor Youngkin and his administration is shameful and cruel. Transgender and non-binary students deserve to feel respected, supported and safe in school. They deserve to have rich, fulfilling, happy lives. Recent data indicates that over 80% of transgender individuals have considered suicide, with the highest rates among transgender youth. Transgender students, like all students, thrive when they are able to learn in an inclusive school environment where they feel safe. Governor Glenn Youngkin is using ‘parental rights’ as a free-for-all to dehumanize students and impede their education, risking harm to the children of our Commonwealth. Virginia’s educators need to be empowered to support every student and keep them safe.
Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia will engage our thousands of supporters across the Commonwealth to comment in opposition to this shameful change and show transgender youth that they are not alone.”
A 30-day public comment period on the policies is expected to open on September 26, 2022, at which time members of the community can voice their opposition to this harmful act.
