by James C. Sherlock
“Gov. Youngkin criticized after calling on teachers with LGBTQ students to tell parents” is a headline in The Virginian-Pilot.
Apparently, “Gov. Youngkin calls on teachers with LGBTQ students to tell parents” did not make the cut.
Narrative shaping 101.
Now consider these statements of government opinion:
- “If she has to tell her parents, they might beat or disown her.”
- “If his parents find out, he might kill himself.”
These are judgments that not only can be made by public school personnel under current Virginia policy, but are actually encouraged by that policy.
Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia’s Public Schools.(Model Policies) was written pursuant to the 2020 law § 22.1-23.3. Treatment of transgender students; policies. That law was written for action by Superintendent of Public Instruction, who works for the governor. Read it.
Nothing in that law required the DOE to go nearly as far as it did in Model Policies. But it was drafted by a panel dominated by progressive activists who shared their pronouns.
You will note there is not a single word in that law about parents.
All the Governor needs do it tell his Superintendent to revoke that destructive policy document and re-rewrite it requiring parental involvement. (And new rules for bathrooms. You are welcome Hanover County School Board.)
Elections matter. Continue reading