Earlier this year, at the urging of Governor Ron DeSantis, the Florida legislature passed the Parental Rights in Education law. The bill prohibits classroom instruction on sexual orientation or gender identity in kindergarten through third grade. After the third grade, it prohibits sexuality instruction that is not age appropriate.
DeSantis explained the need for the law this way by saying, "Parents' rights have been increasingly under assault around the nation, but in Florida we stand up for the rights of parents and the fundamental role they play in the education of their children."
In Virginia, Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin, who won the election in 2021 on a platform of standing with parents, issued new regulations on September 16th, fulfilling his pledges.
Model regulations from the Virginia Department of Education require that students use of bathrooms or locker rooms should be based on their biological sex. In other words, no boys allowed in the girls' bathrooms!
Students who are minors must be referred to by the name and pronouns in their official records, unless a parent approves of something else. Teachers should not conceal information about a student's gender identification from that student's parents. Counseling services related to gender identity cannot be provided without parents being informed and given an opportunity to object.
Virginians will now have 30 days to comment on the new guidelines. Then school districts must adopt policies consistent with the guidelines or approve policies that are even more comprehensive in protecting parental rights.
Of course, the LGBTQ+ movement and "progressives" are furious and will launch counterattacks in both states.
We stand with Governor DeSantis, Governor Youngkin and other public officials who are protecting our children and fighting for parental rights.
