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Virginia school board approves controversial transgender policy | |
2021-08-12 | |
In what was seen as a victory for LGBTQ advocates, the Loudoun County School Board approved the policy by a 7-to-2 vote following hours of debate and after minor amendments were made. "LCPS’ number one priority is to foster the success of all students and ensure they feel safe, secure, accepted, and ready to learn at school," Loudoun County Public Schools said in a statement. "The school division will continue to do its due diligence in creating that environment and remaining open and transparent with all LCPS partners, community members, and stakeholders." Policy 8040 requires teachers to use preferred pronouns and allows "gender-expansive and transgender students" to participate in sports and other activities "in a manner consistent with the student’s gender identity." It also allows transgender students access to school facilities that correspond to their "consistently asserted gender identity." The policy follows Virginia law, which directed districts to consider revised anti-harassment guidelines. On Wednesday, School Board Member Jeff Morse denounced the guidelines, according to FOX 5 of Washington D.C. "The policy is not needed. The policy does not solve the issues that it's purported to solve. The policy has forced our focus out of education and I will not support it," Morse said. Wednesday’s meeting was sparsely attended -- a contrast with the board meeting Tuesday when parking lot rallies were held and a public comment period went over four hours. Nearly 200 people came inside to speak. The meeting length prompted the school board to postpone its decision until Wednesday. Tuesday's meeting came just a few months after physical education teacher Tanner Cross denounced the policies. Cross told the school board he wouldn't "affirm that a biological boy can be a girl and vice versa because it's against my religion. It's lying to a child, it's abuse to a child, and it's sinning against our God." His subsequent suspension and lawsuit poured fuel onto an already fiery debate over free speech and identity in one of the nation's wealthiest counties, located about miles 35 miles west of Washington D.C. Related: Loudoun County: 2021-06-20 Donald J. Trump: A Plan to Get Divisive and Radical Theories Out of Our Schools Loudoun County: 2021-06-19 Virginia - Former Trump Attorney Running For Delegate Promises Bill Banning Critical Race Theory, 1619 Project Loudoun County: 2021-06-19 Black medical professional denounces CRT at school board meeting | |
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