Fairfax County Public Schools has policy to transition students to another gender without the involvement or knowledge of parents

Fairfax County Public Schools has a policy in place titled “Gender-expansive and Transgender Students” that is dated April 21, 2022. The policy explicitly states that students can transition to another gender at school without the involvement or knowledge of parents. The policy frequently mentions speaking with the student “or” with parents regarding the issue. At one point, the policy outright explains that parents can be left in the dark:

When a school is made aware of a student’s gender-expansive or transgender status, the school shall offer to convene a support team for the student or the parents. The support team shall be a multidisciplinary team that may consist of the student, parents if the student is willing, classroom teacher(s), administrator, school counselor, school psychologist, school social worker, and/or other staff members as appropriate for this collaboration.

These “support teams” will develop gender support plans for students. These gender support plans include that “school staff should provide information and referral to resources to support a student in coping with a lack of support at home and seek opportunities to foster a better relationship between the student and their family.”

Teachers are also mandated to use the preferred pronouns and names of students: “Students who identify as gender-expansive or transgender should be called by their chosen name and pronouns.” Students can additionally use the preferred restrooms and locker rooms of their choosing. The policy then states: “When an instructional or extra-curricular event requires students to be accommodated overnight, students may be assigned to a room consistent with the student’s gender identity.”

The policy explains that “all school staff will be trained annually on topics relating to transgender students.” The policy further explains that “a persistent refusal to use a student’s chosen name and pronouns constitutes discrimination.”