Before Monday’s board meeting, about a hundred people gathered in front of the school administration building to oppose any proposed changes to the laws and rules governing the treatment of transgender individuals.
“Why do you think we’re the evil of the day?” transgender male Ezra Rose, who was present at the rally, said.
Rose is a part of the Virginia Beach-based volunteer Calos Coalition, which offers assistance to trans people. He claimed that the government’s “non-issue” model policies on how to treat transgender students sparked a discussion.
Chesapeake started updating its laws next month to follow the state’s advice. One of the suggested changes is that, with the student’s parents’ written consent, school personnel may only refer to students who are minors using a name other than the one on their standard record or pronouns that do not match the gender on the records. For names “generally associated” with their given name, an exemption is made.
Additionally, according to the updated guidelines and regulations, school employees and other students are not permitted to treat another student “in any way that would offend their constitutionally protected rights” or use a person’s desired pronouns. Additionally, according to the suggested changes, students may not receive gender-related counseling without their parents being informed and given the chance to object.
Virginia Beach and Newport News are two of the other Hampton Roads groups whose plans have now changed.
Last month, the head of the Chesapeake board requested more time to consider the suggested policy changes before the board votes. The plan for Monday did not include the modifications.
Residents of Chesapeake as well as those from other cities who spoke on behalf of organizations that support trans people attended the march. Before the board finally approved the proposed changes, some Virginia Beach residents protested them for months.
Emily LaBar, a recent Virginia Beach graduate who spoke against the laws at her board meetings, said, “One damage does not entail another.”
At an upcoming meeting, the Chesapeake board is anticipated to vote on the suggested changes.
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