Old Dominion News

Governor Glenn Youngkin is now at the helm, and he brings with him proposals that lean towards traditional values, emphasizing the use of a student’s birth-given name, the application of sex-based pronouns, and clear distinctions when it comes to accessing school facilities.

Yet, in the face of this, school districts like Loudoun, Prince William, Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax, and seven others in Virginia seem to be in quiet revolt. They're opting to uphold the legacy of former Governor Northam, who believes that schools can help kids embrace a transgender identity without a parental nod. Key points from Northam’s era include not needing to tell parents when a child seeks to affirm their gender at school, and ensuring that a student’s chosen name and pronoun are respected.

This dance around the truth is unsettling. To some, it feels as though schools are hoodwinking parents, withholding essential knowledge about their own children’s identity. Isn’t there something fundamentally amiss here? Will educators who favor transparency with parents find their jobs at risk? Have we forgotten about the inherent right of conscience?

Looking back, the U.S. Supreme Court has been clear on this. They've consistently championed the paramount role of parents in their child’s life, as seen in Pierce v. Society of Sisters (1925) and Troxil v. Granville (2000). Additionally, a 2022 ruling, Drew Adams v. School Board, asserted that using restrooms based on one’s biological sex is within the bounds of law.

LeRoy Rooker, a figurehead with over two decades at the USDOE Family Educational Rights and Policy Act, didn't mince words. He stated plainly that parents have the undeniable right to know about their child’s gender preference.

Moreover, the present-day push for transgender-affirming treatments, as backed by several Virginia school boards, carries risks, potentially impacting a young person's future ability to reproduce, as pointed out in Ainesworth's 2020 publication. Doesn't this clash headlong with the U.S. Supreme Court's stance in Skinner v. Oklahoma (1942) against forced sterilization?

It’s worth reflecting on the words of Russian Nobel prize winner, Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn. He reminded us of the weight of standing against lies, and as you cast your vote this Nov. 7, bear in mind the clear-cut divisions between the Democratic and Republican viewpoints on this matter.

Robert Marshall dedicated 26 years to the General Assembly as a state delegate.