Trans Kids in Chesterfield Need Your Help!
What’s going on?
The Chesterfield County Public School Board is voting to change Policy 1015, which codifies the rights and treatment of trans students in their public schools.
The current policy is GOOD, and the parents of trans students SUPPORT KEEPING IT AS-IS.
Link to the CURRENT Policy 1015
Link to the proposed revisions to Policy 1015
What are some of the proposed changes to policy 1015?
The chart I made isn't formatting well here. I'm going to try to add a screenshot in the comments.
Who wants to take away the rights of trans kids at school?
The “anti-trans” position (supports changing Policy 1015) is being spearheaded by The Family Foundation of Virginia\, a right-wing\, Christian Nationalist organization. https://www.familyfoundation.org/
*The Family Foundation of Virginia is associated with Focus on the Family, which, “[...] most prominently lobbies against LGBT rights — including those related to marriage, adoption, and parenting — labeling it a "particularly evil lie of Satan". The organization also seeks to change public policy in the areas of sex education, creationism, abortion, state-sponsored school prayer, gambling, drugs, and enforcement of their interpretation of proper gender roles.” Source
*They claim to be non-partisan, but 2 minutes of research proves that to be false.
In my opinion, this seems to be Astroturfing:
Whereas, the supporters of trans kids seem to be actual grassroots supporters (teachers, parents, counselors, and other members of the community), the majority of “family rights” (read; anti-trans) attendees at the last meeting were all associated with this Christian Nationalist Organization worth over $3 million, that has ties to far-right, Anti-LGBTQ political organizations.
Here is their script. for campaigning against the rights of LGBTQIA+ kids.
News on this Topic:
https://www.wric.com/news/local-news/chesterfield-county/school-board-trans-student-policy-change/
What Can I Do to Help?
Ways to Support Trans Kids in Chesterfield County:
✅Attend the School Board Meeting!
Location: Chesterfield County Public Meeting Room, 10001 Iron Bridge Road, Chesterfield, VA 23832
Time/Date: Tuesday, December 10th at 6:30 p.m.
✅ Sign up to speak at the meeting
https://tinyurl.com/CCPS121024InPersonSignUp
Those who wish to speak in person at the board meeting should notify the School Board clerk (by 2 p.m. on the day of a board meeting) through the link above or by calling 804-748-1897
Link to Agenda
The meeting agenda has not been posted yet, but it should show up here:
https://go.boarddocs.com/vsba/chesterfield/Board.nsf/Public#
✅Make handheld signs for yourself or others to take to the meeting, with art and words supporting trans kids!
✅If you are unable to attend the meeting, written comments may be submitted via this form: Written Public Comment Form
✅Watch the Meeting Live
https://chesterfieldschoolsva.new.swagit.com/views/273/live
✅Email your School Board Representative Confirm your Rep Here
✅Email and/or call all five reps., let them know that you do NOT support the proposed changes to policy 1015, and ask them to vote accordingly. Contact info for all 5 reps can be found here: https://www.oneccps.org/page/school-board
Be sure to thank the ones that are 🏳️⚧️supportive (Dot Heffron & Dominique Chatters)!
Please bring up that changes to Policy 1015 will be contrary to the school board’s stated goals:.
MISSION: Ignite passion in all through authentic and captivating experiences
VISION: Create a better tomorrow.
CORE VALUES: Integrity, Equity, Teamwork, and Ingenuity
GOAL #1: All students and staff will embody an Infinite Learner mindset.
You may also tell them that there is also an abundance of research that underscores how dangerous these policy changes may be.
The Current Policy:
Policy 1015: TREATMENT OF TRANSGENDER STUDENTS IN CHESTERFIELD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLShttps://go.boarddocs.com/vsba/chesterfield/Board.nsf/files/CTFR8P6CC8D5/$file/Policy%201015%20ADOPTED%2008-10-21.pdf
From last month’s meeting, here’s my opinion on where the school board members stand:
School Board Members who agree with keeping the Policy 1015 unchanged (Pro Trans Kids!) 🏳️⚧️
Dot Heffron, Chair, Clover Hill District
804-543-9161
Dominique R. Chatters, Dale District
dominique_[email protected]
804-543-6780
School Board Members who are pushing for changing Policy 1015 (concerned with “parental rights”)
Ann C. Coker, Vice Chair, Bermuda District
804-543-7407
Steven A. Paranto, Matoaca District
steven_[email protected]
804-543-7992
Lisa Martin Hudgins, Midlothian District
lisa_[email protected]
804-543-7948