The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Virginia filed two lawsuits Thursday against the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) on behalf of two transgender students challenging the department’s 2023 model policies.
Virginia law authorizes VDOE to issue model policies regarding the treatment of transgender students, and the policies are required to reflect “evidence-based best practices” for the inclusion of trans students in public schools. The ACLU of Virginia, along with Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP, claim the 2023 model policies fail to comply with that mandate.
“VDOE’s 2023 model policies harm the very students they’re supposed to protect,” ACLU of Virginia Senior Transgender Rights Attorney Wyatt Rolla said. “They contradict both their legal mandate and the evidence-based best practices they’re supposed to reflect, and they have already resulted in discrimination that violates state and federal law.”
The lawsuits alleged that VDOE not only ignored its statutory mandate to consider evidence-based best practices but directed public schools to adopt discriminatory policies “in furtherance of an ideological and political agenda.” Freshfields Co-Counsel and Partner Andrew Ewald stated the model policies’ harmful effects on transgender and nonbinary students makes it “hard to avoid the conclusion that their authors were purposefully trying to erase gender-nonconforming students from the classroom.”
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The plaintiffs alleged that, as a result of the model policies, they received harmful and discriminatory treatment at school simply because they are transgender. One of the plaintiffs, Jane Doe, is a high school student whose teacher refused to address her by her correct first name. The other plaintiff, Lily Loe, is a middle school student who was prohibited from participating on a girls’ sports team.
The ACLU of Virginia previously expressed concern over the model policies after they were released in July 2023, stating the policies allow trans students to be forcibly outed to their parents and limit students’ access to restrooms consistent with their gender identity. The 2023 policies revised the state’s 2021 model policies, reversing the guidance on trans and nonbinary students’ participation in sports, access to facilities, and name and pronoun usage.
Unlike the 2021 policies, the updated guidelines do not recognize LGBTQ+ students as a protected class and reflect Governor Glenn Youngkin’s emphasis on ensuring parents’ rights in education. The 2023 guidelines require parental permission for students to be called by their chosen names or pronouns and to receive counseling services regarding their gender. According to Jane Doe’s parent Jill Doe, however, the model policies fail to protect parents’ rights: “VDOE’s model policies do the opposite of what they’re supposed to: they undermine my ability to parent my child, they undermine our school district’s ability to educate her, and most of all, they undermine my child’s health and wellbeing.”
LGBTQ+ advocates have urged VDOE to prioritize the privacy and rights of students, claiming students should be allowed to decide who knows about their transgender status in order to prevent bullying and harassment. State Attorney General Jason Miyares, however, concluded in August 2023 that the model policies comply with anti-discrimination laws and that school boards are required to follow them. The plaintiffs are now asking the York and Hanover County Circuit Courts to vacate the 2023 model policies and rule that school districts do not need to adopt them.
According to the ACLU, there are currently 11 anti-LGBTQ+ bills in the Virginia state legislature. Virginia, however, is not the only state dealing with challenges to transgender students’ rights in public schools. The Iowa legislature recently declined to advance a bill that would have removed gender identity as a protected class under the state’s civil rights law. In January, the Ohio legislature overrode its governor’s veto of a bill that bans gender-affirming care for transgender youth and restricts transgender participation in sports.
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In 2023, a report by the Trevor Project found that 53 percent of LGBTQ+ students reported being verbally harassed at school because people thought they were LGBTQ+. The report also found that the students who found their schools to be gender-affirming reported lower rates of depression and attempted suicide.
We’re highlighting the many threads that make Virginia so special
As we approach the 250th anniversary of the United States and Virginia, we’re embarking on a journey to celebrate the rich history of the place we call home. (WSLS 10)
Virginia is filled with so much history just waiting to be explored. As we mark the 250th anniversary of the United States and Virginia, we’re celebrating this milestone with a new series: Patchwork 250.
The series will highlight the many threads that make Virginia so special and celebrate every patch (whether that’s a remarkable person, an unforgettable location or a memorable event).
As this new initiative gets underway, we’d love to hear from you. Share your favorite pieces of history and be a part of Virginia’s ongoing story.
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Using Pin It or the form below, let us know: what’s a unique piece of history from your community that you think more people should know about?
Click here for more details.
Copyright 2025 by WSLS 10 – All rights reserved.
About the Author
Jazmine Otey headshot
Jazmine Otey
Jazmine Otey joined the 10 News team in February 2021.
A fatal collision between a motorcycle and a pickup truck on Thursday evening has claimed a life and prompted a significant road closure in South Reno.
The Nevada Highway Patrol (NHP) responded to reports of the crash at approximately 5:29 p.m. on February 26. The incident occurred on northbound South Virginia Street, just north of Damonte Ranch Parkway.
According to the Nevada State Police, the rider of the motorcycle, an adult male, was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency medical personnel. The driver of the pickup truck remained on-site, though no further details regarding other injuries or the cause of the crash have been released. Northbound South Virginia Street: Completely shut down from Damonte Ranch Parkway to Bishop Manogue Drive.
Southbound South Virginia Street: Open, but expect “rubbernecking” delays as drivers pass the emergency vehicles. Officials expect the northbound lanes to remain closed until at least 11:30 p.m. as the NHP Highway Patrol Division completes their investigation.
A new effort is being led by Commonwealth Attorney Krystyn Reid, with support from Sen. Danny Diggs to help missing persons. (Ron Lach/Pexels.com)
HAMPTON ROADS— A proposed initiative known as The Guardian Network seeks to strengthen coordination and public access to verified information when children, seniors, and vulnerable adults go missing in Virginia.
The effort is being led by Commonwealth Attorney Krystyn Reid, with support from Sen. Danny Diggs through a budget amendment to SB30. If the amendment passes, development would move forward through the Virginia State Police.
Reid said the idea grew from her years of public service.
“The difference between politics and public service is simple,” Reid said. “One is what you say. The other is what you do.”
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Reid began her career representing domestic violence survivors and said she witnessed firsthand how quickly families can be thrown into crisis.
“When someone does not make it home, that is a family’s worst moment,” Reid said. “The Guardian Network comes from a belief that we can strengthen coordination in those first critical hours and better protect vulnerable communities.”
The network is designed to complement existing alert systems such as AMBER, Silver, Ashanti and CODI alerts. Participation would be voluntary for both families and the public.
“It does not replace them. It reinforces them,” Reid said. “What we lack is one centralized, accessible place to see verified information. This is about coordination and clarity.”
Currently, information can be fragmented, she said, making it harder for families and communities to respond effectively.
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“Families in crisis should not have to search multiple platforms,” Reid said. “Public safety requires structure. Our response should be organized and accessible.”
The United Way of the Virginia Peninsula has expressed support for the initiative, citing its alignment with the organization’s mission to improve lives by advancing education, financial stability and health.
“Children are the highest age demographic experiencing eviction and homelessness, which creates unique vulnerabilities including separation, exploitation and trafficking,” said Charvalla West of United Way of the Virginia Peninsula. “Seniors face increasing isolation, housing instability and caregiver strain in what many describe as the ‘Silver Tsunami’ of a rapidly aging population.”
She said the organization supports The Guardian Network because it strengthens coordination during the most critical moments when vulnerable individuals go missing.
“The Guardian Network aligns directly with our work to stabilize families and protect vulnerable communities,” West said. “When vulnerabilities are reduced, safety increases.”
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United Way collaborates with certified partner agencies across the Virginia Peninsula that focus on homelessness prevention, youth development, domestic violence response, aging services and housing repair. Those organizations would continue serving in their core roles, providing safe housing, trauma-informed care, mentorship, caregiver support and case management, while the network enhances coordination and awareness.
“The Guardian Network enhances coordination and awareness, while nonprofits provide the direct relational support that protects individuals before, during and after crisis events,” West said.
The concept also includes a second phase of development that would establish a standing advisory committee composed of survivors, impacted family members, nonprofit leaders, victim advocates and public safety professionals. A third phase would focus on identifying and allocating resources to support coordinated response efforts in collaboration with law enforcement, including ensuring necessary logistical supplies are available during active situations.
The immediate focus is Virginia. If successful, supporters say the model could be scalable to other states seeking to strengthen coordination in missing-person cases.
Reid said the goal is clear.
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“A stronger safety net. Better coordination. And helping bring loved ones home,” she said. “Everyone deserves to come home.”
