Trans, Gender-Expansive Student Protections Expanded At FCPS

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA — On Thursday, the Fairfax County School Board approved an updated Student Rights and Responsibilities document stating rights and protections for transgender and other gender-expansive students for the first time.

The school board vote updates the Student Rights and Responsibilities for the 2021-2022 school year at Fairfax County Public Schools. The update incorporates regulation 2603 from 2020, which identifies specific rights for transgender and other gender-expansive students. The motion was sponsored by Providence District representative Karl Frisch, the school board's first openly LGBTQ member, and seconded by the Springfield District representative Laura Jane Cohen.

The updates include the right to use facilities that align with their gender identity, the right to be called by their chosen name and pronoun, the right to non-disclosure of their gender identity or sexual orientation, the right to receive support that ensures equitable access to all school facilities and activities, and protection from being intentionally outed or maliciously misgendered or deadnamed.

The school board had voted to expand its nondiscrimination policy to include gender identity in 2015 and staff had proposed an initial regulation in 2016. However, implementation was delayed as pending legal issues were resolved. Regulation 2603 was developed in 2020 as an extension of the school board's nondiscrimination policy.

The vote came as neighboring Loudoun County's school board meeting turned chaotic as speakers showed up to oppose the school district's policies on trans students, as well as the concept of critical race theory.

"In recent months, School Board meetings in neighboring counties have descended into chaos as extremists attempt to deny these students their very existence, attack their humanity, and object to their right to thrive in public school," Frisch said in remarks. "In years past, former members of this School Board have shared similar sentiments from this very dais. We still hear such comments during public hearings from time to time. To the gender-expansive and transgender students and their families who have witnessed these attacks on their simple human dignity, I am sorry. You deserve much, much better."

Frisch said the Student Rights and Responsibilities updates demonstrate the commitment to transgender and gender-expansive students' success and safety at FCPS.

Cohen added that students' success starts with feeling safe and supported.

"We have an obligation to protect all of our kids," said Cohen. "This document is a start to making sure that is a reality for all our students, so that every child who walks into the door of a Fairfax County public school knows that they belong."

FCPS will share a summary of updates to the Student Rights and Responsibilities before students return in the fall. Updates are also provided on the FCPS LGBTQIA+ resources page.