On September 14, 2021 the Virginia Beach School Board voted 7-3 in favor of adapting a new policy regarding transgender student rights. 

According to 13NewsNow, “The policy goes under the already existing anti-bullying and non-discrimination rules within the school division” and according to Wavy TV 10, “gives the superintendent the authority to create procedures and regulations within the nondiscrimination policy that align with the Virginia Department of Education’s transgender model policy. Any changes made by the superintendent will be made public and can be addressed by the school board.”

Salem is known to be a rather inclusive school. Students and staff tend to be very open and accepting of all gender identities. However, according to Rex Hamaker, Gay Straight Alliance Sponser, “the fact of this policy having to be enacted shows that there’s still room for more inclusion, even at Salem.”

The policy further protects students from discrimination by acknowledging their preferred names and/or pronouns.

Before the vote, the board had a heated discussion and debate on the matter. Parents and students were also able to step up and talk to the board about why they were for or against the new policy. 

In objection to the policies board member Vicky Manning said, “the only other reason I could find that we would do this is political expediency. And that’s not a good reason to do this.”

Chairwoman Carolyn Rye responded to Manning by saying that, “some would suggest that we’re doing this for the students.”

In the end, the board finally approved the policy with a 7-3 vote.

To Hamaker and many others this was long overdue. 

“Any policy that makes sure students have access to their rights is overdue,” said Hamaker “Who deserves to wait for their rights?”