Anonymous
Post 10/31/2022 12:30     Subject: Thoughts on Rives or Sutton for APS SB?
Anonymous wrote:"Nuance" is how "anti" groups attempt to veil their biases. But if you ask certain churches that claim "all are welcome" if they have gay people in leadership roles or if they would perform a wedding for a couple in which one member is nonbinary, you find out the truth pretty fast, assuming you can pry a yes-no answer out of them.

Does Rives think a school's first duty is to the well-being of the student, or should parental preferences outweigh that?


Welcoming and inclusive does not mean a church or a person has to give-up the foundational tenets of their faith. Nuance is indeed essential. It's not all or nothing. Everyone can be welcomed into a church community but the faith and teachings of that church will also indicate that not all people get to play all roles. Leadership roles are iffy for me: I think all people should be able to be in the leadership positions. But if a church upholds that marriage is only between a CIS -male and female, that's their perrogative. A couple can be married legally and participate in the church community. They just won't have that marriage recognized by their church. If they disagree with that, they can leave the church. Just because someone, or a church, doesn't grant the full range of entitlements you believe they should doesn't mean they're hypocritcal.
Anonymous
Post 10/31/2022 12:25     Subject: Thoughts on Rives or Sutton for APS SB?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:He didn't seem anti-trans. He seemed anti-AAP.


So he’s against pediatric physicians who are pro-trans. Got it.


He's a psychiatrist who is against the AAP. No thanks!


Pay attn to the AAP. They’ve lost a lot of credibility, unfortunately. I’m voting Rives because I’m also against one party rule. Rives views were much more nuanced than “anti-trans” and anyone claiming that is partisan and playing tribal politics. I do like Bethany and she’s done great work for APS but I don’t see her bringing any added value to the board.


Sums it up beautifully and precisely!
Anonymous
Post 10/31/2022 12:22     Subject: Thoughts on Rives or Sutton for APS SB?
Anonymous wrote:"Nuance" is how "anti" groups attempt to veil their biases. But if you ask certain churches that claim "all are welcome" if they have gay people in leadership roles or if they would perform a wedding for a couple in which one member is nonbinary, you find out the truth pretty fast, assuming you can pry a yes-no answer out of them.

Does Rives think a school's first duty is to the well-being of the student, or should parental preferences outweigh that?


I see it as the other way around. Any attempt at a nuanced answer that isn’t lock-step with the prevailing ideas results in accusations of someone being anti trans/racist/whatever. This is done to shut down any true back and forth conversation & maintain control of the preferred narrative.
Anonymous
Post 10/31/2022 11:13     Subject: Thoughts on Rives or Sutton for APS SB?
Anonymous wrote:"Nuance" is how "anti" groups attempt to veil their biases. But if you ask certain churches that claim "all are welcome" if they have gay people in leadership roles or if they would perform a wedding for a couple in which one member is nonbinary, you find out the truth pretty fast, assuming you can pry a yes-no answer out of them.

Does Rives think a school's first duty is to the well-being of the student, or should parental preferences outweigh that?


Great point, great question. We know the answer.
Anonymous
Post 10/31/2022 11:12     Subject: Thoughts on Rives or Sutton for APS SB?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:"Nuance" is how "anti" groups attempt to veil their biases. But if you ask certain churches that claim "all are welcome" if they have gay people in leadership roles or if they would perform a wedding for a couple in which one member is nonbinary, you find out the truth pretty fast, assuming you can pry a yes-no answer out of them.

Does Rives think a school's first duty is to the well-being of the student, or should parental preferences outweigh that?


I mean his answer in the Patch re: Youngkin's anti-trans policies should be enough. Examine the differences in both candidates answers. Note Rives is short. Doesn't offer any support for LGBTQ students and defaults to "the courts." He mentions "best care" without mentioning any description of that. It is an answer given by a politician who is carefully wording his statement when his personal beliefs don't align with the voting population.



Rives: I want every student to be welcomed and treated with respect and kindness. I also want every child to get the best professional care available when needed. I expect the courts will have to rule on whether some of the new model policies are consistent with Virginia anti-discrimination laws.

Sutton: I am deeply concerned about the impact of the Governor’s proposed new policy targeting our LGBTQ+ youth. As a School Board member, I will be committed to continuing and improving APS’s efforts to provide an inclusive and supportive environment for all students.

Sadly, LGBTQ+ students are much more likely than their peers not to earn a high school diploma — an unacceptable outcome for a school system. The drivers for that outcome include conditions that we work to mitigate for every other student, including homelessness, bullying, harassment, hostile environments, exclusion and lack of support. All students benefit from policies and practices that promote dignity and a strong sense of belonging.

While I believe that parents should be partners with our schools in the education of our children, I do not support state-level policies that elevate “parents’ rights” above the professional role that teachers and staff play in educating children. It is critical that our community come together in support of the mental and emotional health of LGBTQ+ students. Policies such as that proposed by the Virginia Governor are in direct opposition to providing that support. (APS has information available to support empowering members of the community to help themselves or others who may be in distress or crisis.)


Rives gave a similar non-answer when asked at the Black Parents of Arlington forum whether he thought the APS J2 policy implementation procedure protects trans kids. He said something like, "I have no reason to think it doesn't protect them." He was visibly uncomfortable with the question and avoided saying whether he supports the policy.
Anonymous
Post 10/31/2022 10:35     Subject: Thoughts on Rives or Sutton for APS SB?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Rives spoke out against the APS policy implementation procedure that guaranteed rights and protections for trans kids. Disqualifying.


Link please


https://www.apsva.us/post/school-board-meeting-june-18-2019/ at 3:26:40

Though I support the implementation of the PIP I don't find that to be a damning response. I am voting for Bethany Sutton because I am familiar with her work due to my time at Randolph and feel that she put a lot of hard work into the schools and community already.


I'm not saying it's damning. I'm saying it's disqualifying. The mere fact that Rives didn't speak up in favor of the policy implementation procedure is disqualifying on its own. That he went further and spouted a bunch of pseudo-science on the medical dimensions of issues faced by many trans kids is even more so, even if he did it in an understated way that didn't bash trans kids expressly. It shows he can't be trusted to protect trans and nonbinary kids from ongoing attacks by our governor and his administration.


I believe the policy solution is more complicated than people like to think. Those full-on supporting everything based on gender identity do not consider the feelings of others who may be uncomfortable in open locker rooms and restrooms, for example. I also believe it takes an actual open conversation to really understand Rives' position. He doesn't deny transgenderism per se and I don't think what he says is disqualifying. I think he'll bring a more thoughtful approach to policy-making rather than the knee-jerk all-or-nothing approach the hive mindset board always takes on everything.


Literally an argument used during the civil rights era against integrating bathrooms. Most lynchings in the South were predicated on the claim that black men had violated/threatened the "virtue" of white women, and support for Jim Crow laws, which controlled black people post-slavery, were based on the idea that free black men sexually desired white women and therefore needed to be controlled. This is just the updated version of that same idea, except swap in trans people for black people. Instead of being people just living their lives, they are, just by existing, treated as a threat--mainly to women--to justify segregation and regulation. It is any surprise that the governor is against both CRT and trans-inclusionary policies?
Anonymous
Post 10/31/2022 08:33     Subject: Thoughts on Rives or Sutton for APS SB?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Rives spoke out against the APS policy implementation procedure that guaranteed rights and protections for trans kids. Disqualifying.


Link please


https://www.apsva.us/post/school-board-meeting-june-18-2019/ at 3:26:40

Though I support the implementation of the PIP I don't find that to be a damning response. I am voting for Bethany Sutton because I am familiar with her work due to my time at Randolph and feel that she put a lot of hard work into the schools and community already.


I'm not saying it's damning. I'm saying it's disqualifying. The mere fact that Rives didn't speak up in favor of the policy implementation procedure is disqualifying on its own. That he went further and spouted a bunch of pseudo-science on the medical dimensions of issues faced by many trans kids is even more so, even if he did it in an understated way that didn't bash trans kids expressly. It shows he can't be trusted to protect trans and nonbinary kids from ongoing attacks by our governor and his administration.


I believe the policy solution is more complicated than people like to think. Those full-on supporting everything based on gender identity do not consider the feelings of others who may be uncomfortable in open locker rooms and restrooms, for example. I also believe it takes an actual open conversation to really understand Rives' position. He doesn't deny transgenderism per se and I don't think what he says is disqualifying. I think he'll bring a more thoughtful approach to policy-making rather than the knee-jerk all-or-nothing approach the hive mindset board always takes on everything.


Relying on pseudo-science propaganda isn’t conducive to a “thoughtful approach.”
Anonymous
Post 10/31/2022 08:19     Subject: Thoughts on Rives or Sutton for APS SB?
Anonymous wrote:"Nuance" is how "anti" groups attempt to veil their biases. But if you ask certain churches that claim "all are welcome" if they have gay people in leadership roles or if they would perform a wedding for a couple in which one member is nonbinary, you find out the truth pretty fast, assuming you can pry a yes-no answer out of them.

Does Rives think a school's first duty is to the well-being of the student, or should parental preferences outweigh that?


I mean his answer in the Patch re: Youngkin's anti-trans policies should be enough. Examine the differences in both candidates answers. Note Rives is short. Doesn't offer any support for LGBTQ students and defaults to "the courts." He mentions "best care" without mentioning any description of that. It is an answer given by a politician who is carefully wording his statement when his personal beliefs don't align with the voting population.



Rives: I want every student to be welcomed and treated with respect and kindness. I also want every child to get the best professional care available when needed. I expect the courts will have to rule on whether some of the new model policies are consistent with Virginia anti-discrimination laws.

Sutton: I am deeply concerned about the impact of the Governor’s proposed new policy targeting our LGBTQ+ youth. As a School Board member, I will be committed to continuing and improving APS’s efforts to provide an inclusive and supportive environment for all students.

Sadly, LGBTQ+ students are much more likely than their peers not to earn a high school diploma — an unacceptable outcome for a school system. The drivers for that outcome include conditions that we work to mitigate for every other student, including homelessness, bullying, harassment, hostile environments, exclusion and lack of support. All students benefit from policies and practices that promote dignity and a strong sense of belonging.

While I believe that parents should be partners with our schools in the education of our children, I do not support state-level policies that elevate “parents’ rights” above the professional role that teachers and staff play in educating children. It is critical that our community come together in support of the mental and emotional health of LGBTQ+ students. Policies such as that proposed by the Virginia Governor are in direct opposition to providing that support. (APS has information available to support empowering members of the community to help themselves or others who may be in distress or crisis.)
Anonymous
Post 10/31/2022 08:10     Subject: Thoughts on Rives or Sutton for APS SB?
"Nuance" is how "anti" groups attempt to veil their biases. But if you ask certain churches that claim "all are welcome" if they have gay people in leadership roles or if they would perform a wedding for a couple in which one member is nonbinary, you find out the truth pretty fast, assuming you can pry a yes-no answer out of them.

Does Rives think a school's first duty is to the well-being of the student, or should parental preferences outweigh that?
Anonymous
Post 10/31/2022 07:40     Subject: Thoughts on Rives or Sutton for APS SB?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:He didn't seem anti-trans. He seemed anti-AAP.


So he’s against pediatric physicians who are pro-trans. Got it.


He's a psychiatrist who is against the AAP. No thanks!


Pay attn to the AAP. They’ve lost a lot of credibility, unfortunately. I’m voting Rives because I’m also against one party rule. Rives views were much more nuanced than “anti-trans” and anyone claiming that is partisan and playing tribal politics. I do like Bethany and she’s done great work for APS but I don’t see her bringing any added value to the board.


“Lost a lot of credibility”?
Anonymous
Post 10/31/2022 06:45     Subject: Thoughts on Rives or Sutton for APS SB?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:He didn't seem anti-trans. He seemed anti-AAP.


So he’s against pediatric physicians who are pro-trans. Got it.


He's a psychiatrist who is against the AAP. No thanks!


Pay attn to the AAP. They’ve lost a lot of credibility, unfortunately. I’m voting Rives because I’m also against one party rule. Rives views were much more nuanced than “anti-trans” and anyone claiming that is partisan and playing tribal politics. I do like Bethany and she’s done great work for APS but I don’t see her bringing any added value to the board.

I think that’s fair regarding both of them. Has he provided any updates views? Both medical and social opinion on gender identity has evolved since his 2019 statements. I’m still voting for Sutton but I’m not going to paint him with a broad brush on that 2 minute comment from 3 years ago
Anonymous
Post 10/30/2022 22:35     Subject: Thoughts on Rives or Sutton for APS SB?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:He didn't seem anti-trans. He seemed anti-AAP.


So he’s against pediatric physicians who are pro-trans. Got it.


He's a psychiatrist who is against the AAP. No thanks!


Pay attn to the AAP. They’ve lost a lot of credibility, unfortunately. I’m voting Rives because I’m also against one party rule. Rives views were much more nuanced than “anti-trans” and anyone claiming that is partisan and playing tribal politics. I do like Bethany and she’s done great work for APS but I don’t see her bringing any added value to the board.
Anonymous
Post 10/30/2022 22:29     Subject: Thoughts on Rives or Sutton for APS SB?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:He didn't seem anti-trans. He seemed anti-AAP.


So he’s against pediatric physicians who are pro-trans. Got it.


He's a psychiatrist who is against the AAP. No thanks!
Anonymous
Post 10/30/2022 21:47     Subject: Thoughts on Rives or Sutton for APS SB?
Anonymous wrote:He didn't seem anti-trans. He seemed anti-AAP.


So he’s against pediatric physicians who are pro-trans. Got it.
Anonymous
Post 10/30/2022 20:55     Subject: Thoughts on Rives or Sutton for APS SB?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:He didn't seem anti-trans. He seemed anti-AAP.

Agree he isn't anti-trans. Would you mind explaining what AAP is?


American Academy of Pediatrics