A new change to Loudoun County’s anti-discrimination policy has made it much more inclusive to LGBTQ staff and students.

Loudoun County’s School Board voted to add sexual orientation and gender identity to the list of classes protected by the original policy. This principle applies to teachers, staff, and students attending LCPS.

The policy originally included race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, marital status, disability, age, or genetic information.

Vice Chair Brenda Sheridan, Joy Maloney, Chris Croll, Tom Marshall and Beth Huck all voted for this change and Chair Jeff Morse, Debbie Rose, Eric Hornberger and Jill Turgeon all voted against.

This policy may not lead to any big, immediate changes, but it is a way of recognizing and protecting those in the LGBTQ community and is a big step into equality.

“The recent change in the policy was needed in order to make more students feel comfortable in school. Students should be free to express themselves without fear of discrimination, no matter their race, gender, or background.” said Sophomore, Lexie Strandberg.

Two years ago, this same idea was shot down, showing how far and accepted the LGBTQ community has come.

When asked if there will there be any immediate changes in our school Principal Flynn said, “All school procedures need to be aligned with district policy so now it is required to be aligned with the language of the policy.”

This means that there won’t necessarily be any big changes coming to our school, but our school will abide by this policy.

Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton issued the following statement: “I’m proud of the activists and changemakers who fought hard to expand protections for LGBTQ students and staff. Everyone, no matter who they love or how they identify, deserves to feel safe in our schools,” Wexton said. “We are one step closer to fulfilling that fundamental American promise of a fair and just nation, where we are all equal under the law.”

The policy now reads, “The Loudoun County School Board affirms a commitment to this principle for all persons regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, disability, age, or genetic information.It is the intent of the School Board of Loudoun County that every policy, practice, and procedure shall reflect this commitment. Behavior that is not unlawful may nevertheless be unacceptable for the educational environment or the workplace. Demeaning or otherwise harmful actions are prohibited, particularly if directed at personal characteristics, including, but not limited to socioeconomic level, sexual orientation, perceived sexual orientation or gender identity.”