These LGBTQ+ Virginia kids found support and community in school. Then, bigoted adults took that away

['John Casey', 'John Casey Is Senior Editor Of The Advocate', 'Writing Columns About Political', 'Societal', 'Topical Issues With Leading Newsmakers Of The Day. The Columns Include Interviews With Sam Altman', 'Mark Cuban', 'Colman Domingo', 'Jennifer Coolidge', 'Kelly Ripa', 'Mark Counselos'] Advocate.com 2026-08-07 12:27:56

Adults treating queer kids like lepers, all but guaranteeing they are pushed into the kind of isolation, shame, and psychological distress that can leave lifelong scars. The links follow:Related: A rural Virginia school board changed its rules to block an LGBTQ+ club. Students are suing in federal courtRelated: A Virginia school board bent over backward to block an LGBTQ+ club. One mom explains why she’s suingRelated: Virginia school board adopts anti-transgender policy and blocks LGBTQ+ clubIn August 2025 , a seventh grader at King George Middle School, southeast of Washington, D.C., did everything right. These King George kids are doing something braver than I ever managed.