A group of Virginia students have launched a campaign that challenges the state’s new guidelines for transgender and nonbinary students.

The Pride Liberation Project on Sept. 20 announced the formation of Students4Trans.

Students4Trans held a rally outside the Virginia Department of Education in Richmond on Sept. 22. Another rally will take place during the Virginia Beach School Board meeting on Tuesday.

The Virginia Department of Education in July announced the new guidelines for which Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin asked. The regulations, among other things, require parents to be informed of a student’s name and pronoun change, with the exception of “imminent risk of suicide related to parental abuse or neglect.” 

Arlington County Public Schools, Fairfax County Public Schools and Prince William County Schools are among the school districts that have refused to implement the guidelines. 

The Spotsylvania County School Board announced last month that students are required to use the bathroom that aligs with their assigned sex, and parents could choose the names and pronouns their children use at school. Two parents in Virginia Beach have filed a lawsuit that seeks to force the city’s school district to implement the new guidelines for transgender and nonbinary students.

Students4Trans has organized a student walkout on Friday to protest the Spotsylvania County School Board’s new policies.

Michael K. Lavers contributed to this story.

Two parents in Virginia Beach have filed a lawsuit that seeks to force the city’s school district to implement the state’s new guidelines for transgender and nonbinary students.

NBC Washington on Friday reported Cooper and Kirk, a D.C.-based law firm, filed the lawsuit in Virginia Beach Circuit Court.

The Virginia Department of Education in July announced the new guidelines for which Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin asked. Arlington County Public Schools, Fairfax County Public Schools and Prince William County Schools are among the school districts that have refused to implement them. 

The Equality Virginia and the Human Rights Campaign political action committees on Thursday endorsed 21 “pro-equality champions” who are running for the Virginia General Assembly.

State Del. Danica Roem (D-Manassas), who is running for the state Senate, is among the candidates who the PAC endorsed. State Sen. Adam Ebbin (D-Alexandria) and state Del. Mark Sickles (D-Fairfax County) are two of the other endorsed candidates.

“This year in Virginia, we had the most anti-LGBTQ+ bills introduced in a single legislative session. Time and time again, anti-equality lawmakers and the Youngkin administration have made it clear that they will continue to disrespect and disregard the lives and lived experience of LGBTQ+ people within Virginia,” said Equality Virginia PAC Executive Director Narissa Rahaman. “We must elect pro-equality champions who will secure and strengthen our freedoms. We have that chance as the eyes of the nation are on us this November. The general assembly is a vital check on executive overreach, and that’s why it is so important for us to ensure both chambers are filled with pro-equality members. We’re grateful to the Human Rights Campaign for their steadfast support in Virginia and for helping activate key pro-equality voters across the commonwealth.”

Republicans currently control the House by a 51-46 margin, while Democrats have a 21-19 majority in the state Senate.

In-person early voting begins in Virginia on Sept. 22. The general election takes place on Nov. 7.