A school board in northern Virginia has approved a controversial new policy that governs the rights of LGBTQ students. The Loudoun County School Board approved the new policy by a 7 to 2 vote Wednesday evening.

The approval was made after days of heated debates, protests, and several amendments. The LCPS board said the passing of the policy should help ensure all students' safety, security, and acceptance. It added that the school division would endeavor to further create an open and transparent environment for all stakeholders.

The new policy, labeled Policy 8040, will require all teachers and staff to use preferred pronouns for transgender students. It also mandates that LGBTQ students be allowed to participate in sports and other school activities that are "consistent" with their gender identity.

The LCPS board said the policy is in accordance with Virginia law and anti-harassment guidelines.

Discussions over the controversial policy began Tuesday. Hundreds of parents and concerns residents held rallies outside the meeting hall where nearly 200 people had participated in a public comment segment. Discussions with the public went on for more than four hours, prompting the school board to postpone its decision until the next day.

The meeting was partially prompted by the protests of a physical education teacher over the proposal of such policies. PE teacher Tanner Cross publicly denounces the policies stating that it was tantamount to child abuse.

"It is against my religion. It's lying to a child, it's abuse to a child, and it's sinning against our God," Cross was quoted in saying.

Cross was suspended from the school. He later filed a lawsuit, which further fueled the already fiery debate over identity and free speech.

Jeff Morse, a school board member who voted against the policy, denounced the guidelines. He said the policy is unnecessary as it does not resolve the underlying issues. IanSerotkin, another board member, fired back and said Morse should speak to more of the district's LGBTQ students to know more about their struggles with bullying and discrimination.

Several LGBTQ rights groups celebrated the approval of the policy. Rights group Equality Loudoun president Chris Candice Tuck said the policy could finally allow gay and transgender students to rise against harassment and bullying. He added that he looks forward to having students enter into a school year that fully embraces them for who they are.