The Equalities & Human Rights Committee of the Scottish Government is considering investigating the guidance for supporting transgender people in Scottish schools that was recently published.
If anyone would like to write to them with their concerns about why these guidelines are problematic, the email is: [email protected]
The guidelines are here:
www.lgbtyouth.org.uk/files/documents/Supporting_Transgender_Young_People_-_Digital_version.pdf
Some concerns include:
- teachers are advised not to disclose information to parents or carers without the young person's permission.
- Transgender pupils should be allowed to choose which toilets/changing rooms they use. Children who feel uncomfortable about sharing facilities with someone of the opposite sex can wait until after the transgender child has finished or use alternative facilities such as an accessible toilet. Parents with concerns about their child sharing toilets and/or changing rooms with a pupil of the opposite sex should be reminded of the school’s ethos of inclusion, equality and respect.
- Transgender pupils should be able to compete in the sports category they feel most comfortable with, male or female.
- Parents should not be informed if their child is sharing rooms with pupils of the opposite sex on school trips.
- If a parent is ‘struggling to come to terms with their child’s identity’ teachers are advised that it ‘may be useful to approach the local authority’.
Essentially, girls are being compelled to share sex-based facilities with male young people through the threat of ostracisation (the very thing the guidelines are trying to prevent trans people from experiencing), and using adult and peer expectations that they comply.