Trans guidelines for schools in Scotland

Thick question but do private schools also have to follow this guidance? Is it set in stome or is it a provision with some flexibility depending on individual circumstances?

We’ll need to write to MSPs about this, not MPs.

It seems to have been prepared by trans activists, but with Scottish Govt funding and has been signed up to by local authorities.

Was this written after solely discussing issues with trans groups? Or did they consult parents and women’s groups also?

It’s very trendy and badly thought out

people need to write to their MPs

I'm in Scotland too, and will be writing to my son's school about this.

The world has gone mad. No, a small number of powerful people have an agenda to push and somehow the power and resources to do so, and the majority are split between those who can see how crazy and damaging it is, but are frightened to speak out against it, and those who are oblivious.

@norahnamechange keeping everything confidential from parents is insanity, couldn't agree more with your comments around how dangerous this is.

Feels like a recruitment drive to grow the 'trans' movement which i used to be supportive of but now if im honest im scared of. I don't understand the bullying and eroding of 'safe' spaces and i just can't keep up with all this shit. I don't want my children being dragged into this. Yeah I said it.

So this is enacted and in place? In motion and now law?

“Risk Assessments

Risk assessments can be useful for thinking about how you will keep a transgender young person safe while they are in your care. Such assessments can help with trip or event planning, anticipating risks and the measures to put in place to support learner safety. For trans young people, such assessments are most helpful if you involve the young person in determining risk and how to mitigate it. However, note:

l Risk assessments should not be used to exclude a transgender young person
l Risk assessments should be realistic and based on actual risk
l The information they contain should only be shared according to the school's confidentiality“

An assessment that only assesses the issues of the person who might be the actual risk? What about the other children? And how can you involve somebody, who might constitute a risk, in their own assessment?

If you do perceive a risk to others, you still can’t exclude the person on that basis.

‘realistic and based on actual risk’

What a piece of fucking gaslighting.

What does ‘actual risk’ constitute?

You can’t say that boy might knock up that girl, unless they say it out loud??

And if you do find they constitute a risk, you have to keep it confidential?

This is insane.

They won't do risk assessments, because that would be transphobic.

In this day and age of everythign being risk assessed to the n-th degree, it will be interesting to see how the risk assessments are done for these scenarios, particularly the sharing rooms on school trips. And particularly if parents raise the issue in advance, state their concerns in risk assessment terms and ask for reassurances that their dc (and other dc) will not be subject to the risks...

Unfortunately in many of these situations it's money that talks - the risks of being sued as the result of something happening that has been raised by parents in advance, but not covered properly in the risk assessment and then not acted upon properly could leave the school open to being sued and paying out lots of money they don't have.

Hate to suggest it but maybe one way to deal with this is to ensure that schools are aware of parents being aware of this and not wanting to be put in a position where they could be sued. Downside I guess is maybe that the parents/trans child might also be jumping up and down and threatening the same and the trip gets cancelled.

Part of the problem for me is that it's such a big thing but treated so cavalierly. It's easy to envisage situations where a boy says that he's currently identifying as female on a trip so that he can sleep in the girls rooms to be with his girlfriend or because he thinks it will be cool or because he wants to attack someone or a host of other reasons that are not genuine, but using it as a means to an end. For things like this it would be a start if there was some sort of formal process - so that you would have to formally register and have been registered in order to benefit from the change. Doesn't need to be with the doctor - no idea who it should be with though, maybe the local Registry office? - or for as long as is needed currently. But something that is a definite thing.

In the same sort of way that If people want to change their names they can - but as soon as they want to have official recognition of that name (for a passport or driving license or whatever) then they need to do it formally by deed poll. Small fee, name becomes official. It's quite a big deal to many people to change their name for a host of reasons but it's not as big a deal in some ways as changing sex (particularly having drugs and operations) and yet it seems there's going to be no way of recognising the changes . Maybe having some sort of formal trans deed poll thingy would help to filter out some of the piss takers and then at least schools could say that only those that had done the poll thingy could be recognised as such for school trips or school sports etc. WOuldn't solve everything on either side by a long shot - but I think it would be better than it is now. It wouldn't be forever permanent in the way that an ordinary deed poll isn't - just until the next time you change your name by deed poll, it's not like you're only allowed one shot at it. It could also help provide a useful talking point between the different groups, even if a different solution is found eventually.

Sorry, that's a bit waffly, bit tired to think concisely! Hope it sort of makes sense though.

I think one thing we must do is speak out about the children issue to friends, family etc. I know it's scary but we really have to be courageous.
I have started talking to people and focussing on the dangers to children. Although I feel strongly about women's safe spaces etc, I've found that it's children that are the uniting factor. We all worry about online grooming and them accessing puberty blocking drugs and the impact on teenage bodies, future fertility and sex lives. Once we're agreed on that, then it becomes easier to look at safe spaces, dignity and privacy. Most adults (and certainly parents) understand about teenagers and their wish for privacy, etc.
I've found it easier to reassure that this isn't about hating people or being transphobic - but about unintended consequences and pressure groups wanting to push their agendas without thinking about children. The transgender trend pages are really helpful and the site is so thoughtful and respectful that people aren't alienated but of course read further.

norah I bloody LOVE Stephanie Davies-Arai. I've downloaded her school guidelines and it is so fairly written to safeguard ALL children. She is really incredible.

A post secret would be amazing. How can we kick this off?! Where would we send it? Downing Street? I need to do something.

I'm in Scotland too. It's outrageous that schools are being told that a transgender child can chose whichever changing room and toilets they want and if the others don't like it they can just wait. And the bit about school trips is horrendous. How long till we end up with a pre-teen pregnancy? (it can happen)
And whatever you do, don't tell the parents. I noticed it also said you can self refer to the gender clinic in Glasgow - so theoretically someone could be seen in a specialist clinic before their parents even knew their child was transgender?? Complete madness but not a surprise. Scottish prisoners are already able to self identify as transgender - no GRC required. 😡

Just don't mention this as a reason for choosing home education when you apply for consent from the LA (you cannot deregister in Scotland). It may be used a reason to turn down your application.

Sorry, my comment above was NOT in response to the Post secret idea!!

If you haven't already, do take a look at the transgender trend website:
www.transgendertrend.com/

Stephanie Davies-Arai has a real understanding of children and these issues and is doing so much to try to ensure that the harmful proposals don't happen.

That's an excellent idea LemonJello. Post secret would be perfect but I'd have no idea how to organise such a thing. Do you think that one of the existing gender critical groups would be prepared to organise something anonymous and tangible?

I agree, WelshMoth. The most frightening part of all this is that regulations which have massive implications for society are being quietly put into place without any kind of public debate, and then when anyone does try to oppose it, or even just discuss it, they fear for their safety.

I am also very, very weary of the word ‘transphobic’ being liberally splashed around. It should never be applied to people raising legitimate concerns.

FFS.
My first thoughts are organising a rally on masse to show in a very public way, our need for dialogue on this.

Can you imagine it though? No one would be safe.
When I joined other MN'ers a few years ago in London in support of addressing the refugee crisis, it was an event that drew people together in their thousands, yet there were equally thousands who no doubt disagreed, but there were no problems. Mothers and Fathers carried their children, pushed prams, every one bumbled along just fine.

Organising a march with this and I'm pretty certain there'd be fear and intimidation and perhaps even violence.

What a shit storm.

Similar in Northern Ireland:

www.eani.org.uk/_resources/assets/attachment/full/0/51716.pdf