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Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

Irish Girl Guides worrying trans policy

28 replies

CumannNamBan · 19/09/2019 01:56

Irish Girl Guides have membership based on identifying as female. They allow mixed-sex sleeping arrangements. To me they put a lot of emphasis on secrecy in this document below.

We have self-id laws here.

I don't have children, so no children in the guides. I came across this when reading the submissions to the Gender Recognition Act Review Group.

These are some extracts from their submission to the Gender Recognition Act Review Group, from 2018. All submissions can be downloaded from here. Theirs is number 87.
www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/Review-of-the-Gender-Recognition-Act-2015.aspx

Extracts

As an organisation we believe in being fair, open and inclusive, while still being committed to the concept of a girl-only organisation.

Irish Girl Guides' Membership Policy states that "membership is voluntary and open to all who live their lives as female and accept the Guide Law and Promise"

This means that membership is based on gender identity and IGG remains a space of all who live as girls and women, regardless of the sex they were assigned at birth

10 Guidelines on How to Support all members

  1. Living their life as female

This phrase was deemed most appropriate for IGG after consultation with TENI (Transgender Equality Network Ireland) and members with experience of transgender issues

2 Confidentiality and disclosure

Under the Equal Status Acts a person does not have to disclose if they are transgender. The only way to know if a member is transgender is if they or their parent informs you. If they do, you should respect their confidentiality. As with all our members we would encourage parents to inform the Leaders of any matters which could result in a girl needing extra support or help. The trans status of a person is sensitive personal information and is protected by data protection legislation legislation. Unless explicitly directed by the member/parent, the information must be treated as confidential.

  1. Overnight

As members of a Unit, all girls will participate in the same activities. For trans members, this includes sleeping in the same area as the other members if the transgirl/woman herself is comfortable. For overnight events, the Leader should discuss with the member who is trans with their preference is. If they are under 18 and have a group of friends they may feel most comfortable sharing with them. At no point should they be seperated in a stigmatised way.

  1. Garda Vetting and IGG Screening Process

An adult who applies to a be Leader does not need to declare if they are transgender. If they have gone through the process of obtaining a change of gender on their record and getting a Gender Recognition Certificate, the Garda Vetting Unit will already have a record of this. Either way, their application to be a Leader with IGG is carried out in the same way as any other and confidentiality prevails.

10 Transition from female to male

If a member of IGG is transitioning to male, they will be leaving the organisation...At an appropriate time, you may wish to discuss with them and their parents finding another organisation that better suits their needs.

OP posts:
Dec05 · 19/09/2019 08:15

Ah yes, good old Ireland. Women's rights haven't even made it it out of the starting blocks properly and are already being compromised/eroded/belittled.
I despair.
We have had the priests, state institutions, mother & baby homes, teachers & swim coaches abusing their positions, cervical cancer stuff up - still have massive gender based pay divide, old boys clubs in full force, women doing the majority of housework/childcare etc, 'boys will be boys' mentality.
Why on earth are girls rights so easily ignored.

Mermoose · 19/09/2019 07:42

For trans members, this includes sleeping in the same area as the other members if the transgirl/woman herself is comfortable.
As usual, feck whether girls are comfortable with a male person sharing with them.

Beamur · 19/09/2019 07:03

Curious. It is seperate from UK Guiding?
The guidelines (I think) are broadly the same but the caveat about asking f to m has been withdrawn after a fuss was made. After all a child f to m is still a female regardless of what you call yourself.

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