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Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

Sexpressions group in DD's school

29 replies

malloo · 24/04/2022 15:07

A group called 'Sexpressions' has been at DD's school running a session on 'gender identity'. Parents were not told this was happening, it was included in a newsletter after it had happened. DD said it was 'fine' but she thinks I'm transphobic so no doubt wouldn't tell me if it wasn't and won't give any detail. I'm going to contact the school but thought I'd check on here first to see if anyone knows anything about this group.

Their website says Sexpression:UK is a near-peer independent UK charity with the goal of empowering young people to make decisions about relationships and sex by running informal and comprehensive RSHE in the community.

It doesn't say much about what they actually stand for but I'm not at all keen on what I see on this page. sexpression.org.uk/curriculum/ For example they have a 'dictionary' of terms that includes such gems as:

Male-to-female. Used to refer to trans women. Some trans women
do not like this term because it supports the myth that they have not
always been women
LGBT+. Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender. Variations include (LGBTQ+
(LGBT+), LGBTQIA+ (LGBT+, Intersex, Asexual/Aromantic), LGBTQUA+
(LGBT+, Undefined/Unassigned, Asexual/Aromantic)). Some LGBT+
people consider this acronym problematic since it is unwieldy and, as
our understanding of gender and sexuality grows, it will only get longer.
As an alternative, most people use LGBT+, however some people
feel uncomfortable with cishet people using LGBT+, due to its history
as a slur. Moreover, several LGBT+ people value the ability to express
their particular identity as part of that. Most significantly, always include
the + otherwise it comes across as exclusionary and emphasises
the hierarchies within the LGBT+ community.

So it's pretty clear where they're coming from.

For info, I'm in Scotland, and DD is in S1, age 13.

OP posts:
BotCrossHuns · 24/04/2022 15:27

It also doesn't make much sense. LGBT+ used as a slur? I can see that individual identities within that might have been used as a slur, but the actual acronym? I'd have thought anyone who went to the effort of using an acronym like that, including a plus for forgotten identities, was probably trying not to offend.

DomesticatedZombie · 24/04/2022 15:25

'Even if you haven't been trained by your branch to teach in schools, you can still attend the events they run on campus. Branches run awareness campaigns, talks and socials throughout the year which any student can attend if they have a keen interest in sex and relationships education.'

'any student can attend if they have a keen interest in sex'😬

DomesticatedZombie · 24/04/2022 15:23

'every branch requires its volunteers to attend a one-day training courses. This is to make sure they are safe when teaching and to give them skills to deliver a fun and interesting lesson about sex and relationships.'

So after a one day course these students are trusted to have a full awareness of safeguarding and child protection? Hmm

DomesticatedZombie · 24/04/2022 15:22

Hm. I don't know them, OP, and nothing's coming up on a search of Mumsnet.

They are all very young, and it's a volunteer organisation. Seems slightly odd that a school would outsource RSHP, with their existing qualified and safe-guarding aware teaching staff, in favour of a volunteer organisation with little life experience/qualifications.

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