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Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

Girlguiding Brownie leader raising concerns

86 replies

AJNorthWest · 23/11/2022 10:19

Hey all, I think I'm in the right place for this.

I have been a Brownie leader for 10 years now, since I was 18, and was a Brownie myself as a child. For the last year or so I have been more aware of the takeover of gender ideology and seen it seeping into every single-sex area you could think of.

I have recently challenged Girlguiding on their "inclusion policy" and their self-description of themselves being a "girl-only trans inclusive space". It turns out that this has been their stance since 2018. So since 2018 Girlguiding has been a mixed-sex space, without calling itself that, and leaders and parents are unaware of this.

I sent a long email to the Volunteer Support team asking for some clarification on their language, their stance, and safeguarding. They have now responded, without addressing my concerns, and asked me to answer a hypothetical scenario (presumably to prove I'm not a threat to Girlguiding and the members) within 2 weeks otherwise they will "take further action".

I'm not really sure what the point of this post is other than to seek some common sense. I'm feeling very alone in this, but I know others have the same concerns, it's just really difficult to speak out!

For anyone who would like to back me on this or add their input to my response, drop me a message - I'm gathering concerned leaders and parents together in the hope that our numbers will get the point across.

OP posts:
senua · 23/11/2022 11:54

Ooops, sorry if that sounded a bit short.
You might be better off to contact Sex Matters to see if you and they can use your treatment as a timely follow-up to the Katie Alcock case.

SereneSemolina · 23/11/2022 11:54

I removed my children from GG on the basis of this and the whole "posing with a weapon" debacle, and my real concerns about the responses from HQ.

senua · 23/11/2022 11:49

For anyone who would like to back me on this or add their input to my response, drop me a message - I'm gathering concerned leaders and parents together in the hope that our numbers will get the point across.
This is a bit naïve. You don't know who anybody on the internet is.

AriettyHomily · 23/11/2022 11:46

this has been going on by stealth for ages and many parents are aware. My DDs still go to guides because they love it. They are not however going on any camps / overnights.

StillWeRise · 23/11/2022 11:43

www.mumsnet.com/talk/womens_rights/4531851-Girlguiding-dilemma?page=6&reply=116837852
OP, check out this thread- it mentions Katie Alcock, a guide leader who was chucked out for raising these kinds of concerns, eventually they settled with her
-in short, you are not alone in raising these issues, but it would be worth finding out what others have done before re inventing the wheel

senua · 23/11/2022 11:42

asked me to answer a hypothetical scenario (presumably to prove I'm not a threat to Girlguiding and the members) within 2 weeks otherwise they will "take further action".
Nice diversionary tactic there.Hmm
Try this article dated April this year.. You could try a diversionary tactic yourself and ask how their review and update of policies is going.

ZeldaFighter · 23/11/2022 11:30

I asked one of our Rainbows leaders what they would do if a transwoman joined as a Leader and wanted to help out an overnight camp. She essentially said they wouldn't be able to do a camp as they couldn't say no to the transwoman without being in trouble.

DontAskIDontKnow · 23/11/2022 11:05

Girlguiding know that many parents are against this. I’ve written several emails and been rebuffed.

My girls only remain in Girlguiding because it has been so important for them and because the local leaders are great.

I’d be more than happy to help back you up and be part of an effort to rescue Girlguiding from this nonsense.

Believerinbiology · 23/11/2022 10:36

If you search threads on here you'll unfortunately find that those brave enough to raise concerns are often pushed out and have even been reported to the police for raising safeguarding concerns. There are several threads both in FWR and AIBU on the topic. Good luck.

MrsOvertonsWindow · 23/11/2022 10:32

Sadly OP, the GG were captured very early on by groups and individuals determined to remove the rights of girls to safe single sex spaces and to use an all women / girls organisation to proselytise and gaslight girls into believing that sex is not real and that their role is as support humans for sad men and boys.
The grip they have on the organisation is toxic and, as you've seen, any challenge to this is DARVOd (deny and reverse victim and offender) - hence their question to you.
This is the type of leader they promote nowadays (until the publicity became too embarrassing):

www.mumsnet.com/talk/_chat/4408927-safeguarding-issues-in-the-girl-guiding-movement

AJNorthWest · 23/11/2022 10:22

Addition: I'm sure many parents and leaders have been aware of it for a long time, my point is that it's not made clear in any of the training. I have done the 'Safe Space' training multiple times since 2018 and it hasn't been mentioned once.

OP posts:
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