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Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

Please help! Gender not sex on a school 'protected characteristics' poster, just spoken to the Head!

994 replies

Vebrithien · 06/01/2023 09:55

Good morning,

I started this thread before Christmas

www.mumsnet.com/talk/womens_rights/4684558-today-i-found-my-bravery?page=1

The overview is that my DD's primary school is displaying posters by No Outsiders, which are supposed to show the 9 protected characteristics, but shows gender, not sex.

The (male) deputy head I mentioned it to, before Christmas, has not got back to me. The posters are still there.

I summoned up my courage this morning, and spoke to the Headteacher. She seemed surprised, as I said I'd already mentioned it to one deputy head, and that I'd picked up on it due to my school expecting Ofsted, and reissuing our equality training.

The Head said that it was surprising, as No Outsiders were an organisation whose specialism was equalities.

I replied that the EA2010 says sex, not gender. I also mentioned that there were some concerning resources produced by them, including an assembly where a dad wants to offer violence to children who do not accept his trans child. (I know no more than this)

The Head is going to talk to her other deputy head, whose responsibility this is, and to try to put us in contact.

Where do I do from here?

Can any one help me with evidence? What particularly is dodgy about No Outsiders?

Is there anything that states that schools mustn't misrepresent the EA?

Is there any DofE (or whatever it's called now) guidance for schools on the resources they used or how they represent the EA?

And, how should I go about finding out if the school uses other No Outsiders resources?

Please help, I want as much evidence as I can.

Still shaking with adrenaline from speaking to the Head!

OP posts:
Thread gallery
13
DialSquare · 07/01/2023 11:09

ArabellaScott · 07/01/2023 11:07

OMG I just only now got that, nils. The 'Farquad' pun, I mean.

Me too!

nilsmousehammer · 07/01/2023 11:09

You must have a much purer mind than me!

ArabellaScott · 07/01/2023 11:07

OMG I just only now got that, nils. The 'Farquad' pun, I mean.

nilsmousehammer · 07/01/2023 11:06

Yes.

This guy was called Lord Farquaad for a reason.

Boiledbeetle · 07/01/2023 11:03

And I'm putting myself back in a time out. Tea, fag and cat time

Boiledbeetle · 07/01/2023 11:02

EastLondonObserver · 06/01/2023 17:50

One in a nation of 300 million!

How Fucking dare you.

One woman.

That one woman is one woman forced to be raped and endure lifeline trauma for ever to many.

One woman raped in the entire Fucking world is one woman too many.

How Fucking dare you.

Ereshkigalangcleg · 07/01/2023 10:59

But having said that, does Scotland rushing through self ID negate this?
Lady Haldane states that to be counted as (fictionally) legally female, a man must have a GRC obtained through the processes laid down in the 2004 Gender Recognition Act.

Self ID via GRR changes the processes, therefore they will no longer be those stated in the 2004 act.

That's a really important point. Especially as Lady Haldane acknowledges that in some circumstances (forensic medicine bill) sex should mean biological sex.

nilsmousehammer · 07/01/2023 10:59

Yes.

Unfortunately while you deal with the extremist sexism that actually the rights of male humans should not always be placed before and above the rights of female humans, and that female humans' job is to provide therapeutic support for male humans regardless of the impact this may have on them...

you also have to do it while managing the extremist sexism that if you sound too 'angry' or not sufficiently naice and pro male humans, you will be dismissed out of hand. In part because you're talking about a very low status group's issue where it's not really nice for female humans to talk about it all. (In case it wobbles male feelings.)

Women: suck up your sex based disadvantage, it's your birth right and destiny! Do it to enable men to have the illusion that they have changed sex, sex is not dimorphic, it's all about gender and the body is irrelevant.....

Embrace sex based reality and your subordination while lying that it isn't happening for the benefit of less than 1% of the opposite sex!

What woman would mind doing that, eh? Who would hesitate about raising little girls in such beliefs?

Boiledbeetle · 07/01/2023 10:56

Or was that not what they were talking about?

Boiledbeetle · 07/01/2023 10:56

But I will comment on this

risk assessment being a fundamental part of penal practice.

Well yes. I think must women subconsciously indulge in some form risk assessments before shagging

ArabellaScott · 07/01/2023 10:52

Apollo441 · 07/01/2023 10:30

OP do not explode with rage! It is important you are seen as rational. They have no idea of what you have delved through to arrive at the point you have (and naturally annoyed). You are just starting them on their journey. Be rational (trans ideology will melt it has no intellectual basis), calm and persistent. You can always feed them more information every time you raise it (and if necessary escalate it).7
I no longer hit people with the full force of the sheer lunacy that is going on, unless they are clued up. It is too much to take in and they assume you must be mistaken or mad. But drip feed it in over time and every single person is utterly appalled (right side of history my arse). The best ones are those who scuttle off to do their own research ('educate' themselves as our TRA friends like to say) and return saying WTF.
Believe it or not the vast majority of people have NO idea what is going on.

Yes. Sensible advice. Stay calm. Ask questions - not too many. Allow them to do research, and ask questions themselves.

Boiledbeetle · 07/01/2023 10:52

So many comments made on this thread that I thought ooh I'll comment on that only to read on and discover you wonderful women had also had the same thought.

So can I just day to the O P, wow! This is a thread you won't forget in a hurry! And seriously as this point the school have had their chance. Serious Paddington bear stare. "This sign is incorrect. You were informed of this many weeks ago, yet despite the error on the protected characteristics being pointed out to you you have failed to rectify it. Which regulatory body do I need to put in a complaint to about your dealings in this matter?" Might focus their mind a bit

And as for the other issue that cropped we appear to be at the point where they are not afraid to come along and say. Lie back open you legs don't upset the man.

I won't comment on that as I'm having a hard time at the moment staying polite. So onto fluffier things I've just got a new t shirt. Hang on I'll just put it on to show you. what do you think of the logo?

DO YOU THINK WE ARE STUPID?

NancyDrawed · 07/01/2023 10:50

But having said that, does Scotland rushing through self ID negate this?
Lady Haldane states that to be counted as (fictionally) legally female, a man must have a GRC obtained through the processes laid down in the 2004 Gender Recognition Act.

Self ID via GRR changes the processes, therefore they will no longer be those stated in the 2004 act.

LaughingPriest · 07/01/2023 10:49

Op your best initial strategy is to ask questions (neutrally) and keep your powder dry. Force them to be explicit about what is being taught. What, specifically, are the children being taught that a girl is/ a boy is? How does this differ from cultural concepts of masculinity and femininity, that are separate characteristics from biological sex? Are they not being taught that being a "masculine" girl (and what traits are perceived to be masculine change over time, in different societies and by the perceiver) is perfectly fine and a different thing from being a boy?

(Just brain storming, can be refined I'm sure)

NancyDrawed · 07/01/2023 10:44

SinnerBoy · 07/01/2023 10:24

Xenia · Today 10:19

If the person wants to post the case "2 weeks ago" that would be interesting to read.

I don't think he will, on the grounds that it didn't actually happen.

Is this referring to Lady Haldane in Scotland? Regarding representation on public boards

(Although I have to say that I interpreted LH's conclusion as 'a person with a GRC is legally recognised (fictionally) as their target sex' which I believe has always been the case and which still allows for biology to trump legal fiction. Copy and pasted, so looks slightly odd:

[53] For all of the foregoing reasons, I conclude that in this context, which is the meaning
of sex for the purposes of the 2010 Act, “sex” is not limited to biological or birth sex, but
includes those in possession of a GRC obtained in accordance with the 2004 Act stating their
acquired gender, and thus their sex. Such a conclusion does not offend against, or give rise
to any conflict with, legislation where it is clear that “sex”means biological sex. Mr O’Neill
referred to the example of the Forensic Medical Services (Victims of Sexual Offences)
32
(Scotland) Act 2021 where references to the sex of the forensic medical examiner can only
mean, read fairly, that a victim should have access to an examiner of the same biological sex
as themselves. I agree. There are no doubt many other such examples.

Full ruling here

www.scotcourts.gov.uk/docs/default-source/cos-general-docs/pdf-docs-for-opinions/2022csoh90.pdf

Linked from MurrayBlackburnMackenzie

BinturongsSmellOfPopcorn · 07/01/2023 10:34

Helleofabore · 07/01/2023 09:00

🤣

IK,R? It is so consistently wrong from TRSOH that I'm convinced there is something going on.

Apollo441 · 07/01/2023 10:30

Vebrithien · 06/01/2023 22:06

Feeling a bit bewildered here.
Plenty of references are passing over my head.

Nice songs.

How am I going to not explode with rage, as soon as I speak to the Deputy head? How do I keep my calm, explain my concerns and not rant on?

OP do not explode with rage! It is important you are seen as rational. They have no idea of what you have delved through to arrive at the point you have (and naturally annoyed). You are just starting them on their journey. Be rational (trans ideology will melt it has no intellectual basis), calm and persistent. You can always feed them more information every time you raise it (and if necessary escalate it).7
I no longer hit people with the full force of the sheer lunacy that is going on, unless they are clued up. It is too much to take in and they assume you must be mistaken or mad. But drip feed it in over time and every single person is utterly appalled (right side of history my arse). The best ones are those who scuttle off to do their own research ('educate' themselves as our TRA friends like to say) and return saying WTF.
Believe it or not the vast majority of people have NO idea what is going on.

SinnerBoy · 07/01/2023 10:24

Xenia · Today 10:19

If the person wants to post the case "2 weeks ago" that would be interesting to read.

I don't think he will, on the grounds that it didn't actually happen.

Xenia · 07/01/2023 10:19

If the person wants to post the case "2 weeks ago" that would be interesting to read. Plenty of us on MN are lawyers. The problem with the poster is it has decided to wipe women out which is a huge concern for many women. By all means list all the protected characteristics but don't change them, don't change the wording of the Equality Act 2010 to lie as to what it says.

Section 4 says

"The protected characteristics

The following characteristics are protected characteristics—

age;

disability;

gender reassignment;

marriage and civil partnership;

pregnancy and maternity;

race;

religion or belief;

sex;

sexual orientation."

SinnerBoy · 07/01/2023 10:11

EastLondonObserver · Today 05:59

You do realise gender reassignment is a protected characteristic under the realities act don’t you?

Don't be so patronising and change people's words; everyone here knows that perfectly well. You've made a double mis-representation, conflating sex with gender and gender with gender reassignment.

SinnerBoy · 07/01/2023 10:08

TeaKlaxon · Yesterday 12:17

No it’s not gaslighting bullshit. It’s legal fact.

You can carry on saying that till the cows come home, but it doesn't alter the fact that you are wrong.

The ‘sex’ protected characteristic does not apply solely in respect of biological sex. That is just legally incorrect as confirmed by the courts just a couple of weeks ago.

Really? Could you give us a link to the ruling, which goes against what is stated in the Equality Act, please?

You may not like it that discrimination based on gender is prohibited under the the sex ground of the Equality Act but it is a legal fact that it is (at least in respect of those with a GRC).

Gender and Gender Reassignment are not synonymous. Gender reassignment is a protected characteristic, gender is absolutely not.

brittontime.com/2021/06/18/what-are-the-9-protected-characteristics-under-the-equality-act/

NancyDrawed · 07/01/2023 09:56

I agree that No Outsiders are of concern and applaud you for challenging the school on them - how handy that they have given you a way to open that dialogue!

ELO's swerve to imply that you were against any discussion of the ideology just got my back up a bit. I think our children should be aware of a range of beliefs that people may hold but am firmly against gender ideology being taught as fact. I feel the same about religious beliefs.

Vebrithien · 07/01/2023 09:41

NancyDrawed · 07/01/2023 08:04

Not sure what you're getting at here ELO?

Gender Reassignment is correctly listed on the No Outsiders poster as a PC in the EA2010. Sex has been replaced by gender. If the poster had said 'Gender Identity' instead of Gender Reassignment than she would be right to draw attention to that, too!

As I understand it, the OP is drawing attention to the fact that by swapping sex for gender, the poster that the school is displaying is misrepresenting the law.

Thank you @NancyDrawed that is EXACTLY what I'm trying to do.

However, thanks to the amazing knowledge of these matters that The Vipers have, I've got more concerns about the source material.

As a parent of a child at that school, I have a perfectly legitimate reason for enquiring further.

OP posts:
Ereshkigalangcleg · 07/01/2023 09:15

There's a good book you can read about Mumsnet @EastLondonObserver

www.amazon.co.uk/Politicization-Mumsnet-SocietyNow-Sarah-Pedersen/dp/1839094710

Helleofabore · 07/01/2023 09:00

EastLondonObserver · 07/01/2023 06:00

Equalities act

🤣