Concerns over primary school LGBTQ+ club

[holihell]

Just heard this might be a thing for my DC school next year. Surely it can wait for secondary stage?? Why are we offering primary children opportunities to sexually identify so young? I get true gay kids often have these feelings young and am all for talking openly but I do fear as well that by having a specific 'fun' club about it those who are a bit lost / or, dare I say it follow trends, may be steered down a path that's not necessarily for them.. am I being unreasonable to be concerned?

What's the worst that can happen here? Your kid says they identify one way in primary school and then change their identity later? Who cares?

Also might be helpful for kids whose families are LGBTQ+, as well as those who already have a sense of their sexuality. And, as you say, some kids do know very early. I'd definitely had crushes on boys by the end of primary school: why would that be different for kids who aren't straight?

What's the purpose of the club? Surely it's about educating children on diversity etc? It's hardly indoctrinating them into the LGBT+ community

It is inappropriate, when I was in primary I was convinced I was going to be a lesbian because boys were disgusting! A few years later I changed my mind. But I hadn’t been pigeon holed and nobody cared what I identified as. I don’t understand this phenomenon of wanting to put yourself in a box with a label. Just let kids be themselves and grow without any outside steering

What about is scary to you?

Why would it matter to you if you child found out they are gay/lesbian, bi or asexual or aromantic?

I know there are people here (everywhere) who have problems with trans, but no one actually put them immediately on hormons or cut their bodies.

What's the worst that can happen here?

Depends who is running it!

I think it's the idea of a club based around sexuality.. just seems so young for a school to be actively promoting sexual identities of any description.

It’s completely inappropriate. The more parents complain the better. Usually there is some kind of bribery - cakes, pizza etc to encourage kids to attend. Which none of the other clubs provide.
I would just make a fuss. The kids are not old enough to consent, let along start thinking about sexual orientation. Other skills to lean.

I am massively in favour of teaching kids about LGBT families but I don't really like the sound of a "club" about it? LGBT aside - "Relationship Club", "Boyfriend and Girlfriend Club", "Romance Club", or even "Love Club" would all seem a bit odd too!

it's not the same sex relationship part that bothers me, it's the fact that LGBT as a topic concerns adult romantic relationships and sex, which are not really appropriate topics for a kids' club - I don't object to these topics being sensitively taught as part of the curriculum but a "club" doesn't seem the right setting for it.

I agree with you OP

You heard it might be a thing? That's so vague but still has a very strong stench.

It's a really bad idea and completely inappropriate in a primary school.

Children of primary age shouldn't be encouraged by adults to be thinking about sexuality. There's a word for that which we're not allowed to use.

It's also opening a massive can of worms. What are the qualifications of the person setting up the club?

www.transgendertrend.com/school-lgbt-club/

Completely agree. It is inappropriate in a primary school. Teach about two mummies etc no problem but 5-11 year olds do not need a club based on their sexual identity. I’d be wondering why any teacher would think this was a good idea.

Yanbu op having a club for children based on adult sexual types is simply grooming dressed up as concern. It’s a good way to identify children who have poor adult gatekeepers around them and is classic grooming behaviour.

I agree. PSHE topics about bodies and relationships are for careful, considered lessons, age appropriate and for all pupils, with letters home first for some content. Not suitable for clubs.

Inappropriate club for primary aged pupils!!
Sexuality is not something they should encouraged to think about at such a young age!

I absolutely agree with you. The person running it could do so to their own agenda and this doesn't feel right.

I would feel uncomfortable about this. In primary they are taught about different family make ups etc which I’m obviously totally fine with, but I think any discussion re sexuality is inappropriate for young children.

What activities are going to happen at this club? What is the aim of it? At the secondary school I teach at, there is an LGBT club where they just watch age appropriate TV shows (e.g. Heartstopper) and run various charity events to raise money for LGBT organisations. If it's something like that, I can't see what the problem would be. The point of these clubs is to show LGBT pupils that they're not alone, and give them a chance to interact with other LGBT pupils in a safe space, there is nothing sexual at all about it.

You are talking about children who are 11 and under.

They don't have sexualities. Or gender identities. They're children.

The DfE have released guidance on what's appropriate in terms of gender identity, sex education and queer theory.
I would be writing a letter asking very bluntly how they are planning to run the club without breaching it.
For example, the DfE have said teachers should absolutely not associate trans with stereotypes or imply a gender non conforming child is trans.
So, seeing as children can't have hormones or surgery, how could a facilitator explain trans without resorting to stereotypes.
I wouldn't be accepting any wooly replies either. If any of the content is sex and relationships related it needs to follow the national curriculum and parents have the right to see it before it is delivered.

there is nothing sexual at all about it

Nothing sexual about a club based on various sexualities? The children are in primary school ffs

schoolsweek.co.uk/cancel-culture-gender-stereotypes-and-extreme-political-stances-what-new-dfe-guidance-says-about-rse/

I would be livid if this happened in my kids school, totally inappropriate for a primary school. No objection to it in secondary school, it would be a safe place for many pupils but primary school pupils don't need to identify as anything or have a sexual preference!

Yanbu op having a club for children based on adult sexual types is simply grooming dressed up as concern. It’s a good way to identify children who have poor adult gatekeepers around them and is classic grooming behaviour.

This