To want to nip this in the bud ( LGBTQ views , child )

[Calmorchaos]

I’m after some advice really on how to approach this.

I have always been the type of person to support anyone to be who they are. I’ve never shied away or shielded my children from the world - very much a ‘love is love’ person and always encouraged my children to support those who need it and be inclusive ( in terms of people being bullied , disabilities etc too ) .

My youngest is going into high school ( 11 ) . Over the past few months I’ve noticed a few comments such as “ there are 2 genders “ , “ I don’t support LGBTQ “ . I’ve addressed this in the moment . But recently he found out his new school has an LGBTQ assembly on a monthly basis and he has started saying he doesn’t want to go because “ he doesn’t support it” . I sat down and had a chat with him , I explained to him that it isn’t really his place to choose to not agree with it - it’s not a choice , i explained it as he could say he doesn’t agree with people eating meat as that is a choice he would be making , but someone’s sexuality is their feelings and not a choice.

I am sure comments will allow me to explain more how the conversation went from my side so I won’t drag this post on with that but his comments were unnerving :

• he believes someone chooses to be gay , they can control it but they choose it
• we can choose who we fall in love with
• if a friend of his told him he was gay he would still be friends with them but not as good because they chose to be gay and he doesn’t support it.

I know he is very young and he doesn’t understand and has things to learn. He is the sweetest boy and the way he said these things sounded scripted as though he has heard others say this . I know he is a child and it’s my job that guide him and that’s the advice I’m asking for , how do I address this? I’m not saying I need him to go around advocating I just don’t want these views becoming ingrained and he becomes the reason another student who is struggling, struggles more. I know I may be overreacting but this age and as the years go on is a time that he can be heavily influenced . He’s a quiet, sweet boy and I do believe he could be heavily influenced.

Another concerning thing is that when I asked him where he had heard all this and where it comes from he said his Dad .

It ends with not being able to sack people just because you disagree with their philosophical beliefs.

How about if you were sacked Tandora because you think some men are women? The protection benefits you too.

I have no desire to drive traffic to their website.

What's the point in debating this? You and I are obviously not going to agree, as you share the beliefs of this organisation, whereas I consider them harmful misinformation.

The question is are we allowed to express an opinion about that on mumsnet?

Hmm. What if I believe that all women are sluts and I say so in the office? Is it ok to sack me?

As you’ve pointed out, negative sweeping generalisations as per MN are about people, not ideas. You can’t stereotype all gender critical women, because they come from all walks of life, they just see biological sex as more important than people’s claimed “gender identity”.

You're not allowed to post unsubstantiated smears about them. HTH.

Yes, because that belief is unlikely to meet the Grainger test.

Exactly.

Is religion really closely. tied to ethnicity?

What's the ethnic group most closely tied to christianity?

Right. Which is a matter of subjective judgement about which beliefs are legitimate and which aren't.

Well, yes? That’s the whole point of the test.

To you it's an 'unsubstantiated smear' to me its basic, honest, truths that can be directly perceived from reading their website, unless one shares the very harmful ideas they are promoting.

I am not clear why I am not allowed to express an opinion about the actions of a particular campaign group, while other posters are allowed to do so about all kinds of campaign groups - reform, the labour party, mermaids perhaps?

Then link to a particular thing you find objectionable and explain why it is so?

Right. I agree. So it's not as simple as a principle saying we shouldn't be sacked simply for holding a philosophical belief.
It's actually about what ideas we think are acceptable to hold and what aren't.

Reform and the Labour Party are political parties not “campaign groups” and posters have demonstrated many times why Mermaids is a problematic organisation and are well able to back it up with evidence.

Yes. Well done.

The mods didnt agree with you.

🤷‍♀️

it starts with their very name - transgender trend - Implies being trans is a 'trend'. This is an example of harmful, prejudicial, moral panic spread about trans people.

Right and I'm questioning that and have asked them directly.
I have no desire to be banned from mumsnet and I want to comply with the guidelines so it's important that I understand what they are.

That’s an opinion you are perfectly entitled to hold, I doubt you’d be deleted for not liking their name. Your comment went further and you know that 🙄

If you can't understand why you can't go round calling organisations 'hate groups' without any evidence, I'm not sure what the mods can do to help you.

So if someone called the BNP a hate group that wouldn't be allowed?

Anyway I don't want to debate this on here as I don't want to get in trouble :). So will leave it there.

It would depend if that was evidenced or not.

If they just made the statement the post would be deleted? Or would it depend on whether other people shared the same opinion or not?