Brighton parents and pupils able to make supportive statements regarding single sex changing rooms and toilets - female pupils need you

[SingleSexSpacesInSchools]

Hello, I don't post here much but you may know me from ( https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/womens_rights/5461521-single-sex-changing-spaces-in-a-brighton-secondary-school-part-2-the-one-with-the-solicitors-and-the-vexatious-parent?page=1 )

And perhaps this Times article https://archive.ph/C4eXs

Or from GBNews https://www.gbnews.com/news/trans-row-father-high-court-girls-forced-share-changing-room-boys

Long story short it is believed, and the school has not denied, that in practice changing rooms in a large central Brighton secondary school are mixed sex and neither pupils nor parents are ever informed of this.

This case is very much about the privacy, dignity and safeguarding of female pupils. It is not at all about trans identified children, who should receive just as much privacy, dignity and safeguarding as other pupils, and deserve to be helped, looked after and respected.

The female changing rooms and toilets should always be for females only, for all of the reasons we have thousands of years of evidence for.

The father in these articles (Hi!) has been asked by Paul Conrathe, a well known and very good Barrister, to gather supportive statements from either parents or pupils at the school in question.

He is remaining anonymous, as is his daughter. You would remain anonymous as well if you wish.

Some of you may know what school this is, some may not. You can guess if you are local.

If you are the parent of a child attending a large secondary school in Brighton and you in any way support single sex changing rooms, single sex toilets, or protecting the privacy and dignity of females (and indeed, males) will you please make yourself know to me via a PM, and I can give you an email address at the legal firm to speak to.

Obviously pupils and parents of pupils, attending this school have the most value to give here, but I suspect that anyone from Brighton would add impact.

Please, please don't stand by the sidelines if you can add a statement of any worth at all. If you are a parent, please contact me, if you know a parent in Brighton who would be supportive, please send them my way, if you know a Brighton parent on this forum who is supportive please tag them below.

If you have kids at secondary, you know you don't really see other parents, it's not like primary, so I honestly have no connections I can talk to to get their story and statements, I really am relying on Mumsnet and not much else!

I don't believe it has to be very much at all, just be willing to say that you think pupils should have privacy and dignity and you do not agree with the way the school (in fact all Brighton schools) are doing this.

Really looking forward to your help, thanks so much everyone for being on this mad journey with me - thank you

Wow , I hope some Brighton parents see this.

Well done OP. We're doing such a disservice to children by pretending they have no right to privacy and safety from the opposite sex when undressing. I do hope Brighton parents come forward - especially as they're offered confidentiality.

No girl (or boy) should be coerced to undress in front of the opposite sex to validate someone else's belief. It's an appalling message to give to girls - especially given the dire statistics about sexual harassment of girls in schools.

Hope that some Brighton parents find you.

Bumpy bump bump.

Thank you for what you are doing, I support you, although can't help practically.

This is such an important issue.

Teen years are so challenging and anything that makes changing facilities less accommodating of girls will have life long impacts on sports participation, physical boundaries and safety.

The school really needs to safeguard these kids. Those suffering with dysphoria of any sort may need additional accommodations but not at the expense of everyone else.

@justabaker maybe Tribunal Tweets or those with clout can amplify this online too?

Important our schools are safe for our children

I’m not from Brighton but appalled and hope it doesn’t happen anywhere else.

I bet it does, unfortunately.

It does.
Any school in an area where the local authority supports "the Trans Toolkit", will have the same or similar policies.

This is happening across the board. It takes a courageous parent to stick their head above the parapet.

Worth sharing more widely if you know anyone in that direction.

I am desperate to know what the deleted comment was...

Thank you me too - I am convinced that this only happens through deception, if parents knew, 90% plus would be against mixed changing rooms

I’m not a Brighton school parent so I can’t help you but I applaud what you are doing and your perseverance. Have you tried contacting your local Women’s Rights Network as they may have members who are parents? They have a Single Sex Toilets in Schools campaign.

thanks very much and good tip - I have not though I can see if I can do, I do wish the GC movement was a little more organised, especially in Brighton!

Everyone - So far two people have asked me for this email address. If you do know any parent in Brighton who could possibly lend support with a statement, it would be very very welcomed. I hope this action launches properly and we get enough wind behind us!
thanks so much