Are there any teachers here (or groups elsewhere) who are concerned about how gender identity ideology and the queer theory are appearing in schools?

[Leafstamp]

I have been telling a couple of teacher friends about some of the horror stories in schools where children are being taught some very questionable 'facts' about gender identity and also regarding the edges of queer theory that seek to erode sexual boundaries.

It seems that the teaching profession, and teacher forums are full of proponents of gender identity theory and queer theory, which I find troubling.

Parents are campaigning against this, but are there teachers who are getting their heads together to tackle these problems?

I would assume it best you just worry about what you yourself are teaching and let everyone else worry about themselves?

Thanks Ellie, but I can't stand by while such inaccuracies are taught. I wouldn't do this for any other subject. It's a bit worrying that you are suggesting I do this.

teacher forums are full

Examples please.

@RuleWithAWoodenFoot

teacher forums are full

Examples please.

I didn't come here to have to prove things. I know that teachers who raise questions on eg RSE groups are getting abuse or asked to leave. It's evident from the Safe Schools Alliance website that there are RSE providers that have content that goes against DfE guidelines.

If anyone can point me (perhaps by PM) to any teacher groups that share my concerns I'd be very grateful.

No. Not worried at all.

I've only been reading mumsnet for about a year but it felt quickly apparent to me that it's full of gender-critical people...everywhere except this teaching forum. Funny that!

I think the people who actually teach children know the reality is harmless and can help children to accept themselves and not worry about society's gender standards based on their sex. Not sure what exactly you are worried about since you haven't said.

I didn't come here to have to prove things.

You just came to throw around unproven accusations then, which isn't going to result in a lot of engagement. Have a nice day.

@WayDownInTheHole

No. Not worried at all.

Why not?

Because it's not happening, or because it's happening and you're fine with that?

@RuleWithAWoodenFoot

I didn't come here to have to prove things.

You just came to throw around unproven accusations then, which isn't going to result in a lot of engagement. Have a nice day.

No she didn't. She's specifically said she wants to be pointed to groups in teaching, if there are any, with whom she can network.

It's incredible how defensive some people get when even asked a civil question about this topic.

I don't think anyone has been particularly defensive. It's more likely we are all just a bit tired of bigots by now.

Thank you @ScreamingBeans

Yes that was exactly my question. Asked in a civil manner. I didn’t come here to discuss the rights and wrongs of things.

The responses have been an eye opener and only confirmed my fears.

@salviapages

I've only been reading mumsnet for about a year but it felt quickly apparent to me that it's full of gender-critical people...everywhere except this teaching forum. Funny that!

I think the people who actually teach children know the reality is harmless and can help children to accept themselves and not worry about society's gender standards based on their sex. Not sure what exactly you are worried about since you haven't said.

The people who will be able to direct me to networks of teachers who share my concerns will know exactly what my concerns are.

If you don’t know what they types of concerns are, I suggest hanging out for a while on the Feminism board.

I think you'll need to point to some examples of what you're concerned about. I have no concerns about what's taught in my sons' secondary, and they've given a lot of guidance about their SRE curriculum to parents. I'm well versed with what's on the feminist board here, too.

I am a senior leader and have kept anything with a hint of stonewall or mermaids away from my school. But I’m leaving teaching so who knows what will happen there.

Anyone concerned could always put themselves forward to be a governor!

@Barbie222

I think you'll need to point to some examples of what you're concerned about. I have no concerns about what's taught in my sons' secondary, and they've given a lot of guidance about their SRE curriculum to parents. I'm well versed with what's on the feminist board here, too.

Ok, things that I'm concerned about are:

• implying that everyone has a gender identity (that everyone believes in gender identity ideology)
• socially transitionning children without parents knowledge/consent
• generally conflating sex and gender or not making clear to students what the difference is

Plenty more examples here: safeschoolsallianceuk.net/our-stories/

I agree with you and do find it concerning. It is becoming increasingly clear that education is exceptionally "woke" and the system is being used to very specific agendas.

I agree with you too.
How very predictable that someone should call you a 'bigot' for raising the issue. This is what we're up against. I went on Stonewall training a few years ago and it was horrific. You can talk about identity, model and teach acceptance and not peddle the untruth that humans can change sex. It's anti scientific bollocks.

@EllieNBeeb

I don't think anyone has been particularly defensive. It's more likely we are all just a bit tired of bigots by now.

Could you please explain your workings. What is it about this question, that makes the person who asks it, a bigot.

Because I think that someone who automatically, kneejerks that someone is a bigot for daring to raise a specific topic, is actually a bigot themselves. If you mean by bigot, someone who is closed-minded and not prepared to listen to or engage with another person with a different view from them, on a particular topic.

But what do I know, perhaps the word "bigot" now means something different from what it used to. Like the word woman. And funnily enough, unlike the word man, which remains with the same meaning it's always had.

So. Please explain the bigotry in the OP. If you can.

It is the dominant ideology in schools, or at least the vocal one. Perhaps with what's going on with stonewall it might change a little. I wouldn't be able to confront it in school. Which is a shocking admission

It is the dominant ideology in schools, or at least the vocal one

Do you have any evidence for this?

@echt

It is the dominant ideology in schools, or at least the vocal one

Do you have any evidence for this?

Pick any resource that contains the words ‘gender’, ‘gender identity’, ‘trans’ or LGBT and I’ll bet they aren’t accurate.

Even ‘sex’ is spoken about being ‘assigned at birth’. This is gender ideology IMO.

This is before taking into account materials produced especially for Pride stuff.

Pick any school Equality Policy and I’d say there’s a at least a 50% chance they misstate the Equality Act.

Sorry, I meant to say first, I’m not sure there is ‘evidence’ per se. But would also like to see some if there is.

I can see it from worksheets in the photocopier room - bisexual defined as being attracted to two genders. By the amount of students identifying as non-binary. By the regular changing of pronouns, and the fact that our headteacher lists pronouns in the email sign off. By the document on the equality act that listed sex not gender. By the amount of times students have said (usually jokingly) "did you just assume his/her gender?" I've been in a class when students were told there were 72 genders, and sex wasn't mentioned. So maybe that is not "evidence" but lets say it's a very strong impression I have picked up, and it is a very recent one too it didn't use to be like this at all. In some ways things are much more possible (gay students finding it easier to be out at school) but this is something different now.

(Obv meant "gender not sex" in that last post!)