Are there any GC teachers here?

[VictoriaLucas102]

I used to be very active on edutwitter not as a teacher although I work in education. I decided in the end it was too risky to carry on tweeting as I would also occasionally tweet about GC feminist issues (which did once result in an anonymous complaint to my employer .. one example of my transphobia was an RIP dedication to Magdalene Burns 🙄).

I noticed Tom Bennett (the ‘behaviour tsar’ and a sometimes controversial character) has recently been tweeting stuff about the ‘cervix-shaver’ thing and in true edutwitter tribal style it’s split opinion with the more ‘traditional’ teachers adopting a critical response and the ‘progressives’ in the be kind’ camp.

I’m just feeling so fed up as yet again I am questioning myself and my (hatefully bigoted) beliefs, but on the other hand I’m so frustrated that people who I know are thoughtful and intelligent are just going along with it.

Is it just the twitter bubble? What’s the general feeling in schools?

That thread on Twitter is seriously frightening.

I’m just popping in to say thank God all of you exist!

It was the Deputy Head at my daughter’s school who finally listened to us and reversed the decision to affirm her as a boy. This was after we watched her mental health go into a deep downward spiral for the month that she was affirmed. I dread to think where we would be if she hadn’t listened.

So a big thanks to all of you.

I am GC, teach 14-19 year olds, not in the UK.
I teach English and focus on critical thinking aspects, so am able to have the kids discuss gender issues.
What I found a few years ago (I am in conservative southern Italy) is that teenagers, in as much of an attempt to break away from constraints imposed by older generations here, tend to move towards what they see as super-duper liberal. Women's issues, equality, fighting against-isms etc.
They shout me down when I tell them I am GC because initially it doesn't fit in with their new world view of all being lovely and rainbow and today I'm an apricot and that's fine etc.
Then we read (often from things I have come across on here so cheers, and you start to see the cogs going. Often the first click comes when the most obvious changing rooms and toilets issue comes up.
I also tell them I'm going to continue discussing this with them (or letting them) while we still can.

This is a particularly concerning conversation between someone and Mimmy.

Replying to
@mimmymum
Will these teachers be reported then to the LA or shamed in some way as they are not fit to teach. We wouldn’t let them get away with it if it was racism or abuse of some kind.


Helenn*
*

@mimmymum
·
23m

They’re unidentifiable. It’s important for teachers in schools to be alert to this and to make sure it doesn’t infiltrate their school. They need to protect trans children

(Reply)

This should be written into a whistleblowing policy. I know it takes guts for other staff to speak out, especially if inexperienced but it is unacceptable.

Unbelievable so according to the messages on Twitter we're child abusing nazis who aren't educated enough to be teachers. Do they not realise we teach because we genuinely care for and want the best possible outcomes for children? One idiot seems to think we should be identified and reported - for what exactly?? Not promoting regressive gender stereotypes? Good luck with that. It's a basic principle of child development that pushing gender stereotypes can have a negative impact on both boys and girls.
I'm a safeguarding lead and it is from that angle that I will raise any concerns about resources from Mermaids or Stonewall. For those silently patrolling these boards - maybe look up safeguarding in schools and see if you can spot the areas which teachers might be concerned about. Hint: it has bugger all to do with transphobia and everything to do with protecting children from harm.

Oh God Neurotrash I hadn't seen your last message. Whistleblowing for wrong think? They clearly have no idea. Safeguarding is paramount and every child is supported to cater for their individual needs. Do they really, honestly think trans children are not supported?? Of course they are. What is not acceptable is creating confusion in children as young as 4 when they are told men and women can change sex by changing their names and clothes.

I would be whistleblowing and reporting anyone in a school promoting this ideology.

Children can't consent to a life time of surgery, fertility treatments/ infertility, operations, hormones leading to higher risks of heart disease, cancers, unable to breastfeed, the associated medical issues with mastectomies, osteoporosis, early menopause, and vaginal atrophy causing pain during orgasms leading to a hysterectomy.

Ha! Good luck 'reporting to the LA'.

Firstly, U.K. schools tend not to be under LA control these days. Secondly, the appalling retention rate at the best of times, never mind in the middle of a global pandemic, means you'd have to do something MUCH more drastic than post a polite & largely uncontroversial view about the importance of safeguarding on an anonymous forum before anyone wanted to take you to task...

Particularly as the wheels are so visibly coming off the transing of children train as we watch.

Tick tock, mermaids.

Jesus wept.
I see my comment about leading INSET on issues around transgender hasn't gone down well. Why on earth would they think that I would peddle misinformation or try and change people's views in a staff meeting? Our head and governors and all staff were present and OKayed all the content beforehand! I think we know which people are trying to brainwash others ...

Mummy doesn't get it...!

twitter.com/mimmymum/status/1293321308160299010?s=21

This is very pertinent for next time anyone tries to spout the two sprit stuff in school:

www.instagram.com/p/CDefuYMhTiQ/

@NeurotrashWarrior

This is a particularly concerning conversation between someone and Mimmy.

Replying to
@mimmymum
Will these teachers be reported then to the LA or shamed in some way as they are not fit to teach. We wouldn’t let them get away with it if it was racism or abuse of some kind.


Helenn*
*

@mimmymum
·
23m

They’re unidentifiable. It’s important for teachers in schools to be alert to this and to make sure it doesn’t infiltrate their school. They need to protect trans children

(Reply)

This should be written into a whistleblowing policy. I know it takes guts for other staff to speak out, especially if inexperienced but it is unacceptable.

I know 😬 ... had to read it a few times to synthesise what she was actually suggesting. Dox and “shame”? Just glad she isn’t teaching my children ...

I don't twitter, but followed that link. Interesting, um, choice of usernames on that thread.

They're going to be busy whistleblowing the science departments.

Yes, can you imagine the horror. All those science teachers...teaching actual scientific facts!

So mimmymum thinks that holding a gender critical view means what exactly? That teachers are not professionals? That they are incapable of supporting children who identify as trans? . Does she also think Christian teachers can’t support non-Christian children? Or any other similar examples? Or is she assuming that this only matters or applies to trans issues? The lack of critical thinking and respect for professional conduct is staggering. Or possibly projection.

Some of those tweets are so embarrassingly ignorant about safeguarding in schools!

We have nothing to fear from these groupthink types. Just keep on doing what we’re doing. The tide is turning.

I'm another atheist teacher who has taught evolution to students from creationist Christian families, it is, strangely enough, possible to keep professional and respect the students even if you don't personally follow their belief system.

If cancer had a face, we would be the voice. Apparently. You couldn't make this shit up.

@Mooncupdotcom

I was told in training session that a short haired, rugby playing girl MUST be trans and it was our job as teachers to help her see that. I pointed out that this hypothetical child might be happy gender non conforming or lesbian, and shouldn't be told they were in the wrong body. That was a key moment for many colleagues' understanding I think. The homophobic undertones.

Um what? It was stated that your job was to lead children into a trans identity? . That’s appalling. And contradicts the whole innate self knowledge of identity that is spouted as doctrine.