Free speech implications for teaching union NEU motion on transphobia

[ChristinaXYZ]

NEU have moved for a 'definition of transphobia that goes above and beyond legal compliance and that supports and endorses trans and non-binary identities without resorting to the erasure or downgrading of 'gender''.

Very worrying if you are in the NEU and might one day want to have opinion of your own, within the law, but beyond the pale for the NEU. Most teachers are women but I do wonder if most union activists are men. Some men did speak out against the motion but not enough obviously.

Do you unions have any legal obligation do assess whether motions might affect one sex more than another? In the way an employer might have to do an impact assessment?

In the meantime if you are only in the union for the legal backup then there is Edapt who are just legal services for teachers without the politics, are competitively priced and have an offer on of 10% off for new members until April 21st. www.edapt.org.uk/blog/2021/04/easter-offer-for-new-subscribers/

Whoops! Forgot link to original article

www.spectator.co.uk/article/teaching-unions-shouldn-t-be-defining-transphobia-

The NEU have been excellent during the pandemic and when I have needed their help, 50% of time, they have been excellent. However, the extreme black and white nature of many of their views do make me uncomfortable. Certainly the unofficial group on social media does have very extreme views and I continually question if I want to be part of it. I think their intentions are meant for the best but it is disconcerting. I don’t encounter this in my professional life but I am seeing little waves moving into my children’s school. Perhaps I am out of touch and this is the way things are going to move? It doesn’t fit with my experience and the children and families around me.

Did you so see that the NEU are also currently at the centre of a controversy regarding exclusions as a fringe group that's calling for an end to all exclusions and alternative provision are claiming the NEU support them? There's been quite a lot of conflict on this as the topic of sexual harassment in schools has been on the agenda.

I understand that lots of teachers have left the NEU as a result of their views on no exclusions. Presumably many women teachers (and men) will need to leave if they want to discuss issues like girl's safety and single sex showers, dormitories, sports etc?

Kiri Tunks is still in the NEU though, isn't she? I am sure she would speak up for women. And (after a quick browse of her twitter) the NEU also seem to have passed a motion defending free speech.

Conference believes:

1. Advances in the development of culture, politics, science and social and personal liberty are achieved through debate, discussion and a readiness to accept that the orthodoxies of the day can be challenged;

1. Freedom of speech and respectful debate is part of any properly functioning democracy; such debate should address issues without threat or hate;

Kiri Tunks is my shero and while she is still very active in the NEU there is hope. She is a founder member of A Woman's Place. I am loathe to leave the NEU as I've had fantastic support from them over the years.

Sorry to bump this slightly old thread, but how TF are parents supposed to challenge schools and teachers when their own union are so captured?

Did anyone see what the NEU wrote about Liz Truss? neu.org.uk/press-releases/liz-truss-and-gender-recognition-act

I'm so cross.

On a related not, I'm just about to start a separate thread, if there isn't one already, on what The Free Speech Union has to say about Stonewall

I hadn’t seen that press release. I wonder why the NEU singled out those particular murdered, appalling as they are, as only one (from my rapid research) was British. I haven’t seen similar concern for victims of violence from those countries. NEU focuses a lot on Cuba and our colleagues there so am puzzled by the focus of the press release. All members need to feel safe, schools can be brutal but am not sure if I can continue with the direction they are going.

I am very loyal to the NEU as our school reps and local branch are amazing. However I am terrified of raising issues with recent school training we have had, in case I get into trouble and the Union don't support me.

I will be looking to switch. Do you know if you can transfer logged information from one union to another? I like to have a record of my concerns in case they come up later.

The NEU have been very politicised and partisan recently in a way that led to a mass walkout of Jewish members, eg getting a woman responsible for graffitting the site of the Warsaw ghetto to deliver 'antisemitism' training to members (which from a Jewish perspective seemed more likely to teach people how to be antisemitic than avoid it - the Jewish community spoke up about how grotesque this was but were ignored). The NEU have also supported pro-Palestine rallies where extremist antisemitic speakers spoke.

So not at all surprised the NEU are also being doctrinaire and partisan where women's rights are concerned.

I guess most people won't care, because, hey, it's only Jews and women who are affected.

I’m saddened to hear they’ve let down Jewish members as well. That’s awful.

Sometimes I wish I could go back to being ignorant about all this kind of stuff. Only sometimes. I do want to be a (very small) part of making the world a better place for women and girls.

@TheSlayer

I will be looking to switch. Do you know if you can transfer logged information from one union to another? I like to have a record of my concerns in case they come up later.

A family member has switched to Edapt - because it is just the legal back up and no politics www.edapt.org.uk/ I don't know how easy it would be to transfer if you have an on going problem. Ring and ask I guess!

@ValancyRedfern

I am very loyal to the NEU as our school reps and local branch are amazing. However I am terrified of raising issues with recent school training we have had, in case I get into trouble and the Union don't support me.

Switch union. No point being loyal to them if you are even slightly unsure they'd be loyal to you.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teachers%27_trade_unions_in_the_United_Kingdom and as I said above a family member has happily made the switch to Edapt www.edapt.org.uk/

@ValancyRedfern Is there anyway you could raise concerns anonymously?

I do know what you mean about having the nerve though. I've put my head above the parapet and I'm a nervous wreck about it at certain times.

There are very particular circumstances at my school which mean I wouldn't leave the NEU as we are a powerful bloc against internal bullying. I would be very vulnerable fo entirely non-trans related reasons if I left. I am considering how best to raise my concerns.

I have switched recently from NEU to NAHT (I am a senior leader). It was an easy decision as our local NEU rep is not very good and gave inaccurate advice to a colleague.