RAF Cadets...here we go again!!

[DorotheaDiamond]

Just got the updated consent form to complete for dd's cadet force....

If you can't see the image it asks for gender (not sex) m/f/prefer not to say, and PRONOUNS.

Anyone want to help me compose a stroppy letter to them about this? And any idea at all who this should be sent to? Given the reason for this to be updated is

"The RAF Air Cadets is very aware of and is committed to ensuring that we meet our responsibilities under the Data Protection Act (2018) and UK General Data Protection Regulations (UK GDPR). Internally, we have made several policy changes that impact on the way in which you consent for your child to take part in our events and activities. "

Clearly collecting gender/pronouns which are not legally defined/required is not correct under GDPR...

I'd be inclined to cross out gender and write sex (I do this on medical contents, etc)., but I can't see the problem in the pronoun question - you're not obligated to reply and some people may have a preference.

But what if the cadet's pronouns are xie/xea? Surely requiring xie accepts xeaself being described by others as he, she or they is discriminatory?

I would ask them how they plan to appropriately segregate accommodation and other services by sex as required under the EA, and make appropriate safeguarding arrangement if they do not collect this data?

I would also ask why they think that forcing a young person to potentially out themselves as gender non-confirming by collecting pronouns is appropriate.

I would ask the wing or HQ though as squadron staff won’t have had any say.

@RestingPandaFace

I would ask them how they plan to appropriately segregate accommodation and other services by sex as required under the EA, and make appropriate safeguarding arrangement if they do not collect this data?

I would also ask why they think that forcing a young person to potentially out themselves as gender non-confirming by collecting pronouns is appropriate.

I would ask the wing or HQ though as squadron staff won’t have had any say.

It's not required under the EA. It is a legal option.

I'd asked them that if they're going to gather personal information about your child, they have a duty to make sure that the information is accurate:

Article 5(1) requires that personal data shall be:
(d) accurate

ico.org.uk/media/for-organisations/guide-to-the-general-data-protection-regulation-gdpr-1-0.pdf

You can contact the ATC safeguarding officer. Google will lead you to their contact details.

According to their twitter page however, they are now fully captured and delivering trans inclusion training to all squadrons.

mobile.twitter.com/rafac_aspire?lang=en

Hope that link works. Apparently they started delivering trans inclusive sessions at the end of last year and it will be given to all cadets and staff.

Have found safeguarding officers email

[email protected]

The email about the consent form also talked about them getting confirmation about digital signatures from the Directorate of Legal Services,....does anyone have any idea who/how I can contact them? Can't find any email addresses - I could write on paper but suspect that will take forever to get answered. I'd quite like to go to the director ...

www.raf.mod.uk/our-organisation/senior-commanders/director-legal-services/

If anyone can find any contact emails there I'd be really grateful.

Also need to plough through the RAF recruitment site to see what they have to say about mixed/separated facilities - have found absolutely NOTHING on the cadets site! Probably because most people assume that things will be properly sex segragated...tricky to do if they are only collecting gender!

I'm personally really pleased by this and hope it is taken up by the whole armed services in full. I appreciate I am in a minority here, but think of the future when the armed services are called into close combat battles on the ground of dog fights in the sky. Clear and concise orders are vital and if you sergeant is shouting:

"Look out ! That tank is still active, Dave fire the bazooka !"

but if Dave transitioned in the past week, she is hurt and mentally injured by the deadnaming and unable to act -- or even worse simply has no idea the sergeant is speaking to her.

Maybe your sergeant shouts something like:

"OK Ladies and Gents in A squad lay down some covering fire at that hill, so B squad can advance"

But since half of A squad identifies as non-binary they sit down as the order was clearly not for them.

Can anyone remember who it is who tweets to companies who have the wrong list of protected characteristics about how they are potentially in breech of Gdpr?

I suggest 'Colonel' :D

Findwen, that made me laugh way more than it should have done!

@Findwen

I'm personally really pleased by this and hope it is taken up by the whole armed services in full. I appreciate I am in a minority here, but think of the future when the armed services are called into close combat battles on the ground of dog fights in the sky. Clear and concise orders are vital and if you sergeant is shouting:

"Look out ! That tank is still active, Dave fire the bazooka !"

but if Dave transitioned in the past week, she is hurt and mentally injured by the deadnaming and unable to act -- or even worse simply has no idea the sergeant is speaking to her.

Maybe your sergeant shouts something like:

"OK Ladies and Gents in A squad lay down some covering fire at that hill, so B squad can advance"

But since half of A squad identifies as non-binary they sit down as the order was clearly not for them.

Thankfully the armed forces use surnames and ranks so that won't be an issue.

Whether to call an ofiicer "Sir" or "Ma'am" might be more problematic.

Good response from school CCF lead who are also concerned about this and are raising it up the chain.

Another day, another bloody form...have had to query it with a university psychology research project, and dd's summer camp! AAARRRGGGGGG!

I am so sick of this crap. Ask for sex. Ask for gender identity if you really must if it's needed. Stop ignoring your legal responsibilities.

@DorotheaDiamond

Can anyone remember who it is who tweets to companies who have the wrong list of protected characteristics about how they are potentially in breech of Gdpr?

Alan Hennessy?

Found it - it’s sexnotgender. Alan henrssey a good find too tho - thanks

mobile.twitter.com/zeno001
Allan Henness?

Ah it’s @sexnotgender.info on Twitter!!!