Can anyone help me challenge this please?

[EenyMeenyMinyNo]

I'm a school governor and we subscribe to a company that offer guidance and support to schools in the way of policies, resources and best practice. The attached is within a resource for schools to use as their Equality and Diversity policy. Have I missed something?

But children cannot undergo gender reassignment, they are children. So they can't even be considering gender reassignment (too young to make that decision). So why is this section relevant to the school? Shouldn't the policy just note 'Gender reassignment - not relevant in this context'??

@oldwomanwhoruns

But children cannot undergo gender reassignment, they are children. So they can't even be considering gender reassignment (too young to make that decision). So why is this section relevant to the school? Shouldn't the policy just note 'Gender reassignment - not relevant in this context'??

For the protected characteristic of gender reassignment to apply, one does not have to undergo a process of gender reassignment.

The Equality Act also makes it clear that a social transition is enough to engage this protected characteristic. (Even just stating your intention to change your name and pronouns would be enough, too.)

So, yes, this protected characteristic applies to all ages.

This is a hotly contested area (children and PC of GR). However GR does not trump sex and there are still situations where a male person can be legitimately excluded from a female space.

@2fallsagain

This is a hotly contested area (children and PC of GR). However GR does not trump sex and there are still situations where a male person can be legitimately excluded from a female space.

Children and medical transition is a hotly contested issue indeed, but I have to respectfully disagree that children and the protected characteristic of gender reassignment under the Equality Act is a contested issue.

It isn't. The law is clear on this and consequently, the EHRC Technical Guidance for schools list gender reassignment as one of the protected characteristics that apply to schools.

It’s incorrect. The protected characteristics include gender reassignment but not gender identity. Gender reassignment is a formal process involving specialist consultants, gender dysphoria and usually takes two years to get the certificate.

There has been a push to misinterpret legislation and confuse which has led to many in main stream life wrongly assuming gender identity and gender reassignment are the same thing.

@Saltyslug
That is not correct - obtaining a GRC takes 2 years, etc.

Gender Reassignment (as a protected characteristic) can, at the absolute minimum, simply involve stating that the person is considering transitioning in the future or social transitioning. It does not require any specialist involvement, diagnosis or surgery.

Charley it is contested when schools socially transition children without consent of (or consultation with) their parents. There is the argument that children cannot possibly make a commitment to live as the opposite sex.

Regardless, having a PC of GR does not trump the PC of sex. It does not mean boys who say they are girls get treated as if they are girls. It just means they can't be discriminated against because they say they are girls.

I think that is where these two concepts get conflated.

Here this clarify a it’s for you badgherkin

Is it tho? specifically?
Gender reasignment is a protected characteristic (as is sex) and beliving in science is a protected belief but is believing in gender idology?

@WarOnWoman

OP, the language used in the EA2000 is as clear as mud and outdated and not fit for purpose.

2010, so not that outdated!

But @Saltyslug, my point is that a person doesn’t need a GRC to be protected under the pc of Gender Reassignment. Anyone even thinking of transitioning is covered.