11 yo DD taught in class that JK Rowling was transphobic

[amter]

So DD shared with me that in their class the teacher raised the JK Rowling vs Emma Watson issue, and the teacher (and most students) were very much of the opinion JK was wrong and Emma Watson in the right when discussing the issues/Emma taking a stand against JK.

FFS, I was worried about this nonsense, luckily DD and I (and DS) have been openly talking about gender stereotypes not defining sex, and that you can't change sex etc for a few years now. DD firmly believes you can't change sex and we have previously discussed what JK actually has said.

The conversation in class was led by a teacher and it arose from being supportive to gay and trans students. DD was saying to me that she supports her friends who are gay (apparently 3 girls in her class of 30, 2 of whom are saying they are also trans). DD wants to support them however she doesn't feel she can say anything at school about believing sex and gender are different and that gender stereotypes don't do anyone any favours. I knew this was coming but honestly did not expect this in year 7 term 1!

Just wanted to vent...

Was this a form teacher, or was it a PSHE lesson or something else?

I would be minded to contact the school about this and ask about the content of what was raised by the teacher and discussed. I'd guess that the teacher didn't actually specific what JKR said that was transphobic, rather just using her name as a lazy whipping boy.

Yes my son feels the same. It’s very frustrating.

I will wait here with you, OP, if that's okay, until the teacher can tell us what JKR said that was transphobic.

Similar to PSHE, the school have their own take on an open discussion forum class once a week.

You are correct, the teacher was very vague about JKR. It sounds very much like the teacher set the "right" tone and everyone had to fall in line and agree Emma Watson was in the right and JK in the wrong (they voted and everyone followed the teachers view, including DD).

It just feels so wrong to me, so leading and with such an agenda.

@ArabellaScott

I will wait here with you, OP, if that's okay, until the teacher can tell us what JKR said that was transphobic.

You're going to need a bigger flask.

I can, however, supply my own blanket and those little handwarmer things.

Arabella, I will also be waiting. It's such soundbite nonsense.

You need to do a "Waiting for someone (anyone) to point out a Transphobic comment from JKR" tour Arabella!

Imagine if the class were presented with the JK quote and asked to really think about it. what it means to them as young women/girls and what it means in society. This is the place they should be building up JK, an all girls grammar school, apply critical thought etc.

"If sex isn’t real, there’s no same-sex attraction. If sex isn’t real, the lived reality of women globally is erased. I know and love trans people, but erasing the concept of sex removes the ability of many to meaningfully discuss their lives. It isn’t hate to speak the truth. The idea that women like me, who’ve been empathetic to trans people for decades, feeling kinship because they’re vulnerable in the same way as women—ie, to male violence—‘hate’ trans people because they think sex is real and has lived consequences—is a nonsense. I respect every trans person’s right to live any way that feels authentic and comfortable to them. I’d march with you if you were discriminated against on the basis of being trans. At the same time, my life has been shaped by being female. I do not believe it’s hateful to say so."

@ArabellaScott

I can't remember who it was (possibly Julie Bindel) introduced herself at some online event as a radical feminist, remarking drily that 'we are not the fun kind!'

Well maybe...but you cannot knock the cameraderie

Donations kindly received, companions gladly welcomed. It's a big knee blanket and I have plenty of camping chairs.

We might need a bit of a fire going, though, it is bloody freezing out here.

OP, you're quite right, it's a beautiful quote and could really be a great subject for young people to think about. I find it disturbing that a teacher apparently attempts to whip up a witch hunt in school.

That's actually really horrific, that the whole class is now going to grow up thinking that either

1. JKR is a horrible transphobe (despite speaking in support of women's rights) or
2. School is a place that teaches you go along with lies.

Both results are awful I'd absolutely make a complaint to the head.

FFS this situation fucks me off.

I'd love to ask the teacher exactly what JKR said was transphobic, and ask her to break down why.

Tbh I don't even think people always know exact what she said, they've just gone "yay, bandwagon".

I think that is a great quote. I look forward to the school justifying having a vote on JKR's transphobic views without direct quotes to demonstrate why.

Do you support the nasty transphobic witch or the actress who centers her feminism on men?

At 11 years old I probably wouldn't have understood why Jo was right about how sex has effected her/my life though.

This makes me so angry. At that age, most of those kids probably still think Harry Potter is amazing and then the teacher goes and trashes it for them. And over nothing. JKR said nothing transphobic. So what the actual fuck?

Have you got your complaint to the school drafted?

Bring back local newspapers with good journalists.

The school needs to make sure it is not creating an environment in which pupils or indeed staff are made to feel they cannot express their gender critical beliefs.

The Head and Governors have a responsibility under the EA, and under employment law.

I would be asking the Head of school if they are aware that some teachers are promulgating utter bollocks? (maybe word that differently, maybe not) Pure indoctrination which needs challenging directly-if you stand for this then what other nonsense will you let pass?

They had a vote?? I bet it wasn't an anonymous one. That's appalling.

I would absolutely be complaining about that. A teacher told them that X view was Right and Good, Y view was Wrong and Hateful, and then asked them to (most likely) put their hands up to say if they were X or Y? How the fuck is that ok??

(Ex-teacher & head of department - I'd have been having very serious words with any of my staff who'd set kids up in that way.)

Not drafted yet but will be writing to the head.

I had spoken about JK and her demonisation by some people before DD started school because DD is such a massive massive HP fan, it is the only reason she started reading. DD was a late reader and fell in love with the audio books and progressed to reading and re-reading the series.

DD now has an amazing turn of phrase, her storytelling is inspired by JK and she truly looks up to her. I didn't want that to be taken away from her so we had started talking about JK/Emma Watson well before she started secondary.

Yes it was hands up vote, which is why DD went along with the crowd.

@amter

Yes it was hands up vote, which is why DD went along with the crowd.

You definitely, definitely need to pull them up on this. Mass indoctrination out of fear, that's what it is.

@ArabellaScott

I will wait here with you, OP, if that's okay, until the teacher can tell us what JKR said that was transphobic.

😮 Another 🕯

Its ❄🌡 have some ☕

I am wondering how this translates to the rest of the school, is this an isolated teacher with an agenda or is it endemic in the school.

As I am a bit OTT I had even checked the school websites for any mention of stonewall etc before putting down our school selection. I had also questioned some other parents and no red flags were raised.

I knew it would happen at some point in some context but am terribly sad it has happened so young and they have been directed to a point of view without context or analysis.

I'd complain OP.
I'd ask the Head to advise what the class was told about the definition of transphobia and precisely how JKR is transphobic?
It's quite possible to enable children to debate contentious issues sensitively using objective facts and presenting differing viewpoints and evaluating them. I'd ask how this lesson achieved that aim.
The session sounds like lazy teaching tbh if your DD felt obliged to hide her legal, factual and non offensive views. We adults are going to have to stand up to this as children are being gaslighted everywhere.

@amter

Yes it was hands up vote, which is why DD went along with the crowd.

That's piss poor. Show of hands votes are illegal for trades unions for example. They are tailor made for abuse and manipulation.