How to tackle school

[EarlyModernEnglish]

I’d really appreciate some practical advice.

There is a trans girl at my daughter’s school who is sometimes present in the girls’ changing room when my daughter and her friends are getting changed. My daughter is 11; trans girl is 16. Daughter says she and some of her friends feel uncomfortable with this but don’t dare say anything for fear of being called transphobic.

I know this isn’t a new issue and has probably been discussed on here many times, but I’d really some tips for an effective, calm approach to follow in the current climate. I am so cross at the thought of these young girls being made to feel uncomfortable. My daughter is anxious about any action because she desperately fears being called transphobic.

Thank you.

That's a good point Nancy and one the op.coukd keep up their sleeve if they find out the policy says that.

As far as I understand it Gender reassignment in the protected characteristics means anyone with a GRC therefore doesn't mean self IDing children.

Unfortunately not - it is considerably broader than that:

A person has the protected characteristic of gender reassignment if the person is proposing to undergo, is undergoing or has undergone a process (or part of a process) for the purpose of reassigning the person's sex by changing physiological or other attributes of sex

This was hotly contested recently in Scotland where IIRC it boiled down to 'other attributes of sex' in terms of who qualified as a woman (on public panels) being reduced to linguistics:

“always using female pronouns; using a female name on official documents such as a driving licence or passport, or on utility bills or bank accounts; describing themselves and being described by others in written or other communication using female language.”

(from murrayblackburnmackenzie.org/2020/04/21/shifting-sands-on-the-definition-of-woman-in-scots-law-the-journey-of-the-gender-representation-on-public-boards-act-from-consultation-to-implementation/ )

Our school policy specifically states that the fact that pupils who identify as trans change their name and which uniform items they wear gives them the PC of gender reassignment

I cited the recent legal case which proves conclusively it's within the law, AEA vs EHRC.

Oh this?

Where does any of that relate to children and teens at school?

Are 12 year old boys transsexuals? Definitely not adults.

Why are you insisting that adult males with or without GRC legally access girls' changing rooms?

transsafety.network/posts/aea-v-cehr/

My take is that the regulations state single sex toilets/changing rooms in schools for children over 8. As putting a trans girl in a boys changing room could be classed as direct gender reassignment discrimination it’s not an option. Similarly this person using the girls facilities causes a conflict between sex and gender reassignment legislation. The best option is an alternative space. It’s okay for a trans person to change name, pronouns, uniform as this has little or no impact on other pupils but this definitely does. If I remember correctly both Oxford and Warwickshire (I think) had cases brought against them about similar issues and they quickly changed things when it came to the media’s attention. When it comes to children people aren’t so sympathetic.