Please help! Gender not sex on a school 'protected characteristics' poster, just spoken to the Head!

[Vebrithien]

Good morning,

I started this thread before Christmas

www.mumsnet.com/talk/womens_rights/4684558-today-i-found-my-bravery?page=1

The overview is that my DD's primary school is displaying posters by No Outsiders, which are supposed to show the 9 protected characteristics, but shows gender, not sex.

The (male) deputy head I mentioned it to, before Christmas, has not got back to me. The posters are still there.

I summoned up my courage this morning, and spoke to the Headteacher. She seemed surprised, as I said I'd already mentioned it to one deputy head, and that I'd picked up on it due to my school expecting Ofsted, and reissuing our equality training.

The Head said that it was surprising, as No Outsiders were an organisation whose specialism was equalities.

I replied that the EA2010 says sex, not gender. I also mentioned that there were some concerning resources produced by them, including an assembly where a dad wants to offer violence to children who do not accept his trans child. (I know no more than this)

The Head is going to talk to her other deputy head, whose responsibility this is, and to try to put us in contact.

Where do I do from here?

Can any one help me with evidence? What particularly is dodgy about No Outsiders?

Is there anything that states that schools mustn't misrepresent the EA?

Is there any DofE (or whatever it's called now) guidance for schools on the resources they used or how they represent the EA?

And, how should I go about finding out if the school uses other No Outsiders resources?

Please help, I want as much evidence as I can.

Still shaking with adrenaline from speaking to the Head!

It was very very useful when the school received a complaint about me for being anti trans - from an anonymous email account - and I was asked to attend a meeting with one of SLT and HR. I pointed out how all my views align with the guidance, and in fact many posters, signage and some class materials don't. He ended up asking me for feedback and a list of all the issues around the school.

Wow, great work in a scary situation, @rabbitwoman

Did you mean to be so misogynistic?

I think they probably did.

A trans woman who was refused a job because a boss thought women would be too gossipy etc should not be denied protection from discrimination. And under the EA2010, at least if she has a GRC, she will not be denied protection

not actually likely to happen, as no one who has a functioning pair of eyes or ears actually thinks a trans woman is an actual woman.

no objection to kids being taught about gender stereotypes and how harmful they can be. but that's not what you meant, is it? you mean teaching gender identity ideology as though it's not some fairytale
Or maybe you'll be happy to know that my daughter was taught about stereotypes in year 6 and asked the question "if there were no stereotypes, would people still be transgender?"
i was very proud- and also ridiculously scared that the teacher would have me/my daughter painted as a transphobe
luckily, teacher far too sensible and told my daughter she disagreed that kids should be trans- pretty brave of the teacher actually
Anyway, my point is that you're right, teaklaxon, teaching kids about gender stereotypes and the steaming pile of bollocks that they are is great: it got my daughter putting 2 and 2 together, and i learnt that her teacher hadn't drunk the koolaid. plus, think of the rest of the class listening in, digesting what was said. an absolute win, wouldnt you say?

Another example of why the GRC is not necessary. Your hypothetical candidate would be able to claim discrimination on the grounds of "gender reassignment", on the basis that they wouldn't have said that about another man.

And "discrimination by perception" on the grounds of sex which can apply when the perception is mistaken.

If a trans woman is discriminated against in the scenario that women are gossipy, they would have protection under gender reassignment surely, as their comparator would be a non trans identified male.

Sex should just be biological sex, changing it to gender means my sister gets no protection if she is discriminated against due to reproductive role, if all female people including trans men can become pregnant.

Of course sex is only biological. Anything other than man being male is a legal fiction which should have never been entered into law

Any man could claim discrimination because people thought he was a woman and were prejudiced against women. Not just MTF trans people.

I'll also add, how will a law on gender cope with the gender chameleons who are one thing one month and another the next? Sex is immutable but gender can change with the wind. See Del La Grace Volcano, whom I've encountered several times over the last 25 years and who is something different on each occasion.

I also know a man who has recently identified as Maverique, which isn't a gender but isn't not a gender. How will Lady Haldane's ruling work in his case?

It's all narcissistic crap.

Exactly. I think the way to tackle this is to bring into a court room that the term "gender" is essentially meaningless and catch-all.

Well obvs not terfs. But luckily you lot are being outmanoeuvred for the most part.

I see your definition of outmanoeuvred matches the rest of your definitions.

I do believe that today is a momentous day.

I've never had one of my previous threads jumped on 😊

I will not be the woman who stands by, any more.

Women matter

Sex matters

Children and their safeguarding, matter

Why you are quibbling about my ‘definitions’ the boat has sailed. My advice is work on allyhood.

If you are so convinced you are on the right side of history and have won the debate EastLondon, why don't you go and stand in a prominent place In Tower Hamlets (Chrisp St Market for example) and state that TWAW and therefore should have full access to all female single sex spaces and anyone who doesn't agree is a bigot. See how you get on.

I will not be the woman who stands by, any more.
Women matter
Sex matters
Children and their safeguarding, matter

Well said OP. There's a massive backlash happening. It's a dreadful situation as so many vulnerable, mentally unwell adults and children have been caught up in this. It will take time and courage as this is enforced by vicious bullying and a level of intolerance previously mainly seen in fascist dictatorships.
It will end as biological reality can never be eradicated.

How would there be no transgender people if there were no stereotypes?

My allyship is very firmly moored to girls and women who experience discrimination and harm on the basis of their sex.

I think there is a place for teaching children the difference between sex and gender, and examining what it is in society that leads people to stereotype behaviours and feelings and appearances to a particular sex, and then discussing the harms that can arise from this.

How would there be no transgender people if there were no stereotypes?

What is being "transgender" based on if not stereotypes?

In the 19th century “biological reality” (as is was understood then) was used to justify scientific racism and not awarding women the vote.

”reality” changes.

Thank you to whoever reported EastLondonObserver and their slur.

Which reminds me. As I teach reproduction, it's almost inevitable that I will be called a (alternative word for lawn).

What is a teenager friendly way of explaining why calling women that, is unacceptable?

Just wondering if anyone else was in the same boat and had received any sort of training they felt was dubious. In the public sector it's all been pretty good ime, but the dodgy one was in the private sector (not gender related).

My son’s primary also used gender instead of sex. I calmly explained to the Head it was wrong, sent evidence, and it was changed.
small win but felt good

If there were no stereotypes of how men and women "feel", how would anyone perceive their own feelings as different to members of their own sex?