The Proud Trust ‘Trans Inclusion Toolkit’ consultation open until 30 November

[QueenOfThorns]

I had a look and couldn’t find another thread on this, so I thought I’d post to make people aware. RSE provider The Proud Trust has developed a new resource for schools that they call a ‘trans inclusion toolkit’ (primarily aimed at schools in Greater Manchester, but they say the ‘recommendations will be useful to all schools, wherever they are based’). There is a consultation open until 30 November on the current draft, which can be found here: https://www.theproudtrust.org/schools-and-training/trans-inclusive-practice-for-schools/

I’ve had a read through it and am frankly furious at the idea that my DD may well be taught about the ‘GenderPerson’ and sex/gender being assigned at birth once she reaches secondary school. It’s possible that she may one day come home convinced that her parents are bigots because we believe in biology. I’m going to respond with my own thoughts, but I thought I’d also post it here so that anyone else who feels strongly can do the same. I have no idea whether it’ll do any good, but it’s better than just sitting here and stewing!

I’ve had a brief look and it just seems like a slightly watered down version of something that Stonewall would produce. The usual stuff suggesting single sex facilities / policies being ‘really difficult to justify’ and everyone who isn’t trans to be referred to as cis, pronouns everywhere, changing language so not to offend etc.

I doubt they want consultation responses from GC women and suspect they will throw any such responses straight in the bin. It's not like a government consultation where they have to publish and consider all responses.

The linked page is clear that they disregard any evidence or guidance they don't agree with. They "urge extreme caution against following recommendations" of the governments draft guidance on Gender Questioning Children and the draft RSHE guidance. They also openly state that they "have concerns about many of the recommendations on the Cass Review"

What a load of utter shite.
Sex is not ‘assigned’ at birth.
”Cis” is a made up word which is used to denote that there are two types of sex - male women and female women. It’s bollocks.
”Intersex” is a derogatory term which people with a DSD find insulting. It has sod all to do with whether someone is male or female.
Compelling people to go along with the idea that people can change sex is completely wrong - and is most definitely not ‘supporting’ gender confused children.

I’ve just enjoyed completing their survey - I suggest others do too.

Am I remembering correctly that the Proud Trust was the proud producers of the sex position dice game for children?

Me too!

I've had a quick read through. I think some of this is borrowed from the ur-Trans Toolkit produced by Allsorts a few years ago, and adopted by local authorities all over the country until the threat of legal action put a stop to it.

Some of the content (eg "All students should be able to use changing room facilities that correspond with their gender identity. Ideally schools will provide the spaces and facilities for all students to have adequate privacy when changing for PE.") contravenes the DfE's draft guidance ("Schools must always protect single-sex spaces with regard to toilets, showers and changing rooms.")

You can read the DfE draft guidance here:

https://consult.education.gov.uk/equalities-political-impartiality-anti-bullying-team/gender-questioning-children-proposed-guidance/supporting_documents/Gender%20Questioning%20Children%20%20nonstatutory%20guidance.pdf

Not sure if a final version has been issued.

Yes.

As its a charity - see https://www.theproudtrust.org/about-us/
it may be worth writing to them to remind them that they have to take into account this week's Charity Commission ruling on Mermaids. This makes wider recommendations to trustees working across this sector, which they do, as follows (my bold, this was taken from GOV website https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/charity-inquiry-mermaids/charity-inquiry-mermaids):

'Issues for the wider sector
The purpose of this section is to highlight the broader issues arising from the Commission’s assessment of the issues raised publicly that may have relevance for other charities. It is not intended as further comment on the charity in addition to the findings and conclusions set out in the earlier sections of this report but is included because of their wider applicability and interest to the charity sector.

Implementing the findings of the Cass Review
The Independent Review of Gender Identity Services for Children and Young People (‘The Cass Review’) commissioned by NHS England and NHS Improvement in Autumn 2020 published its final report in April 2024. The Cass Review set out its recommendations on a range of issues which affect children and young people who are questioning their gender identity or experiencing gender dysphoria. This has resulted in changes to NHS guidelines, in particular with regard to the clinical approach to care and support.

Trustees who work in this area need to ensure that they have regard to the findings, conclusions and recommendations of the Cass Review and ensure that they have reviewed their charity’s literature, website and guidance in light of them. Furthermore, trustees should have the mechanisms in place to ensure that they keep up to date with any future changes to guidance or legislation.'

It strikes me that every charity in this sector should have a letter to trustees (maybe from Sex Matters?) pointing out the problem of just dismissing Cass. Its not an option anymore for trustees to not have read it or be aware of it. (Which is a start as many who reject it seem to have no idea how thorough it was).

Schools have to consider the impact of trans policies on all children.
Here's an article by Children of Transiitoners re schools published last week here, referring to the need for female privacy from males and not grooming/ lying to children that men/ fathers are women.... (there's a pdf link so parents can send it to schools when raising trans issues)...

www.transgendertrend.com/schools-trans-policies-children-of-trans-parents/

Excellent idea @Retiredfromthere

I really hope the Manchester Education Authority (or whatever they are called these days) are not paying a group of people to disregard the law, the Cass Review and the DfE guidance.

Will do it tonight hopefully.

As they've so helpfully laid out their political view that Cass is flawed and propose to put this political viewpoint to children in schools (schools are required to be politically impartial), maybe the complaint should be made to the Charity Commission? Especially in the light of this:
Trustees who work in this area need to ensure that they have regard to the findings, conclusions and recommendations of the Cass Review and ensure that they have reviewed their charity’s literature, website and guidance in light of them. Furthermore, trustees should have the mechanisms in place to ensure that they keep up to date with any future changes to guidance or legislation.

A few years ago the Safe Schools Alliance produced a guide to all the loony tunes independent organisations providing RSE resources to schools. You can read what they wrote about the Proud Trust on page 30.

https://safeschoolsallianceuk.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Parents-Guide-to-external-PSHE-RSE-providers.pdf

Don't forget this gem;

''The Proud Trust’s Sexuality aGender v2 – An Inclusive Sexual Health Toolkit is for ages 13+.
In 2017, the government awarded the Proud Trust £99,960 for the project, using money from the Tampon Tax Fund.''

And yet it cost £75.

https://rsereview.org/resources/the-proud-trust/

Well as the Charity Commission has only just published this advisory bit perhaps its worth writing FAO Trustees to all the relevant charities so they don't miss it and have no excuse for not being aware. And if there is no change in what they say about/or how they ignore/dismiss Cass Review (perhaps give them a while to mull over, suggest a timescale) then take it up with Charity Commissioners? Wording of letter might be:

'In light of the advice to trustees from the Charity Commission (quote, citation, etc), and as trustees for a charity working in similar area to Mermaids, can you reassure us (where us = Sex Matters or other organisation sending enquiry) that all trustees have read the Cass Review and taken account of its recommendations in your advice and support of users of your service? We note that on (today's date) this advice still appears on your website/in this publication. <quote/screenshot or such> We trust you will not mind us bringing this to your attention as it appears contrary to the Charity Commission's recent advice. Will you be changing this claim/statement, and if so can you advise on what sort of timescale to effect the change'.

Yes, that’s how I found them - a school I’m looking at for my DD listed them among their RSE providers, so I looked them up. They also use Diversity Role Models, who also look very dodgy

Still, there are some open days coming up, which gives me the opportunity to ask school staff exactly what nonsense they’re peddling to the kids.

WTAF? How do these organisations get away with this?