Guide Leader concerns

[GuideParent]

My daughter is a Guide so I’ve been following what’s been happening after Girlguiding put out their statement last week.

I’m pretty concerned about the behaviour of some of the leaders. Obviously they are entitled to protest the policy, but surely there are limits about involving the girls in their units to do the same?

There’s a Facebook page I’ve had a look at and leaders seem to be doing things like ordering trans badges for the girls to wear.
I’ve attached a pic of someone in a thread about what to say to parents (I believe she is quoting what she has emailed out to parents) saying they are not allowed to be political, but they are being political

I think Girlguiding themselves have totally brought about this situation with their statement. Rather than it being politically neutral, about the law and recognising that there will be a range of views within the organisation, their statement has taken a clear political pov that this decision is basically wrong but their hands are tied. I feel that leaders have taken their cue from this and have assumed that the view that ‘this is wrong’ is universal among the organisation and among all members. The leaders also seem to have been provided with no further direction about how they should be handing the situation with girls and parents.

Obviously there will be lots of GC parents and prob Guides themselves. Surely leaders marshalling the children in their unit to support a particular political view risks potential lawsuits regarding belief discrimination?

I’ve been shocked at the amount of GG leaders that are angry that boys are no longer allowed to join. Many stating they have non-binary children and numerous transboys have been in their units over recent years. I don’t understand how that haven’t noticed the huge spike in girls trying to identify out of womanhood.
I’m in a facebook group that is arranging protests. Only to keep an eye on what they’re doing and see if there is anything that will affect the area my daughter is in. They’re all so swept up in the belief of transchildren, it’s truly frightening.
My daughter is a guide and there has been nothing from her leaders and nothing mentioned at her group. I’ve been monitoring the situation since she was in Rainbows and all her leaders have been sensible and nothing about gender identity.
I will be emailing GG that I agree that they’re reinforcing the single sex status of GG.

I think it would be interesting to know how many of the protesting GG leaders have trans DC or DGC, the most vocal adults seem to fall into that category quite often. I suppose they're too busy worrying about their own family to consider the effect on anyone else's DC.

I would familiarise myself with these policies and then consider making a complaint. The behaviour you describe is inappropriate and puts the organisation at risk.

https://www.girlguiding.org.uk/information-for-volunteers/policies/complaints-policy/

https://www.girlguiding.org.uk/information-for-volunteers/policies/managing-concerns-about-adult-volunteers-policy/

Interesting that there was only one 👍 to their post.

I think Girlguiding themselves have totally brought about this situation with their statement

I also agree. The Facebook version of the statement had an extra line at the end about standing in solidarity with trans people. They have also sent emails striking a similar tone.

They are absolutely responsible for creating a situation where GC members feel afraid to speak and the gender ideologues feel emboldened to behave so inappropriately.

If all these people desperate to include boys in GG are so upset, why not form a new organisation? .just call it Guides and let it be mixed sex. Easy. Everyone gets what they want. I’m betting though a lot of the people sooooo upset don’t want to actually do the work, they’d rather shoehorn boys into GG cos it’s “easier”.

I’m a Guide leader. I agree the statement from Girlguiding was too emotive. They should have stayed factual and also explained how their hands were tied.

I’ve heard nothing from the parents of my Guides or the other leaders about this. Real life seems very different to the comments about it on social media.

Three people who have been leaders or very involved I know have children who are unsure of their body and want to escape reality.

They have skin in the game.

Three across the country that I know. Concerning.
These are people who are or have been responsible for safeguarding girls. And they have failed.

Thanks @plantcomplexvery helpful

Thats really interesting, and reassuring!

I didn’t realise the Facebook post was different and had that extra sentence. Absolutely the opposite of what Baroness Faulkner was talking about re professionalism!

Do you know whether these people became involved in the Guides before or after their child started questioning their gender? I'm wondering whether this is another example of trans activists deliberately moving into a women's or girl's organisation to make it transwoman inclusive?

Most of the posts I’ve seen have been women with a long history with GG. Then their daughters come out during GG or rangers. Seems most are gender non-conforming and often ND.

I’m so glad I left over this issue. They are appalling

GG could have made a point of emphasising inclusivity towards female children with NB or trans identities going forwards if they think trans is particularly important.

As it is it seems as if they care more about the gender stereotypes of what it is to be a girl, than of the varied lived experiences of female children.

I've been shocked by the religious fervour of some Guide leaders and volunteers. It's as if participation in Pride, wearing the trans flag and rescuing vulnerable boys and young men who are confused about their sex or validating family members' special identities are more important to them than the actual girls who are members at various levels. They are thoroughly indoctrinated and passing on their beliefs to their members in a way that makes it impossible for diversity, critical thought or reflection. They're also interfering inappropriately, with no medical or other clinical expertise, in children's development.

I agree that Girlguiding have contributed to this with their ham-fisted comms. I assume for some people in HQ it's been deliberate. Leaders should be getting the support they need to get on with reassuring their members (including the boys who've been irresponsibly misled) and their parents, not left to stir up anxiety, setting themselves up as crusading white knights, and using children they are responsible for as footsoldiers in a politicised campaign.

I really hope this isn't indicative of what the movement has now become. A classic cuckoo in the nest situation. They've lost sight of why they exist. Please let there be a silent majority who are sensible and uncaptured, and please let them speak up!

I think this form has been developed by the GATE (Guides Against Trans Exclusion) campaign, not Girlguiding.

Yes you’re right.

They are giving out Guide badges if girls write letters to HQ “sharing their anger and disappointment”!!!

They could also have been neuro-diverse supportive, because I wonder how much of the girl-to-boy transition is autism not coping with puberty or the social groups moving in a way they're not ready for. Once, Girl Guiding was a haven. Now it feels like a minefield.

Oh for goodness sake.

This really is the deathknell of Guides, it's gone. It's ended. Poor Baden Powell, and all those generations of women and girls. All destroyed by a bunch of unhinged activists in a decade.

This update includes information you may find upsetting. Please take care when reading.

The above is the start of their Facebook post about the decision, they've turned off comments now!

Please take care when reading .... I mean WTF?????

I imagine it would be difficult to be a Guide who did not share anger and disappointment in this, when your leader is encouraging the letter writing.

Girlguiding also removed many polite and reasonable comments welcoming the decision, so it looks as if there has only been outrage. Stupid and unprofessional. Blatant manipulation.