The UK Government is currently consulting on new guidance for the teaching of Relationship, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) in school.
They are proposing an outright ban on the “teaching of gender identity” effectively ruling out any mention of trans young people in the classroom. This is from the consultation itself:
“The new guidance states that pupils should know the world around them, and understand the law on equality and the protected characteristics, including gender reassignment. However, the guidance is clear that schools should not teach pupils about the contested concept of gender identity. Along with other factors, discussing such theories with pupils could prompt some pupils to start to question their gender. The new content is informed by the outcome of the Cass Review and the principles that underpin the draft guidance for schools and colleges on gender questioning pupils (gender questioning guidance), both of which advocate for a cautious approach.
Schools should teach about the protected characteristics, including gender reassignment.
Schools should be clear that an individual must be over 18 before they can legally reassign their gender. This means that a child’s legal sex will always be the same as their biological sex and that, at school, boys cannot be legally classified as girls or vice versa.
Schools should not teach about the concept of “gender identity” which is a highly contested and complex concept.
If asked about the topic of gender identity, schools should teach the facts about biological sex and not use any materials that present contested views as fact, including the view that gender is a spectrum.
Schools should not use materials that use cartoons or diagrams that oversimplify this complex concept or that could be interpreted as aimed at younger children.
Schools should consult parents on the content of external resources on this topic in advance and make all materials available to them on request.”
We must respond to this guidance and make it clear that all children and young people have the right to an education free from discrimination, and LGBTQIA+ children and young people are no exception.
The deadline for responding is 11th July.
Shadow Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson, has said she wants to ‘”ook at the responses” to this consultation before deciding a future Labour Government’s approach to trans inclusion.
Useful resources
Supportive Schools Campaign is supporting Sex Education Forum’s useful guide on how to respond.
TransActual response to the Cass Review
You can respond via the Government page: https://consult.education.gov.uk/rshe-team/review-of-the-rshe-statutory-guidance/