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lesbiansandgayssupporttheminers · 4 months

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So, the DfE have released their non-statutory guidance for schools on "gender questioning children". I know much has been made of the idea of outing trans children to their parents, but I think the guidance actually has far more concerning sections. And by concerning I mean "deeply transphobic and fucked up".

I know some people are happy it's non statutory, but let's be explicit, this document is transphobic, it's dogwhistle politics, and it's existence will directly harm trans people.

Ironically, the DfE's own lawyers have advised that this guidance is likely illegal and contravenes the equality act.

I think the idea that there are lots of students who are fully transitioned in school but not out at all at home is a bit of a strawman from both sides. In my experience (and I've mentioned this on tumblr before), a school would not normally encourage this if a student was genuinely at risk at home if outed, because even if all the teachers knew not to out the students, you can't control the behaviour of other students/parents etc. I think it's a bit of a right wing scare tactic "Schools are transitioning your kids without your consent". It's a fascist dog whistle.

In my experience as a teacher, the vast majority of trans kids I've taught were transitioning socially at home and school. Some did only use their chosen name/pronouns in school, but parents were aware.

But this straw man has been used to build a document which is deeply transphobic and wide reaching and will defacto exclude some trans kids from school, or from school sports, or from attending a school where they feel comfortable.

Trans kids exist. Kids can know they are trans from a young age, and there is no harm to anyone from allowing social transition at a young age. Some kids transition back to their assigned gender at birth. That doesn't mean anyone was harmed. But this guidance explicitly presents the idea of transition as both harmful to the person transitioning and those around them. Which is fucked up.

The new guidance has some really concerning bits in it which will seriously negatively impact all trans students. Here are some quotes below, with my comments in italics. Please note I'm quoting directly from a document that uses transphobic language:

-Primary school aged children should not have different pronouns to their sex-based pronouns used about them. (This is fucked, I cannot stress how fucked this is. These kids exist and simply pretending they don't is awful in the extreme. The idea that children can't socially transition at primary school is really messed up. )

-schools and colleges should only agree to a change of pronouns if they are confident that the benefit to the individual child outweighs the impact on the school community. It is expected that there will be very few occasions in which a school or college will be able to agree to a change of pronouns. On these rare occasions, no teacher or pupil should be compelled to use these preferred pronouns. (How does a child using pronouns of choice impact the school community? It doesn't? In my experience, teens are much more accepting of trans classmates than some adults. Also giving teachers explicit permission to misgender kids is fucking dangerous).

-schools and colleges should exhaust all other options, such as using firstnames, to avoid requiring other individuals having to use preferred pronouns. (My initial response to this was "why the fuck" but a trans friend commented that the purpose is to make trans people's lives as difficult and as miserable as possible, and they're going after the most vulnerable trans people- trans kids)

-If a child does not want to use the toilet designated for their biological sex, and the school or college has considered all the relevant factors outlined above, they may wish to consider whether they can provide or offer the use of an alternative toilet facility. (this is weird because I'm pretty sure it contravenes the equality act, I'm pretty sure there is a legal duty on schools, and certainly colleges where over 18s attend to provide gender neutral toilet facilities if required. Also, not having an appropriate toilet defacto excludes children from school).

-Schools may have different uniform requirements for girls and boys. Some specify which uniform items are for girls and which are for boys, and similarly some schools have hairstyle rules which differ by sex. A child who is gender questioning should, in general, be held to the same uniform standards as other children of their sex at their school and schools may set clear rules to this effect. (So some schools could, for example, force a trans boy or non binary student to wear a skirt. Which is unfair and messed up. To be honest, I think sex segregated uniforms belong in the dark ages anyway, but this is just ridiculous.).

-There is no general duty to allow a child to ‘social transition’. (Firstly, there legally is. Secondly, why would a school not want to? This just gives licence to transphobic heads to say "oh, no, we won't allow you to transition", which is illegal, but the whole thing is just such a fucking mess. And again, why? Why would you not allow a child to transition socially? Unless you want to pretend that trans children don't exist?)

If you want to read the full guidance, it's available here, but trigger warnings etc do apply: 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

Yes, the guidance is non-statutory, so in theory schools could ignore it, but in reality, OFSTED etc can use non-statutory guidance as a stick to beat schools with. At this stage, I think we all know the OFSTED don't give a fuck about anyone's mental health or wellbeing.

Interestingly, even the DfE's own lawyers have admitted the advice could open schools up to a legal challenge. This SchoolsWeek article on the topic is super interesting: https://schoolsweek.co.uk/trans-guidance-dfe-lawyers-said-schools-face-high-risk-of-being-sued/

Anyway, whilst the fact it's non statutory is something, this is not the victory some people are making it out to be, and the fact a document encouraging misgendering children has been published at all is fucked. This document could very much be used to prevent children from transitioning, and will likely prevent some children who have transitioned from attending school.

#uk politics #english politics #education #trans rights #trans children #fuck the dfe #tw: transphobia #tw: fascism

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befemininenow · 1 year

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Yesterday was a special day in honor and tribute to all the mothers in several countries around the world. Some of us got to spend time with our loved one while others remember the good times when our mothers were still in this world. In times where things can be tough, it’s always good to find solutions and comfort with a nurturing mother figure in your side.

Although this comic was uploaded months ago on Twitter by Pink Horizons*, it fits so well with the theme of mother knowing and accepting her child. The bond of both mother and trans daughter in this story is so heartwarming, some of us wish for a close relationship like that. Just because there are women who disown their transgender children make doesn’t mean all mothers will be the same. For a mother to be happy, their biggest wish is to see their kids be genuinely happy with themselves. If you still have your mother or any mother figure around, give her at least a message and thank her for her love and support. Happy belated Mother’s Day!

*Pink Horizons is the original creator and owner of these pics. I am just the uploader.

For Pink Horizons’ page, go to: https://twitter.com/shining_sof

For the link to the original pics, go to: https://twitter.com/shining_sof/status/1621258656003006465?cxt=HHwWgoCxgY2K7_8sAAAA

For the extra bride pic, go to: https://twitter.com/shining_sof/status/1647608980510855170?cxt=HHwWhMC-we3ovd0tAAAA

#transgender #trans ally #mother #daugther #motherly love #trans children #commission #original art #not mine #mother’s day #thank you #lgbtlove

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tashabigbaby · 5 days

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Hey trans lovers can I be your favorite trans 🥵🍆💦👿

Hit me up or reblog babies

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fixing-bad-posts · 1 year

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[Image description: A tumblr text post, edited whiteout-poetry style to read, "the trans movement is good! save our children!"]

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the trans movement is good! save our children!

#fixingbadposts #fixing-bad-posts #whiteout poetry #trans activism #trans community #trans rights #queer #trans children #trans kids

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skimblyshanks · 2 years

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This is ur local skimbly telling you that if you're comfortable reading academic style writing, you should really really really pick up Dr. Jules Gill-Peterson's 2018 book Histories of the Transgender Child. She explores the history of trans youth in the US through the 20th century, with open acknowledgement of both intersex medicalization and the racialization of pathology in terms of both intersexuality and the trans experience, and is openly critical of our medical framework of identity, with the historical reasoning to back this up.

From her site:

Histories of the Transgender Child is the first book of its kind, uncovering a century of the hidden history of transgender children. Shattering the widespread myth that today's transgender children are a brand new generation, Jules Gill-Peterson shows how modern transgender medicine, as well as the very concept of gender itself, depend upon the often invisible medicalization of trans and intersex children's presumed biological plasticity.

Through a trans of color critique of medicine and its archive, Histories of the Transgender Child shows how the medical model built in a racial divide through plasticity, by design disqualifying black and trans of color children from access to care and support, setting the strict gatekeeping boundaries of the medical field that have harmed trans people for decades. The histories of trans children Gill-Peterson has brought to light open up an array of possibilities for reimagining today’s clinic by learning to listen to what trans children know about themselves, grounding medical care in the recognition of their selfhood, and critiquing binary models of transition and dysphoria.

You can purchase it here

Similar trans/queer of color writings can be found underneath the option of purchase

#histories of the transgender child #jules gill-peterson #trans authors #trans history #trans children #transgender history #transgender authors #transgender children

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lesbiansandgayssupporttheminers · 3 months

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The consultation on the guidance on trans children in schools is now available: https://consult.education.gov.uk/equalities-political-impartiality-anti-bullying-team/gender-questioning-children-proposed-guidance/

Anyone can respond, if you're not sure how, then stonewall have a guide with helpful suggestions here: https://www.stonewall.org.uk/our-work/campaigns/support-trans-youth-respond-government-consultation

Responding may well do nothing but this guidance is so, so transphobic on so many levels, I equally feel putting my objections in writing is the right thing to do.

#uk politics #trans politics #trans children #trans rights #trans lives matter

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loveerran · 1 month

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Talking to a Trans Child

I recently had the opportunity to have lunch with @nerdygaymormon and the LDS parents of a trans-masc child I have never met (let's call him Darwin). Darwin is over the age of 18, currently living at home, and dealing with a diagnosed mental illness that can be very serious. They know Darwin is trans because the grapevine exists and some preferred name/pronouns paperwork that was left out.

I'm heartened when parents want to learn more and support their children. They know they're imperfect, inexperienced and in need of answers. They seem to be waiting for him to come out fully so they can be even more supportive. One of their central questions was how to broach the transgender topic more directly. They want more communication with their child and are committed to supporting them.

I can definitely understand Darwin's desire to avoid a conversation about trans topics with parents. I had to talk with my parents about circumstances around my birth and certain intersex related items not too long ago, and I still couldn't bring myself to tell them I am trans! It's a really difficult and vulnerable area.

So I suggested the parents try something like this

"We love you and we support you. If you don't want to talk about your gender identity with us, that's ok. We love you no matter what. We just want to open the door and let you know we are ready when you are, because we don't want you thinking we would be unsupportive of you in any way. We love you and we're here for you."

There are probably better ways to say that. What I like about this path is the way it comes with assurances of support and love, let's their child know they are on team Darwin, preserves the child's autonomy, and provides the best possible reason for opening the door to a conversation: "we don't want you to think we don't support you"

#queerstake #tumblrstake #lgbt #lgbtqia+#lds #religion #trans #transgender #love #parents #children #trans children

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