Statement:
We are an alliance of charities, human rights organisations and education practitioners who strongly oppose the Government's exclusionary and unhelpful proposed "Guidance for Schools and Colleges on Gender Questioning Children" for England.
We believe all children and young people have the right to education free from discrimination, and LGBT+ young people are no exception.
The proposed guidance, which remains in draft, seeks to deny the existence of transgender pupils, discouraging them from coming out and being their authentic selves, and could lead to young people being forcibly outed to parents and teachers.
This approach will erase decades of progress in making schools places that value difference and reject discrimination. It hampers teachers' ability to tackle bullying and ultimately risks causing more harm and exclusion of trans young people.
Schools desperately need guidance that offers practical advice on creating school environments that support trans pupils to thrive.
We are calling on the Government to listen to LGBT+ youth and inclusive educators, withdraw the guidance and rethink their approach.
Signatories:
Consortium
Liberty
LGBT Foundation
Gendered Intelligence
Oasis Waterloo Open House
Allsorts Youth Project
Trans Radio UK
METRO Charity
Cumbria Pride
Intercom Trust
Schools OUT
SAYiT (Sheena Amos Youth Trust)
Labour for Trans Rights
Good Law Project
Mermaids
Free2B Alliance
EqualiTeach
OUTpatients
Space Youth Project
London Friend
TRUK United FC
Mosaic LGBT+ Young Persons' Trust
The Kite Trust
GIRES
TNB Education Network
Traveller Pride
Pride Sports
Trans Learning Partnership
Stonewall
Pride & Progress
Autistic and Living the Dream
TransActual
Manchester Pride
Diversity Role Models
TRUK Listens
Galop
OutREACH Cumbria
Proud2Be CIC
The Proud Trust
Amnesty International UK
Sports Media LGBT+
Football Beyond Borders