The Diversity Trust echos concern expressed by fellow LGBTQ+-led organisations supporting the community regarding the recently released draft guidance for consultation surrounding school and college policy towards gender questioning children.

Firstly, we would like to emphasise calls by the LGBTQ+ equalities sector that this is only draft non-statutory guidance, and changes will not be implemented at this time.  

The Diversity Trust will be taking part in the consultation on the draft guidance, which is open until 12th March 2024.  We urge community members and allies of the community to engage as well. Collectively, we will make our voices heard. 

As an organisation that puts our lived experience at the heart of everything we do, it is quite clear that this proposed guidance ignores the perspective of trans and non-binary young people and fails to incorporate the advice and expertise of those experienced on this topic.  

We are particularly concerned that this guidance appears incompatible with existing equalities legislation, for example Gender Reassignment is a protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010. The UK’s existing equalities legislation must be upheld and protected.  

The framing of trans children and young people in this document enflames the ostracisation of trans and non-binary communities that we have seen escalating in public discourse in recent years, as evidenced by a 186% increase in reports of transphobic hate crime in the last five years (ONS DATA 2017/18, 2022/23). It dismisses the lived experience of trans people as ‘ideology’ and portrays inclusion of trans and non-binary children and young people as a potential threat to other children.  

We know that trans and non-binary individuals are already at risk of having worse mental health outcomes, communities having higher rates of depression and suicidal ideation. This proposed guidance contains policy that is likely to exacerbate these issues. For example, it has been proven that use of a person’s preferred name and pronouns can lead to a significant decrease in depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation. 

Everyone deserves to be able to be themselves openly and to have a school environment that encourages their personal growth, health and development. At present, we feel this proposed guidance is incompatible with such outcomes.  

Instead of following best practice, supporting young people, and their teachers and schools, this guidance risks causing more distress to trans and non-binary young people and making things more confusing and difficult for teachers and schools to put the best interests of the child first and foremost in decision making.  

The Diversity Trust will continue to champion the voices of trans and non-binary people and advocate for a fair, equal, and truly inclusive society where all children and young people have the potential to thrive and be their true authentic selves without fear of harm. 

 

Consultation Link : https://consult.education.gov.uk/equalities-political-impartiality-anti-bullying-team/gender-questioning-children-proposed-guidance/