UK Teachers Vow to Support Trans Students in Defiance of New Guidance
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Investigative Report: Teachers Rally Against Controversial Draft Guidance on Trans Students in England
In a recent move by England’s Department for Education (DfE), a draft guidance has been released that has sparked outrage among teachers and activists. The guidance states that teachers are allowed to misgender trans students and are required to out them to their parents. This has triggered a wave of support from teachers who are vowing to continue affirming their trans students despite the guidelines.
Actress and trans ally, Georgia Tennant, took to social media to share screenshots of the flood of messages she received from teachers promising their unwavering support for their trans students. One teacher wrote, “I will always address a pupil under their chosen pronoun and put their well-being first!” Another declared, “I will respect the students and center the child. I will fight for the equity of our non-binary and trans students as I do with any who are part of the LGBTQ+ family.”
However, not all messages were as supportive. One teacher expressed their disdain for the government’s guidelines, stating, “We’ll use whatever pronouns the kid wants us to. The Tories can shove it.” Another emotionally shared, “It’s so vile I’m crying… any teacher who’d go along with this and disrespect a student so crassly isn’t fit to be a teacher, either. It makes me so mad that it enables exactly those colleagues again, that have never had the slightest bit of empathy or respect towards their students to begin with… I’ll always stand up for trans rights and make sure my students know they have a safe space where they’re always welcome.”
The overwhelming response from teachers demonstrates their commitment to creating an inclusive and safe environment for all students, regardless of their gender identity. Georgia Tennant’s Instagram was flooded with messages from teachers expressing their love and support for their trans students.
Tennant herself shared a message of encouragement, stating, “These are the death throes. Hang in there please. Most people are kind and inclusive and progressive. These people want you to believe that’s not the case, but do not believe them. Carry on with your heads high and your hearts open; they’ll be gone soon.”
The draft guidance, which is still subject to a 12-week public consultation before finalization, has raised concerns among educators and activists. According to the guidance, schools are not obligated to allow a child to “social transition” and are prohibited from using pronouns that do not correspond with the sex assigned at birth for primary school-aged children.
School officials must inform parents if students request to change their pronouns, name, or attire that does not align with their assigned sex at birth, unless there is a significant risk of harm to the child. The guidance also suggests that schools should consider the impact of respecting a trans or non-binary student’s gender identity on other students and may decide not to support their request.
The controversial guidelines have been met with criticism from organizations advocating for transgender youth. Mermaids, an organization dedicated to supporting trans children, called the guidance “unworkable, out of touch, and absurd.” They argue that the government’s failure to listen to trans young people and educators who prioritize inclusivity puts young people at risk.
As the draft guidance undergoes public consultation, teachers and activists continue to fight for the rights and well-being of trans students. Their unwavering support sends a powerful message that educators are committed to creating a safe and inclusive learning environment for all students, regardless of their gender identity.
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“UK teachers support trans students”
