Stonewall Out of Schools #SOS
Friday 5th July
8.30am -5.30pm
County Hall, Belvedere Road. SE1 7PB
Stonewall have the largest funding pot and influence so they have become our target, we know other groups like Mermaids, GIRES and Educate and Celebrate exist but we see ourselves as David and Stonewall Goliath.
We decided to take our protest to Stonewall, we spent about five hours handing out leaflets, also using a loud hailer and large graphic images and messages to get our voices and opinions heard.
We think Stonewall dislike women or girls and don't care about lesbian youth who are the most vulnerable group likely to transition. We need to send a very clear message to Stonewall that we no longer tolerate their indoctrination of our children and those responsible for them. We want teachers to understand exactly what they are endorsing when they inflict transgender ideology on children. We will have a peaceful protest from 8.30am with clear messaging, please bring anything appropriate with you, all are welcome representing all groups or as individuals.
Here is Stonewalls school guidance:
Toilets and changing rooms
A trans young person may wish to use the toilets and changing rooms of their self-identified gender rather than of their assigned sex. Schools and colleges should make sure that a trans student is supported to do so and be aware that this is a legal requirement under the Equality Act. Schools and colleges should also support trans young people to use gender neutral facilities or a private space if that is what they prefer. The most important thing is to talk to the young person rather than make assumptions about the facilities they would like to use.
Sports
It is important a trans young person is able to participate in sports teams consistent with their gender identity, unless there are reasonable safety concerns. This is unlikely for most sports and age groups under 18, although staff may wish to ask advice from relevant sporting bodies for competitions. Playing in a different sports team or deciding which team to play in may be a daunting step for a young person, so staff should consider this area of support with sensitivity and care, particularly when supporting a non-binary young person.
Residential trips
Ensure trans young people are able to sleep in the room of their self-identified gender, or in a gender neutral dorm or private space if that’s what would make them feel comfortable. Trips overseas may need more thought in advance. Some aspects may cause worry or concern for a trans young person, such as their documentation not corresponding to their self-identified gender, or how they look. Staff should talk worries through with the young person and may want to be aware of legal protections afforded to lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people in the country they are visiting.
Body anxieties
A trans young person may feel unhappy or distressed about living with a body they don’t feel reflects their gender identity. Schools and colleges can help by ensuring that young people know how to access support services, can talk to others and learn about self-esteem and body confidence in PSHE.
Additional considerations
Every young person will need different things to feel comfortable at school or college. A young person’s needs in these areas may change, or new situations requiring consideration may arise, so staff will need to take a flexible approach to support.
A young person who has already transitioned will need to be supported across these areas.
Lots of things in schools and colleges are often separated by gender, including toilets, changing rooms and, sometimes, uniforms. Schools and colleges may need to make changes across areas where this is the case to ensure that a trans young person feels safe and comfortable, for instance by providing toilets, changing rooms and school uniform items that are not gender specific. Remember that some young people don’t identify as ‘male’ or ‘female’ or may not feel happy using either ‘male’ or ‘female’ facilities. Many schools and colleges are taking steps to provide ‘gender neutral’ facilities – irrespective of whether there are trans young people in the school or college – to help create a more inclusive environment for everyone.