Tory MP Miriam Cates demands ban on schools allowing pupils to ‘social transition’ as Government faces backlash over new trans guidance
- Ministers are soon set to publish fresh advice for headteachers on trans issues
Ministers are facing a row over new transgender guidance for schools as a Tory MP demanded there should be a ban on pupils being able to ‘social transition’.
The Government is soon set to publish fresh advice for headteachers on how to respond to children who are questioning their gender identity.
The guidance has been drawn up by Gillian Keegan, the Education Secretary, and Kemi Badenoch, the Women and Equalities minister.
It has been reported the advice will aim to ensure parents are fully involved in a child’s decision about their gender identity.
According to the Sun on Sunday, the guidance will state that pupils can ‘socially transition’ in schools – by adopting a different gender identity – only if their parents agree.
But prominent Tory backbencher Miriam Cates claimed that ‘anything other than a ban’ on schools allowing children to social transition would be ‘wrong’.
Prominent Tory backbencher Miriam Cates claimed that ‘anything other than a ban’ on schools allowing children to social transition would be ‘wrong’
Rishi Sunak has said he was ‘very concerned’ by think tank findings that less than one-third of parents are informed when a child expresses feelings of gender distress at school
The Government is soon set to publish fresh advice for headteachers on how to respond to children who are questioning their gender identity (stock pic)
The Penistone and Stocksbridge MP, a frequent campaigner on women’s rights issues, told the newspaper: ‘I really think that anything other than a ban on schools socially transitioning children is wrong.
‘This is about the responsibility of the state in schools – we shouldn’t be saying children can change gender or be referred to as anything other than their biological sex.
‘I also think it is unworkable. Once you start saying biological boys are a she, how can you start saying they can’t use girls toilets and things?’
Ms Cates also warned about the new guidance ‘codifying social transitioning’.
She added: ‘At least we can say at the moment that it is a Wild West.
‘People are doing all sorts of things because they do not know what they are supposed to do.
‘But if you codify this – saying you can transition – you are giving the state’s blessing.’
Earlier this year, a report by the Policy Exchange think tank found less than one-third of parents are informed when a child expresses feelings of gender distress at school.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said he was ‘very concerned’ by the findings.
The Sun on Sunday reported that although the new guidance will say pupils can ‘socially transition’ in schools – with their parents’ agreement – they will not be allowed to use opposite biological sex changing rooms or toilets or take part in competitive sport against their different biological sex.
A Government source said: ‘The running thread through the guidance is that parents are fully involved in their child’s decision.
‘But we need to make sure this doesn’t have unintended consequences and that we are protecting the kids.’
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