Teachers told to let primary school kids change gender WITHOUT telling parents
Guidelines endorsed by the Scottish government say schoolkids as young as three 'should be supported to explore and express their identity'
TEACHERS should not be made to tell parents if their child changes gender in school, the Scottish government has said.
A report endorsed by Holyrood also states school staff should inform local authorities about parents who 'struggle' with their child's transgender identity.
The official guidelines were produced by LGBT Youth Scotland and tell teachers not to 'deny' or 'overly question' trans children's choices over gender identity.
It advises that if the child does not want to inform their parents or carers of their trans identity 'it is best to not to disclose information'.
The report adds that schoolkids as young as three 'should be supported to explore and express their identity regardless of their age'.
The document also says parents should not be told if their children are sharing rooms with trans pupils on school trips.
It goes on to say if children feel uncomfortable using changing rooms or toilets a trans child is using 'they should wait until after the trans person is done'.
Stephanie Davies-Arai, who runs Transgender Trend, a website for parents questioning the diagnosis and treatment of children as transgender, said: “This is an alarming document. Schools should be basing their policies on the needs of all children, not looking at one group at the expense of other children, particularly girls.”
The UK government is said to enter consultation on the Gender Recognition Act in November which would allow anyone wanting to change their gender to do so by informing authorities.
Angela Constance, the SNP’s Equalities Minister, said: “Scotland rightly has a reputation as one of the most progressive countries in relation to LGBTI legal and human rights equality in Europe - but we need to do more to progress equality for trans people.
"By holding a full and wide ranging consultation we can make sure that our law is fit for purpose and in line with international best practice.
"This is a vital conversation and one which will ensure transgender and non-binary people in Scotland are treated with dignity, fairness and respect."
The Department for Education said: "We will be consulting on amendments to the Gender Recognition Act in order to de-medicalise and streamline the process for trans people. We will be publishing the formal consultation shortly."
