A member of the trans community in Jersey has called on politicians to “let us live in peace” in response to a Deputy’s bid to change guidance for schools on supporting transgender and gender-questioning pupils.
The proposition, lodged by Deputy Sir Philip Bailhache, calls for the current trans inclusion guidance to be replaced with a document called: “Treating children as children: a safeguarding approach to trans-identifying children and adolescents in Jersey schools”.
It was drafted by Stephanie Davies-Arai, the founder of Transgender Trend, which describes itself as “a UK organisation advocating for evidence-based care of gender dysphoric children and science-based teaching in schools”.
Deputy Bailhache said that the proposed new guidance “argues for scientific and evidence-based teaching grounded in fact”.
He added: “This includes the facts around biological sex. Teaching children gender identity as fact is misleading and risks causing confusion to children about their own bodies.
“Children should not be compelled to use wrong-sex pronouns about other pupils, nor should children be identified as ‘trans’ because that presupposes the outcome of the child’s belief.”
“Safeguarding must be led by professionals – not politics”
But in a strongly worded statement issued just over 24 hours after the proposition was lodged, the Education Minister slammed the replacement document as “politically driven” and fundamentally incompatible with Jersey’s safeguarding duties.
Deputy Rob Ward raised “serious concerns about the proposition’s implications for safeguarding practice, professional integrity, and Jersey’s statutory frameworks”.
He defended the current guidance for schools as “evidence-informed, non-statutory, and focused on pupil welfare”.
By contrast, Deputy Ward said Deputy Bailhache’s proposition would “replace this professional guidance with a document not aligned with Jersey’s legislative frameworks, safeguarding principles, or children’s rights commitments”.
“Safeguarding must be led by professionals – not politics,” the minister added.
“Engage with individuals with lived experience”
Kaye Nicholson, the chief executive of equality and diversity charity Liberate, told Express: “We too often see decisions being made about minority groups, by others. This is something as LGBTQ+ people we face time and time again.
“In light of the recent proposition concerning inclusion guidance for schools, we strongly encourage States Members to engage with individuals with lived experience and their advocates, in order to have a full understanding of how this proposition could shift the objective and impact from inclusion to exclusion.
“For our trans community members and allies; please write to States Members and have your voice heard.”
We too often see decisions being made about minority groups, by others
Kaye Nicholson, CEO of Liberate
Housing Minister Sam Mézec raised concerns over the “focus on culture war issues that don’t achieve anything” and described current guidance as “well thought through, compassionate and produced in collaboration with those it affects.”
“Let’s hope the States gives it short shrift so we can focus on improving life for all islanders, not rounding on a tiny minority of islanders who already have it tough enough,” he added.
Deputy Bailhache explained that he lodged the proposition after being “approached by members of the Women’s Rights Network Jersey” who were unhappy with the existing guidance issued by the Education Department.
Wendy Durell, co-ordinator of that group, said the Women’s Rights Network is “delighted” with Deputy Bailhache’s proposition, after having been “concerned about the trans inclusion guidance for a number of years”.
She praised the proposal for recognising gender identity as “ideology and a belief system” which “shouldn’t be taught in schools as if it is fact”.
“I want to urge politicians not to fall for transphobia”
But a number of islanders from the trans community have spoken out against the proposition, sharing their personal experiences and urging politicians to consider the real-world impact such changes could have on young people.
One islander told Express: “I was outed by my school to my parents and it caused me an immense amount of distress, and it has had knock-on effects on my mental health to this day.
“Being transgender is not a trend, we have had evidence of trans-ness for centuries and across many societies. We have had evidence for non-binary people for the same length of time.
“I want to urge politicians not to fall for transphobia. Trans people are not threats, we are just people who want access to care and to be able to exist without being spoken about like we shouldn’t.”
Another islander, who is part of the trans community, added: “Having to hide my true self as a child out of fear of abuse made my life miserable, and the devastating consequences of this on my education could not be clearer.
“The fundamental aim of safeguarding is to protect young people from harm, so why is it seen as necessary or acceptable to allow minors to suffer because of bigotry, but not to protect them from such hateful rhetoric?
“My identity is not hurting you. It has absolutely no effect on your life. Let us live in peace.”
Another islander highlighted the Article 13 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, which focuses on the right to self-expression, and Article 8 which includes the protection of identity.
“It is imperative we do not take this right from children,” she said. “It is a right to identity and individuality which is fundamental to growth.”
Deputy Bailhache’s proposition is due to be debated next month. You can read it in full here.