On the second day of UNISON’s annual local government conference, the most impassioned speeches focused on members’ concerns for young trans people in an increasingly hostile political climate.
The motion, put forward by the union’s national LGBT+ committee, warned that schools are now facing a new policy that members described as akin to Section 28, a homophobic law introduced by Margaret Thatcher’s government that prevented teachers from teaching or talking about homosexuality.
In 2023, under the Conservative government, the Department for Education published draft non-statutory guidance for schools on how best to support pupils who are ‘questioning’ their gender.
Penny Smith, speaking on behalf of the national LGBT+ committee, said: “The main concern about the 2023 Department for Education guidance is the need for schools to inform parents if a child is questioning their gender or socially transitioning.
“This guidance forces school staff to ‘out’ a young person to their family, which could potentially place them at risk of harm. We know many children and young people grow up in unsafe homes, where being LGBT+ is unacceptable and is a safeguarding concern. Informing parents may not be in the best interests of the child or young person who is questioning their identity.
She continued: “Our members are having to make difficult decisions on whether following this guidance might put a child questioning their gender at risk of harm at home.”
A speaker supporting the motion said: “Why would we take away their safe place at school?”
According to Stonewall data, almost half (46%) of trans people have considered ending their own lives.
Speaking in support of the motion, Matthew Cox from Somerset local government branch, said: “For a lot of children, school is the one place where they feel safe to express themselves.”
Delegate Kameron Spence, who supported the motion, said: “This guidance pushes trans youth back into the closet before they’ve even come out. It’s not only unhelpful, but it is downright dangerous to trans, gender neutral and gender diverse people.”
The motion called for UNISON to promote approved LGBT+ resources to branches. In this way, members will be able to assess whether existing workplace policies are inclusive for LGBT+ members.
It also called for members to seek ways to raise concerns with the Labour government around the schools’ guidance and its impact on members. The motion passed successfully.
The article Safeguarding young trans people at school first appeared on the UNISON National site.
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