Bid to change trans guidance for schools rejected

A proposal to replace the trans guidance given to schools has been rejected by the States Assembly.

Deputy Sir Philip Bailhache brought the proposition saying the current guidance had an "activist stance" and encouraged children to question their gender.

Thirty-five politicians voted against the plans, five voted in favour and five abstained

Education Minister Rob Ward welcomed the decision to reject the proposition, describing the plans as "politically motivated." He said he was pleased the assembly had rejected the proposition and shown "real unity on something that could have been very divisive".

In his proposal, Bailhache said he had been approached by the Women's Rights Network Jersey who were "unhappy with the trans inclusion guidance".

He said the new guidance he was suggesting had been drafted by Stephanie Davies-Arai, who he described "as a distinguished expert who had been honoured by the Crown for her work in safeguarding children."

Speaking to the BBC after the debate, Bailhache said he was disappointed with how the vote went as the current guidance was "not for purpose".

"The guidance encourages teachers to allow boys who say they are girls to use female toilets and female changing rooms and that is not safe for girls and nor is it lawful," he said.

"I think the other aspect of it is that the guidance encourages teachers to engage in social transitioning of gender questioning children.

"Gender social transitioning means using different names, pronouns and generally treating children as if they were of a different gender and I do not think that is in the interest of children."

However, several politicians were very critical of Deputy Sir Philip Bailache's plans.

Deputy Jonathan Renouf said: "I don't think we should import culture wars into Jersey when there are non, we have not seen the weaponising of gender identity in Jersey until this proposition, which opens the door to that."

Deputy Carina Alves added: "I want to say sorry to the trans community, I want to say sorry for the anxiety this debate has caused."

Ward welcomed the assembly's decision to reject the proposition which he said was politically motivated.

He said: "The assembly showed support for all our communities, including our trans community, and it showed clearly that people are not going to be isolated on our island.

"There is also good support for what the education department is doing and what the guidance does."

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