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Single-sex schools in transition
From the SMH (Victoria)
Single-sex schools in transition as transgender students gain acceptanceAn article by Henrietta Cook
http://www.smh.com.au/victoria/singlesex-schools-in-transition-as-transgender-students-gain-acceptance-20160527-gp5nkw.htmlQuote:For the first time, the region’s peak body for girls schools, the Alliance of Girls Schools Australasia, is urging its members to support transgender students.This includes males who transition to females and want to enrol in girls’ schools, and females who transition to males and want to remain in girls’ schools.
Quote:Micah Scott, the chief executive of LGBTI youth group Minus 18, said single-sex schools faced a unique challenge.“Their existence is based on the concept that the sex you are assigned at birth will match your gender identity,” he said.
He said teachers needed to avoid gendered language like “good morning girls” and should provide more flexible uniform options.
Quote:Human Rights Law Centre director of advocacy Anna Brown said there did not seem to be a clear protection for transgender students in single-sex schools under federal discrimination law. But she said it was a grey area and yet to be tested in court.She welcomed the leadership shown by the Alliance of Girls Schools Australasia and said it was consistent with good practice and international human rights standards.
“These support the affirmation of gender identity and accommodate the needs of a vulnerable cohort of young people.”
She said schools should let transgender students wear uniforms and use toilets that reflected their gender identity. They should also ensure that sports divided along gender lines are inclusive, and that students are referred to using the name and pronoun of their choice.
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10 Replies
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It is satisfying to see that young people are facing a somewhat better future than previous generations. There will be a backlash, as is happening in the US but we must unite to fight the naysayers and to convince them that we are are not going away and they need not fear us.
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So exciting to watch as the education sector makes steps towards gender inclusive and gender neutral education
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Seriously, teachers shouldn’t say ‘Good morning girls’ at an all-girls school? That’s complete nonsense.
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I don’t get this comment! Do we have to go this far I don’t think this would change anything for transgendered person in school. Trust is more important than words.
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I completely agree with Sara, any MtF students would prefer to be addressed as girls and why would any FtM want to be in a girl only school?
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Sheryl wrote:I completely agree with Sara, any MtF students would prefer to be addressed as girls and why would any FtM want to be in a girl only school?
Just possibly an FtM would want to stick with their school friends? Forcing trans people to move as a consequence of their gender seems wrong in principle to me.
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Greeting HUMANS !!!!!!
Is this what we are debasing society to now?
Humfff
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I scratch my head in wonder.
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I wonder how short these posts can get before everyone forgets completely what we are talking about!!!
:woohoo: -
What?
