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Transgender schoolgirl takes her exams
An article in Britains tabloid ‘The Sun’ printed a story about Alysha, a schoolboy from the English county of Lincoln who sat for her ‘O’levels dressed as a girl.
Initially, the school refused to allow her to take the examination, telling her to go home and change into some boys clothes. This she refused to do and produced a copy of the Discrimination Act. The teachers backed down but insisted that she sit well away from the other pupils whilst taking the exam.
It appears this was no isolated incident around Alysha, but part of a long time dispute. Alysha has the backing of her mum and from posted comments many other people. The incident has caused considerable debate and I might add disgust from the discrimination being shown.
Whether we agree or disagree with the outcomes, one things for sure, transgender issues once again hit the headlines, and, hopfully will cause people to think and maybe discuss the issues.
I say good for you Alysha.Liz
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11 Replies
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That’s right Liz good on her.
or though its a pity you did not post the link would have being nice to read.
Ashley
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Hi,
Here is a link to the article I think. Helps being bored at work!Alana
Moderator
Quote:Thanks for the excellent research Alanda!
It also helps being admin so you can take a personal copy for future reference… here it is!Quote:By JAMIE PYATT
Published: 23rd July 2012
A TRANSGENDER pupil had to show her headmaster a copy of the Equality Act before he allowed her to sit a GCSE exam while wearing girls’ clothes.Ashlyn Parram, 16, turned up for her first examination in tights, skirt and blazer — but was told by teachers to go home and change into the boys’ school uniform.
The furious teen printed off a copy of the law on sex discrimination, which includes specific legislation on the treatment of transgenders and transsexuals, and marched it straight to head Chris Wall’s office.
He admitted he could not ban Ashlyn — but teachers made her sit away from other pupils at the back of the sports hall at Giles Academy in Boston, Lincs.
Ashlyn — who used to be called Lewis — said: “I have never felt so bad about myself.
“It’s sad people can’t be more open-minded. I’ve lost a lot of friends because of everything I’ve been through. I really didn’t need to lose the support of my teachers.”
Ashlyn has lived openly as a girl at home for two years — but had toned down her appearance at school to avoid abuse. She had been spat at and hit in the street.
Her mum Miranda Johnson says Ashlyn — who was officially diagnosed with gender dysphoria — is a girl born in a boy’s body.
IT manager Miranda said: “The way Ashlyn has been treated by the school is just appalling. If Ashlyn had been black or disabled there would be uproar. She’s a vulnerable teenager who needs the support of her teachers, not their opposition. The way they’ve treated her is disgusting.”
The GCSE run-in is the last of a string of clashes. Earlier this year teachers insisted Ashlyn take part in swimming lessons with boys. They let her wear a surf top and change alone, but insisted she attend the lessons which Ashlyn found humiliating.
In another episode, her parents claim a senior teacher told them gender dysphoria “doesn’t exist”. And one female teacher was warned for imitating Ashlyn’s walk in front of pupils.
Ashlyn is on an NHS waiting list for hormone blockers to stop male characteristics developing. She said: “It’s still incredibly difficult to admit you are gay or transgender. It does horrific things to your emotions, but thanks to my family I am strong and determined to live my life the way I want.”
Miranda — who is recovering from breast cancer — and Ashlyn’s stepdad Graham, 43, have now lodged an official complaint over the headmaster’s conduct claiming discrimination because of Ashlyn’s gender and a failure to give her the correct support.
A school spokesman said: “Giles Academy is an Ofsted Outstanding school in a caring environment with robust equalities policies. The governing body of the Academy rejects all the allegations.”
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What is the school’s problem? If I hadn’t been told she was TG, I would have thought she was a normal teenage girl, in fact she is I suppose.
I hate small minded people like that.
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I wish I had half of her courage, now and when I was younger. Way to go Ashlyn
Pamela!
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The article does say that the governing body denies the assertions so perhaps we should not rush in to blame based on a newspaper article?
We only hear one side of the equation sometimes and the more newsworthy the better for some papers. I don’t believe that journalists in general are any more supportive of our plight than the average person.BTW, there is a TG child in my town and he is being well supported by his teachers and seems to cope well with the inevitable bullying from some kids.
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I jumped in with a knee jerk reaction, primarily due to my raging anger. You are indeed right Christina, we ought to carefully consider all sides.
In an ideal world, there would be no transgender people or gay people, there would be just people. I suppose I’m away with the tweeties in fairy land. Still we keep hoping.
Hugs
Liz -
You may be on acid but I totally agree with you
Fuck! It was that sort of bias in British schools that turned me off sport.Do somthing the pti didnt’ like you got thumped.If you saw me in the street you would not pick me as a victim.Two armies later and a sense of dress sense.
Here I am.Been a xdresser since age five.Love to connect to my female side.xN -
Well done Alysha I wish I had your courage back then, but then in my school I would have been killed I think
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annoyingly, with the topic as I read it, Alyshia had to sit 14 ft away from all the other students in the examinations, still very discriminatory
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I attend College in my College uniform of work skirt, stockings and top. I have no problems with school here. I highly commend Careers Australia for their attiude towards my transsexualism. My school has been very good to me, even making accomodation for my upcoming SRS and facial surgeries. I thank God that I live in this country.
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I agree with Erika, ‘thank God I live in this country’
I still shudder to think of the British schoolong system and my personal experiences with that system.
Transgender, what’s that? They would have decided I needed a bloody good hiding and the teachers would have joyfully joined in. The hiding would have beaten such transgender nonsensical delusions and illusions out of me.Liz
