Keir Starmer not in favour of “gender ideology” being taught in schools

Keir Starmer has stated that he does not support the teaching of “gender ideology” in schools.

As ‘Yahoo! News’ reports, in interviews with broadcasters on Monday morning, Starmer was questioned about whether he would reverse the proposed ban on teaching trans identity to young people in England.

“No, I’m not in favour of ideology being taught in our schools on gender,” he said.

“I think we need to complete the consultation process and ensure that there is age-appropriate guidance.

“That is helpful for teachers and has at its heart the safeguarding of children.”

Earlier this year, the UK Government released draft guidance indicating that schools in England “should not teach about the concept of gender identity,” which is now open to public consultation. The guidance also suggested avoiding materials that “present contested views as fact - including the view that gender is a spectrum.”

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While the guidance states that secondary school pupils would be allowed to learn about gender reassignment, it remains unclear how this would be managed without addressing the concept of trans identity.

This comes after author and notable gender-critical campaigner JK Rowling accused Labour of “abandoning” women who have concerns about trans rights.

In 2020, Rowling affirmed that she respected “every trans person's right to live any way that feels authentic and comfortable to them,” but her stance on the issue seems to have become more rigid in recent years.

In a recent tweet regarding the election of a trans woman to Bristol City Council, Rowling commented: “Crossdressing men aren't female. He calls himself trans precisely because he's male.”

JK Rowling has expressed difficulty in voting Labour due to the party’s position on trans rights.

Over the weekend, she wrote in The Times: “As long as Labour remains dismissive and often offensive towards women fighting to retain the rights their foremothers thought were won for all time, I'll struggle to support them.”

The Harry Potter author had donated £1 million to the Labour Party in 2008.

Labour candidate Wes Streeting shared that he felt “pretty depressed” about Rowling's remarks concerning his party.

He said: “I have a lot of respect for JK Rowling both in terms of what she’s done for children and literacy but also the work that she’s done campaigning for women and in particular violence against women and girls.

“I think that we’ve clearly got more work to do to rebuild trust with people that we’ve lost on this issue.”

The shadow health secretary added: “I think we can find a way through that both treats trans people with the dignity and respect that they deserve, and also treats women with the respect that they deserve, particularly protecting women’s spaces, women’s voices, and right to speak up.

“So, when women like JK Rowling do speak up, I think it’s important we engage seriously with the arguments that she’s making, with the concerns that she has.”

“And also we listen to what trans people are saying about the everyday injustices and indignities that they’re experiencing too, whether that’s hate crime or poor provision in public services.”

In 2021, Scotland became the first country to implement LGBTQ+-inclusive education across the curriculum.

This initiative aims to educate school children about LGBTQ++ identities and issues in an age-appropriate manner to eradicate homophobic and transphobic bullying.

However, Starmer’s comments seem to oppose the inclusion of transgender identity in schools, as practiced in Scotland.

The National has contacted Scottish Labour to inquire whether the party continues to support LGBTQ+-inclusive education in Scottish schools.

Read related myGwork articles here:

“Humiliating and hurtful”: Trans+ people react to Keir Starmer backing sports ban

Keir Starmer to outlaw all forms of conversion therapy if Labour wins election

Turning Trans Issues Into A “Toxic Divide” Doesn’t Help, Says Keir Starmer

Keir Starmer Wants To “Modernize” Trans Laws But Thinks 16 Is Too Young To Change Gender

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