Merched Cymru has sent the following letter to the Observer in response to this article on the UK’s recently published draft guidance entitled ‘Gender Questioning Children.’
We welcome the long-awaited guidance for English schools on how to support children who are questioning their gender.
In Wales we are still waiting for guidance from the Welsh government, announced in the Welsh Government’s LGBTQ+ action plan and initially promised for the summer term. Meanwhile schools are left without direction in this highly contested area, with many still following guidance toolkits which misrepresent equality law.
While the new draft for England is not perfect, it marks a significant step forward and it is encouraging to see a clearly stated commitment to safeguarding principles and a recognition of the rights of other pupils. We hope that the Welsh guidance will take a similar approach.
