UK Schools Banned From Teaching Gender Theory as Part of Sex Education

The United Kingdom government has instructed schools not to teach children about concepts of gender theory as part of an overhaul to sex education. The new guidance is in response to concerns about inappropriate and controversial content being used in sex education lessons.

The United Kingdom government has instructed schools not to teach children about concepts of gender theory as part of an overhaul to sex education. The Department of Education's guidance for Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) is being changed to exclude controversial viewpoints and inappropriate content.

The move comes following reports of disturbing materials being used in RSHE lessons. A bombshell report by Dr Hilary Cass found gross negligence in healthcare for children expressing gender dysphoria, leading to the suspension of puberty blockers for children.

The new guidance will limit all sex education lessons to students aged 9 and above and bolster parental rights to stay informed on all materials being presented to their children. Most notably, the government is explicitly instructing teachers not to teach "the contested theory of gender identity" or the idea of a gender "spectrum."

"At secondary school pupils will learn about legally ‘protected’ characteristics, such as sexual orientation and gender reassignment, but the updated guidance is clear that schools should not teach about the concept of gender identity," the report states.

The guidance is open to public consultation for nine weeks and will become statutory, meaning school officials will be required to comply.

The move has been met with mixed reactions. Some have welcomed the changes, arguing that they will protect children from inappropriate content. Others have criticized the move, saying it is an attack on transgender rights.

The government's decision to ban the teaching of gender theory in schools is based on the findings of the Cass Review. The review found that there was no scientific consensus on the concept of gender identity and that children should not be encouraged to transition to a different gender.

The review also found that puberty blockers were being prescribed to children without proper informed consent and that there was a lack of long-term data on the effects of these drugs.

The government's decision is in line with the views of a growing number of medical professionals who believe that gender identity is not a valid medical diagnosis and that children should not be encouraged to transition to a different gender.

The Cass Review is just one of a number of recent reports that have raised concerns about the treatment of children with gender dysphoria. In 2021, the Tavistock and Portman NHS Trust, which provides gender identity services for children and young people in the UK, was suspended following a review by the Care Quality Commission.

The review found that the trust had failed to provide safe and effective care to children with gender dysphoria. It also found that the trust had not taken into account the potential risks of puberty blockers and had not provided adequate support to children who detransitioned.

The government's decision to ban the teaching of gender theory in schools is a significant step forward in protecting children from the harmful effects of gender ideology. It is hoped that this move will lead to a more balanced and evidence-based approach to the treatment of gender dysphoria in children.