We publish below a model motion which Socialist Alternative encourages all trade union members to propose and pass in their local branches.
If your union body passes this motion, or if you want advice on how to propose this motion in your union, contact us at: info@socialistalternative.net.
This branch notes:
- That the Tory Government intend to introduce guidance requiring education workers to inform parents of children who disclose that they are transgender, non-binary, gender questioning or gender non-conforming (TNB), without the consent of the child themselves, to not affirm a child’s gender without parental approval, and which would allow single-sex schools to refuse admission to TNB children
- The NEU’s guidance states “It is crucial that schools and colleges provide confidentiality in supporting trans students”, in line with guidance from Stonewall and the NSPCC
- A 2023 survey by Just Like Us found that 46% of trans young people are estranged from one or more family members
- A 2021 survey by Just Like Us found that 77% of TNB young people had considered suicide
- The recent letter from the EHRC supporting the definition of “sex” in the Equality Act being changed, which would further exclude TNB people from various services
- The horrific murder of Brianna Ghey in February in a transphobic hate crime
This branch believes:
- The planned guidance, changes to the Equality Act, and the blocking of the GRR bill in Scotland, are part of the Tories’ ‘culture war’ strategy
- Leaking planned guidance without consultation is also an attack on education unions during the ongoing industrial dispute
- We need a united working class movement that fights all forms of oppression and for fully funded public services
- We should stand in solidarity with TNB people, including children, and fight for a full ban on all ‘conversion therapy’, for fully funded and accessible TNB healthcare as part of a fully funded NHS, to stop the attacks on ‘puberty blockers’ and other treatment for TNB young people, and against the planned guidance
This branch resolves to:
- Send a message of solidarity to the Trans and Non-binary Educators Network
- Mobilise members to attend protests against the planned guidance, support student protests against the planned guidance or on other issues impacting TNB people, and if appropriate organise or assist in organising a protest locally. Mobilise members to ensure an NEU presence on Pride events in our district
- Issue a statement, and circulate it to all education settings in our district, expressing opposition to the planned guidance, pledging support for members and schools who refuse to follow it, making clear schools should not change their guidance based on these reports, and arguing that the “significant risk of harm” exemption should protect any child who does not want parents informed
- Write to all reps in our district advising them of the existing guidance and the Union’s views, emphasising that the new guidance has not yet been issued, and giving advice and offering support in reassuring members and taking up any issues around the guidance with SLT
- Write to the Executive, Joint General Secretaries and LGBT+ Organising Forums, arguing that the Union should issue a similar statement and send a similar email to all reps, make our opposition clear when the consultation opens, and mobilise members to ensure an NEU presence at Trans Pride
- Send this motion to all relevant union and labour movement bodies as appropriate, seeking to mount joint union opposition to these proposals and to collectively lobby the Secretary of State demanding their withdrawal.
- Publicise this motion to all branch members.
Model motion for other education union branches
This branch notes:
- That the Tory Government intend to introduce guidance requiring education workers to inform parents of children who disclose that they are transgender, non-binary, gender questioning or gender non-conforming (TNB), without the consent of the child themselves, to not affirm a child’s gender without parental approval, and which would allow single-sex schools to refuse admission to TNB children
- The NSPCC’s guidance states “You should only share information about a child or young person’s sexuality or gender identity if they give you permission”, in line with guidance from Stonewall.
- A 2023 survey by Just Like Us found that 46% of trans young people are estranged from one or more family members
- A 2021 survey by Just Like Us found that 77% of TNB young people had considered suicide
- The recent letter from the EHRC supporting the definition of “sex” in the Equality Act being changed, which would further exclude TNB people from various services
- The horrific murder of Brianna Ghey in February in a transphobic hate crime
This branch believes:
- The planned guidance, changes to the Equality Act, and the blocking of the GRR bill in Scotland, are part of the Tories’ ‘culture war’ strategy
- Leaking planned guidance without consultation is also an attack on education unions during the ongoing industrial dispute
- We need a united working class movement that fights all forms of oppression and for fully funded public services
- We should stand in solidarity with TNB people, including children, and fight for a full ban on all ‘conversion therapy’, for fully funded and accessible TNB healthcare as part of a fully funded and trained NHS, to stop the attacks on ‘puberty blockers’ and other treatment for TNB young people, and against the planned guidance
This branch resolves to:
- Send a message of solidarity to TNB members
- Mobilise members to attend protests against the planned guidance, support student protests against the planned guidance or on other issues impacting TNB people, and if appropriate organise or assist in organising a protest locally. Mobilise members to ensure a union presence on Pride events in our district
- Issue a statement, and circulate it to all education settings in our district, expressing opposition to the planned guidance, pledging support for members and schools who refuse to follow it, making clear schools should not change their guidance based on these reports, and arguing that the “significant risk of harm” exemption should protect any child who does not want parents informed
- Write to all reps in our district advising them of the existing guidance, emphasising that the new guidance has not yet been issued, and giving advice and offering support in reassuring members and taking up any issues around the guidance with SLT
- Write to the National Executive and the General Secretary arguing that the Union should issue a similar statement, and send a similar email to all reps, make our opposition clear when the consultation opens, and mobilise members to ensure a union presence at Trans Pride
- Send this motion to all relevant union and labour movement bodies as appropriate, seeking to mount joint union opposition to these proposals and to collectively lobby the Secretary of State demanding their withdrawal.
- Publicise this motion to all branch members.
Model motion for non-education union branches
This branch notes:
- That the Tory Government intend to introduce guidance requiring education workers to inform parents of children who disclose that they are transgender, non-binary, gender questioning or gender non-conforming (TNB), without the consent of the child themselves, to not affirm a child’s gender without parental approval, and which would allow single-sex schools to refuse admission to TNB children
- The NSPCC’s guidance states “You should only share information about a child or young person’s sexuality or gender identity if they give you permission”, in line with guidance from Stonewall.
- A 2023 survey by Just Like Us found that 46% of trans young people are estranged from one or more family members
- A 2021 survey by Just Like Us found that 77% of TNB young people had considered suicide
- The recent letter from the EHRC supporting the definition of “sex” in the Equality Act being changed, which would further exclude TNB people from various services
- The horrific murder of Brianna Ghey in February in a transphobic hate crime
This branch believes:
- The planned guidance, changes to the Equality Act, and the blocking of the GRR bill in Scotland, are part of the Tories’ ‘culture war’ strategy
- Leaking planned guidance without consultation is also an attack on education unions during their ongoing industrial dispute
- We need a united working class movement that fights all forms of oppression and for fully funded public services
- We should stand in solidarity with TNB people, including children, and fight for a full ban on all ‘conversion therapy’, for fully funded and accessible TNB healthcare as part of a fully funded and trained NHS, to stop the attacks on ‘puberty blockers’ and other treatment for TNB young people, and against the planned guidance
This branch resolves to:
- Send a message of solidarity to TNB members
- Mobilise members to attend protests against the planned guidance or on other issues impacting TNB people, and if appropriate organise or assist in organising a protest locally. Mobilise members to ensure a union presence on Pride events in our district
- Write to the National Executive and General Secretary asking that the union make our opposition clear when the consultation opens, and mobilises members to ensure a union presence at Trans Pride
- Send this motion to all relevant union and labour movement bodies as appropriate, seeking to mount joint union opposition to these proposals and to collectively lobby the Secretary of State demanding their withdrawal.
- Publicise this motion to all branch members.
