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Comment
We The
14th February 2023
are who we say fight for trans
gender for two or more years. Such amendments made to the act show Comment Writer consideration for the harsh reality that many trans people cannot safely live as their “acquired” gender and may The recent passing of the Gender have access to gender dysphoria Recognition Bill by Scotland’s “If Sunak wholeheartedly cared not diagnoses. Additionally, many trans government is a major step forward people do not even experience for the progression of trans rights, consequently stirring up much about wellbeing and safety, he gender dysphoria, since being trans isn’t necessarily defined by a specific controversy in both the public and physical transition in terms of one’s political eye. The bill’s main intent is to improve the process whereby would understand that passing sex. Therefore, enacting this bill is extremely important for the health trans individuals can receive and wellbeing of many trans people gender recognition certificates (GRC). GRCs allow trans people to this bill would protect women and across the country. have their gender identity legally acknowledged, to some extent, this undemanding providing them with the simple right kids; Gender trans women and kids.”Bill Nevertheless, The Recognition right to be seen for who one is has to self-identify. implements changes to the act by been called into question by many, lowering the requirement age from 18 including Prime Minister Rishi However, since the original Gender to 16, removing the need for a medical Sunak. Sunak stated that whilst Recognition Act was implemented diagnosis of gender dysphoria, and decisions were made about the bill, in 2004, this legislation is naturally lived experience in one’s “acquired” he was taking into consideration
Megan Butt
outdated, making these certificates incredibly difficult to obtain.
we are: recognition
the “concerns for women and children’s safety” and how the bill could potentially threaten this. If Sunak wholeheartedly cared about wellbeing and safety, he would understand that passing this bill would protect women and kids; trans women and trans kids. He would also treat immigrants with less hostility and more compassion. He might even consider wearing his seatbelt from time to time. Ultimately, many people justify their transphobia under the guise of concern for women and children, as if the controversy over this very bill does not go to show that trans people are the most at risk. First Minister of Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon, supported the bill based on the understanding trans people already face so much adversity, insisting she will not apologise for attempting to improve the quality of trans peoples’ lives.
It seems many people assume that as a result of this bill, trans people will dominate all public spaces, despite trans people making up less than 3% of the UK’s population. It is not trans people the government nor the public should be concerned about in this case, it is those who could potentially abuse bills such as this in order to cause harm to others. The matter of whether someone can assault or harm another person is not hindered nor helped by someone acquiring a GRC. For trans rights to progress, the trans existence must be depoliticized. Cis peoples’ intentions aren’t met with scepticism based on their identity, so why is this the case for trans people? Why is it always assumed trans people are predators, instead of victims themselves?
Image: Unsplash
UImage: Unsplash
Is
our
Lily Taylor
sex-ed a series of laws which prevented schools from embracing the LGBTQ+ community. Scotland repealed the laws in 2000, with the UK following in 2003. Despite the repeals, the progress made to promote LGBTQ+ inclusivity in schools has been slow. According to a 2017 study by Stonewall, 40% of participants had not received education on samesex relationships. Such a large number of children and young adults being denied access to LGBTQ+ sex education emphasises how it has not been prioritised, even after Section 28 has been overturned.
Comments Writer
Sex is not an easy subject to talk about, especially amongst a classroom of giggling teenagers. Yet, it is the responsibility of schools to provide a sex education which promotes safe sexual practices for later in life. However, sex education for those who know they are part of the LGBTQ+ community from an early age is not always straightforward. LGBTQ+ sex education is often dismissed by schools whose teachers and curriculum lack information on how it works, and are afraid to The impacts this lack of education get it wrong or to come across as could have on LGBTQ+ youths are homophobic. profound. Without the appropriate knowledge to help them understand It is true that society has come a long sex, they are more likely to struggle way since the 1980s when Margaret maintaining healthy relationships. As Thatcher introduced Section 28 – a result of this, the probability of them
inclusive
having sex at an early age, engaging in unsafe sex or experiencing dating violence is much higher than that of heterosexual people. This leaves the LGBTQ+ community vulnerable to a large number of physical and mental health issues. For example, nonheterosexual individuals have been identified as having higher levels of anxiety than heterosexual people. In a 2017 study, the Office for National Statistics found that bisexual people experienced the highest rates of anxiety at around 0.76%, whilst heterosexual people experienced -0.01%. As a bisexual woman myself, these figures do not surprise me. I have struggled with anxiety for a long time, and I believe my lack of knowledge surrounding my identity did not help. Realising that my primary and secondary school sex education was
enough?
minimal and non-LGBTQ+ inclusive, I felt scared and naïve, spending hours researching more about my bisexual identity. We shouldn’t have to turn to the internet for our sex education. We deserve the same quality of education as everyone else.
“We shouldn’t have to turn to the internet for our sex education.” It was only three years ago that the UK government made LGBTQ+ sex education compulsory in education curriculums. Is it enough? Not yet. It is progress, but it has come rather
late for a country that repealed Section 28 in 2003. Many young people will have missed out on the chance to grow up understanding themselves and feeling like a valid part of society. Also, the flexibility the curriculum allows could produce both positive and negative consequences. The way in which a teacher chooses to teach LGBTQ+ sex education can affect the quality of the education; whilst one teacher might go into great depth with the teaching, another might attempt to skim the surface of the matter. Census revealed that more than 1.3 million people in England now identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community. More must be done by the government to ensure the health and safety of our community in the years to come.
What did your sex education include? Should universities provide sex education?
Yes No Maybe
67% 9% 24%
Consent
213 Contraception 281 STIs 251 Menstrual cycles 229 Lifelong hormonal changes 43 Puberty 266 Penetrative heterosexual sex 253 Non-penetrative sex Identity 38 LGBTQ+ safe sex 30 Other 5 I did not have a sex education 11
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