U.K. teachers' union to campaign for transsexualism support, 'gender questioning'

A union for education professionals in the United Kingdom will lobby for the support for "gender questioning" students.

During the annual conference of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers, educators said that they will call for the campaign for funding and support and promotion of transsexualism in schools that are exclusive to either boys or girls.

"Schools and colleges are experiencing an explosion of trans cases, for which they have usually made no advanced preparation. Although there is growing recognition that trans pupils and staff need – and are entitled to - understanding, respect, protection and support," one participant said prior to the conference, as quoted in the ATL website.

According to the The Christian Institute, representatives from schools said during the event that steps are already being taken to make changes to policies in uniform and changing rooms. A teacher from North Yorkshite reportedly said that it's important to not require transsexual students to wear uniforms based on their sex at birth and to not tell them that they are simply going through a phase. However, the group reportedly criticized those educational institutions that refuse to comply.

"We already provide advice to help schools understand how the Equality Act affects them, including specific guidance on trans issues," said a Department of Education spokesperson. "We are also investing £3 million in projects to help schools learn how to better deal with homophobic, biphobic and transphobic bullying."

On the other hand, Humphrey Dobson, the Deputy Director of The Christian Institute, said that schools should not make policies "to satisfy adult political agendas."

"Children are vulnerable and susceptible to all kinds of pressure while at school. Endorsing a child's confused feelings could lead them to undergo harmful hormone treatment or even 'sex change' surgery in later life," he said in response to ATL's plan. "Studies show that most children who are 'gender confused' at a young age eventually accept their biological sex after passing through puberty."

The Association of Teachers and Lecturers' Annual Conference was held at the ACC in Liverpool from April 4 to 6.