If You Found Out There Was A Transgendered Child At A School Your Child Was Attending, Would You Take Them Out Of Said School?

[sp1814]

http://m.huffpost.com/uk/entry/uk_59b63647e4b0354e4412c18a?ir=UK

I can understand the concern of the parents involved - they're being confronted with something they don't understand, but withdrawing their children from contact with all other children in their school?

Is that wise?

What would you do?

[ummmm]

If you'd seen the posters that were put up over Oz when it came to gay marriage, Naomi, you might realise they aren't accepted, as others aren't, but they were similar to that crazy Christian church in America (can't remember it's name) but basically saying no to f a ggots...

[sp1814]

naomi24

You asked:

//Billy is a girl in his head so does that mean he fancies blokes, as most girls do//

No.

Because Billy is six.

If Billy continues on his path and eventually transitions, then he won't be gay, because biology and gender are not the same thing.

You went on to ask:

//Additionally, why are lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people all happy to be lumped together other under the LBGT flag //

It's because many across all those communities experience very similar issues. The Venn diagram of sexuality applies here.

You went on:

//and why are they so determined to support each other?//

Our of kindness?

It's perfectly reasonable to find 'this whole LGBT thing' confusing. People are complicated.

[sp1814]

jim360

Again...I didn't read your response before posting my response to naomi24, but I do agree with you that arguably T and LGB are technically not the same.

But your conclusion about how all the groups under that umbrella are treated is roughly the same as mine.

[jourdain2]

I wouldn't withdraw my children, but I would be concerned about confusing messages being given to them at such a very young age. I would probably suggest to the Head that the school rules on dress needed to be redrawn quickly (because rules are rules, after all) and that trousers become uniform for both boys and girls, with the option of shorts in Summer.

[naomi24]

Jim, //Gender identity and sexuality aren't linked so neatly all the time.//

Clearly.

//kromo came along to explain why T and LGB should really be separate. //

Thank you for that. My thoughts exactly.

SP, //biology and gender are not the same thing.//

I disagree. It’s true that some people are wrongly classified at birth but generally, and putting it simply, biologically if you have dangly bits you’re male. If you don’t, you’re female. I think the confusion, in the main, lies not with the body, but with the head. (Naomi sits back and waits to be shouted at).

Ummmm, I’m not questioning acceptance. (You're probably thinking of Westboro Baptist Church - only about 60 members but all a nutty as fruitcakes!).

[kvalidir]

No I most certainly wouldn't, and more to the point they have missed a wonderful chance to explain to their own darling sprog a nice lesson in tolerance, that you don't have to necessarily like or even understand why someone is doing something but as long as it hurts no-one then they have every right to be doing it and you should support their decision. The deeper rammifications are that Mummy and Daddy are intolerant etc and that darling sprog is therefore reasonably likely to be confused at what is and is not appropriate behaviour towards someone who is essentially getting on with their life and minding their own business. THAT is a cause for concern to me to be honest, not whether some little person wants to dress in clothes of another gender, which actually is their right.

[jim360]

No shouting from here -- we've covered this ground before at some length -- although I will admit to scratching my head as to how you can "find this whole LBGT issue genuinely confusing" while also being unequivocal about the link between anatomy and gender, which to me would suggest no confusion at all.

If we disagree -- and we do, clearly -- then that's just how debate works. Or, if you are confused about the issue, then I'm happy to answer questions as you may have, but for the life of me I'll never understand how people who claim to be "confused" about some topic then promptly reject proffered explanations about it.

[ummmm]

That's the one Naomi...

But other people think like them so if we don't condemn it then it might not ever be an issue for children in the future. Just let them grow up and be themselves.

The boy in question probably has a female best friend and wants to be like her,

[pixie374]

I understand what she means, Jim. There are some things I understand and have no doubt about, but parts which make absolutely no sense to me.

[Old_Geezer]

Probably not, but I can understand the concern. Seems to me the gender confused child ought not be pushed into this, by encouragement, either. Plenty of time to decide what they want when they are of an age to make life changing decisions.

[naomi24]

Jim,// I will admit to scratching my head as to how you can "find this whole LBGT issue genuinely confusing" while also being unequivocal about the link between anatomy and gender, which to me would suggest no confusion at all. //

You're right. Gender doesn't confuse me - but it seems to confuse some.

//I'm happy to answer questions as you may have//

You're not. We've established that in the past.

Pixie, so pleased someone understands what I'm saying.

[ummmm]

I do as well. Unless you've experienced it I don't think you'll truly ever understand, me included.

Letting my boy dress as girl, he loved it, from the dress up box, is far removed from sending them to school in a dress.

[andres]

Maybe this little boy is not transgender but a transvestite. My grandson had a friend in his primary school who liked dressing up in his girls clothes but he wasn't transgender.

[ummmm]

He's too young to work that out. That's why I mentioned earlier that maybe she's his best friend and he wants to dress like her.

My son, although very young at the time, took an interest in my daughters bridesmaid dress. I think because he seen how lovely should looked.

[NoMercy]

If my son wanted to wear a dress to school, I'd refuse his request. Sometimes you have to be cruel to be kind and it would be kinder to put your foot down over the school attire, than allowing them to expose themselves to ridicule and bullying at the hands of their classmates.

[ummmm]

I agree...and it's not at this age. Many children go on to the next school together and if it did happen to be a phase...kids who knew him when he wore a dress to school would simply make him a target.

I'd rather my kids wore the relevant uniform than be bullied in later years at school, more important years in school!

[DTCwordfan]

It's not as easy as that, NoM, what happened if he was persistent in his demand - and, for the record, the other way around as to she - it's rarer, sure. Someone who was FtM became a good friend in the States and many of the same issues are shared by them.

The differences that many refer to are explained by this not being an issue that is black or white but rather many shades of grey in between and depending probably on a host of factors from genetics, home environment to experiences and all the rest.....yes, approach each case individually but there are some overall generalities that make up the differences between a cross-dresser, transvestite and a transsexual - and number one in terms of misunderstanding is that any of the above are homosexual - anything but is the majority.

[naomi24]

We had a conversation on here recently about a 12 year old 'transgender' boy who was receiving treatment but subsequently changed his mind about becoming a girl. The general consensus of opinion (SP's included I think) appeared to be that his treatment had begun too early, so why this 6 year old is being classified as ‘transgender’ I have no idea. Potty! Like a few others I wouldn’t let him go to school dressed as a girl either.

[ichkeria]

I wonder what is more confusing for a 6 year-old. Seeing a boy in a dress or suddenly being told you can't go to your school any more.