Amidst heightened debate, Education Secretary Gillian Keegan has spearheaded a pushback against what she called “contested” gender ideologies in sex education. Here’s the full story.
UK Culture War
In yet another round of the ongoing culture war battle that British politics is rapidly descending into, Gillian Keegan, the Education Secretary, is set to release new government guidance on sex education in England.
Gender Ideology
The main crux of Keegan’s proposed guidelines revolves around the teaching of the increasingly politicised debate around gender ideology.
Section 28
In a chilling reminder of the Section 28 laws, which were introduced under Margaret Thatcher, banned local authorities from the “promotion of homosexuality,” and had a chilling effect on LGBTQ+ acceptance and awareness at the height of the AIDS epidemic, schools will now be banned from teaching gender ideology.
“Contested Subject”
Keegan’s new guidance is similarly broad in its wording, stating that ideas of gender ideology, such as that a person can be born the wrong sex and change their gender, that there are more than two genders, or that non-binary people exist is a “contested subject that should not be taught.”
“Scientific” Fact
The new guidance also states that teachers must teach the “scientific” fact that only two genders exist.
Not “Scientific”
In a sign of how poorly thought out the guidance is, this “scientific” fact is incorrect, as intersex people, a general term used for a variety of situations in which a person is born with reproductive or sexual anatomy that doesn’t fit the boxes of “female” or “male,” also exist.
Children Under 9
The new plans will also ban teachers from teaching sex education to children under nine, which many teachers say is a solution for a problem, as children aren’t generally taught sex education until Year 6 when children are usually around 10.
“Woke” Ideas
Predictably, the changes have led to a chorus of support from the more right-wing newspapers and MPs who constantly push against what they term the “woke” ideas around gender.
“Politically Motivated Agenda”
Tory MP Miriam Cates told The Sun: “For too long activist groups have been pushing a politically motivated agenda on children under the cover of RSHE [relationships, sex and health education].”
Ideology Overtaking Facts
She continued, apparently without a trace of irony, “The Cass Review shows how dangerous it is to let ideology overtake facts. We need compulsory guidance to restore common sense and the rights of parents to know what their children are being taught.”
No Proof
Cates also claimed, without providing evidence, that children were being shown graphic lessons. Similarly, she claimed, again without evidence, that children were being taught there are 72 genders.
“No Evidence”
Teachers’ unions have refuted these claims, with James Bowen, director of policy for school leaders’ union NAHT, telling Sky News, “We have seen no evidence to suggest there is a widespread problem with pupils being presented with age-inappropriate materials and if this were the situation, we would expect it to have been picked up on a case-by-case basis.”
Contested Claims
On the subject of the new guidance, unions like the NAHT, which previously stated that the review was “politically motivated,” contested the government’s claims that there was a problem with explicit or age-inappropriate materials being shown to students.
“Government Must Provide the Evidence”
Paul Whiteman, general secretary at school leaders’ union NAHT, told the BBC, “If what has been leaked is accurate, the government must provide the evidence which unequivocally shows that such age limits will improve the support, protection and safeguarding of children and young people.”
“Rigid Limits”
He continued, “It is hard to see how rigid limits on what can be discussed and when would be in the best interests of young people – and this may even risk them seeking information from less reliable sources.”
“Excellent Developments”
However, Helen Joyce, director of advocacy for the gender-critical charity Sex Matters, disagreed, telling the Telegraph, “Commentary suggests that this guidance will require schools to stop presenting gender ideology as fact and to stop hiding PSHE [Personal, social, health and economic education] lessons from parents. If true, these are both excellent developments.”
“Evidence-Free Claims”
She continued, “What Sex Matters wants to see is that schools are told in no uncertain terms to stop giving any credence to evidence-free claims that everyone has a gender identity, or that sex is a spectrum or can be changed.”
Different Policies
While this new guidance will apply in England, other countries within the UK have different policies. In Northern Ireland, all pupils must take relationships and sexuality education (RSE), with schools creating their own policies.
Wales and Scotland
Since 2022, Welsh schools have been required to provide RSE, covering age-appropriate topics from three to 16, as outlined in the guidance. The Scottish government is updating its guidance on RSE following a 2023 public consultation in Scotland.
Going Backwards
As the government prepares to unveil Education Secretary Gillian Keegan’s new guidance on sex education, there is a real danger that the UK is going backwards on the teaching of sexual health and acceptance under the guise of an American-style culture war on education.
Little America
Whilst the UK is not quite at the stage of banning books that contain LGBTQ+ characters, which regularly happens in the US, the new proposals have been taken by many as the first step on a slippery slope that could take the country back to the dark days of the 1980s. However, whether the pushback against such ideas will force the government to change tactics remains to be seen.
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Grant Gallacher is a seasoned writer with expertise in politics and impactful daily news. His work, deeply rooted in addressing issues that resonate with a wide audience, showcases an unwavering commitment to bringing forth the stories that matter. He is also known for satirical writing and stand up comedy.