Too much too young
While the Catholic League mither over a Muppet Babies episode fostering transitioning among preschoolers, the Scottish government is going all-in once they get to school. It has published guidance for schools on supporting transgender young people; with young people
defined as children or young people who are of school age
.
School age starts at 4½–5½ years in Scotland.
The new guidance was welcomed by the chief executive of LGBT Youth Scotland, Dr Mhairi Crawford.
I'm sure it was! Perhaps this is some kind of recruitment drive. Catch 'em while they're young and they'll follow you forever, eh Mhairi? (wink)
All is not what it seems
I first came across this story courtesy of Mark Meechan's YouTube channel, Count Dankula 2 : Electric Boogaloo. He, in turn, referred to an article in the Daily Express, under the not-sensationalist-at-all headline: Fury as Scottish pupils allowed to change gender aged four without parental consent
:
The guidance states pupils, from primary school age upwards, can change their gender becauserecognition and development of gender identity can occur at a young age. They will also be allowed to choose which changing rooms and toilets they use, based on their gender identity.
James Bickerton, Fury as Scottish pupils allowed to change gender aged four without parental consent, Daily Express
As could so easily be predicted, commenters have leapt upon two of the more sensational misconceptions. The first is that children as young as 5-years old will be able to change their gender identity, when they're too young to understand what it means. And, secondly, that information shouldn't be shared with parents. Mind you, this does come from the Daily Express and the people who read it. (rolleyes)
As far as I can tell, and I haven't read it in depth, the Scottish government's guidance makes provision to support children if and when they do start to question their gender, presumably during their teens. The recommendation to not disclose information to parents came from an LGBT Youth Scotland proposal, but doesn't appear to have been carried over to the government's guidance.
As always, reality is more prosaic than the gutter press. Still, it's all worthy of a good old froth! (LOL)