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- Resist Gender Education | Human rights for everyone
Under NZ law, parents have a range of rights and responsibilities that they can exercise when raising their children. Human rights for everyone
- Rainbow Teaching in Schools | Resist
Some schools may not have teachers instructing students on relationships and sexuality at all, but may instead outsource this teaching to various Rainbow organisations or other groups under the guise of ‘anti-bullying’ or ‘diversity’ classes. Be aware of what these organisations are teaching your children: Click on the logos for more information The Birds and the Bees. Our review of this app that is available online to any children and is inappropriately recommended by its developers for children from the age of 12. (Note that the app is not officially used in schools and children can access it from anywhere. ) Guide for gender-diverse students includes subterfuge This 9 page guide for Hutt Valley High School students who are gender-questioning includes advice on how to change their pronouns at school without alerting their parents (p4.) It supports mandatory use of preferred pronouns (p4) and refers students for further advice to a long list of Rainbow groups where students will receive unquestioning affirmation. (p9) Click here to view When a quarter of the class identifies as trans This testimonial is from a US school but Aotearoa is on the same trajectory. See our testimonials. ! Widget Didn’t Load Check your internet and refresh this page. If that doesn’t work, contact us.
- Books to avoid | Resist
There are many more books than these ones – we have listed only some examples that are readily available in NZ libraries. In this web article, Transgender Trend asks "What's the harm in trans picture books for children?" and critiques a long list of those that have been recently published. The Daily Mail covers the same topic. The Birds and the Bees. Our review of this app that is available online to any children and is inappropriately recommended by its developers for children from the age of 12. The Gender Book by Cassandra Corrigan. In this post from Transgender Trend, a child psychologist warns that this picture book "reinforces stereotypes at every turn and never explains what it really means to 'feel like a girl' or 'feel ike a boy'. Children are left to assume it must be down to the high heels and tool box. Which of course, they will believe, because they are children and they believe what we tell them." In My Daddy's Belly by Logan Brown. The book is described online as a "heartwarming story about two Dads eagerly awaiting the birth of their first child", although of course, the pregnant "Dad" is actually the baby's mother. Welcome to Sex by Dr Melissa Kang and Yumi Stynes is marketed as “a frank, age-appropriate introductory guide to sex and sexuality for teens of all genders”, but there is growing opposition to its graphic contents, including oral and anal sex, hand jobs and rimming, being promoted as suitable for children as young as eight. Susan McLean, a cyber security expert has written here about the irresponsible advice given in the book to make sure the head is cropped when sending nude pictures. “This is dangerous advice that could be read by some as suggesting it is OK to send a headless nude… Young people can still be blackmailed, bullied, betrayed, and charged after sending a headless nude. As adults, we must do better than brush over behaviour that is considered criminal and will in almost all cases end in tears despite what the authors believe.” Call me Max by Kyle Lukoff (2019) A complete training in gender ideology including the notion that a mistake was made with your identity when you were born. It Feels Good to Be Yourself by Theresa Thorn (2019) A picture book that introduces the concept of gender identity to the youngest readers. My Dad Thinks I’m a Boy! By Sophie Labelle (2020) Stephie (Stephen’s) Dad has been mistaking ‘her’ for a boy since ‘she’ was born. This is billed as a “transpositive children’s book that shows children that no one else than ourselves gets to decide who we are.” Phoenix goes to School: A story to support transgender and gender diverse children (ages 3-7) by Michelle Finch and Phoenix Finch (2018) Phoenix is preparing for her first day of school. She is excited but scared of being bullied because of her gender identity and expression. Yet when she arrives at school, she finds help and support from teachers and friends, and finds she is brave enough to talk to other kids about her gender! Who are You?: The kid’s guide to gender identity by Brook Pessin-Whedbee (2017) A brightly illustrated introduction to gender for ages 3+, that teaches about gender identity and “how we express ourselves through our clothes and hobbies." The Pronoun Book: She, he, they, and me! by Cassandra Jules Corrigan. ‘Educates’ children 5 years plus on pronouns and misgendering. Talks of being assigned a sex at birth. (Electronic) Kisses for Jet: a coming-of-gender story by Joris Bas Backer (2022) Like most teenagers in the 90s, Jet is obsessed with Kurt Cobain, which helps them get through boarding at the international school their parents have sent them to. Jet begins to notice that they don’t feel like the other girls in the class and to realise that they may be more of a boy than a girl. (Graphic novel) Identity: A story of transitioning by Corey Maison (Comic book for teens.) Corey, born female, ‘transitions’ to boy with her mother’s support. Rick by Alex Gino (2020) Rick's arrived at middle school, and new doors are opening. One of them leads to the school's Rainbow Spectrum club, where kids of many genders and identities congregate, including Melissa, the girl who sits in front of Rick in class and seems to have her life together. Rick wants his own life to be that . . . understood. Even if it means breaking some old friendships and making some new ones. Author Alex Gino explores what it means to search for your own place in the world . . . and all the steps you and the people around you need to take in order to get where you need to be. Sylvia and Marsha Start a Revolution: The story of Trans women of colour who made LGBT+ History by Joy Ellison (Electronic) Incorrectly attributes the beginnings of gay rights to actions by transwomen at Stonewall, New York. Our 15 Favourite LGBTQ Books for Kids and Teens Worthwhile children’s books depicting a variety of family groups (including parents who are same sex, single, or grandparents) are now being superseded by books that “normalise” decidedly damaging practices such as double mastectomies. https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/15-lgbtq-books-for-kids-and-teens/ ! Widget Didn’t Load Check your internet and refresh this page. If that doesn’t work, contact us.
- Therapists Speaking Out | Resist
I thought I was saving trans kids. Jamie Reed, a former counsellor, blows the whistle on the harmful practices in US gender clinics. “What’s happening to children is morally and medically appalling.” In this Free Post article, Finnish specialist, Dr Riittakerttu Kaltiala explains that “My country, and others, found there is no solid evidence supporting the medical transitioning of young people.” Genspect NZ was launched at a webinar on 10 November 2023 and its new Gender Care Framework was introduced. Genspect's vision is to move beyond a medical understanding of gender identity and gender distress that typically leads to invasive medical interventions and toward a deeper understanding of gender and identity. The UK Council for Psychotherapy has issued new "guidance regarding gender critical views" that "accepts that the treatment of gender dysphoria is a complex matter, that psychotherapists and psychotherapeutic counsellors may hold differing views on what approach is in the best interests of their clients, and that these views and practices, and their associated professional diversities, should also be respected." "A Terrible Trap" , an article by Charlotte Paul about the dangers of puberty blockers, was published in the December 2023 issue of "North and South". You can access it on the Libby app by using your library card. In the article Paul says, "We have taught these girls to think they are really boys and thus to be disturbed by the changes of puberty... The only solution looks to be the suppressing of puberty. We adults have encouraged children to think like this ." The Royal Australian and NZ College of Psychiatrists published Position Statement 103 in August 2021 that advises “Comprehensive assessment is crucial” for patients with gender dysphoria because it is “an emerging field of research” with a “paucity of evidence”. An open letter to Australia’s doctors Dr Dylan Wilson describes the problems with the gender affirmative pathway for children and why he will never refer a child to the paediatric gender service at his local hospital. Thoughtful Therapists Thoughtful Therapists are a group of counsellors, clinical psychologists, and psychotherapists from across the UK and Ireland who work directly with LGBT+ adults, children, parents and young people, in the field of gender and sexuality. They have come together in a bid to protect the integrity of the open-ended exploration of feelings and ideas that has always been a necessary component of ethical and effective therapy. Gender Dysphoria Alliance This group was formed in Canada in 2021 by community members who are concerned about the direction that gender medicine and activism has taken. It advocates for a more evidence-based, less ideological conversation about gender dysphoria and has detailed information on the topic. Rethink Identity Medicine Ethics ReIME is a non-profit education and research organisation dedicated to improving ethical long-term care and treatment for gender non-confirming children and youth. Society for Evidence-Based Gender Medicine (SEGM) The aim of this group is to promote safe, compassionate, ethical, and evidence-informed healthcare for children, adolescents, and young adults with gender dysphoria. ! Widget Didn’t Load Check your internet and refresh this page. If that doesn’t work, contact us.
- Resist Gender Education | Articles
A selection of compelling writing about transgender ideas. Excellent articles can also be found in The Times and The Australian, by subscription. Articles Banning the Blockers . In this Quillette article , Bernard Lane gives an overview of the use of puberty blockers as a routine treatment for gender distress and the resulting medical scandal. It's wrong to lie to children . Stephanie Davies-Arai (founder and director of Transgender Trend) criticises further delay from the UK Department of Education in producing transgender guidelines for schools. " The social transition of children is a key activist aim. It is an ideological approach that supports and compels a belief in “gender identity”, or at least the pretence of a belief, by forcing every other child (and teacher) in the school to pretend that a boy is a girl or a girl is a boy. It is a deception that turns reality on its head and undermines trust in the teacher-child relationship. It is nothing short of a social experiment on a generation of children. Is this what U.K. law really dictates?" "A Terrible Trap" , an article by Charlotte Paul about the dangers of puberty blockers, was published in the December 2023 issue of "North and South". In the article Paul says, "We have taught these girls to think they are really boys and thus to be disturbed by the changes of puberty... The only solution looks to be the suppressing of puberty. We adults have encouraged children to think like this ." Is NZ's transgender medicine guideline an example of regulatory failure? Jan Rivers has published a 20 page report assessing the PATHA (Professional Association for Transgender Health Aotearoa) guideline for transgender care. “Like a lot of gender ideology research, the quality is very poor,” she says. Transition Alley by Andrew Anthony. The Listener May 13 2023. The use of puberty blockers is “a dispute about science, best practice and the protection of young and vulnerable people.” The Transgender Children's Crusade by Kay S Hymowitz. "Gender identity, with its vision of autonomous children in touch with their innermost authentic desires, negates all we know about adolescence, just as it does early childhood… Whether they realize it or not, supporters are showing a wilful ignorance about child nature and endorsing views completely at odds with child psychology and legal and cultural traditions…" Empowering Parents - Young People and Gender Identity . This downloadable PDF provides vital, accurate, information for parents and teachers to help them understand the complex issues affecting their children. Produced by "The Countess", a voluntary, non-partisan human rights group based in Ireland. NHS England Ends the "Gender-Affirmative Care Model" for Youth The NHS has ended “ gender-affirming care ” in England for minors, according to the newly-released draft guidance. Psychotherapy will be the first and - usually - only line of treatment. Puberty blockers will be confined to research settings, and social transition will be discouraged for most. SEGM’s analysis is here . Gender Wars and Sexuality Education in 2021: History and Politics by Sue Middleton published in the New Zealand Journal of educational Studies. The Ministry requires schools to engage in ‘consultation with communities’ on their approach to the ‘sexuality and relationships’ curriculum. Schools have to decide whether to teach, what to teach, when to teach, how to (and how not to teach) sexuality and relationships. Understanding the historical, intellectual, professional and political battles in the ‘gender wars’ should help in these deliberations. Questioning the Gender Bender Agenda by Sue Middleton published in Ipu; Kereru; a blog of the New Zealand Association for Research in Education. Explosion of transgenderism into a social movement - Observations of a Clinical Psychologist by Ellen Kaschak “Transgenderism has become a social movement and no longer only a personal preference or psychological issue… It is destined to affect you personally if it has not already.” No One Is Born in ‘The Wrong Body’ – by W Malone, C Wright & J Robertson This article looks at the normal distribution curve of ‘maleness’ and ‘femaleness’ and concludes that “…telling a child that he or she was born in the wrong body pathologizes ‘gender non-conforming’ behavior and makes gender dysphoria less likely to resolve.”
- What are your kids reading? | Resist
There is a plethora of children’s and Young Adult books now in schools that refer to gender identity, pronouns, LGBTQ+, transgender, or non-binary, and are drenched in gender ideology. They deny there are two sexes and that we are born male or female. Instead, they claim, we are assigned sex at birth and that it is liberating to claim a different ‘gender identity’. Even worse, hundreds of picture books are in our public libraries and schools, promoting gender ideology to 2-8 year olds. Read our three substacks on the topic. Picture book propaganda (Part 1) Picture book propaganda (Part 2) Not all librarians Do the books in your child’s school library include a wide range of girl and boy characters with girls who are strong and independent and boys who show gentleness and compassion? Do the stories build positive attitudes to girls’ and boys’ bodies, or do they foster body dissociation by saying bodies ought to be altered to match sex stereotypes? Do the plotlines assert that children can actually change sex and it is easy, desirable, and ‘cool’ to do so? Are the books telling confused children that they can find their “authentic selves” through medical intervention? Here we list some books that DO have a clear-thinking approach to sex and gender and also a few books that should be avoided. Books with an asterisk are highly recommended - ask the school librarian to purchase them. Positive books for Primary Students Positive books for Secondary Students Books to Avoid ! Widget Didn’t Load Check your internet and refresh this page. If that doesn’t work, contact us.
- Resources | Resist
We have available business cards to give to interested aquaintances and a 10 page information booklet to take to principals or boards of trustees. Any donations to cover printing and postage costs will be gratefully received into the RGE account: ASB 12-3158-0186494-00. To order our resources , please send an email to info@resistgendereducation.nz with the resource you want in the subject line. Don’t forget to give us your name and address in the message box and how many of each resource you want. 'Sex cannot change" cards . These 21x10cm cards are useful for giving to friends or parents who are unaware of the reach of gender identity ideology in schools. The cards can be handed out at the school gate, in parents’ groups, given to teachers, left in cafes, and libraries etc, or posted to your local MP. To order 50, please deposit $10 for postage into the RGE account: ASB 12-3158-0186494-00 with your name in the reference field. Then email info@resistgendereducation.nz giving your name and address. If you want to leaflet letter boxes or cars, this black & white flyer is more suitable and is now available to download and print. RGE Flyer .pdf Download PDF • 1.07MB Speak up for Women has a coloured downloadable flyer on its website . ! Widget Didn’t Load Check your internet and refresh this page. If that doesn’t work, contact us.
- Resist Gender Education | Videos, Interviews and Podcasts
A selection of interesting and relevant videos, interviews and podcasts. Videos, Interviews and Podcasts C an Humans Change Sex? This is a new short and simple video explanation of why, when a person changes their outward gendered appearance, they have not changed their sex. Billboard Chris Click here to watch Stella O'Malley and Sasha Ayad talking with Billboard Chris about what led him to become a human billboard and some excellent tips on how to engage in honest conversations about gender ideology. Highly recommended viewing, especially from 8.35 to 17.50. Click here to watch Helen Joyce from Sex Matters speaking on Spiked. Click here to listen to this wide-ranging interview with Stella, the co-founder of Genspect. The Rising Tide of Transgender Identity - What's Going On? This video from Genspect explains the causes and effects of the transgender phenomenon in less than eleven minutes. A new organisation called Inflection Point organised a conference in Wellington on 18 May “for New Zelanders who want the Government to stop gender indoctrination and medicalisation of our children.” Attendees reported an invigorating afternoon with speakers as diverse as Jan Rivers, Ro Edge, Di Landy, Brian Tamaki and Bob McCoskrie from New Zealand, and Mia Hughes, Jennifer Bilek and Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull speaking via Zoom. All of the speeches are now online here . In particular, we highly recommend the speeches of three of RGE’s supporters: Jan Rivers, Katherine Chua, and Ro Edge. Andrew Doyle's video explaining social contagion . Andrew is a UK journalist and the host of '"Free Speech Nation" on GB News. Interview on Reality Check Radio Maree Buscke spoke to Fern Hickson on 29 May about gender ideology in schools and how parents can counter it. A motion to implement the Cass Review in Scotland was debated in the Scottish Parliament on 8 May. Many excellent speeches are contained in this video of the debate. Interview on the Platform Leah Panapa spoke to Fern Hickson on 1 May about the RSE Guide and Resist Gender Education's Open Letter to the Minister of Education. In this interview on the Platform on March 27, Sean Plunket interviews Sunita Torrance, the founder of Rainbw Storytime in libraries, who admits that drag queens parody women and act as the clown in their events. In this 22 minute presentation, Professor Sallie Baxendale , a UK Consultant Neuropsychologist, describes the effect of puberty on the brain and cites studies showing lower IQ scores for participants who have taken puberty blockers. RGE on The Platform . Our spokesperson, Fern Hickson, was interviewed by Sean Plunket on 23 January about why RGE supports the government's plan to replace the RSE Guide and the major changes that are needed. [Correction: Rose Hipkins works for NZCER not The Education Institute.] Child Psychiatrist, Dr Miriam Grossman (author of 'Lost in Transnation') has excellent advice for parents in this interview by Matt Walsh . In this outtake from an upcoming series "Uncomfortable Truths: The Reality of Gender Identity Ideology", Helen Joyce comments on the "dishonest and irresponsible" parents quoted in the book, "The Transgender Child". In a BBC Newsnight report , a re-analysis of a landmark study about the efficacy of puberty blockers shows the mental health of 34% of the children deteriorated after 12 months of puberty blockers and 27% stayed the same. Helen Joyce speaks with Sean Plunket on the Platform. De-transitioning documentary . (link to full version) In what is billed as “the most controversial Spotlight story this year”, which aired on 3 September, Australian channel 7 News spoke to parents, doctors, and detransitioners and asked the question: “Is a generation being brainwashed?” In these two 5-10 minute interviews from the documentary, Dr Jillian Spencer and Dr Dylan Wilson decry the ‘gender affirmation only’ model of care. In this interview with Peter Boghossian , Helen Joyce discusses how trans identification is a culture-bound syndrome— created by one culture and not present in another. She also explained why parents who have transed their kids will be the ones who must keep fighting until their dying breath to destroy the recognition of the two sexes as legal categories, otherwise they must admit thay have done something terrible to their own children. Richard Dawkins interviews Helen Joyce . They discuss the influence of gender ideology on society and its implications for scientific facts. Jordan Peterson interviews Helen Joyce . This is the second time Peterson has interviewed her and Helen commented that "The pleasure was in being asked different questions to those that arise during my own self-interrogation and rumination, and that nobody I know personally thinks to ask me either." The Bad Law Project in the UK is suing the Department for Education for negligence for promoting gender ideology in schools despite its forseeable harms. It is calling for more parents, teachers and detransitioners to join the first ten litigants. The case also seeks to have gender ideology properly defined in law to expose its political extremism. Listen here to Marg Curnow on the Pendulum Channel on Voice Media. Brandubh a secondary school student, speaks out on gender ideology teaching in Ireland and is damning of her school and her fellow students. “I was not an activist when I started at that school, but I definitely am now,” she says. RGE’s spokesperson , Marg Curnow, spoke on our behalf at a rally outside Parliament on 8 June and on Reality Check Radio on 31 May. Stella O'Malley , psychotherapist and Director of Genspect provides an introduction to the issues for schools here. Genspect advocates for a "cautious, gentle, compassionate and understanding approach." Scott Newgent , a woman who has medically and surgically transitioned to a transman, speaks to a US press conference to “put an end to the idea that medically transitioning children is about human rights. It is not. It is about money.” How was I supposed to know? “How was I supposed to know?” This is the sorrowful question from Chloe Cole, an 18 year old from California who has reclaimed her womanhood after identifying as a male for six years. Unfortunately, those six years have left an indelible mark on her body - her voice is permanently deepened by the testosterone she started taking at the age of 13, she had her breasts removed at 15, and, at 18, she suffers from the sexual dysfunction that is normally associated with menopause. As with so many other trans-identifying teenage girls, Chloe’s normal adolescent struggles were diagnosed as gender dysphoria without proper investigation of other potential causes for her unhappiness, and hormones were prescribed immediately. In this informative interview with Chloe, Jordan Peterson says: Well consent has to be documented but it also has to be informed and informed means you have to understand what you are consenting to. You needed to be walked through in great detail all of the issues that were relevant to you on the psychological and medical front, all of the options that were available to you, and the pros and cons of all those options. I can’t see in any possible way that that could have been done with any degree of thoroughness in something under six months of weekly therapy and I would say that’s an absolute minimum to walk anyone through something as complicated as what you laid out. Detransition: The Wounds That Won't Heal | Chloe Cole | EP 319 This is a two hour video in which Peterson discusses Chloe’s case in depth. For shorter viewing, click on the link under the image for 25 key moments from the interview. What’s causing the trans explosion? In this hour long interview on Triggernometry, Helen Joyce explains why “Gender dysphoria is something that society creates” and what led her to write her book Trans: When ideology meets reality. RGE Presentation to CATA conference View the presentation made to the CATA conference in August 2022 on behalf of Resist Gender Education. Read the transcript. Sex education gets extreme This 25 minute Family First video analyses the MOE relationships and sexuality education guidelines, and takes a close look at Family Planning’s “Navigating the Journey” programme that is used in many NZ schools. The Trans Train and Transgender Regret Documentaries - Bayswater Support Investigative journalists in Sweden have now produced three reports looking at the treatment given to those who seek gender transition, and who later regret their decision. All three parts are in Swedish with English subtitles. Mission: Investigate: Trans Children In this 2021 Swedish documentary with English subtitles the investigative journalist finds “case after case of irreversible treatment of young people gone wrong”, including a 15 year old who has constant pain from severely reduced bone density after being on puberty blockers for four years. “Those with the ultimate responsibility blame each other.” Trans Kids: It’s Time to Talk In this acclaimed Channel 4 (UK) documentary, Stella O'Malley describes the reality of the trans craze that is afflicting a generation of teens who are simply uncomfortable in their bodies. Dysphoric: A Four-part Documentary Series - Bayswater Support This four-part documentary looks at the effect of gender identity ideology on women and girls. It includes interview with illustrative highlights from worldwide media coverage. What is particularly interesting, and discussed virtually nowhere else, is the rise of trans-identification in developing countries. Controversy brewing over transgender children’s access to puberty blockers A 2021 NZ documentary from TV3. Gender: A Wider Lens Podcast – Stella O’Malley and Sasha Ayed O’Malley and Ayed are two practising therapists who explore the concept of gender in a series of episodes with clinicians, academics, transgender people, parents and detransitioners. Calmversations on Apple Podcasts - with Benjamin A. Boyce
- Gender policies for schools | Resist
Click here to listen to Helen Joyce talking on Free Speech Nation about policy changes for UK schools in 2024 and Sex Matters' new model policy for schools - Sex-based rules and record-keeping. When kindness becomes cruelty. March 2024 substack from RGE explaining our policies against allowing social transition and preferred pronouns in schools. Press statement 8 May 2023. Resist Gender Education and an increasing number of parents are challenging the way children as young as five are being taught that they can choose their sex; that sex is determined by how well they fit into sex stereotypes; and that it's easy, joyful, and authentic to embrace body dysmorphia as a way of coping with unhappy feelings. Stella O'Malley , psychotherapist and Director of Genspect provides an introduction to the issues for schools here . Genspect advocates for a "cautious, gentle, compassionate and understanding approach." The gender affirmative model and social transition in schools (April 2023) Transgender Trend responds to the Department for Education draft transgender guidance proposals for schools in the UK. " The DfE must decide if schools are to follow either an activist approach or an approach in line with normal standards of safeguarding. It can’t be a bit of both." A Teacher’s Guide to Sex and Gender This UK website from Teachers for Evidence-based Education provides guidance and resources to help educational professionals navigate the issue of sex and gender identity in schools. The group believes that “sex matters and that to deny the importance of material reality will lead to inequality and conflict between people with different protected characteristics.” Guidance on supporting trans children in schools This new (Feb 2023) guidance is provided by UK education unions and sector bodies and aims to help schools meet their legal duties while supporting all children. Sex and Gender Identity This February 2023 revised and updated guidance for UK schools was jointly produced by Sex Matters and Transgender Trend. Brief Guidance for Schools Produced by Genspect, this guidance advises schools to develop a sex and gender policy and to take a "cautious, least-invasive- first approach" to gender issues. Brief Guidance on Social Transition Also produced by Genspect, the guidance includes several cautions, including one against allowing students to dictate other people's use of pronouns, saying "it is not acceptable to act as though it is an act of hostility to use the biologically correct pronoun." Resist Gender Education supports the right of schools to teach according to their special character and we certainly support them in choosing not to teach belief systems as though they are fact. Read our statement here . Safe Schools Alliance UK Although this website refers to the legalities and education guidelines in the UK, it also contains helpful advice on how to talk to schools that is applicable to Aotearoa. I’m Local This is a NZ site with a downloadable “Queer & Trans 101” comic that shows how gender ideology is presented and taught to children. Gender Curriculum Rejected, Support For Opt-In Sex Ed – Poll - Family First NZ A NZ Poll regarding views on the recently updated “Relationships & Sexuality Education Guide”. {Link to our critique of the RSE Guide.} ! Widget Didn’t Load Check your internet and refresh this page. If that doesn’t work, contact us.
- Law takes precedence over policy | Resist
Law takes precedence over policy Under NZ law, parents have a range of rights and responsibilities that they can exercise when raising their children. The Care of Children Act A child’s upbringing is primarily the responsibility of their parents and the parents are to be consulted by any other parties involved in that child’s upbringing. NZ Care of Children Act 2004, s.5 (Principles relating to child’s welfare and best interests) states: “ a child’s care, development, and upbringing should be primarily the responsibility of his or her parents and guardians, ” and, “a child’s care, development, and upbringing should be facilitated by ongoing consultation and co-operation between his or her parents, guardians, and any other person having a role in his or her care under a parenting or guardianship order ”. https://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2004/0090/latest/DLM317241.html The Crimes Act 1961 Parents have a duty to take reasonable steps to protect their child from injury. NZ Crimes Act 1961, Schedule 2, s.152 – Parents of children under the age of 18 have “a legal duty … to take reasonable steps to protect that child from injury.” https://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2011/0079/latest/DLM3650020.html The Bill of Rights Act 1990 Every citizen has the right to freedom of belief and freedom of expression. NZ Bill of Rights Act 1990, s.13 – “Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience, religion, and belief, including the right to adopt and to hold opinions without interference.” s.14 – “Everyone has the right to freedom of expression, including the freedom to seek, receive, and impart information and opinions of any kind in any form.” https://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1990/0109/latest/whole.html#DLM225513 The Human Rights Act 1993 Discrimination on the grounds of sex is permitted in the interests of public decency, safety, and fairness. NZ Human Rights Act 1993, s.46 allows for single sex space discrimination, “on the ground of public decency or public safety”. It is established that members of both sexes sometimes need sex-segregated spaces away from the eyes of the public for decency and safety. https://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1993/0082/latest/DLM304624.html Some service providers include males who claim they are women into their women's spaces because they think they have to by law. They are not aware of their obligations to provide services that are safe for women - in some cases it is discriminatory not to provide these services. https://www.speakupforwomen.nz/self-id The Education and Training Act 2020 Parents have the right to opt their children out of specified parts of the health curriculum related to sexuality. NZ Education and Training Act 2020, s51(1), "A parent of a student enrolled at a State school may ask the principal in writing to ensure that the student is released from tuition in specified parts of the health curriculum related to sexuality education." Many parents are surprised to learn that, by law, schools are required to provide a full consultation for parents on sexuality education every two years. This includes providing the curriculum content and adequate opportunity for parents to submit anonymous feedback. NZ Education and Training Act 2020, s91(1), "The board of a State school must, at least once every 2 years, after consulting the school community, adopt a statement on the delivery of the health curriculum. S91(2), " The purpose of the consultation is to— (a) inform the school community about the content of the health curriculum; and (b) ascertain the wishes of the school community regarding the way in which the health curriculum should be implemented given the views, beliefs, and customs of the members of that community; and (c) determine, in broad terms, the health education needs of the students at the school." https://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2020/0038/latest/LMS171475.html Here are the legal requirements for schools to consult with parents about the content of relationship and sexuality education and what parents can do if they are dissatisfied with the consultation offered. https://resistgendereducation.substack.com/p/consultation-use-it-or-lose-it The Responsibilities of Boards of Trustees The stewardship role of Boards of trustees involves planning for, and acting in, the interests of the school and its community. Student learning, wellbeing, achievement, and progress are the board's main concern. (Ref Pg 2, ERO School Trustees Booklet 2017). The purpose of a school is not to provide a conduit for political or social ideologies. We recommend that Boards of Trustees remove gender politics from schools and focus on respecting the needs of all students and creating an environment of acceptance rather than one of exceptionalism. www.resistgendereducation.nz Resist Gender Education | The Responsibilities of Boards of Trustees In the last few years, schools and teachers have found themselves in a gender minefield without the training or quality guidance they need on how to navigate through the demands being placed upon them by some very confused ideas about sex and gender. In addition, BoTs have duties as emploers to provide a safe and healthy workplace, including mitigating stress. Read more details of BoT responsibilities here: https://resistgendereducation.substack.com/p/unmitigated-stress Your rights as a parent When schools endorse social transition (changing name, pronouns and clothing) without explicit parental consent, they are depriving parents of the opportunity to fulfill their responsibilities under the Care of Children Act 2004 to determine the medical treatment of their child. We have received legal advice that confirms that, under the Education Act, principals are expected to inform parents of any matters that in the principal’s opinion “ are preventing or slowing the student’s progress... (or) harming the student’s relationships with teachers or other students.” However, this expectation is entirely dependent on the principal’s opinion and there is no case law to clarify the extent or limits of the principal’s decision. To read more, click on the link below. https://www.resistgendereducation.nz/information/your-rights-as-a-parent MOE policy does not take heed of the law In 2022, RGE asked the Ministry of Education and the Teaching Council a series of questions about clashes between their policies and the above laws. We received only the briefest of answers, advising that both organisations had not sought legal advice and therefore could not answer the questions. To read the questions and the inadequate replies click on the link below. www.resistgendereducation.nz Resist Gender Education | Your Rights as a Teacher The Ministry of Education endorses the idea that being transgender is a positive and ‘authentic’ choice for young children to make. As a teacher, what can you do if you disagree and don’t want to teach children that sex is on a spectrum and can be changed at will? In response to a query from the Free Speech Union , the Teaching Council CEO, Lesley Hoskins, agreed that teachers do have the right to decline to use preferred pronouns, as long as they do so in a respectful way. ! Widget Didn’t Load Check your internet and refresh this page. If that doesn’t work, contact us.
- Resist Gender Education | Gender policies for schools
Enthusiasm for being kind and inclusive has led schools into promoting gender identity beliefs that guide children into body dysmorphia and isolating online cliques. Many NZ schools are prioritising the beliefs of the very small number of transgender students over the beliefs of the majority. Gender policies for schools Click here to listen to Helen Joyce talking on Free Speech Nation about policy changes for UK schools in 2024 and Sex Matters' new model policy for schools - Sex-based rules and record-keeping. When kindness becomes cruelty. March 2024 substack from RGE explaining our policies against allowing social transition and preferred pronouns in schools. Press statement 8 May 2023. Resist Gender Education and an increasing number of parents are challenging the way children as young as five are being taught that they can choose their sex; that sex is determined by how well they fit into sex stereotypes; and that it's easy, joyful, and authentic to embrace body dysmorphia as a way of coping with unhappy feelings. Stella O'Malley , psychotherapist and Director of Genspect provides an introduction to the issues for schools here . Genspect advocates for a "cautious, gentle, compassionate and understanding approach." The gender affirmative model and social transition in schools (April 2023) Transgender Trend responds to the Department for Education draft transgender guidance proposals for schools in the UK. " The DfE must decide if schools are to follow either an activist approach or an approach in line with normal standards of safeguarding. It can’t be a bit of both." A Teacher’s Guide to Sex and Gender This UK website from Teachers for Evidence-based Education provides guidance and resources to help educational professionals navigate the issue of sex and gender identity in schools. The group believes that “sex matters and that to deny the importance of material reality will lead to inequality and conflict between people with different protected characteristics.” Guidance on supporting trans children in schools This new (Feb 2023) guidance is provided by UK education unions and sector bodies and aims to help schools meet their legal duties while supporting all children. Sex and Gender Identity This February 2023 revised and updated guidance for UK schools was jointly produced by Sex Matters and Transgender Trend. Brief Guidance for Schools Produced by Genspect, this guidance advises schools to develop a sex and gender policy and to take a "cautious, least-invasive- first approach" to gender issues. Brief Guidance on Social Transition Also produced by Genspect, the guidance includes several cautions, including one against allowing students to dictate other people's use of pronouns, saying "it is not acceptable to act as though it is an act of hostility to use the biologically correct pronoun." Resist Gender Education supports the right of schools to teach according to their special character and we certainly support them in choosing not to teach belief systems as though they are fact. Read our statement here . Safe Schools Alliance UK Although this website refers to the legalities and education guidelines in the UK, it also contains helpful advice on how to talk to schools that is applicable to Aotearoa. I’m Local This is a NZ site with a downloadable “Queer & Trans 101” comic that shows how gender ideology is presented and taught to children. Gender Curriculum Rejected, Support For Opt-In Sex Ed – Poll - Family First NZ A NZ Poll regarding views on the recently updated “Relationships & Sexuality Education Guide”. {Link to our critique of the RSE Guide.}
- Relationship and Sexuality Education – an Alternative | Resist
We all agree that young people need truthful and positive education about their bodies, sexuality, reproduction and contraception. But lately many parents have become concerned about the content of some of the health lessons being provided to their tamariki. Parents have noticed that beliefs and values they do not subscribe to are being taught to their children as facts. Some of the topics, although important for children to know as they mature, are being taught at a disturbingly young age. Also, some content coaches children to take part in actions for social change, without reference to the wide range of values in the community. It is important that young children are taught to be accepting of difference but there is no need to mention gender identities or transgenderism at an early age. Discussion of such ideas properly belongs with older students, near or during puberty, and then they should be presented in a balanced way, as with any subject that is contentious, with the beliefs and values of parents being equally respected. Young children do not need lengthy expositions about gender identity. This resource, adapted from the Ministry of Education’s Relationship and Sexuality Guidelines (2020), provides an outline of age-appropriate relationship and sexuality education that is respectful of the values of all individuals and whānau. Key learning at Curriculum Level 1 - Years 1 & 2 (5 - 7 years old) Our suggested Level 1 Lesson plans can be found here Key learning at Curriculum Level 2 - Years 3 & 4 (8 – 9 years old) Our suggested Level 2 Lesson plans can be found here Key learning at Curriculum Level 3 - Years 5 & 6 (10 - 11 years old) Our suggested Level 3 Lesson plans can be found here Key learning at Curriculum Level 4 - Years 7 & 8 (12 - 13 years old) Our suggested Level 4 Lesson plans can be found here Key learning at Curriculum Level 5 - Years 9 & 10 (14 - 15 years old) Our suggested Level 5 Lesson plans can be found here ! Widget Didn’t Load Check your internet and refresh this page. If that doesn’t work, contact us.




