Transgender kids told to leave Girl Guides by September

Girlguiding, who oversees girl guides groups in the UK, has said that transgender children must leave the organisation by September. This follows their announcement in December that it would no longer be accepting boys who identify as girls from joining.

The Girlguiding organisation has taken this action in light of the Supreme Court decision last year, which ruled that sex means biological sex in equality law. Girlguiding have acted in order to be “operating lawfully” and in keeping with their governing charity documents.

This decision comes as many organisations await the publication of advice from the Equalities and Human Rights Commission giving guidance on tackling issues of gender. Girlguiding called for the guidance to be “clear, workable and informed by the voices of young people and volunteering organisations”. They added: “We remain committed to standing up for the rights, safety and dignity of girls and women, and to supporting marginalised communities, including LGBTQ+ people, to improve the lives of girls”.

Transgender members of girl guide groups will need to leave the organisation before 6 September. Anyone volunteering in a role for women only who is not biologically female will also need to transfer to a role open to all volunteers. Girlguiding said that the timing allowed “affected members and their families time to plan, prepare, access support, and decide when - between now and September - they feel ready to leave”.

Following the announcement in December, a splinter group calling itself Guiders Against Trans Exclusion (Gate) has emerged. The group want to force the organisation to rethink their decision about a trans ban and encourages Guide leaders to write to politicians and attend protests. Members can show their opposition to the ban by wearing the Guide’s promise badge upside down.