Stonewall statement on 22 July tweet on inclusive education

On 22 July 2022 we put out a tweet that was unclear, relating to gender stereotypes and nursery age children, leading some supporters to ask us what we meant.

We were commenting on an article written by a parent reflecting on how their child was being cared for at nursery. The parent was worried that their child was being pressured to fit in with stereotypes about boys and girls. We believe that young children should be able to play, explore and learn about who they are, and the world around them, without having adults’ ideas imposed upon them.

We support existing provisions to ensure  pupils in all education settings  learn about LGBTQ+ identities in an age-appropriate and timely manner. Primary schools in Scotland and Wales are required to provide LGBTQ+ inclusive approach to relationships and sex education, and primary schools in England are encouraged to do so.

This is vital for making sure that today’s children do not grow up living with the stigma of being LGBTQ+. For younger children, this simply means ensuring children grow up understanding that LGBTQ+ people exist and that we are valid. It means learning that some families have two mums or two dads, and that some people are trans and non-binary.

It might mean not forcing children to conform to stereotypes, and it might mean challenging bullying that relates to perceived difference.

What research were you referring to?

The tweet was paraphrasing research mentioned in the article. But studies of trans adults that ask about when they first experienced gender dysphoria find that a significant number have their first memory of this feeling aged between 2 and 4.

Do you think that children as young as two can identify they are trans?

What this should have expressed is that many adult trans people can remember feeling that they might be trans at a young age.

Do you think that young children should be taught about trans identities at a young age?

For younger children, this means ensuring children grow up understanding that LGBTQ+ people exist and that we are valid. It means learning that some families have two mums or two dads, and that some people are trans and non-binary. It might mean not forcing children to conform to stereotypes, and it might mean challenging bullying that relates to perceived difference.