6th November 2023
Listen
Listen
Today, I like many Girlguiding members received the news we were all terrified of to hear. Trans girls are no longer allowed in our units. The idea is completely obscene.
Young girls who want to be included in a safe space where they can have fun will no longer be allowed Girlguiding UK because of the Supreme Court. April’s Supreme Court ruling made my stomach turn. I completely and utterly disagree with the idea that being a ‘woman’ is only down to biological sex. The horrible fallout of this event has slowly played out over the summer, and I became increasingly worried about what this would mean for Girlguiding.
I have been a member of Girlguiding for nearly 16 years. It’s a charity which has introduced me to my closest friends, given me incredible experiences and taught me so many skills. I became a Young Leader at 14 and a full Adult Leader at 18. One of the reasons I love Girlguiding is because it is such an inclusive space for all young people and adult members to be themselves. Showing our girls that they can be the version of themself that they feel most comfortable with has been a crucial part of our message.
This is why I am so shocked and disheartened to hear that transgender girls will no longer be able to participate in our meetings. I do not understand how an organisation who ‘Guide with Pride’ and create a program of activities which promote inclusion can exclude members based on their biology. Transgender girls hold absolutely no threat to our units despite the narrative of demonisation that transphobic individuals and organisations try to push. There is literally no reason that these girls should not be able to attend unit meetings.
Now I appreciate that this decision has been taken in light of the Supreme Court’s ruling, but I do not understand why Girlguiding UK has not fought for its members. They have chosen to exclude and comply rather than following on of the clauses of their own program, take action. There is always a way, and there is always something we can do to make a difference. Not only are we showing our young members that discrimination is ok, but we are also telling them to give up when things are hard. This could not be further from the Girlguiding values that I have tried to emulate for 16 years.
The reaction from members so far has been one of abject horror. Before comments were turned off, members came out in their hundreds to express our feeling via the social media posts which announced the ruling. I have only seen a handful of members agree with the decision, as hundreds have come forward to show support for the trans girls who are being excluded. Many leaders are questioning if they can even continue to be a Girlguiding member. This is something I am grappling with myself.
I have strong family links in Girlguiding. One of my relatives has resigned from her position as a Trustee for one of the Girlguiding Regional Boards. She felt she was unable to represent anorganisation with values she so strongly opposes and consequently chose to resign from her post. This was a role she loved and dedicated herself to. How many more trustees and volunteers will be following her into resigning?
For now, we have to wait to see what Girlguiding UK does next. So far we have received very little information or practical guidance on what happens next. The next few weeks will make or break the organisation.
What has truly broken my heart are the trans and non-binary members commenting on social media asking if they have to leave. They are real people who have already been shunned and excluded from other organisations. I hope that they know Girlguiding UK may have betrayed them, but we stand with them in solidarity.
For more news, please click here: https://www.liverpoolguildstudentmedia.co.uk/category/news/
