Boys will no longer be able to join Girl Guides in the UK, but in Australia they will be welcomed with open arms and any girl or parent who objects will fall foul of its inclusion policy. In the UK boys who wished they were girls, referred to as ‘transgirls’ were allowed to join the organisation from 2018 until now. But because of public backlash and the UK Supreme Court decision that states girls and women really does mean female, Girlguiding has been faced with little choice but to do the right thing and exclude males. The organisation said it had made the ‘difficult decision’ following the Supreme Court ruling in April which said the words ‘women’ and ‘sex’ in the Equality Act 2010 refer to biological women and biological sex. It comes after one parent alleged in a pre-action letter that the organisation’s policy risked exposing ‘girls to harassment’. Girlguiding said it had consulted with senior members, young members and sought legal advice in making its decision.
It is understood that the decision will affect new members joining but will not affect current members of the organisation, with more information coming soon. The change will not affect adult volunteers, as these roles remain open to all. The organisation insisted it remains ‘committed to treating everyone with dignity and respect, particularly those from marginalised groups that have felt the biggest impact of this decision’. Girl Guides Australia have failed to read the room and doubled down on their insistence boys should be welcome in their organisation that includes camps and changerooms that ought to be for single-sex only. They posted on Instagram that “cisgirls and transgirls” are welcome. The statement is nonsensical and should read “girls and boys”, not insulting and confusing terminology designed to deceive. The organisation won’t allow comments because they know they will cop backlash as well. Parents beware that if you allow your daughters to participate in Girl Guides Australia, they can face the very real scenario of boys in the dorms and changerooms.
Source: Binary
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