Statement from LCR Pride Foundation in relation to the recent announcement from The Girl’s Day School Trust that they would no-longer be accepting trans girls:
Lewis Collins, Chair of the LCR Pride Foundation Board of Directors, said: “We are shocked and concerned by the statement made last week by The Girls’ Day School Trust, which means two of its Merseyside schools – Belvedere Academy in Liverpool, and Birkenhead High School Academy in Wirral – will no longer accept Trans girls.
“The statement says that the decision has been made to protect the Trust’s history of single-sex status but stresses that ‘young people exploring their gender identity need space and time to make decisions, free of pressure’.
“However, its decision has done the exact opposite. It has created a dangerous and hostile situation for both students who identify as Trans and Non-Binary currently and those who may not yet be sure and are questioning thier gender identity.
“It also ‘others’ the Trans and Non-Binary community, sending a message to students that being Trans is not something they can choose to support, when they should be educated and supported to be allies.
“We stand with the children and families that are affected by this in Liverpool and across the UK and encourage them to reach out to organisations such as Mermaids, GYRO LGBTQ+ Youth and Brook Wirral for support at this difficult time.
“LCR Pride Foundation will continue to work with schools in the city region to help them to understand how to better support students and create inclusive and safe spaces for Trans and Non-Binary young people, as well as those questioning thier gender identity.”
