Pride in Education’s statement has been signed by over 3,800 people
BY ELLA GAUCI, IMAGE BY @ALIAKSANDRBARYSENKA
Over 3,800 people have signed an open letter by Pride in Education to overhaul the government’s revised Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) guidance, which treats trans and non-binary identities as topics of “significant political debate”. Public figures like Daniel Lismore, Cyril Nri and Stephen Fry have all condemned this guidance, which is set to come into effect in September 2026.
Announced in July, the government’s new guidance stated that students would be taught what the law is on biological sex and gender affirming care. Teachers have been advised to be “careful not to endorse any particular view or teach it as fact”. Celebrities like Paloma Faith, Gail Porter, Ant Lexa and Annie Wallace have all stressed the dangers that this new guidance could have on LGBTQIA+ youth.
The open letter reads: “How can you teach that trans, non-binary and intersex people are up for ‘significant debate’ without stripping them of their dignity and agency? The contradiction between encouraging inclusion under the Equality Act whilst instructing teachers not to affirm gender identity and diversity risks legal uncertainty, discrimination, and further marginalisation of already vulnerable young people.”
Many people, like LGBTIQA+ campaigner Lord Michael Cashman, have warned that this new guidance could see the beginning of another Section 28. This is, of course, referring to Margaret Thatcher’s controversial law that stated that local authorities “shall not intentionally promote homosexuality or publish material with the intention of promotinghomosexuality”.
Sabah Choudrey, award-winning psychotherapist and DEI leader, has spoken out about the real impact this guidance could have on queer young people’s lives. “This guidance invalidates LGBTIQA+ young people and LGBTIQA+ teachers by ignoring the real impact it will have on mental health and wellbeing. It shuts down space for questions, curiosity and reflection – essential for young people’s growth. Learning about diverse LGBTIQA+ experiences doesn’t just help LGBTIQA+ young people – it helps everyone, by building empathy, understanding and respect.”
In this statement exclusive to DIVA, Sabah continued: “When I was at school, I searched constantly for places where I could see myself reflected. The curriculum wasn’t inclusive at all, but I found community elsewhere (on MySpace!) and began piecing together what being LGBTIQA+ meant for me. But what really stayed with me were the few teachers who saw me struggling. They gave me time and an opportunity to speak. And they didn’t argue with me, diminish or debate how I was feeling, they just listened. They made me feel seen and safe. Every LGBTIQA+ young person deserves that.”
This open letter calls for a number of changes to be made to the current RSHE guidance. Pride in Education is asking that trans, non-binary, intersex and gender-non-conforming pupils are entitled to an education that recognises and supports them. They have also stated that RSHE should provide accurate, age-appropriate, inclusive content that addresses the realities of growing up, including gender identity. They are also asking Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson to work with LGBTIQA+ organisations, students, parents and teachers to develop new guidance.
As reported exclusively to DIVA, Katie Neeves, CEO of Cool2BTrans, revealed why this open letter is so vital. “I was happy to advise Pride in Education on its excellent letter as I’m appalled that this trans-hostile Labour Government is planning to introduce Section 28 2.0. I don’t want any more kids growing up ashamed of who they really are, like I was. I also don’t want kids to be ashamed of their trans parents. I’m so lucky that my teenage daughter is very proud of me and of the struggles I faced. I battled with Gender Dysphoria from the age of three and I desperately tried to be the boy and then the man that I thought society demanded me to be. It took me until the age of 48 to finally admit that I am a transgender woman and that I needed to align my body with my gender identity. Now I have, I couldn’t be happier. After all, trans people are just ordinary people who want to be happy.”
You can sign here: Sign the Pride in Education Open Letter to the DfE here
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