Excellent synopsis and great job creating a tool we can use to provide productive feedback. One concern I have is the aversion to defining the word gender. We have been beaten over the head with that word and the ideology that accompanies it to the point where some people refuse to even use it. But if we don't have a clear definition that refutes the ever changing definition provided by gender ideologues, they will continue to teach misinformation to our youth via the internet that contradicts what students are taught in schools. We need to define gender to take back control of the language that has been taken from us and distorted to the benefit of transitioning profiteers intent on queering and profiting from the destruction of children's bodies.
I'm working with a group that wrote a US federal bill, parts of which have been incorporated into the Trump Administration's executive order on sex and gender called, “Defending Women From Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government.” That EO references but does not define gender, even though it clearly identifies the problem:
“Gender ideology includes the idea that there is a vast spectrum of genders that are disconnected from one’s sex. Gender ideology is internally inconsistent, in that it diminishes sex as an identifiable or useful category but nevertheless maintains that it is possible for a person to be born in the wrong sexed body.”
Our bill does define “gender” in federal law so that gender ideologues cannot continue to morph it into a club wielded against sex-based rights. Contact me vis Substack messaging if you would like to see, use and provide feedback on our definitions.
Yes, please do provide more information. We think a strong, simple, and clear definition of binary sex is what is most needed in RSE and in law. But we’re certainly interested in your approach.
We'll contact via messages. I don't want to get into an online war with people who want to never hear the word gender again. Their anger at trans activists often gets thrown at us instead.
Well done! I do think the outside providers = activist organisations with strong trans rights agenda (trans woman are woman), and should no longer have access to school children under auspices of teaching RSE.
NZ Schools are self-managing so the Minister cannot order them not to consult with anyone they choose. But she HAS said trans activist groups will no longer be contracted by the MOE to write resources and it’s clear they will no longer be called “trusted organisations” as they were by the previous minister.
I am not sure who wrote this excellent analysis but it is a clear, comprehensive assessment and deserves wide circulation. Congratulations in thoughtful and balanced guidance on a contentious topic.
We have so many countries involved in this it would be helpful for a country designation at the beginning of the article so we know which country this refers to. I was unsure until I came across "radio, New Zealand" way way down. I, myself, am from Tranada and I was pretty sure it wasn't my country. 😤
I am in Canada as well. I’ll be running for the school board in my district in 2026 and am looking for ways to propose changes to our current SOGI framework in BC schools to reflect biological reality and concepts that are appropriate in the context of developmental psychology. This article and this organization’s work / resources are very helpful. Thank you.
Well done Fern.
Excellent synopsis and great job creating a tool we can use to provide productive feedback. One concern I have is the aversion to defining the word gender. We have been beaten over the head with that word and the ideology that accompanies it to the point where some people refuse to even use it. But if we don't have a clear definition that refutes the ever changing definition provided by gender ideologues, they will continue to teach misinformation to our youth via the internet that contradicts what students are taught in schools. We need to define gender to take back control of the language that has been taken from us and distorted to the benefit of transitioning profiteers intent on queering and profiting from the destruction of children's bodies.
I'm working with a group that wrote a US federal bill, parts of which have been incorporated into the Trump Administration's executive order on sex and gender called, “Defending Women From Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government.” That EO references but does not define gender, even though it clearly identifies the problem:
“Gender ideology includes the idea that there is a vast spectrum of genders that are disconnected from one’s sex. Gender ideology is internally inconsistent, in that it diminishes sex as an identifiable or useful category but nevertheless maintains that it is possible for a person to be born in the wrong sexed body.”
Our bill does define “gender” in federal law so that gender ideologues cannot continue to morph it into a club wielded against sex-based rights. Contact me vis Substack messaging if you would like to see, use and provide feedback on our definitions.
Yes, please do provide more information. We think a strong, simple, and clear definition of binary sex is what is most needed in RSE and in law. But we’re certainly interested in your approach.
We'll contact via messages. I don't want to get into an online war with people who want to never hear the word gender again. Their anger at trans activists often gets thrown at us instead.
Well done! I do think the outside providers = activist organisations with strong trans rights agenda (trans woman are woman), and should no longer have access to school children under auspices of teaching RSE.
NZ Schools are self-managing so the Minister cannot order them not to consult with anyone they choose. But she HAS said trans activist groups will no longer be contracted by the MOE to write resources and it’s clear they will no longer be called “trusted organisations” as they were by the previous minister.
I am not sure who wrote this excellent analysis but it is a clear, comprehensive assessment and deserves wide circulation. Congratulations in thoughtful and balanced guidance on a contentious topic.
Thanks Phillida.
Surprising and relieving. 👏👏👏
We have so many countries involved in this it would be helpful for a country designation at the beginning of the article so we know which country this refers to. I was unsure until I came across "radio, New Zealand" way way down. I, myself, am from Tranada and I was pretty sure it wasn't my country. 😤
I am in Canada as well. I’ll be running for the school board in my district in 2026 and am looking for ways to propose changes to our current SOGI framework in BC schools to reflect biological reality and concepts that are appropriate in the context of developmental psychology. This article and this organization’s work / resources are very helpful. Thank you.
Thanks, good suggestion.
Indeed! And how can we ensure that the new framework is not changed in future!