Media Release 31 July 2014
Family First NZ is warning schools and parents about an agenda to bring gender confusion in to schools in areas such as changing rooms, sports teams and school uniforms.

Auckland University’s Adolescent Health Research Group and Rainbow Youth are recommending to schools that
* school sports teams allow for ‘gender diversity’
* changing rooms are ‘safe environments’ (safe for who?)
* formal written records reflect the gender identity of children
* school uniforms are flexible for gender identity 

“Among the implications of these types of proposals is that sex-specific facilities, including changing rooms, showers and toilets could no longer be directed on the basis of a child’s actual biological sex,” says Bob McCoskrie, National Director of Family First NZ.

“Students could pick the toilet or changing room or sports team or uniform of the gender with which they identify at that time.”

“But the expectation of parents and the children themselves is to see students of the same gender in places like toilets and changing rooms.”

“The controversial proposals are unnecessary and gives the opportunity, for example, for male students who pretend to be transgender an alibi to use girl’s toilets, showers, and changing rooms.”

“In view of the confusion experienced overseas by such rules, it is not surprising that the United Nations has repeatedly rejected the terms ‘sexual identity’ and ‘sexual expression’ as a protected right partly because of confusion around its definition,” says Mr McCoskrie.

“Overseas experience has also shown that special toilets for those with gender identity disorder amounted to discrimination. Schools will be in a no-win situation.”

“Students with gender dissatisfaction must have the same rights as all New Zealanders, but should not be given special rights which place other school children at risk. Ignoring biology is not a proper solution.”
ENDS

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