X
    Categories: Healthlife

Primary School Pupils Were Told ‘Menstruation Can Happen To All Gender’ During Education Session


The advice to teachers was approved by Brighton Council in a bid to tackle the stigma surrounding menstruation.

ADVERTISEMENT

The report states: “Trans boys and men and non-binary people may have periods”, adding “menstruation must be inclusive of ‘all genders’.”

ADVERTISEMENT

It also orders that “bins for used period products are provided in all toilets” for children and that trans pupils and students should be provided with additional support from a school nurse if needed.

The council said it was also “important for all genders to be able to learn and talk about menstruation together”.

ADVERTISEMENT

The guidelines on tackling period poverty come just a few months after Brighton & Hove City Council issued a Trans Inclusion Schools Toolkit to encourage sensitivity around student gender identity.

In the toolkit, teachers are told to be responsive to the needs of all non-binary and trans children and are reminded that intentionally not using a person’s preferred name or pronoun can constitute harassment.

ADVERTISEMENT

It also recommends a non-gendered uniform so that children are supportive of all students, regardless of gender.

In 2016, the £12,000 a year public school Brighton College was thought to be the first to change its uniform policy so that transgender pupils could wear what they like.

ADVERTISEMENT

But Tory MP David Davies told the Mail On Sunday it was “insanity” for teachers to be explaining the concept of transgender boys having periods to eight-year-olds.

ADVERTISEMENT

He said: “Learning about periods is already a difficult subject for children that age, so to throw in the idea girls who believe they are boys also have periods will leave them completely confused.”

But some critics have slammed the guidance on periods and said it is confusing for young people.

ADVERTISEMENT

Brighton & Hove City Council said: “By encouraging effective education on menstruation and puberty, we hope to reduce stigma and ensure no child or young person feels shame in asking for period products inside or outside of school if they need them.

ADVERTISEMENT

“We believe that it’s important for all genders to be able to learn and talk about menstruation together… Our approach recognizes the fact that some people who have periods are trans or non-binary.”

ADVERTISEMENT