Girlguiding charity declares it’s ‘proudly trans inclusive’: ‘Simply being trans does not make someone a risk’
Girlguiding has reaffirmed its trans inclusive policy. (Stock image/Unsplash)
The UK’s Girlguiding organisation has proudly confirmed that it is trans inclusive and is happy to welcome all girls regardless of their background.
Girlguiding UK first declared that it was welcoming of trans girls in 2017, but the organisation’s inclusive policies faced renewed attention in recent days after it published a new Diversity and Inclusion Strategic Plan.
While Girlguiding’s trans-inclusive policy has not changed, the organisation confirmed its commitment to welcoming trans girls and women on Tuesday (18 May) in response to “comments and queries”.
The organisation, which works with 240,000 girls across the UK, told its almost 50,000 Twitter followers that its trans inclusive policy is “grounded in the Equality Act 2010”.
“This policy has not changed with the publication of our Diversity and Inclusion Strategic Plan,” the official Girlguiding Twitter account noted.
“Simply being transgender does not make someone more of a safeguarding risk than any other person. We proudly remain trans inclusive.”
Simply being transgender does not make someone more of a safeguarding risk than any other person. We proudly remain trans inclusive.
— Girlguiding (@Girlguiding) May 18, 2021
The organisation urged its followers to “communicate respectfully” on the issue and shared its social media policy, which prohibits discrimination “based on race, sex, religion, nationality, disability, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, age, or other protected characteristics”.
Followers thanked Girlguiding for reaffirming its trans-inclusive policy
Girlguiding has been flooded with supportive messages from followers thanking them for reaffirming that it is an accepting and welcoming space for trans girls.
“Thank you for taking the time to understand that being a trans girl or woman, or a non-binary person, doesn’t make that person any more of a safeguarding risk than a cis girl or woman,” one Twitter user wrote.
“Thank you for continuing to do your best to make Girl Guides a safe space for all.”
“How wonderful,” another Twitter user commented, while another wrote: “Thank you for spelling this out so clearly.”
One Twitter user commented: “Fully supportive of this, am so pleased you’re so firmly inclusive,” while a former girl guide wrote: “Thank you for being the best you can be, something you always encouraged us to be.”
