Transgender divisions fuel boycott of nursing union

NURSES are boycotting their professional body after its chief rejected gender-critical “smears” in the transgender debate.

Pat Cullen, the Royal College of Nursing’s (RCN) chief executive, set out her “commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion” in a blog post.

Referencing gender debates, she said that “the ability to self-identify cannot be underestimated by those who have never faced these personal challenges”.

She said: “It is a fundamental principle of the nursing and midwifery code that people are treated as individuals and their dignity upheld, including avoiding making assumptions and the recognition of diversity and individual choice.” She added that “debate is usually healthy… but division – intentionally propagating hate, fears and even smears – should never be tolerated”.

The comments were regarded by some nurses as an attack on gender-critical views that hold that biological sex cannot be changed.

Some RCN members have said they feel unsafe debating the potential harms of puberty blockers at its conference, which starts tomorrow.

The Sex Not Gender Nurses and Midwives campaign group said it had been approached by members who are considering leaving the college. One NHS nurse said: “I’ve cancelled my membership. The statement released by the chief executive has … endorsed the accusations of bigotry levelled at women like myself, who speak up on the … debate at great risk.

“I’m worried about speaking on a topic at congress that considers how trans people access healthcare.”

Another said: “Because of Pat Cullen’s statement I [may] be a target because I want to protect children, sexbased rights for women and ensure nurses are able to raise concerns.”

A spokesman for the RCN said: “The article calls for civil debate but reiterates that hate speech and discrimination will not be tolerated.”