The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Schools told to bin anti-trans DVDs
Head teachers in Perth and Kinross have been instructed to protect children from “harmful” DVDs sent to schools by a Creationist group accused of pushing a strong anti- transgender message.
The organisation Truth In Science has targeted primaries and secondaries across the region, as part of a UK-wide campaign.
Senior staff received copies of a 28 - minute documentary titled The Tr a n s g e n d e r Agenda, which claimed “the most vulnerable in society may be confused about their own gender identity.”
The alarm was raised by local LGBT+ charity Perthshire Pride, after the controversial film – which describes gender dysphoria as a mental disorder – was passed on by a concerned teacher at a Perth primary school.
The asked council has now head teachers to disregard the film, and not to show it to children.
Per thshire Pride has meanwhile condemned a series of handcrafted signs promoting a similar antitransgender message that have appeared around Blairgowrie and Coupar Angus.
The posts show what appears to be a pro-feminist message, but contains links to anti- trans websites, including ones challenging the Scottish Government’s gender reform plan which would allow transgender people to self-declare their identity.
The signs, which have been found in remote parts of the countryside, also namecheck controversial figures in the transgender debate including comedy writer Graham Linehan, who was recently booted off Twitter, and Fair Cop, an online campaign highlighting police action against social media posts.
The DVD and the handmade signs appear to be unconnected, although it is not clear who is behind the signs.
Pe r t h s h i r e Pr i d e cochairperson Claire Ma c k e n z i e said: “We absolutely condemn these signs. It does appear that they are trying to fool people into believing they are spreading a feminist message.
“But when you read between the lines, it is promoting a very transexclusionary agenda.
“The Truth in Science DVDs are pushing the same idea. If you’re not super clued up on the transgender debate, something like this could be quite convincing.
“But it is full of misleading information.
“They are potentially very harmful.”
A Perth and Kinross Council spokesman said: “Pe r t h and Kinross education and children’s services are aware that a DVD titled The Transgender Agenda has been sent, unsolicited, to some of our schools by the Truth Science Organisation.
“Schools deliver inclusive educational experiences for pupils where facts are presented in an objective, balanced and sensitive manner, appropriate to each child and young person’s age and stage of development.
“Lessons are planned around experiences and outcomes identified within the framework of Curriculum for Excellence.”
He said: “The Truth in Science DVD has not been approved by Perth and Kinross education and children’s ser vices and therefore staff have been advised not to share it with children and young people.”
Truth In Science could not be reached for comment, with only a PO Box address in Folkstone attached to the group’s letter.
T he same group has previously promoted creationism and intelligent design. in