Teachers uncomfortable hiding student’s name, gender, pronoun change from parents

A leaked state school email reveals teachers are being told to use a student’s preferred name, pronoun or gender in the classroom without parental consent, a move that is making them uneasy. VOTE IN OUR POLL

Queensland teachers are being forced to deceive parents when a student asks the school to help them change their gender, pronouns or name.

A leaked state school email reveals teachers are being told the Human Rights Act allows them to use a student’s preferred name in the classroom without parental consent.

But teachers are also being asked to then use students’ birth gender, name and pronouns in any communication with parents who are unaware of the child’s request – leading to concerns across the state from school staff caught in the middle of the tricky situation.

The leaked email, seen by The Courier-Mail, concerned a student who wanted to change their name and pronouns, but did not want their parents to be told.

It referred to the Human Rights Act, and stressed all staff – including substitute teachers – should use the child’s preferred pronouns in the classroom, but communication with their parents should use their birth name and pronouns.

School staff can be caught in the middle of tricky situations involving children not telling parents of changes to their gender, pronouns or name.

It is understood school staff and parents across the state have raised concerns around navigating the issue and one teacher, who wished to remain anonymous, said the progression of name, pronoun and gender changes in the classroom had grown in the past few years.

“Staff are now expected to talk to the parents and not mention it and they must use the name on the child’s birth certificate, but otherwise they should use the child’s preferred name and pronoun in the classroom,” the teacher said.

“At parent-teacher interviews, are we expected to not bring it up with a student’s mother even if the child is sitting there next to their mother?

“If a child wants to change a subject in their senior year, there are significant protocols to make sure it is the right decision and three or four signatures are required. But if they want to change their name or pronoun, it is a case of speaking to the guidance officer.

When questioned about its relevant policies, the Department of Education did not address concerns around teachers caught between the student’s wishes and a parent’s right to know.

However, the Department said it advises schools and principals to assess each case individually, including considering the child’s age and capacity to make these decisions.

In some instances, it may be best for a school to keep a child’s wishes secret.

For example, if the child’s family has certain religious beliefs.

Queensland Secondary Principals Association president Mark Breckenridge said principals told him in the vast majority of cases, there is good co-operation and conversation between the school and parents Picture: Josh Woning.

According to The Queensland Human Rights Commission’s Trans At School guide, children have legal protections under the Human Rights Act 2019 to protect their vulnerability.

“Consideration of best interests should take into account the child’s views and recognise their autonomy to make decisions for themself when they are mature enough to do so,” it said.

“In the context of education, this means that children in Queensland have a human right to a public education that enables them to develop to their full potential, caters for their individual circumstances, and allows them to express their individual identity.”

However, Queensland Secondary Principals Association president Mark Breckenridge said principals told him in the vast majority of cases where a student wants to change their name or pronouns, there is good co-operation and conversation between the school and parents.

“The advice I was given as a principal, and the advice I give to principals now, is that it is not your job to mediate between parents and their kids,” he said.

“I think each situation is unique, principals will be considering a whole lot of things – making sure there is an inclusive curriculum in the school and making sure teachers are confidentially aware of their student’s circumstances.

“Also, is it an inclusive environment? What needs to be considered in terms of toilet usage, school uniform, and school camps. But schools are now well practised in this space and there is support information available to them.

“When principals are talking to me about this, I can see that they are doing everything they possibly can to make their students feel safe and welcome, so parents can feel confident.”

Australian Association of Psychologists director Carly Dober worked in schools and saw increasing numbers of students having these conversations, which she sees as a positive.

“Not every child’s home is a safe place where they can share that due to their family’s belief, so we need to ensure their privacy,” Ms Dober said.

“I worked in a big religious school with students from many different religious backgrounds and we had students wanting to explore their identity, but they also said they would not be safe at home if this got back to their parents.

Australian Association of Psychologists director Carly Dober said schools should not tell students they can keep these issues secret.

“We need to have conversations about mental health concerns and if there is an adult in that student’s life who we can speak to about this – an older sibling or aunt or uncle, for example.

“Schools also have a tricky responsibility under all of their guidelines that they have to adhere to, so it is hard.”

Ms Dober said schools should not tell students they can keep these issues secret.

“Do not promise you will keep this secret forever, there may be other physical or mental health concerns and they (school staff) may need to tell other people around this,” she said.

“We don’t want the school to be handling this on their own, they aren’t gender experts.”

A Department of Education spokesman said it provides safe, supportive and inclusive environments for all students, particularly LGBTIQ+ children.

“A student may request that the school uses a preferred name or pronouns. Schools consider these requests based on a case-by-case basis considering the best interests of the student,” the spokesman said.

“All of the student’s circumstances are considered including their age and capacity.

“The Department provides comprehensive information to principals and school staff to assist them in making decisions that ensure trans and gender diverse students receive the appropriate support, tailored to their individual needs.

“This information acknowledges that circumstances for individual students will be different and decisions about how best to support students should be made on an individual basis.

“As a matter of course, schools communicate regularly with parents and carers on matters at school that affect their children.

“A student’s preferred pronouns/gender may also be used on student academic reports if requested by their parent or carer.”

The Courier-Mail contacted the Queensland Teachers Union asking if concerns had been raised by their members, or if the union had any concerns in general around this issue.

“As employees of the Department of Education, our members are required to follow the policies and procedures of the department,” QTU president Cresta Richardson said.