Freedom of speech

[rock86]

As an aside, in this day and age, do we think the Olympics are being contested on a level playing field anyway? A male to female transgender with masculine features from a poor country, will still probably have a big challenge up against the money-enhanced performances of a number of wealthier nations, or against the alleged drug-enhanced performances of a range of other nations.

What, the rich countries use covert drug enhanced programs - surely not

 

[Pushka]

What, the rich countries use covert drug enhanced programs - surely not

Or even the uniforms which is why the high tech high speed all in one cozzies were banned a few years ago. Why cycling hasn’t seen the same equipment restrictions is interesting.

 

[Buzzard]

Which in reality most likely means men will dominate all sports.

Hang on, there may not be any men

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Well here is a real life story for you from an aquaintance.Son came home from his primary school saying his teacher had said he could be a girl if he wanted to be.Decided he would.So used nail polish and lipstick to school.
About a month later comes home from school looking a little worse for wear saying I don't want to be a girl any more as I have no friends and people won't talk to me anymore.I want to be a boy.I really didn't want to be a girl anyway.
So did the teacher go beyond the limits of free speech?

So at worst this is an example where a teacher plays along with a kid who wants to explore some sort of self expression? (or seek attention).

Honestly I think this sort of hyperbole is a bit reminiscent of political speak, just like SSM was going to lead to the legalisation of marriage with animals... or whatever other stupid arguments were put out there.

Part of the reason we have such a messed up political system is that politicians can only present single-idea arguments, no middle ground. No working for consensus.

 

[drron]

This is a true story and the boy had no desire to be a girl prior to being told by the teacher he could.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

This is a true story and the boy had no desire to be a girl prior to being told by the teacher he could.

Would be interesting to hear what was the outcome of the official investigation in to this.

 

[Hvr]

This is a true story and the boy had no desire to be a girl prior to being told by the teacher he could.

So when did this occur?
Recently or years ago?

 

[drron]

Recently.School notified.No action taken.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Recently.School notified.No action taken.

It doesn’t sound like the situation was all that serious otherwise the parents would have followed this up. Perhaps the child was the instigator.

 

[amaroo]

It doesn’t sound like the situation was all that serious otherwise the parents would have followed this up. Perhaps the child was the instigator.

So we’ve gone from blaming Folau for harming the kids .... to the kids harming themselves

 

[MEL_Traveller]

So we’ve gone from blaming Folau for harming the kids .... to the kids harming themselves

The story sounds a bit sarah sanders

 

[drron]

It doesn’t sound like the situation was all that serious otherwise the parents would have followed this up. Perhaps the child was the instigator.

No the parents do not want to be involved in any legal process.They did remind the school if there had been any serious consequences legal action would have been taken.
How many times do I have to tell you the child was not the instigator.really.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

No the parents do not want to be involved in any legal process.They did remind the school if there had been any serious consequences legal action would have been taken.
How many times do I have to tell you the child was not the instigator.really.

An acquaintance told you a teacher came up to their son, apropos of nothing, and said ‘if you want to be a girl, you can’. And the son went off and did that. The son went to school on multiple days dressed as a girl, the parents said nothing. Eventually the son comes back home one day, worse for wear, and decides they don’t want to be a girl after all. The parents raise the matter with the school and no explanation is given, no action is taken.

That’s what your anecdote would have us believe.

At the very least, a teacher going up to a random child and offering them to dress as a girl, without any precursor, would breach all sorts of protocols, and probably the law.

 

[Buzzard]

A friend of mine/ours is having a baby.
I was going to ask her if she is having a boy or girl. I suppose I'll now have to ask if she is having a boy, girl or something else?

 

[tgh]

Soooooorrrrryyy Buzz.. but it is none of your business what it is , and you may cause offence by asking….
You may politely wish the bearer well and hope "it" is born healthy
"It's" gender may be undecided for some time , so only buy gender neutral presents particularly avoiding blue or pink …….

 

[Buzzard]

Hope it was OK about 5 and 7 years ago when we asked our daughter if she knew or didn't want to know else there might be some deep seated resentment or whatever. FWIW her and hubby didn't want to know. They had girls at the time but I'll get an update when next we visit

 

[Pushka]

I’m waiting for the birth of grandchild so I can buy something other than grey which seems to be the ‘neutral’ colour in stores right now. And simply hoping for a healthy child, whatever.

 

[drron]

An acquaintance told you a teacher came up to their son, apropos of nothing, and said ‘if you want to be a girl, you can’. And the son went off and did that. The son went to school on multiple days dressed as a girl, the parents said nothing. Eventually the son comes back home one day, worse for wear, and decides they don’t want to be a girl after all. The parents raise the matter with the school and no explanation is given, no action is taken.

That’s what your anecdote would have us believe.

At the very least, a teacher going up to a random child and offering them to dress as a girl, without any precursor, would breach all sorts of protocols, and probably the law.

It is now part of the curriculum in some schools.Initially introduced through the Safe Schools program with a section discussing LGBT because of the risk of bullying.Many schools have dropped it but not all.That was the explanation given to the parents.
The parents in fact talked to their son continually but didn't press things as they thought it would pass as it did.
Sure it doesn't fit your preferred narrative but that doesn't mean things like this don't happen.
And quite frankly I am sick of your insinuations that I have lied.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

It is now part of the curriculum in some schools.Initially introduced through the Safe Schools program with a section discussing LGBT because of the risk of bullying.Many schools have dropped it but not all.That was the explanation given to the parents.
The parents in fact talked to their son continually but didn't press things as they thought it would pass as it did.
Sure it doesn't fit your preferred narrative but that doesn't mean things like this don't happen.
And quite frankly I am sick of your insinuations that I have lied.

There was no insinuation that you lied. It was an anecdote very light on the facts that seemed incredible as presented.

The full explanation gives context, changing the narrative.

 

[get me outta here]

So as I understand this hearsay, a teacher maybe said x to a child, and maybe the child said x to a parent and then a child put on some lipstick and nail polish and the bullies raised by bully parents had a go at said child. At some stage this was relayed to a 3 rd party. Apart from the bullies, there is seems to be no issue. Some people like to cross dress and do so for a little while, or even go on to play Shakespeare or Priscilla. Or become permanently effeminate, but that is a very small minority and they are not ‘turnable’ by a teacher being non judgmental.

But, a reason for a legal process is ridiculous - a storm in a tea cup.

No the parents do not want to be involved in any legal process.They did remind the school if there had been any serious consequences legal action would have been taken.
How many times do I have to tell you the child was not the instigator.really.