Tusla, the Irish State’s child and family agency, officially advises staff to learn about “crossdressers” and “drag performers” for when discussing sexuality with children in State care, Gript can reveal.
The recommendation comes from a 2021 document entitled “Healthy sexuality and relationship development: The education and support needs of children and young people in care,” which it describes as a “toolkit” for its staff. It was created in conjunction with the HSE.
“This Toolkit was developed by Tusla, in partnership the Sexual Health and Crisis Pregnancy Programme (SHCPP), HSE Health and Wellbeing, as part of an ongoing collaboration to address the sexual health and wellbeing needs of young people in care,” it reads, adding that its goal is to “support” children and young people in care to have “healthy sexual relationships in adult life.”
It says that it “aims to increase the knowledge levels and confidence of Tusla staff, and other practitioners, including foster carers, working with children and young people in care.”
The document goes on to provide a “List of terms and definitions” of LGBT+ phrases which staff should know.
“CROSSDRESSERS” AND “DRAG PERFORMERS”
These include “demi-girl”, which it defines as “someone who only partially (not wholly) identifies as a girl or woman, whatever their assigned gender at birth.”
It also includes “gender fluid” (“a person who does not feel confined by the binary division of male and female”), “pansexual” (“sexual attraction towards people of any sex or gender identity”), and “heterosexism” (“the assumption that being heterosexual is the typical and ‘normal’ sexual orientation”).
Under the heading of “transgender,” it includes references to “crossdressers,” “drag performers” and “gender queer individuals.”
“Transgender is an umbrella term referring to people whose gender identity and/or gender expression differs from conventional expectations based on the gender they were assigned at birth,” it says.
“This can include people who self-identify as transsexual, transvestite, crossdressers, drag performers, genderqueer, and gender variant.”
“NEVER TOO EARLY” TO DISCUSS SEX WITH CHILDREN
The document offers “advice on talking to children and young people about sex,” and the first bulletpoint is “Start young,” adding that it’s “never too early” to discuss these matters with children.
“Start young – children get spoken and unspoken messages from birth onwards about relationships and sexuality,” it says.
“It is never too early to start talking to children about relationships and dating. It is also important to show children and young people what good and healthy relationships look like.”
“DON’T LET THEIR DISCOMFORT PUT YOU OFF”
It adds that you should persist with the conversation, even if the child is uncomfortable with the subject matter.
“Don’t be put off,” it says. “Don’t let your embarrassment or discomfort (or theirs) put you off.”
MOST PEOPLE KNOW THEY’RE TRANS “AT AN EARLY AGE”
It also adds that if a child “comes out” as transgender, no matter what their age is, you should never tell them that they are too young.
Under the heading of “Steps to take if a young person comes out to you,” the document says “Do not tell them they are too young.”
It adds: “Most LGBT+ people know their sexual orientation or gender identity at an early age (the most common age is 12 years old).”
AN EMERGING TREND
The revelation comes just a week after the new draft SPHE curriculum was found to be urging children to recognise their “privileged status” as a “white, male or Irish person,” and tells them to seek positive portrayals of “LGBTQI+” gender identities in the media.
The new draft SPHE curriculum urges children to recognise their “privileged status” as a “white, male or Irish person,” & tells them to seek positive portrayals of “LGBTQI+” gender identities in media. @Ben_Scallan reports:#gripthttps://t.co/zICxfS2UjR
— gript (@griptmedia) July 12, 2023
As previously reported on Gript, Ireland’s official state curriculum body, the NCCA, has advised that babies and toddlers should be told stories about being transgender and “gender fluid.”
An officially recommended reading list for schools, approved by Roderic O’Gorman, advises teaching boys as young as 2 that they can wear lipstick, makeup and girls’ clothes.#gripthttps://t.co/0K8uJMoITb
— gript (@griptmedia) July 20, 2022
The same body has also encouraged teachers to study “crossdressing” for “erotic enjoyment,” “drag,” “gender queer” and “gender-fluid” identities as part of an “SPHE and RSE toolkit” for primary schools. Teachers were also discouraged from using the phrase “boys and girls,” and were told instead to seek a more gender neutral alternative.
Irish teachers have been encouraged to learn about “crossdressing” for “erotic enjoyment,” as well as “drag,” and “gender-fluid” identities by the Department of Education when preparing RSE & SPHE lessons for primary students.#gripthttps://t.co/b93l3tPd2U
— gript (@griptmedia) July 6, 2022
The NCCA has admitted that many teachers are uncomfortable teaching sex ed curriculum as they feel it isn’t “age appropriate.” However, these subjects continue to be included in recommended reading lists.
The biggest barrier to Ireland’s sex-ed curriculum is that teachers feel uncomfortable teaching material they feel is not “age appropriate,” the NCCA has admitted.#gripthttps://t.co/DGHDD4aEoU
— gript (@griptmedia) July 15, 2022
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