The discussion about transgender rights often becomes most fraught when kids are involved. Schools have invited greater discussion about gender and sexuality within RSE classes, and specialised gender clinics (like the Tavistock centre) have reported an increase in children coming forward with desires to change their gender identity. Both have become the source of controversy. Questions about trans activism, issues of self-ID, pronouns and the concept of gender recognition are all subject to differing views depending on which side you’re on in an ongoing (and often vicious) political row. How should we talk to kids about gender – if at all? Is it small-minded to feel uncomfortable about a more open discussion of sex and identity, particularly with younger children at school? Or are we allowing political trends in the adult world interfere with what’s best for kids?

In this fascinating debate filmed at the Battle of Ideas Festival 2021, the speakers are:
Chrissie Daz - Schoolteacher; cabaret performer; author on transgender and gender variant identity
Dr Deborah Hayton - Teacher; Trade Union Officer; contributor, Spectator, Unherd and other publications
Katy Jon Went - Diversity and Inclusion Facilitator and Educator, Human Library, Pick My Brain, GenderAgenda, Fifty Shades of Gender
Dr Claire McGuiggan - Principal educational and child psychologist; co-founder, Not The Easy Way; specialist in SEND
The Chair is Ella Whelan - Co-Convenor, Battle of Ideas Festival; journalist; author, What Women Want

Help WORLDwrite Volunteers Edit
With no one paid to edit the exceptional 33 debates filmed entirely by volunteers at the Battle of Ideas Festival 2021, the charity still has to pay its Volunteer centre costs and edit suite overheads. These come to £130 a day. Most people maybe don't know what it takes to get a completed video out, even a simple 1.5 hour debate. To capture, sync, (2 cameras) edit, sound clean, colour correct, add titles, straps & end credits, transcode, export, compress and upload takes a minimum of 2 days for each debate. Thirty-three debates, sixty-six days, that’s £8580 we need to raise to cover volunteer centre costs, without paying anyone. There's some vital and fascinating debates here, well worth sharing with the world, but to get them completed we need to raise at least this target. Please chip in what you can on our editing appeal page at https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/editingappeal
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