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Boy removed from school in transgender rights row Boy removed from school in transgender rights row
(35 minutes later)
The parents of a six-year-old boy have removed him from his primary school in a row over whether another pupil should be recognised as transgender.The parents of a six-year-old boy have removed him from his primary school in a row over whether another pupil should be recognised as transgender.
Nigel and Sally Rowe said their son became confused as to why the child dressed as both a boy and a girl.Nigel and Sally Rowe said their son became confused as to why the child dressed as both a boy and a girl.
The Diocese of Portsmouth, which runs the Church of England school on the Isle of Wight, said it was required to "respect diversity of all kinds".The Diocese of Portsmouth, which runs the Church of England school on the Isle of Wight, said it was required to "respect diversity of all kinds".
The couple believe the school should have consulted all parents.The couple believe the school should have consulted all parents.
Mrs Rowe told the BBC's Victoria Derbyshire programme that when they spoke with the school, which is not being identified, they were told "if a child wants to do that then we just have to accept it".Mrs Rowe told the BBC's Victoria Derbyshire programme that when they spoke with the school, which is not being identified, they were told "if a child wants to do that then we just have to accept it".
The couple said under the school's bullying policy their son faced being disciplined for "mis-gendering" the six-year-old pupil.The couple said under the school's bullying policy their son faced being disciplined for "mis-gendering" the six-year-old pupil.
Two years ago they removed their eldest son from the same school in a separate row about a different transgender child.Two years ago they removed their eldest son from the same school in a separate row about a different transgender child.
The Rowes say the suggestion that gender is fluid conflicts with their Christian beliefs as a family and they are seeking a legal challenge against the school's actions.The Rowes say the suggestion that gender is fluid conflicts with their Christian beliefs as a family and they are seeking a legal challenge against the school's actions.
The Christian Legal Centre, which is supporting Mr and Mrs Rowe, said the couple were being accused of "transphobic behaviour" because of their "refusal to acknowledge a transgender person's true gender".The Christian Legal Centre, which is supporting Mr and Mrs Rowe, said the couple were being accused of "transphobic behaviour" because of their "refusal to acknowledge a transgender person's true gender".
Mr Rowe said: "I am shocked by the suggestion, especially from a church school, that just because we question the notion that a six-year-old boy can really become a girl, we are transphobic."Mr Rowe said: "I am shocked by the suggestion, especially from a church school, that just because we question the notion that a six-year-old boy can really become a girl, we are transphobic."
'Unlawful''Unlawful'
Mrs Rowe said: "We believe he [the older boy] was under stress by the confusion that was caused by having a boy in his class that decided that they were going to have a girl's name and dress as a girl."Mrs Rowe said: "We believe he [the older boy] was under stress by the confusion that was caused by having a boy in his class that decided that they were going to have a girl's name and dress as a girl."
Jeff Williams, director of education for the Diocese of Portsmouth, said: "Church of England schools are inclusive environments where pupils learn to respect diversity of all kinds.Jeff Williams, director of education for the Diocese of Portsmouth, said: "Church of England schools are inclusive environments where pupils learn to respect diversity of all kinds.
"Like any other state school, our schools comply with the legal requirements of the Equalities Act 2010."Like any other state school, our schools comply with the legal requirements of the Equalities Act 2010.
"Among other things, this requires schools to accept the wishes of children and their families with regard to gender identity. It would be unlawful for any of our schools to do otherwise.""Among other things, this requires schools to accept the wishes of children and their families with regard to gender identity. It would be unlawful for any of our schools to do otherwise."
Mr and Mrs Rowe say the school's handling of the situation did not show proper regard for the possible long-term emotional and psychological effects for the two young children seeking to change gender, or for the confusion and concern caused to other people by the suggestion that boys are not always boys, and girls are not always girls.Mr and Mrs Rowe say the school's handling of the situation did not show proper regard for the possible long-term emotional and psychological effects for the two young children seeking to change gender, or for the confusion and concern caused to other people by the suggestion that boys are not always boys, and girls are not always girls.
LGBT campaigner Jane Fae, who is transgender, said Mr and Mrs Rowe had misjudged the issue, as children with gender issues need sympathy to avoid being bullied.
She said: "I have a child who took a lot of bullying on my behalf and that bullying was exactly the same - it was parents saying 'we have a right to an opinion' and they told their children their opinion, and having told their children their opinion, their children thought it was open season on bullying my son."