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The British government has settled with a Christian family in a lawsuit in which they were labeled transphobic for refusing to follow a transgender-affirming policy in primary schools.
The incident dates back to 2017, when Nigel Lowe, 49, and his wife, Sally, 47, questioned the policies of their two sons’ Anglican primary school on the Isle of Wight.
“We focused on the trans ideology that was forced upon our children. Schools, including churches, seemed to be only accepting. It was incredible,” Nigel Lowe told the Epoch Times.
The parents, also 6-year-old son, expressed concern that a boy in their class was allowed to attend school after they and their 6-year-old son were labeled as transphobic in a letter to the Ministry of Education. (DfE) to identify as a girl.
transphobia labeled
The Lowes first publicly opposed their school’s transgender instruction in 2017 when they expelled their second son from school. My parents pulled my eldest son out of school in 2016 after he came home confused from a similar experience.
according to Christian Legal Center, The Lowes’ supportive parents were given an “accept or leave” ultimatum by the school in 2017 that their youngest son “cannot believe a transgender person is actually transgender.” I was told that if I did, I would be exhibiting “trans-phobic behaviour.” A “real” woman or man,” or “refusing to acknowledge the true gender of a transgender person, for example, not using an adopted name or using gender-inappropriate pronouns.” .
In response, Lowes wrote to the DfE asking the Secretary of State for Education to intervene.
They also asked the DfE to drop it. Cornwall School Transgender Guidelinesguidance covering chest restraints, gender-neutral bathrooms and adolescent blockers, produced in collaboration with LGBT resources Intercom Trust, Devon and Cornwall Police and Cornwall Council.
They also provided expert advice, but the DfE found no grounds for intervention regarding school behavior, arguing that the issue was unrelated to education.
In February, the Lowes won a judicial review of the DfE’s decision in the High Court. Judge Lane argued that the case was admissible for review because it dealt with the issue of education, which is the state’s responsibility.
Saturday, Christian Legal Center In July, instead of a full judicial review hearing, the DfE announced it had settled the case and awarded Rowes £22,000 ($23,500) in costs. This will be donated to the organization.
A DfE spokesperson told The Epoch Times in an email that, apart from Lowes’ allegations, it worked with the Equality and Human Rights Commission to provide guidance for schools on transgender issues “after receiving feedback from the sector earlier this year.” said he was creating a
Public consultation on the draft guidance will take place in the fall, and Mr. Rowes will have an opportunity to respond.
“Cherish All God’s Children”
At the time, the local Anglican parish supported the school’s position on the principle of “cherishing all God’s children” to combat homophobic, bisexual and transphobic bullying. I was.
This guidance covers 4,700 Anglican schools (pdf). The section on elementary school states: Identity or sexual orientation and that of others. ”
When the parents first shared their story in 2017, they said they were widely labeled “prejudiced” and ostracized. On ITV “This Morning”Presenter Philip Scofield told Lowes, “We’re the ones with the problem.”
The couple, who are now homeschooling their two children, said they received no support or contact from the Church of England. , in the sense that it no longer stands on the values of the Jewish Scriptures that identify what it is to be a man and what it is to be a woman. I always believed in telling the truth,” he said.
Sally Rowe told The Epoch Times that “rather than standing on biblical truth, culture shapes them.”
She added that they were “very hostile” when they first spoke out, but now feels they were right.
first published
In a statement, Andrea Williams, chief executive of the Christian Legal Centre, said: “Nigel and Sally Rowe were the first parents to expose transgender ideology in our elementary school five years ago. ”
“Governments and the public are just beginning to see evidence that supports the arguments and concerns Lowes has made from the beginning regarding transgender ideology,” Williams said.
“We will continue to hold local authorities, schools and governments accountable if these commitments and promises are not adequately met,” she added.
The Church of England did not respond to a request for comment.
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Owen Evans is a UK-based journalist with a particular interest in civil liberties and free speech, covering stories from a wide variety of countries.
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