London - The pupil registration form, which is required for all children entering a new school, can be left blank if a child has "another gender identity".
Published: Wed 20 Apr 2016, 4:37 PM
Updated: Wed 20 Apr 2016, 6:42 PM
Parents of children aged as young as four enrolling at school in the southern English town of Brighton are being asked to choose the gender "they most identify with," the local council said Wednesday.
"Parents and carers are asked to state their child's gender as male or female," said a statement from Brighton & Hove City Council's lead member for equalities, Emma Daniel.
"For the vast majority of families, this is very straightforward. We have inserted the additional text about gender identity in response to calls... to show an inclusive approach," she added.
The pupil registration form, which is required for all children entering a new school, can be left blank if a child has "another gender identity".
"Many Trans people nationally report having been bullied when they were at school," Daniel explained. "We are helping ensure schools are safe spaces for everyone."
Conservative MP Andrew Bridgen called the form "utterly ridiculous", telling The Sun newspaper that "schools should be teaching kids to read and write, not prompting them to consider gender swaps".
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