360 Diversity Appeals for Greater Awareness after Transgender Child Receives Abuse from Adults

    WORCESTERSHIRE, ENGLAND, September 22, 2011 /24-7PressRelease/ -- 360 diversity calls for a wider understanding of gender reassignment after Worcester transgender schoolgirl is labelled a "freak" by adults. The 10 year old from Worcester was born a male but made the decision with her parents over the recent summer holiday to return to school as a girl. She was diagnosed with gender dysphoria two years ago having shown signs from the age of two. This is a rare condition which causes individuals to feel as though they are trapped in the body of the opposite sex.

The diversity training provider, 360 diversity, believes that this case demonstrates the need for greater awareness in order to reduce prejudice and bullying. It may be a surprise to some that the majority of the abuse which the transgender schoolgirl received was from adults. There had also been concerns from parents regarding changing room use, which led to the child having to change in the disabled toilets for PE lessons.

Stuart Bray, Business Development Manager of 360 diversity comments "How brave can one little girl be? It takes a lot of guts to stand up against what society expects of you and this little girl has done exactly that. It must have been really difficult for her parents to get to a point of being able to accept that their son is in fact their daughter, and they should be applauded for their love for their child. It is saddening that other adults have been attacking this girl and her family."

The Worcester schoolgirl has been praised by relatives and teachers for the courage she has shown in the face of bullying. Although she may continue to encounter difficult situations, she is happier to be recognised as a girl now. Her decision to publicly change her stance has also been backed by therapists.

Prejudice like this can be reduced through an increase in awareness. Stuart Bray continues "There is a definite training need in the community to enable them to overcome their prejudice. As an equality and diversity training provider, we are very aware that ignorance breeds hatred, and it is virtually impossible for people's intolerance to dissipate on its own without the intervention of training and awareness raising."

The school has been commended on its 'inclusive' approach. In such cases, embracing diversity and inclusive practice is an approach which should not only be taken by educational institutes but also workplaces. 360 diversity is an online resource which is utilised by organisations to share information on the six strands of diversity. This resource, together with their online forum, enables companies to fulfill their legislative obligations and raise awareness throughout the workplace.

About 360 diversity
360 diversity is an online diversity forum and information resource that is available to private, public and third sector employers throughout the UK. It was developed to help organisations implement and manage their equality and diversity policy, particularly in response to the Equality Act 2010. For further information visit the 360 diversity website at www.360diversity.co.uk.

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