Combating gender identity education in Irish schools is a ‘safeguarding issue’

Advocacy group Education Matters held a briefing at Leinster House last week to argue that gender identity policies in Irish schools represent a safeguarding issue rather than a cultural conflict. During the session, Sam Poynter, a former mental health nurse and mother, stated that these policies must be addressed as a matter of child protection.

Independent Ireland TD Ken O’Flynn hosted the briefing to allow parents to voice concerns regarding educational content and to discuss how to ensure appropriate material is taught in classrooms. Psychotherapist and Genspect founder Dr. Stella O’Malley told attendees that introducing ideological concepts into schools without reliable evidence causes harm to children. She suggested that instead of these educational approaches, the focus should be on providing care and compassion for those facing psychological issues.

Michael Kerr, the CEO of Detransition Pathway UK, called for the removal of LGBT agendas from schools. He argued that if schools teach about transitioning, they must also include other related perspectives. Other attendees included TD Carol Nolan and members of the Education Matters group.