Crowdfunder puts ‘deeply transphobic’ school resources campaign back online
The trans flag (Creative Commons)
Crowdfunder has put a fundraiser – rebuked by trans campaigners for being “deeply transphobic” – back online, having previously suspended the page.
The fundraiser was set up by a group of parents called Transgender Trend who say they are concerned by the “current trend to diagnose ‘gender non-conforming’ children as transgender.”
The page was suspended earlier this month because of an “unprecedented number of complaints.”
Trans rights campaigners had heavily criticised the fundraiser, which sought to raise money towards providing schools with hard copies of resource packs on the subject, describing it as “incredibly harmful” for children.
Now, the fundraising page, called “Transgender Trend Schools Resource Pack,” is back online and has so far raised 67 percent of the group’s £10,000 target.
In an email sent out to those who had reported the campaign, Crowdfunder stated: “Crowdfunder has concluded its investigation into the Transgender Trend project after it received an unusually high number of complaints on the platform.
“Having considered the nature of the complaints carefully, we have found that, based on the information we received, the project does not break out terms & conditions and guidelines.”
Crowdfunder added that the decision to re-instate the project is “based wholly on how the project meets our terms and conditions, and our content guidelines, and is not a reflection of the merits or accuracy of the project nor does it constitute any recommendation, representation or endorsement by Crowdfunder.”
But trans campaigners have slammed the fundraising platform’s decision.
Speaking to PinkNews, Fox Fisher, a non-binary trans activist and filmmaker, said: “It is deeply disappointing that Crowdfunder has reinstated this resource, as it is incredibly harmful to trans kids and trans people in general.
“What is so dangerous about it is that it masquerades as a resource that centres around supporting trans youth, when it is the exact opposite.
“As much as the creators and their supporters claim that this resource is to support children, it’s real intentions are to push trans youth further into the closet and suppress their identity.”
Fox (left) and Owl. (theFoxFisher/Twitter)
Fisher also called on the Department of Education to “put a stop to this resource and denounce it.”
Owl, also a non-binary trans activist and filmmaker, told PinkNews: “Crowdfunder re-instating this resource is outrageous. It goes directly against their community standards and shows that they have taken the side of a transphobic group that has peddled transphobia in the media and has had a hand in creating a moral panic around trans rights.
“It gives vindication to known transphobic ‘activists’ that will use this to feel justified in their continued hate campaign against trans people.”
“Crowdfunder should be ashamed of themselves and we certainly will not be using their services nor recommending them to anyone.”
PinkNews has contacted Crowdfunder for comment.
Transgender Trend posted on Twitter in response to the decision: “We are so grateful to all of you who contacted Crowdfunder to support this project. Thanks to you, the project is back, it’s up and running and donations are already coming in!”
The resource packs, the Transgender Trend group states on the page, include “testimonies from young people who have desisted or detransitioned,” alongside comments from one teacher “who has witnessed the increase in the number of young people identifying as ‘trans’ in their school.”
(Transgendertrd/Twitter)
This guidance, the fundraiser page added, also includes a statement from the Lesbian Rights Alliance, which is known for its trans-exclusionary views. A recent event by the Lesbian Rights Alliance on Eventbrite was called “Transgenderism and Lesbian Erasure.”
The group behind the resource packs also stated that it is “concerned about legislation which places transgender rights above the right to safety for girls and young women in public bathrooms and changing rooms.”
Trans rights campaigners have rallied against the Crowdfunder.
Owl had previously told PinkNews: “The guide is deeply transphobic and isn’t meant to support or help anyone at all. The fact that it is dressed up as a reliable resource for school is incredibly disingenuous and deceitful, as it isn’t based in research or factual evidence.
“It advocates against supporting trans kids, and is incredibly harmful and full of misinformation and misguided concerns.
“Trans kids experience high rates of bullying, self harm and suicide and a resource of this kind will only affect the lives of young trans kids negatively.”
(Transgendertrd/Twitter)
Meanwhile, Fisher described the fundraiser as “deeply troubling” and made a “plea to the Department of Education to have this fundraiser rebuked, as it will only cause serious harm to a vulnerable group of students that require support now more than ever.”
The Crowdfunder also states: “Our aim is to arm schools with all the relevant facts so that teachers feel more informed and confident in creating a safe school for all pupils, including non-conforming children and those who identify as ‘transgender.’
“Our resource pack covers advice for school leaders, tips on how to create a school culture of acceptance of gender non-conformity without denying biological sex, communication, primary schools and secondary schools, existing safeguarding policies and guidance, the legal situation for schools, and a glossary of terms.”
