Petition: Support faith leaders in their opposition to transgender ideology in schools

In recent years, children as young as five years old, have been diagnosed as transgender. Before they reach puberty they are being prescribed hormone-blocking treatment and psychiatric support followed by surgery to help them change sex. While some medical authorities approve of this approach, others, including Dr Michelle Cretella, President of the American College of Pediatricians, have counselled caution, and described offering sex-change treatment to young children as 'abuse'.

In this video Dr Cretella explains why: www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJAKQKPD5UI

The leader of the Catholic Church in England and Wales, Cardinal Vincent Nichols, has recently spoken out against the advance of gender ideology in schools, saying that schoolchildren must accept the gender into which they were born if they are to be truly happy.

Entering the debate on the 'ideology of gender', at a meeting of Catholic head teachers, recently, the Cardinal suggested that only through accepting their biological sex would people ultimately find their "greatest joy".

He said that children were not "single, self-determining individuals" but members of a great family with "firm points of reference" determined by birth.

In his speech to school leaders in the Archdiocese of Westminster late last month, the Cardinal appealed to a "common sense of humanity" as an antidote to the rampant individualism that he blamed for driving emerging ideologies.

"At a time of great confusion about the rules of sexual behaviour, about exploitation and abuse in every part of society, some firm points of reference, that are already built into our humanity at its best, are of vital importance," said Cardinal Nichols.

"In an age of fluidity, even in gender identity, and at a time when the response to 'difference' is to become closed in a self-selecting world of the like-minded and reject that which is different, such foundations are so important."

He reminded his audience that "British values", such as the rule of law, democracy and human rights, which the Government intends to enforce in UK schools, ostensibly to counter radicalisation, were founded on Christianity.

He warned teachers that "government diktat or favour" alone would result only in the "barren expectations of tolerance".

If you would like to show your support for Cardinal Vincent Nichols, please add your name to this LETTER