Anger as 'transphobic' leaflets handed out in Dorchester

Members of Protect and Teach, a group which originated in the South West, have been out and about in Dorchester.

The group were in the town centre handing out leaflets as well as on the Great Field, close to Damers First School off Bridport Road.

Leaflets said that the group’s mission aim is to ‘protect children in education, and return to safeguarding first principles.’ As well as this, the group claims it ‘intends to keep children safe from gender identity ideology.’

It says that this is ‘sweeping unchecked through educational establishments’, promoted by what the group refers to as ‘activist teachers’.

The leaflet handed out by Protect and Teach (Image: Protect and Teach)

The group’s leaflet claimed that schools were encouraging ‘breast binders, mixed sex toilets, changing rooms and boarding facilities.’

It goes on to say that ‘no child is born in the wrong body’ and that there are three sexualities and two sexes. It also claims that preferred pronouns ‘disrupt language development, are distressing for autistic children, and put pressure on children questioning gender roles.’

The leaflet handed out by Protect and Teach (Image: Protect and Teach) The leaflet then goes on to outline social transitioning, claiming that the causes include bullying, trauma, internet use, ‘it’s the latest trend’ and sexual abuse.

One parent, who wished to remain anonymous, said that the contents on the leaflet were ‘transphobic.’

They said: "I feel it should be reported as a crime- it's wrong, and they should not have been anywhere near a school."

According to another parent, whose child attends Damers First School, an email was sent out by the headteacher.

The email said it wanted to assure parents that the people handing out leaflets were nothing to do with the school, and apologise 'if the contents upset or confused you.'

Speaking about the email, the parent said: “It was reassuring parents that the leaflets were nothing to do with the school. They dealt with it immediately."

A spokesperson for Protect and Teach said that the group targeted the school specifically during the drop-off times ‘to raise awareness about what is happening in local primary schools’.

The spokesperson said: “We are a group with many members across England. We began in the South West, but are open to all.

“We hope to raise awareness and start conversations about what is happening in local primary schools, so handed out leaflets in town and at the public park next to Damers before pick-up. We specifically timed it so we could engage with parents in the absence of children.

“We will continue to raise awareness across the country until children are safe from this ideology.

“We are not affiliated with the school, but we can say that we think handing leaflets to parents in the absence of children is far more appropriate than what's happening in the classroom.

“We would ask people labelling us as transphobic to look more closely at the issue, listen to detransitioners and get in touch if they'd like to discuss anything.”

Cllr Robin Potter, mayor of Dorchester, said that he spoke with the group on when they were in South Street.

He said: “I hear what they had to say, but I think they were being extreme in their views. I understand their concerns regarding mixed sex toilets, but as long as they’re sized correctly with another option for girls who don’t feel comfortable sharing a toilet, that should be sufficient for this day and age.

“Many people have ideas about their sex which does not fit with their gender assignment at birth, and that must be recognised.”