Scottish school sparks row over plan ‘to raise money for chest binders for trans pupils’

A row has broken out at a Scottish school after a fundraiser was launched at a school to buy “chest binders” for trans boys.

Around 100 staff members at Bannerman High School in Baillieston, Glasgow, were invited to a coffee morning, with the entry fee to go to buying the tight-fitting compression tops.

The binders are used as an alternative to trans tape for people with gender dysphoria.

However, a backlash formed after some teachers believed the fundraiser had been launched without the knowledge of parents.

It later emerged that the school was backtracking on where the funds would be spent. One staff member told the Daily Record: “Staff were sent the email – to the whole school, of more than 100 staff.

“There was no consultation and while staff support LGBT initiatives in the school, this is a step too far. Providing breast binders to young girls (who may not even have had any professional advice from a specialist) is not appropriate.

“Staff would be paying money to raise funds to buy breast binders for young girls and we have no idea if parents are in agreement with this.

“This is a delicate and sensitive matter and the staff who took it upon themselves to organise this are not specialists in this area.”

A school source told the Record that the binder funding idea had been formed by senior pupils, who were running the event. After further discussion, there was an agreement to distribute any funds raised to other causes.

A spokeswoman for the For Women Scotland group, which has clashed with the Scottish Government on gender recognition reforms, said: “The trans lobbyists, LGBT Youth Scotland, awarded this school a gold charter award and it seems their ethos of facilitating gender transition in children and opposing the recommendations of the Cass Review has been influential in the poor decisions made by the school.

“Dr Cass emphasised that teachers should have no role in medical interventions, and it beggars belief that the school would raise money to pay for these incredibly damaging devices which are known to cause disfigurement, back and chest pains and breathing difficulties in 97 per cent of girls.”

A spokesman for LGBT Youth Scotland said: “LGBT Youth Scotland does not support any of the activity mentioned, nor does it support schools buying chest binders for its pupils. Any claims suggesting our Charter directly influenced such decisions are inaccurate and unfounded.”

A Glasgow City Council spokeswoman said: “This is an annual fundraiser organised by the school’s equalities group.

“The senior pupils will work with school staff to decide the best way to use any funds raised. Bannerman is proud to be an LGBTQ+ Gold charter school.”

The spokeswoman added: “We would urge any teacher or staff member to raise their concerns with the school’s senior management team.”