Catholic school in Britain tells students to use 'preferred pronoun' of transgender classmates

An all-girls' Catholic school in Britain has written a letter to parents informing them that students must use the "preferred pronoun" of their transgender classmates.

Marian Doyle, headteacher at Sacred Heart High School in Hammersmith, stated in the letter that "as a Catholic school" they must "promote greater wholeness for transgender individuals."

The headteacher explained that this process would involve using the preferred pronouns of the students, addressing them by their preferred name and "recognising their intent to live as the person they believe God created them to be, and refraining from any judgement."

The letter also noted that the Equality Act 2010 requires schools to help "eliminate discrimination," adding that a guidance from the Department of Education lists "gender reassignment" as one of its duties.

One parent of a girl at the school expressed concern that the letter would cause confusion among the students if it becomes policy.

"If the letter the headteacher sent out materialises as policy and practices, it will be very confusing for the young people at the school. I see it as a very dangerous letter," said the parent, who did not wish to be named.

The headteacher stated that the letter was "part of a lengthy process of consultation within and beyond the school."

"Every child at our school is made in the image of God and is nurtured and supported to know who they are and how best to make use of their talents. We are proud of them all," Doyle said in a statement, as reported by Catholic Herald.

She contended that it is part of the school's obligation to ensure that it responds to different situations for young people with "compassion, dignity and respect."

The letter comes as schools in Britain are facing increasing pressure to comply with the government's mandate to teach "British values."

Last month, a Christian couple threatened to sue a school run by the Church of England for allowing boys to attend class wearing dresses.

The parents had decided to pull their 6-year-old son from the primary school and educate him at their home on the Isle of Wight alongside his 8-year-old brother. They also withdrew the older boy from the school, which has a uniform, after a boy in his class started wearing dresses.

Meanwhile, the guidelines issued by the Catholic Education Service on homophobic bullying has drawn criticism from Bishop Philip Egan of Portsmouth as it contains large amounts of text copied from publications by LGBT rights organization.