Schoolboy thrown out of class for saying there are only two genders

A 17-year-old student has claimed that he was kicked out of his classroom for saying that there are 'only two genders'.

The pupil, who has not been named, secretly filmed his teacher reprimanding him before he shared the clip online, and it went viral.

It was shared internationally, sparking a debate about transgender rights and free speech, with one YouTube version being watched nearly 90,000 times.

Now, a leading teachers' union has defended the 56-year-old teacher featured in the video, saying that the child had been 'looking for trouble', reports UniLad.

In the three-minute clip, the teacher can be heard explaining to the child why he'd been asked to leave the class at the Aberdeenshire secondary school, following the pupil's claim that there are only two genders.

The teacher can be heard telling the pupil:

You're entitled to your opinion.

However, in response, the pupil says:

If I am, then why did you kick me out of class? It's not very inclusive.

This is an inclusive school.

In response, the teacher then says:

No, I'm sorry, what you were saying is not very inclusive. This is an inclusive school.

He then goes on to explain that there are more than two genders 'by law', and that by saying there are only two, the student hadn't been very 'inclusive'. He then adds:

You were clearly given an opportunity not to pursue it. You chose to do so.

However, the 17-year-old won't give up that easily. In response, he says:

I think it's silly to have anything other than two genders, sir.

The teacher then adds:

Could you please keep that opinion to your own house?

In response, the teenager says:

So you get to put your opinion out in class, and my opinion has to stay inside my house?

In response, the teacher says:

No, I am not putting my opinion out. I am stating what is national, school, authority, policy. Ok?

The pupil then tells the teacher that it's 'not scientific whatsoever', to which the teacher responds that 'not every policy is scientific'.

It is understood that the teenager has been disciplined for sharing the video online without consent, but it is not known whether the boy has been suspended, reports the Daily Mail.

The clip generated a debate online, with many saying that the boy had been unfairly treated, while others said that the teacher was in the right.

Speaking to the Daily Mail about the situation, an Aberdeenshire Council Spokesman said:

As part of our Public Sector Equality Duty we aim to: eliminate discrimination, harassment and victimisation; advance equality of opportunity between those who have protected characteristics and those who don't; and foster good relations between those who have protected characteristics and those who don't.

It is important to understand the context of any video clip taken without a person's consent. In our schools, fostering good relations among different groups can be a real challenge but our aim is to support a fairer, inclusive environment for all.

HT Unilad

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