Auckland School’s Inclusive Pronoun Policy Sparks Community Controversy

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Leaflets expressing discontentment over an Auckland school’s inclusive education policy, which necessitates using correct pronouns for transgender students and staff, mysteriously appeared in surrounding mailboxes recently.

A past parent from Mellons Bay School, resident in the vicinity, indicated that she viewed the leaflet as anti-trans propaganda veiled under the alleged protection of children. She opined it to be more of an adult-oriented agenda that could cause harm and distress. According to her, children are not adversely affected by referring to other individuals by their preferred pronouns.


The pamphlet, seemingly distributed by parents of Mellons Bay pupils, raised objections against a policy purportedly implemented by the school. This policy necessitated the use of preferred pronouns for students and staff alike. A parental inquiry about potential disciplinary repercussions for ignoring this requirement was reportedly answered by the principal, explaining that any behaviour intending to exclude, hurt or belittle anyone would be addressed.

Controversial claims in the leaflet warn that the use of preferred pronouns solidifies a child’s gender dysphoria and encourages radical and often regretted measures such as puberty blockers, hormones, and surgeries.

Reacting to the controversy, on behalf of the Ministry of Education, deputy secretary Isabel Evans emphasized that all educational establishments are obligated to be inclusive and cater to students with diverse needs. She highlighted the schools’ legal responsibility to consult with their communities regarding relationship and sexuality education at least biannually to ensure the curriculum meets local health requirements.

She further assured that parents reserve the right to exclude their child from relation and sexuality education should they feel uncomfortable.

The insider mother who initially raised the alarm emphasized that there was no specific incident that triggered such a response. She expressed her disappointment and frustration at the pamphlet, expressing how it’s merely ‘othering’ the children who may already feel alienated.

She provocatively points out that children can be cruel for various reasons, especially when they notice anything different about a peer. The misinformation and societal rejection contained in such leaflets can compound this cruelty, endorsing the very exclusion that the school strives to combat.