A vicar and Oxford biology graduate resigned from the Church of England and from his role as a school governor in May. This occurred after transgender ideology, endorsed by his diocese and taught in the CofE school where he was a governor, silenced him as a scientist and a Christian.
During a training session on transgender issues run by Mermaids, John Parker was told by the headteacher: ‘This is training, John, it’s not your time to share your view-point.’ This followed his request to raise some different perspectives. The training session was recorded, and the audio clearly demonstrates that his request was shut down by the headteacher.
At the close of the training, the Mermaid’s representative said: ‘You are now an honor-ary mermaid, whether you like it or not.’ The ideological implications of the training session stretch beyond informing staff and encouraging engagement with the topic.