Guide leaders who objected to rules which permit men to join the organisation if they say they are women have been kicked out and their units shut down.
The guidelines, published in January 2017, also said boys could share tents, changing areas and shower facilities with the opposite sex if they say they are girls.
If the expulsions are upheld, many children will be left without a Guide unit in their area.
it completely contradicts existing policies around informed parental consent
‘Basic safeguarding principles’
At least two leaders have already been expelled, and disciplinary proceedings launched against five more.
Helen Watts, one of twelve leaders who wrote to Girlguiding to object to the plans in March this year, was told on Friday that her membership was being terminated after 15 years with the movement.
We had some serious concerns about a policy that ignored basic safeguarding principles.
She was told she was being removed because she was “not willing to follow Girlguiding’s equality and diversity policy in so far as it provides for transgender inclusion”.
Watts said: “I am very upset and I am also really angry. We had some serious concerns about a policy that ignored basic safeguarding principles.”
Safety
Another rule in the guidance states that if a child in the unit is transgender, the parents should not be told.
Watts added: “The policy puts all leaders in a really difficult position. It contradicts other inclusion policies — for certain faith communities for instance — and it completely contradicts existing policies around informed parental consent.”
Another expelled leader said: “I was told my membership was revoked, I had to shut my unit down and I was not allowed to talk to the girls or their parents.
“They said I was refusing to follow Girlguiding procedures. I told them I would follow any procedure unless it conflicted with the safety of a girl in my care.”