UNITED KINGDOM – A toddler, barely old enough to tie their shoes, has been kicked out of a state-run nursery after being accused of transphobia, leaving parents and the general public fuming. Department for Education data reveals the shocking incident, which saw the child—aged just three or four—suspended for what’s been branded as “abuse against sexual orientation and gender identity.”
The jaw-dropping case came to light as stats showed a worrying trend: 94 pupils in state primary schools across England were suspended or expelled for similar transphobic or homophobic behaviour during the 2022-23 academic year. Among them were 10 kids in Year 1, three in Year 2—where the oldest are just seven—and this lone nursery-aged tot, according to The Telegraph’s digging. 13 four and five-year-olds were suspended or permanently excluded from school for the same reason.
Helen Joyce, advocacy director at Sex Matters, didn’t hold back, slamming the decision: “Every now and then, gender ideology churns out a story so bonkers you can’t believe it’s real—this toddler being punished for so-called transphobia or homophobia is exhibit A.” She called it “unforgivable” to slap such a harsh penalty on a child so young, arguing it’s a glaring example of overreach.
The numbers paint a grim picture: suspensions and expulsions for homophobic or transphobic acts in primary and state schools climbed from 164 in 2021-22 to 178 in 2022-23. Essex topped the list with 16 cases, followed by Birmingham at 15, Bradford at 11, and Norfolk at eight.
Downing Street waded into the mess, with Sir Keir Starmer’s spokesman declaring the PM “does not support” a toddler facing suspension over such accusations. “Pupils and staff shouldn’t face abuse, but any punishment needs to fit the crime,” the spokesman added, hinting at a rare bit of common sense from No10.
Details of what the toddler actually did remain under wraps—no one’s saying if it was a playground spat or something more—but the incident has reignited a firestorm over how far schools should go in policing tiny tots. Critics are crying foul, branding it a step too far in the culture wars tearing through classrooms.
- with reporting from Victor P.
