David Davies MP's anger as new Scouts' guidelines ban the labels ‘boys’ and ‘girls’
SCOUT chiefs were yesterday accused of “ludicrous” new rules after a ban on calling recruits “boys” and “girls”.
Guidelines now instruct officials to avoid gender-specific terms and to use “children” or “everyone” instead.
Tory MP David Davies who is fighting Government plans to allow people to “self-identify” as transgender without medical diagnosis, called the change “ludicrous”.
He said: “I used to be in the Scouts and common sense has been thrown out of the window if you can’t say ‘hello girls’ or ‘boys’.
“It will cause massive confusion to everyone.”
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Common sense has been thrown out of the window if you can’t say ‘hello girls’ or ‘boys'
The guidelines also sparked online fury with a claim boys and girls who are not transgender could be offended.
One writer said: “Fed up pandering to the minority.
"If you want to be different, then fine.
"Just don’t expect everyone else to change.”
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Another said: “Why the hell are we all having this – you cannot allow tiny minority groups to dictate to the majority.”
A Scouts Association spokesman said the guidelines would help “create inclusive environments”.
He said: “Using gender-neutral language can help ensure that all young people feel comfortable to be themselves.”
