Debbie Hayton
Debbie Hayton (born 1968) is a transgender British secondary school science teacher, journalist and political activist.
Debbie Hayton | |
|---|---|
![]() Debbie Hayton in 2021 | |
| Born | 1968 (age 52–53) |
| Nationality | British |
| Occupation | Teacher |
| Years active | 2016–present |
| Known for | Opposition to gender self-identification for transgender people |
| Website | debbiehayton |
Activism
Since 2016, she has been a vocal opponent of gender self-identification, and supports laws which aim to protect women-only spaces being based on anatomical sex rather than gender identity.[1] She has spoken at meetings for Woman's Place UK, a "gender-critical" group.[2]
Hayton has written for The Times, The Economist, Quillette, The Spectator and UnHerd. She has also appeared on the BBC, Sky[1] and GB News channels,[3] and has been interviewed by the National Review.[1]
In 2019, TES published a feature piece[4] by Hayton on how to deal with trans issues in schools. Hayton recommended a resource[5] from the advocacy group Transgender Trend[6] as "most consistent with the Technical Guidance for Schools in England".[7] Transgender Trend's resource pack has been criticised by various groups, including the trans youth work organisation, Gendered Intelligence,[8] and LGBT rights group Stonewall.[9]
In December 2019, Hayton wore a T-shirt at an event organised by Fair Play For Women which (mimicking a slogan by Stonewall) stated that "Trans women are men. Get over it."[10][11] She was criticised and threatened with expulsion from the Trades Union Congress for her actions.[10]
In 2020, the National Education Union's Trans and Nonbinary network criticised Hayton's appointment by the union for a role on the TUC's LGBT+ Council.[12]
Personal life
Hayton is a transgender woman, who underwent gender transition in 2012 and gender reassignment surgery in 2016. She is married with three children.[1][13]
References
- "One Transwoman Speaks Out on the Dangers of Trans Extremism". National Review. 2020-02-25.
- "Why some women don't back 'self-identifying'". BBC News. 2018-10-20.
- GBNews (20 June 2021). "Is Stonewall in crisis? Andrew Doyle speaks to Trans Campaigner Debbie Hayton". YouTube. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
- Hayton, Debbie (10 May 2019). "Supporting transgender students: what you need to know". TES. Retrieved 31 October 2021.
- Transgender Trend. "Supporting gender diverse and trans-identified students in schools". Retrieved 31 October 2021.
- "About Us". Transgender Trend. Retrieved 15 September 2021.
- Equality and Human Rights Commission. "Technical Guidance for Schools in England" (PDF). Retrieved 31 October 2021.
- "Education magazine TES loses star columnist over transphobia row". PinkNews. 2019-05-11.
- "Creating a trans-inclusive school environment - response to Transgender Trend". Stonewall. Retrieved 16 September 2021.
- Hellen, Nicholas (2019-12-22). "Trans woman Debbie Hayton faces ban for transphobia". The Sunday Times.
- Maurice, Emma Powys (2019-12-23). "Transgender woman accused of hate speech after wearing t-shirt proclaiming 'trans women are men'". PinkNews.
- Andersson, Jasmine (2020-06-19). "Trans teachers accuse union of 'transphobia' after quiet election of controversial activist". inews.co.uk.
- Stanford, Peter (2021-10-16). "The trans women who support women's rights". Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 20 October 2021.
