I think you need a new association. Just as the Darlington nurses have, I believe, set up a new union. If enough people leave conspicuously and join the new one, that should get some attention.
Thank you Lucy for this hard hitting and heartfelt piece! As someone who has been trying to effect change from within for 4 years I congratulate you for cutting your loses, i still hope that as a member I can expose the rot and force their hand, but that perhaps says more about my tendency to stay in relationships long after I should leave! I have to know there is absolutely 100% no chance of it surviving and I’m very very close to that now
I totally understand that – as I say, I have been teetering on the brink for a long time. It was that outrageous statement after the Supreme Court ruling, when the difficulties (and that is being polite) of children, women and gay people as a result of this ideology have never been acknowledged, which was the final straw. I felt as if I was being 'gas lit' by my own professional body.
Well said, Lucy. The partisanship of the BACP and the blatant marginalisation of those who don’t subscribe to the new creed is of the greatest concern. A generation of children are being damaged by political ideology which has no interest in their safety or well being, and the BACP is endorsing this.
I entirely agree – it is as if all rational thought, any moral code and any sense of responsibility have been ditched, to satisfy a few true believers in a fantasy. And these are supposed to be adults, in whom the Professional Standards Authority places its trust.
'There is an unwarranted arrogance about being ‘on the right side of history’, allied with an unwillingness to acknowledge that there are other legitimate viewpoints, which in fact align far better with what are widely understood to be therapeutic principles' - Absolutely.
“Over a year after publication, there has been no statement from the BACP on the review and no revision of guidelines for woking with gender-confused children. “
A Freudian slip?
Seriously, well done, and good luck with everything you do.
This is an outstanding account of the present state of the BACP and our profession as a whole Lucy….thank you…as a fellow leaver I resonate with ‘the water’s lovely’….it is sickening to the soul to remain a member of a gaslighting organisation that tells you how diverse they are whilst shutting you out…their motto should be ‘inclusion for me but not for thee’…this piece is highly informative, poetic and playful…I love the membership card cut with pinking shears…how many of us still have a pair of those traditional things….?….staying in is a tough choice and those pushing back on the inside, like you say, deserve our respect and support…who knows how this disastrous tragedy will be turned around…at least two of the members standing in the forthcoming BACP election for trustees are ideologues and will be doubling down on this careless, cavalier and harmful approach. God help us.
Thank you, Sue. You were an inspiring example, as I edged closer and closer to leaving. I suspect in the end, the whole thing will collapse under the weight of its own inconsistencies, as well as external pressure. Like you, I fully respect all those fighting from within. And you never know when a pair of pinking shears will come in useful!
Thank you so much – and I particularly appreciate it, as you know all about difficult choices! Your piece in the Wall Street Journal was shocking and eye-opening. Thank you for all that you are doing to turn the tide – please keep speaking too!
I think you need a new association. Just as the Darlington nurses have, I believe, set up a new union. If enough people leave conspicuously and join the new one, that should get some attention.
I agree – somehow we need to rediscover professionalism and boundaries, both have been lost.
Thank you Lucy for this hard hitting and heartfelt piece! As someone who has been trying to effect change from within for 4 years I congratulate you for cutting your loses, i still hope that as a member I can expose the rot and force their hand, but that perhaps says more about my tendency to stay in relationships long after I should leave! I have to know there is absolutely 100% no chance of it surviving and I’m very very close to that now
I totally understand that – as I say, I have been teetering on the brink for a long time. It was that outrageous statement after the Supreme Court ruling, when the difficulties (and that is being polite) of children, women and gay people as a result of this ideology have never been acknowledged, which was the final straw. I felt as if I was being 'gas lit' by my own professional body.
Well said, Lucy. The partisanship of the BACP and the blatant marginalisation of those who don’t subscribe to the new creed is of the greatest concern. A generation of children are being damaged by political ideology which has no interest in their safety or well being, and the BACP is endorsing this.
I entirely agree – it is as if all rational thought, any moral code and any sense of responsibility have been ditched, to satisfy a few true believers in a fantasy. And these are supposed to be adults, in whom the Professional Standards Authority places its trust.
Well said, a thorough and thought provoking post.
Thank you so much.
'There is an unwarranted arrogance about being ‘on the right side of history’, allied with an unwillingness to acknowledge that there are other legitimate viewpoints, which in fact align far better with what are widely understood to be therapeutic principles' - Absolutely.
Thank you!
It’s a brave step and I commend you for doing it! You can leave and keep your voice. And your voice is still needed. Others may do the same. 🙏
Thank you, Jason. And thank you for using your voice in the way that you do – it is very powerful.
Terrific writing, Lucy.
Thank you, Harriet!
“Over a year after publication, there has been no statement from the BACP on the review and no revision of guidelines for woking with gender-confused children. “
A Freudian slip?
Seriously, well done, and good luck with everything you do.
Thank you!
This is an outstanding account of the present state of the BACP and our profession as a whole Lucy….thank you…as a fellow leaver I resonate with ‘the water’s lovely’….it is sickening to the soul to remain a member of a gaslighting organisation that tells you how diverse they are whilst shutting you out…their motto should be ‘inclusion for me but not for thee’…this piece is highly informative, poetic and playful…I love the membership card cut with pinking shears…how many of us still have a pair of those traditional things….?….staying in is a tough choice and those pushing back on the inside, like you say, deserve our respect and support…who knows how this disastrous tragedy will be turned around…at least two of the members standing in the forthcoming BACP election for trustees are ideologues and will be doubling down on this careless, cavalier and harmful approach. God help us.
Thank you, Sue. You were an inspiring example, as I edged closer and closer to leaving. I suspect in the end, the whole thing will collapse under the weight of its own inconsistencies, as well as external pressure. Like you, I fully respect all those fighting from within. And you never know when a pair of pinking shears will come in useful!
What a hard and brave choice. There seems to be an international counter current against ideological rigidity. Keep speaking!
Thank you so much – and I particularly appreciate it, as you know all about difficult choices! Your piece in the Wall Street Journal was shocking and eye-opening. Thank you for all that you are doing to turn the tide – please keep speaking too!