Boy, 12, probed by extremism officers for saying ‘there are only two genders’ in bully row
A boy of 12 has been investigated by counter-extremism officers after he declared there “are only two genders”.
The child made a video, posted online, in which he also stated: “There’s no such thing as non-binary”.
And in response to school bullies who mistakenly believed he supported transgender ideology, he said: “[I’m] gay not queer.”
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Originally a homophobic slur, trans activists claim the word “queer” now describes people who don’t adhere to ideas of sex or gender. However, the school in South Tyneside told the boy’s mother they would refer him to Prevent – the Home Office programme that attempts to stop people from becoming terrorists – amid fears he could be at risk of being radicalised by the far-right. The mother of the boy, whose identity the Mail has agreed not to disclose, was visited by Prevent and Northumbria Police officers this week.
His mother said: “We think that he was targeted as the children believe gay people agree with trans ideology.” She explained: “He made a video which I uploaded to YouTube where he said there “are only two genders” and “I’m gay, not queer”. The school phoned up and was incensed by it. They said that they would refer him to Prevent for that video.
“They said that he was at risk of radicalisation. Not that he had been, but [that] was a risk when he gets to 13 and is entitled to his own social media accounts ... a risk he would fall in with far-Right groups.”
She said counter-terror officers – who visited the family home – raised concerns over the fact that her son, who is Jewish, harboured extremist views on account of his response when asked if any groups should not exist. She said her son responded that “Hamas [the Gaza-based terror group] should be wiped out”.
Further fears were raised over comments he made to school bullies, stating he wanted to “exterminate” them. He is said to have remarked concerning racist slurs from classmates.
Prevent officers also suggested the boy had an unhealthy interest in weapons on account of another online video. This was uploaded by his mother, who showed him demonstrating a toy crossbow that had been bought from English Heritage.
The crossbow is described by English Heritage as “completely harmless but lots of fun”. The police response was criticised by free speech campaigners.
Harry Miller, from Fair Cop, said: “[The boy’s] views on gender are as far away from terrorism as it’s possible to be. They are views that are held by the majority of people in Britain. This is another instance of the police wilfully missing the target because hunting down schoolchildren is easier than confronting actual terrorists.”
Kate Barker, from gay rights charity LGB Alliance, said: “If it’s a sign of radicalisation to say you don’t like being called “queer”, then 94 per cent of LGB people can expect a knock on the door from counterterrorism officers. We applaud this young boy for standing up for his beliefs, and we condemn the teachers and police who think it’s wrong to abhor this horrible slur.”
A joint statement from Northumbria Police and Counter Terrorism Policing North East said: “We are unable to discuss individual cases or identify anyone who may or may not be the subject of a Prevent referral.
“All referrals are treated in the strictest confidence and will always prioritise the safety and welfare of those concerned.
“Prevent is a multi-agency approach to safeguarding and supporting those most at risk of radicalisation through early intervention. It seeks to protect young and vulnerable people against all forms of extremist activity, regardless of ideology.”
South Tyneside Council declined to comment.