From diverse to inter

“Gender madness” at elementary school: parents in a rage!

Uproar over a form at Absdorf elementary school(Bild: Krone KREATIV/zVg, Christian Jauschowetz)

There are no fewer than six options when it comes to the gender of future elementary school pupils on an application form for an elementary school in Lower Austria. Parents are up in arms and the Education Directorate is being called upon to take action.

Male, female, diverse, open or inter? Or perhaps you would prefer not to specify? A registration form for the Absdorf elementary school in the district of Tulln has left parents stunned. There are no fewer than six options to choose from when asked about their child's gender. "That's more than any multiple-choice test," says one annoyed father.

One question, many options(Bild: zVg, Krone KREATIV)

"Something is fundamentally wrong"
The controversial registration form has also reached the local FPÖ. "The parents are calling it absurd and crazy, and they're not wrong. When an elementary school in Absdorf issues such ideologically charged forms, something is fundamentally wrong," says local councillor Daniel Hollensteiner.

Uproar over a form at Absdorf elementary school(Bild: Krone KREATIV/zVg, Christian Jauschowetz)

This gender madness must be stopped. Inter plays soccer at best, but has no place in an elementary school.

Andreas Bors zieht einen Vergleich zur Fußball-Mannschaft Inter Mailand

He receives support from Andreas Bors, member of the state parliament. "What is happening at Absdorf elementary school is an alarming example of how ideological experiments are now being passed on to our children unfiltered," says Bors. The Freedom Party member describes it as completely unworldly to present a child of primary school age with six gender options.

Immediate intervention required
"This intolerable gender madness must stop", Bors demands that the Education Directorate intervene immediately. "The authorities must put an end to this abuse immediately and ensure that normality returns to our schools. Elementary school are not test laboratories for gender ideologies," the Freedom Party member is annoyed.

"Simplification" under discussion
The Directorate of Education emphasizes that it is up to each school to decide how gender information appears on registration forms. "There are no mandatory requirements. The schools are guided by the general legal framework for protection against discrimination," explains a spokesperson. However, they are already in contact with the school and the responsible quality manager as well as the school management. "We are discussing the form and will simplify it if necessary," they said in response to a Krone inquiry.