Fear of LGBT-inclusive lessons harks back to 80s, says Peter Tatchell

Veteran campaigner rounds on government for lack of guidance to schools after Birmingham parent protests

Peter Tatchell knows exactly who is responsible for the recent protests about relationships and sex education outside primary school gates: it’s the government’s fault, he says.

“To its credit, the government has spoken out in defence of LGBT+ inclusive lessons – but it hasn’t backed this up with explicit, concrete guidance to schools about what they can and should do,” says the veteran gay rights campaigner. With religious extremists trying to “hijack the issue”, a culture of fear around mentioning LGBT orientation has sprung up. “Many teachers are left feeling very uncertain about what they are required to do or what they’re allowed to do or say.”

Related: Parkfield LGBT protest: Why has the school’s top teacher been silenced?

Related: The overhaul of sex education is a win for curriculum-by-tabloid | Laura McInerney

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from Sex education | The Guardian http://bit.ly/2EFskmC