Education Secretary Supports LGBT-Inclusive Education Despite Protests from Parents

Damian Hinds, the UK Education Secretary, has thrown his support behind the teachers and headmasters of Parkfield Community School in Birmingham who wish to teach LGBT-inclusive lessons, despite protests from predominately Muslim and evangelical Christian parents, reports the BBC.

The proposed lessons would teach children that there are different kinds of families, some with same-sex parents, and that it’s not okay to bully or discriminate against those people.

Hundreds of parents reportedly refused to let their children go to school on Friday the 1st in protest of the anti-bullying lessons.

Hinds spoke to Schools Week on Saturday about the lessons and controversy, saying “we expect all pupils to have been taught” about LGBT+ issues.

“First of all we should be clear the Parkfield question is of course before the RSHE guidance has come into place.

“I’ve always been clear that I support headteachers to make decisions and we believe in school autonomy, that school leaders are best-placed to make decisions.

“Of course, it’s also right to consult with parents.

“That is just good practice anyway, and in the new guidance that’s quite clear about the need to consult with parents, but yes I do back headteachers.”

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