Green Party

Gay-hate crime figures are up 15 per cent in Lewisham . Police often say this simply means gay people are now more comfortable approaching the police - but with this year's steep rises that wouldn't be credible.

The attitudes that lead to such violence, harassment and verbal abuse are learned young, so we all have a responsibility to teach young people to respect others and celebrate difference.

But I have discovered that not one school in Lewisham held events this year to mark LGBT History Month, an annual celebration of the valuable contribution gay people make to society and of their long struggle for civil rights. If schools and teachers shy away from celebrating gay people through events which bust myths and honour the gay rights story, how can we expect those disturbing crime figures to fall in future?

Next February's council plans for LGBT History Month look more promising, but it is still not clear that a single local school will host its own event for students which sends the clear message that gay is okay and homophobia is as stupid and unacceptable as any other prejudice.

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Anonymous
Posts: 3

Re:
Reply #3 on : Tue March 02, 2010, 12:40:13

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I thought Thomas Tallis school did something in 2009 - appears so from their website:

http://www.school-portal.co.uk/GroupHomepage.asp?GroupId=296236

A
Posts: 3

Re:
Reply #2 on : Tue December 15, 2009, 15:51:22

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Chris Hurst, you've got the wrong end of the stick. LGBT History Month is nothing to do with sex education in the sense that you assume.

Instead it's about the social history of the struggle for civil rights, and tells young people, both straight and gay, about the history of that struggle. It's a story that has much in common with other civil rights struggles, such as votes for women and racial equality.

If I and my classmates had had such events put on for us in my schooldays, then I think both they and I would have much more quickly come to terms with our differences in sexuality and even seen the gay rights struggle as a cause of real pride.

Chris Hurst
Posts: 3

"Gay" education in schools
Reply #1 on : Sun November 29, 2009, 13:18:19

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Dear Mr. Johnson,

I must voice my concern over your intentions to sexualise schoolchildren by promoting, celebrating and teaching them about Homosexuality in school, in the event of a Green run council and Member of Parliament.

Why do you think that minors should be taught about "alternative" sexual lifestyles in schools? I think most parents in your constituency would be horrified if they knew of your intentions. Will you be telling them this on your election address?

Every parent in your constituency has a right to know about your desire to sexualise children and promote Homosexuality in an environment where they should be getting an education. I think your proposed social experiment is disgusting.

Chris Hurst
Richmond