Primary school children in France will be taught about lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) issues, under new plans announced by the French Government.
The move comes as the French Government continues to press ahead with a bill to legalise same-sex marriage, which is due to be voted in January 2013.
French Minister for Women’s Rights Najat Vallaud-Belkacem said children as young as six and seven will learn about homosexual relationships and same-sex parenting.
Transgender
The proposals are said to be part of a wider scheme to make France a “world leader in the fight against homophobia”.
A raft of other measures was also announced, including plans to give transgender people legal recognition of their new sex.
Last week the French Socialist Government said the plans to legalise same-sex must include “assisted human procreation” for gay couples.
Pompoms
But the proposal has hit the buffers following a strong reaction from conservative politicians and religious leaders in France.
The Westminster Government is seeking to introduce same-sex marriage in England and Wales by 2015.
Last year homosexual lobby group Stonewall sent a teacher training pack to primary schools, which suggested young boys in primary schools should be encouraged to try on dresses or dance with pompoms in the cheerleading team.
Resilient
An accompanying DVD, backed by the Training and Development Agency, features primary school teachers giving “best practice” tips from their own experience.
One head teacher on the DVD says pupils should be taught to be resilient to the values of their parents and grandparents.