A Government-backed booklet which told Scottish schools to promote homosexual issues even if parents objected has been withdrawn, after concerns were raised by Christians.
The material also told schools to run ‘diversity events’ for teachers and parents and adopt a specific lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) ‘charter of rights’.
The booklet advised that “in some cases – and probably very rarely – a small minority of parents/carers may not agree with the school’s position on these issues and the necessity for this work. However, this does not mean that it should not go ahead.”
Concern
The news, reported by the Scottish Daily Mail, was welcomed by Christian Action Research and Education (CARE) for Scotland, who had campaigned for the booklet to be withdrawn.
CARE for Scotland cautioned: “If same-sex marriage is legalised, children will have to be taught marriage has been ‘redefined’ – and this material offered a glimpse of the way ministers had hoped to teach children about gay issues.”
A consultation on same-sex marriage is currently ongoing in Scotland.
Contested
The controversial Scottish Government-backed material claimed it is difficult to say how many homosexual young people there are, but suggested there would be one or two in every class. That claim was based on contested Government estimates.
The material, which was produced at a cost of £5,000, was styled as guidance on preventing bullying.
However, at the time, The Christian Institute’s Mike Judge commented that “a hierarchy of victim has seeped into our education system where some forms of bullying are taken more seriously than others”.
Pleased
Commenting on the withdrawal of the material, Gordon Macdonald from CARE for Scotland said: “We’re pleased it’s been withdrawn – but it’s concerning that it was produced in the first place.”
Mike Judge commented: “Schools have become factories for undermining family values and brainwashing children.”
Anne Jardine, Director of Learning and Community at the Education Scotland quango, said the document had been removed from its website, “pending further discussion”.
A Scottish Government spokesman said: “Education Scotland is working on this issue”.