Parents urged to ‘make themselves heard’ on trans ideology in RoI schools

Hundreds of parents at a Dublin rally have been urged to counter the teaching of radical gender ideology in primary schools.

Addressing the crowd at the National Stadium, Senator Sharon Keoghan said transgender ideology should not be foisted on children in the name of sex education.

The new Social and Personal Health Education (SPHE) curriculum for primary schools, due to be introduced from September 2025, promotes the contested idea of gender identity.

‘Shocking’

In her speech at the event organised by the group Christian Voice Ireland (CVI), Senator Keoghan accused the Government of pushing “state-sponsored gender confusion”.

state-sponsored gender confusion

She argued: “Children will be taught about how harmful attitudes around gender are perpetuated online. What harmful attitudes are being referred to?

“We can only guess that they mean ‘offensive statements’, such as men are men and women are women. Children will be taught to confront these ideas.

“This radical teaching is a shocking recent modern invention, the long-term impact of which can only be guessed at.”

Concerns

One school principal at the event told the Irish Independent: “I will be advising parents to withdraw their children from the new curriculum.”

Another attendee, working as a special needs assistant, said: “I have parents coming to me with all sorts of questions, particularly around how explicit the new curriculum will be. Schools are being given too much liberty.”

John Ahern, Senior Pastor at Dublin’s All Nations Church – one of more than 80 churches that make up CVI – told the Irish Independent that many teachers and principals “are uncomfortable teaching this to kids” and don’t want to be forced to do so.

A spokesperson for the Department of Education said: “Schools are required to teach the SPHE/RSE curriculum and may not opt out of this subject. Teachers are employed to teach the curriculum, which includes SPHE and all aspects of the RSE programme.”

Gender ideology

All Nations Church hires the National Stadium each week for Sunday morning worship.

Mick Barry TD claimed the owner of the stadium – the Irish Amateur Boxing Association (IABA) – may be in breach of its own Diversity and Inclusion Policy by hiring it out to a church that upholds biological reality.

The IABA said it will investigate Pastor Ahern’s remarks. A spokesperson said the Association “is committed to promoting equality and treating people fairly and with respect by providing equal access and opportunities for all”.

The rally is the second such event to take place in recent months. In July, an estimated 1,000 concerned parents, teachers and others met in the stadium to hear from Aontú leader Peadar Tóbín and barrister Grace Sullivan about concerns over resources promoting gender ideology in schools.