"No outsiders": the Birmingham LGBT teaching row

[Mel O'Drama]

It's been making headlines for a couple of months now. Has anyone been following it?

It's an incredibly sad state of affairs. And I fear the dialogue from teachers, the head teacher, the counter protestors, police and Ofsted is not being listened to.

 

[Angela Channing]

The intolerance of some of the protesters shows exactly why we need to teach young children about LGBT+ issues and if course, it should be compulsory.

I think the local education authority and the government should be giving the school much more visible support. Why aren't parents who are preventing their children from going to school being fined, for example?

Teaching children that some people are in same sex relationships prepares them better for life and provided its done in a responsible way, as it is being done at this school, there is no conflict with anyone's religion.

 

[Mel O'Drama]

Teaching children that some people are in same sex relationships prepares them better for life and provided its done in a responsible way, as it is being done at this school, there is no conflict with anyone's religion.

That's exactly it. Many people seem to erroneously equate acknowledgement that not all families are the same with sex education. And they can't get past that.

Why aren't parents who are preventing their children from going to school being fined, for example?

Not to mention the disruption and intimidation it's causing to the children and teachers who have to walk past them every day simply to go to school.

 

[Angela Channing]

What I've also found disturbing about this story is how right wing zealots have tried to hijack the situation to attack Muslims. In their hierarchy of hate, Muslims come above gays but the reality is that if they weren't attacking Muslims they would be attacking gays.

This really isn't an issue about Islam but one of a specific group of parents whose personal interpretation of their religion leads them to believe that they are right to stop their children learning about how some families are made up of same sex couples. There are many Muslims who support the "No Outsiders" programme.

 

[Mel O'Drama]

What I've also found disturbing about this story is how right wing zealots have tried to hijack the situation to attack Muslims. In their hierarchy of hate, Muslims come above gays

Yes. Although some right wing zealots seem divided on the issue. Comments sections relating to this story on sites such as the Daily Hate Mail have an unusual degree of agreement with the protestors. Unusual, of course, because they are usually the ones who are most critical of Muslims. But as what the protestors are saying chimes with far right views of gay people they can put one prejudice aside to reinforce another.

This really isn't an issue about Islam but one of a specific group of parents whose personal interpretation of their religion leads them to believe that they are right to stop their children learning about how some families are made up of same sex couples.

Absolutely right. And there are also the likes of Christian Voice joining the protestors and using their own distorted interpretation of faith in order to fan the flames.

There are many Muslims who support the "No Outsiders" programme.

Yes indeed. And some have been at counter protests.

 

[Mel O'Drama]

Andrew Moffat, the teacher behind No Outsiders, led the Birmingham Pride parade today.

 

[Mel O'Drama]

An injunction has now been taken out to prevent the protestors bothering children who are on their way to school.

Meanwhile, it's troubling to think this incredibly unhelpful observation about the situation. was made by someone in the running to be this country's head of government.

 

[Angela Channing]

Esther McVey again proving she is unfit to be an MP let alone PM, is if her general stupidity wasn't enough.

However, we do live in a country where we vote for right wing homophobic extremists like Ann Widdecombe to be an MEP. She has again reiterated her support for gay conversion therapy. People like her provide encouragement the homophobia of the protesters that have been targeting the school. I sometimes think we are slowly going back to the dark days of the wicked homophobe Thatcher.

 

[Mel O'Drama]

I sometimes think we are slowly going back to the dark days of the wicked homophobe Thatcher.

Yes.

There's been heartening progress in terms of equality, but these things seem to be cyclical. Now the global pendulum is once again swinging towards very right wing politics. And the suppression of human rights that comes along with it.

 

[Mel O'Drama]

MP Roger Godsiff has been reported to the Chief Whip for telling the protestors they have "just cause", apparently after admitting he hadn't read any of the books used for lessons.

"I think I'm a fair-minded person who will listen to all sides of the argument."

 

[Angela Channing]

MP Roger Godsiff has been reported to the Chief Whip for telling the protestors they have "just cause", apparently after admitting he hadn't read any of the books used for lessons.

"I think I'm a fair-minded person who will listen to all sides of the argument."

In the past few days there have been 2 stories in the news about attacks on lesbians. The first was 2 women who were beaten up on a bus after they refused to kiss each other after being ordered to do so by their attackers. The second were 2 lesbian actors in Southampton who were stoned while on their way to the theatre. This is why we need to teach our children about gay people and why the work of No Outsiders programme is so important so children don't grow up hating people who love someone of the same sex. How and MP can say he agrees with the parents protesting against the school is an absolute disgrace.