Campaigns against LGBT lessons spreading

Opposition to lessons being organised in Manchester, Oldham, Blackburn and Bradford
27th March 2019, 6:04pm

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Campaigns against LGBT lessons spreading

https://www.tes.com/magazine/archive/campaigns-against-lgbt-lessons-spreading
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Parents in a number of towns and cities are being organised to spread protests again LGBT content in lessons, it was reported today.

In recent weeks, Parkfield Community School in Birmingham has been at the centre of controversy over its No Outsiders programme of lessons, which teaches pupils about diversity, acceptance and equality.

Some parents at the majority-Muslim school have held demonstrations against the lessons, and against assistant headteacher Andrew Moffat, who organised it. 


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Protests have also been taking place outside Anderton Park Primary School, in the same area, with parents demonstrating outside, waving banners and calling for the lessons to stop.

In daily demonstrations outside the school gates, they are reportedly also calling for the headteacher to stand down.

Today, BBC Asian Network revealed that parents in Manchester, Oldham, Blackburn and Bradford are being organised to campaign against LGBT content.

It said that the efforts were a “coordinated campaign to stop same-sex lessons in schools”.

The network spoke to Nasim Ashraf, a campaigner in Oldham, in Greater Manchester.

It said he did not want Muslim children to be taught about relationships and sex education, and has been talking to the education authority.

He told the programme: “I’ve seen a very good response in Oldham. Oldham, as you know, in 2001, there were the riots, and that’s the last thing we want on our doorstep again.”

The station said Mr Ashraf thinks schools must discuss what they want to teach with parents, and it must be faith and culturally appropriate.

It said he had set up WhatsApp groups to keep about 300 Muslim fathers and mothers informed.

Asked if the issue could cause riots, he said: “Potentially yes, simply because if the authorities are seen as not taking their views on board, not being part of the consultation process then, of course, that’s going to rile people up.

“Ultimately, British schools belong to us. They are funded by the taxpayer.”

When challenged, he agreed that this was not a reason to take to the streets, but added: “If all else fails, that is what I fear will happen. We are trying our best for that not to happen.”

Oldham Council told the network it was working with parents and schools, and would continue to do so to reassure them.

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