I must be dreaming, because I swear section 28 was repealed but it feels like we’ve gone back in time.
Four schools in Birmingham have stopped teaching children that LGBTQ people exist. Hundreds of homophobic parents are protesting outside one school instead of letting their children just have an education – any flipping education at this point – and even MPs like Andrea Leadsom are agreeing with these homophobes.
And make no mistake, these parents are homophobic. These lessons are age appropriate and
When I was a kid,
You’d think people would be in favour of something like that.
We Exist
Not teaching kids that LGBTQ people exist and have relationships doesn’t make us go away. I’m not going to suddenly disappear cause they refuse to let their kids know I’m in a same-sex relationship. I’m not suddenly going to be straight or cis because they don’t want their kid to face reality and not turn into the bigot they obviously are.
The knowledge of LGBTQ people isn’t going to turn anyone gay either. If I thought for one second I could turn people queer I would quit my job and travel the country throwing glitter on people going “poof, now you’re gay,” before skipping off in my rainbow onesie like some demented pride pixie. You can’t turn people LGBTQ anymore than you can turn them black.
The idea that parents should be able to choose if and when they are taught about LGBTQ people is a fine line, but you if you wouldn’t say the same thing about race or religion then it’s a homophobic argument. Avoiding the topic doesn’t make it go away and kids will come into contact with LGBTQ everyday everywhere. Parents, teachers, doctors, family…friends.
We’re not hiding anymore, we’re not going away and we’re not going to take any more of this abuse.
An Open Letter.
To the parents protesting outside Parkfield school and Andrea Leadsom, below is my letter to you. It’s not as good as some of the others out there but it is succinct.
Fuck you. And fuck your homophobia.
Yours,
A bisexual genderfluid parent
Links
- Parkfield School LGBT Lessons Not Axed – BBC News
- An Open Letter To Andrea Leadsom – LesBeMums
- Open Letter To Andrea Leadsom – Meet The Wildes
- No Outsiders Books
- Petition To Support Tolerence Over Hate – Humanists UK
Spot on! I love how loud our community is at the moment. And thank you so much for the mention. β€οΈπ§‘ππππ
I am unaware of the specifics you are talking about but in Australia, we have a similar knee jerk reaction to an antibullying programme. It astounds me that 20 years into the 21st century this is even a ‘thing’. I agree, you can’t catch gay, and bigotry is learned. Here it is religion pushing that barrow. It disgusts me.
I can’t believe how backward things still are. Our school are doing RE (year one) and they did a pretend church wedding as part of their “family” theme. Fine but I’d like to think they’re also discussing non religious weddings, civil ceremonies and other family scenarios. Tbh im not sure what our school’s stance is on teaching kids LGBTQ – i really hope it’s with open mindedness i expect in 2019! Thanks so much for linking up at #KCACOLS. Hope you come back again next time!
It sucks the way we seem to be taking a step back and the assholes all of a sudden feel emboldened to speak up. I’m with you, fuck them.
I can’t speak like I know what you are going through, and I won’t pretend too because I don’t want to belittle your situation. All I can say is, I am so sorry that you are having to deal with this. Much love…..#KCACOLS