Kenilworth, 19 February 2010 — The gay humanist educational charity the Pink Triangle Trust (PTT) has reacted angrily to the news that the UK Government has caved in to religious pressure, especially from Roman Catholic sources, concerning Sex and Relationships Education (SRE).
An amendment to the Children, Schools and Families Bill tabled by Secretary of State Ed Balls would permit state-funded “faith schools” to teach PSHE, which includes Sex and Relationships Education, “in a way that reflects the school’s religious character”.
PTT secretary George Broadhead said: “It is outrageous that the Government is planning to deny young people the right to accurate, balanced PSHE and Sex and Relationships Education, and allow state-funded schools to teach the subject from a religious viewpoint. By taking this position, it is implicitly condoning homophobia in schools and undermining attempts to tackle homophobic bullying. This looks like another Section 28.”