section 28

[smirnoff]

Following on from the IVF thread..
I am curious to find out something....
I know as a teacher that in schools according to section 28 of the educaton act that no school resources are allowed to be used to promote homosexuality in schools. I have a huge issue with this as i believe that if children were given more education they would grow up far more able to understand and hopefully with a lot less prejudice towards the homosexual community. We teach about all world religions, we teach about hetrosexual sexual experiences and we teach about growing up and personal and social education, but children are never given the opportunity to actually talk about it,their feelings regarding it and their experiences. I have even worked in a school that refused to let the word "gay" or "homosexual" be used in the school at all. Surely this kind of behaviour does not lead our children into acceptance????
I know that if my children ask i will tell them....
So what about all of you???????

Find out more from:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/613023.stm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Section_28

[Jen]

Ok…..what age are we talking here? To be honest I don’t see why homosexuality needs to be promoted, I do think we should be taught how to love and respect others for whom or what they are whether that be colour, race religion or sexuality.
Being gay is not something you learn its something you are, learn acceptance yes but promote it no.
I think most attitudes come from parents, if parents are homophobic then children usually turn out the same, these things need to be tackled.
To be honest my sister/brother-in-law hasn’t come across too much prejudice, actually quite the opposite, everyone I know loves them both, my BIL comes on all our nights out, all my girlfriends and their husbands think that he is great.

[MrTempleDene]

I think you're right smirnoff, banning talking about it in schools is just going to lead to more prejudice as prejudice springs from ignorance. Never did like section 28 for that very reason.

Promoting homosexuality in schools? I don't see how teaching that some people love members of the same sex is promoting it!

[loopychick]

the thing is too if kids are told it's not acceptable which the schools are saying cos they are not educating them and refusing to say the words etc then as they get older it's going to be instilled in them that it's dirty or wrong personally i hate the education system and if i had my way Ellie would have private tutoring

[Sarah]

I don't think it should be banned in schools, I think it's important that the children are free to talk about their feelings. As for promoting it as a way of life, no definately not, it's a very hard road to travel and I wouldn't want my children thinking it was a suitable way of life, it's a tough life and I talk from first hand experience with my sister to whom I'm very close.

[smirnoff]

i dont know if i have come accross in the wrong way.. i dont mean "promote" as in say its the best or anything, just allow children to discuss it and with people who are not going to jump down their throats with critiscm....
You are who you are as far as i am concerned, if i dont like you then i wont talk to you.. simple as that. I cant see that by talking about issues in a sensible mature and within the supposidly caring society of school that any harm can be done. I know that my parents had views that i strongly disagree with, as do my pil.. but i still have my own opinniions.. maybe we should be educating our children to stand up more for what they believe in??

[ruthie]

I though section 28 was abolished? Wasn't it to stop promotion of Homosexuality if so I agree with it, that is different from discussing it, or is that what actually happens

[Ravenfire]

My children all know anyway. My BIL is gay and lives with his boyfriend and because we have been open and honest with them they are fully accepting of the situation.

[mumsiejudy]

I think Jen has the right idea. My dh once referred to 'gay' people as being bent as a five pound note at a social service meeting. My word, how he brought the room the silence and then the uproar. No, he didn't mean to offend anyone but that is how he was brought up. The best of it was that sitting next to him was a couple (men) but luckily they took no offence. To this day it is still brought up by ss. I don't think children should or could be taught this but I do think it is a subject that could bebrought up in open discussion at schools so that any who might have feelings this way could see that it doesn't matter who you are ; what makes a true person is what comes from within i.e. kind, generous, caring, considerate. Well, anything upon that line. Your sexuality shouldn't matter to anyone else. I'm rabbiting on now, sorry.

[Sarah]

Katherine knows that my sister is gay, I actually thought she knew anyway when I first talked to her about it but she was totally shocked and for a while I regretted telling her, she's fine with it now as she adores my sister and they are very close but she would much rather she got married and had children. I've never yet said anything to Matthew, although he's met my sister's partner and he knows that they spend the weekends together and that they recently went on holiday together, I'm not sure how he'd react as he is very close to my sister too and they are very alike, infact we joke sometimes that she's his Mum as they look alike.
I agree with what you said in your second post smirnoff. It's very important that children are allowed to discuss issues and feelings, it's just that the answer's we'd all give would probably be very different.

[Ellie]

This post struck a cord with me as my sister is gay and have often wondered how to explain it to the children when they are older. I have known for many years and have no probs with it - to me it's not about sexuality it's about the person you fall in love with. I have never classed myself as gay or straight - I fell in love with a person because of who they were, and got married because I fell in love with my husband! My sis and her partner have been together longer than me and dh (think about 14 years). At Easter they had a "Civil partnership agreement ceremony" (what a mouthful!) that we all attended, even my v conservative parents! (my dad cried, bless!) They have a great relationship, better than a hell of a lot of conventionally married people I know.
My own personal thought is that children should be taught about relationships, how to respect people, - my children are v young so maybe I'm being naieve but I hope I can teach my children what love and respect are and that someday they can have that with another person, regardless of their gender :wub:

[smirnoff]

well said ellie!!
I have always explained things to my children in the context of love...

[Girlzmum]

I agree totally Ellie! I intend to be completely open with my girls about the whole subject, people can't choose who they fall in love with and if that someone is of the same gender then so be it.

[Daffs]

Totally with you on this Smirnoff. Schools should be open to educating and discussion and not frowning upon it.

[smirnoff]

ooo i am doing well today!! Lots pf people agreeing with me!! Yeah....

[Sarah]

ooo i am doing well today!! Lots pf people agreeing with me!! Yeah....
Well you talk a lot of sense - what's not to agree :D

[smirnoff]

Well you talk a lot of sense - what's not to agree :D
love you sarah!!