British schools may soon teach 'importance of gay marriage'

Schools in Britain may soon have to teach children the importance of gay marriage if the government is able to go through with a new piece of legislation.

The government will publish its consultation next month on giving same-sex marriage the same legal definition as traditional marriage. It is the first step towards a Gay Marriage Bill.

Section 403 of the Education Act 1996 places a legal requirement on schools to teach children about “the importance of marriage”.

Campaigners against the government’s plans warn it will put classrooms on the frontline of a political correctness war and parents who object to the teaching of same-sex marriage could be classed as bigots.

“If marriage is redefined, schools will have no choice but to give children equivalent teaching on same-sex marriage, even those of a very young age,” said Peter Bone, Tory MP for Wellingborough. “And what of the teachers who object to teaching about same sex marriage. Will they face disciplinary action?” he said.

It is unclear how faith schools would deal with these changes.

The Coalition for Marriage, which includes bishops, politicians and lawyers, warns gay rights are being championed at the expense of the rights of Christians and other faiths. They collected 36,000 signatures against the change.

However, Equalities Minister Lynne Featherstone told the Church it was up to the nation, not religious institutions, to decide who could marry. “This is not a battle between gay rights and religious beliefs. This is about the principles of family, society and personal freedoms,” she said.

indianexpress.com