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MEP fights 'gay' books for schools
Books illustrating gay relationships are becoming part of the school curriculum under the new Sexual Orientation Regulations Act.
Titles such as 'The Sissy Duckling', 'Hello Sailor' and 'Daddy's Room mate' are recommended by Government departments for children aged 5 upwards.
One shows pictures of two males in bed together and cuddling on a sofa whilst 'Elmer' in 'The Sissy Duckling' is promoted as "a terrific role model for any child" on a Government website.
'Strange Boy' aimed at secondary stage pupils contains an explicit description of a homosexual act between two boys aged 10 and14 years old.
UKIP MEP Derek Clark described the books as "completely unsuitable" and said he was "appalled" at the decision by some local authorities to use the books.
"How is it in any way suitable for schools to promote under age homosexual acts?" asked Mr Clark, himself a teacher of 39 years.
"Schools should be concentrating on teaching children how to read and write. Is it any surprise that the UK has some of the worst rates of literacy in Europe when our teachers are having to spend their time promoting gay rights to youngsters?"
The new regulations could see schools compelled to promote gay rights in the curriculum rather than counter threats of legal action from gay activists.
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This statement posted to UKIP's website illustrates how unprofessional the party is.
The Equality Act (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2007, which came into force on 30 April, prohibits discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation. A guide to its implications found at:
www.communities.gov.uk states specifically that:
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The Regulations will not:
i) require schools to promote gay rights or homosexuality to children; Nor
ii) require changes to the current curriculum; Nor
iii) affect existing guidance allowing schools to choose the materials used in sex education classes, nor interfere with parents’ existing right to withdraw their children from sex education classes; Nor
iv) make schools vulnerable to legal challenge if they don’t use specific books to teach pupils about issues related to sexual orientation.
ends
If Derek Clark has evidence for his claims that teachers are having to spend their time promoting gay rights to youngsters, and that the new regulations could see schools compelled to promote gay rights in the curriculum, he should give chapter and verse stating his sources. His vague allegation that certain books are becoming part of the curriculum because of the new Act is unsubstantiated and amateurish.
Secondly, if UKIP is taking a political stand on the issue of material used in schools, why is the statement entitled "MEP fights 'gay' books" rather than "UKIP fights 'gay' books"? Is this a party initiative or not? If it's a personal crusade of Derek Clark's, why is the statement given official backing on the party website when it doesn't even appear on his personal website? And is Clark once again the UKIP education spokesman (there've been four in the last four years - Jeffrey Titford, Mike Wiltshire, Derek Clark and Tom Wise)? Anyone, public or press, wanting to follow this story up has got no sources and no spokesman to refer to, and would justifiably wonder why a statement on education in British schools is being made by a member of the European parliament.
Thirdly, those who take an interest in the goings-on in Brussels will be aware that UKIP MEPs are in alliance in the Ind/Dem group with the Polish League of Families party, whose leader is also Poland's education minister. Roman Giertych has recently introduced draft legislation banning discussion of homosexuality in Polish schools, with teachers to be sacked, fined or imprisoned if they break rules designed "to prohibit the promotion of homosexuality and other deviance". He wants to see a similar ban across the whole of the EU (euobserver 21.3.07). Human rights groups have warned that under this law students would be denied information on HIV/Aids. Is this the direction UKIP is now taking, and is MEP Derek Clark's fight against 'gay' books in schools UKIP's first step down the path forged by his Polish ally?