Campaigns and issues

Events in Easton

8th May 2008

Dear Members, Associates and Colleagues,

The Management Committee of the Bristol LGB Forum
would like to invite you to a meeting on
Monday 19th May 7:30 - 9:30 at Council House,
College Green, Bristol.

The meeting is being held by the Council in response to recent events in two Easton Primary Schools.

Problems have arisen over objections by local parents to the teaching of different lifestyles (different family groups) through books and other means. The Council decided to withdraw the books and teaching following incidents whereby parents turned unaccompanied children away from
school.

A number of meetings have been held to try to understand and resolve the issues.

The schools and their governing bodies are responsible for returning the books and teaching. They feel they need guidance, input and support in order to do this. Hence the Council are keen to consult with LGB communities for a way forward.

We do not yet have a list of the issues raised by the parents but essentially the main problem is in the parent's understanding that teaching about different lifestyle choices is sex education. The teachers have also reported that introducing this teaching has led to more difficult questions
about sexuality.

This method of teaching has been introduced in a number of schools nationwide and the project supporting this method, No Outsiders, report that this is the first time there has been objections.

The Forum Management Committee and the members that have contacted us feel that the teaching of different lifestyles at as early an age as possible is essential in reducing homophobia in schools and in the community, and are
all keen to find a way forward to resolve this issue. We would really appreciate your input and support, and look forward to seeing as many of you as possible at the meeting.

Parentline Plus, is also keen to hear if there is interest from members of the LGB communities and parents of LGB children for training and support groups to help families deal with homophobia. They have course material that is written and led by LGB personnel and are hoping to be represented at the meeting.

Please can you email or call the office (using our new contact details on this letter) by noon on Thursday 15th May to let us know if you can attend so that we can roughly cater for refreshments and room size. Please come even if you have not let us know!

Yours sincerely,

The Management Committee
of the Bristol LGB Forum