Tory MP removes blog comments about ‘gay lessons’
A Conservative MP who attacked gay-inclusive lessons as “ludicrous” has removed his blog post.
Richard Drax, who represents South Dorset, had claimed that the lessons would impose “questionable sexual standards” on children.
Yesterday, he removed the original post, saying his remarks were not intended to be homophobic.
He wrote instead: “Following a call from a member of the public about a recent blog, in which I commented on Jasper Copping’s Sunday Telegraph article about children ‘as young as four’ being taught about homosexuality in maths, geography and science lessons ‘as part of a government-backed drive to celebrate the gay community’, I have decided to re-write my comments to ensure there is no misunderstanding.
“My point was not intended to be homophobic, but sprang more from a concern that young children should not be taught a subject they simply would not understand.
“I believe more effort should be focused on the teaching of maths, geography and science. Currently, in international league tables, we rank 25th for literacy, 28th for maths and 16th for science. This is a lamentable state; improving it must be our priority.”
Mr Drax was referring to plans to encourage teachers to make more references to gay people in maths and science lessons.
The plans have been drawn up by gay charity Schools Out and are being funded with a £35,000 grant from education quango the Training And Development Agency For Schools.
Schools Out co-chair Sue Sanders told the BBC: “Schools lie by omission when they do not include the stories of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual people.
“Anyone who finds our work problematic needs to realise they are giving comfort to homophobics. Homophobia kills and is expensive.”
Mr Drax was criticised by Labour Party gay group LGBT Labour, who suggested he wanted to “slip back to the dark days of Section 28″.
