Headteacher refuses to apologise to parents who blasted ‘gay play’ as ‘paedophilia’
A primary school headmistress has said she will not apologise to “homophobic” parents, after they condemned her for staging a “gay play”, that one parent said “borders on paedophilia”.
Carrie Morrow, who is in charge of Sacred Heart Primary School, had arranged a workshop to educate children on the importance of diversity.
As part of the day, a theatre company performed a fairytale that saw two princes fall in love.
However following the show, a number of parents took to Facebook to hit out at the school and Ms Morrow’s decision to feature the play.
The teacher who has worked at the school – which is based in Atherton, near Wigan – for 13 years, told parents she had done the right thing and would not back down or apologise.
“We are very proud of what we have done,” she said.
“I know that for some schools it is not an easy aspect of the curriculum to teach, but our pupils handled it with maturity and sensitivity.
“We have been quite bold and it has not been without some negativity from the community.
“We are not intimidated as we know such homophobic attitudes are in the minority.”
One parent, known only as Mr Marsh, said all the school was doing was “social engineering”.
He said: “I think people who promote PC sex to kids below 11 border on paedophilia and are depraved.
“It has nothing to do with gay sex that upset us but the lack of parental consent, a bit like finding the school had decided it has the right to vaccinate your kids for you and did it without your consent because it knows best.”
Following the incident, locals reported two men had been questioned by police over their comments.
Greater Manchester Police confirmed it had received a complaint.
A spokesman for the force, said: “Shortly after 10:25pm on Sunday 28 February 2016, police were called to reports that a number of homophobic comments had been made on Facebook.
“This was investigated as a hate incident but it was determined that the comments did not amount to a criminal offence.
“Local resolution officers spoke to all parties involved and advised two men of their future conduct on social media.”