Press Releases for 2004

GREENS SUPPORT CALL FOR COUNTY COUNCIL TO ABOLISH ANTI-GAY POLICY

4th November 2004

Kent Green Party will be supporting a demonstration outside County Hall in Maidstone in protest at Kent County Council's anti-gay education policy, at 1pm on Saturday 13th November. When the Government removed previous legislation preventing education about homosexuality in schools (1), Kent County Council retained a policy preventing school students from learning about homosexuality. Dialogue between campaigning groups and the County Council has not resulted in a change of policy. Dr Hazel Dawe, who will be speaking at the demonstration, comments:

"Prevention of the promotion of homosexuality is still included in Kent's education policy. Being gay is a normal feature of our society and this needs to be recognised in our education system. The existing policy is open to accusations of encouraging homophobic bullying and stigmatising gay issues within the class-room. As well as effectively promoting crime, the existing policy is an abuse of human rights. We agree with the Queer Youth Alliance is claiming that the policy is in direct contravention of Article 17 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child which states "children and young people have the right to information and material from a diversity of national and international sources, especially those aimed at the promotion of his or her social, spiritual and moral well-being and physical and mental health". "We urge people to support this demonstration and the petition to persuade the County Council to remove its anti-gay policy." (2) ENDS c248 words

FURTHER INFORMATION: Dr Hazel Dawe, Campaigns Officer, Kent Green Party, on 01233 645167 or 07747 014487. Contact address as above. NB. The day will include guest speakers, a march, street theatre and petitioning of local people. Speakers will include Gay Teachers from Schools Out and teaching unions.

Notes: 1. 18th November 2003, Section 122 of the Local Government Act. 2. To: Kent County Council. We, the undersigned call on all current (and future) members of the above to facilitate the ending of homophobic attitudes in Kent by: 1) Removing the remnant of the anti gay Section 28 from Kent County Council's education policy 2) Promoting the acceptability of homosexuality as a valid lifestyle in order to combat homophobic attitudes and bullying in: a) All Kent schools. b) All of K C C's services and its suppliers. c) All sections of the community in Kent. 3)Promoting and assisting the establishment of gay run venues, businesses, services and gay pride events across Kent. Also bysupporting measures at national level to further establish LGBT equality in the UK . 4) Taking clear and public action against any future homophobic comments from council members or staff.

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