Press Releases for 2004

COUNTY COUNCIL MUST SUPPORT HUMAN RIGHTS BY ABANDONING ANTI-GAY POLICY

4th November 2004

Kent Green Party supported a picket of County Hall in Maidstone in protest at Kent County Council's anti-gay education policy, at 1pm on Saturday 13th November. The event was supported by a broad coalition of groups including: Amnesty International; Green Party; Kent Youth Council; Liberal Democrats; National Union of Students; Outrage(1); the Queer Youth Alliance; Schools Out; Unison. Dr Hazel Dawe comments:

"It was good to see such a range of groups challenging the County Council on its human rights record. When the Government removed previous legislation preventing education about homosexuality in schools (2), Kent County Council retained a policy preventing the school students learning about homosexuality. Dialogue between campaigning groups and the County Council has still not resulted in a change of policy. Kent County Council is in breach of Department for Education guidelines in this area (3).

"With the rise of homophobic attacks as part of the increase in violent crimes such as domestic violence and racist attacks, it is imperative that Kent County Council ensure schools teach tolerance and understanding of different forms of sexuality. The evasive responses of Kent County Council fail to tackle the issue of suppressing violence against homosexuals. The County Council does not seem to recognise that one form of violence and intolerance may well lead to others. We urge people to write to their County councillors to seek changes in County education policy." ENDS c226 words

FURTHER INFORMATION: Dr Hazel Dawe, Campaigns Officer, Kent Green Party, on 01233 645167 or 07747 014487. Contact address as above.

Notes: 1. Outrage is the campaigning group on gay rights in which Peter Tatchell is a leading activist. 2. 18th November 2003, Section 122 of the Local Government Act. 3. See for example The Learning and Skills Act 2000 and the Department's Sex and Relationship Guidance, July 2000. NB ADVANCE NOTICE: Gay Pride parade, CANTERBURY, 11th June 2005.

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