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MPs have voted overwhelmingly to update the sex and relationship education curriculum to include teaching pupils about LGBT families - but 21 voted against the move.

538 MPs backed the proposal which will mean children are taught about different family models from primary school- including same-sex couples and parents, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender identities.

Those who opposed the move included 12 Conservatives, 7 DUP, 1 Labour , and Fiona Onasanya who was kicked out of the Labour Party after she was convicted of perverting the course of justice.

The changes, which are spearheaded by Education Secretary Damian Hinds, represent the first time the curriculum has been updated in 20 years.

Despite huge support for the move among parliamentarians, there has been some high profile objections to the move in a school in Birmingham.

The 21 MPs who opposed the measure:

Bob Blackman (Tory)

Christopher Chope (Tory)

Philip Davies (Tory)

Charlie Elphicke (Tory)

Marcus Fysh (Tory)

James Gray (Tory)

Philip Hollobone (Tory)

Ranil Jayawardena (Tory)

Edward Leigh (Tory)

Julian Lewis (Tory)

Matthew Offord (Tory)

Martin Vickers (Tory)

Gregory Campbell (DUP)

Nigel Dodds (DUP)

Jeffrey Donaldson (DUP)

Paul Girvan (DUP)

Gavin Robinson (DUP)

Jim Shannon (DUP)

Sammy Wilson (DUP)

Fiona Onasanya (Indpendent)

John Spellar (Labour)



Labour

(Image: Dale Martin)

John Spellar was the only Labour MP who voted against the plan.

Justifying his position in Parliament last month, telling another MP: “As our constituents rightly point out, parents have the primary responsibility for bringing up their children and they may have different views.”

The co-chair of LGBT Labour Melantha Chittenden tweeted in response to his vote, saying: "Woke up to find out that one Labour MP voted against LGBT inclusive relationship and sex education and I’ve been sat here trying to work out how to explain how furious I am, but I only have one thing to say: John S pellar shame on you."

Independent

(Image: PA)

Fiona Onasanya, who has well-documented religious views, also opposed the change.

Commenting after her vote Fiona Onasanya said: “The draft Relationships Education, Relationships and Sex Education and Health Education (England) Regulations 2019 would see pupils taught about relationship education and sex education (as recommended) in primary schools.

“Therefore if schools are to determine the content of sex education at primary school (recommended), I do feel that parents must be provided with detail of how schools plan/propose to tailor these programmes.

“I am not a parent, but understand that age and readiness do not necessarily correlate. How will schools determine which pupils are at the right age and stage for the programmes?”

Tories

(Image: Parliament TV)

Ten of the Tories who voted against the move are long time opponents of LGBT+ rights having voted against same-sex marriage in 2013.

Christopher Chope and Sir Edward Leigh including Chope and Leigh, have longer records opposing the repeal of Section 28, civil partnerships and the equalisation of the age of consent.

Ranil Jayawardena and Marcus Fysh, who were both first elected in 2015 and have not voted on previous LGBT+ rights reforms.

Christopher Chope has a track record of standing in the way of changes which expand rights.

These include his bid to block the upskirting bill and a law protecting children from female genital mutilation.

DUP

(Image: AFP/Getty Images)

Perhaps unsurprisingly seven members of the socially conservative Northern Ireland party voted against the plans but three of their members abstained.

What is the change?

(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

The new curriculum guidelines will introduce dedicated lessons about sex and relationships, and explain how pupils can stay safe online and look after their own mental health.

The guidance will come into effect in September 2020, but schools can start using it from September 2019.

Faith schools will be permitted to teach the guidance from a “distinctive faith perspective” and a “balanced debate may take place about issues that are seen as contentious,” according to the Department for Education.

New curriculum guidelines will introduce dedicated lessons about sex and relationships, and explain how pupils can stay safe online and look after their own mental health.

Children will learn the link between physical and mental health, with lessons focused on the importance of getting enough sleep, the dangers of sexting, and spotting anxiety among their friends.

Secondary school pupils will also be taught about female genital mutilation, grooming, forced marriage and domestic abuse, as part of a strengthened curriculum, the Department for Education said.

Education Secretary Damian Hinds said three new subjects will form part of the syllabus in England from 2020 - relationships education from primary, relationships and sexeducation at secondary schools, and health education lessons will be given to all children.

It will be left up to schools to decide exactly how to teach the new content.

Opposition

(Image: BPM)

Parents in Birmingham are continuing to protest against the teaching of the LGBT inclusive curriculum in primary schools.

Anderton Park Primary School is the latest school in the area to see parents demonstrate outside, waving banners and calling for the lessons to stop, according to reports.

In daily demonstrations outside the school gates, they are reportedly also calling for the headteacher to stand down.

The protests come after nearby Parkfield Community School announced it would be suspending its diversity and inclusivity programme - No Outsiders - until a resolution can be reached with parents.

A Department for Education spokeswoman said: "We want children to know that there are many types of people, and relationship s - that's why we are making relationship s education compulsory in all primary schools from 2020.

"This will ensure pupils are taught the building blocks needed for positive and safe relationship s of all kinds - starting with family and friends - and how to treat each other with kindness, consideration and respect.

"Parkfield is an outstanding school with a leadership team and staff committed to making sure pupils receive the best possible education , and we are working with the school and its parents to find a solution to the ongoing dispute.

"We trust head teachers to make the decision as to what is and is not appropriate for their pupils to learn. We think it's right that schools consult parents and take their views into account when making these decisions."

What are pupils being taught

(Image: Getty Images/EyeEm)

Primary 5-11

Primary school children will be taught relationships education but it will focus on the characteristics of positive relationships with particular emphasis on friendships, family relationships, and relationships with other children and with adults.

They will be taught that families and relationships come in all shapes and sizes and that they should respect those differences.

There is no option to opt out but it will be left up to individuals school as to how this is taught, allowing them to respond to the pupils' levels and needs.

Pupils will also learn how to recognise if family relationships are making them feel unhappy or unsafe, and how to seek help or advice from others if needed.

They will also be taught age-appropriate online safety - including what to do if they come across things they are uncomfortable with, the importance of respect for others even when posting anonymously, and the risks of talking to people on the internet that they don't know in real life.

They will also be told that each person's body belongs to them, and the differences between appropriate and inappropriate or unsafe physical, and other, contact.

Secondary 11-16

Secondary pupils will also be taught online safety topics, including the serious risks of sharing private photos, the impact of viewing explicit or harmful content - including how to report it and get support - as well as how the net can sometimes promote an unhealthy view of sex and relationships.

They will be taught about safe sex, fertility and how to keep themselves healthy.

They will also learn about consent and different ways of enjoying intimacy.

As is already the case, parents will be able to opt their children out of sex education specifically but not relationship education for religious or other reasons.

Pupils will be taught about grooming, sexual exploitation and domestic abuse, including coercive and controlling behaviour.

Schools are also being asked to address the damage caused by female genital mutilation (FGM).