Muslims are to lead the Birmingham Pride parade for the first time this weekend, alongside a gay primary school teacher who has faced threats over his lessons on families with same-sex parents.

Members of the LGBT+ Muslim community will join Andrew Moffat, assistant head at Parkfield Community School, at the front of the parade during an event which is due to attract thousands.

The move comes amid ongoing protests against LGBT+ lessons at primary schools in the city.

Anderton Park primary school, which has been the scene of ongoing protests over LGBT+ equality lessons, was forced to close early on Friday over safety fears as demonstrators stepped up their activities.

Education secretary, Damian Hinds, said it was “unacceptable” that children were missing out on education because of the threat of protests outside the school, as he called for them to end.

London Pride 2018: in pictures Show all 47 1 /47 London Pride 2018: in pictures London Pride 2018: in pictures Members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community take part in the annual Pride Parade in London on July 7, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / Tolga AKMENTOLGA AKMEN/AFP/Getty Images TOLGA AKMEN AFP/Getty Images London Pride 2018: in pictures LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 07: Mayor of London Sadiq Khan (C) opens the Pride In London parade on July 7, 2018 in London, England. It is estimated over 1 million people will take to the streets and approximately 30,000 people and 472 organisations will join the annual parade, which is one of the world's biggest LGBT+ celebrations. (Photo by Tristan Fewings/Getty Images for Pride In London) Tristan Fewings Getty London Pride 2018: in pictures London Pride 2018 Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou London Pride 2018: in pictures People take part in the Pride in London Parade in central London. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Saturday July 7, 2018. Photo credit should read: John Stillwell/PA Wire John Stillwell PA London Pride 2018: in pictures London Pride 2018 Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou London Pride 2018: in pictures London Pride 2018 Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou London Pride 2018: in pictures LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 07: Chelsea fans walk the parade during Pride In London on July 7, 2018 in London, England. It is estimated over 1 million people will take to the streets and approximately 30,000 people and 472 organisations will join the annual parade, which is one of the world's biggest LGBT+ celebrations. (Photo by Tristan Fewings/Getty Images for Pride In London) Tristan Fewings Getty Images for Pride In London London Pride 2018: in pictures London Pride 2018 Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou London Pride 2018: in pictures London Pride 2018 Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou London Pride 2018: in pictures LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 07: A parade goer during Pride In London on July 7, 2018 in London, England. It is estimated over 1 million people will take to the streets and approximately 30,000 people and 472 organisations will join the annual parade, which is one of the world's biggest LGBT+ celebrations. (Photo by Jack Taylor/Getty Images for Pride In London) Jack Taylor Getty Images for Pride In London London Pride 2018: in pictures London Pride 2018 Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou London Pride 2018: in pictures Members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community take part in the annual Pride Parade in London on July 7, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / Tolga AKMENTOLGA AKMEN/AFP/Getty Images TOLGA AKMEN AFP/Getty Images London Pride 2018: in pictures London Pride 2018 Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou London Pride 2018: in pictures People take part in the Pride in London Parade in central London. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Saturday July 7, 2018. Photo credit should read: John Stillwell/PA Wire John Stillwell PA London Pride 2018: in pictures London Pride 2018 Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou London Pride 2018: in pictures People take part in the Pride in London Parade in central London. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Saturday July 7, 2018. Photo credit should read: John Stillwell/PA Wire John Stillwell PA London Pride 2018: in pictures London Pride 2018 Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou London Pride 2018: in pictures Members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community take part in the annual Pride Parade in London on July 7, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / Tolga AKMENTOLGA AKMEN/AFP/Getty Images TOLGA AKMEN AFP/Getty Images London Pride 2018: in pictures Members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community take part in the annual Pride Parade in London on July 7, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / Tolga AKMENTOLGA AKMEN/AFP/Getty Images TOLGA AKMEN AFP/Getty Images London Pride 2018: in pictures London Pride 2018 Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou London Pride 2018: in pictures London Pride 2018 Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou London Pride 2018: in pictures London Pride 2018 Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou London Pride 2018: in pictures LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 07: Parade goers during Pride In London on July 7, 2018 in London, England. It is estimated over 1 million people will take to the streets and approximately 30,000 people and 472 organisations will join the annual parade, which is one of the world's biggest LGBT+ celebrations. (Photo by Tristan Fewings/Getty Images for Pride In London) Tristan Fewings Getty Images for Pride In London London Pride 2018: in pictures LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 07: A parade goer during Pride In London on July 7, 2018 in London, England. It is estimated over 1 million people will take to the streets and approximately 30,000 people and 472 organisations will join the annual parade, which is one of the world's biggest LGBT+ celebrations. (Photo by Jack Taylor/Getty Images for Pride In London) Jack Taylor Getty Images for Pride In London London Pride 2018: in pictures London Pride 2018 Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou London Pride 2018: in pictures LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 07:The rainbow flag at Piccadilly Circuse during Pride In London on July 7, 2018 in London, England. It is estimated over 1 million people will take to the streets and approximately 30,000 people and 472 organisations will join the annual parade, which is one of the world's biggest LGBT+ celebrations. (Photo by Tristan Fewings/Getty Images for Pride In London) Tristan Fewings Getty Images for Pride In London London Pride 2018: in pictures London Pride 2018 Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou London Pride 2018: in pictures People take part in the Pride in London Parade in central London. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Saturday July 7, 2018. Photo credit should read: John Stillwell/PA Wire John Stillwell PA London Pride 2018: in pictures London Pride 2018 Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou London Pride 2018: in pictures London Pride 2018 Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou London Pride 2018: in pictures London Pride 2018 Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou London Pride 2018: in pictures London Pride 2018 Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou London Pride 2018: in pictures London Pride 2018 Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou London Pride 2018: in pictures London Pride 2018 Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou London Pride 2018: in pictures epa06870798 Participants carry a giant Rainbow flag as tens of thousands of people attend the annual London Pride Parade in London, Britain, 07 July 2018. Londoners turned out in support of the LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender/Transsexual) community. EPA/ANDY RAIN ANDY RAIN EPA London Pride 2018: in pictures London Pride 2018 Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou London Pride 2018: in pictures London Pride 2018 Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou London Pride 2018: in pictures LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 07: Mayor of London Sadiq Khan (C) opens the Pride In London parade on July 7, 2018 in London, England. It is estimated over 1 million people will take to the streets and approximately 30,000 people and 472 organisations will join the annual parade, which is one of the world's biggest LGBT+ celebrations. (Photo by Tristan Fewings/Getty Images for Pride In London) Tristan Fewings Getty London Pride 2018: in pictures LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 07: A view along Regents Street ahead of the parade during Pride In London on July 7, 2018 in London, England. It is estimated over 1 million people will take to the streets and approximately 30,000 people and 472 organisations will join the annual parade, which is one of the world's biggest LGBT+ celebrations. (Photo by Jack Taylor/Getty Images for Pride In London) Jack Taylor Getty London Pride 2018: in pictures People take part in the Pride in London Parade in central London. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Saturday July 7, 2018. Photo credit should read: John Stillwell/PA Wire John Stillwell PA London Pride 2018: in pictures Members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community take part in the annual Pride Parade in London on July 7, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / Tolga AKMENTOLGA AKMEN/AFP/Getty Images TOLGA AKMEN AFP/Getty London Pride 2018: in pictures LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 07: A view along Regents Street ahead of the parade during Pride In London on July 7, 2018 in London, England. It is estimated over 1 million people will take to the streets and approximately 30,000 people and 472 organisations will join the annual parade, which is one of the world's biggest LGBT+ celebrations. (Photo by Jack Taylor/Getty Images for Pride In London) Jack Taylor Getty London Pride 2018: in pictures Members and supporters of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community wait for the start of the annual Pride Parade in London on July 7, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / Tolga AKMENTOLGA AKMEN/AFP/Getty Images TOLGA AKMEN AFP/Getty London Pride 2018: in pictures LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 07: Labour party members walk the parade during Pride In London on July 7, 2018 in London, England. It is estimated over 1 million people will take to the streets and approximately 30,000 people and 472 organisations will join the annual parade, which is one of the world's biggest LGBT+ celebrations. (Photo by Tristan Fewings/Getty Images for Pride In London) Tristan Fewings Getty Images for Pride In London London Pride 2018: in pictures People take part in the Pride in London Parade in central London. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Saturday July 7, 2018. Photo credit should read: John Stillwell/PA Wire John Stillwell PA London Pride 2018: in pictures LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 07: Barefoot Wine are the official wine sponsor of Pride In London and have been a proud ally of the LGBTQ community since 1988. They celebrated in this years parade with 6 dancing wine bottles matching the 6 different colours of the pride rainbow on July 7, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Mark Milan/Getty Images for Barefoot Wine ) Mark Milan Getty Images for Barefoot Wine London Pride 2018: in pictures LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 07: A proposal of marriage is accepted during Pride In London on July 7, 2018 in London, England. It is estimated over 1 million people will take to the streets and approximately 30,000 people and 472 organisations will join the annual parade, which is one of the world's biggest LGBT+ celebrations. (Photo by Tristan Fewings/Getty Images for Pride In London) Tristan Fewings Getty Images for Pride In London

Protests first began at Parkfield Community School in February over Mr Moffat’s equality teachings on the existence of same-sex parents, and opposition has since spread across the country.

Saima Razzaq, a gay Muslim from an LGBT+ group set up following the protests, will lead the parade alongside Khakan Quereshi, who runs the Birmingham South Asians LGBT+ group, and Mr Moffat.

Ms Razzaq said: “As a gay Muslim woman, visibility for me is more important than it’s ever been. Whilst the fanfare outside schools continues, protesters need to understand that their actions will have a devastating impact on children from all communities.

“I don’t want to see anymore suicides within the South Asian community. I don’t want anyone to grow up in shame. I don’t want anyone to be forced to choose between their community, their faith or their family to simply be themselves.”

She added: “When Andrew invited Khakan and I to lead the parade with him, we made it our mission to ensure that all our Muslim and South Asian LGBTQI community and allies were going to be marching with us.

“There’s people coming from all over the UK to join in on this historic moment.”

Earlier this week, a senior police chief called for the demonstrations outside Anderton Park to come to an end, as he said they have no place outside primary schools.

Ruth Hunt, chief executive of Stonewall, has warned that the country is in danger of “going backwards” over LGBT+ equality, especially in light of recent protests outside school gates.

Ms Hunt has called on equality campaigners to make sure their voices are heard, adding that the LGBT+ community cannot afford to be “complacent” over victories.

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She added that recent “divisive debates” around LGBT-inclusive education have echoed the conversations that took place when Section 28 – legislation that banned schools from “promoting” homosexuality – was introduced more than 30 years ago.