MPs vote for LGBT inclusive sex and relationship education from primary school It is the first time relationship education guidance has been changed since 2000

MPs have voted in favour of LGBT inclusive relationship and sex education for schools in England by a resounding majority.

538 MPs backed the proposal, brought by Education Secretary Damian Hinds, which will mean children are taught about different family models from primary school. 21 MPs opposed the measure.

If the regulations are approved by the House of Lords, the final guidance is set to be published and come into force from September 2020.

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The issue has caused deep divisions in some communities, with several schools in Birmingham facing protests from parents over existing LGBT inclusive relationship guidance.

The 21 MPs who opposed the measure: Bob Blackman Christopher Chope Philip Davies Charlie Elphicke Marcus Fysh James Gray Philip Hollobone Ranil Jayawardena Edward Leigh Julian Lewis Matthew Offord Martin Vickers Gregory Campbell Nigel Dodds Jeffrey Donaldson Paul Girvan Gavin Robinson Jim Shannon Sammy Wilson Fiona Onasanya John Spellar

What the new rules mean

Under the new rules, pupils will be taught about different types of relationships and family models.

This will include same-sex couples and parents, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender identities and also the effects of stereotypes about such groups.

All students, whether they are LGBT or not, should have the time and space to learn about the diversity that exists and makes our world beautiful Mo Wiltshire, Stonewall

The new guidance will apply to primary schools as well as secondary schools, but teaching must be “sensitive and age appropriate”.

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.

Among MPs who opposed the measure was Sir Christopher Chope, who came to notoriety when he blocked a bill to outlaw upskirting, and independent MP Fiona Onasanya, who was expelled from Labour after she was found guilty of perverting the course of justice.

In total, 12 Conservative MPs, 7 DUP MPs, 1 Labour MP and 1 independent MP voted against the measure. Most MPs representing constituencies outside of England abstained, as education is a devolved issue.

It is the first time sex and relationship education guidance has been updated in 20 years.

School bullying

According to LGBT+ charity Stonewall, two in five LGBT+ pupils are taught nothing about such issues in school.

Nearly half of LGBT pupils are still bullied due to their identity, the research found.

Today’s a historic day for England’s schools – LGBT-inclusive Relationships and Sex Education has now been approved by the Commons and is one step closer to becoming a reality for students and teachers from 2020 onwards #RSE https://t.co/qHVyrVCr4z pic.twitter.com/GEh6BEM7tK — stonewalluk (@stonewalluk) March 27, 2019

Director of education and youth, Mo Wiltshire, said: “These new subjects have the potential to deliver real change in how LGBT families, people and relationships are taught about. This will help foster greater inclusion, acceptance and understanding in our classrooms, playgrounds and school corridors.



“All students, whether they are LGBT or not, should have the time and space to learn about the diversity that exists and makes our world beautiful.”

Research by Terrence Higgins Trust, a charity that campaigns on sexual health, found that 97 per cent of young people support the move.

Spokesperson Alex Phillips said: “This is a historic day for both Relationships and Sex Education and for all young people across England.

“We now know that from September 2020 that RSE will finally be compulsory in all schools in England and that no more young people will be let down when it comes to learning about sex and relationships.”

Opposition

Some parents and campaigners have expressed opposition to the changes.

Parkfield Community School in Birmingham has found itself at the forefront of the debate following protests against its No Outsiders programme, which teaches kids about LGBT identities. Some Muslim parents say this goes against their religious beliefs.

Read More Parents’ row over LGBT lessons in Parkfield could herald a wider argument

Mariam Ahmed, who has a four-year-old daughter at the school, told i that it is “absolutely wrong” the lessons are taking place.

“My child is four, and I found out that in the No Outsiders programme, she’ll be taught about homosexuality at her age,” she said.

“We’re getting children confused. I’m not saying we don’t need to tell our children about it, but we want to tell them when we feel it’s appropriate.”