Homophobia Fears in State-Funded Faith Schools

London, 8 December 2008 — The Gay and Lesbian Humanist Association (GALHA) has called on Children, Schools and Families Secretary Ed Balls to investigate reports that a “Section 28”-style prohibition on the “promotion” of homosexuality is being enforced in state-funded “academy” schools sponsored by the Christian organisation Oasis Community Learning.

In the letter to Mr Balls, GALHA secretary David Christmas has said that members of GALHA have been “disturbed” that Oasis, which is the sponsor of academies such as Mayfield Academy, has a sex and relationships education policy that states “The Oasis Community Learning Board will not permit the promotion of homosexuality”.

Mr Christmas praised the Labour Government’s repeal of Section 28, and the protection from discrimination they had introduced for LGBT people in the provision of goods and services, and he concluded “We hope that you are as concerned as we are to ensure that homophobia is given no quarter in our education system. We look forward to hearing that you will investigate these allegations and, if they are found to be correct, take action to reverse this policy of an organisation which holds a government contract for the provision of schools.”

Concern has also been expressed that Stagecoach boss Brian Souter, who funded a campaign against the repeal of Section 28, is believed to have provided funding for Oasis Community Learning.