|
|
Section 28 Dead
by Peter Moore
365Gay.com Newscenter
London Bureau
Posted: November 18, 2003 12:01 a.m. ET
(London) Section 28, the notorious law that forbade the "the promotion of homosexuality" officially died today, as the repeal law took effect.
Legislation to remove Section 28 from the law books was given the go-ahead in September when the Local Government Bill was given Royal Assent.
The House of Lords had previously attempted on several occasions to block the government's attempts to repeal the legislation.
But, while the law was repealed by Parliament, one area of the UK is retaining it.
Kent County Council has voted to retain the ban, a move which, it claims, has the backing of schools and parents. Council has decided to maintain a law it put on the local books in 2000 preventing students from being taught about homosexuality or same-sex relationships.
"We have had tremendous backing from schools and parents across the county, who, while wanting to encourage tolerance, are also clear they want to see family, Christian and other religious and traditional values emphasized," a county spokesperson told the BBC Monday night.
But the council's stance has attracted criticism from gay rights groups and from some of the county's teachers.
Sue Sanders from the group Schools Out, an organization for gay, lesbian and bisexual teachers, said: "I would argue what will happen with Kent is teachers will not feel confident, they will not know what to do and they will turn a blind eye, they will ignore stuff.
"And when you don't tackle the issue you are colluding with it, you are enabling it to happen."
Mac Ames, of the Queer Youth Alliance, said: "When the suicide rate amongst young gay men is higher than ever before, it's imperative that our teachers are able to talk to their pupils confidently and impartially about sexuality and choices."
(\\__/) And if you don't believe The sun will rise
(='.'=) Stand alone and greet The coming night
(")_(") In the last remaining light. (C. Cornell)
|
] 
A Place of Safety
Search
Help
Register
Login
Home
Section 28 Is Dead 
