Catholic Church say gay sex lessons are “outrageous” - from Pink News - all the latest gay news from the gay community

Catholic Church say gay sex lessons are "outrageous"

By Benjamin Cohen • May 22, 2006 - 0:00

Teachers can now talk freely about gay sex, sexually transmitted diseases and condoms for safe gay sex

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The Catholic Church in Scotland have condemned the inclusion of gay sex within the syllabus of sex education lessons in Scotland.

Following the abolition of section 28 in Scotland six years ago, teachers can now talk freely about gay sex, sexually transmitted diseases and condoms for safe gay sex.

The Catholic Church in Scotland have branded the inclusion of gay relationships as "appalling, outrageous and utterly unnecessary".

Shirley Fraser, health improvement programme manager for Health Scotland, said: "Teachers felt they didn't know what to say to pupils about same-sex relationships. They felt uncomfortable and wanted to be appropriate, not offensive."

Ms Fraser added that the current sex education guidelines "did not cover diversity issues such as same-sex relationships, so rather than make it heterosexist it will be reflective of the population."

During the abolition of section/ clause 28 in Scotland, Stagecoach founder organised his own referendum on the issue. Jack Irvine who helped organise the unofficial vote said that the Scottish executive were "reneging on their promise not to promote gay sex in schools."

A spokesperson for the Scottish Executive explained that the delivery of sex education is the responsibility of individual schools in consultation with their local education authority. "No new guidance to schools is being issued," she said. "What NHS Health Scotland is doing is offering training to schools should they wish it on a range of diversity and equality issues to help them deliver the SHARE programme."

Yusef Azad, Director of Policy and Campaigns at the National AIDS Trust told PinkNews.co.uk: "We welcome the decision in Scotland to provide training for teachers in addressing issues around homosexuality in sex and relationships education. Too often young lesbian, gay and bisexual people feel alienated by their experience of sex education in school, and do not know where to go for support and advice.

"This is a step forwards in making schools more inclusive for young gay people and will help to protect young gay men from the risks of HIV."

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