GAY PROPAGANDA IN SCHOOLS

The House of Lords again turned down the attempt to repeal Section 28 which has been effective in preventing the promotion of homosexuality in schools, even though there had been an Episcopal fudge in introducing a 'stable relationships' clause alongside the promotion of marriage in schools' sex-education classes. The compromise did not persuade the majority in the Lords.

These are days of intense lobbying from homosexuals and their supporters. Ken Livingstone, campaigner to become the mayor of London, announced in the Times (March 30, 2000) that if elected he would use his power to pioneer gay marriages. He would also seek to terminate GLC contracts with firms that he believes are "homophobic" - a clear threat to the bus company Stagecoach, which is run by the Section 28 campaigner Brian Souter. "I would not countenance London buses becoming associated with that sort of cause," said Ken Livingstone.

Again, Britain's first "homosexual" police station is to open in Edinburgh as part of a campaign to improve the level of trust between officers and the city's homosexual community (The Times, March 30, 2000). It will be staffed by officers trained to help homosexuals who have been attacked.

A fascinating glimpse of modern government has been provided in the celebrated "teacher's pack" produced by the Avon Health Promotion Service, entitled "A Practical Guide To Challenging Homophobia in Schools."

This is the glossy package, complete with video, that advises teachers how they can play games in which teenage pupils are asked to act out various roles, such as being "a female sex industry worker", a "62-year-old lesbian woman", a "black disabled lesbian who is also a wheelchair user", a "black disabled gay man", a "male to female transgendered person", a "16-year-old Asian lesbian" and so forth.

The aim is for the children to explore how such people might experience prejudice and persecution; how to "challenge homophobia confidently and honestly"; and how people are only "taught to be heterosexual" by such things as "images bombarding us from media." Under the heading "Brainstorm activity", it is suggested pupils should give names of "famous lesbians and gay men in history and present day" such as Freddie Mercury, George Michael, Quentin Crisp and "Pat in 'Eastenders'"

There is no secret about the fact that Avon health officials have been given public money to produce this package, or that it is already being used in schools in various parts of the country. Yet what is odd is how coy the politicians become whenever they are asked about it.

In Scotland last month, the Prime Minister expressed incredulity. "People are being told their children will have to play - what was it? - homosexual role-playing in schools...it's nonsense." Such a thing could never happen, "not under this Government. Not ever."

Again in the House of Lords last week Baroness Blackstone poured scorn on any suggestion that the Government could possibly be responsible for such things, although she did eventually admit that Department of Health guidelines recommend use of "role-playing" in school "sex lessons."

Christopher Booker asks, "Is this not a perfect picture of how our system of government so often operates these days? Officials charge off on their own, doing every kind of thing which provokes amazement. Yet when ministers are challenged on what the officials are up to, they either deny it is happening at all, or at best defend it with petulant self-righteousness. No one seems to be in charge. So the lunacy rolls on" (Sunday Telegraph, March 26, 2000).GEOFF THOMAS