The Conversation (0)
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Louis Staples
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Over the last few weeks, the place of LGBT+ issues in the school curriculum has been a topic of discussion after parents in Birmingham objected to classes which educated their children about the existence of LGBT+ people.
The lessons as Parkfield school and several others, which taught children about the importance of diversity in relation to sexual orientation, faith, gender identity and racial background, were momentarily stopped, but then re-started again. Though protests outside the school continue.
The row was exacerbated by an intervention from Labour MP Shabana Mahmood, who appeared to support the right of Muslim parents to object to the lessons. Tory MP Andrea Leadsom then interjected, saying it is right that parents decide when their children are “exposed” to LGBT+ issues.
Though when the House of Commons took a vote on compulsory, LGBT-inclusive education this week, the vote was passed by a majority of 538 to 21. This historic vote sees the first Relationship and Sex Education guidance since 2000.
Given that this issue has been in the news, the BBC’s flagship political programme Question Time decided to cover it as part of a weekly analysis of political issues.
Our final question is about learning about relationships at school. #bbcqt https://t.co/QgVKWjiXnw— BBC Question Time (@BBC Question Time) 1553815485
But the framing of the question has drawn criticism.
People took exception to the BBC inserting the phrase “morally right”, which was perceived by many to be framing the question in the wrong terms.
Many LGBT+ people expressed outrage at the wording of the question.
@bbcquestiontime This is deliberate phrasing and it’s not only insulting but damaging. I hope the increase in heate… https://t.co/80JVAXkMwI— David Ames (@David Ames) 1553819348
I was starting to realise I was gay around that age. And that being different made me a target. How is it morally r… https://t.co/RoJimtxRrB— Olly Barter (@Olly Barter) 1553846937
Colour me shocked that a platform who has no problem having far-right guests, demonising immigrants and the poor, c… https://t.co/7rsd7woZc5— Dr. Alfredo Carpineti 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ (@Dr. Alfredo Carpineti 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️) 1553842411
Good morning to everyone except the person at the BBC making these fucking reprehensible editorial decisions https://t.co/wgBfNBFvJO— andy (@andy) 1553845637
is it morally right that lgbt+ people pay the license fee to have their existence questioned by the bbc????— John ✌️ (@John ✌️) 1553816946
Stop asking questions like this it's really starting to sound like the BBC would rather people like me weren't aliv… https://t.co/kIabgoCri0— Alex Scroxton 🏳️🌈🇪🇺 (@Alex Scroxton 🏳️🌈🇪🇺) 1553815630
Is it morally right for the BBC to use my license fee to question whether it’s ok for children to be aware of my ex… https://t.co/Vvn9oJXTWW— Kieran Lowe (@Kieran Lowe) 1553817587
I can tell you what isn’t ‘morally right’ A 14 year old coming to terms with being gay & seeing the BBC open a de… https://t.co/JPoKU2Qvaf— Luke Tryl (@Luke Tryl) 1553846990
This is the FOURTH incident of the BBC abusing its platform to fuel a toxic, dangerous and wholly immoral “debate”… https://t.co/ykXmj73FQl— 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️Nick Coveney🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈 (@🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️Nick Coveney🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈) 1553851583
Despite the problematic phrasing, responses from panellists and audience members were positive.
Though it remains to be seen what the merits were of debating the rights of a minority group in this way, particularly seeing as parliament had already passed the new RSE guidelines.
This audience member says it would be ‘irresponsible’ not to teach LGBT to five-year-olds. #bbcqt https://t.co/MxrDrv84Qi— BBC Question Time (@BBC Question Time) 1553816237
indy100 contacted the BBC for comment to ask if the programme regrets the phrasing of the question. The BBC did not immediately respond.
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