Labour MP Shabana Mahmood faces backlash over LGBT education comments

Labour MP Shabana Mahmood has responded to backlash after she raised concerns about LGBT-inclusive lessons in primary schools in a parliament meeting last month.

In a blog post published on Tuesday (March 5), the MP for Birmingham Ladywood denied siding with predominantly-Muslim parents at a Birmingham primary school who have staged weeks of protests opposing LGBT-inclusive relationships education, and some of whom accused the school of “promoting homosexuality.”

In the blog, Mahmood insisted: “Nowhere have I said that LGBT relationships should not be taught – because that’s not my position.

“Nowhere have I backed the terrible homophobic banners and hostile protests at Parkfield school in Birmingham – because they are wrong, defeatist and feed the very prejudices I want to help eradicate.”

The MP has faced significant backlash over a speech in Westminster on February 25 in which she relayed purported concerns from constituents about the “age appropriateness” of primary-level relationships education.

She said: “Most of my constituents have been contacting me about the specifics of mandatory relationships education at primary school.

“None of my constituents is seeking particular or differential opt outs at secondary school level.

“It is all about the age appropriateness of conversations with young children in the context of religious backgrounds.”

It’s vital that schools follow the guidance for teaching #RSE, with parental engagement and proper consideration for pupils’ religion and background. Yesterday, I made this clear to Education ministers in response to a petition signed by 1,763 #Birmingham #Ladywood constituents. pic.twitter.com/M3Whe4SgDs

— Shabana Mahmood (@ShabanaMahmood) February 26, 2019