Books that introduce gay relationships to children aged 4-11 are being launched in a selection of UK schools. The concept has rattled a few religious groups, echoing the uproar of the '80s when a similar scheme caught the imagination of the tabloid press. “The most important thing these books do is reflect reality for young children,” say Elizabeth Atkinson, director of the ‘No Outsiders' project by Sunderland and Exeter universities and London's Institute of Education. “My background is in children's literature and I know how powerful it is in shaping social values and emotional development. What books do not say is as important as what they do.” Atkinson argued that the absence of gay relationships in children's books amounted to 'silencing a social message', fueling playground ignorance which can lead to bullying and isolation for children who're gay or perceived to be. The ‘No Outsiders' project is being launched in 14 schools North East, the South West, London and the Midlands, it will be extended nationwide if it's deemed a success. The project organisers have yet to reveal which schools are using the books, but faith group Christian Voice has vowed to hunt them down and create a protest to have the books banned. Christian Voice director Stephen Green says "The arrogance of people like Elizabeth Atkinson, using children as guinea pigs is outrageous and thoroughly wicked. "The more you normalise homosexuality, and the more kids see images of homosexual relationships from schoolbooks and authority figures, the more kids think any crushes they have on children of the same sex - which is quite normal at 11 years old - are valid." Ref: Gay.com UK (m)
Credit: GayNZ.com News Staff
First published: Wednesday, 14th March 2007 - 12:00pm