The Catholic Church in Scotland has reacted with outrage over the decision to issue schools in the country with official guidance on how to teach Scottish schoolchildren about gay sex.
It is the first time such guidance has been issued since the massive row 6 years ago over ‘Section 2A’ which eventually saw the end of laws that prevented teachers from bringing gay sex education into the classroom.Under the official guidance teachers will now be allowed to discuss issues including safe gay sex and where to get advice on homosexual relationships, reports The Scotsman.
The decision has pitted health professionals against religious groups who have expressed anger at the move.
Scotland’s senior health officials defended their decision to the Scottish newspaper saying the current sex education guidelines need to be expanded because they are “heterosexist”.
They also revealed that homosexuality was not included in sex education guidelines written up following the repeal of Section 2A – the Scottish equivalent of the Section 28 law in England - in 2000.
But under amendments to the Sexual Health Relationships (SHARE) sex education programme teachers will now be able to discuss homosexual relationship issues in the classroom when the new academic year begins in August.To quite graphically equip children with information about same-sex relationships is appalling, outrageous and utterly unnecessary.
Spokesman for Catholic Church in Scotland
Pupils will now be able to discuss protection from sexually transmitted diseases for lesbians and gay men, how to access sexual health services for homosexuals, and same-sex crushes.
Shirley Fraser, health improvement programme manager for Health Scotland, said: "Teachers felt they didn't know what to say about same-sex relationships. They felt uncomfortable and wanted to be appropriate without being offensive.
