The Inclusion of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity in Relationships Education: Faith-Based Objections and the European Convention on Human Rights

Posted: 27 Jan 2021 Last revised: 2 Jul 2021

Date Written: October 28, 2020

Abstract

All primary schools in England are under a statutory requirement to provide ‘relationships education’, which includes ‘LGBT content’. The inclusion of content relating to sexual orientation and gender identity has attracted faith-based opposition. Such opposition, which is based on assertions about relationships education interfering with the right of parents to ensure that the education of their children is in conformity with their religious convictions, is likely to lead to legal action in the English courts and perhaps the European Court of Human Rights. This article anticipates the claims that would be made in any legal action and critically interrogates them through the lens of the European Convention on Human Rights.

Keywords: faith, religion, European Court of Human Rights, LGBT, sexual orientation, gender identity, schools, discrimination, human rights

Suggested Citation

Johnson, Paul and Falcetta, Silvia, The Inclusion of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity in Relationships Education: Faith-Based Objections and the European Convention on Human Rights (October 28, 2020). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3721490 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3721490

Paul Johnson (Contact Author)

University of Leeds ( email )

Leeds, LS2 9JT
United Kingdom

Silvia Falcetta

University of York ( email )

Heslington
University of York
York, YO10 5DD
United Kingdom

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