Parents fume over 'transgender day' in U.K. school to teach children 'British values'

Schoolchildren pose for a group picture inside their classroom in England.Reuters

Parents are threatening to keep their children from attending class on the day the Church of England primary school in Hartfield, East Sussex holds its "transgender day" event, which was designed by the school to "empower lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans young people."

The school's head teacher, Emma Maltby, said the classes are part of meeting the government's requirement to teach children "British values."

"As part of the national curriculum, we spend time talking to the children about British values of tolerance, respect and celebrating differences," she said.

But Christian parents are outraged, according to Charisma News. The classes on transsexualism will encourage children to "explore" their sexuality, and parents are complaining that the event is only going to "satisfy adult political agendas."

The Christian Institute spokesman Simon Calvert said children do not need to be taught about the homosexual lifestyle to show respect towards it.

"Of course we want children to respect all people, but we don't have to introduce very young children to every conceivable lifestyle in order to teach respect," he said. "We ought to be very, very careful indeed about introducing subjects to satisfy adult political agendas that have a confusing impact on children."

One mother, who chose to remain anonymous, commented that conducting "transgender day" isn't the right opportunity to introduce their children to the homosexual lifestyle.

"Kids need to be left alone when it comes to things like this, they just want to run around the playground not be told they need to 'think differently' about gender issues," she said.

Another parent added: "Some parents have announced their intention to keep their children from school on at least one day" because they "feel the welfare of their children is under threat."