All cases
Toddlers Allowed to Change Gender without Parental Consent
August 12, 2021, United KingdomUnder the new LGBT inclusivity guidelines, children as young as four will be able to change their names and gender at school, without their parents' consent. A 70-pages document authorized by the Scottish government, dictate teachers to ask pupils for their new names and pronouns instead of questioning their 'decision' to transition to living as the other gender. Campaigners fear for the safeguarding of children and the breach of parental rights to protect their children. Scottish lawyer Aiden O'Neill fears that this move could be very illegal and potentially dangerous.
Update: Christian School Worker Fired for Facebook Post Allowed to Appeal
July 15, 2021, United Kingdom45-year-old Christian, Kristie Higgs, was fired from her job in 2020 for posting concerns about LGBT+ ideology being implemented in her son's school. The anonymous complaint leading to her being fired stated her post was "homophobic and prejudiced". Mrs Higgs posted the post on her private Facebook page only visible to her family and friends. In an Employment Appeal Tribunal, His Honour Judge (HHJ) Taylor ruled in favour of Mrs Higgs stating: “This appeal potentially raises important issues on the approach to be adopted by the Tribunals to manifestation and expression of beliefs”. Higgs has now appealed her case which will be heard starting on the 27th of February.
Catholic Organisations Criticizes Adoption of Matic-Report by European Parliament
July 6, 2021, ItalyCatholic groups all over Europe joined together on defending religious freedom. In a joint statement, 14 organisations criticised the adoption of the Matic Report by the European Parliament. The Report formally labelled "Report on the situation of sexual and reproductive health and rights in the EU, in the frame of women’s health", just made abortion a "human right", declared conscientious objection as a "denial of medical care" and undermines Parent's Rights. The Holy See and Bishops all over Europe are deeply saddened by this outcome.
Update: Relationship and Sexuality Education in Welsh Schools Sparks Debate around Parent's Rights
July 2, 2021, United KingdomIn Wales the adoption of a new Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE) is being discussed. While the Welsh government is considering its adoption, some parents, like Izzy Montague, are raising serious concerns about the protection of children. If accepted RSE will start with the next academic year. Parents and education specialists are raising serious concerns about what its adoption would mean for our society as it is known.
Spain: New Transgender Law Passed Council of Ministers
June 29, 2021, SpainOn 29 June, the Spanish government voted to approve a draft law about gender self-determination. The approval of the drafted law received opposition since it blurs the concept of biological sex. Another aspect highly criticised in the draft law is the interference with "parental guardianship". Although it passed the Council of Ministers the draft law has yet to pass the parliament to be added to the already existing law surrounding LGBT+. Changes to the draft law could happen.
EU Parliament Passed Matić Report Threatening Freedom of Conscience and Parental Rights
June 24, 2021, BelgiumThe majority of the Parliament of the European Union voted in favour of the Matić Report on 24 June, which makes abortion a human right, denies the rights to contentious objection and demands a LGBTQ+ inclusive sex and relationship education. The report formulates the human right of conscientious objection as "denial of medical care". Critics are also concerned about the potential meaning of the adoption of the report for sexual and relationship education at schools, as it would frame abortion as a form of reproductive health for women and normalise LGBTQ+ relationships.These teachings will most likely collide with the Parental Rights of European Christians and the national competency in this policy field of member states.
New Northern Irish Conversion Therapy Ban Could Criminalise Prayer
June 1, 2021, United KingdomLGBT+ activists are pushing for a nationwide ban of conversion therapies, which would criminalize prayer, preaching, pastoral support and even parenting which opposes the LGBT+ assumptions. Human rights lawyer Jason Coppel urges that this action "would criminalise the legitimate expression of religious beliefs". The Christian Institute "will not hesitate" to take legal action if Northern Ireland's executives introduce "a badly drafted CT ban" which criminalizes "ordinary everyday practices of the church".
Court Decides: 6 Children Taken Away from Catholic Parents for Placing them in Catholic Schools
May 27, 2021, FranceA French court ruled that 6 of 10 children had to be removed from their parents home because their catholic mother enrolled them on a catholic boarding school. Two of the six children have now been put into a foster family of Muslim descent, who refuses to educate the children in accordance with their Catholic faith, mother Clare says. The children have additionally been taken out of their Catholic boarding schools and put back into state schools. The mother also stated that the foster family tries to change their children believe, by teaching them Muslim prayers and worldviews. A petition to help the family get their children back has been launched.
Proposed Conversion Therapy Ban Potentially Threatens Religious Freedom
May 26, 2021, United KingdomA Proposed conversion therapy ban could cause "an unlawful interference" with several human rights laws protecting the freedom of religious belief and expression, says human rights lawyer P Havers. Everyday Christian activity could also be criminalized says, Havers. The ban would criminalise biblical teaching on human sexuality and gender. The UK government is considering the proposed ban. A decision is expected in Autumn says a MP.
Equality Legislation in Malta Threatens Freedom of Religion; Conscience; Expression
July 22, 2020, MaltaProposed Equality Bills 96 and 97 are ostensibly aimed at protecting an extensive group of people from discrimination and cover areas such as schools, public religious symbols, and services and employment. The Bills would make it illegal to discriminate on the basis of gender, sexual orientation, age, religious belief, state of health, and other “protected characteristics.” However, many sectors of society, including educators, professionals, business owners, health workers, parents, faith-based groups, and believers are concerned about the laws' overreach.
Organization Barnevernet: Children Taken Away From Parents Because of Religious Teaching
March 10, 2020, NorwayIn Norway 16th November 2015, the Norwegian-Romanian family Bodnariu was forcefully separated, all five children were sent to different foster homes, because of the parents' Christian faith. The school teacher expressed concern to the Child Protection Organization Barnevernet, that the children were taught at home that "God punishes sins". There was no family review or court judgment. The Norwegian Authorities interrogated and intimidated the parents during the process. Two hundred and ten days later, the family could finally be reunited. There are several cases of forced adoption and family separations in Norway, influenced by the Organization Barnevernet. There have been protests against this organization, which has "destroyed many families" according to the victims. In another family, Merlita and Terje, whose son was taken away for 12 years, won the case against Norway after taking it to the European Court of Human Rights. Norway was convicted to human rights violations.
Wales: Parents Lose Right to Withdraw Children from Sex Ed
January 21, 2020, United KingdomFollowing plans first proposed in a government consultation last year, parents of children attending Welsh schools will no longer have a legal right to withdraw their children from compulsory relationships and sex education (RSE), as well as and religious education (RE) classes.
"Parental Pin" Policy Prompts Legal Action and Debate in Spain
January 20, 2020, SpainA new policy aimed at affirming parental authority in Spanish schools in Murcia has made national headlines in the country. The so-called 'Parental Pin' would oblige schools in the autonomous region of Murcia to seek the permission of parents for student participation in extra-curricular activities, including lessons and workshops on LGBT issues given by external speakers.
High Court Permanently Bans Protests against "No Outsiders" School Programme
November 26, 2019, United KingdomA High Court judge ruled in favor of an exclusion zone around a school in Birmingham permanent, preventing parents from protesting outside the grounds against the "No Outsiders" primary school programme that teaches about LGBT relationships. Many parents and activists claim the programme contradicts their faith and is not "age appropriate." A temporary exclusion zone was first imposed by the courts in the summer after months of protests outside Anderton Park Primary School by mostly Muslim parents. Birmingham City Council claimed that the order was sought from the courts over safety concerns.
Legal Extension of IVF Met with Staunch Opposition in France
October 6, 2019, FranceTens of thousands of French protestors took to the streets of Paris on October 6th to protest the draft bioethics law which passed the lower house of parliament on September 25th. The bill would, amongst other provisions, allow all women under 43 the right to "medically assisted procreation," including in-vitro fertilization (IVF), regardless of their relationship status, or sexual orientation. Currently, French law only allows access to IVF to heterosexual couples unable to have children through natural means, who are either married, or who have lived together for two years.
UK School Employee Challeges Dismissal for Raising Concerns about Sex Education
April 16, 2019, United KingdomKristie Higgs, a Christian school worker will challenge a Gloucestershire school academy’s decision to dismiss her for gross misconduct. She was dismissed after she shared two posts on her Facebook page in October 2018 that raised concerns about Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) at another school in the same village - her child’s Church of England primary school. Higgs was told following an investigation and a six hour hearing that she would be dismissed without notice for gross misconduct.
Sex Education Guidelines May Interfere with Parents' Rights
March 4, 2019, United KingdomNew "relationships and sex education" (RSE) guidance published on February 25th requires schools to teach primary and secondary school children about LGBT relationships and may not permit parents to opt-out. Parents of primary school children are permitted to withdraw their children from the sex education component of RSE, but the relationships component would be mandatory.
Parents Threaten Action against School that Required Children to Participate in Gay Pride Parade
November 20, 2018, United KingdomIn November, several parents of children who were required to participate in a "Proud to be me" pride parade at the Heavers Farm Primary School in South East London threatened legal action. Despite numerous complaints from parents, they were informed that no opt-outs would be allowed. Parents, including Izoduwa Adhedo, reported that they were treated dismissively and victimized following their complaints. "I wasn't even trying to stop the Pride event. I just wanted my child to receive an education, rather than indoctrination," Adhedo said.
"Rainbow Friday" May Violate Polish Constitution and Education Law
October 26, 2018, PolandFor the third year in a row, more than 200 schools across Poland participated in "Rainbow Friday," a campaign to celebrate and promote acceptance of LGBT issues. The Ordo Iuris Institute for Legal Culture examined whether such an addition to the school curriculum violated the education law and interfered with the constitutionally protected rights of parents to direct the education of their children. It encouraged parents who objected to their children's participation in the program to inform the schools of their wishes, and to report violations if their children are compelled to attend.
Parents Halt School Procession during Holy Week
March 23, 2018, SpainThe parents of a two-year old student objected to the school participating in the Viernes de Dolores (Friday of Sorrows) procession. The Escuela Infantil Sagrada Familia organized the procession from the school to the neighborhood parish on March 23rd as part of the traditional celebrations of the Holy Week. The school council approved the voluntary event, but the Andalusian educational authority cancelled it after the parents complained.