Christian Secondary School Teacher Fired after Refusing to Teach 8-Year-Old Pupils Gender and Sexual Identities
Glawdys Leger, 43, taught modern foreign languages at Bishop Justus Church of England School until May, 2022 when she was fired for refusing to teach her 7 and 8-year-old pupils about gender and sexual identities. The teacher was reported by a student and subsequently fired for "gross misconduct" after an investigation and disciplinary hearing. Shortly after, she received a letter from the Teaching Regulation Agency that allegedly her teaching conduct had been "contrary to fundamental British values in that it lacked tolerance to those with different beliefs." Leger, on the other hand, says that she "cannot, in good conscience, teach or say things I believe are contrary to my faith." Leger's hearing is due to commence in Coventry on October 9, 2023.
Bishop Justus Church of England School claims to be the only Church of England comprehensive school in Bromley and offers a distinctive educational ethos based on a Christian foundation.
The lessons reportedly included materials that introduced students aged 11 to 13 about different sexual identities such as pansexual, asexual, intersexual, and different gender identities. The syllabus for religious education also included the suggestion that people could be "born in the wrong body," and encouraged children to have "allyship" for queer people.
In one parental complaint to the school, it was claimed that the teacher had also told students that "transgender people are 'just confused,' and being 'LGBTQ+ is a sin.'" Leger, who had taught at the school since 2017, vehemently denies that she has ever said anything such as "God will not love you if you are LGBTQ+." She said, "I have great compassion for LGBT people, especially those suffering from gender dysphoria. I cannot, however, in good conscience, teach or say things I believe are contrary to my faith, for example saying that same sex sexual relationships are good and/or affirming people with gender dysphoria in their gender confusion... I am certain I have not shown, and never would show, any hatred or lack of love towards LGBT people."
Ms. Leger, who is being supported by the Christian Legal Centre, claims she was "treated like a dangerous criminal" by the school and the Aquinas Church of England Education Trust for refusing to teach the LGBTQ+ lessons that had been incorporated into the religious education curriculum.
UPDATE: As of the 11th of December 2023 the panel ruled that a prohibiton order would not be proportionate or in the public interest so would not be placed however they did find that she acted "significantly short of the standards expected of the profession".
sources: The Telegraph, Metro News, Bishop Justus Church of England School, (Update source) - Ms Glawyds Leger: Professional conduct panel outcome
https://www.thepinknews.com/2023/10/09/teacher-fired-glawdys-leger-lgbtq-sin/
picture: Christian Concern