On Friday campaigners for an open and honest sex education policy celebrated the withdrawal of Nadine Dorries MP’s bill to teach girls (and not boys) the virtues of abstinence.
Despite managing to pass through its first reading at 67 votes for and 61 against (Camden Greens have the list of MPs who voted for) Dorries’ Bill was withdrawn rather than get talked out or go down to defeat.
The bill would have seen girls taught to say no to sex and boys simply taught the biology of intercourse. Campaigners have understandably pointed out that while we need better sex education in schools just saying no does not work and that all children, boys and girls, need improved relationship education.
For example, children are not given decent education around issues of sexual consent or homosexual relationships. Campaigners argued that sex education needs to be honest, tolerant and free from ideological dogma.
A protest outside Parliament gave fun workshops in sex education and speakers from a number of organisations railed against the bill. After the protest Big Smoke caught up with Kate Smurthwaite who explained why she is against the proposals. We also filmed rally contributions from sex educator Lisa Hallgarden and Kate (so good we filmed her twice!).
All images and content are under the creative commons licence. Help yourselves you righteous people although an acknowledgement is always welcome (but not necessary).
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