A devout Christian who accuses the school of forcing her four-year-old son to participate in an LGBT pride parade is suing the institution.
Trending Video: Osei Kwame Despite kneels before President Kufuor on his 61st birthday
In June 2018, Izzy Montagu, 38, claimed that the principal of Heavers Farm Primary School in South Norwood, southeast London, informed her that her son could not refuse to participate in the activity.
The school invited parents to participate in a Pride march and "celebrate the differences that make them and their family distinctive" in a letter that was issued to them on June 19.
However, Mrs. Montague called the school a week later "and requested that her son be excused from attendance on June 29 as they were afraid that he would be involved of a public display of devotion to ideas which she did not approve."
The parent responded with a lengthy email on July 13 after the headteacher, Ms. Susan Papas, rejected Mrs. Montague's request, according to information from Central London County Court.
Judge Christopher Lethem introduced Mrs. Montague and her husband as "devout born-again Christians" who "bear a belief that sexual relations should be abstained from or take place within a life-long marriage between a man and a woman and any activity outside those confines is sinful" at the beginning of the eight-day case.
The most grievous of the deadly sins, according to them, is pride.
The court heard that on September 19, when Mrs. Montague and Ms. Papas were in a meeting, the headmistress's daughter was wearing a t-shirt that read, "Why be racist, sexist, homophobic, or transphobic when you could simply be quiet?"
In her testimony, Mrs. Montague informed the court that she had previously voiced her concerns to her son's teacher regarding the novels the class was reading.
What books were they, inquired Ian Clarke on behalf of the school?
Trending Video: Osei Kwame Despite kneels before President Kufuor on his 61st birthday
"There was one reference to a same-sex family book," Mrs. Montague reported.
Mr. Clarke remarked, "I think it's called The Family Book."
She replied, "I don't remember the specific name, simply that was in the courses.
So, on June 19, you receive this letter, which you see refers to celebrating "the aspects that make our family special."
"I felt like it was lecturing me about something having to do with British principles, and that we weren't upholding British standards," Mrs. Montague retorted.
Where does it say that the letter made a derogatory judgment regarding parents' views, as you also claim in your witness statement? enquired Mr. Clarke.
"I simply believe that this letter was really attempting to hammer into parents and drive into them something that hasn't happened before," Mrs. Montague retorted.
"You claim the letter is driving you into the indoctrination of an LGBT lifestyle, where does it state that," Mr. Clarke questioned.
The court heard Mrs. Montague's statement, "I don't know, I just thought a topic had brought up."
"I obviously didn't know about it, but I think this was the technique to try to indoctrinate it onto us by passing it off as part of legislation or part of British values, or it was part of the national curriculum, it was trying to sell something no one wanted to purchase," the author said.
reading from a blog that the school released on June 18, 2018. The theme of this June's Pride event, according to Mr. Clarke, is "learning about the diversity of our entire school community and addressing bullying."
As I understand it, you don't have a problem with addressing bullying and recognizing the diversity of the entire school community, right?, he questioned the parent.
Me personally, it's not something I would celebrate, Ms. Montague retorted. I'm not one to choose to rejoice in it.
"I believe it is beneficial when the larger community joins together so that we may learn and coexist."
I'm not sure if you mean to celebrate by throwing a party, but I wouldn't go.
Isn't the school only using June to commemorate broader concerns of diversity and tolerance, Mr. Clarke questioned?
I think it's utilizing pride month and other concerns at that time to sell pride month, Ms. Montague retorted.
I believe that diversity can be simply celebrated without having anything to do with Pride Month.
Mr. Clarke questioned, "So, if they did it on May 29, would we all be sitting here?"
We would still be seated here if they had celebrated any sexual lives in any way, claimed Ms. Montague.
So being Pride Month is neither here nor there, Mr. Clarke questioned.
"A month dedicated to promoting sexual lifestyles" Is an issue in any month," Ms. Montague added.
Mrs. Montague is suing the school on the grounds of direct and indirect discrimination, victimization, and breach of statutory obligation under the Education Act of 1996 and the Human Rights Act of 1998 with the assistance of the Christian Legal Center.
The hearing keeps going.
Trending Video: Osei Kwame Despite kneels before President Kufuor on his 61st birthday
