A Christian mother who took her son’s school to court for allegedly forcing him to attend an LGBT parade, has lost her legal case.
Izzy Montague had taken Heaver's Farm Primary School to court for religious discrimination after she claimed the school’s head teacher had said her son could not opt out of attending the event despite the family’s Christian beliefs.
Following her refusal to allow her son to attend the event, Montague said the school had created a “hostile” and “intimidating” atmosphere for parents who disagree with what she called LGBT ideologies being taught to children.
The 38-year-old also said at least one other parent was told that keeping their child at home during the parade would be considered a legal breach.
In his ruling, Judge Christopher Lethem dismissed the claims, arguing there was little in the parade that was inconsistent with the family’s Christian beliefs.
“The Claimants have argued that the Parade and the teaching in general amount to weaponising education to undermine parental teaching and foster the school’s view. In the cold light of day I cannot ascertain the divergence between the teaching and the Christian views,” the ruling said.
“In short there was no moral re-education and there was no case for exemption,” he stated.
Supported by the Christian Legal Centre, Montague will appeal the court’s decision.
“Throughout this ordeal it has felt like I and my Christian beliefs that have been on trial,” Montague said.
“This is not over and we will appeal this perverse judgment which has made the evidence fit with the school’s agenda.
“What are parents like us meant to do? The Court appears to be as ideologically motivated as the school.
“No parent should have to go through what I, and so many other parents at Heavers Farm have, for wanting to protect the innocence of their children and raise them according to their own beliefs. I am a Christian, and I don’t believe there is anything redeeming about forcing a 4-year-old child to march among rainbow flags and sing ‘gay anthems’.”