Christian mother who said being gay ‘is a choice’ takes school to court over Pride event

Words: Jamie Tabberer; picture: Izzy Montague on Good Morning Britain in 2019 arguing against LGBTQ lessons in schools (ITV)

A Christian mother is to take her son’s former primary school to court this week, alleging he was forced to take part in its 2018 Pride celebration against her will.

Izzy Montague claims the headteacher of Heavers Farm Primary School in London told her her then-four-year-old son could not opt-out of the event despite her family’s Christian beliefs (as per ChristianToday.com).

Montague will have her case, supported by the Christian Legal Centre, heard by Central London County Court from 14-21 July. 

“I don’t believe you’re born anything”

Montague – who has since removed her son from the school – alleges direct and indirect discrimination, victimization and breaches of statutory duties under the Education Act 1996 and the Human Rights 1998.

According to Pink News, the school’s headteacher Susan Papas said at the time the event was “a celebration of what makes the children proud,” adding: “This can be what makes them proud about themselves and or what makes them and their families special.”

Ahead of the hearing, Mrs Montague said: “I wasn’t even trying to stop the Pride event. I just wanted my child to receive an education, rather than indoctrination.

“After I complained about my young child being forced to take part in an event that goes against our Christian beliefs, the school’s attitude towards me changed completely. Other parents were afraid to speak up because of how the school treated me.

“It was like being bullied. They stopped treating me like any other parent but were antagonistic towards me. I believe that they retaliated against me by unreasonably excluding me from the premises, victimising my child and not taking my safeguarding concerns seriously.

“I am taking this stand to raise awareness amongst parents as to what is happening in our primary schools. I do not want other parents to go through what I have in the months and years ahead.”

“Totalitolerance”

Andrea Williams, Chief Executive of the Christian Legal Centre, said: “This case epitomises the chaos we can expect to see in the next academic year in our schools and is another example of the ‘totalitolerance’ that has become so prevalent in our society. Those who preach tolerance and diversity the loudest do not appear to be interested in practising it.

“The treatment of parents at Heavers Farm Primary School represents one of the most chilling breaches of parental rights I have ever seen in my many years of working on educational issues.

“Education is always a partnership between the school and parents, but the school’s actions showed disrespect, dismissiveness and hostility towards these parents. A particular agenda is being forced onto children inside the school gates and parents are being given no means to ensure that their children are being taught in line with their religious and philosophical beliefs.”

In 2019, Montague took part in a Good Morning Britain debate and argued against LGBTQ lessons being taught in schools [above].

“I don’t believe you’re born anything – of course I believe it’s a choice,” she said of a person’s sexuality. “Even if I was gay I do personally believe based on my beliefs I feel a heterosexual relationship is the right course of action for me.”

It was reported in 2018 that Montague issued a formal complaint to the school when, upon attending an appointment to discuss her views on the Pride event, she met a staff member with a t-shirt reading: “Why be racist, sexist, homophobic, or transphobic when you could just be quiet?”

Attitude has approached Heavers Farm Primary School for comment.