Mum launches vile rant about school’s LGBT week – parents and students respond amazingly

A mother who launched a homophobic tirade on Facebook after discovering that her daughter’s school had launched an LGBT awareness week was in for a shock after being rounded on by students and fellow parents alike.

Anna Erickson-Hull, whose daughter is in the sixth-form at King Solomon High School in Ilford Essex, took to Facebook on Monday to blast the Jewish faith school’s week of activities and rainbow badges as forcing “filth” on children, the Jewish Chronicle reports.

“You cannot force this filth on children… It is not lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender week in my house. We will be serving the Lord as usual and NOT promoting sin so KS High School, you can keep your abomination badge,” she wrote in a post, which incorrectly stated that students would be given detention if they didn’t wear the badges.

Though the post was liked and shared several hundred times, students and other parents were quick to rush to the school’s defence in a touching display of solidarity – and the school’s deputy head says that “not one” student has asked not to be involved.

A transgender student at the school, Arthur Lawrence, commented: “I was incredibly moved to find out that this [week] was planned. I’ve spent a lot of my school life feeling like I can’t go to school because of who I am.”

Ruth Landsman, who’s twin sons attend King Solomon, even decided to write her own Facebook post in response, saying: “If one child goes home from KS High School this week no longer considering taking their own life, job done.

“If one more child decides that they have the courage to tell their parents about their confusion at their sexuality, job done. So pleased that the school has chosen to support LGBT week and promote tolerance and understanding in our own community.”

Her riposte to the homophobic mum received hundreds of likes, and Ms Landsman told the Jewish Chronicle she was proud to support the school’s LGBT week.

She said: “I am proud of the school for encouraging tolerance. It is a fantastic thing. My sons were proud to wear their badges. I didn’t realise my comments would get so much support.

“One mother contacted me to say her 13-year-old daughter was gay and that, by reading my comment, she didn’t feel alone. You never know who you are helping.”

The school’s deputy headteacher, Sam Walters, says he’s been thrilled by his students’ reaction to the original post.

“It is amazing to see how our students have responded,” he said. “They have taken such a mature approach to it and have come together in a really admirable way.

“We haven’t heard from the mother, but I have had parents writing to me to say how thankful they are and how their children have come home this week really interested in what they are learning.”

He added: “The school has a good vibe to it. Not a single student has asked to not be involved. Students have been respectful; they have asked questions and have embraced the week. There is a high level of acceptance that has come through, which is really nice to see.

“As a school, we have a duty to prepare our students for life in modern Britain.”

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