Twitter erupts after BBC Question Time asks 'is it morally right to teach kids LGBT issues?'

Twitter users have reacted with anger, frustration and humour after Question Time posted on the platform asking whether people thought it was immoral to teach children as young as five about LGBT issues. 

The tweet, which was posted last Thursday, came a day after the House of Commons voted in favour of LGBT-inclusive regulations for Relationships and Sex Education (RSE).

Photo: Pexels.com 

Teaching primary school children about LGBT topics has been heavily debated of late, after several schools in Birmingham stopped their LGBT inclusive teaching following complaints and even boycotts by parents. A move which has been heavily criticised. 

On the programme there was a near unanimous agreement between the panel and audience members that not only would it be moral to teach about LGBT relationships in schools, but additionally - as one of the audience members stated - it would be “irresponsible not to.”

The reaction on Twitter was far more heated with many, including Strictly Come Dancing star Dr Ranj, scrutinising the wording of the question itself.  

WHY IS THIS TWEET STILL UP?!?!

— Ranj Singh (@DrRanj) March 29, 2019

This is deliberate phrasing and it’s not only insulting but damaging.
I hope the increase in heated Tweets/responses to this is worth the suggestion that learning of the mere existence of a minority is immoral.

— David Ames (@semadivad) March 29, 2019

As a teacher, and as someone who sees the confidence of gay teenagers and the acceptance of their friends on a daily basis, I cannot believe the wording of this question. I am a great advocate of the BBC, but you should apologise and change this question. Totally unacceptable.

— Rachael (@Rachspeirs) March 30, 2019

Others used humour to highlight the absurdity of the question, including Sewing Bee host Joe Lycett: 

Let me know what you guys decide so I can pack my bags for jail, thx

— Joe Lycett (@joelycett) March 29, 2019

 

The BBC show has made no further comment about the question’s wording and the original tweet remains on its Twitter page.