Christian Family to Appeal Judgment Over 4-Year-Old at School Pride Parade Case

Izzy Montague in a file photo in May 2022. (Courtesy of Christian Concern)

A court has dismissed a Christian family’s claim against their son’s former school that alleged the school attempted to force him into participating in an LGBT-themed Pride Parade.

Devout Christian parents Izzy and Shane Montague challenged Heavers Farm Primary School in south London over the LGBT education of their 4-year-old son, which allegedly included mandatory participation in a school-run Pride Parade to celebrate Pride Month in 2018.

The parents, supported by the Christian Legal Centre, have vowed to appeal.

They said that they were informed about the LGBT-themed Pride celebration only days in advance when they received a rainbow-coloured invitation to attend the event.

Pride Flag

In preparation for the parade, the Montagues alleged that children were taught the popular anthems “We Are Family” and “True Colours,” which they had to sing around the school.

They also claimed that the children were required to create rainbow-themed art that featured several Pride flags, and that a number of members of staff were photographed at the event wearing LGBT campaigning-themed T-shirts, with one teacher wrapping himself in a Pride flag.

The Epoch Times has not been able to independently verify these claims.

After complaints were raised, relations between Izzy Montague and the school deteriorated, with the parents taking the school to court, saying that it had breached their human rights because of their Christian beliefs.

General view of the LGBT flag outside a bookshop during UK Pride Month 2021 in London on June 1, 2021. (Edward Smith/Getty Images)

However, on Tuesday at Central London County Court, Judge Christopher Lethem rejected the parents’ claim (pdf) and ruled that there was “little in the parade that was inconsistent with their beliefs.”

Lethem said that the parents argued that the “parade and 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,” he added.

“In< short there was no moral reeducation and there was no case for exemption,” said Lethem.

At one point a meeting was arranged with the parents and headmistress Susan Papas. Papas’s daughter also attended, wearing a T-shirt with the slogan “Why Be Racist, Sexist, Homophobic, Transphobic, when you could just be quiet,“ which the parents ”took exception” to.

The judge said this was “wholly inappropriate” but said that there is “no direct evidence that the matters complained of were motivated by the claimants’ Christian belief.”

Christian Beliefs

“Throughout this ordeal, it has felt like I and my Christian beliefs that have been on trial,” said Izzy Montague in a statement.

“I am deeply insulted by the court’s assertion that there is nothing inconsistent between my Christian beliefs and my four-year-old being forced to march in a Pride event surrounded by rainbow pride flags and teachers wearing LGBT-affirming campaigning shirts,” she added.

“Today’s judgment is remarkable for all of the wrong reasons,” Andrea Williams, chief executive of the Christian Legal Centre, told The Epoch Times in an email.

“While the government has recognised the pitfalls of leaving the content of LGBT and sex education to the discretion of schools, and called for a review, this court has gone the other way” she added.

In March, the British government said that it will review how relationships and sex education are being taught in schools.

Williams said that despite finding that the school put too much emphasis on LGBT issues and normalised them for primary school aged children, “it ruled that the Pride event was actually about tolerance and diversity, and not LGBT. ”

“The Montagues will appeal, and rightfully so,” she said.

“What this entire case stands for is that there are some schools in this country where biblical beliefs and Christians are not welcomed. Today’s judgment has given a green light to ideological headteachers who wish to mould young minds into LGBT advocates, and abuse any parents who dissent,” she added.

“There are absolutely no circumstances where it is acceptable to force a four-year-old Christian child to march in an LGBT themed Pride parade against his parents’ wishes. As a nation with such an esteemed history of liberty and Christian values, we are better than that,” said Williams.

A spokeswoman for Heavers Farm Primary School told The Epoch Times by email: “As a school we have a duty, as stated by the Department for Education, to promote fundamental British values as part of the spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development of our pupils.

“This includes teaching our pupils the important values of tolerance, inclusivity, and equality in an age-appropriate way, so that everyone in our community feels safe, included, and comfortable to be themselves.

“Following a series of matters relating to a child and their family in 2018, linked to curriculum-compliant teaching, we have engaged over several years with the process of a civil claim. Now that this week’s judgement has been delivered, we will be continuing to focus all our efforts on delivering a high-quality education to our pupils.”