A homophobic Facebook post by a mother at King Solomon High branding the school’s LGBT week as “filth” and “an abomination” has sparked outrage among parents and students.
Anna Erickson-Hull, whose daughter is in the sixth-form at King Solomon in Redbridge, took to Facebook on Monday, at the beginning of the school’s LGBT awareness week this week, to attack the planned events.
The school has devoted the week to activities that promote tolerance and understanding of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender issues. Students were provided with rainbow flag badges and, on Friday, are due to come into school in rainbow-coloured clothing. Money is being raised for the Terrence Higgins Trust, an HIV and sexual health charity.
Ms Erickson-Hull posted a photo of the “KSHS LGBT week” rainbow flag badge, with a red X mark drawn over it. She wrote: “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 then quoted a passage from Corinthians in the New Testament, which says: “Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.”
She later wrote: “Not my opinions…Bible truth.”
A screenshot of the offensive Facebook post
Her post was liked by 470 people and shared by 232 people. But for all the messages of support, she drew a barrage of criticism and outrage from parents and students at the school.
Ruth Landsman, who has twin boys at King Solomon, wrote a 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 post garnered hundreds of likes.
Ms Landsman told the JC she was shocked by Ms Erickson-Hull’s comments.
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.”
Deputy headteacher of King Solomon, Sam Walters has overseen the school’s LGBT week activities. He said he was delighted by the students’ reactions to Ms Erickson-Hull’s comments.
“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.”
Education editor Charlotte Oliver talks about this story in detail and looks at the positive reaction to one mother's intolerance in this week's JC Podcast
