The Telegraph's initial coverage

The page 1 article said: "Students as young as 14 have been asked at school to place themselves in an imaginary world dominated by homosexuals and lesbians.

An article on page 2, titled "Backflip on classes 'brainwash' lesson", did not back up the brainwashing heading. Strangely, the article itself justified every reason why you would use this lesson. It said:

"Pupils are asked to:

• state what it feels like to be treated differently;
• analyse factors that contribute to positive, inclusive and satisfying relationships;
• understand the difference in appropriate and inappropriate discrimination; and
• Identify solutions to promote diversity and difference."

In the editorial the Telegraph went back to the 1950s or even further with a heading "A lesson best left to parents". Having read these articles and noting Education Minister Carmel Tebbutt had knee-jerked a reaction by banning the material, all I could feel was that 40 years of my life spent attempting to end homophobic discrimination had just been pulled away by someone from whom I expected a better response. On further investigation, it was discovered that the lesson referred to was part of a program that was being developed and funded by the DET and had been its website for more than 12 months. The article led to the shock-jocks having a field day with the Director-General Andrew Cappie-Wood coming out of his burrow and backing the Minister. They were also supported by the President of the P&C Sharryn Brownlee. But they didn't have it all their own way. The Telegraph poll found 80 per cent of people thought that the lesson should be taught. The letters in favour were far more rational than those against.

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Last Modified: 15 Nov 2005