Easier for school kids to come out as gay than Christian, Evangelical group claims

The claim was made to the Northern Irish Assembly

David Smyth spoke on behalf of the Christian organisation to the Education Committee at Stormont as part of an ongoing inquiry into Relationship and Sexuality Education (RSE).

Smyth said that some young people find it “much more difficult now to come out as an Evangelical Christian in school than it is to come out as LGBT."

“We're not looking to fight a culture war where children are the casualties,” Smyth told the BBC.

He highlighted the need for Christians and non-Christians to find common ground concerning how healthy relationships, consent and the prevention of violence towards women are taught in school.

However, despite Evangelical Alliance's concerns, Smyth emphasised that this was not a confrontation between religion and RSE.

The Evangelic Alliance is a UK based Christian organisation representing a large number of churches and people.

It raised concerns about RSE that were raised by parents and other Christians.

References were made by Smyth to a report by Conservative MP Miriam Cates on RSE in England and Wales, which cited alleged examples of “age-inappropriate material being taught in RSE on issues like sexual practices which may be dangerous or even illegal, like chocking or chem [drugs] sex.”

He also expressed concerns that Christian views were being ignored and marginalised in schools highlighted views of "Evangelical Christians, and many Catholics and Muslims" on issues such as abortion.

Smyth noted that most his concern lay in ensuring the teaching of sensitive issues allows for space where students are not subjected to ideological pressures.