Christian mother sues her four-year-old son's school for saying he had to take ... trends now
A devout born-again Christian is suing her four-year-old son's school after she claimed he was compelled to take part in an LGBT pride parade.
A court heard that Izzy Montague considered the event the 'most serious of the deadly sins'.
The 38-year-old said she was told by the headteacher of Heavers Farm Primary School in South Norwood, southeast London, that her son could not opt out of the event in June 2018.
The school sent a letter to parents on June 19 inviting them to partake in a Pride march and 'celebrate the differences that make them and their family special.'
A week later Mrs Montague contacted the school asking for her son to be excused due to the 'public display of adherence to views which she did not accept' - but the request was refused.
izzy Montague, a 38-year-old devout Christian from London claims her four-year-old son was compelled to take part in LGBT pride parade is suing his primary school on the grounds of discrimination
Central London County Court heard that Heavers Farm Primary School headteacher Ms Susan Papas told Mrs Montague that her son had to attend the lesson
After Mrs Montague was told by headteacher Ms Susan Papas that her son had to attend, she replied with a lengthy email on July 13, Central London County Court heard.
At the start of the eight day case Judge Christopher Lethem described Mrs Montague and her husband as 'devout born-again Christians'.
He said that they bear a belief that sexual relations should be abstained from or take place within a life-long marriage between a man and a woman and any activity outside those confines is sinful.
'They also say pride is considered to be the most serious of the deadly sins.'
Mrs Montague attended a meeting with Ms Papas on September 19 in which the headteacher's daughter wore a t-shirt with the slogan: 'Why be racist, sexist, homophobic, or transphobic when you could just be quiet?', the court heard.
Giving evidence Mrs Montague told the court, prior to the incident, she had expressed concerns to her son's teacher about the types of books they were reading in class.
Ian Clarke, representing the school, asked: 'What books where they?'
Mrs Montague said: 'There was one reference to a same sex family book.'
'I believe it's called The Family Book,' said Mr Clarke.
'I can't remember the exact name, just that was included in the lessons,' she answered.
