A Church of England professor who refused to support pro-LGBT lessons on human sexuality was found guilty of “unacceptable professional conduct” in the months leading up to her firing last year by a British regulatory agency.
In May 2022, Bishop Justus Church of England School in Bromley, Kent, fired personal cultures instructor Glawdys Leger. The 43-year-old claimed that the reason for her termination was that she refused to instruct students in “extreme” LGBT classes and because she shared her Christian beliefs with them.
After receiving a complaint, the Aquinas Church of England Education Trust reported Leger to the Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA).
Leger objected to the year 7 lessons’ content, which had been incorporated into religious education classes and included what they say are “extreme content on gender identity with themes that begin to suggest to children that humans can be born in the wrong body,” according to Christian Legal Centre (CLC), which is representing the teacher.
The curriculum even covered transgender, intersex, genderfluid, and infertility issues.
The TRA acknowledged that allegations that Leger brought disgrace upon the teaching profession or that she behaved in a way that was “contrary to Fundamental British Values in that it lacked compassion to those with different values” could “not be proven,” according to the letter it published last week.
The board also found that Leger “undermined the School community’s goal to provide a supportive environment for children who may be exploring their sexual identity” by asserting that she believed students were only being taught an anti-LGBT narrative.
Leger was accused of “unacceptable professional conduct” by the TRA, but they refrained from permanently banning her from teaching. The board deemed her expression of her opinions on the subject “inappropriate.”
The board added, “The details of this decision will be added to your teacher record, which employers can use to check information,” and stated that the Secretary of State for Education had considered the panel’s recommendation and had determined that it was inappropriate to establish a prohibition order.
Leger stated that the firing and legal event have “taken a tremendous toll on me” in a statement that was published via CLC following the decision.
She said, “It has been heartbreaking to think about losing my job for expressing my Christian values in response to student questions.
They have made a noticeable mark against my name, which potential employers will see, even though they haven’t banned me. It’s as if a ‘hate crime’ was committed against my name and will be recorded on the system to demonstrate my Christian stance on these matters.
According to Andrea Williams, CEO of the Christian Legal Centre, the decision highlights a pattern of UK regulatory bodies “creating an oppressive environment for teachers that chills the environment and prevents any alternative or balancing stance to [LGBT] ideology.”
According to Williams, “Ms. Leger had a great deal of compassion for the children in her care and wanted to teach them about the compassion and truth found in the Christian faith.” “For that, she has been disciplined and also put at risk of losing her teaching registration.”
Leger told learners in her class that God created mankind as male and female and that she believed homosexuality was sinful during a discussion of LGBT issues.
The family and student who filed the complaint claimed that Leger’s remarks made the student “feel nervous and traumatized” during a fitness-to-practice hearing in October. Leger’s attorney questioned the student and family during the cross-examination if they were aware that he had also stated in school that “Christians can pray for people who are LGBT” and “There is no place to harm or exclude someone.” The student and family could not remember Leger saying those words.
Leger stated during the hearing that she is “certain that I have not shown, and never would show, any anger or lack of love towards LGBT people.”
She asserted that “genuine compassion and love is to be able to speak the truth to people regardless of their sexuality.” “I do not discriminate against anyone, but I was unable to promote, teach, or celebrate these issues because of the school’s demands.”
