Parents are outraged after a middle school in Austria distributed an educational booklet containing explicit content, including a “sex dictionary” and gender role-playing exercises, to elementary school students during an open day.
The material, deemed inappropriate by many, has sparked significant backlash.
The booklet, given as a souvenir to 9- and 10-year-old students visiting the middle school in Bezirk Melk district, Lower Austria, included graphic illustrations of naked individuals, including a wheelchair user and a Black man.
It also featured explanations of terms like “transsexual,” “intersexual,” “drag queen,” and “transgender.” One exercise asked students to consider what steps a boy named Leo would need to take to become Jennifer, including avoiding boys’ restrooms.
“This is going way too far for a 10-year-old girl,” a father of three told Kronen Zeitung who spoke of his shock when his daughter brought the booklet home. “You have to remember that this was given to children aged nine and ten. The gift clearly missed the target group,” he added, expressing dismay over the booklet’s focus on sexuality.
The origin of the booklet remains unclear, but several parents reported that it was distributed by the school’s headmistress.
The incident has prompted questions about oversight and the appropriateness of the material for young children.
Poland’s new left-liberal government will undoubtedly push to introduce LGBT propaganda into schools, argues Catholic commentator Paweł Chmielewski. https://t.co/kza9gc4VLo
— Remix News & Views (@RMXnews) January 8, 2024The controversy has drawn criticism from political figures, including Michael Sommer, education spokesman for the Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ). “Children should be allowed to remain children and not be negatively influenced by left-wing rainbow propaganda during their early development,” he said, calling for an immediate halt to what he described as “transgender indoctrination.”
The incident highlights broader tensions in Austria regarding sex education and the inclusion of topics like gender identity in school curricula. Critics argue such materials are inappropriate for elementary-aged children, while proponents maintain that education on diversity and inclusion is essential for fostering understanding and acceptance.
Neighboring Hungary brought in legislation under the administration of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán prohibiting the distribution of such publications.
Bulgaria’s parliament has enacted a law prohibiting "the promotion of ideas associated with non-traditional sexual orientations" and gender identities in preschools and schools.https://t.co/eUh23TlXwz
— Remix News & Views (@RMXnews) August 8, 2024Under the child protection law, the Hungarian government acknowledged that parents primarily have the right and duty to decide how children are brought up and educated about questions related to their sexual behavior and gender identity.
Earlier this year, the Bulgarian parliament also passed legislation to prohibit the promotion of LGBT ideology in schools.
