Parkfield ‘No Outsiders’ teacher Andrew Moffat to lead Birmingham Pride parade
Parkfield Community School teacher Andrew Moffat
Andrew Moffat, the gay teacher whose LGBT+ inclusive education programme sparked a wave of protests, will lead Birmingham’s Pride parade.
Moffat is the assistant headteacher at Birmingham’s Parkfield Community School, which faced a wave of high-profile anti-LGBT protests over his No Outsiders anti-bullying programme
It was announced on Thursday (May 2) that Moffat has been invited to lead the city’s Pride parade on May 25, as a response to the protests.
Andrew Moffatt ‘overjoyed’ to lead Birmingham Pride parade
In a statement, he said: “I’m overjoyed that Birmingham Pride have asked me.
“My role is to stand up there and say that ‘No Outsiders’ needs to be taught in schools because this is how you help end homophobia – by teaching children about different people from an early age.”
Parkfield Community School teacher Andrew Moffat
He added: “The message that I want to give is that it’s not a case of Muslims versus LGBT or different cultures not getting along.
“It’s about bigotry and fear, and the great thing about Birmingham is its diversity and that we can all get along.
“Birmingham is a great place. There are no no-go areas for LGBT people – but we can’t be complacent. We have to be out there, we have to talk about it and we have to work together.”
Birmingham Pride: There’s no better person to lead our parade
Birmingham Pride Festival Director Lawrence Barton said: “Our theme this year is Love Out Loud – it’s a celebration of our right to love, no matter our gender, sexuality, personal identity, colour, religion or race – and given the division which the controversy over ‘No Outsiders’ lessons has created, I can think of no better or more inspiring person than Andrew Moffat to lead our parade.
“Andrew’s ‘No Outsiders’ programme is doing excellent work in helping children to learn about and understand the world around them.
“He is very much a man of the moment, and we’re delighted to be able to offer him our support as he works to educate youngsters about equality and diversity.”
“Back in 2015, Birmingham Pride awarded a grant of £5,000 to the ‘No Outsiders’ programme, and it’s wonderful to once again be playing a part in promoting such an incredible initiative.”
