Colombia’s Education Minister on Monday slammed the circulation of gay erotic material that was falsely attributed to her efforts to improve sex education in schools.
Minister Gina Parody, who has been embroiled in an ongoing dispute with her political peers about gender equality in schools, reacted furiously at the suggestion that pornographic leaflets in circulation were part of her education initiatives.
Parody lashed out at the “manipulation machine on social networks” which she claims have started to “terrorize parents” on alleged ideological impositions relating to gender and sexual preference in schools.
The minister is in the process of reforming sexual education in schools, which over the past decades has fallen short in preventing teen pregnancy and respecting the rights of the country’s gay minority.
Parody, who herself is gay, was accused last week by Santander Deputy Angela Hernandez of being on a “gay colonization” expedition in a debate on LGBT rights.
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The accusation came following one of the proposals made by Minister Parody to allow mixed bathrooms and unisex uniforms, specifically meant to protect transgender students from being discriminated against.
Parody now claims that the responsibility for the circulation of this material which includes pictures of two men in bed together lies in the hands of political opposition who are opposed to reform on gender equality in schools and will use any means to discredit the current ministry.
“We are faced with a political force that is not honest with the country, which uses lies and deception to say that we are imposing ideologies,” said the minister.
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In a damning statement, Parody slated those who are using this issue for to their own political means and urged the public to see through a campaign that could have a very negative effect on Colombia’s youth in schools.
“We will not allow continued use of this manipulation machine for your political ideology with lies; (These people) have to be honest and tell the truth, if they want to promote hatred, division and exclusion in schools or love, understanding and inclusion, as mandated by the Constitution.”
Education Minister Gina Parody
Parody added an additional message to parents who she considers the responsibility lies with to direct the children the right way in a changing Colombia.
“You and all schools have autonomy over your children’s education, and the Ministry never violated this. Don’t be fooled.”
Education Minister Gina Parody
Sources
- Ministra Parody denuncia ‘máquina de manipulación’ en redes sociales (El Tiempo)
- Cartillas falsas sobre orientación sexual salieron de la Procuraduría: Ministra Gina Parody (RCN)
- ¿Campaña de Uribe contra Gina Parody? (El Espectador)
- Denuncian campaña de manipulación sobre falsas cartillas de educación sexual (El Pais)
