“An educational workshop devoted to sex education, gender identity, and diversity for 12- and 13-year-olds took place in the European Parliament, without any formal possibility for parents to opt their children out,” reports The European Conservative.
On Tuesday, the European Parliament hosted a controversial educational initiative aimed at students aged 12 and 13. The event, titled “Who’s Afraid of Love?”, focused on sex education, issues of gender identity, diversity, and the prevention of discrimination. It was organized in cooperation with EDUXO – European Network for Democracy and Equality, a lobby group registered in 2024.
Institutional patronage of the event was provided by Italian Member of the European Parliament Carolina Morace from The Left group (associated with the Five Star Movement), who moderated the main panels and closed the proceedings. Other MEPs also participated, including Giusi Princi from the European People’s Party (a member of the Committee on Culture and Education) and Gilda Sportiello (also linked to the Five Star Movement). The presence of politicians from different political factions underscored the initiative’s cross-party nature.
Participants included students from the Italian section of European School Brussels II, which is attended mainly by children of EU institutions’ employees. According to sources, parents have no formal mechanism allowing them to exempt their children from participation. The absence of an opt-out procedure contrasts with many national education systems, where sex education classes usually involve prior notification of families and the possibility of an alternative program.
The program included, among other activities, the workshop “Reacting”, during which children wearing neutral masks acted out the roles of victim, perpetrator, and observer in simulated situations of discrimination and harassment related to sexual orientation or gender identity. Another workshop, “Understand and Empower,” involved analyzing works of art and photographs to deconstruct stereotypes, as well as reenacting scenes of discrimination followed by collective reflection on emotions.
For adults (parents and teachers), a session titled “Educate and Listen” was prepared, addressing concepts related to sexual identity and the use of “conscious and respectful language” as a preventive tool. Additional artistic and emotional activities were also held.
European Schools operate under a separate international convention, and their curricula are approved by governing bodies that include representatives of the education ministries of EU member states as well as the European Commission. Pedagogical decisions are centralized and standardized, which limits the influence of individual parents. Although there are parent associations with a consultative role, their actual ability to influence the introduction of such classes appears limited.
The event has sparked controversy, particularly among families who oppose introducing topics related to gender identity at such a young age and who emphasize the lack of a genuine possibility to opt out.