IT'S been a little over 15 years since the Thatcher-era Section 28 legislation, which prohibited the teaching of LGBT issues in schools, was fully repealed across the UK.

Since then, equal marriage has passed into law and the Scottish Government has confirmned that LGBT education will become a mandatory part of the school curriculum.

In England, however, anti-LGBT campaigners have restarted a discussion on whether or not schools should recognise the existence of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans identities and relationships.

The position that LGBT-inclusion should even be up for debate in 2019 has been widely criticised by pro-human rights campaigners – and the BBC have come under fire for giving "credibility" to the belief that not everyone should be taught about their rights.

In a now-deleted tweet from BBC Radio 4's Woman's Hour, the broadcaster asked "Do you think LGBT rights should be taught in schools?" with a link to a discussion they held around an on-going dispute in Birmingham.

The tweet received fierce criticism, with SNP MP Mhairi Black responding: "In what world would we not teach EVERYONE about their rights? Being LGBT isn't a disease, it isn't contagious, it's not even a question – this 'debate' shouldn't be given this kind of huge platform or credibility."

Others also shared their frustration with how the subject was framed.

The BBC Twitter account later deleted the tweet, releasing the statement that "this item discussed the parent protests against the teaching of LGBT sex education in English schools. We heard from a parent who disagrees with the policy & a Birmingham head teacher. Our earlier tweet didn't reflect the item & we have removed it".

Noticeably, this was not an apology so much as a justification.

One commentator had a final point to share on the issue.