TORONTO, April 21 (UPI) -- Some Canadian parents are threatening to keep their children out of school after expanded and more frank sex education measures were announced in Ontario.
The provincial Liberal government's Ministry of Education rolled out the new 208-page curriculum without publicity on its Web site in January, but it wasn't until Tuesday parents' groups voiced protests, the Globe and Mail said.
Under the new curriculum, Grade 1 students will be taught about body parts, including genitalia. Though Grade 8, teaching will encompass homosexuality in Grade 3, masturbation in Grade 6 and transgender issues by Grade 8, the Toronto Star said.
Evangelist Charles McVety told the Star he's organizing a May 10 protest in Toronto, after which parents in his coalition will keep their children out of school.
Premier Dalton McGuinty said he fully supported enhancing the information children receive about sex and consequences.
"If we can provide it in a format and in a venue over which we have some control ... why wouldn't we recognize that we live in an information age and why wouldn't we try to present this information in a thoughtful and responsible and open way," McGuinty said.
