BANNER-waving protestors have staged a demonstration against Kent County Council's controversial Section 28 policy.

Some 50 demonstrators from groups including the Queer Youth Alliance, the Kent Green Party, Amnesty International and teachers' group School's Out staged their protest outside County Hall in Maidstone.

The council's policy states that public money should not be used to promote homosexuality in schools.

But campaigners say the council is the only one in the country to have a policy which effectively prevents teachers from including all sexuality when teaching sex education and relationships.

Queer Youth Alliance president David Henry said: "Kent have tried to duck and hide at every turn, pretending that covert homophobia in the 21st century is acceptable.

"The hostile mentality that Kent County Council continues to hold towards the gay community perpetuates hatred across the board."

Dr Hazel Dawe from the Kent Green Party, said: "The Government, for a very good reason, repealed Section 28 because it was discriminatory and encourages bullying. KCC is the only education authority to decide to keep their own version of it."

A petition was also circulated calling on KCC to change its attitude to gay issues in the county.

Kent County Council's statement on sex education and the Kent curriculum, says: "Our policies state that the council shall not publish, purchase or distribute to children inappropriate material for any sex education, including the intentional promotion of homosexuality, but will encourage children to lead a healthy, fulfilling and meaningful life in which they respect themselves as individuals, whilst developing an understanding, tolerance and respect for others and their differences, treating all people as equal."

It adds: "A number of people have drawn attention to the need to prevent and stop homophobic bullying and this is rightly a key part of the council's policy Safe Schools which seeks to reduce bullying of all kinds."