Teacher banned indefinitely for telling pupils gay men are ‘unnatural’

A former teacher has been barred from the profession after repeatedly telling pupils that “sex between two men was unnatural, unhealthy, disgusting perversion”. The Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) has issued a prohibition order, finding his conduct brought the profession into disrepute.

Between 2015 and 2020, Patrick Lawler, aged 62, taught at Bede Academy in Northumberland. Alongside his remarks about gay men, he also shared Islamophobic comments - labelling Islam “demonic” and “satanically inspired” - and made disparaging comments about public figures including Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks. During a transition-day lesson for Year Six pupils, Mr Lawler claimed Parks “did not really exist” and accused Luther King of fraud and plagiarism.

The controversy began in November 2025, when a Local Authority Designated Officer referred him to the TRA following both in-class and private statements that raised serious concerns. The TRA panel concluded, in December 2025, that Mr Lawler’s “unacceptable professional conduct” warranted an indefinite ban, with the earliest opportunity for review after four years.

According to chair Louisa Munton, the decision rested on the severity of his comments, his lack of remorse, and the demonstrable risk they posed to pupils’ wellbeing. “These elements - the seriousness of the misconduct, absence of insight or remorse, and risk to wellbeing - justified indefiniteness,” she stated.