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AFP
San Jos`
Parents padlocked the gates of 20 schools in Costa Rica on Thursday to protest sex education classes for teens that some believe promote homosexuality, the education ministry said.
The actions, on the first day of the new school year, were initially reported in a few areas in the north of the Central American country but spread to other areas also in the south and around Limon, the main port city, the ministry said.
Parents also loudly protested the sex education guide to local media and in social media posts.
The protests were happening against a backdrop of heightened religious and social conservatism in the country energised by presidential elections which have propelled into first place an evangelical preacher who vehemently opposes gay marriage.
The preacher, Fabricio Alvarado, is the candidate of the National Restoration Party, a right-wing Christian party.
He emerged as the frontrunner after the first round of elections last weekend. On April 1 he faces a runoff against the ruling party candidate, Carlos Alvarado, who is no relation.
