Labour’s plan to eradicate LGBT bullying in schools

3rd February 2015

Labour’s plan to eradicate LGBT bullying in schools

Commenting on the plans outlined by the Shadow Education Secretary, Tristram Hunt, Christine Blower, General Secretary of the National Union of Teachers, the largest teachers’ union, said:

“Making all schools safe spaces for LGBT pupils and staff is a welcome announcement from Tristram Hunt MP.  

‘The NUT supports the campaign for statutory age appropriate and inclusive sex and relationship education in every school, as this is one way, though not the only way, to reduce homophobia and transphobia through education.

‘The NUT has a proud history of supporting teachers to promote LGBT equality in their schools. Many schools are already taking steps to address homophobic and transphobic bullying and it is important that any schools’ ‘toolkit’ seeks to share this existing good practice.

‘Supporting LGBT pupils and staff through training and whole school awareness raising involves ensuring that the attitudes which generate homophobia and transphobia are eliminated across all areas of school life.  Training on this issue needs to go beyond just teachers, however, to include all school staff both within and outside the classroom.

‘At least 10 per cent of all pupils will identify as lesbian, gay or bisexual when they are teenagers or in their adult lives.  The NUT believes that wherever they are educated all young people need to learn, see and hear positive messages about LGBT people and be exposed to a wide range of role models.

‘Silence and invisibility about homophobic and transphobic bullying cannot continue”. 

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