Teaching union NASUWT blasts 'moral panic' over LGBTI education in schools

A leading teaching union says it is “appalled” by a current “moral panic” surrounding LGBTI education in Scottish schools.

The NASUWT issued a statement saying that educators have found it difficult to promote LGBTI-inclusive education “over fear of backlash with some schools not even allowing LGBTI authors into schools”.

In a post, issued on Wednesday, national official for the union Mike Corbett said: “Scotland took a positive step when it passed the LGBTI-inclusive Education Bill in 2018.

“It remains the case, however, that too many LGBTI students still go through school experiencing little to no LGBTI-inclusive education; there are often no places in schools where students can discuss, question or explore their own feelings about sexuality and gender or see themselves in the curriculum.”

The union say many schools have developed good practice in bringing LGBTI education into the curriculum and many have created special spaces or lunch clubs for students.

However, Mr Corbett stated that, in order for all schools to be a “safe and secure” space, “homophobia, biphobia and transphobia must continue to be publicly challenged”.

He said: “NASUWT is appalled by the current moral panic which has meant LGBTI educators and their allies have found it very difficult to promote LGBT-inclusive education over fear of background with some schools not even allowing LGBTI authors into schools.

“Twenty years on since Section 28 was repealed, the reality for our LGBTI members is that they still face prejudice, discrimination, exclusion and hate.”

He added: “As a union, we are proud to stand with our LGBTI teachers, proud to be with them at the forefront of the fight for equal rights and inclusion, because LGBTI students and teachers deserve better.

“Because no-one is safe unless we all are safe. We never give up; and we will never give in to hatred, prejudice or abuse at work.”