Parliament Workbench

Petition · PE01573 · Session 4

Statutory teaching of LGBTI+ issues

Closed Submitted 24 Jun 2015 People & Communities
Signatures
0
1,413 online signatures with a country
Comments
29
Considered
2 meetings
in the Official Report

What it asks

Calling on the Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish Government to make the teaching of LGBTI+ issues and topics statutory in all schools, with the introduction of a diverse and fully inclusive education programme that addresses, acknowledges and highlights such matters relating to the LGBTI+ community in a positive and progressive manner.

What the petitioner did first

I have spoken to an SNP MP who advised that statutory education that encompasses LGBTI+ issues was missing from the curriculum. I have also emailed all MSPs, providing my personal experience at secondary school
- highlighting that LGBTI+ youth are being largely excluded within the education system. I emphasised my struggle throughout secondary school and the lack of support or inclusive education that was available. However, I only received helpful responses from two. I then had further correspondence with these MSPs, one of whom replied with advice and provided me with government guidelines which allowed denominational schools to opt out of inclusive teaching programmes such as Relationships, Sexual Health and Parenthood (RSHP) education, which
- as an ex-pupil of a Roman Catholic high school that neglected such topics
- does not address my concerns. I have had conversations with MSPs and MPs about the introduction of a statutory requirement of teaching of LGBTI+ issues in Scottish schools.
Further, I have spoken with a representative of LGBT Youth Scotland, who highlighted that this is necessary
- as previous action in this area has been unproductive since many schools have opted out. Thus, I believe that a petition of this nature is the suitable option at this point.

Where it was considered

Official Report
  1. 27 Oct 2015
    Public Petitions Committee
    New Petitions
    2 mentions
  2. 12 Jan 2016
    Public Petitions Committee
    Continued Petitions
    1 mention

Signatures by country

1,413 online signatures
  1. Scotland1,045 74%
  2. United Kingdom192 13.6%
  3. England94 6.7%
  4. United States38 2.7%
  5. Denmark9 0.6%
  6. Italy7 0.5%
  7. Northern Ireland4 0.3%
  8. France3 0.2%
  9. Australia3 0.2%
  10. Wales3 0.2%
  11. 13 other countries15 1.1%

Comments

29 comments, oldest first
  1. kathleen daly 27 Jun 2015
    Signed
  2. Stacey McElhinney 27 Jun 2015
    Well done Jordan. Xx
  3. Bill Mair 28 Jun 2015
    This step completes the repeal of Thatcher's section 28.
  4. Dave Watt 28 Jun 2015
    Great idea
    - having been brought up in an era where homophobia was the norm I'd like the kids of the future not to carry the same bigoted baggage I've spent all these years shedding.
  5. gerard Galbraith 28 Jun 2015
    Its about time people
  6. Joshua Brown 28 Jun 2015
    Statutory LGBTI+ education is sadly lacking and a necessary step towards rooting out all forms of discrimination in our schools and wider Scottish society. No form of discrimination is acceptable. Scotland must use education to clearly and consciously tackle discrimination against the LGBTI+ community, just like it very rightfully is required to do regarding impairments, race, ethnicity, religion, etc. Eduction is one of the most effective ways we can instill a lifelong commitment to human rights, diversity and equality for all. Let's build on Scotland's achievement of equal marriage and ensure dignity, respect and human rights for every person in Scotland. Support statutory LGBTI+ education in all Scottish schools.
  7. Paul Fraser 28 Jun 2015
    LGTBI people are more likely to suicide when bullied
  8. Donna Hughes 29 Jun 2015
    So pleased to hear you are doing this.It is long overdue.
  9. Aileen Mitchell Stewart 29 Jun 2015
    I was appalled at the statistics of how schools are failing to provide a safe, welcoming space for LGBTI+ young people. In 2015! As a liberal-minded, tediously heterosexual pensioner I was astonished that this situation could still exist today. I had naively assumed such bullying, casual verbal discrimination and non-acceptance had long gone, apart from the few bone-heads who, sadly, will always cloak their own fears behind abusing others and belittling difference. I am flabbergasted that schools are not addressing this. Religious beliefs should never be allowed as an excuse for failing so many young people at a difficult stage in their lives. To fail to address this issue is to fail as a school. Full stop. We urgently need legislation to ensure that all schools fully educate and wholly support their students whatever their sexual orientation or identification. Please act now to prevent even one more vulnerable young person feeling unsupported and marginalised in this way.
  10. Ken Coutts 29 Jun 2015
    This is a no brainer, all power to your elbow
  11. Leeanne stevenson 29 Jun 2015
    Inspiring piece of writing and this would help young kids understand a lot better. X
  12. marion mcmillan 29 Jun 2015
    this is definitely a move in the right direction.
  13. Ashley Husband Powton 30 Jun 2015
    Scotland, lets set an example to the world here!
  14. Claire Gallagher 30 Jun 2015
    I think it should be in schools as the lgbt community should be protect and be taught about as well
  15. Rhiannan girvan 30 Jun 2015
    It's about time! Sitting through a science lesson with not one refract to homosexual couples was no help at all
  16. Karen McNicol 1 Jul 2015
    If only this had been done years ago it would have saved so much more heartache!
  17. Alba Mooney 1 Jul 2015
    Not until LGBTI issues and topics become part of the curriculum, will there be full inclusion and understanding that we are as "normal" as heterosexuals... and that ours issues are just as important...
  18. Nicola Lawson 3 Jul 2015
    this is so so so soooooo important !!!
  19. patrick rolink 5 Jul 2015
    every citizen in our Nation deserves fairness and equality, without exception !!
  20. Aimee McDonald 6 Jul 2015
    This is such an important thing
  21. Ben Owens 7 Jul 2015
    Education is the key to stamping out homophobic, biphobic, transphobic and intersex-phobic bullying. Education is the key to creating a fair and equal society. It is vital that a progressive and positive representation of LGBTI issues are taught as part of the compulsory Scottish Education curriculum
  22. Andrew Ashe 10 Jul 2015
    Attending a Catholic high school in Lanarkshire in the early 2000's, I experienced narrow mindedness and homophobic views from the teachers which legitimized the taunts of fellow pupils.

    No action or omission, however how subtle should reinforce homophobia or transphobia in schools. That's what refusing to teach about sexuality and gender identity does and it needs to end.
  23. Susan Hart 10 Jul 2015
    Here in the Scottish Borders we have come across teachers who identify as LGBT but are too scared to be out. We have found teachers who believe that clause 28 still exists. We have heard of schools who actively discourage any LGBT education. It seems to come down to individual heads as to whether or not the school is inclusive of LGBT education.
  24. Neil Dallimore 10 Jul 2015
    My kids attend a Catholic school and their sex education is restricted (thus far) to a man and a woman God. My son won't hear how his life, his loves, his romance is equal or how any family he forms is normal.

    We need this for true equality. Past equal marriage. Past dealing with the hate speech. We need this so our children learn true equality.
  25. Mark Smyth 12 Jul 2015
    Brothers sisters unite.
  26. Lauren MacCallum 16 Jul 2015
    The more people know, the less they fear.
  27. Jonathan Yaniv Ben Avraham 28 Jul 2015
    This is the 21st Century. If we can't teach the future generations about the history of LGBTI+ rights, and equality struggles, we are failing them. In our society there are LGBTI+ people all around us, we don't hesitate to accept them as friends, partners, in our homes and even churches, synagogues etc... So why in our schools? We constantly talk about combatting issues about inequality or prejudice. Why can my friends and family not learn about safe sex, same-sex relationships, same-sex families and more? Why must they be deprived of what I only discovered later in life? Why must we neglect their growth in interpersonal and comunity development. Allow our future to be all inclusive. We can't stop homophobia if we don't teach people what it means to be part of the LGBTI+ community. We dream for a day where there is no LGBTI+ community but an all-inclusive-general community. People should not have to justify their sexual orientation and claim to one specific community when there should only be one. The way forward, the way to get to that all-inclusive-general community is by educating the future generations correctly and solidifying the fact that same-sex relationships are natural and perfectly healthy.
  28. Ryan McNaughton 29 Jul 2015
    This campaign is a fantastic way forward! Having met with the guys launching and looking to run the campaign, it is clear that they have the ability to push this all the way through. I am proud to be a supporter and campaigner for his campaign. As a young person who has personally gone through a lot in my life and seen a lot in both my personal and professional career, I whole heartedly believe that a fair and fully inclusive education system is the only way forward in tackling inequality and showing young people that being LGBT is not something to be scared of or embarrassed of! Well done to everyone involved in this campaign!
  29. Sean Quinn 30 Jul 2015
    Growing up, I was deathly afraid of my sexuality. I knew there were gay and lesbian people, but I was still frightened of the reaction I'd get to coming out. I went to Catholic schools with pretty cursory sex education which was focussed on straight relationships.