A MAJORITY of parents in Scotland support the teaching of LGBT+ related topics in schools, according to new research.
In 2021, the Scottish Government announced that LGBT+ inclusive education would begin to be introduced into schools across the country.
It would include topics such as diverse families, historical LGBT+ figures, and the impact of homophobic and transphobic bullying.
Research conducted by Survation on behalf of Time for Inclusive Education (TIE) – a charity which advocates for LGBT+ education within schools – found that 70% of those surveyed support LGBT+ inclusive education.
Of the 1035 parents and carers who took part in the survey just 15% expressed opposition to the rollout of such education in Scottish schools.
READ MORE: How a bizarre Willy Wonka event in Glasgow went viral around the world
Participants were shown examples of the kind of content being used within school.
For example, more than three quarters of parents and carers said they were comfortable with children’s books depicting same-sex relationships being used within primary schools.
Leanne McGuire, Glasgow representative on behalf of the National Parent Forum of Scotland, said exposing children to diverse representations of families was “important”.
“It is encouraging to see from the survey results that an overwhelming majority of parents and carers support LGBT Inclusive Education being taught in schools,” she said.
“Despite potential misconceptions fuelled by internet and social media misinformation, the data underscores the actual strong backing for incorporating LGBT inclusive education into the school curriculum.
“The survey shows strong support for children and young people learning about LGBT-related bullying and prejudice at school, and we know that the best way to break down these prejudices is through education and representation.
“This is why it is so important for our children and young people to receive a comprehensive education through understanding the diversity of our families and communities, and the prejudices they experience.”
The report has also been welcomed by teachers’ trade unions the Education Institute of Scotland (EIS) and NASUWT, who called for teachers to be provided with the time and support to embed LGBT inclusive education into their school curriculum.
Mike Corbett, a national official for NASUWT, said: “All pupils and staff in schools and colleges have a right to learn and work in a safe and secure environment where they are treated with dignity and feel valued and respected.
READ MORE: Thousands call for Aberdeenshire Orange walk to be stopped
“Scotland has been leading the way by making the decision to become the first country in the world to have LGBT inclusive education embedded across the curriculum.
“As this survey illustrates there remains overwhelming support for the national approach to LGBT inclusive education in Scotland.
“NASUWT will continue to advocate for teachers to be provided with the time, resources and training to make this a reality in every school and for every pupil.”
The Scottish Government launched the resource platform lgbteducation.scot in 2021, which includes professional learning for teachers, teaching materials, and guidance for parents and carers.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel