Rabbi tells Jewish schools to be tolerant of LGBT pupils

THE Chief Rabbi has told Orthodox Jewish schools to tell children to be more tolerant of gay people, as he warns homophobia is leading to suicide attempts.

In guidance which is thought to be a world first, Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis has told staff to be inclusive towards LGBT children amid concerns about homophobic and transphobic bullying leading to isolation and self-harm.

The document, entitled The Wellbeing of LGBT+ Pupils: A Guide for Orthodox Jewish Schools, produced alongside Keshetuk, the Jewish LGBT charity, warns of a “frightening” number of children self-harming or attempting suicide due to prejudice.

It counsels teachers to reprimand children who use “gay” in a pejorative sense, advising them to tell pupils that avoiding homophobia is a “Jewish imperative”, as well as to object if colleagues express prejudiced views.

They are also advised to avoid offering “false reassurance” to pupils concerned at how their family will react to them coming out as gay or transgender.

Schools have also been cautioned that “conversion therapy”, which is designed to change someone’s sexuality, has been “strongly condemned” by doctors and psychotherapists, with the Government this year announcing plans to outlaw it.

Many Orthodox Jews believe that homosexual relationships are proscribed by the Torah.

Earlier this year, it emerged that the state-funded Yesodey Hatorah Senior Girls’ school in north London had redacted mentions of homosexuality in textbooks, as well as references to women smoking, drinking and driving with men.