Plaid calling for LGBT+ history to be taught
ACALL for Welsh LGBT+ history to be taught in schools has been made by Plaid Cymru. Sian Gwenllian, the party’s spokeswoman for education and the Welsh language, has called for such a commitment to be included in the draft new national curriculum due to be published in April. February is LGBT+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) history month in the UK.
A report by the sector’s campaign group Stonewall published in 2014 showed that more than a third (37%) of primary school teachers in Wales said their school did not allow them to teach about lesbian, gay and bisexual issues, and almost a half (47%) didn’t know whether they were allowed to do so or not.
Ms Gwenllian said: “We will soon see the first draft of the Welsh Government’s new education curriculum for Wales – and with it a brand new relationships and sexuality education which should focus on inclusive LGBT+ education. Welsh LGBT+ history must be a part of that new curriculum. We need LGBT+ education but we also need LGBT+ Welsh history.
“I have previously called on the Education Minister to make the teaching of Welsh history a statutory requirement for every school in Wales and for it to be included on the face of the bill of the new curriculum. That Welsh history must include all history – including Wales’s LGBT+ history.
“From Cranogwen, Gloria Jenkins and Jan Morris to Terrence Higgins, John Davies and Wena Parry, Wales’ LGBT+ history is as rich as it is colourful. These are all icons who have shaped Welsh history and it must be passed on.
“Scotland is already ahead of the rest of Europe in terms of implementing LGBT+-inclusive education thanks to the success of the Tie campaign.
“There must be legislative requirement for LGBT+-inclusive education to be delivered in all schools in Wales along with dedicated, free teacher training focussing specifically on LGBT+ issues and on homophobic bullying.
“Wales’ new curriculum must be reflective and representative of all of our citizens.”
Cranogwen – the bardic name of Sarah Jane Rees – was a lesbian who gained a master mariner’s certificate, became a headteacher at the age of 21 and went on to be one of Wales’ most popular poets.
Gloria Jenkins founded Fflag and Stonewall in Wales.
Jan Morris is a distinguished transgender Anglo-Welsh writer.
Terrence Higgins, who was born in Haverfordwest, was one of the first people in Britain to die from AIDS. The trust that bears his name campaigns on and provides services relating to HIV and sexual health.
John Davies, who died in 2015, was one of Wales’ most distinguished historians, and bisexual.
Rev Wena Parry is a transsexual Minister and law reform campaigner.
A Welsh Government spokeswoman said: “Our new curriculum will lead the way on LGBT+ issues and will provide teachers with the opportunity to teach Welsh LGBT+ history. The first draft of the curriculum will be published in April and there will then be a full-scale consultation within the education community and with the wider public.”