Ex-Rangers star calls for LGBTI education in schools
A FORMER Rangers and Scotland footballer has backed calls for ‘inclusive education’ in classrooms across the country to end homophobia in schools.
Derek Ferguson endorsed the Time for Inclusive Education campaign on lesbian, gay bisexual, transgender and intersex issues throughout Scotland.
TIE is currently lobbying the Scottish Government to introduce LGBTI education into schools in order to tackle high rates of homophobic bullying.
Research published by TIE found nine out of 10 LGBTI people experience homophobia at school, while over a quarter have attempted to take their own lives as a result of bullying.
Derek said: “We have been educating against racism and sectarianism in Scotland for over 10 years and we passionately believe raising awareness among young people about the issues some of their peers may be facing helps build empathy and breaks down barriers between young people.
“Tackling LGBTI bullying is just as important, young people need to understand the consequences of LGBTI bullying and learn to develop good relationships and respect the differences between people, regardless of what those differences may be.”
He is the latest in a list of sportsmen to support the campaign, with fellow former players Dougie Bell and Pat Nevin, as well as Welsh international rugby union referee Nigel Owens, also backing TIE’s proposals.
A TIE spokesman said: “We are delighted Derek Ferguson has backed our campaign. It is important diverse voices from all corners of our society – including within Scottish football – speak out against the exclusion, bullying and prejudice that many LGBTI young people face within our schools.”
His endorsement comes after Nicola Sturgeon committed to implementing the group’s proposals during First Minister’s Questions recently.
A Scottish Government spokesman said: “As the First Minister has made clear, there is a commit- ment in the Programme for Government to take forward the issues that TIE has raised.
“The Deputy First Minister met with TIE in October 2016 to discuss how LGBTI+ issues are addressed in schools. We continue to engage with all stakeholders, including Stonewall Scotland, LGBT Youth Scotland and the TIE campaign, to ensure schools address the important issues LGBTI+ young people face.
“Local authorities and schools are best placed to decide how to deliver the curriculum based on local needs and circumstances.
“In addition, the Scottish Government agreed to a request from Parliament’s Equalities and Human Rights Committee for further engagement on the development of refreshed anti-bullying guidance with a range of stakeholders, which will be clear that all types of bullying, including prejudice-based bullying, is unacceptable and must be addressed whenever it arises.”
SNP members are set to debate TIE’s proposals at their conference in March for a second time, after a motion in support of the campaign passed unanimously last year.