Scotland to embrace LGBTI education
not feel adequately trained to tackle homophobia, biphobia or transphobia.
TIE research has also found that 90 per cent of LGBTI people experienced homophobia, biphobia or transphobia at school.
TIE co-founder Jordan Daly hailed Mr Swinney’s announcement and declared thatthe “destructivelegacy”of Section 28 – which banned the promotion of homosexuality – had been ended.
“We are delighted that LGBTI inclusive education will now become a reality in all of Scotland’s state schools,” he said. “This is a monumental victory for our campaign and a historic moment for our country.”
He added: “The implementation of LGBTI inclusive education across all state schools is a world first and, in a time of global uncertainty, this sends a strong and clear message to LGBTI young people that they are valued here in Scotland.
“Eighteen years from the repeal of Section 28, we can finally put its destructive legacy to bed.”
But Simon Calvert, deputy director of the Christian Institute, which has almost 6,000 supporters in Scotland, said: “Parents, pupils and teachers expect schools to do all they can to stop bullying of any kind. But they don’t want to see controversial political agendas embedded across the curriculum. Maths lessons should be about maths, not LGBT politics.
“There are a diversity of beliefs about LGBT issues in Scotland. The approach adopted by the Scottish Government assumes there is only one acceptable view.
“What this means is that children from families who do not share this commitment to radical LGBT politics will be made to feel isolated in their schools.
“LGBT activists are often highly intolerant of traditional religious views and the people who hold them.”
But Mr Swinney took issue with Mr Calvert’s view. The education secretary said: “I am aware that some may say that LGBTI inclusive education could undermine the values of their faiths or beliefs. I do not take this view.
“Human rights and the values of respect and tolerance are universal. Children and young people should feel happy, safe, respected and included in their learning environment, and all staff should be proactive in promoting positive relationships and behaviour in the playground, classroom and society.”
The announcement was broadly welcomed across Holyrood, with Labour’s Iain Gray describing the TIE cam-
paign as “powerful, persuasive and long overdue”.
Liberal Democrat Alex Colehamilton also congratulated TIE – but had to remove one of their rainbow-coloured ties after being told by Holyrood Presiding Officer Ken Macintoshnottowearsuch “ostentatious campaign material”. Mr
Cole-hamilton said: “While I meant no disrespect to the Parliament or the Presiding Officer, Lib Dems exist to fight for a world that is free from conformity and I want to do everything I can to further the aims of the TIE campaign.”
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon praised the campaigners
on Twitter, saying: “Well done to the @tiecampaign and others who worked so hard to achieve this outcome and ensure that LGBTI inclusive education will become a reality.”
Scottish Secretary David Mundell also congratulated the TIE campaign.