Council backs campaign to tackle bigotry and poor sex education in schools
COUNCILLORS in Glasgow have given their unanimous support to the campaign for inclusive education in the city’s schools.
The Time for Inclusive Education (Tie) campaign has been making waves across the country pushing for extra support, training, and awareness over the narrow nature of school teaching on issues like sex and sexuality, as well as the scandal of bigoted bullying directed at young people who are LGBTI (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex).
The support of Glasgow City Council, through a motion tabled by SNP councillor Angus Millar, marks the latest example of progress for Tie, who have won support across parliament in favour of greater action on inclusive education.
“We as a council must work with the Scottish Government, the Tie campaign and other partners to monitor homophobia in our schools, ensure our teachers are supported to tackle this issue head on.” Angus Millar
Millar, following the council’s backing last Thursday [27 October] told CommonSpace: “I am delighted that Glasgow City Council has committed to working with the Tie campaign to make sure our city’s schools effectively tackle homophobia and actively promote LGBTI+ equality. We have a duty as a council to ensure every child educated in our schools can learn in an environment that is fully inclusive and accepting of young people of all identities.
“Too many young people in Glasgow and across Scotland still experience homophobic bullying and hear discriminatory language on a daily basis, with deeply damaging impacts on their self-confidence and mental health. Nobody studying in our city’s schools should be left in any doubt that being gay is okay, and that homophobia and transphobia have no place in modern Scotland.
“We as a council must work with the Scottish Government, the Tie campaign and other partners to monitor homophobia in our schools, ensure our teachers are supported to tackle this issue head on and create the most supportive learning environment possible for LGBTI+ young people. I am delighted that we have achieved cross-party support on this issue and look forward to further positive developments in the future.”
A key priority for the campaign has been expanding teacher training on LGBTI issues. Given the lack of public funds, Tie fundraised themselves – and then coordinated teacher training sessions to give schools practical support.
Tie, led by campaigners Liam Stevenson and Jordan Daly, welcomed the council motion.
In a statement the group said: “We are delighted that Glasgow City Council has passed this motion in support of our campaign. This further strengthens our justified calls for LGBTI+ inclusive education in all of Scotland's schools, and we now look forward to working closely with Glasgow City Council and more schools within the region to begin to address the very real issues facing LGBTI+ learners.”
“We have a duty as a council to ensure every child educated in our schools can learn in an environment that is fully inclusive and accepting of young people of all identities.” Angus Millar
The full motion, passed with cross-party support, stated: “Council affirms that all young people in Glasgow and across Scotland have the right to study in a learning environment which is fully inclusive, tolerant and accepting of LGBTI+ identities, and which is free of homophobic and transphobic bullying.
“Council notes the recent contribution of the Time for Inclusive Education (Tie) campaign in raising awareness around homophobia and transphobia, and further notes that this year's Pride Glasgow event was themed around the campaign and inclusive education more generally.
“Council resolves to work closely with the Tie campaign and other external stakeholders, including equalities organisations and the Scottish Government, to ensure that homophobic and transphobic bullying in all of Glasgow's schools is effectively tackled and that Glasgow's classrooms actively promote equality and inclusivity for young people of LGBTI+ identities.”
Picture courtesy of Torbakhopper
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