Why LGBT+ education is not a topic that should be up for debate...

In recent weeks, important conversations have unfolded in the media around the teaching of LGBT+ inclusive lessons in schools. What started as a small protest from a select group of parents, has escalated into a vocal group of opposition resulting in the ‘No Outsiders’ programme being halted in several schools. The ‘No Outsiders’ programme focuses on the teaching of the Equalities Act, and so looks at gender, sexual orientation, religion, disability, ethnicity and age. It’s about teaching children that their communities are full of difference and diversity.

What we’ve seen however, is the conversation growing into ‘debates’, playing out across our national media, as to whether ‘LGBT+ rights should be taught in schools’. We’re seeing homophobic phrasing on the BBC’s Question Time; ‘Is it morally right for 5 year old children to learn about LGBT issues in school?’. Plain and simple, the discussions that we’re seeing are homophobic. Denying that LGBT+ exist is homophobic. Using religion as an excuse for homophobia is wrong, and is only more damaging for us as a society. We cannot expect to grow and be inclusive as minorities, if we are not role modelling this ourselves by being intolerant to other minority groups.

I’m a proud, gay, Asian man. I understand the nuances of coming from an ethnic minority background, and having to deal with being LGBT+ in a space and culture that isn’t traditionally as easy-going with this stuff. I’m still the only out person in my family and I have a HUGE extended family meaning this is statistically impossible. While I can’t speak as a Muslim as I don’t have that experience, I do believe that we all need to be taught about each other’s’ differences, and denying children of an education about the world around them - about our humanity - is wrong. It is ethnic minority communities that need this engagement and education even more as a disproportionate number of LGBT+ homeless youth are from an ethnic minority background. This is why i'm a Patron of akt who are doing fantastic work to support this disadvantaged youth.

In 2019, the hard-won rights of minority groups is not something that we should be ‘debating’; especially when it is tied to the Equalities Act. We’ve seen members of staff at schools have homophobic abuse hurled at them, and LGBT+ children across our country will be seeing this conversation unfold before their eyes – a dark echo of the Section 28 days, when a generation of LGBT+ children were told that they were 2nd class citizens. Allowing this to happen only opens up the door for more hate and intolerance. It’s crucial that we stand stronger than ever as allies to one another, and support all minority groups; whether that be LGBT+, women or people from ethnic minority backgrounds. As a minority, it’s crucial to remember that if we don’t support others, we cannot expect others to support us. Vocal, unwavering support from allies, advocates and cheerleaders is more important now than ever.

The formative years of childhood create our future leaders, CEOs, workforce and heads of state. It is a crucial time for learning, forming values and teaching children that difference exists. By not teaching the idea of difference and inclusion at this stage of development, we are missing out on a once-in-a-generation opportunity to positively change our society in the future. There are so many strong and valuable initiatives designed to level the playing field and protect the rights of all - (equal pay reporting, ethnicity pay gap mandating, and cultural protests like #MeToo). Yet we have a chance with our next generation to solve these issues by teaching and embedding the values which underpin them. Debating whether equality should be taught simply does not align with what we are trying to change as a society.

In order to create positive change in the future, and see a level playing field become the norm, we must ensure that we are creating a space for children to learn about the world around them. The next generation are due to be the most diverse yet, and we cannot let them down by pretending that there is a right and wrong way to be. Now is the time for everyone to stand up, and be loud and proud about who they are. It is a time to embrace others, learn about our differences and support one another as a society.

While I understand this is a very difficult topic, and one that holds many varying opinions, one thing that everyone must agree on is that teaching tolerance, understanding and basic humanity at any age is the right thing to do. At INvolve, we understand that people have a wide-range of views, and that sometimes certain identities have quite difficult cross-overs. Religion and sexual-orientation is one of these, and it’s something we’ve discussed at some of our events; most recently at our NYC event, Bridging The Gap. We encourage open dialogue, and finding ways to bring together communities that may have some views that don’t fully align. At the core however, we must find a way to respect each other and think logically and sensibly about the world around us. People of different backgrounds exist.

I was pleased to see progress in parliament this week, as MPs voted overwhelmingly for an update to RSE in school (538 votes to 21). But this still just one small step in what is still a very long, gruelling trek. Allies. Advocates. This is your time. If you’re wearing a rainbow lanyard. If you’re joining in celebrations at Pride Month. If you have anybody LGBT+ in your life. Now is the time to use your voice. Use your privilege. Help to educate others around you, show your LGBT+ contacts that you will not let them down. Progress is a delicate thing, and is very easily lost when people remain silent.