A large majority of parents in Scotland support LGBT-inclusive education in schools, a survey shows.
The research by polling company Survation was conducted on behalf of charity Time for Inclusive Education (TIE), with responses from 1,035 parents and carers of pupils aged 3 to 18 who attend school in Scotland.
Some 70 per cent of respondents support the national LGBT-inclusive education programme, with 15 per cent against it.
In 2021 national LGBT-inclusive education resources were launched in Scotland, covering topics such as diverse families, LGBT historical figures and the impact of homophobic, biphobic and transphobic bullying.
Participants in the TIE/Survation survey were shown examples of what this teaching looks like in schools. These included books with representations of same-sex parents often used in primary schools, which more than three-quarters of parents and carers said they were comfortable with.
And 76 per cent of the parents and carers of primary and secondary-aged pupils felt that young people should learn about LGBT-related prejudice and bullying at school.
More LGBT education support for teachers
The report has been welcomed by teaching trade unions, but they have called for more time and support for teachers to work LGBT-inclusive education into their school curriculum.
Nicola Fisher, the EIS union’s equality committee convener, said: “As LGBT-inclusive education is now a requirement for all Scottish schools, these findings should be a strong signal to education authorities to meaningfully engage with the national approach, and give teachers the proper time, support and resources so that they can confidently deliver an LGBT-inclusive curriculum for the benefit not only of young people who identify as LGBT+ but for all learners.”
The Scottish government launched the resource platform lgbteducation.scot in 2021, which includes professional learning for teachers, teaching materials and guidance for parents and carers.
In June 2023 a report from the LGBTQ+ Teachers Network (Scotland) concluded that there are “pockets of excellent work happening across Scotland but more needs to be done for equity of staff and students”.
Scotland ‘leading the way’
Mike Corbett, the NASUWT teaching union’s national official for Scotland, said: “Scotland has been leading the way by making the decision to become the first country in the world to have LGBT-inclusive education embedded across the curriculum.
“NASUWT is delighted that many schools have developed good practice in bringing LGBTI education into the curriculum.”
He added: “As this survey illustrates, there remains overwhelming support for the national approach to LGBT-inclusive education in Scotland. NASUWT will continue to advocate for teachers to be provided with the time, resources and training to make this a reality in every school and for every pupil.”
In 2022 research by LGBT Youth Scotland found that only one in 10 LGBT+ young people rated their school experience as “good”.
Education ‘best way to tackle prejudice’
Leanne McGuire, Glasgow representative for the National Parent Forum of Scotland, said: “It is encouraging to see from the survey results that an overwhelming majority of parents and carers support LGBT-inclusive education being taught in schools.
“Despite potential misconceptions fuelled by internet and social media misinformation, the data underscores the actual strong backing for incorporating LGBT-inclusive education into the school curriculum.”
She added: “The survey shows strong support for children and young people learning about LGBT-related bullying and prejudice at school, and we know that the best way to break down these prejudices is through education and representation.”
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