Majority of Scottish Parents Support Teaching of LGBT Topics in Schools
Newly published research has found that a majority of parents and carers in Scotland support the teaching of LGBT related topics in schools.
Research conducted by Survation, on our behalf, with 1,035 parents and carers of school aged children in Scotland has found that 70% support the national LGBT Inclusive Education programme, while 15% expressed opposition.
Participants were shown examples of what this teaching looks like in schools, including 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.
The report also found that 76% of parents and carers of primary and secondary aged pupils felt that young people should learn about LGBT-related prejudice and bullying at school.
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.
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. This is why it is so important for our children and young people to receive a comprehensive education through understanding the diversity of our families and communities, and the prejudices they experience.”
The report has also been welcomed by teachers’ trade unions the Education Institute of Scotland (EIS) and NASUWT, who called for teachers to be provided with the time and support to embed LGBT Inclusive Education into their school curriculum.
The EIS is pleased by the results showing more than two thirds of parents and carers are not only aware of, but also supportive of, the national approach to LGBT Inclusive Education, and that this figure only increases with further familiarity with lgbteducation.scot teaching resources.
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 of all learners.”
All pupils and staff in schools and colleges have a right to learn and work in a safe and secure environment where they are treated with dignity and feel valued and respected.
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.
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.”
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.
We support parents and carers being involved in their child’s education. The information on the Parents & Carers page of our website is designed to help parents and carers fully understand what LGBT Inclusive Education is and how it is being developed through the National Approach.
