Whilst sex education is considered by some to be important information for students to learn, the majority of those going through it see it as being inadequate, teaching them the standard, basic things they need to know but not expanding on them enough. This is quite a big issue for members of the LGBT+ community, who feel that they are being isolated and unacknowledged, or being treated as less than straight people.
A youth campaign group based in London, ‘StraightJacket’, have created mock OFSTED signs, hanging them on school gates in Lambeth, and are urging the Department of Education to stop treating identities other than heterosexual and cisgender as taboo subjects within secondary schools, where most teens are in a critical stage of discovering and accepting themselves. These banners include statistical research such as that carried out by the Terrence Higgins trust.
Currently, a shocking 95% of 16-25 year olds have not learned about LGBT+ sex and relationships in school. This percentage is ridiculously high, especially as many adolescents feel invalid or as though their personal experiences are being disregarded.
Although the latest version of the Sex education guidance was updated to mention LGBT+ people, it was described as still ‘failing to meet the needs of LGBT young people, LGBT families and teachers.’ as it was just 'recommending' the direct addressal of LGBT+ identities.
Stonewall has recently released a response to these campaigns, claiming there will be an update to the guidance which will be ‘fully LGBT-inclusive’. They followed this up with the estimated time frame for the change, stating ‘This consultation is now closed, and the Government is likely to publish their final guidance in Spring/Summer 2019. Schools in England will be required to begin teaching the subjects in September 2020.’ Primary schools will be required to teach about LGBT families, and secondary schools more age-appropriate material.
This has resulted in mass celebration around the country, as the LGBTQ+ community is finally getting closer to having fair recognition in schools. The new guidance is expected to make students, families and teachers feel more comfortable with openly being who they are, and stay safe.
Yasmin Ammour - Norbury Manor BEC
