New statistics show nearly a fifth of teachers in the UK are uncomfortable discussing LGBT+ topics with their pupils.
An independent poll asked primary and secondary school teachers how comfortable they felt teaching their pupils LGBT+ topics with 17 per cent saying they were uncomfortable.
The research, commissioned by Just Like Us, a LGBT+ young people’s charity, comes 18 years after Section 28 was repealed in England and Wales.
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Worryingly, only a third of teachers said they were completely comfortable talking about lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans topics in the classroom.
One of those was Anna Wilcox from Everton Free School.
The 37-year-old told the ECHO : “As someone who has always felt comfortable teaching and discussing LGBTQ+ topics, I find it a shame that teachers still feel uncomfortable, however I also feel that these figures show a massive amount of progress has been made in schools across the UK.
“Considering that it was illegal less than 20 years ago to talk about LGBTQ+ topics in school. This was my whole school experience. It was never mentioned.
“Now it is a requirement and for me this is a huge example of how far we as a society have come. I believe that in less than five years, those numbers will reduce significantly.”
Anna says she has been extremely lucky in her teaching career, having joined Everton Free School not long after she qualified.
She was one of the first members of staff at the school when it opened in 2012 and says since day one the school has constantly encouraged staff to educate themselves and have provided essential training.
Staff at the school were also offered the opportunity for Continuing Professional Development with other agencies as well.
The Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) education teacher added: “I have never objected to teaching LGBTQ+ topics and neither have any staff at the school. We have always been extremely inclusive and promote that the school community should be a safe and welcoming environment to everyone.
“I am a cisgender, heterosexual female, so have had to educate myself over the years on different topics around LGBTQ+.
“I may not always get it right and will have to ask questions but for me this just helps to further support the staff and students in the school.
“I would much rather ask the question and get it right, than just hide from what I am not sure of and not address the situation.”
Just Like Us charity provides free LGBT+ inclusive resources to primary and secondary schools across the UK, including Everton Free School.
Anna says the charity has been an invaluable asset for the school calling them a port of call for any question she may have.
She added: “They have supported lessons and workshops with lesson plans and resources. Diversity Week is one of my highlights in the school year.
“Although we teach LGBTQ+ topics throughout the year, during diversity week all subjects use this as a focus in their lessons and we have activities such as cake sales, sports events and literacy competitions.
“At the end of the week we have our Diversity Day where students take part in different workshops and activities all day.
"The students really enjoy this and we have fantastic feedback every year. Just Like Us are really supportive in helping every school to organise their Diversity Week. "
Anna went on to explain that teaching these subjects are extremely important for children to feel included and for young people to know it is fine to be who they want to be.
She added: "As history has shown, prejudice and discrimination often stem from people not having an understanding of something that is different to them.
"For young people it is important that they can see that you can be who you want to be without ridicule or judgment. Society is changing. Same-sex couples can marry and have children, you can identify as the gender you feel most comfortable as, or as no gender at all.
"As a young person, life is already so confusing, so it is so important that anyone who feels they are members of the community have people they can talk to or role models.
"It is so important that they feel that they are included and by teaching these subject we are able to do that.
"We make sure as a school that the topics are embedded in the curriculum and not taught as a separate entity. This makes sure that LGBTQ+ students feel just the same as every other student in the school."
Dominic Arnall, chief executive of Just Like Us, said: “We don’t blame teachers for feeling uncomfortable – they may not have had the resources or personal life experiences – but all you need is a willingness to support your pupils and Just Like Us can help provide lesson plans, assemblies, talks and training so that you feel confident discussing LGBT+ topics with your pupils.
“When so many teachers say they’re uncomfortable discussing LGBT+ topics, such as mentioning that some families have lesbian mums, this has serious knock-on effects for LGBT+ young people’s wellbeing and mental health, who are currently twice as likely to be bullied and have depression.
“Having silence around LGBT+ topics only results in shame, stigma and students feeling that they don’t belong in school. It is essential the government provide support and clear guidance for schools on supporting LGBT+ young people.
“We need to work together to improve the lives of LGBT+ young people so that young people don’t leave school feeling ashamed or depressed about who they are."
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