The Government is right to make relationships and sex education LGBT+ inclusive. Here’s why.

Cllr Joe Porter

It has been one month since the welcome introduction of statutory LGBT+ inclusive Relationship and Sex Education in schools in England. With all the anxiety about the impact of Covid-19 on children’s mental health and opening schools safely, this is one piece of good news that hasn’t received the attention it deserves. Schools will be required to teach the protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010 as they apply to relationships. Any schools that refuse to teach children LGBT+ people exist will face strict consequences from OFSTED.

I remember my time at school and relationships and sex education being a couple of awkward afternoons of educational videos, Q&As and promising to not talk about any of it in the playground afterwards. There was never any mention of LGBT+ relationships as every example used during lessons involved a man and a woman. Growing up without any awareness of LGBT+ relationships undoubtedly made it much tougher to accept my sexuality and come out as gay. None of us were given enough education around how to handle relationships, despite it being one of the most important things in life and one of the things that can cause the most happiness, the most unhappiness and the most stress.

By offering detailed and accurate information surrounding relationships and sex, young people will be better prepared for interactions with friends, family and potential intimate relationships later in life. As evidence shows, good-quality sex education has a range of positive outcomes. It delays sexual intercourse; reduces risk-taking; increases the use of condoms and contraception; and instils healthy attitudes to sexual and reproductive health. Its introduction in schools is something we should all celebrate in the fight for LGBT+ equality – and it’s something I really wish had been introduced for when I was at school and remember denying being gay for so long. Giving young people the knowledge and confidence to make their own decisions will ensure that they’re prepared for whatever new relationships and situations unfold in their future.

Campaigners have been fighting for this much needed change for years and it will mean that every primary school child will learn about different types of families, including those with same-sex parents, and secondary school students must be taught about sexual orientation and gender identity. Pupils will crucially learn that it’s normal to see two mums or two dads at their children at the school gate. Families come in many forms: single-parent families, LGBT+ parents, families headed by grandparents, adoptive parents, foster parents/carers amongst other structures – and they all can provide a nurturing environment. The lessons will also include important topics such as family structures, setting personal boundaries from a young age and how to develop healthy relationships in all their forms. It has been purposefully adapted to suit the needs of young people in a changing world.

Schools in England have until Summer 2021 to fully implement the changes as part of their curriculum and from then onwards, any secondary schools that do not teach about LGBT+ relationships could receive a leadership and management judgement of “requires improvement” or worse. If a primary school does not teach about LGBT+ relationships by this time, it must “satisfy inspectors that it has still fulfilled the requirements of the DfE’s statutory guidance” otherwise inspectors will consider this when making the leadership and management judgement. OSTED has further said that it will also consider LGBT+ inclusion in its judgement on the personal development of pupils. It is therefore vital that the Government provide sufficient support and resources as they introduce the new RSE curriculum over the next academic year.

For faith schools, OFSTED say that: “Schools are at liberty to teach the tenets of any faith on the protected characteristics. For example, they may explain that same-sex relationships and gender reassignment are not permitted by a particular religion. However, if they do so, they must also explain the legal rights LGBT people have under UK law, and that this and LGBT people must be respected.”

Ultimately, children deserve to see themselves represented in what is taught. Not only will children feel they belong and are accepted but it helps educate children of other family structures. Schools prepare children for life. Knowing how people are different will prepare future generations to embrace and celebrate the differences in our society.