LGBTQ+ people in Scotland are facing “prejudice and disinformation”, it has been warned, as a charity prepares to roll out an inclusive education project in schools north of the Border.
This academic year, and for the first time in Scotland, London-based charity Just Like Us will train young LGBTQ+ people to go into schools and give talks and workshops with the aim of challenging prejudice.
These “ambassadors”, as the charity calls them, will work in secondary schools to help young people realise that being gay or trans is normal in an effort to cut bullying rates and improve mental health.
But it comes amid “anti-LGBTQ+ political and media narratives”, Just Like Us chief executive Laura Mackay warned.
Ahead of the General Election, now-Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he is not in favour of teaching children about transgender identities in schools, calling it “ideology”. It came in response to a question about draft UK Government guidance which said schools in England "should not teach about the concept of gender identity".
In Scotland, Scottish Tory leadership frontrunner Russell Findlay has used similar language in his proposals for education reform, saying that “schools are no place for peddling contentious ideology” which he claimed “the SNP have pushed”.
And in March, Scottish Parliament staff were banned from wearing rainbow lanyards – seen as a symbol of the LGBTQ+ community – amid allegations that it put them at “risk of perceived bias”.
Mackay praised the SNP government’s 2019 commitment to LGBTQ+ inclusive education in schools, but warned: “Sadly we are seeing the same anti-LGBTQ+ political and media narratives around inclusive education in Scotland as we are across the rest of the UK, and across the globe.”
She went on: “That's why we need volunteers to join Just Like Us and help bring positive, relatable LGBTQ+ representation to schools across Scotland. By sharing their experiences, Just Like Us ambassadors help pupils understand that being LGBTQ+ is something to be celebrated and valued.
“Not only do ambassadors make a significant impact in increasing allyship and preventing bullying, but they also gain confidence and empowerment as part of a vibrant community of LGBTQ+ young adults. Together, we can make a real difference in Scottish schools and beyond."
Jordan Daly, the co-founder of Scotland-based charity Time for Inclusive Education (TIE) which is advising with the rollout, said that “prejudice and disinformation” mean that young LGBTQ+ people often experience high rates of bullying.
Just Like Us pointed to their 2021 Growing Up LGBT research report, which found that 79% of LGBTQ+ people in Scotland aged 11 to 18 had experienced suicidal thoughts and feelings.
Daly said that including “LGBTQ+ people, families, and history in the school curriculum helps pupils understand that LGBTQ+ people are an equal part of our society and lets all young people feel included in their learning”.
He went on: “It is important because homophobia is one of the most common forms of prejudice that school pupils report witnessing or experiencing, and research shows that LGBTQ+ young people often experience high rates of bullying, which can have long-term effects. This requires a robust and meaningful educational response. This work also improves the school experiences of all young people, as many of those experiencing homophobic bullying are not LGBTQ+.
“LGBTQ+ young people need to see positive representation and hear how others like them have overcome experiences of adversity to find strength, resilience and pride – particularly at a time when LGBTQ+ people, our families and experiences are subject to prejudice and disinformation - both in online settings and in wider society.”
