- Conference
- 2016 National LGBT Conference
- Date
- 25 July 2016
- Decision
- Carried as Amended
Conference notes that the Time for Inclusive Education (TIE) Campaign is committed to improving access to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex plus (LGBTI+) inclusive education in all Scottish schools. Inclusive education can help tackle homo/bi/transphobia, create a more safe learning environment for all pupils, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, and can also help eliminate the fact that 25% of LGBTI+ school students attempt suicide at least once.
The TIE Campaign focuses on several key areas, including the pursuit of LGBTI+ training for all new teachers as part of their qualification so that newly qualified teachers can more easily be part of the solution.
Conference believes that, as far as possible, this should also apply to existing teachers, many of whom were trained under Section 28, and have never received training in LGBTI+ issues. Conference also believes that no faith school should be exempt from this.
Conference also acknowledges that, while teachers are key educators, classroom assistants, nursery nurses, librarians, careers advisors and others play a part in the educational journey of every student. Conference believes that the same training should be provided for them too.
Conference agrees with the TIE Campaign’s long term goal that there should be at least one teacher in every school fully trained in LGBTI+ issues so that students know there is someone to go to.
Conference instructs the national lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender committee to:
1. Join with the Scotland Region in acknowledging our support for the TIE Campaign;
2. Publish an article on the TIE Campaign in a future issue of OUT in UNISON.