All schools should encourage respect and LGBT acceptance

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/feb/11/all-schools-should-encourage-respect-and-lgbt-acceptance

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As members or leaders of religion and belief groups, educationists, campaigners and school leaders, we are concerned by reports that the Department for Education is planning to dilute the advice it publishes on the independent school standards, to no longer stipulate that all independent schools must teach respect for LGBT people. This poses a significant safeguarding risk to LGBT young people, who are still subject to significant levels of homophobic, biphobic, and transphobic bullying.

Research shows that 45% of LGBT pupils are subject to bullying because of their identity, and the majority hear discriminatory language in school. Challenging LGBT discrimination in school lessons and in everyday school life is fundamental to fostering equality at school and in wider society. This teaching should take place at both primary and secondary level, to stem the development of anti-LGBT prejudice and to support LGBT people in the school community.

It’s important to recognise that being LGBT and having a religion are not mutually exclusive. LGBT people are members of all communities, across religions and non-religious worldviews. While it is possible for schools to consider issues from a range of religion or belief perspectives, fundamentally all schools, including those with a religious character, must provide lessons that inform young people of their rights, and promote a culture of inclusion and acceptance of diversity.

That’s why we urge the secretary of state to ensure that, irrespective of the type of school they attend, all children are supported and allowed to thrive through education that actively promotes respect and encourages LGBT acceptance.

Fiyaz Mughal Director, Faith MattersAndrew Copson Chief executive, Humanists UKLynnette Smith Chair, Sex Education ForumRabbi Laura Janner-Klausner Senior Rabbi to Reform JudaismRev Stephen Terry Chair, Accord Coalition for Inclusive EducationVery Rev Jeffrey John Dean of St AlbansKevin Courtney Joint general secretary, The National Education UnionDr Mary Bousted Joint general secretary, National Education UnionDeborah Gold Chief executive, National Aids TrustIan Green Chief executive officer, Terrence Higgins TrustNeil Roskilly Chief executive officer, The Independent Schools AssociationRev Jane Fraser Manager of the relations and sex education charity BodysenseProfessor Becky Francis Director, UCL Institute of EducationRabbi Danny Rich Chief executive, Liberal JudaismRt Rev David Gillett Former Anglican Bishop of BoltonRev Heston Groenewald Vicar, All Hallows Church, LeedsRabbi Margaret Jacobi Birmingham SynagogueRev Richard Jones Associate minister, Hereford DioceseRev Canon Peter Leonard Chair of OneBodyOneFaith and acting dean and canon chancellor of Portsmouth CathedralRev Iain McDonald United Reformed ChurchVery Rev Bertrand Olivier Church of EnglandRev Professor Michael J Reiss UCL Institute of EducationRabbi Dr Jonathan Romain Maidenhead SynagogueRabbi Elli Tikvah SarahRev Tim Stead Church of EnglandRev Robert Thompson Church of EnglandRev Tony Whatmough Team rector, Headingly team ministryRev Claire Wilson Church of EnglandRev Simon Wilson Heacham, Norfolk, Church of EnglandDerek McAuley Chief officer, General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian ChurchesPaul Bishop Assistant headteacher and director of sixth form, Saint Cecilia’s Church of England SchoolLuke Dowding Co-director, AffirmJayne Ozanne Director, Ozanne FoundationHidayah (LGBTQI+ Muslims)Ruth Hilton Chair, JATRabia Mirza Director of media, engagement and lobbying, British Muslims for Secular DemocracyFiyaz Mughal Director, Faith MattersJayne Ozanne Director, Ozanne FoundationBrian Pearce Former Buddhist chaplain to prisons in WalesMartin Pendergast Centre for the study of Christianity and sexualityDawn Savidge Co-director, AffirmMartin Stears-Handscomb Co-chair, Accepting EvangelicalsSimon Barrow Director, EkklesiaMelissa Benn Writer and campaignerDr Nuala Burgess Chair, Comprehensive FutureTracey Byrne Chief executive, OneBodyOneFaithShaun Dellenty Founder, Inclusion For AllNatasha Devon Mental health campaignerMartin Doré Chair, Socialist Educational AssociationDr Eleanor Formby Reader in Sociology and Youth Studies, Sheffield Hallam UniversityProfessor Jonathan Glazzard Carnegie School of Education, Leeds Beckett UniversityJohn Bolt General secretary, Socialist Educational AssociationMark Jennett Sexuality and gender equality in schools specialistNaomi Long Leader, Alliance Party of Northern IrelandLoic Menzies Chief executive of the education think tank, LKMcoAlison Ryan Steering committee member, Accord Coalition for Inclusive Education

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