LGBTQIA young people’s charity Just Like Us has revealed that there has been no change to teachers’ comfort levels since 2021
BY ELLA GAUCI, IMAGES BY JUST LIKE US
A new study by LGBTQIA young people’s charity Just Like Us has found that 15% of teachers in the UK still feel “not very comfortable” or “completely uncomfortable” discussing LGBTQIA topics with pupils. Surveying 6,000 secondary school teachers, this new research shows that teachers’ comfort levels have not changed since 2021.
On the flip side, the majority of teachers (84%) felt “completely” or “mostly” comfortable talking about LGBTQIA topics at school. Just Like Us found that headteachers were the most likely to say that they felt at ease talking about queer topics.
Laura Mackay, Chief Executive of Just Like Us, the LGBTQIA young people’s charity, said: “It is incredibly disappointing to see that progress on LGBTQIA inclusion is stagnating in the frequently transphobic climate.”
“LGBTQIA young people cannot afford for progress to come to a standstill, and we are so grateful to all the teachers taking part in School Diversity Week, running a Pride Group or simply taking time to listen to, and support, their LGBTQIA pupils. LGBTQIA young people are twice as likely to be bullied during their time at school, and as young adults, they are three times more likely to face a mental health condition. If those supporting and educating them feel uncomfortable or treat LGBTQIA topics as something that is taboo, these barriers will remain.”
“Just Like Us’ programmes aim to make LGBTQIA inclusion not only comfortable for teachers, but easy, empowering and joyful, and I would urge all teachers to make use of the resources available to them. As we mark 20 years since the repeal of the dangerous and damaging Section 28, we must continue to push for better outcomes for the next generation of LGBTQIA young people because, frankly, they deserve better.”
This new research coincides with the release of the government’s draft guidance for trans students in schools. The non-statutory guidance states that schools should “take a very cautious approach” if students want to use a new name, pronouns, or uniform. The guidance also places parents at the heart of the conversation, with schools being encouraged to inform families of children who have come out as trans at school.
Just Like Us’ research also found that the age of teachers had an impact on their comfort level when discussing LGBTQIA topics. One in five teachers over the age of 50 said that were “not very comfortable” or “completely uncomfortable” when talking about queer topics with students. Only 13% of teachers in their 30s said the same.
Matthew Knowles, an English teacher in London, said: “In the current climate, support for LGBTQIA students in schools is more essential than ever.”
“Because of dialogue amongst politicians and scaremongering in the media, some students seem more emboldened than ever to bully and attack LGBTQIA rights. This is having an extremely negative effect on LGBTQIA students in and out of schools. It is often forcing many students to retreat back into the closet.
“School leaders are also finding it increasingly difficult to balance the rights of other protected groups with protections for LGBTQIA people enshrined in current legislation. As teachers and school leaders, we must continue to safeguard the LGBTQIA students within our institutions, and to challenge bullying and hate wherever we encounter it.”
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