LGBTI teachers have reported shocking levels of discrimination
based on their sexual orientation or gender identity to the
NASUWT- The Teachers’ Union.
Six in ten (59%) of LGBTI members taking part in the NASUWT’s
snapshot survey said they have personally experienced homophobia,
biphobia, transphobia or related forms of discrimination in their
workplace.
These LGBTI teachers have experienced discrimination in their
schools/colleges from: pupils (68%); teachers or other staff
(49%); parents (25%); and/or the school leadership (25%).
Members will discuss how to challenge such discrimination,
bullying and harassment at the NASUWT’s LGBTI Teachers’
Consultation Conference in Birmingham today (Saturday 11 June).
The theme of the conference will be “A Better Deal for LGBTI
Teachers”.
The NASUWT’s LGBTI Equality Survey also revealed that:
- 68% of respondents had witnessed
homophobia, 20% had witnessed biphobia and 45% had witnessed
transphobia in their workplace.
- 76% do not think their
schools/colleges are doing enough to promote LGBTI equality.
- 26% said there are no mechanisms or
processes for reporting LGBTI harassment or discrimination in
their workplace.
- 29% are not confident that an
incident of LGBTI discrimination, bullying or harassment reported
to their employer would be taken seriously and investigated
appropriately.
NASUWT General Secretary Dr Patrick Roach said:
“School and college employers who are failing in their statutory
duty to protect LGBTI teachers from discrimination, harassment
and victimisation at work are breaking the law and they must be
held to account.
“There must be a zero-tolerance approach to homophobia, biphobia
and transphobia so that our schools and colleges are safe and
secure places where teachers can teach and pupils can learn free
from the threat of prejudice, abuse and violence.
“We need to see every school and college employer putting in
place effective systems for reporting and dealing with cases of
homophobic, biphobic and transphobic discrimination, bullying and
harassment.
“It’s high time the Government takes seriously the realities
facing too many of our teachers and takes steps to ensure that
LGBTI staff are included and respected at work.
“Providing pupils with an LGBTI-inclusive curriculum must also be
an integral part of efforts to tackle the problem of prejudice
and abuse in schools.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors
- The NASUWT’s LGBTI Teachers’
Consultation Conference will take place at the Park Regis Hotel
in Birmingham on Saturday 11 June.
