Teachers have reported there is still more to do to ensure LGBTI
equality in schools for all staff and pupils.
Teachers attending the LGBTI Teachers’ Consultation Conference,
organised by the NASUWT-The Teachers’ Union today (Saturday) in
Birmingham, raised concerns that progress on tackling
discrimination and advancing equality has been rolled back or
hampered as a result of changes in the political climate in the
last 18 months.
A real-time electronic poll of members attending the Conference
found that:
- Over a third (38%) said they have experienced discrimination,
bullying, harassment or victimisation in the last 12 months
because of their LGBTI identity;
- Nearly six in ten (58%) said they have experienced colleagues
making stereotypical assumptions about them based on their LGBTI
identity;
- 30% said they are not ‘out’ at school;
- Nearly a third (29%) said that levels of anti LGBTI bullying
and language have increased or stayed the same in their school in
recent years;
- Nearly half (49%) say they would not recommend teaching as a
career to family or friends.
Chris Keates, General Secretary of the NASUWT, said:
“It is deeply worrying that some LGBTI teachers report
experiencing and hearing more homophobic language within schools
and that incidents of hate crime and hate speech have increased
more generally.
“Being ‘out’ in the workplace is a matter of personal choice, but
too many LGBTI teachers tell us they would like to be out but do
not feel their school is a safe environment for them to do so.
“Schools which are not inclusive environments for LGBTI staff are
unlikely to be supportive environments for LGBTI pupils either.
“It is important that schools take their responsibilities on
promoting equality and respect seriously to create an environment
where everyone feels valued, respected and safe."
