LGBTQ+ Inclusion icon

LGBTQ+ Inclusion Toolkit

LGBTQ+ Inclusion Toolkit

What Is LGBTQ+ Inclusion?

In order to understand how to be LGBTQ+ inclusive we first need to look at these letters stand for:
  • Lesbian
  • Gay
  • Bisexual
  • Transgender
  • Queer/Questioning
  • The plus encompasses the vast spectrum of sexuality and gender identity including Intersex, Asexual, Non-binary and Pansexual.

Since the 1990’s there has been significant progress in LGBTQ+ rights within the UK; from same sex marriage being made legal, to introducing the world’s first transgender action plan in 2011, to the inclusion of LGBTQ+ relationships in compulsory Relationship and Sex Education, however there is still much work to do. A recent government survey found that two thirds of LGBTQ+ couples avoid holding hands in public. This should be one of the simplest expressions of affection not something that is feared. It is important that we are creating an inclusive educational environment where students feel safe and represented as this can only have a positive impact on all students and staff.

The key findings from the 2017 Stonewall School Report are staggering and highlight why more needs to be done to be LGBTQ+ inclusive:
  • Nearly half of LGBT pupils (45 per cent) – including 64 per cent of trans pupils – are bullied for being LGBT in Britain’s schools. This is down from 55 per cent of lesbian, gay and bi pupils who experienced bullying because of their sexual orientation in 2012 and 65 per cent in 2007
  • Half of LGBT pupils hear homophobic slurs ‘frequently’ or ‘often’ at school, down from seven in 10 in 2012
  • Seven in 10 LGBT pupils report that their school says that homophobic and biphobic bullying is wrong, up from half in 2012 and a quarter in 2007. However, just two in five LGBT pupils report that their schools say that transphobic bullying is wrong
  • Just one in five LGBT pupils have been taught about safe sex in relation to same-sex relationships
  • More than four in five trans young people have self-harmed, as have three in five lesbian, gay and bi young people who aren’t trans
  • More than two in five trans young people have attempted to take their own life, and one in five lesbian, gay and bi students who aren’t trans have done the same

It has been proven that providing an LGBTQ+ inclusive education reduces incidents of homophobic, biphobic and transphobic bullying as well as improving the mental wellbeing of LGBTQ+ youths. Ensuring that education is LGBTQ+ inclusive is imperative as attitudes learnt at school go with that young person into the world, the workplace and the wider community. Everyone (LGBTQ+ or not) benefits from a more inclusive education.

The Diverse Educators’ LGBTQ+ Inclusion Toolkit

We are collating a growing bank of resources to support you to be able to stand up, speak up and celebrate members of the LGBTQ+ community in your school.

You may want to consider reflecting on the following questions:
  • How can we avoid LGBTQ+ discrimination in our schools?
  • How can I encourage all school staff to understand the benefits of LGBTQ+ inclusion?
  • How do I challenge LGBTQ+ discrimination-based language and incidents?
  • How can we create an LGBTQ+ inclusive culture and ethos in our schools?

What Does Good LGBTQ+ Inclusion Look Like?

To summarise
  • Bullying and use of derogatory language is consistently challenged
  • Gender neutral language is used across the school and in policies
  • Stereotypes are challenged – in the curriculum, in policies and in conversations
  • An inclusive curriculum – not just PSHE days
  • Diverse LGBTQ+ role models are visible
  • Staff need to have the training and the confidence to know how to support LGBTQ+ young people
  • Also, don’t underestimate visibility of LGBTQ+ members of staff and the impact of seeing them treated well. If students can see their teachers thriving then they are more likely to see how they can thrive too.

If, as educators, we can do this, then we are not only setting up young people for success, but society too.

Articles

Diversity Role Models

Pathways to LGBT+ Inclusion: Report (2020)

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Frontiers in Sociology

A Critical Analysis of LGBTQ+ Inclusion Policy in Schools (2021)

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Guardian

‘I had two separate lives’: LGBT teachers learn to speak up and get promotion (2020)

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I News

New regulations for teaching relationships and sex education in English (2020)

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The Scotsman

Scotland has become the first country in the world to embed lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender inclusive education across the school (2021)

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Stonewall

How LGBT inclusive education can change lives (2021)

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Blogs

Audit your curriculum for gender and LGBTQ+ inclusivity

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Brook Blog - How to make sure your RSE is LGBT+ inclusive

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Celebrating diversity and promoting inclusion – the ‘golden threads’ of effective practice

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Inclusive Education

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LGBT+ inclusion in schools

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The experiences of teachers who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer (LGBTQ+)

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Books

Dr Barnes, Elly and Dr Carlile, Anna. How to Transform Your School into an LGBT+ Friendly Place: A Practical Guide for Nursery, Primary and Secondary Teachers

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Dellenty, Shaun. Celebrating difference – a whole school approach to LGBT+ inclusion

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Kara, Bennie. Diversity in Schools

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Moffatt, Andrew. No Outsiders: Everyone Different, Everyone Welcome: Preparing Children for Life in Modern Britain

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Tomlinson-Gray, Daniel. Big Gay Adventures in Education: Supporting LGBT+ Visibility and Inclusion in Schools

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Uglow, Tea. Loud and Proud: LGBTQ+ Speeches that Empower and Inspire

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Podcasts

Being LGBTQ

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Ouch! 'I didn’t even know what bisexual was'

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SCHOOL’S OUT: time for LGBT-inclusive education

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The Story of Section 28

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Why Do We Ostracize Some Pupils?

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Why we need LGBT+ Inclusive Schools

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You’re Dead to Me

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Resources

Barnado’s Secondary Schools Resource Pack

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Just Like Us, Anti Bullying Week resources

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NEU Advice for LGBT Inclusion in schools

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Olly Alexander ‘Growing up gay’

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Scottish platform for learning

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Shh No talking - LGBT-inclusive Sex and Relationships Education in the UK

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Stonewall – An introduction to supporting LGBT children and young people

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Stonewall – Setting up a student voice group

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The Proud Trust

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Videos

Camelia Bui. Inclusive Language

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Grace James. Ignorance isn’t bliss - Why we need LGBTQ Education

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Kat Clark. Your words have the power to end suffering of LGBTQ youth

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Morgana Bailey. The danger of hiding who you are

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Can you be person of faith and LGBT?

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Day Inclusive Practice Seminar on LGBT+ Inclusive Education

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Is My Child Too Young To Learn About Being Gay?

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LGBTQ | How You See Me

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The way we think about biological sex is wrong

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Professional Learning and Development

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Services

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