SCOUT leaders have backed calls for increased teaching of LGBT issues to help end homophobia in schools.
The Scouts Scotland organisation, the largest co-educational youth movement in the country with 50,000 members, is supporting the Time For Inclusive Education (TIE) campaign.
It is lobbying the Scottish Government to introduce a programme of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender issues to be taught in classrooms.
It is part of a new national approach to tackle high rates of prejudice-based bullying.
Showing their support outside the Scottish Parliament yesterday, Scouts from across Scotland stated that “all schools now need to tackle homophobia” and expressed their support for the campaign’s aims.
Scout Network member Kerry Simpson 19, said: “I have always found Scouting to be a very welcoming environment where leaders encouraged us to be ourselves. When I came out in Scouting I was immediately accepted.
“Sadly, not all schools are so welcoming and supportive of LGBT young people. We support the TIE Campaign, which aims to ensure that LGBT issues are taught within schools - to help all young people to feel included and respected.”
Research published by TIE found 90 per cent of LGBT people experience homophobia while at school, and 27 per cent reported they had attempted suicide due to being bullied.
Explorer Scout Oscar Hazelwood, 17, added: “As a Scout we learn to respect everyone and learn from each other. We want to challenge inequality and bullying when we see it and make sure that everyone is valued for who they are.
“That is why, even though I am not LGBT, I went to Pride with my friends to show my support and to show that I care. All schools now need to tackle homophobia - and it is not just LGBT people that need to learn about it.”
TIE want LGBT issues, such as same-sex families and the history of the LGBT rights movement, to be included in curriculum guidance and for teachers to be trained on how to address the topic in the classroom.
It also wants a legal requirement placed on schools to tackle homophobic bullying.
A majority of MSPs have already signed TIE’s campaign pledge, while the Scottish Government has launched a joint working group to bring forward policy recommendations.
The Scottish Government recently launched a national working group to take forward TIE’s proposals after a majority of MSPs signed the campaign’s strategy pledge, which includes calls for teacher training and new legislation on the issue.
A TIE spokesman said: “Receiving the support of Scouts Scotland marks a very significant step forward for our campaign.
“That one of the largest youth movement’s in Scotland has wholeheartedly endorsed our calls for LGBT education in schools reaffirms what we already know - that there is wide support across Scotland for the educational experience to be LGBT-inclusive.”
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