Scotland will be the first country in the world to ensure its education system recognises issues faced by the LGBTI community, ministers have announced.
Equalities campaigners hailed the move as a “monumental victory”, claiming the “destructive legacy” of Section 28 - which banned the promotion of homosexuality - had been ended.
Research by the Time for Inclusive education (Tie) campaign group found 90 per cent of LGBT people experienced homophobia, biphobia or transphobia at school.
Read more: Mum forced to move school and home over transphobic bullying
As a result the Scottish Government will encourage schools to use a range of new teaching materials which highlight issues such as tackling homophobia, biphobia and transphobia, prejudice in relation to the LGBTI community and promoting awareness of the history of LGBTI equalities and movements.
The materials will be used in personal and social education as well as religious and moral education.
The Scottish Qualifications Authority will also develop course materials reflecting LGBTI issues for national qualifications such as National 5 and Higher in relevant subjects such as modern studies, history and English.
That means all pupils studying such qualifications will be taught from the materials because they could face questions in final exams.
Co-founder of the Tie campaign Jordan Daly said: “After three years of campaigning, we are delighted LGBTI inclusive education will now become a reality in Scotland’s state schools.
“This is a monumental victory for our campaign and a historic moment for our country."
He spoke after Education Secretary John Swinney announced the Scottish Government will accept all 33 recommendations made by the LGBTI inclusive education working group.
This means all state schools will teach pupils of all ages about LGBTI equality, with the Government to fund training on this for teachers.
Ministers will also ensure all schools have “appropriate” LGBTI teaching resources for lessons.
Tie’s research had previously revealed four of five teachers do not feel adequately trained to tackle homophobia, biphobia or transphobia.
Mr Swinney said: “I am aware that some may say that LGBTI inclusive education could undermine the values of their faiths or beliefs. I do not take this view.
“Human rights and the values of respect and tolerance are universal. Children and young people should feel happy, safe, respected and included in their learning environment, and all staff should be proactive in promoting positive relationships and behaviour in the playground, classroom, wider learning community and society.”
Read more: Survey finds bullying of LGBT pupils in Scottish schools is rife
The announcement was broadly welcomed across Holyrood, with Labour’s Iain Gray describing the Tie campaign as “powerful, persuasive and long overdue”.
He added that the group’s founders Mr Daly and Liam Stevenson “have changed Scotland’s education system for the better for future generations to come”.
Green education spokesman Ross Greer added: “The recommendations in this report won’t just transform lives when delivered, they will save lives.
“Every young person in Scotland is entitled to an inclusive education which recognises their identity and sexual orientation.”
However, following the annoucement, the Christian Institute questioned the move.
Simon Calvert, deputy director of the institute, said: "Parents, pupils and teachers expect schools to do all they can to stop bullying of any kind, but they don’t want to see controversial political agendas embedded across the curriculum.
“There are a diversity of beliefs about LGBT issues in Scotland and the approach adopted by the Scottish Government assumes there is only one acceptable view.
“Many families, religious and otherwise, will be concerned about how far this is going to go. There is already a great deal of emphasis on LGBT issues in schools."
But there was backing from the Catholic Church, councils, charities, teaching unions and parent groups.
Barbara Coupar, director of the Scottish Catholic Education Service, said: "We welcome any recommendations that will help to ensure that pupils and school staff are properly equipped to challenge and eradicate prejudiced based bullying within schools and wider society.”
Stephen McCabe, children spokesman for council umbrella body Cosla, said: "Local authorities will continue to do their best to ensure schools are LGBTI inclusive environments, building on existing good practice, to ensure schools are supportive places for everyone.”
Larry Flanagan, general secretary of the Educational Institute of Scotland, said Scotland had come a long way in attitudes to LGBTI equality, but more progress needed to be made.
He said: "Whilst schools, colleges and universities cannot eradicate prejudice, they play an important part in promoting inclusive education."
A spokeswoman for the National Parent Forum of Scotland said: "We believe our schools must provide inclusive education for all pupils and as a society we must break the culture of denial which leads to alienation and bullying behaviour."
Katie Ferguson, Director at respectme, Scotland’s anti-bullying service, added: "These recommendations are about helping to embed a culture and ethos across our education settings that prevent prejudice and bullying, and ensure every LGBTI young person in Scotland feels valued, respected and included.”
Support also came from Dame Emma Thompson who said: "Congratulations to TIE for bringing LGBT inclusive education to Scottish schools - this is a wonderful step forward in the quest for LGBT equality.
"When young people are free to be their genuine selves then they can live happy and fulfilled lives.
"With LGBT inclusive education in all of Scotland’s schools, LGBT young people can build confidence and self esteem, and learn that they are part of a vibrant and beautiful community.“
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