Scotland becomes the first country to include LGBTQ+ history in schools

Scotland becomes the first country to include LGBTQ+ history in schools
(Source: Unsplash.com)

While the Philippines is slowly breaking down barriers that exclude the LGBTQ+ community, a country on the other side of the world has taken a major step in the right direction.

Scotland has made history by becoming the first country in the world to embed LGBTQ- inclusive education across its schools’ curriculum. Can you say priiiiide?!

The European nation distributed a new teacher toolkit with e-learning courses on teaching topics and issues related to the queer community, including same-sex marriage, same-sex parenting, homophobia, biphobia, transphobia, and the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

To add to this,  the new curriculum also seeks to integrate inclusion into other everyday subjects. For example, one math lesson offered shows a young girl looking to buy Father’s Day gifts for her two dads.

“Scotland is already considered one of the most progressive countries in Europe for LGBTI [lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex] equality,” said Deputy First Minister and Education Secretary John Swinney in a statement. “I am delighted to announce we will be the first country in the world to have LGBTI inclusive education embedded within the curriculum.”

With this progressive move, the Scottish government also hopes that the inclusive lessons will help reduce bullying towards LGBTQ+ youth in the United Kingdom.

Well, it looks like the people agree that LGBTQ-inclusive lessons should be integrated into the academic curriculum. Queer rights charity Stonewall conducted a study that found that 60% of British people believe schools should educate young learners on LGBTQ+ matters. 

“LGBT-inclusive education is life-changing teaching for so many young people, which is why it’s so powerful to see so much of the British public support the new legislation,” said Stonewall Chief Executive Paul Twocock. “We owe it to the next generation to ensure our schools are a place where all children and young people can be themselves.”

Let’s hope more nations follow suit to make the LGBTQ+ community feel more welcomed and appreciated. It’s about time!

Art Daniella Sison

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