Gay students ‘ignored’ in sex education
On the 18th anniversary of the founding of World AIDS Day, and 25 years after HIV was identified, gay campaign group Schools Out is calling upon the government for a total re-think on its teaching policy.
The group, which pushes for LGBT equality in education, claims that the government should be doing more about raising awareness of sexual health amongst school pupils.
A Schools Out spokesperson said: “Education, education, education has not happened in respect of the sexual health needs of young lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people.”
The campaigners claim that the government is too obsessed with other aspects of education policy such as promoting academies and debates over faith schools, which is fears may be detrimental for LGBT students.
“The government’s drive to promote academies and faith schools is handing control of schools – and taxpayers’ money – to groups whose commitment to applying the principles of ‘Every Child Matters’ to LGBT students is questionable.
“The prime minister would have a legacy to be proud of if he spent some time and money actually saving the lives of our LGBT young people.
“Schools should guarantee them access to appropriate sexual health information as part of an inclusive curriculum that values and celebrates the lives of LGBT people.”
Earlier this week, the government pledged an extra £1m to be invested in work to tackle the rise in HIV cases amongst gay men and African communities in the UK.
