Emma Thompson backs efforts to end homophobia in schools
Actor Emma Thompson has come out in favour of a campaign to end homophobia in schools.
The star announced that she was in favour of the Time for Inclusive Education (TIE) campaign, which calls for a new look at how to tackle the issue of discrimination in schools.
She said: “The time for homophobia is long gone. It’s over.
“Any young person indulging in homophobic bullying is a teenage dinosaur who should just go and sit coughing over a sherry in an old white men’s club.
“It’s not cool, it’s not intelligent and it’s not attractive. Let the rainbow live. We are all in this together and if you’re young, you know that better than anyone. Get rid of the old, get in with the new – get rid of homophobia.”
The endorsement by Thompson comes as new figures showed that one in four young LGBT+ people had attempted suicide after being bullied for their sexual orientation or gender identity.
A Tie spokesperson told STV: “We are delighted that Emma Thompson has backed our campaign, and has joined us in urging the next Scottish Government to commit to tackling homophobia in schools.
“Despite education featuring prominently throughout the current parliamentary election campaign, there has been no public mention of LGBT+ education from any party leaders thus far. Hopefully, the growing support for our cause will encourage them to start addressing the very real issues facing LGBT+ youth in our schools.”
TIE is backed by Mhairi Black MP and out gay rugby ref Nigel Owens.
The SNP has also passed a resolution in favour of TIE at its spring conference.
