This footballer is campaigning to end homophobia in schools
A footballing star is calling for an end to homophobia in schools.
The former Rangers player Derek Ferguson wants LGBT education to be taught in schools.
The Time for Inclusive Education (TIE) campaign is lobbying the Scottish Government to introduce LGBT education into schools in order to tackle high rates of homophobic bullying.
A study by the group found that nine in ten LGBT young people face homophobia during their time at school.
Ferguson said: “We have been educating against racism and sectarianism in Scotland for over ten years and we passionately believe raising awareness amongst young people about the issues some of their peers may be facing helps build empathy and breaks down barriers between young people.
“Tackling LGBTI bullying is just as important, young people need to understand the consequences of LGBTI bullying and learn to develop good relationships and respect the differences between people, regardless of what those differences may be.”
It comes after three professional footballers were rumoured to be coming out as gay.
Former World Cup referee Nigel Owens recently spoke of how he asked to be chemically castrated in the early days of realising he’s gay.
A TIE spokesperson said: “We are delighted Derek Ferguson has backed our campaign.
“It is important diverse voices from all corners of our society – including within Scottish football – speak out against the exclusion, bullying and prejudice that many LGBTI young people face within our schools.”
It’s now thought the Scottish Government will take the campaign’s requests on board.
A spokeswoman for the Scottish Government said: “As the First Minister has made clear, there is a commitment in the programme for government to take forward the issues that TIE has raised and we will do that in consultation with TIE.”
