LGBTQ+ Curriculum in Schools: Where is it Happening?
by Christine Kinori
For too long, LGBTQ+ students have felt alone, distraught, and vulnerable especially in school settings. They have faced verbal abuse, discrimination, physical harassment and it is an understatement to say that they have been having a super hard time while in school. Bullying and homophobia continues to affect every LGBTQ+ individual from a very young age. Schools from all over the world have been trying to change the narrative and inspire inclusivity while educating children from a young age about sexual orientation and identity. Some countries have opted to adopt a LGBTQ-inclusive curriculum in their educations system which is a good start, but full inclusivity will take longer. The journey is slow and steady, and it goes in steps. LGBTQ+ curriculum in schools is a vital key towards creating a safer environment for the LGBTQ community as we cultivate awareness and acceptance from a very tender age. New curricula is intended to broaden traditional sex education and a greater understanding of sexuality. It will cover topics such as consent, gender identity and sexual violence.
In the US, LGBTQ+ curriculum has not been adopted by all the states in the country — only a few have chosen to take these brave step. This includes the states of California, New Jersey, Colorado and Illinois. A research conducted showed 65% of students in the US reported to receiving no classroom instruction about LGBTQ+ people, history and events. What’s worse is 15% reported receiving only negative information about LGBTQ+ people in the classroom, according to a 2017 report by the LGBTQ+ education advocacy group GLSEN. It concluded that a more inclusive curriculum could have a positive effect on LGBTQ+ student’s experience in school. They even conducted a pilot program and have passed laws mandating that public schools incorporate LGBTQ-inclusive curriculum. New York is the latest city to move towards this direction. Illinois went on to amend their school code to add a more inclusive history curriculum because it hopes to overcome the intolerance that society has shown the LGBTQ+ community through education and exposure to different people and viewpoints.
Primary schools in England have been given a choice on what to teach about same-sex relationships by the education secretary if they consider it age-appropriate. It has faced oppositions in some of the schools — especially by the parents. Alas, it is set that in September 2020, relationships education will be compulsory for all primary schools and sex education compulsory for all secondary children. With the aim of helping children to leave school, prepared for life in a diverse Britain. This is a great societal step, that school children will grow up knowing it’s OK to be queer.
Scotland will become the world’s first country with a LGBTQ-inclusive school curriculum from 2021. It will be the world’s first nation to teach LGBTQ+ history in schools. This was due to a survey that showed around 40% of LGBTQ+ students hadn’t been taught about sexuality issues and only 22% had learned of safe sex in same-sex relationships. This means that all government schools will be receiving mandatory classes on challenges facing the LGBTQ+ community and equality. This will help deal with issues of discrimination and homophobia. Scotland is a very progressive country when it comes to its attitude regarding the LGBTQ rights. Scotland hopes to create more awareness and acceptability among its students. Its curriculum involves great topics on how to tackle homophobia, biphobia and transphobia.
In Belgium, a survey with the support of GLSEN and Columbia University stated 41% of LGBTQ+ students felt unsafe because of their sexual orientation and 27% because of gender expression. Almost one in four tried to avoid the school toilets and gym locker rooms because they felt unsafe. 50% said that teachers never responded to homophobic or transphobic remarks in school. Another report showed that teachers recognized the importance of addressing LGBTQ+ topics, but did not know how to do so. In late 2018, the Flemish Parliament approved a new school curriculum for the 1st grade of secondary schools, making it mandatory for schools to educate students about sexual orientation, gender identity and gender issues.
In the Netherlands, the Dutch government is supporting various initiatives. Dutch secondary schools have been required to include gender and sexual diversity in their curriculum since 2012. Each year the COC, the world’s oldest LGBTQ+ advocacy group delivers about 1500 classes and guest lessons on LGBTQ+ issues. COC wants to develop a standard for the improvement of LGBTQ+ acceptance in schools. Though LGBTQ+ acceptance has not yet been fully achieved, the aim is to improve the situation in schools. According to 80 to 90% of school principals in Netherlands, their school spends some time on promoting LGBTQ+ acceptance.
In Sweden, the Swedish Equality Ombudsman published a manual, for all Swedish preschools should have gender-neutral bathrooms and that all preschool children should learn about same-sex “families” and “parents.” This has helped in sexual identity for Swedish LGBTQ+ individuals from a young age. The aim is to help in sexual orientation and gender identity. Swedish students begin their sex education at 11 in their 5th year of primary school. Sweden is one of the most LGBTQ-friendly countries and they even introduced the equality programme which teaches the students to learn to respect other people’s opinions and choices regarding sexuality and form of social life.
In the coming years, we work towards creating a safe environment starting from the school facilities to home and work areas. It is with great importance for the government to help facilitate adoption of LGBTQ+ curriculum in schools. Inclusive classrooms are a major factor to help deal with discrimination, homophobia, low self esteem and stigma. The curriculum has to to ensure that the right LGBTQ+ history is taught without bias and it opens up the younger generation to understand that it is not a crime but simply a different sexual orientation.
For a comprehensive LGBTQ+ guide for your school, I recommend downloading The Dru Project’s guide — it’s the most comprehensive one of its kind in the US!
About the Author:
Christine Siamanta Kinori grew up in a little village in Kenya known as Loitoktok near the border of Kenya and Tanzania. All she wanted to do when she grew up was to explore the world. Her curiosity led her to join Nairobi University to pursue a degree in Journalism and Mass Communications. She later got a job with an amazing travel magazine Nomad Africa which gave her the opportunity to explore Africa. She also writes for numerous travel websites about Africa and tries to create a new narrative in the media about our aesthetic continent.
Christine claims to have somewhat unhealthy addiction to TV and reading, as it is a fun way to keep herself occupied during the long journeys for her travel writing. She is also a believer of letting people be their beautiful selves. To her, love is love and it is the greatest gift we have as humans.
