LGBT+ equality

Every child is entitled to an education that supports the development of their knowledge and skills as well as their personal development towards a healthy adulthood. However, LGBT+ students still face many challenges in education. Education must be inclusive to reduce the barriers and challenges for LGBT+ children and young people and support them to have a sense of belonging and safety in their school.

Right of trans and non-binary members to self-identify

The NEU remains committed to the important right for people who are trans or non-binary to self-identify.

The NEU recognises trans and non-binary identities and is aware and concerned about the unacceptable levels of discrimination faced by trans and non-binary staff in workplaces and within society. The NEU provides information and advice for all members to use, around LGBT+ inclusion, on how to develop inclusive approaches in schools and colleges, viewing a representative curriculum as central.

The Union’s democratic decisions place this important Union work within a wider agenda of challenging sexism and sex discrimination, and challenging homophobia and stereotypical attitudes about men and women.

The Union believes in the power of education to empower children and young people to identify stereotypes and develop positive attitudes.

Draft DfE guidance for supporting trans children

The Department for Education has released guidance on gender-questioning children that is currently out for consultation. The Union is waiting on a response to this consultation.

It is important to emphasise that:

• This guidance is draft out for consultation – there is no need to change any existing policies in reaction to the draft guidance
• This guidance will be non-statutory and act as a guide for schools.

The Union has some concerns about the guidance.

• We believe this guidance will make it harder for schools to successfully meet the requirement under the Equality Act 2010, which is a responsibility to promote LGBT+ equality.
• The NEU thinks that it is not compatible with the DFE Keeping Children Safe in Education, which is statutory.
• It doesn’t draw on the Teachers’ Standards, which require all teachers to contribute to equitable and inclusive learning environments.

On this basis, we have completed our response to the consultation to ask the DFE to engage more fully with the education unions.