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.

LGBT+ equality
LGBT+ education professionals, pupils and families are vital members of all nursery, school and college communities and of our union.

LGBT+ inclusion guidance
For members; union reps and officers; heads, senior heads, PHSE and safeguarding leads; school governors/trustees; councillors, local authorities and community leaders.

NEU LGBT+ inclusion charter
The NEU LGBT+ charter is a clear, practical, hands-on guide for how educators might initiate work on LGBT+ equality, develop their approach further or add to what they do already.

LGBT+ members survey
Learning from LGBT+ staff across the education sector.

Pride
The NEU actively takes part in LGBT+ Pride events across the country. Here you can find out how to join other NEU members at Pride events.
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- This guidance is draft out for consultation – there is no need to change any existing policies in reaction to the draft guidance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.

Supporting trans and gender questioning students
Advice to help school and college staff support gender variant or questioning students in the educational environment.

NEU statement on transphobia
A clear expression of the union’s commitment to protecting trans members from harassment and offensive conduct.

Trans educators toolkit
Toolkit with advice and guidance on transitioning for trans educators and employers.
Advice and guidance

Sexual orientation discrimination
All teachers and educational professionals have specific protection from discrimination at work on grounds of sexual orientation and civil partnership under the Equality Act 2010.

Transgender discrimination
All trans teachers and educational professionals have specific protection from discrimination at work on grounds of sex and transgender status under the Equality Act 2010, as well as from the unlawful disclosure of transgender status.
Teaching resources

Our Histories - teaching pack for key stage 1-2
Recognising International Equality events in January and February.

Every child, every family
This resource will help you to promote LGBT+ inclusion through reading. It’s designed to help you include every child and make sure every child has ways to see their family and relatives represented positively in their school.
Latest news and blogs
Protect trans and non-binary students
Schools work carefully to engage and communicate with parents and carers appropriately, but the Government is making the job of schools harder not easier.
Government’s draft schools and college guidance on trans and non-binary students
It is important to underline that schools do not need to change their current policies at this stage.
Raising LGBT+ students' aspirations
Too many students still go through an education experience which isn’t LGBT+ inclusive.