LGBT+ inclusion: members
LGBT+ inclusion involves reviewing the curriculum and lesson plans across all subjects to eliminate heteronormative bias, and ensure sexual orientations and gender identities are represented.
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.
There are over 5,500 NEU members who identify as LGBT+ and undoubtedly there are more staff working in education who do not feel safe or supported to come out at work. As well as safety for LGBT+ children, young people and families, LGBT+ inclusive education is essential to creating safe and equal workplaces.
The NEU has produced a range of guidance for LGBT+ inclusion.
LGBT+ advice
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Advice
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Advice 
LGBT+ inclusion: LGBT+ members
It is often the most unpleasant voices that we hear the loudest and whether you are out at work or not, it can be extremely isolating being a lone LGBT+ staff member.
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Advice 
LGBT+ inclusion: reps and officers
Every school and district should be having a conversation about LGBT+ inclusion.
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Advice 
LGBT+ inclusion: school governors/trustees
As a school governor / trustee, you are responsible for ensuring the school’s practices are consistent with its values and ethos, even where these may be different to your own.
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LGBT+ inclusion: councillors, local authorities and community leaders
Councillors are a bridge between the community and the local authority. The local authority can take a lead in developing a borough/region-wide approach to LGBT+ inclusion in education.
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LGBT+ inclusion: heads, senior leaders, PHSE and safeguarding leads
Relationships education and health education should begin in primary school and be developed and delivered according to children’s developmental age and lived experiences.
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Equality advice
A key priority of the union, to ensure all members have a voice in the union, the workplace and broader society, and do not face barriers to promotion, representation or participation.
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Advice 
Equality toolkit
This toolkit is aimed at school representatives, teacher governors and NEU officers to use to promote good policies and practices in schools and colleges.
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Publication 
Every Child, Every Family
Building LGBT+ inclusion through reading. Part of the Union’s Breaking the Mould series of resources, for nursery and primary phase teachers to think about books to use in the classroom.
LGBT+ news and blogs
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Blog 
LGBT+ inclusion update
The NEU is committed to supporting LGBT+ inclusion in education. Here is a summary of LGBT events in 2019 and issues the NEU has been involved in.
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Blog 
NEU LGBT+ Black educators stand in solidarity with Caster Semenya
Black women in the UK are less likely to take part in sport than their white counterparts. Camille Kumar, NEU LGBT+ and race equality policy specialist, looks into why Caster Semenya's case is so important.
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Blog
Inclusion not exclusion: defending LGBT+ inclusive education
To mark International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHoBiT), the National Education Union (NEU) is launching its Pride season campaign.
Pride 2020
In 2019, NEU members self-organised to have a NEU LGBT+ Educators presence at over 40 Prides around the country. Kicking off in Birmingham in May and spreading across the country, LGBT+ educators and allies took to the streets to raise the profile of LGBT+ educators and to spread the message of Inclusion not Exclusion.
To get involved in Pride 2020, contact your local district secretary or LGBT+ Organising Forum reps to find out what’s already happening in your local area or you can find LGBT+ and Pride events happening near you on our interactive map.