LGBT+ equality

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

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+ Inclusion Guidance

  • Image only breaking the mould
    Breaking the Mould

    The NEU worked with five primary schools over two years to consider how ‘traditional’ gender stereotypes could be challenged in nursery and primary classrooms.

  • Blog Agenda blog
    AGENDA – a new resource for educators

    Professor Emma Renold of Cardiff University talks about the launch of a new online resource – AGENDA- developed to help educators promote positive, healthy and equal relationships.

Related content

  • NEU black members
    Equality advice

    A key priority of the union is to make sure all members have a voice in the union, the workplace and broader society; and do not face barriers to promotion, representation or participation.

  • Advice Pride - GRA demonstration
    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.

Two lesbian girls holding hands and rainbow flag

Do you identify as LGBT+?

Join LGBT+ educators' network

LGBT+ news and blogs

  • Press release NEU conference 2021 graphic banner
    PSHE, RSE and LGBT+ Inclusive Education

    We can't work towards equality in society or tackle discrimination in workplaces unless we talk positively about LGBT+ people across the curriculum.

  • Press release NEU conference 2021 graphic banner
    Pride in Our Union

    We've got to assert that homophobic and transphobic discrimination doesn't go unnoticed or unchallenged.

  • Press release new press release banner
    Liz Truss and the Gender Recognition Act

    The National Education Union is deeply concerned by the recent comments made by the Women and Equalities Minister Liz Truss which have caused unnecessary distress and anxiety for trans and non-binary workers.

  • Image only breaking the mould
    Breaking the Mould

    The NEU worked with five primary schools over two years to consider how ‘traditional’ gender stereotypes could be challenged in nursery and primary classrooms.

  • Publication Every Child, Every Family cover
    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+ pride event
    LGBT+ networks and activism

    The NEU has active LGBT+ educators’ networks across the country ensuring the voices of LGBT+ educators are heard and creating pathways to activism and leadership.

  • Advice LGBT+ pride event
    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.

  • Advice Trans flags flying from a car
    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.