When I was at school, ‘gay’ and ‘lesbian’ were playground insults. LGBTQIA+ people and relationships were invisible in my education. This silence caused many of us to suppress fundamental parts of our identity, internalising shame that shaped how we saw ourselves.
This RSE Day, I want us to consider: How do we communicate acceptance to all young people, and how can we empower them to safely express their own experiences around gender and sexual orientation?
The Legacy of Section 28
My school experience was shaped by Section 28, which banned local authorities from ‘promoting homosexuality’ to young people (1988-2003). This created a climate of fear where teachers felt unable to address homophobic bullying or provide the vocabulary young people needed to express themselves.
The impact continues today: 48% of pupils still receive no positive LGBTQIA+ messaging in schools Just Like Us (2021). The mental health impact of this is stark. LGBTQIA+ young people are twice as likely to experience suicidal thoughts compared to peers (68% vs 29%) Just Like Us (2021). Feelings of exclusion can lead to medical avoidance, with 57% of trans people avoiding healthcare when ill (Trans Lives Survey (2021).
Why Inclusion Matters
Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) should equip all young people with the knowledge to stay safe and make informed decisions in relationships. When LGBTQIA+ students see themselves represented, they feel empowered and safer accessing services. Since 2019, schools have been required to teach LGBTQIA+ inclusive RSE in secondary schools and relationships education in primary schools, ensuring these topics are ‘fully integrated’ into the curriculum. However, many LGBTQIA+ young people still don’t feel represented in lessons.
Barriers
During training, teachers frequently express concerns about ‘saying the wrong thing,’ leading many to avoid certain topics. This hesitancy is understandable, particularly among educators who trained during Section 28, when conversations around sexual orientation and gender were actively discouraged. The situation is complicated further by the increasing politicisation of RSE, with some parent groups mobilising against inclusive education and the teaching of topics such as gender identity. Regular LGBTQIA+ inclusion training is essential to provide professionals the confidence and knowledge to sensitively discuss these topics.
What Inclusive RSE Looks Like
For young people who’ve experienced homophobia and transphobia, trust must be earned. At Spectrum we aim to do this through:
- Visible signs of inclusion: Pride flags and diverse images representing different identities signal that all students belong.
- Inclusive language: Using gender terms such ‘partner’ instead of ‘boyfriend/girlfriend’ and ‘everyone’ instead of ‘boys and girls’.
- Being active bystanders: Consistently challenging homophobia and transphobia. This can be more challenging in the case of subtle microaggressions and it’s important that we all work together to deliver messages of inclusion.
- Targeted support: I run a targeted LGBTQIA+ RSE programme called This is Me which offers safe spaces for in-depth, personalised discussions without fear of peer judgement.
- Youth voice: Involving LGBTQIA+ young people in resource creation ensures materials reflect their experiences
- Engagement with parents and carers: engaging with parents and carers offers transparency around the curriculum and helps to address myths and misconceptions about RSE and LGBTQIA+ inclusion
A Call to Action
The silence that shaped my generation’s school experience doesn’t have to define the next. This RSE Day, let’s commit to breaking the silence that has harmed too many young people. Every student deserves to learn about themselves and others, to see their families represented and to learn the language to explain their own experiences.
Steph Millar-Pollock (she/her)
LGBTQIA+ Young Person’s Wellbeing Practitioner
About Me
Since 2022, I have worked with schools and community organisations as part of Spectrum’s RSE and outreach team, providing dedicated support for LGBTQIA+ young people. I run This is Me, a programme exploring identity and mental health, where young people engage with themes including identity, emotional regulation, and healthy relationship. Additionally, I deliver professional training on supporting LGBTQIA+ young people, equipping educators and practitioners with the tools and understanding they need to create inclusive environments.