In November 2018, Scottish ministers accepted in full the recommendations of a working group led by the Time for Inclusive Education (TIE) campaign.
They called for an end to the ‘destructive legacy’ of section 28; legislation from 1988 that banned local authorities in the UK from ‘promoting’ homosexuality, which was eventually repealed in Scotland 2001 and in the rest of the UK in 2003.
Schools in Scotland will teach LGBTQ+ history, becoming the first in the world to add LGBTQ+ identity and the struggle for equality to their curricula.
By 2021, schools across the country are expected to have the new curriculum fully implemented. All public schools will receive the lessons which will include subject matter such as tackling homophobia, biphobia and transphobia, and the history of LGBTQ+ equalities and movements.
Jordan Daly, the co-founder of TIE, said: “This is a monumental victory for our campaign, and a historic moment for our country. The implementation of LGBTI inclusive education across all state schools is a world first. In a time of global uncertainty, this sends a strong and clear message to LGBTI young people that they are valued here in Scotland”.
Deputy First Minister and Education Secretary John Swinney said, “Scotland is already considered one of the most progressive countries in Europe for LGBTI lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex equality. I am delighted to announce we will be the first country in the world to have LGBTI inclusive education embedded within the curriculum. ”
The next few months should finally see the new, inclusive curriculum put into action.
Same-sex marriage was legalised in England and Wales in March 2014 through ‘The Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013’, while ‘The Marriage and Civil Partnership (Scotland) Act 2014’ came into force to allow same-sex marriage in December 2014. Same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland was finally legalised on 13 January 2020.
