UK: Faith leaders say sex education must be LGBT-inclusive

A group of faith leaders are pressing the government to ensure that LGBT-inclusive sex and relationship education becomes a requirement in all schools.

Under the Children and Social Work Act passed earlier this year,  sex and relationship education is now a statutory requirement in all schools, after pressure on the issue from sexual health and children’s campaign groups.

The law itself does not require sex ed to be LGBT-inclusive, but the government is currently developing new guidance for SRE that may include direction on LGBT issues.

This week, a group of faith leaders penned an open letter to Education Secretary Justine Greening, urging her to ensure that all schools promote acceptance of lesbian, gay, bi and transgender people. 

The interfaith letter is signed by key religious leaders from across the major religions. Signatories include the Bishop of Buckingham, Rt Revd Alan Wilson, Rabbi Dr Jonathan Romain, and Yasmin Alibhai-Brown, Chair of the British Muslims for Secular Democracy. The letter says: “We congratulate the Government for ensuring – through the Children and Social Work Act 2017 – that relationships and sex education (RSE) will soon be taught in all schools in England. Read more via Pink News