Rev Kelvin Holdsworth has given his backing to Time for Inclusive Education’s (TIE) campaign for teachers to be trained on how to discuss LGBT+ issues in their classrooms
A Scottish priest has called for teachers to be trained on how to discuss LGBT+ issues in their classrooms in a bid to end homophobia in schools.
Rev Kelvin Holdsworth, the provost of St Mary's Cathedral in Glasgow, gave his backing to Time for Inclusive Education’s (TIE) campaign for the Scottish Government to adopt the new approach to tackling homophobic bullying within the education system.
After meeting with campaigners, Holdsworth said: "I am happy to endorse the TIE campaign. The next step towards removing homophobia from Scotland is to bring in fully inclusive education for every pupil in Scotland's schools.
“LGBTI teachers need to feel safe to teach in every school in the land and Scotland's kids need the whole curriculum to be inclusive of LGBTI role models and their experiences."
The next step towards removing homophobia from Scotland is to bring in fully inclusive education for every pupil in Scotland's schools.
The move comes as a lengthy national debate regarding LGBT+ inclusion in schools is underway, after First Minister Nicola Sturgeon voiced her support for TIE and committed to working with the campaign to implement their proposals for LGBT+ education in all schools.
A TIE spokesperson said: "We are thrilled that the Very Reverend Kelvin Holdsworth has backed our campaign - he joins a long and diverse list of supporters in doing so. We are keen to break down the perceived barrier that being of faith and believing in the advancement of LGBTI rights are mutually exclusive - they are not, and should not be seen as such.
“When there are young LGBTI people self harming, attempting suicide and facing mental health issues due to prejudiced based bullying at school, it is more important than ever that people from all sections of society join us as we continue to campaign for our Government to tackle this problem."
The TIE campaign has attracted a swathe of support for its cause, with notable backers including actress Emma Thompson, Patrick Harvie MSP, Willie Rennie MSP and Mhairi Black MP.
During the Scottish Parliament elections this year, all of the five major parties included TIE's teacher training proposals in their election manifestos.
This year's Glasgow Pride parade, which takes place on 20 August, is themed around TIE and will see tens of thousands marching in support of the campaign.
