Teachers told to target homophobic school bullies

Teachers told to target homophobic school bullies

The use of the word ‘gay’ by school bullies is to be banned by the Government as part of Theresa May’s drive to boost homosexual equality.

A raft of new measures â€" highlighting the Tory Party’s new socially liberal image â€" will include the fast-tracking of gender-change, a relaxation of the rules on gay men giving blood and a new nationwide research project into LGBT (Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender) life. 

There will also be a crackdown on children who call each other ‘gay’ in a bullying manner in schools, with teachers told they will be expected to discipline any pupil heard misusing the term. 

Education Minister Nick Gibb (pictured in the House of Commons in May, 2016), says he is determined to ‘stamp out the use of the word gay as a pejorative term’ in the context of ‘LGBT pupils… coming to terms with their sexuality or gender’

Education Minister Nick Gibb (pictured in the House of Commons in May, 2016), says he is determined to ‘stamp out the use of the word gay as a pejorative term’ in the context of ‘LGBT pupils… coming to terms with their sexuality or gender’

Education Minister Nick Gibb says he is determined to ‘stamp out the use of the word gay as a pejorative term’ in the context of ‘LGBT pupils… coming to terms with their sexuality or gender’. 

A total of £3 million will be ploughed into ‘anti-homophobic and transphobic programmes’.

Mr Gibb, who two years ago married the male partner he had kept secret for 29 years, uses a powerful article in today’s Mail on Sunday to say that, despite ‘great progress’ in lessening the ‘hurt and suffering’ endured by LGBT people in past decades, there is still ‘more to do’.

The drive, timed to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the partial decriminalisation of homosexuality, will be spearheaded by Education Secretary Justine Greening.

The drive, timed to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the partial decriminalisation of homosexuality, will be spearheaded by Education Secretary Justine Greening (pictured)

The drive, timed to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the partial decriminalisation of homosexuality, will be spearheaded by Education Secretary Justine Greening (pictured)

A key plan will be making it less stressful for people who want to change gender. 

Currently, if a person wishes to change gender they have to go to a doctor for a diagnosis of gender dysphoria â€" the term for believing you were born in the wrong body â€" and prove they have been ‘in transition’ for at least two years.

Ministers will consult with support groups, including Mermaids, which helps children with gender-identity issues. As part of the consultation, to be published in the autumn, Ministers plan to reduce the stigma and intrusiveness of the ‘over-medicalised’ process by removing the need for a clinical assessment.

Ms Green ing, who revealed last year that she was gay, is also planning to launch a national survey of the experiences of the UK’s 1.5 million LGBT population.

The use of the word ‘gay’ by school bullies is to be banned by the Government as part of Theresa May’s drive to boost homosexual equality (file photo)

The use of the word ‘gay’ by school bullies is to be banned by the Government as part of Theresa May’s drive to boost homosexual equality (file photo)

In a separate move, the Department of Health is relaxing the rules which restrict the ability of gay men to give blood. The rules currently ban men from giving blood within a year of having sex with another man. Advances in screening technology will allow Ministers to cut the time to three months.

Ms Greening said: ‘This Government is committed to building an inclusive society that works for everyone, no matter what their gender or sexuality, and today we’re taking the next step forward.’

Suzanna Hopwood, a member of the Stonewall Trans Advisory Group, said: ‘The current system is demeaning and broken. 

'It’s vital that this reform removes the requir ements for medical evidence and an intrusive interview panel, and finally allows all trans people to have their gender legally recognised through a simple administrative process.’ 

'As a gay man I once lived in secrecy and fear. I will stamp out LGBT bullying in all our schools... This is personal'

By NICK GIBB 

On Thursday it will be 50 years since the passing of the Sexual Offences Act which partially decriminalised homosexuality in England and Wales.

Before 1967, many lives were ruined and people were fined, imprisoned and demonised because of who they loved. The stigma of those convictions lasted for many years.

This Government has taken steps to correct this great injustice by passing Turing’s Law, which provided pardons and disregards for people convicte d of consensual same-sex offences. While this was an important step, it can never make up for the hurt and suffering endured. 

In 2015, Nick Gibb married his partner Michael, and describes the day as 'the happiest day of both of our lives'

In 2015, Nick Gibb married his partner Michael, and describes the day as 'the happiest day of both of our lives'

Thankfully, our society is very different today. We are recognised as one of the top three countries in Europe for LGBT rights. And we are among the leading countries in the world for ensuring all people â€" whatever their sexuality â€" enjoy the same rights and liberties.

As a gay man who has been in a loving and stable relationship for more than 30 years, I have seen social attitudes change significantly. I met Michael in a different era, and one that was much harder than today. 

There was widespread intolerance, discrimination in the professions and a very hostile press â€" not least towards politicians.

It was easier for us to have a relationship that wasn’t known about. This meant we missed out o n things that most people take for granted. Having children was out of the question. We didn’t go to parties or attend family dinners as a couple. We spent every Christmas apart.

Many other LGBT people had a much more difficult and challenging time.

As society changed, Conservative and Labour governments gradually brought equality nearer. Civil partnerships were introduced in 2005. In 2013, I was proud to vote in favour of equal marriage which has freed thousands of LGBT couples to have their love fully recognised.

This legislation is one of the greatest achievements of this Government, and it was the happiest day of both of our lives when Michael and I married in 2015. We had no idea what a difference it would make to us as a couple.

We have made great progress in this country, but there is still more to do. That is why today we are announcing a pack age of measures that will take us another step closer to equality for LGBT people.

In particular, we want to improve the lives of trans people. That’s why we will be launching a consultation on the Gender Recognition Act. It will aim to streamline the legal and medical processes faced when changing your gender so that people can focus on the emotional aspects of change rather than worry about all the hoops they have to jump through.

Alongside the consultation, we are launching a nationwide survey so we can hear directly from people about the experience of being LGBT in the UK, with a focus on health, education, safety and the world of work. The results will help us to take the right action to drive further progress in LGBT equality.

As well as the steps announced today, we will continue to look at how we can support young people as they discover who they are. This is a personal prior ity for me as the Minister responsible for school standards and equalities.

Having worked across the party divide to change the law so that age-appropriate relationships education will be taught in every primary school, and relationships and sex education (RSE) will be taught in all secondary schools, we are updating the guidance given to schools so that it reflects the challenges pupils face today â€" including LGBT issues. 

The change in the law applies to faith schools. This is important because, while we respect teachers’ personal faith and the special status and ethos of these schools, we need to make sure that children know what the law is and are equipped to have healthy relationships.

I am very proud of the role I have played alongside my colleagues since 2010 in driving up standards in schools, restoring knowledge to the heart of the national curriculum, dramatically improv ing the way in which reading is taught and ensuring that all pupils have the opportunity to study core academic GCSEs.

We have also addressed standards of behaviour. As all parents and teachers know, having good behaviour in schools â€" and preventing bullying of all kinds â€" is essential to raising academic standards and ensuring that all pupils feel safe and supported.

Bullying at school is cruel, particularly as LGBT pupils are coming to terms with their sexuality or gender. I am determined that we stamp out the use of the word ‘gay’ as a pejorative term.

Schools such as Sir John Cass Redcoat in Stepney Green, London, which has set up an equality group to promote a culture of understanding and respect throughout the school, are doing great work to prevent LGBT bullying. 

And the Government is putting £3 million into a programme to tackle homop hobic, biphobic and transphobic bullying in schools.

Westminster has also made huge steps forward. The Election saw more openly LGB MPs elected to Parliament than ever, and more trans candidates than ever. When you remember the reaction that MPs received from the press and the public in the past, this is a reflection of how far we have come. Parliament will be better for it and will make better decisions that reflect the society it has been elected to represent.

There is much more to do. The Prime Minister and Justine Greening, the Education Secretary and Minister for Women and Equalities, have been clear that we need to continue to protect and advance LGBT rights.

Having felt the need to be silent for decades about my sexuality, I am determined to make a positive difference. I will be tireless in ensuring that all gay, lesbian, bi and trans people can live free, happy and fulfilling l ives.

Gibb and Greening consign 'nasty party' to history 

By GLEN OWEN 

Theresa May shot to public prominence in 2002 when she warned that the Tories risked being seen as the ‘nasty party’.

Today’s battery of pro-gay measures continues the detoxification process. Mrs May is irritated by lazy comparisons with Margaret Thatcher â€" and on the issue of homosexual rights, she could not be more distinct from her predecessor. Mrs Thatcher’s infamous Section 28, which banned local authorities from portraying homosexuality in a positive light, became a totemic issue for gay-rights campaig ners. It also compounded the distress of Tory MPs ‘living a lie’ as secretly gay, because they felt compelled to vote for the measure to avoid suspicion about their sexuality.

After Tony Blair abolished Section 28, David Cameron started repositioning the party. As the first Tory leader to speak at a Gay Pride event, he said: ‘I am sorry for Section 28. We got it wrong. I hope you can forgive us.’

Now, in a sign of how far the political wheel has turned, Mrs May’s policies are being enacted by two Tory Ministers â€" Justine Greening and Nick Gibb, both of whom are gay.

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