Attitude joins campaign for statutory sex, relationship education

Attitude

has joined a campaign calling for statutory Sex and Relationship Education in all UK schools.

A coalition of LGBTI groups and media organisations have written an open letter to political leaders highlighting the urgent need to make Sex and Relationship Education compulsory, as well as relevant to young LGBT people.

The letter, which has been signed by the likes of Peter Tatchell, Dr Christian Jessen and more, outlines the increased rate of sexual and mental health problems among LGBT people.

A third of gay men diagnosed with HIV in 2012 were in their teens or early twenties, but up to 85% of gay and bisexual men receive no information about same-sex relationships in school.

Attitude‘s Deputy Editor, Andrew Fraser, said:

“Attitude is proud to support this important campaign to help improve the welfare of young people across the country.For too long gay adolescents have been betrayed by a system which ignores their sexual and emotional well-being. With HIV rates among young gay men continuing to rise, this campaign couldn’t come at a more important time for Britain’s students.”

Cliff Joannou, Editor of QX magazine, who devised the campaign, added: “It’s shocking that in the 21st century schools are still not required to give children and teenagers the education they need to make informed decisions about their sexual health and relationships.The education system has a responsibility to prepare children and teenagers for life in the real world. It is currently failing in that duty.”

Read the open letter in full below:

This month millions of young people are going back to school – but because of inadequate sex and relationships education (SRE) we as a society will fail to provide them with the essential knowledge and life skills they need to make informed and responsible decisions in regard to their sexual health. This is especially true for LGBTI young people.

To address this, pupils, health experts, and we the undersigned, are supporting the ‘SRE, it’s my right campaign’, calling on all political parties to commit to make age-appropriate SRE a statutory requirement for all schools.

Ofsted describes SRE in English schools as ‘not yet good enough’ – not surprising when teachers are not trained to deliver it and only a handful of biological facts are actually required in the curriculum.  Sexual relationships, sexual health, and basic information on the sexual parts of the body can be neglected, even though in the wider world children are exposed to sexual content at an ever earlier age.  The result? They get their information elsewhere, often from inappropriate, inadequate sources, or get no information at all.  This leaves them ill-prepared to make safer, fulfilling choices and resist sexual pressure and bullying.

If SRE is sub-standard for most young people, LGBTI young people’s needs are often ignored completely. 85% of gay and bisexual men tell us they received no information about same-sex relationships in school.  And for 14-19 year-old gay and bisexual men, pornography is the most popular source of information on how to have enjoyable sex, and the second most popular source on sexual relationships and attraction. Without trustworthy education to help them sort fantasy from reality this could mean poor understanding of safer sex and sexual relationships.

In addition, 89% of LGBTI young people report learning nothing about bisexuality issues and 94% report learning nothing about transgender issues.

The consequences are stark.  LGBTI young people are at greater risk of depression and suicidal thoughts.  These can last into later life and can have a serious impact on sexual health, and on drink and drug use. Young people are being exposed to sexual situations without the support and basic sexual health information that the education system should be providing.  One in three gay men diagnosed with HIV in 2012 were in their teens or early twenties.

We are all working for and committed to the well-being of the LGBTI community.  We call on all political parties to commit to age-appropriate SRE which includes content on same-sex relationships.  This should be provided in every school, for every young person, whether LGBTI or heterosexual.  Equality and respect in adult life has to begin with equality and respect in the classroom.

Signatures

Peter Tatchell
Dr Christian Jessen
Lord Norman Fowler
Cliff Joannou, QX magazine
Susie Parsons, National AIDS Trust
Dr Rosemary Gillespie, Terrence Higgins Trust
Tris Reid-Smith, GayStarNews
Andrew Fraser, Attitude magazine
Elly Barnes, Educate and Celebrate
Rob Cookson, The Lesbian & Gay Foundation
Jane Czyzselska, DIVA magazine & BACP registered counsellor
Darren Scott, GT magazine
Tom Doyle, Yorkshire MESMAC
Suran Dickson, Diversity Role Models
Paul Fleming, Positive East
Greg Ussher, Metro Charity
Lukasz Konieczka, Mosaic LGBT Youth Centre
Trevor Martin, Gaydar
Nik Noone, GALOP
Jay Stewart, Gendered Intelligence
Simon Topham, Millivres Prowler Group
Ruth Hunt, Stonewall

You can voice your own support for the campaign via social media using the hashtag #SameSexSRE.