LGBT+ charity, Stonewall came under attack today following new guidance from the Department for Education that advises teachers on how to “tackle sensitive issues in a politically impartial way.”
Ministers are keen to see teachers avoid using material from campaigning organisations with “partisan political views” and the Times today associated Black Lives Matter (BLM) and Stonewall as two such organisation”
The Times reported that the Education Secretary, Nadhim Zahawi said the guidance would prevent “contested theories from being promoted as fact.” Teaching unions however warned that this new guidance would impinge freedom of speech and limit what schools felt comfortable in teaching.
In a statement, Stonewall said that “today the Department for Education published new guidance for teachers on navigating political impartiality in schools, particularly focused on ‘contentious’ subjects. The guidance makes NO reference to LGBTQ+ issues as contentious.
“Teaching on LGBTQ+ inclusion is not political and is in fact required by DfE.”
The return of Section 28?
Some in the LGBT+ community have compared the new guidance to the context of the introduction of Section 28.
Introduced by Margaret Thatcher’s Conservative Party, Section 28 or Clause 28 was introduced to prohibit the “promotion of homosexuality” by local authorities in schools.
Stonewall said on twitter today “The line of reasoning that teaching about LGBTQ+ people is “political” or “contested” is dangerous, and this is what led us to Section 28 in the first place. We must challenge this at every turn.”
Commenting on the article in the Times, former MP and Member of the Women and Equalities Select Committee, Ben Howlett said “I never thought in my lifetime I’d see the return of Section 28.”
Clearer guidance?
The Government believes that the new political impartiality in schools guidance will help teachers and schools navigate issues such as societal responses to racism in accordance with the law, which states that teachers must not promote partisan political views and should offer a balanced overview of opposing views when political issues are taught.
In a statement the Education Secretary, Nadhim Zahawi said: “I know one of the reasons many teachers feel so passionate about the profession is the remarkable role they play in young people’s lives, helping them understand more about themselves and their views of the world.
“I don’t want there to be any barriers – real or perceived – to teachers’ vital work in this space, which is why I am reinforcing that no subject is off-limits in the classroom, as long as it is treated in an age-appropriate way, with sensitivity and respect, and without promoting contested theories as fact.
“Clearer guidance on political impartiality is just one part of my wider work to give children the best possible education as the government continues to prioritise skills, schools and families, to enable young people to reach the full height of their potential.”
Final Thought:
This Government sprung their updated guidance onto the teaching profession with little to no proper consultation. It has certainly taken the LGBT+ community by surprise.
At no stage does the Department for Education’s guidance even mention LGBT+ people, yet with some in the media (particularly the Times) insinuating that LGBT+ rights and the organisations that campaign for them are somehow promoting “partisan political views”.
It is a fact that teachers are under increasing pressure from anti-trans and anti-LGBT+ rights bodies and they require support and guidance. However, the Government has clearly not thought this one through. Some wish to make gender identity a party political issue and it is up to all of us, especially the Government, to de-politicise the issue.
For those of who remember the attacks on the LGBT+ community in the 1980s, there is significant worry that the cultural landscape is shifting to replicate the same toxic environment for LGBT+ people as 40 years ago. The attempt to isolate ‘trans issues’ from wider LGBT+ campaigns is a worrying development.
Whilst likely inadvertent, this looks as though a potential leadership contender for Prime Minister is trying to win over some of the right wing – his incredibly LGBT+ friendly department are deeply hurt by this approach. We still believe this to be inadvertent but hope the backlash will stop other candidates from trying to throw LGBT+ people under the proverbial bus to win the favour of the right of the party.
