Why LGBTQIA+ sex education should be required in schools

By Ro’ya

A quote from The Human Rights Campain says “Far too many LGBTQ youth are sitting in classrooms where their teachers and textbooks fail to appropriately address their identities, behaviors and experiences. Nowhere is this absence more clear, and potentially more damaging, than in sex education” People who identify as LGBTQIA+ are being forced into the world with little to know knowledge about how to be safe and preserve their own health. And while their straight and cisgender peers often fail to pay attention, or even take the class seriously, youth who may have yet to understand their sexuality or gender identity need to be aware of all risks, and all safety precautions. Many argue that teacher shouldn’t be forced to teach LGBTQIA+ sex ed if it makes them uncomfortable, but if they cannot bring themselves to educate inclusively, then they should find a different profession. On September 8th, 2020, the UK made it required to teach LGBTQIA+ sex education in high schools. NBC News states “The curriculum aims to teach young people to understand human sexuality and to respect themselves and others.” If a person lives out their youth knowing nothing about the LGBTQIA+ community other than what they hear from parents or social media, then if the things they are told are hateful and homophobic, they will internalize said homophobia, and once you’ve believed something for most of your life, it can be extremely difficult to change that belief. However, if they are being taught from a young age that being in same sex relationships, or being transgender is Normal, and natural for many people, then they can better learn to be inclusive and accepting towards this minority. And, if students, (not their parents) decide they feel uncomfortable learning this topic in school, then they will not be forced to participate. “Bradlow said if the curriculum reflects LGBTQ students' lives, they will better absorb information about healthy relationships and safe sex. As a victim of bullying and someone who struggled with his sexual orientation as a teen, Bradlow also said this inclusive approach to sex education will also encourage heterosexual and cisgender students to view their gay and trans peers as equals.” Said a reporter from NBC News. Bullying is already a mass problem in schools in the USA, but a quote from StopBullying.gov shows “Results from the 2017 Youth Risk Behavior Survey show that, nationwide, more U.S. high school students who self-identify as lesbian, gay, or bisexual (LGB) report having been bullied on school property (33%) and cyberbullied (27.1%) in the past year, than their heterosexual peers (17.1% and 13.3%, respectively).” And that’s just results from those with enough courage to report. Many students bully LGBTQIA+ youth because they are uneducated and haven’t been shown that they are wrong. However, if they are required to be taught LGBTQIA+ sex education then they may realize just how damaging and unjust their behavior is, and reform. Honestly if the UK can do it, I see no reason why we shouldn’t. https://www.hrc.org/resources/a-call-to-action-lgbtq-youth-need-inclusive-sex-education https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/high-schools-must-teach-lgbtq-inclusive-sex-education-england-n1239514 https://www.stopbullying.gov/bullying/lgbtq