Nicola Sturgeon's strategy for LGBTI equality doesn't go far enough, say campaigners

But Time for Inclusive Education campaigners are concerned that there was no commitment to the funding of teacher training to create LGBTI (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex) inclusive education in Scottish schools.

The First Minister's pledge signalled that the law will be changed to recognise people who are neither male nor female, known as "non-binary gender".

It will mean Scotland is set to become one of the first countries in Europe to give legal recognition to people who are neither male nor female.

Scotland was last year rated the best country in Europe in terms of legal equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people in the Rainbow Europe Index, compiled by ILGA-Europe, an international human rights association.

But TIE which has launched a campaign aimed at making schools more inclusive, says that while welcoming Ms Sturgeon's moves, they do not go far enough in tackling homophobia in schools.

Ms Sturgeon has accepted more work still needed to be done, and the SNP would look to create "refreshed, age-appropriate strategies and resources" for children to promote tolerance and respect, and prevent prejudice about healthy relationships if it wins the election on May 5.

TIE’s campaigners says that LGBTI-specific teacher training is required, stressing that “the next strategy to tackle homophobia has to be the right one”.

The SNP leader's strategy announcement came just a fortnight after the SNP unanimously passed a motion supporting the TIE campaign, committing to the creation of an education system that is fully inclusive of LGBTI identities and relationships within the next parliament, in order to promote a “safe, equal and accepting environment for all of Scotland’s young people.”

The move came as "gender fluid" teenager, Gaela Hanlon, was given a standing ovation at the SNP's spring conference in Glasgow after making an emotional appeal for more to be done to tackle bullying linked to sexuality.

She told activists: "I can't bear to see any more of our kids at the point of taking their own lives."

Research suggests that one in four LGBTI youths have attempted suicide as a result of homophobic bullying.

A TIE spokesman said: "Her (Ms Sturgeon's) party’s current proposals do not go far enough and it is vital that the next strategy to tackle LGBTI-phobia in Scottish schools is the right one - the next Scottish Government must tackle this properly."

Under the SNP leader's plans, guidance and promoted teachers would undertake training on equality so they could tackle prejudice-based bullying in schools.

But TIE say that the training needs to be LGBTI-specific as general equality training is proven not to be effective enough.

According to Stonewall Scotland only 16% of teachers in Scotland's schools have received training to tackle homophobic, biphobic and transphobic bullying.

The lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender support charity said three-quarters of primary school teachers said they were not allowed, or were not sure if they were allowed to teach about LGBTI issues in their classrooms.

The TIE spokesman added:"We have a situation in schools whereby most teachers remain untrained on LGBTI - how to teach LGBTI issues, tackle LGBTI-phobia.

"Specific LGBTI training would give teachers the skillset, knowledge and confidence to directly challenge and tackle LGBTI-phobic behaviours and attitudes in their schools.

"With specific training - it allows for more time to be dedicated to LGBTI within the duration of the training course and/or programme, which is key.

"We are happy to work with the SNP, and all other parties within the next parliament to ensure that our education system is inclusive of LGBT+ identities.”

Support for TIE’s movement for LGBTI inclusive education has continued to grow, with actress Emma Thompson being the latest celebrity to endorse the campaign and call for an end to homophobia in Scottish schools.