The lack of speaking about LGBTQI in school not only prevent those students who identify as such to learn the information and skills they require to grow and develop in their sexual identity, but also contributes to a climate of exclusion in school. And given the many many stories of violence, hate and discrimination hurled at LGTBQI students – I personally cannot see how one could even consider continuing the tradition of “don’t ask, don’t tell’.
Everyone deserves an education that empowers them – and the only way to empower all our youth today is to give them the right information. Not only for those students who might identify as LGTBQI, but also those are do not, and must be educated in order to dispel l myths and hateful rhetoric.
Leaving out LGBTQI education in schools implies that those students who identify as such are abnormal, not worth of inclusion, and still a taboo subject that must not be discussed. Given that we know many LGBTQI youth feel isolated and rejected, and worse preyed up – these messages from schools which are supposed to be safe spaces for all are even more damaging.
If we as a society are turning a purposeful blind eye to young people, and allowing the hate to continue – we bear a huge responsibility each time a young LGBTQI finds themselves a victim of violence either at their own hands, or that of others.