The controversial “section 28” anti-gay law still casts a shadow over schools, Labour warned today as they pledged to banish homophobia from every playground and classroom.
Tristram Hunt, shadow education secretary, called for all teachers to be given training on how to tackle homophobic bullying and for sex education to be compulsory in all schools.
Hunt said section 28 of the Local Government Act, which banned schools from promoting homosexuality as a “normal family relationship”, still has an effect on teachers.
Speaking at Little Ilford school in Newham, Mr Hunt said: “The legacy of Section 28 — a most pernicious piece of legislation — casts a shadow over our education system. That is why repealing Section 28 alone is not enough. We need training for new and long-standing teachers, and others in the school workforce. And we need to act urgently to prevent the plight of homophobic bullying that is damaging the lives and life chances of thousands of pupils.”
Mr Hunt said schools must have a “zero tolerance” attitude towards bullying and also called for mental health services to be promoted to bullying victims.
He said: “The use of homophobic language and other homophobic bullying is damaging the life chances of so many young people. It has a daily effect that limits learning, and causes people long term damage. There is no place for it in our society — and never should it be ignored in our schools.”
Hannah Kibirige, Senior Education Officer at Stonewall, said: “We welcome this commitment and will be calling on future governments to ensure every teacher is equipped to tackle homophobic bullying.”
