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Homophobia must not be tolerated in schools, Church of England says Homophobia must not be tolerated in schools, Church of England says
(about 1 hour later)
The Christian faith or the Bible cannot be used to justify homophobic behaviour and must not be tolerated in Church of England schools, according to new guidance. The Christian faith or the Bible cannot be used to justify homophobic behaviour and must not be tolerated in Church of England schools, according to new guidance launched by the archbishop of Canterbury.
Schools can be among the most homophobic of places and the church's schools need to do as much as they can to ensure that they are not turning a "convenient blind eye" to institutional homophobia, new advice published by the Church of England warns. Schools can be among the most homophobic of places and the church's schools need to do as much as they can to ensure that they are not turning a "convenient blind eye to institutional homophobia", the new advice warns.
But it goes on to say that while homophobic language and behaviour is unacceptable in Church of England schools, pupils, parents and staff who believe that homosexuality is "less than God's ideal" should be allowed to express the view without being subjected to discrimination themselves. But it goes on to say that while homophobic language and behaviour is unacceptable in C of E schools, pupils, parents and staff who believe that homosexuality is "less than God's ideal" should be allowed to express the view without being subjected to discrimination themselves.
The new guidance, launched by the archbishop of Canterbury, is part of fresh measures aimed at stamping out homophobic bullying in Church of England schools. The new guidance is part of fresh measures aimed at stamping out homophobic bullying in C of E schools.
Justin Welby announced plans to draw up new advice on the issue less than a year ago, after expressing concerns about the impact of homophobic bullying on the lives of young people.Justin Welby announced plans to draw up new advice on the issue less than a year ago, after expressing concerns about the impact of homophobic bullying on the lives of young people.
The new document, Valuing All God's Children, acknowledges that within the Anglican community there is a wide range of beliefs about homosexuality and that it is a "very divisive issue" for the Church. The new document, Valuing All God's Children, acknowledges that within the Anglican community there is a wide range of beliefs about homosexuality and that it is a "very divisive issue" for the church.
But it adds that the purpose of schools is to educate and they should be a safe and welcoming place for all children.But it adds that the purpose of schools is to educate and they should be a safe and welcoming place for all children.
The guidance lists 10 recommendations for Church of England schools to help them deal with homophobic bullying, including ensuring that all staff are trained to recognise and deal with all types of bullying. The guidance lists 10 recommendations for C of E schools to help them deal with homophobic bullying, including ensuring that all staff are trained to recognise and deal with all types of bullying.
It says: "Schools should ensure that their behaviour policies include clear expectations that homophobic behaviour and language will not be tolerated and that there can be no justification for this negative behaviour based on the Christian faith or the Bible."It says: "Schools should ensure that their behaviour policies include clear expectations that homophobic behaviour and language will not be tolerated and that there can be no justification for this negative behaviour based on the Christian faith or the Bible."
Research suggests that half of those who commit homophobic hate crimes are under 25, the document says, which indicates that young people are leaving education with attitudes that are "hateful and illegal".Research suggests that half of those who commit homophobic hate crimes are under 25, the document says, which indicates that young people are leaving education with attitudes that are "hateful and illegal".
The guidance warns: "Schools can be among the most homophobic social spaces. Studies in a range of countries show that young people are more likely to experience homophobic bullying at school than in the home or community.The guidance warns: "Schools can be among the most homophobic social spaces. Studies in a range of countries show that young people are more likely to experience homophobic bullying at school than in the home or community.
"As far as possible, we need to ask questions within our church schools to ensure that we are not turning a convenient blind eye to institutional homophobia and allowing an unwelcoming social space for pupils to go unchallenged.""As far as possible, we need to ask questions within our church schools to ensure that we are not turning a convenient blind eye to institutional homophobia and allowing an unwelcoming social space for pupils to go unchallenged."
The advice does say that within a school, there can be many different views about human sexuality, adding that it needs to be acknowledged that this is a sensitive topic. The advice says that within a school there can be many different views about sexuality, adding that it needs to be acknowledged that this is a sensitive topic.
Further on, the document says that religious freedom can appear to be at odds with preventing discrimination.Further on, the document says that religious freedom can appear to be at odds with preventing discrimination.
"It can be, and has been, perceived that to hold the view that God, through nature, has indicated that heterosexual sexuality is the divinely ordained norm, is to be discriminatory against same-sex orientated people," it says."It can be, and has been, perceived that to hold the view that God, through nature, has indicated that heterosexual sexuality is the divinely ordained norm, is to be discriminatory against same-sex orientated people," it says.
"Yet thinking, believing or verbally expressing that belief is not in itself discriminatory. Church of England schools need to ensure that, whilst clearly working to be inclusive spaces where homophobic language, actions and behaviours are unacceptable, those pupils, parents and staff who believe that homosexual acts are 'less than God's ideal' are given the safe space to express those views without being subject to another form of discrimination.""Yet thinking, believing or verbally expressing that belief is not in itself discriminatory. Church of England schools need to ensure that, whilst clearly working to be inclusive spaces where homophobic language, actions and behaviours are unacceptable, those pupils, parents and staff who believe that homosexual acts are 'less than God's ideal' are given the safe space to express those views without being subject to another form of discrimination."
It adds: "It is also equally important to communicate clearly to pupils and families that holding traditional faith perspectives on sexuality is not counter to the school's aims and ethos, but that expressing hatred, negativity and hostility to another is unacceptable."It adds: "It is also equally important to communicate clearly to pupils and families that holding traditional faith perspectives on sexuality is not counter to the school's aims and ethos, but that expressing hatred, negativity and hostility to another is unacceptable."
Launching the guidance at Trinity Church of England school in Lewisham, south-east London, the archbishop said: "Church schools begin from the belief that every child is loved by God. This guidance aims to help schools express God's love by ensuring that they offer a safe and welcoming place for all God's children.Launching the guidance at Trinity Church of England school in Lewisham, south-east London, the archbishop said: "Church schools begin from the belief that every child is loved by God. This guidance aims to help schools express God's love by ensuring that they offer a safe and welcoming place for all God's children.
"This is a task we are called to share and I know it is one our schools take immensely seriously. I commend this guidance as a contribution to that work.""This is a task we are called to share and I know it is one our schools take immensely seriously. I commend this guidance as a contribution to that work."
The guidance says that children and young people are living in a "multimedia global age" and many of the celebrities they admire, such as DJs, TV presenters, chatshow hosts, singers, actors and sports stars, may be homosexual.The guidance says that children and young people are living in a "multimedia global age" and many of the celebrities they admire, such as DJs, TV presenters, chatshow hosts, singers, actors and sports stars, may be homosexual.
It adds: "In their families it is possible that someone will be homosexual, amongst their extended family's friendship network there might be same-sex-attracted people, and they may live next door to a gay couple who may be parents of their own school friends.It adds: "In their families it is possible that someone will be homosexual, amongst their extended family's friendship network there might be same-sex-attracted people, and they may live next door to a gay couple who may be parents of their own school friends.
"For many children and young people living in today's UK, this is a non-issue, just a matter of fact.""For many children and young people living in today's UK, this is a non-issue, just a matter of fact."
The guidance also says that within schools there may be staff members or parents who are in same-sex relationships, while a minority of pupils are likely to come out as homosexual when they are still at school.The guidance also says that within schools there may be staff members or parents who are in same-sex relationships, while a minority of pupils are likely to come out as homosexual when they are still at school.
"This is the lived reality of educational contexts in modern England," it says."This is the lived reality of educational contexts in modern England," it says.
"To deny this reality is to choose to be blinkered. Schools need guidance to support pupils who are members of a minority group or who are perceived to be different; these pupils are vulnerable to being bullied and to being made to feel outsiders and unwelcome.""To deny this reality is to choose to be blinkered. Schools need guidance to support pupils who are members of a minority group or who are perceived to be different; these pupils are vulnerable to being bullied and to being made to feel outsiders and unwelcome."