Church of Scotland minister urges LGBT issues to be taught in schools

A minister from the Church of Scotland has urged Scottish schools to teach LGBT issues, in order to tackle homophobia, according to The National.

Reverend John Nugent of the Saint Fergus Church, in Wick, has called on “people of faith” to fight back against homophobia.

Nugent expressed his support for the Time for Inclusive Education campaign (TIE), which is urging the Scottish Government to introduce LGBT education into Scottish schools.

Nugent said: “I believe that all inhabitants of our planet have rights that go along with being human. One of those rights grants an education that will further the individual’s development so that she or he can grow into full personhood. Denial of that right is therefore unconscionable.”

“Inclusive education is crucial to the full development of the individual and denying access to inclusion is tantamount to a denial of human rights. Schools and other places of education, faith centres and youth organisations are the appropriate loci for this. If our young people grow in an inclusive atmosphere then gradually bigotry, prejudice and bullying will end.”

He continues, “In this sense, the LGBT community has led the way ahead of faith communities – which should be inclusive, but sadly aren’t.”

Human rights lawyer Aamer Anwar and actress Emma Thompson also support the campaign along with faith leaders Reverend Kelvin Holdsworth of the Scottish Episcopal Church and Islamic scholar Amanullah De Sondy.

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