Scotland to become first country to add LGBTQ+ history to school curriculum

Do you think Irish schools should do the same?

Scotland is set to become the first country to officially add LGBTQ+ history to its school curriculum. As it stands, Scottish schools hope to have the new curriculum fully implemented by next year (2021). According to Edinburgh Live back in November 2018, Scottish Ministers accepted in full the recommendations to deliver LGBT inclusive education across the curriculum to improve the learning environments of all children and young people. Now it seems that that goal will finally be put into place within the next few months. Deputy First Minister and Education Secretary John Swinney said:

"Scotland is already considered one of the most progressive countries in Europe for LGBTI [lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex] equality. I am delighted to announce we will be the first country in the world to have LGBTI inclusive education embedded within the curriculum."

With June marking the start of Pride month many stories regarding LGBTQ+ rights are being shared across the internet, but should we hear more about these in school? Lessons planned for the new LGBTQ+ curriculum in Scotland will include tackling homophobia, biphobia and transphobia and awareness of the history of LGBTQ+ movements. With a huge part of Irish history now including the Marriage Equality referendum, which saw Ireland pass marriage equality through a democratic vote, should we also make plans to add LGBTQ+ history to our own school curriculums?