Mhairi Black calls for an end to homophobia in Scots schools

MHAIRI BLACK has called for more to be done to tackle homophobia in Scottish schools.

Mhairi Black, the UK's youngest MP, is backing a campaign calling for an end to homophobia in schools. Picture: Jeff Mitchell/Getty

The SNP MP, the youngest member of the Westminster Parliament, is backing a campaign for LGBTI issues to be taught in the classroom and for greater training for teachers to help them better understand issues some pupils may face.

Campaign group Time for Inclusive Education (TIE) said more needed to be done to tackle high rates of mental health, self harm and suicide amongst LGBTI young people.

Black, who is openly gay, said: “I support the TIE campaign wholeheartedly. We need to ensure that LGBTI people leave school knowing that there is nothing wrong with who they are, so that they can progress through life confident in their identity.”

Her support comes following the unanimous passing of a resolution in support of TIE at the SNP’s spring conference earlier this year, committing the party to rolling out the group’s proposals for inclusive education to be common-practice in every school during their time in government.

A TIE spokesman said: “We are delighted that someone as influential as Mhairi has endorsed our campaign, and she joins a growing list of diverse supporters in doing so.

“We hope that her decision to stand up for the many LGBTI young people who are struggling within an education system which excludes them will encourage other parliamentarians to do the same.”