Lib Dems back gay teaching

By Marc Shoffman • December 27, 2006 - 0:00

LGBT History Month is an annual event in February in the UK which celebrates achievements within the community

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The Liberal Democrat spokesperson on equality has backed gay activist's criticism of the government for cutting funds for teaching about LGBT history.

Lorely Burt accused the Department for Education and Skills of promoting LGBT rights as "secondary" after it was revealed that the government department had cut tens of thousands of pounds of funding for LGBT History Month.

LGBT History Month is an annual event in February in the UK which celebrates achievements within the community. Co-chair, Sue Saunders, also says teaching about LGBT history in schools can help stop homophobic bullying.

Ms Burt backed her claims, "This event provides the perfect opportunity to teach pupils about the real and positive impact that LGBT people have on our society.

"It provides young people with positive role models and eases the anxiety many young people feel when coming to terms with their sexuality.

"The creation of anti-homophobic bullying guidelines is long overdue, and should be provided as a matter of course, not in place of a celebration of LGBT lives. This should not be a matter or 'either or'.

"By endorsing funding cuts to LGBT projects, the DfES are merely seeking to reinforce the belief that LGBT rights are secondary to our society."

The DfES has promised to invest the money cut from LGBT History Month in creating anti-homophobic bullying guidelines for schools.

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