The battle to tackle homophobia, biphobia and transphobia is not yet won, NASUWT member Debbie Hayton has told the TUC Congress today.

While much progress in securing LGBTI equality has been made, too many young people and workers still continue to face discrimination, prejudice and hatred, she told delegates, saying:

“Here in the UK we have a Conservative Government that is intent on finishing off the work it began on dismantling all the hard-won progress on equalities provisions, by watering down and in some cases removing requirements on schools to promote equalities.

“There is no doubt that austerity measures have impacted disproportionality on the LGBTI community. Family attitudes often mean that LGBTI teenagers find themselves homeless and cutting housing benefit for 18-25 year olds will merely exacerbate the problem. It is estimated that 25% of homeless people are either LGBT or I.

“”NASUWT LGBTI teachers tell us of their anger that they still have to suffer discrimination, harassment, victimisation and inequality in schools and colleges. They share with us worrying stories of employers failing to address homophobia, transphobia and biphobia, choosing instead to label it as ‘just harmless banter’.

“Research undertaken by the NASUWT has shown that homophobic and biphobic bullying and harassment is a widespread problem in schools, but this is often a hidden problem as individuals do not feel safe to enough to talk about it. 93% of respondents surveyed said that their workplaces did not provide training to all staff.”