By Temi Olarinoye – agent at Illo Agency
From September 2020, the UK Government have made it compulsory for all primary age pupils to learn Relationship education.
Our children are growing up in a more varied society, yet school can still be difficult for those who identify as LGBT or come from families with same-sex parents.
It’s difficult to express how significant and life-altering this will be. Millions of students will attend schools that not only tolerate LGBT persons and same-sex partnerships but also celebrate and assist LGBT youth.
According to the guidance, all secondary schools will educate about sexual orientation and gender identity, and all primary schools will teach regarding various families, with the government “enabling and encouraging” schools to include LGBT family members in this teaching. It’s about demonstrating to children that households can have two mothers, two fathers, or a transparent.
It is believed that over half of LGBT students are bullied, and while excessive profanity has dropped since 2012, more than half of LGBT students still report hearing homophobic slurs often. LGBT students may feel alone or out of place.
An LGBT education in schools will not seek to enhance a certain gender identity because changing people’s identities is impossible. The curriculum merely teaches youngsters that individuals and relationships differ, but that diversity should indeed be embraced and acknowledged. Because the education system should educate kids for school in a socially equal environment, young children should then be knowledgeable about LGBT persons and relationships. They will encounter LGBT people in school, college, university, and the workplace, thus they must be acclimated to diversity from an early age.
Children are not taught about sex in the LGBT curriculum. It teaches kids about their identities and connections. It is neither filthy, hazardous, or toxic. If children can learn about heterosexual relationships and identities, they can learn about LGBT relationships and identities as well.
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt wrote an article at the beginning of June 2021 Titled ‘LGBTQ+ Educational Resources for Teachers’ A collection of LGBTQ+ educational materials to assist you in creating a more equitable environment by knowing the issues that these kids experience and realising the need of having uncomfortable but essential dialogues.
At Illo Agency we strive to create a safe working environment for all our Artists and to create awareness internationally in support of educating the future generation.
We believe all people should be treated equally regardless of who they are or who they love here are our featured LGBT artists with incredible power to promote and show the joy and validity of the community:
Anshika Khullar is an Indian, non-binary, transgender. They have a focused interest in intersectional feminist narratives, a study that has invariably informed their art practice, often dealing in overarching socio-political themes.
Cheyne Gallarde’s illustration work reimagines drag queens as superheroes and villains. With their amazing transformations and over-the-top personas, drag queens are the modern-day superheroes that the world needs today.
Cinza Piazza illustrations celebrate what is already positive, Pride as a day of celebration, a day to say: “I am here! … as I am!” Her conceptual, harmonic and atmospheric illustrations, invite viewers to give personal interpretations.
Marcos Aguasanta hopes his art will help others see a more beautiful world full of art, conscience and beauty.
Noah Lawrence-Holder is a black, nonbinary artist, they have worked on campaigns to raise awareness about healthcare, racial equity and climate change. Their artwork often centres around intersections of Black and queer identities.
Veronica Johnson is an illustrator from Montclair, New Jersey. As a transgender woman, she has done several projects involving LGBTQ history and wants her work to be a reflection of the past rooted in a modern perspective.
If you have any questions or a specific project in mind, please do get in touch: hello@itsme.biz and/or temi@illo.agency
