Education Department Under Fire for Removing LGBT Student Report in Belfast

In a recent and contentious development, the Department of Education (DE) in Belfast has taken down a research report from its website that details the experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) students in post-primary schools. The report, commissioned by the department itself, was originally published in September 2017.

This move raises questions regarding transparency and the current administration's stance on issues affecting LGBT students. The DE, in response to inquiries made by BBC News NI, indicated that it is currently engaged in a routine review process of all the content available on its website for accuracy and relevance.

"A number of published pages and documents have been updated or removed as part of this ongoing process over recent weeks,"

stated a departmental spokesperson.

The research, which cost £28,690 and involved an extensive study carried out in 2015, captured the responses of over 500 young individuals aged 16 to 21. The findings painted a bleak picture of the educational climate for LGBT students at the time. A significant two-thirds of participants reported feeling neither welcomed nor valued within their school environments, with almost half citing personal experiences of bullying tied to their sexual orientation or gender identity.

Further revelations from the report included a noted absence of LGBT topics within the school curriculum and criticisms of subpar sexual health education. Alarmingly, nearly 40% of pupils felt discomfort due to teachers' attitudes, and those who had suffered from bullying were frequently dissatisfied with how their complaints were managed.

The removal of the report has sparked concern among advocacy groups like Stonewall, which argue that such actions could undermine efforts to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for LGBT students.

"The erasure of this report is troubling and highlights the need for continued advocacy and awareness around LGBT issues in education."

A spokesperson for Stonewall stated.

The DE's decision to take down the report comes amidst an increasing call for greater inclusivity in education and societal structures overall. Key political figures have remained largely silent on the matter, though some local educational authorities have expressed a need for more comprehensive policies supporting LGBT youth.

As the department continues its review, stakeholders will be keenly observing what messages these decisions may convey about the importance of LGBT rights within the educational discourse in Belfast. The potential re-publication of the report or the introduction of updated guidelines for LGBT inclusivity in schools could be possible next steps after the review process is concluded, offering a clearer direction forward for advocates and educators alike.