A report made by the Terrence Higgins Trust (a leading British charity who promote awareness for sexual health issues, particularly regarding launching campaigns for HIV and AIDS) suggests that, while 99% of young people think that SRE (sex and relationship education) "should be mandatory in all schools" and 97% should be "LGBT inclusive", a staggering "95 percentwere not taught about LGBT relationships". On top of this, one in seven of those surveyed "had not received any SRE at all".
The system "needs to be updated", says the Terrence Higgins Trust.
The current education system regarding the teaching of sex and relationships hasn't been updated in 16 years. It's "out of date", says the life-saving British charity, Terrence Higgins Trust. Not only does SRE help young people through the changes in their lives but it also helps them to stay safe. Without this education, the safety of many young people is at a potential risk and there is a lack of education from charities such as the Terrence Higgins Trust and Brook who frequently help people with their sexual health.
LGBTQ+ Education.
It's vital for all people not only to receive education on their sexual health but also on LGBT relationships and the frequent issues that LGBT people go through.
With mainstream stars such as Neil Patrick Harris (How I Met Your Mother, Gone Girl), Ellen Degeneres, Laverne Cox (Orange Is the New Black) and Caitlyn Jenner coming from different sides of the spectrum, these celebrities definitely help with contributing to LGBT education on young people but it might not be enough. Considering the fact that only 5 five percent of young people are getting this education, it's clearly something that needs to be improved upon.
It's only with education that it can be made possible for those in the community to be made equal to those who identify as straight. With homosexuality being a taboo topic in many countriesand frequent hate crimes (such as the shooting in Orlando last month, in June, and malicious murders due to homophobia) taking place, it's vital for education on LGBTQ+ topics to be discussed among young people.
With this education and with the 'normalisation' of sexualities other than heterosexual, it would be easy for the homophobia and hate often expressed onto members of the community to turn, instead, into support and acceptance.
