January 16, 2016
Researchers have released the final report of a national study into LGBTQ education.
The study was headed by Dr. Catherine Taylor, education professor at The University of Winnipeg, in partnership with The Manitoba Teachers’ Society.
Called The Every Teacher Project on LGBTQ*-inclusive Education in Canada’s K-12 Schools (*lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, transsexual, Two-Spirit, queer and questioning), it is the largest study of its kind in the world.
Among the main findings were:
- The vast majority of teachers approve of LGBTQ-inclusive education
- Teachers in Catholic schools are only slightly less likely to approve, but much less likely to practice, LGBTQ-inclusive education
- Only 2% cited conflict with personal religious beliefs as holding them back
- 18% agreed that teachers should be able to opt out for religious reasons
- Among the main reasons given for not teaching in LGBTQ-inclusive ways were lack of leadership and resources
- Two-thirds were aware of teachers being harassed for being LGBTQ
- Almost all rated their school as safe but far fewer rated their school as safe for LGB or transgender students
University of Manitoba members of the research team were Vice Provost (Academic) Dr. Janice Ristock and Professors Dr. Tracey Peter (Sociology) and Dr. Donn Short (Law).
The Every Teacher Project attracted tremendous support from project partner The Manitoba Teachers’
Society and from every national, provincial and territorial teacher organization in the publicly funded school systems of Canada. With their help in recruiting, researchers completed the project with 3,400 participants.