Yes, it is necessary. And yes, visibility promotes equality. Being allowed to be who we feel we are—that is the theme of Pride this year. Because everyone should feel free to be themselves, without an imposed norm from outside. Unfortunately, reality is different.
Especially vulnerable
Recent research by the Netherlands Institute for Social Research shows that equality in the Netherlands in 2022 is still not a matter of course. LGBTI+ people feel less safe than heterosexual Dutch people and are more often victims of (sexual) violence, exclusion and discrimination. This applies particularly to bisexual women, transgender people and LGBTI+ people of colour.
Children and young people who are fully discovering themselves and their identities are especially vulnerable. They must be protected from (sexual) violence, exclusion and discrimination. At school and elsewhere. But the national safety monitor in primary and secondary education showed last year that pupils are less inclined to be friends with LGBTI+ pupils, and least inclined to be friends with transgender girls. In primary education, and even more so in secondary education, teachers themselves are also twice as likely to be guilty of bullying LGBTI+ pupils.
Sexual education
This shows how important sexual education is. Sexual education promotes understanding of diversity. Comprehensive relationship and sexual education makes relationships and sexuality open to discussion, promotes sexual health, and helps prevent problems such as STIs, HIV and sexual boundary violations.
Unfortunately, not every school pays structural attention to this, or schools focus (still) solely on the biological aspects of sexuality. At most schools this is due to a lack of time, money or expertise, but at some schools it is also due to a different vision of society and the legal freedom to devote as little attention as possible to this subject. With all the consequences that entails.
Young people themselves in particular indicate that they are missing important information. They rate their sexual education at 5.8 and want more attention to diversity, gender norms and consent. Teachers and school leadership support pupils in this, as does the Dutch Inspectorate of Education.
LGBTI+-related themes
The most recent figures, collected by EenVandaag, underline this need. Not only LGBTI+ pupils want more attention for LGBTI+-related themes in education (87%), but 79% of their heterosexual classmates also consider this important. Not surprising when you realise that 45% of LGBTI+ respondents say they do not feel safe enough at school to be open about their sexuality.
Understanding diversity
The government must do more to structurally embed sexual education throughout the entire education system, from primary school through vocational and higher education. To achieve this, it is crucial to strengthen the core objectives and make sexual education compulsory for the upper years of secondary education. Better assessment tools for the Inspectorate of Education to monitor this are equally important.
Only then will a generation grow up with respect for one another’s wishes and boundaries and an understanding of diversity. And it will become possible for everyone to discover themselves safely and show this to others with pride. During Pride, at school and elsewhere.