The government’s new LGBT-inclusive regulations for Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) were approved by 538 votes to 21, after Education Secretary Damian Hinds announced the proposed update last month.
Pending approval by the House of Lords, from September 2020 all secondary schools will be required to teach pupils about sexual orientation and gender identity, and all primary schools to teach about different families, including those with LGBT parents.
In the wake of the result, Green Party, MP Caroline Lucas, tweeted: “Historic day for Sex and Relationships Education!
“Delighted that long, long awaited regulations to keep children informed and safe have been passed today. Well done to so many for years of hard work.”
The vote, which took place in the Commons on Wednesday, comes as a number of schools in Birmingham have stopped teaching about LGBT rights, following protests by parents.
Primary schools in Greater Manchester also reported complaints against RSE education classes, which Mayor Andy Burnham addressed in a statement on Wednesday.
“It is right that children learn about all kinds of relationships and the equality of every relationship. This supports LGBT young people, teachers and parents and helps to build strong, cohesive and united communities,” Mr Burnham said.
A number of non-governmental organisations have been involved in pushing for more inclusive RSE, including sexual health group The Terrence Higgins Trust and LGBT+ charity Stonewall.
Mo Wiltshire, Stonewall’s Director of Education and Youth, said she looked forward to working with the government to delivery high-quality inclusive teaching and build on best practice.
“These new subjects have the potential to deliver real change in how LGBT families, people and relationships are taught about,” Ms Wiltshire announced in a statement.
“This will help foster greater inclusion, acceptance and understanding in our classrooms, playgrounds and school corridors.
“All students, whether they are LGBT or not, should have the time and space to learn about the diversity that exists and makes our world beautiful.”
Two in five LGBT pupils are currently not taught about LGBT issues in school and nearly half of LGBT pupils admit to being bullied.
