Lesson video

Hello, my name's Miss Willow, and I'm going to be your teacher for today's lesson.

Today's lesson is called "LGBT People in Modern Britain," and it fits into the unit, "Communities: How Can We Understand and Respect Different Types of Relationships?" Before we begin, we want to acknowledge that this lesson contains some discussion which might be sensitive to some viewers.

We recommend that you be supervised by an adult when completing this lesson.

If at any point during this video you feel upset or worried, please close the screen and speak to a trusted adult.

Okay, let's make a start.

By the end of today's lesson, you'll be able to explain how the law and attitudes have changed for LGBT people in the UK, and you'll be able to describe contributions of some LGBT people in modern Britain.

Before we get started with today's lesson, we need to go over some ground rules.

These help to make sure that everyone feels safe and comfortable during today's lesson.

First of all, Laura says that we need to listen to others.

It's okay to disagree with each other, but we should always listen properly before we make any assumptions or before we decide how to respond.

When we disagree with someone else, it's important to challenge the statement and not the person themselves.

Next, Andeep says that we need to respect each other's privacy.

We can discuss examples, but we shouldn't use any names or descriptions that could identify anyone, including ourselves.

If we want to share a story, we can refer to someone as "my friend." This means that we're not going to give away any identifying information.

Next, Jacob says, "No judgment." We can explore any beliefs and misunderstandings that we have about a topic without fear of being judged by others.

And finally, Izzy says that we can choose our level of participation.

Everyone has the right to choose not to answer a question or to join in with discussion, and we should never put anyone on the spot.

We're now going to take a look at the keywords for today's lesson.

Our first keyword is "LGBT." This stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender.

And our next keyword is "equality." This is the state of being equal, especially in status, rights, and opportunities.

Today's lesson is split into three learning cycles.

Our first learning cycle is called: What is the history of LGBT rights in Britain? Our second learning cycle is called: What issues do LGBT people face today? And finally, our last learning cycle is: How have LGBT people shaped the UK? Let's make a start on our first learning cycle: What is the history of LGBT rights in Britain? According to research from the Office for National Statistics, about one in 25 people, or 4.

4% of people in England and Wales, identify as lesbian, gay, or bisexual.

That's over 2.

5 million people.

Xavier says that being LGBT is part of life for millions of people in the UK, in every region, job, and background.

Modern Britain has seen significant progress in relation to LGBT rights and equality.

These legal changes didn't happen overnight; they came about through decades of campaigning.

Let's take a look at how LGBT rights have changed in the UK.

So in 1967, homosexuality was decriminalized in England and Wales.

This means that it was no longer against the law.

In 1982, homosexuality was decriminalized in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

The word "homosexuality" means being attracted to people of the same sex.

At the time, it was the word most often used in the law and in society.

Today, though, it is seen as a bit old-fashioned and sometimes used in a negative way.

People today are more likely to use words like "gay," "lesbian," and "bisexual" to describe themselves and their identities in a more positive and inclusive way.

In the year 2000, the government lifted the ban on LGBT people serving in the armed forces, and in 2002, same-sex couples gained adoption rights in England and Wales.

This meant that gay and lesbian couples could legally adopt children.

Civil partnerships were introduced in 2004, giving same-sex couples many of the same legal rights as married couples for the first time.

This meant that LGBT people's relationships were legally recognized.

The Equality Act was introduced in 2010.

The legislation made it unlawful to discriminate against people because of protected characteristics, including sexual orientation and gender reassignment.

This was important because it gave LGBT people stronger legal protection at work and in everyday life.

Same-sex marriage was legalized in England and Wales in 2013, in Scotland in 2014, and in Northern Ireland in 2020.

This was a major step for LGBT equality, as it meant that same-sex couples could marry with the same rights and recognition as opposite-sex couples.

Let's do a check for understanding to see how you are doing so far.

Which of these events came first in the UK? A, the Equality Act; B, same-sex marriage legalized; C, homosexuality decriminalized; or D, civil partnerships introduced? What do you think? Which of these events came first in the UK? Pause the video, talk to people around you, or have a think to yourself.

Well done if you said that C is correct.

The Equality Act 2010 protects people from unfair treatment.

It covers gender reassignment and sexual orientation.

Police Officer Kofi says, "This law means that it's unlawful to discriminate against people with protected characteristics." Today, LGBT couples can get married, adopt children, and have families.

In 2023, one in five adoptions in England were to same-sex couples.

LGBT families come in many different forms. Some have two moms or two dads, some include transgender parents or carers, and some families are formed through adoption, fostering, or surrogacy.

Let's do another check for understanding.

Can you complete this sentence? "Today, same-sex couples can get 'blank,' adopt children, and have families." Which word is missing? Pause the video, talk to the people around you, or have a think to yourself.

Well done if you said that "married" is the missing word.

"Today, same-sex couples can get married, adopt children, and have families.

Same-sex couples could also choose to have a civil partnership, and opposite-sex couples could also choose to have a civil partnership as well.

Well done if you got this right.

We're now going to move on to our first practice task, and well done for your hard work so far.

I'd like you to answer this question.

How has the law changed for LGBT people in the UK since 1967? Can you explain your answer in one paragraph? In your answer, I'd like you to refer to two to three changes to the law.

Pause the video, and we'll go through a model answer in a few minutes.

Okay, let's see what you might have said.

You might have said that since 1967, the law has changed a lot in the UK to give LGBT people more rights and protection.

For example, in 1967, homosexuality was decriminalized in England and Wales.

Additionally, in 2000, LGBT people were allowed to serve in the military.

Furthermore, the Equality Act in 2010 made it unlawful to discriminate against someone because of their sexual orientation or gender reassignment.

In 2014, same-sex marriage became legal, and these changes mean that LGBT people now have more equality in law.

Well done if your answer was anything like this.

We're now moving on to our second learning cycle: What issues do LGBT people face today? Holly says, "LGBT people have rights now in the UK, so do they still face discrimination?" Ms. Walsh says that, "Yes, unfortunately, some people still face bullying, hate crimes, or unfair treatment despite protections given by the Equality Act." In some UK schools, some LGBT people say that they've been called names or have been left out because of who they are.

Ms. Walsh says that everyone has the right to feel safe at school.

If you experience or witness bullying, you should speak to a trusted adult immediately.

This includes name-calling, exclusion, or any comments that make you feel unsafe.

You may also decide to politely challenge the bullying if you feel able to.

Some people can also use words to describe sexuality in a negative way, and this isn't okay.

If we see or hear this happen, we can tell a trusted adult.

Jack says, "If I hear homophobic comments, even as a joke, I call it out, and I let a teacher know.

Simple words like 'That's not okay' help to stop it.

Everyone deserves respect on and off the field." In 2023, police recorded over 22,839 hate crimes in England and Wales against people because of their sexual orientation.

Police Officer Kofi says that if someone commits a hate crime, they're breaking the law.

This is taken very seriously, and consequences may include being fined, getting a criminal record, or having to go to court.

Let's do another check for understanding to see how you're doing.

I'd like you to fill in the blank.

"In 2022 to 2023, police recorded over 'blank' hate crimes relating to sexual orientation in England and Wales." Is the missing number A, 6,839; B, 16,839; C, 22,839; or D, 36,839? Pause the video, talk to the people around you, or have a think to yourself.

Well done if you said that the correct answer is C, 22,839.

Unfortunately, in 2022 to 2023, police did record over 22,839 hate crimes relating to sexual orientation in England and Wales.

Well done if you remembered this.

Police Officer Kofi says that if you witness or experience this sort of behavior, you should speak up if it's safe to do so and report it to the police.

A trusted adult can also help and support you.

Let's do another check for understanding to see how you're doing.

I'd like you to decide if this statement is true or false.

LGBT people in the UK never face hate crimes because the law protects them.

What do you think? Is this true or false? Pause the video, talk to the people around you, or have a think to yourself.

Well done if you said that the correct answer is false.

But why? You might have said that while the law protects LGBT people, hate crimes still unfortunately happen.

In 2022 to 2023, there were over 22,839 hate crimes reported in England and Wales related to sexual orientation.

Well done if you remembered this.

We're now moving on to our second practice task, and well done for your hard work so far.

I'd like you to discuss the following questions with your partner.

First of all, what issues might some LGBT people face today? And secondly, I'd like you to answer the question: In what ways could you help create a more tolerant and accepting culture in your school or community? Pause the video, and we'll go through what you might have said in a few minutes.

Okay, let's see what you might have said.

For the first question, what issues might some LGBT people face today? You might have said that some LGBT people might face bullying, name-calling, or feel left out at school or in their community.

They might feel like they have to hide who they are because they're worried about being judged or treated unfairly.

Even though there are laws to protect LGBT people, such as the Equality Act, problems still unfortunately happen, such as hate crimes.

For the second question, in what ways could you help create a more tolerant and accepting culture in your school or community? You might have said something like, if I saw someone being bullied because of their sexual orientation, I would speak up if it's safe to do so or tell a teacher or trusted adult straight away.

I could also support the person by being kind, listening to them, and including them so that they don't feel alone.

It's important to show that bullying is never okay and that everyone deserves to be treated with respect.

Well done if your answer to these questions were anything like this.

We're now moving on to our final learning cycle: How have LGBT people shaped the UK? LGBT people have made a positive impact in many areas of British life, from science and sport to politics, healthcare, and the arts.

Xavier says that being LGBT is just one part of someone's identity.

Let's do another check for understanding.

Is this statement true or false? LGBT people have made a positive impact in many areas of British life.

What do you think? Is this true or false? Pause the video, talk to people around you, or have a think to yourself.

Well done if you said that this is true.

It's true that LGBT people have made a positive impact in many areas of British life.

There are many LGBT people, some well known and others who are not, who have made a positive contribution to British society.

For example, Alan Turing, who lived between 1912 to 1954, was a codebreaker and computer pioneer.

He cracked German codes in World War II, helping Britain to win the war.

It meant that Allies, including Britain and America, knew Germany's plans and secret communication and could prepare better to defeat them.

Despite his contributions, Alan Turing was prosecuted in 1952 for being gay, which was then illegal.

He died in 1954, but in 2013, he received a royal pardon.

Alan Turing's ideas led to modern computers, showing that LGBT people have made vital contributions to science and history.

We're also going to learn about Nicola Adams, who was born in 1982 and who was an Olympic boxer.

Nicola was the first woman to win Olympic gold at boxing in 2012.

She also won gold again at the 2016 Rio Olympics, making her a double Olympic champion.

She retired from boxing in 2019.

She's also openly bisexual, which means that she's attracted to both males and females.

Nicola is an example of how LGBT people can succeed in sport and inspire others.

We're also going to learn about Ruth Davidson, who was born in 1978 and who is an LGBT politician.

Ruth is the former leader of the Scottish Conservative Party between 2011 and 2019.

Under her leadership, the Scottish Conservatives became the second-largest party in the Scottish Parliament.

She's also a lesbian and a parent.

Ruth helped to make LGBT families more visible in public life.

LGBT people work in every profession and contribute to every aspect of society.

LGBT people are nurses, teachers, sports players, officers, and leaders.

Seeing them helps others to feel welcome, accepted, and proud.

Ms. Walsh says that LGBT people have always been here, and they've always made a positive difference.

Let's do another check for understanding.

Can you remember which of these people helped Britain to win the Second World War? A, Alan Turing; B, Nicola Adams; or C, Ruth Davidson? Which of those people helped Britain to win the Second World War? Pause the video, talk to people around you, or have a think to yourself.

Well done if you said that Alan Turing is correct.

Alan Turing helped Britain to win the Second World War.

Well done if you remembered this.

We're now going to move on to our final practice task.

For each of these people, I'd like you to write a summary of their contribution to British society.

We have Alan Turing, Nicola Adams, and Ruth Davidson, who we've learned about in this learning cycle.

Pause the video, and we'll go through some model answers in a few minutes.

Okay, let's see what you might have said.

You might have said that Alan Turing helped Britain to win World War II by breaking German codes, and he also created ideas that led to modern computers, showing that LGBT people have made vital contributions to science and history.

Nicola Adams became the first woman to win Olympic boxing gold in 2012, showing that LGBT people can achieve greatness in sport and inspire others, too.

Ruth Davidson led a major political party, the Scottish Conservative Party, while openly lesbian, helping make LGBT families more visible and accepted in public life.

Well done if your answers were something like this.

We're now going to summarize the key learning from today's lesson.

In this lesson, we've learned that LGBT rights in the UK have changed significantly since 1967, with laws now protecting LGBT people from discrimination.

Even though things have improved, some LGBT people still face bullying or unfair treatment.

It's important to speak up if we see this happening and to treat everyone with respect.

LGBT people have made significant positive contributions to British life in science, history, sport, politics, and more.

Everyone should feel proud to be themselves and safe to take part in society.

In today's lesson, you might have found that you've got some worries or questions, and if you do, it's really important that you share these with a trusted adult.

There's also a resource on the screen that's there to help you, too.

Well done for your hard work today.

I hope to see you again soon.