'There are gay people in schools, too': Teachers form 1st LGBTQ+ committee
“Schools have gay people, too!” That was the message of support from a teacher in a booklet published ahead of the launch of the Sexual Minorities Committee of the Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union (KTU). On March 1, the committee became the union’s first-ever body dedicated to sexual minorities. It brings together LGBTQ+ teachers and teachers who support them. Their shared hope is that…
The Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union (KTU) has established its first committee dedicated to LGBTQ+ individuals, marking a significant milestone for the organization. The Sexual Minorities Committee aims to create a more inclusive environment for students who identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community. To launch the committee, KTU published a booklet on March 1, emphasizing the presence of LGBTQ+ individuals in schools and the importance of having supportive teachers for these students.
Mo, the inaugural chairperson of the committee, shared her experience as an elementary school teacher with over a decade of service. In a recent interview with The Hankook Ilbo, Mo discussed the various ways KTU aims to support LGBTQ+ students. One such initiative is the proposed elimination of a gender-based numbering system in schools.
Currently, students are divided into boys and girls, with boys assigned numbers starting from 1 and girls from 16, based on alphabetical order. This system can make students feel uncomfortable or marginalized based on their gender identity.
Mo's proposal to eliminate this system would foster a more inclusive environment, allowing students to feel safer and more accepted. The committee hopes that by having at least one supportive teacher during their school years, LGBTQ+ students will experience a more positive and inclusive educational experience. With the establishment of the Sexual Minorities Committee, KTU is taking a significant step towards promoting equality and acceptance within the education system.
Written by urgent.news from The Korea Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
