Including GLBTIQ Student Rights in 'Human' Rights Education

Abstract

Historically, human rights education has not strongly affirmed gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, intersex and otherwise queer (GLBTIQ) students. At the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in December 1948, GLBTIQ rights were not seen by UN representatives, governments and educational institutions as inherent within 'human' rights. Many representatives repeatedly hindered moves to include protection on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity within human rights conventions over the years. However, discrimination against GLBTIQ students became a key area for global attention in human rights education recently, with policies promoting inclusive approaches to GLBTIQ students in human rights education and policies emerging in countries like Australia, America and England.