Teacher embroiled in Birmingham LGBT protests calls for better education
'The rise in homophobic attacks is shocking', Andrew Moffat tells ITV News Central Production Journalist George Hancorn
A teacher who was involved in the LGBT protests in Birmingham has called for better education in diversity to be rolled out in schools.
Andrew Moffat, who developed the No Outsiders programme which was rolled out to celebrate diversity in schools, said schools need to teach children to confidently embrace diversity.
He has reassured students growing up with questions about the way they might be treated due to their sexuality, that "everything is going to be okay."
Mr Moffat also spoke out following ITV News Central's report on the 30% increase in LGBT+ hate crime across the West Midlands over the last year.
Reacting to the figures that ITV Central obtained a week ago, Mr Moffat said: "The rise in homophobic attacks - it's shocking and it's not something that anyone wants to hear.
"I've lived in Birmingham for 45 years and I feel safe in Birmingham but when you hear about things like that happening it does make you worried."
Mr Moffat's lessons on No Outsiders led to protests by some parents at schools in Birmingham.
Protests were held in 2019 outside a primary school in Birmingham over the teachings of inclusive families
"I'm very confident about the solution for these attacks. The solution, it's absolutely the key", said Mr Moffat.
He said: "We've got to have schools confidently teaching children to embrace diversity. It's about talking about who we are."
Mr Moffat added: "I love being gay, it's great but you haven't got to celebrate me being gay.
"I want acceptance from you and I'll celebrate it. Fantastic! But you don't have to. However, we can co-exist, we can get along even though we're different."
"That's what it's about. I want all children whoever they are to grow up and feel that they belong, they're welcome and that it's going to be okay, they're going have a good life."