All college staff should receive training on gender identity awareness, a parliamentary committee has recommended.

In its report on transgender equality published today, the Commons Women and Equalities Select Committee says that the levels of bullying and harassment experienced by trans students in FE are “unacceptable”.

“We…heard evidence that in further education, the learning environment for LGBT [lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender] learners might be more hostile than that in higher education,” the report states. The committee urges the government to hold conversations with FE providers about whether enough is being done when complaints are made.

The government should also ensure all FE staff receive gender identity awareness training, while institutions should take proactive steps to promote trans equality. This could include having a “transgender champions scheme” for non-trans staff, the committee suggests.

In total, the report makes more than 30 recommendations. Committee chair Maria Miller said the UK was leading the world in recognising lesbian, gay and bisexual rights, but despite some welcome progress, was “still failing trans people in so many ways”. She added: “Media coverage of transgender issues has improved a great deal in recent years, but it still tends to focus on transgender celebrities. There is a stark contrast with the day-to-day experiences of many ordinary individual trans people, who still endure routine hostility and discrimination.”

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