Call for LGBTQ+ books in Welsh language studies

Welsh literature courses in schools are said to lack representation for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people.

Out of the 48 set texts on Welsh literature for GSCE and Baccalaureate, there is little mention of LGBTQ+ characters or themes.

One student donated her own books to the school library because she felt it was so important that the students felt represented.

The Welsh Joint Education Committee (WJEC) said new literature would be commissioned by 2025.

Teacher Becky Richards of Ysgol Gyfun Gwyr in Swansea said books have helped students develop their identity.

“It’s really important that they have all representation in Welsh and in English,” she said.

“If we don’t have representation in our Welsh books or our Welsh schools, it can make it harder for these young people to understand who they are as individuals.”

She has set up a library of texts focused on LGBTQ+ issues at school.

For some students, the lack of representation in their studies is disappointing.

Rose, a 12th grade student, said: “I gave some of my own books to the library because I understand how important it is, especially for young children, to be represented in books.”

Anna, also in 12th grade, asked: ‘There are enough people out there writing these things, but why aren’t they in the curriculum?

“We study all of these books to everything else, from poetry about refugees, to the Holocaust, but nothing about gayness or LGBTQIA [lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual].”

A popular Welsh book series for young people is Y Pump, which covers a variety of issues including transgenderism.

One of the co-authors, Leo Drayton, 22, said more books like this were needed in Welsh.

“When I was at school the books we studied or were encouraged to read in Welsh were all about the same characters and stories,” he added.

“There wasn’t a lot of diversity and different skin colors of people.

“I did AS Welsh and it was very difficult for me to get excited about what I’m studying because I didn’t feel it appealed to me.”

Noir Jones, Head of the Welsh Department at Ysgol Bro Dinefwr in Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire, said: “The WJEC can only include these texts in the curriculum if they exist.

“Perhaps it is a challenge for Welsh authors and poets to write more on these subjects.”

The WJEC has confirmed that it will be commissioning new literature discussing LGBTQ+ issues for the new 2025 Welsh GCSE course.