There are 77 countries in the world today where it is a criminal offence to be gay. These countries punish women, men and children because of their sexuality and in seven countries the punishment is death.

An International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO) provides a platform for everyone to make a powerful statement to demand improvements for the quality of life for LGBT people both overseas and here in the UK. The 17th May can be used to raise awareness of homophobic issues that are negatively impacting on people’s lives and to showcase success stories where a positive change has been achieved.

Please visit www.idaho.org.uk and see how you can get involved
on the 17th May 2008

Amnesty International and Oxford Groups March for IDAHO
Background Information Flyer

Last Updated: Saturday 10th May

Latest Additions to the Site
Click on the Text for the Full Article

Pioneering Teacher Celebrates LGBT History Month | ACPO Guidance on Working with Different Faiths | Lobbying activities in response to the DCLG's Cohesion Guidance | Beat Bullying - The Big Stand | Gender Dysphoria: A Mother’s Tale (external Link) | LGBT Teens Want Children Some Day | Why Schools is Hell for Trans Pupils | UK Youth Fight Homophobia on YouTube |

SCHOOLS OUT: OUR AIMS

• To provide both a formal and informal support network for all people who want to raise the issue of homophobia, transphobia and heterosexism in education.
• To campaign on lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans issues as they affect education and those in education.
• To research, debate and stimulate curriculum development on LGBT issues.

Schools OUT Signs to Race for Justice Declaration - Schools OUT have signed up to this declaration as we have consistently worked to challenge prejudice stereotypes and discrimination which is the basis of hate crime. We welcome the Attorney Generals initiative and ask all schools to sign the declaration and work to eradicate all forms of hate crime and incidents.
Read the Attorney General's letter and invitation here
See Schools Out's signed declaration here

Schools OUT Members - Unfortunately we've had some trouble with our membership database, and many of our entries are now incomplete. In order to rectify this the Membership Secretary, Holly Roberts, will be trying to contact as many of you as possible. If you are a member and do not receive an email or phone call within the next few weeks, feel free to contact her at members@schools-out.org.uk or click on the Contact Us button above right for more options. Thank you for your co-operation, Schools OUT.

Schools OUT Blog
Schools OUT now has a Web Blog available by clicking the Blog Button on the left Navigation Bar. This is a great addition to the site which gives users a Forum to discuss their experiences or to find out what is happening in their areas. The Blog has three seperate areas, an Online area where users of the website can interact; a Subscribers area where current subscribers of Schools OUT can interact; and a third area for the Schools OUT Committtee. Click on the Blog Button on the Navigation bar and follow the instructions on the Welcome Message.