SCHOOLS OUT AIMS
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Schools OUT Annual Conference 2012
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Schools OUT and LGBT History Month's Elly Barnes is No.1!
Music teacher and Equality and Diversity trainer Elly Barnes is the Number One LGBT figure in the nation, according to the Independent Pink List. The annual list, published in the Independent on Sunday, named Elly as the Number one “unsung hero” who made life better for LGBT people. Elly, who is on the Schools OUT/LGBT History Month Committee and has been celebrating LGBT History Month, was beside herself at the news.
Schools OUT and LGBT History Month Co-Chair Sue Sanders came in at 43. Clare Dimyon OBE, who travels Central and Eastern Europe every year in support of Pride Solidarity, came 27th. LGBT History Month Patron Christine Burns is at number 35 and Gendered Intelligence’s co-founder Jay Stewart came in at 69, showing greater recognition of trans activists in the list. Labour Minister and LGBT History Month patron Angela Eagle, who withstood David Cameron’s “Calm down, dear!” jibe in the Commons, is at number 68.
In sports, rugby referee Nigel Owens is at 88 and out professional footballer Anton Hysen is at 101. UK Black Pride Managing Director Phyll Opoku-Gyimah is number 64
Equalities minister Lynne Featherstone is named as a national treasure, as are GIRES trans campaigners Bernard and Terri Reed.
The judges included Gareth Thomas, John Amaechi and Diva editor Jane Czyzselska. To see the list, go here
Homophobia: Let's tackle it! - Survey
Consultation with young LGBT people
Show Racism the Red Card want to get feedback from people about their experiences of homophobia. Opinions will be used to guide development of their new film and education pack tackling homophobia.
They are particularly interested in opinions from young people. But also keen to collect opinions and ideas from members of the wider LGBT community and allies. So feel free to share the link with your networks.
Take the Homophobia: Let's Tackle It survey
All responses will be strictly confidential, and valuable in shaping the content of the resource.
Richmond LGBT Forum homophobia in schools project
Richmond upon Thames LGBT Forum is planning a project to raise awareness of, and address homophobia in schools in their area. Not just on an individual basis within classes, but on a much larger scale, transforming the whole school environment.
The Forum want to find teachers in secondary schools and colleges in the borough, and support them in gaining access to training and other input. The Forum will work with the teachers to develop and deliver an appropriate project for their school (based on the experiences of Elly Barnes at Stoke Newington School). They consider it essential to have one or more teachers engaged in the project, to act as “champions” and to ensure that there are long-term outcomes.
Experience elsewhere has shown that teachers who are both out at work and members of the LGBT community make good “champions”; but it could be anyone with the necessary motivation and enthusiasm - LGBT school support staff in the borough would be able to assist the project too.
Are you an out LGBT teacher in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames who is interested in engaging with the Forum’s project? Or do you know of anyone else who may be?
If you are an LGBT teacher in the area but are not out at work then you could still assist the project “behind the scenes” and the Forum will keep your details totally confidential.
Contact Peter Kirkham, Chair of the Richmond upon Thames LGBT Forum: kirkham.peter@btinternet.com
07850 576855
Alternatively contact Schools Out and we will introduce you.
Schools Minister Condemns Negative Use of the Word ‘Gay’
Schools Minister Nick Gibb has attacked the use of the word ‘gay’ as a codeword for dysfunctional in our schools. At an Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) meeting he told the audience: “The negative use of the word gay is unacceptable. It is homophobic bullying and must be stopped.”
Read what Schools OUT has to say
Cameron and Milliband support for LGBT History Month
Both the Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition have given their support for LGBT History month. This gives our work on the subject of history and equality in schools a massive boost.
Read what they had to say:
David Cameron
Ed Milliband
Working for LGBT Equality: Moving Forward
Government Equalities Office LGBT work plan and Sports Charter to counter homophobia and transphobia
65% of teachers call for training to make schools safer and more inclusive places in which to teach and learn
Blackburn with Darwen NUT launched its first Prevalence of Homophobia Survey of primary teachers with a foreword by Ms Gladys Rhodes OBE (Strategic Director of Blackburn Children's Services).
At the launch held in Blackburn, Simon Jones Division Secretary and member of the Union's National Executive Committee said:
"Teachers are rightly proud of our work and collective ambition to educate; address and correct ill-informed views, ignorance and bigotry - that is our wonderful job! Delivering and promoting child protection is also key to that work - you cannot properly teach or learn in an environment that is not respectful and respecting of others."
On page eight of the survey you will also find the current synopsis of similar surveys of secondary teachers that endorse earlier popular and learned studies revealing the culture of homophobic abuse that is 'endemic' (School Report 2007 - Stonewall) within our school system.
NUT Prevalence of Homophobia survey results:
