Geography: Mapping Our World The theme for LGBT History Month 2018 is Geography: Mapping Our World

LGBT...? Lesbian Gay Bisexual Trans A woman attracted to people of the same gender. Gay A person attracted to people of the same gender. A person attracted to two or more genders. Bisexual A person who’s gender is different to the one assigned/assumed at birth. Trans Encourage students to share what they know about the words.

Mapping Our World: Personal Geographies What are the spaces you occupy regularly? Do you feel safe to be yourself in these spaces? What might make someone feel unsafe? Encourage students to share their answers.

What can help people to feel safe? The laws that protect them Supportive friends Understanding adults Positive public attitudes People’s identities represented fairly Encourage students to share their answers.

Personal Geographies Have you ever have had to hide any parts of who you are, within these spaces?

Personal Geographies Some people might avoid talking about certain parts of themselves… Or say things they don’t really believe… Or dress or act differently to how they would feel most comfortable... Is this fair?

Personal Geographies If it’s not fair, why does it happen? Prejudice in the media Discriminatory laws Cultural and community expectations Bullying

Personal Geographies: making supportive spaces

Familiar LGBT faces... People who have used their platforms, status and jobs to advocate for equality and help to increase visibility of LGBT people Justin Fashanu Footballer Leo Waddell Documentary star Amandla Stenberg Actor Ellen DeGeneres Chat show host Can the students name the people and what they do? Can they name what they have fought for or what they use their platform to highlight? Justin Fashanu: First (and as of 2016 the only) premier league footballer to come out as a gay man. Leo Waddell: has starred in documentaries about being a trans young person. Leo made a film especially for CBBC around being trans to raise awareness to other young people. Amandla Stenberg: has spoken openly many times about equality for women and for LGBT people. Ellen DeGeneres: advocates for LGBT equality and uses her show to highlight LGBT people.

Stephen Fry Presenter, actor Familiar LGBT faces... People who have used their platforms, status and jobs to advocate for equality and help to increase visibility of LGBT people Laverne Cox Actress Lady Gaga Singer Stephen Fry Presenter, actor Ellen Page Actress Can the students name the people and what they do? Can they name what they have fought for or what they use their platform to highlight? Laverne Cox: an advocate for trans and LGBT rights. She also made a documentary about a trans prisoner CeCe McDonald to help free her from prison as she was arrested for defending herself during a transphobic and racist attack. Lady Gaga: has used her songs and platform to advocate for LGBT equality. Born This Way has become an anthem of supporting people to be who they are. Stephen Fry: speaks openly about LGBT equality. He made a documentary exploring what its like to be gay in different countries around the world for The BBC. Ellen Page: has spoken openly about fighting for LGBT equality.

Familiar LGBT faces? Politicians and activists from the UK who have fought to change the law and influence policy through campaigning for the law and attitudes within society to be more understanding and acceptance of LGBT people. Linda Bellos Ex-politician Lord Waheed Alli Politician Emmeline Pankhurst Suffragette Stephen Whittle Professor Can the students name the people and what they do? Can they name what they have fought for or what they use their platform to highlight? Linda Bellos: has encouraged people to consider all aspects of a persons identity and how people often face discrimination on the grounds of race, gender, faith, disability, class. She is also a LGBT activist. Lord Waheed Alli: as a politician has helped to fight against Section 28 and played a part in fighting for the Equal Marriage Act to be passed. Emmeline Pankhurst: fought tirelessly for the right for women to vote and for equal rights for women. Stephen Whittle: has fought tirelessly for equality for trans people. He has been a involved with many trans and LGBT fights activist groups.

Is our school inclusive? Is this a space where people can freely be their whole selves? Ask students for examples of how they have or could make a change in their areas and what tools they might use E.g. posters, demonstrations or marches, badges, chatting to community members, holding a community event

LGBT History Month February is an opportunity to learn about LGBT people that have existed before us and perhaps been left out of the history we know of. It is also a time to think about what more there is to do in order to ensure true equality for everyone in our society…