1. Addressing Homophobia in Schools

2. Program About the organisation LGBT issues in Flemish schools Projects by Çavaria on education - Working together - Gender issues - Social education - Tools and materials Conclusion

3. Çavaria: umbrella organisation Our mission: Çavaria inspires, stimulates and supports organisations and individuals who plead for a wide view on sexual orientation, gender expression and gender identity. She stands up for welfare and equal rights for LGBT’s in every aspect of the daily life.

4. About Çavaria Umbrella over approximately 120 groups LGB and T Funded by ministry of Equal Opportunities, and different departments concerning the projects (Work, Welfare, Sports, Culture,... )

5. Çavaria and Education Projects since 2000 - supported by the Flemish Government of Education 2009-2014: Minister of education who is very pro LGBT education in schools Weakness: depending on the person. No long term structural funding

6. LGBT issues in Flemish schools Strength! Written in school objectives for the ages 14 – 17 within ‘Health education’: Subtheme: ‘relations and sexuality’ Pupils can associate with friendship, being in love, sexual identity, sexual feelings. Subtheme : ‘ethics’ Pupils show respect for themselves and others, such as persons with another sexual orientation, from other ethnic groups, from other cultures, or with other beliefs.

7. LGBT issues in Flemish schools Strength! Every educational umbrella (public, private etc.) signed an agreement where they say that they will all adress homophobia and gender related problems in schools. The minister of education gave çavaria 1 extra full time worker to train as many teachers as possible in the schools. This is a 2 year project.

8. LGBT issues in Flemish schools In reality: Still much homophobia in schools from pupils, teachers and head teachers. - 41% of boys and 26% of girls: problem with boys acting more ‘girly’ (DeWaele, 2009) -15 % of LB girls: minimum 1 attempted suicide (Schoonacker, 2009) - 43% of boys: negative attitude towards LGBT rights (Hooghe, 2007) Weakness: The objectives are relative and there isn’t much control over the realisation. So it still depends on the goodwill of the teachers.

9. Projects: Impulses for an LGBT policy in schools Main objectives: - Education for teachers - Education for pupils (by LGBT groups) - Advice and information for all - Educational tools and materials How? - Organising a conference every year for teachers and student counselors - Giving social education for teachers (train the trainer) -Giving advice and information - Developing tools and materials

10. Projects: Impulses for an LGBT policy in schools Working together with: -Klasse (newsletter, magazine, website for teachers) by the department of education -LGBT groups, Wel Jong Niet Hetero -The umbrellas of education -Publishers of handbooks - Other non profit organisations

11. In 2013 çavaria published a new tool for the primary schools. More than ever before we focus on gender issues! The importance of working on gender issues FAQ pupils: “Why do gay men always talk with high voices?” “ In a relationship between women, who mows the lawn?” “Children need a mother and a father, so a same sex couple isn’t able to raise children.”

12. Social education (train the trainer) Main goal: breaking through heteronormativity and create gender awareness Strengths - Reaching all kinds of people (in educational environment) - Basic information for straight and LGBT - Creating visibility Weaknesses: - Not obligatory - Limited time : Follow up depending on the teachers

13. Tools and materials Main goal: Integrate LGBT issues in the curriculum by giving teachers the tools Importance of different kind of tools: Different age groups, Ethnic groups, Level of education,... And importance of VARIATION: different methods: by use of film, documentary, Theatre, little equipment, as homework,... NEW 2013 Toolkit for primary school

14. Tools and materials Main goal: Integrate LGBT issues in the curriculum by giving teachers the tools Strengths - Teachers can do it themselves - It is education for the pupils and the teachers - Wide range to choose from, depending on the group - Mailing to all schools in Flanders in 2013 with all our new tools and products Weaknesses: - No control over quality - Still depending on the goodwill of teachers - Many teachers are afraid NEW 2013 LGBT information magazine for teachers

15. Conclusion Importance of working together! Search ‘allies’ in individuals, politicians, non profit organisations,… Focus on different levels at the same time: Teachers, pupils, LGBT teachers, head principals,... Try to achieve quality in the LGBT sessions for pupils and teachers Working on LGBT issues is working on gender issues

16. Questions? Remarks? More information? kaj.poelman@cavaria.be www.cavaria.be Kammerstraat 22, B – 9000 Gent Belgium