1. 1 Promoting Inclusion Addressing homophobia in schools

2. 2 Objectives This session is for you to explore your understanding of LGBT issues in schools, and to equip you with skills and understanding so that you can contribute to promoting equality on LGBT issues It will also provide information about a school’s duty to challenge LGBT discrimination and bullying

3. 3 LGBT Lesbian: a woman whose enduring physical, romantic and/or emotional attraction is to other women. Gay: used to refer to a man or woman whose sexual orientation is attraction to persons of the same sex and/or gender Bisexual: a person who finds themselves attracted to persons from both genders Transgender: term for people whose gender identity differs from what is typically associated with the sex they were assigned at birth. This does not refer to sexual orientation Homophobia / biphobia / transphobia- used to refer to a range of negative attitudes and feelings towards lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender people

4. 4 A brief recent history 1988: passing of the Local Government Act with the notorious Clause 28: a local authority "shall not intentionally promote homosexuality or publish material with the intention of promoting homosexuality" or "promote the teaching in any maintained school of the acceptability of homosexuality as a pretended family relationship“ Repealed in 2003

5. 5 Stonewall School Report – 2007 for the first time, research exposed that homophobia was “endemic” in schools two thirds of lesbian, gay and bisexual young people reported experiencing homophobic bullying at school and only a quarter of schools were saying that such bullying was wrong.

6. 6 THE EDUCATION AND INSPECTIONS ACT 2006: “every school must have measures to encourage good behaviour and prevent all forms of bullying amongst pupils” THE EQUALITY ACT 2010: schools must not discriminate on the grounds of race, disability, gender age, sexual orientation, religion or belief, and gender re- assignment. CHILDREN ACT 1989: bullying is a child protection concern 2007 DCSF GUIDANCE: “a preventative approach to bullying means that schools safeguard the welfare of their pupils…Preventing and responding to homophobic bullying should be part of these existing strategies”.

7. 7 OFSTED Schools need clear, inclusive values that are understood and lived by all members of the school community Schools should ensure that their curriculum… systematically teaches pupils about all aspects of individual difference and diversity, including appearance, religion, race, gender, sexuality, disability and ability Provides specific guidance on tackling homophobic bullying OFSTED will inspect records on challenging bullying, including homophobic bullying

8. 8 Stonewall School Report – 2012 Second major study Levels of homophobic bullying had been substantially reduced (by 10%) And a huge increase in schools communicating to pupils that homophobia is wrong But it is still the case that only 50% schools explicitly tell pupils that homophobia and homophobic bullying are wrong

9. 9 Still over half of LGB* young people experience bullying in school Three in five pupils stated that even when teachers witnessed homophobia in school they did not intervene More than half pupils in survey were in schools which did not teach that homophobia is wrong Many LGB pupils do not feel able to talk to teachers  *Trans pupils were not included in the survey

10. 10 Preparing teachers to address LGBT issues in schools I don’t know anything about LGBT issues. I don’t even really know what the letters stand for. I would not be comfortable talking to pupils about these issues. Secondary pupils are too young to choose their sexuality so I don’t think it is an appropriate issue for schools. I’m really concerned at the use of the word ‘gay’ in my school. Somehow it really doesn’t seem healthy. I mean, we would not tolerate pupils calling something ‘black’ to be nasty. But I just don’t know what to say to them.

11. 11 As a gay man, I feel very uncomfortable talking about LGBT issues because everyone always supposes I’m talking about myself. I really don’t want to carry a banner. I know that LGBT pupils can experience name-calling and homophobia, and it’s not right. I would like to contribute to a whole-school approach to tackling this. I am hoping my school will provide some guidance. I have been involved with LGBT issues for many years and I look forward to contributing to a school’s work in this area. I am especially interested in exploring how we can challenge the heteronormativity of the school curriculum. LGBT bullying, harassment or discrimination is a huge issue in schools. Every school must have strong policies and practice in place to tackle this. Every school student has the right to feel safe and valued in school.

12. 12 I know it’s not really very good for kids to use the word ‘gay’ in a negative way, but it’s only banter. They don’t mean anything by it, and it can be quite funny. Of course, as a teacher I wouldn’t use it myself. I am disappointed that because I am committed to my religion, people will think I don’t believe in LGBT rights. In fact, tackling bullying and teaching pupils to treat each other with respect is very important for me, as a religious person. Are teachers allowed to talk about LGBT issues in schools? I thought it had been banned some years ago.

13. 13 How can we support teachers and develop their ability to respond to HBT* bullying? How can we develop our ability to promote equality and ensure all teaching is inclusive for all pupils? *homophobic/ biphobic/ transphobic

14. 14 What is HBT bullying? Working definition from NatCen Social Research Homophobic, biphobic or transphobic bullying can be defined as behaviour or language which makes a person feel unwelcome or marginalised because of their sexual orientation or gender identity, whether actual or perceived, or because of their association with people who are, or perceived to be, gay, bisexual or transgender (e.g. children of same-sex couples).

15. 15 Experiences of homophobia in school I hear a lot of ‘that’s so gay’ and it really upsets me. I’m one of the only people that actually challenges it, and when I do I’m met with a response of ‘oh, gay doesn’t mean the same thing anymore, it just means bad’. Becky, 15, secondary school (South East) People in the year above give me strange looks and whisper about me. I know it’s because of the way I dress. It hurts knowing that these people walk past me every day and can't see me for anything but a lesbian. Amy, 17, secondary school (East Midlands)

16. 16 It’s not what they say to me individually that gets at me, it’s the constant stream of anti-gay remarks that people don’t even know they make. I feel awful all the time. It eats away inside you and sometimes knowing what they’d do to me if they knew makes me lose the ability to breathe. Sophie, 15, private secondary school (South East) I was alone for quite a long time, in lessons as well as during breaks. Other people only talked to me to tease me. Megan, 16, faith secondary school (Yorkshire and the Humber) They knew I couldn’t tell teachers because they convinced me my sexuality would get back to my parents. Gabby, 16, single-sex secondary academy (South West))

17. Experiences of LGBT young people in schools https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n68lim AtVeM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n68lim AtVeM Copy and paste this to search engine (7 minutes) NB>alternative route: go to http://www.lgbtyouthnorthwest.org.uk/http://www.lgbtyouthnorthwest.org.uk/ Click on YouTube icon on top right hand corner. Scroll down to Homophobia in our schools: young people speak out. 17

18. 18 Effects of experiencing homophobia/biphobia / transphobia Reduced attainment School drop-out Mental health problems Suicide attempt

19. 19 How do we address LGBT issues in school? I was part of an equalities team that challenged homophobia and we wore Stonewall t-shirts and presented assemblies to Years 7, 8 and 9. We also put up Stonewall posters in my school. My headteacher spoke about lesbian, gay and bisexual and trans issues and said that homophobic bullying won’t be tolerated. We spoke about how saying ‘gay’ in a negative way is wrong and some facts and statistics about being lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans. It certainly made a positive difference. Val, 16, secondary academy (South West)

20. 20

21. 21 Making homophobia history http://www.theguardian.com/education/2010/oct/26/lgbt-history-homophobia-schools

22. How would you advise….? LGBT agony aunt exercise 22

23. 23 Task: celebrating LGBT History Month (February) You are working with a team developing LGBT history month in your school Consider a range of activities which will promote LGBT equality and raise an understanding of diversity for all pupils Consider a role for your own subject area

24. 24 You may want to consider: School policies A role for the leadership team Staff development Whole-school approaches Activities through the curriculum Liaison with outside agencies Promoting equality Combating bullying Developing student voice

25. 25 You wouldn’t go around calling someone ‘black’. ‘Oh you’re so black.’ It’s the same thing as saying ‘oh you’re so gay’. Andy, 14, secondary academy (South East) I feel that I don't want to carry on in school if this is what I have to put up with and hide what I feel all the time. Simon, 14, secondary school (South West) It’s definitely a day-to-day basis at my school. It was only the other day that my teacher told a boy to stop wearing purple socks because he ‘looks a bit gay’. Laura, 15, faith secondary school (South East) It went on for most of my secondary school which was an all-girls grammar school. I even got surrounded and threatened by about 30 girls on the bench once in the school playground and the teachers didn’t do anything about it. Grace, 17, sixth form college (South East)