Pride 2022
We know that young people do better in an environment where they feel safe, welcome and accepted. In celebration of Pride month, we have gathered a list of resources to help you achieve this environment for all your students. Additionally, we have collated a list of influential LGBTQ+ figures throughout history to shine the spot light on their achievements and how they helped changed the world.
How to create a safe and inclusive school environment
A survey conducted by Stonewall in 2017, highlighted the experiences of 3,713 LGBT students across secondary schools and colleges. The key findings included topics such as bullying and language, education, support and school responses. Nearly half of lesbian, gay, bi and trans pupils (45 per cent) – including 64 per cent of trans pupils – admitted to being bullied for being LGBT at school, with half (52 per cent) of LGBT pupils hearing homophobic language ‘frequently’ or ‘often’ at school. Almost half (45 per cent) of LGBT pupils were found to never tell anyone about being bullied.
As educators and parents/guardians, we want schools to be a safe haven for children to learn, discover and grow as individuals. Ensuring this goal can sometimes prove to be difficult, however there are things that you can do to help create an inclusive environment for all.
Education Teaching LGBTQ+ issues alongside the normal curriculum is a great place to start the conversation and break down stigmatisms relating to sexual orientation and gender identity. Bringing more diversity into the classroom also enables more inclusivity to students that may otherwise feel left out, whilst also providing better education that applies to them. Not only does this create a more welcoming environment, it allows all students the opportunity to learn about and discuss others experiences resulting in a more open and accepting space.
Support Having an easily accessible support system in school that is free from judgment will allow more students who are struggling the opportunity to seek help. In the survey conducted by Stonewall in 2017, 63% stated “It’s not easy to talk to anyone” and 49% stated “I was too embarrassed” when questioned why didn’t you tell anyone that you were bullied? Providing an open support system shows there is a safe space where pupils can open up, without the stress of being judged or ignored.
As well as providing a support system, actively challenging homophobic and bullying language when witnessed ensures that behaviour isn’t allowed to progress further, whilst showing the person receiving the abuse they’re valued and supported.
Policies You may not realise it, but your school policies may not fully represent all your students. Ensuring your policies are kept up to date with the most recent information/terminology, you’ll help create a transparent, safe and inclusive school environment, it’s a small detail but has a large impact.
ResourcesCreating an inclusive school environment can be a daunting task and you may wonder where you can find support. That’s why we have found some good quality resources for you as a starting block to set you off in the right direction.
Originally created for Victorian schools in Australia, this Safe Schools Guide still provides essential and helpful information on how to create a safe and welcoming environment.
Stonewall
Along with their survey’s, Stonewall has spent the last 30 years working towards a world where all children and young people have access to an LGBTQ inclusive education. They have supported many primary schools, secondary schools and Multi Academy Trusts to challenge bullying and celebrate diversity. They offer extensive resources, a consultancy service and CPD accredited online training for schools and colleges in the UK.
Pride in Education
Pride in Education was established in June 2020 in response to the British Government cuts in anti HBT (Homophobic, Biphobic and Transphobic) bullying and was set up to help supply education practitioners with the right tools they need to provide an inclusive and celebratory space for everyone working in education. Pride in Education hold a virtual conference on Zoom twice a year (June and October) with the next one commencing on 25th June 2022.
Influential LGBTQ+ Figures Throughout History
Alan Turing
Mathematician Alan Turing is regarded today as one of the most innovative thinkers of the 20th century, whose ideas led to early versions of modern computing and helped crack intercepted coded messages, ultimately leading allies to victory in the Second World War.
During his life time, Alan Turing was convicted due to his homosexuality and unfortunately took his own life at the age of 41. However, in 2013 he was pardoned, leading to new legislation which pardoned all gay men under historical gross indecency laws.
Josephine Baker
A well-known Jazz entertainer, Josephine Baker was one of the most successful African-American performers in French history who identified as bisexual. She used her platform to advocate for desegregation, going so far as to refuse to perform in segregated venues and even speaking at the infamous 1963 March on Washington.
Earlier in life, during World War 2 Josephine served as a spy for the French, passing information along which she heard while performing for the German soldiers.
Bayard Rustin
Organiser of the 1963 March on Washington, and close friend and advisor to Martin Luther King Jr., Bayard Rustin did not receive broad recognition for his integral role in the civil rights movement due to his sexuality. He was forced to work in the background due to opposing parties using his sexuality against him and MLK, threatening to spread lies concerning their relationship. In spite of this, Bayard Rustin remained a political and gay activist, working hard to bring attention to the AIDS crisis.
Gilbert Baker
Pride and the LGBTQ community are widely recognised by the iconic rainbow flag, which is the work of Gilbert Baker. An American artist and gay rights activist who debuted the rainbow flag all the way back in 1978. Gilbert refused to trademark the design, stating it was a symbol for everyone, leading to the symbol we all know and love today.
There are endless more LGBTQ figures throughout history that equally deserve to have their story told. Check out these articles to discover a few more.
National Geographic – 12 historic LGBTQ figures who changed the world
attitude – 29 LGBTQ FIGURES FROM HISTORY YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT