International LGBT group want gay-friendly schools

saratiddyTue 18/12/07 16:07

100 young LGBT people from all over Europe gathered in Málaga, Spain, last week for the three-day meeting of International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Queer Youth and Student Organisation.

IGLYO member organisations discussed strategies for advancing equality and human rights for LGBTQ young people.

Euro MP Michael Cashman spoke at the event. He is President of the European Parliament Intergroup on Gay and Lesbian Rights.

At the meeting new guidelines for the development of more friendly schools for LGBT people were launched.

Board member Bruno Selun, responsible for this project, commented:

"These guidelines should help young activists to make schools realise that LGBT pupils can be found everywhere, and schools must take measures that protect the whole school community. Access to education is a basic human right, and must be respected."

IGLYO's also decided that their core focuses for the next three years are to be education, healthcare, human right and inter-religious and intercultural dialogue.

Björn van Roozendaal, outgoing chairperson, said:

"The General Assembly has adopted a strong and clear direction for the next three years.

"This will make sure that the fight for a better world and better human rights is coherent, and supported by the biggest organisation for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer youth and students in Europe and beyond."

Article : www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-6364.html

... What are your views on having Gay-friendly Schools? Intergration, Segregation, or more awareness and support for Young People, teachers and those who regulate all schools?

deleted:tattmanTue 18/12/07 16:12

quickfind:saratiddy I must say I really appreciate all the effort and time you spend posting threads about LGBT life around the world and reminding me that not all our LGBT brothers and sistes have the oppurtunities that many of us do that live here in the uk.

You're a star! :-)

twyfordTue 18/12/07 16:21

quoting > "... What are your views on having Gay-friendly Schools? "

While I try and get my thoughts straight in my head before typing them all out, can I just ask what your thoughts on this subject are?

deleted:tattmanTue 18/12/07 16:28

My view is that in an Ideal world all schools would be friendly or at least aware of issues around being LGBT. Being friendly to me is about them being safe for LGBT to be open about who they are and be confident knowing that any homo/transphobia was dealt with appropiatly and they had access to a range of positive LGBT role models.

I work with schools and sadly many schools in the uk are way behind the times.. I could tell you some shocking stories!

saratiddyTue 18/12/07 16:54

quoting > "can I just ask what your thoughts on this subject are?"

... I'm torn, my feelings are - if we can't achieve intergration and education (for teachers/those in charge of young peoples welfare)and support (for young LGBT people) THEN the only way is segregation.

BUT if you have segregation then you will never achieve intergration, education and support.

I am not sitting on the fence, but I feel that education and support are the ways forward, but how many more young people will be hurt or scared or worst (commit sucide etc) before education and support is achieved.

So what are your views then?

twyfordTue 18/12/07 16:56

That's why I'm having trouble getting my views down, that same torn feeling but for different reasons. Teachers are always telling us how they have to much to do as it is, we have terribly low levels of education in this country and it shows when rated against the rest of the world, so forcing more responsibility onto the schools will be a problem.

saratiddyTue 18/12/07 16:57

quoting > "quickfind:saratiddy I must say I really appreciate all the effort and time you spend posting threads about LGBT life around the world and reminding me that not all our LGBT brothers and sistes have the oppurtunities that many of us do that live here in the uk.
You're a star! :-]"

... Well thank you kind Sir, *bows sweetly*

I try my best. It is nice to know my work is appreciated, if something is of interest to me OR I think it could OR should be interest to other OUTers I try to include it.

Thanks again for your comments I feel really appreciated. *hugs*

saratiddyTue 18/12/07 17:00

quoting > "forcing more responsibility onto the schools will be a problem."

... Therefore should the Government provide special support workers ... they don't have to be full time at a school they could travel around, a day each week at each school, or half days. These staff could be there to educate & support the teachers as well as support LGBT Young People and educate their class mates.

deleted:tattmanTue 18/12/07 17:04

you're welcome...

Well something needs to be done espcially as racism is dealt with strictly and there is Black History Month celebrated at most schools as far as I know.

Being LGBT is part and parcel of our lives the figures on sucicide and self harm show that something needs to be done.

There are plenty of organisations out there who would welcome extra funding to support schools/colleges in this. Like I said I work with schools and I have heard some shocking things.

A school in Waltham Forest in (2004) refuesed to put posters up advertising my LGB youth group because it would turn kids gay

At anotheer school a boy who was out at school was beaten up outside the school, the school said that he asked for it by being open about being gay.

The Government have launched a guide for Homophobic bullying in schools and it will be ofsteded so the right moves here in the uk are being made at least!

saratiddyTue 18/12/07 17:07

quoting > "A school in Waltham Forest in (2004) refused to put posters up advertising my LGB youth group because it would turn kids gay

At anotheer school a boy who was out at school was beaten up outside the school, the school said that he asked for it by being open about being gay."

... Things like this sicken me, and it makes me wonder what I can do to assist.

deleted:tattmanTue 18/12/07 17:11

Support orgs like Schools Out..... Write to your local school and ask them what there policies are.... Join a local group and offer to support schools to do this :-)