LGBT History Month

Schools: What Did You Do for LGBT History Month 2012?

History Month — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 18:19:10 +0000

Schools OUT is putting together a summary of good practice from schools that celebrated LGBT History Month. If something happened in your school, however small, please can you let them have a few sentences describing what happened and why it was successful, what the highlights were etc. If you have a good photo that would be great too, and if you are willing to be contacted by the press please include a contact number (entirely optional). They hope to send something out at the end of the month.

Reply to media@schools-out.org.uk

Football v. Homophobia Feb. 19th

History Month — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 18:18:03 +0000

February the 19th marks the start of a host of Football v. Homophobia events, both in the UK and internationally, to celebrate our community and its achievements through the medium of the national game. Football v. Homophobia day was launched in 2010 by the Justin Campaign to commemorate the birthday of the late Justin Fashanu, the only UK player to come out to his public. Among the events last year, Justin’s old club Ipswich Town had a celebratory match.

To find out who’s doing what to celebrate the day this year, visit the Football v. Homophobia site here

FA Launches LGBT Action plan

History Month — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 18:06:19 +0000

The Football Association has launched Opening Doors and Joining In – its four year action plan to eradicate homophobia and transphobia from the sport as well as making football a welcoming place for lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people as supporters and players. Welcoming the work of Pride Sports, The Justin Campaign, Kick it Out and the Gay Football Supporters network the plan is set out in a glossy 40 page magazine with plans and strategies set out in detail. To download a copy go here

We Remember

History Month — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 12:58:51 +0000

Justin Fashanu

19th February 1961

May 2nd 1998

www.thejustincampaign.com

www.footballvhomophobia.com

FA Releases new Film on Homophobia

History Month — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 12:44:49 +0000

The FA has released a brand new film around anti-Homophobia in Football ahead of announcing an action plan on the subject at Wembley Stadium next week.

The film features Brendon Batson and former FA Cup winner and England international John Scales, plus ex-Reading skipper Ady Williams who was capped 13 times by Wales.

Filmed in the dressing rooms at Wembley Stadium, the 30-minute discussion on tackling homophobia in the game has been made as football remembers Justin Fashanu’s birthday on 19 February and leads in to The FA’s action plan launch on Monday 20 February.

Last year saw The FA become one of the founding signatories on the Government’s Charter for Action in this area while all 20 Premier League clubs signed up at the start of this month.

Football Clubs “Dragging their Feet” on Homophobia

History Month — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 09:35:51 +0000

Premier league Football clubs have been accused of ‘dragging their feet’ over their commitment to tackling homophobia and transphobia, according to an article in the Independent. Following the announcement by Lynne Featherstone that all the premiership tems were to sign the LGBT Sports charter, made at the LGBT History Month pre-launch last November, the Government is said to be disappointed and angry that clubs have said no to hosting a launch of an anti-homophobia/transphobia campaign. Meanwhile, Football v. Homophobia report that only 10% of the professional clubs have signed up to their campaign. Some have even used the fact that they have already signed up to the government charter as an excuse not to get involved int the FvH campaign.

The 16 teams signed up to Football v Homophobia so far are: Arsenal, Aston Villa, Fulham, Liverpool, Newcastle Utd, Norwich City, Brighton & Hove Albion, Derby County, Ipswich Town, Millwall, Huddersfield Town, MK Dons, Wycombe Wanderers, Exeter City, Port Vale and Hyde FC. The first six are in the Premier league. To read the full article, go here

Netherlands to Introduce Statutory Diversity Training

History Month — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 08:48:19 +0000

The Dutch government has prepared a scheme for compulsory education about LGB and transsexuality at each school; a victory for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) youth.

Following a proposal by Van Bijsterveldt, Ministerof Education, Culture and Science (pictured) the Cabinet agreed to the attainment targets for primary and secondary schools to adjust in the field of sexuality and sexual assertiveness.

The draft will now be sent first for advice to the Council of State. It is expected that the proposal will be sent to to the Senate and House in April. The aim is to make the decision take effect on 1 August 2012.

Victory

“The school is often not a safe environment for LGBT’s,” says Vera Bergkamp of LGBT Campaign group COC. ”Half of all students at school say you’d better not you come out of the closet. Suicide figures are among LGBT youth are up to five times higher than among heterosexual youth. Education is a necessity.”

“While almost all gay youth want more information about homosexuality, two-thirds of high school students never have any. That will finally change. This is a crown on the years of lobbying by the COC, but a victory for gay and transgender youth.

Call

Minister Van Bijsterveldt asked when the issue of education about homosexuality was last raised.

“This emphasis on freedom is unnecessary and unbalanced, as schools are just as much obliged by law to provide a respectful environment where LGBT safely be themselves,” says COC President Bergkamp. ”Freedom in completing the curriculum applies to all mandatory curriculum areas.

Bergkamp calls the government therefore to emphasize the responsibility of schools for the safety of LGBT’s in the legislature. Furthermore, that the creation of tolerance and acceptance of transgender people to the objectives is clearly stated.

Years of struggle

COC, the oldest existent LGBT rights group in Europe, has been arguing for years in favour of compulsory education about gay and transsexuality in every school.

L Project needs Your Support

History Month — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 10:50:01 +0000

A couple of weeks ago we reported a new single by the L Project dedicated to preventing homophobic bullying had been launched.

The L Project needs you to buy the single before midnight tonight to get it into the charts.

To see the vid and buy the single or donate go here

Channel 4 Looking for Young LGBT People

History Month — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 11:38:20 +0000

A TV Company is looking for young LGB people between 10-14yrs old They are making a groundbreaking TV programme for Channel 4 that follows young gay people in modern Britain. Get in touch. They’d love to hear from YOU. Call Luke for a chat on 02087426809.

Luke Davis, Head of Development, Glasshead Ltd 44 (0)20 87426809

Australian Star Comes Out and Launches a Missive

History Month — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 09:05:24 +0000

Kath and Kim star Magda Szubanski has come out as a lesbian and posed the question “How come serial killers can get married but we can’t?” to her government. British-born Szubanski, 50, who plays Sharon Strzelecki, stool pigeon to the two main characters, came out on Australian TV on Valentine’s Day 2012 and used the opportunity to voice her support for same sex marriage.

She said: “We pay taxes, fight wars for this country, nurse you when you are sick, make you laugh, sing and dance for you, play netball for you, star in your movies, cook your meals, decorate your store windows. And, chances are, gay people designed whatever it is you’re wearing. “All Australians, including gay Australians, should have exactly the same rights, including the right to love, marry and take care of our partners.”

On the current iniquity of Australian marriage rules, she said: “The law means that you could be a serial killer and have killed all of your spouses and yet you would still be considered fit to marry. But if you are gay, then you are not worthy of these same rights.”

Two private members’ bills were introduced at the parliament of Australia this week and would give equal marriage rights to gay couples if they can muster more support.

To read the full article go here