Transcript Slide 1

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and
Trans Workshop
With
What we’ll cover
 Who we are and what we do
 Agreements
 Language & Definitions
 Research
 Issues that affect young people
 Safeguarding
 How to become more inclusive
 Resources, information and further support
Diversity Trust
 We work across all sectors
 We work with all Protected Characteristics
 Equality Act 2010, Public Sector Equality Duty and NHS
Equality Delivery System
 Education and training
 Consultancy, research and project management
 Organisational policy and procedural development
 Service development and delivery
 Consultation, engagement and empowerment of
communities
Introductions
Your name, your role and
something you would like to
share about the training today
Agreements
• Confidentiality
• There are no naive questions
• Switch off mobile phones
Human Bingo
Warm Up Activity
Ask people in the room to answer the
questions on the sheet. Each question
must be answered by a different person.
When you’ve finished, shout BINGO!
Definitions
 Lesbian: Women who are emotionally and/or sexually
attracted to other women
 Gay: Men who are emotionally and/or sexually
attracted to other men. Some Lesbians identify as
“Gay” or “Gay Women”
 Bisexual: Women or men who are emotionally and/or
sexually attracted to both women and men
Definitions
• Trans/Transgender: an umbrella term for
people whose gender identity and/or
gender expression diverges in some way
from the sex they were assigned at birth
• Including those who identify as
transsexual people, those who identify
as non-binary gender people, and crossdressing people
• The Transgender community prefers the
abbreviated term ‘Trans’
Definitions
 Homophobia: The irrational fear and hatred of people
who identify as Lesbian, Gay or Bisexual. This can
include; physical, emotional and verbal attacks. In
some cases can result in violence and even death
 Biphobia: The irrational fear and hatred of Bisexual
people
 Transphobia: The irrational fear and hatred of Trans
(Transgender) people
 Cisgenderism: Assumption every one is Cisgender
 Heterosexism: Assumption every one is Heterosexual
What is Homophobic, Biphobic and
Transphobic language?
 These are terms of abuse which may be aimed at
LGBT people or people perceived to be LGBT or
terms of abuse aimed at anyone
 Language which is often used to refer to
something or someone as inferior, e.g. a put down
 The language is often dismissed as “harmless” and
not thought to be hurtful especially where the
intent is not to comment on someone’s gender
identity or sexual orientation
 For example the use of the word “Gay”
Examples
“Queer”
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“Batty Boy/Batty Man”
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“Faggot”
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“Lezzie”
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“Dyke”
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“Gay”
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Poof
“You’re so gay”
Unfortunately, we are certain we can all think of other examples..
Issues that affect LGB and Trans Young People
• Isolation and confusion
• Lack of information – such as on sexual health,
relationships, lifestyle
• Homophobia, biphobia, transphobia and
heterosexism
• Coming out
• Lack of support – for example families and friends
• Mental health, self harm and suicide
• Commercial ‘gay scene’ – drugs, alcohol, exploitation,
unsafe sex
• Lack of services
• Multi-oppression
‘School Report 2012’
 Between November 2011 and February 2012,
1,614 lesbian, gay and bisexual young people aged
between 11 and 19 completed an online survey
Source: Stonewall
 The use of homophobic language is endemic.
Almost all, 99 per cent, lesbian, gay and bisexual
young people hear the phrases ‘that’s so gay’ or
‘you’re so gay’ in school and 96 per cent of lesbian,
gay and bisexual pupils hear homophobic language
such as ‘poof’ or ‘lezza’.
Source: Stonewall
‘School Report 2012’
 Three in five lesbian, gay and bisexual pupils who
experience homophobic bullying say that teachers who
witness the bullying never intervene
Source: Stonewall
 Only half of lesbian, gay and bisexual pupils report that
their schools say homophobic bullying is wrong, even
fewer do in faith schools (37 per cent)
Source: Stonewall
‘School Report 2012’
 Homophobic bullying has a profoundly damaging impact on
young people’s school experience. One in three (32 per
cent) lesbian, gay and bisexual pupils experiencing bullying,
change their future educational plans because of it and
three in five say it impacts directly on their school work
Source: Stonewall
 Lesbian, gay and bisexual young people who are bullied are
at a higher risk of suicide, self-harm and depression. Two in
five (41 per cent) have attempted or thought about taking
their own life directly because of bullying and the same
number say that they deliberately self-harm directly because
of bullying
Source: Stonewall
Safeguarding
 Schools and colleges have a duty to safeguard the
wellbeing of all young people
 Failure to respond to homophobic, biphobic and
Transphobic language can have an impact on young
people’s confidence and self esteem, as well as their
attainment at school or college
Are you inclusive of LGB and Trans
learners?
‘OPEN SPACE’ ACTIVITY
How to be more inclusive:
Don’t assume everyone is heterosexual
• Create an atmosphere of acceptance
• Challenge homophobic/biphobic and transphobic
remarks
• Be knowledgeable of LGB and Trans specific
concerns/issues
• Use inclusive language e.g. “partner”
• Use pronoun/s of choice – some people who
identify as Trans may prefer a pronoun other then
the one that matches the way you perceive their
gender identity
• Don’t be afraid to ask questions or apologise for
ignorance
•
How to be more inclusive
 Does the college have a policy which includes all of the
‘Protected Characteristics’ in the Equality Act 2010, including
gender reassignment and sexual orientation?
 Does the college have an anti-bullying policy which
addresses the use of homophobic, biphobic and Transphobic
language?
 All staff should be given the confidence and support to
challenge homophobic, biphobic and Transphobia language
when it occurs.
How to be more inclusive
 Include LGB and Trans themes when planning
tutorials
 By including LGB and Trans people and issues into
the curriculum this encourages learners to view LGB
and Trans people and relationships as an equally
valued part of society
 For example, discussing different families, LGB and
Trans characters in novels, plays or books, civil
partnerships and relationship education are all ideal
ways to allow discussion of LGB and Trans themes in
a sensitive and appropriate manner
How to be more inclusive
 Learners want their colleges to be diverse and
welcoming places
 Involve learners in initiatives to promote equality
and diversity that include tackling homophobic,
biphobic and Transphobic language and bullying
 Set up communication channels through which
learners can address their concerns and collaborate
with tutors and senior management
 For example, set up LGB and Trans support groups,
email groups or anonymous reporting
How to be more inclusive
 Specific teaching on issues regarding homophobia,
biphobia and Transphobia. In the same way colleges
discuss racism and other forms of discrimination,
learners should also be aware of homophobia, biphobia
and Transphobia
 The whole college community, including staff and
learners, should be aware of the college policies
concerning homophobic, biphobic and Transphobic
language and behaviour
How to be more inclusive
 Use key opportunities in the college calendar and the
curriculum to include LGB and Trans people in a
positive way
 LGB and Trans events include; LGBT History month in
February, IDAHOT in May, Pride events and National
Coming Out Day in October are just a few
How to be more inclusive
 Use posters and displays to communicate positive
messages throughout the college on equality and
diversity for LGB and Trans people
 Research and display local LGB and Trans resources
 Stonewall has a useful website with access to free
resources www.stonewall.org.uk
How to be more inclusive
 The Stonewall College Champions programme provides
tailored, one-to-one support and guidance to help
further education colleges develop learner-centred
strategies to challenge homophobic bullying and
celebrate difference
www.stonewall.org.uk
How to be more inclusive
 Preventive measures are vital in ensuring college
culture is not permissive of such language and that
the whole college community understands that
homophobic, biphobic and Transphobic language
will not be tolerated
 Look to the example in Adelaide, in South
Australia, where an entire school community has
taken a pledge not to use “gay” as a derogatory
term
Source: www.news.com.au
How to be more inclusive
 Staff can directly challenge homophobic, biphobic and
Transphobic language
 One way of doing this is by asking if learners would use a
racist word as an insult. As the answer is usually ‘of course
not – it’s racist’, this makes it a lot easier to challenge
homophobic, biphobic and Transphobic language for the same
reasons
 Learners have been excluded from other colleges for
homophobic, biphobic and Transphobic abuse or language
Celebrate!
 The college becomes a really inclusive place
 Be upfront about the fact that society is diverse, and
that everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and
respect. The same way we all want to be treated
 And celebrate LGB and Trans!
Summary: How to be more inclusive
•Policies and procedures are up to date and inclusive of
current legislation
•LGB and Trans staff network
•Student LGB and Trans association or support group
•Compulsory staff training on LGB and Trans issues
•Information is provided for students on LGB and Trans issues
•Events are held for LGB and Trans students
•Specific career advice is available for LGB and Trans students
•There is welfare provision specifically for LGB and Trans
students
•A policy is in place that protects LGB and Trans students
from bullying
•The college consults with LGB and Trans students over
issues, e.g. LGB and Trans Forum
Training
 We have developed a series of training modules
 You can access the training online
www.lgbt-training.org.uk
 You can find out more about how we can support you
in delivering the training for your group or organisation
Any questions?
Contact Us
Diversity Trust
 Phone 0844 800 4425
 Email [email protected]
 Web www.diversitytrust.org.uk