Starting a Gay Straight Alliance in Your School Challenging homophobia Training teachers Finding resources Having fun Changing your school.
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Starting a Gay Straight Alliance in Your School Challenging homophobia Training teachers Finding resources Having fun Changing your school Why start a GSA? 65% of LGB (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual) people experience homophobic bullying 97% of LGB students hear derogatory phrases such as “dyke” or “poof” used in school 1/2 of teachers fail to respond to homophobic language when they hear it. “The School Report” Stonewall 2007 A Gay Straight Alliance can be a place of support and education! Set What can a GSA do? up staff training Create a safe place for LGBT people Meet awesome people Change the climate of your school! Have LGBT friendly social events Get connected to LGBT organizations and support groups Convince Your School Effects of homophobia Statistics More statistics Legislation The Costs of Homophobia Alcohol and drug misuse Truancy to escape persecution Giving up on academic achievement Too hard to work in a hostile environment Suffering from mental and/or physical health conditions Such as eating disorders, as a result of anxiety and eroded self esteem Homophobia in Schools 98% of LGBT pupils hear “that’s so gay” at school 75% of young LGBT people in faith schools experience homophobic bullying and are less likely than pupils in other schools to report it Only 1/4 of schools say that homophobic bullying is wrong in their school 30% of LGBT pupils report that adults are responsible for homophobic incidents at their school “The School Report” Stonewall 2007 58% of LGBT pupils don’t report bullying when they experience it If a teacher is informed, 62% of the time, nothing is done 7% of teachers are reported to hear homophobic language 90% of 15-24 year olds have been of their sexuality respond when they “The School Report” Stonewall 2007 called names because “Profiles of Prejudice” Stonewall and Mori 2003 Black, Asian, disabled and younger pupils are all more likely to experience homophobic violence “Uneven Vulnerability” GALOP Your Legal Rights Policy! Language? The government is on your side Equality Act (Sexual Orientation) 2007 Discrimination Is when you are treated less favorably than someone else because of your real or perceived sexual orientation. It is unlawful for your school to discriminate against a person who seeks to use its facilities or services based on real or perceived sexual orientation. Starting It a GSA is unlawful for your school to discriminate against a pupil by refusing the pupil access to any benefit, facility or service based on real or perceived sexual orientation. Equality Act (Sexual Orientation) 2007 (what it means) Clubs If your school has other school sponsored clubs but won’t let you start a GSA because of the “nature of the club” it is being discriminatory under the Equality Act (Sexual Orientation) School You Activities are allowed to take part in all school activities such as sports, lessons, assemblies and dances and can’t be denied access because of real or perceived sexual orientation Learning and Skills Act 2000 Sex and Relationship Guide 2000 It is now required for teachers to: Challenge stigmatism of LGBT families in lessons about families, marriages and stable relationships Give positive information of LGBT people to enable pupils to challenge derogatory stereotypes and prejudice Challenge all forms of homophobic bullying Ofsted will now include addressing homophobic bullying in their inspections Every Child Matters (DfES 2004) Ofsted will report on how schools promote: Physical and mental health Safety and protection from harm and neglect Enjoying and achieving Positive contributions by being positively involved in community and society Economic wellbeing Schools What it all Means are currently hostile environments for LGBT students and their allies Schools have a responsibility to protect their students regardless of sexual orientation Schools are legally required to promote equality and safety Schools can’t discriminate based on real or perceived sexual orientation You have the right to be safe and comfortable at school and your school has the responsibility to make sure you are! Language? The queer alphabet: LGBTQQAIP… Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, a-sexual, intersexed, pansexual Homo/Bi/Transphobia The irrational fear and hatred of LGBT people A homo/bi/transphobic incident is any incident which is perceived to be homo/bi/transphobic to the victim or another person It is directed to impact those known or perceived to be LGBT Heterosexism Is a set of assumptions and practices that promotes heterosexual relationships as the only ’natural’ and valid form of sexual orientation Recognises/rewards those who are heterosexual and ignores/penalises those who are not Sexual Orientation Describes who you are physically and sexually attracted to Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Questioning, Straight Biological characteristics such as chromosomes, genitalia, hormones Female, Male, Intersexed Sex Gender How you feel and experience your gender Not defined by your sex! Gender is fluid: masculine, feminine, androgynous, genderqueer… A person who doesn’t identify with their biological sex Might go through surgery, might not Transgender Ally A straight person who is supportive of the LGBT community How do you start a GSA? Find some supportive friends who want to help out Ask a teacher to be a sponsor Establish the club like any other club Look in your Student Handbook for the rules at your school. This may include getting permission from senior management, finding an advisor, and/or writing a constitution. Inform the senior management team It can be very helpful to have the senior management on your side. They can work as liaisons on your behalf with other teachers, parent groups, community members, and the school board. If the senior management team is resistant to the GSA, let them know that forming a GSA club is protected under the Equality Act (Sexual Orientation) Inform They might know some students who would be interested in joining Pick a meeting place and advertise Figure out the best way to advertise at your school. It may be a combination of school bulletin announcements, flyers, and word-ofmouth. If your flyers are defaced or torn down, do not be discouraged. Keep putting them back up. Eventually, whoever is tearing them down will give up. Advertising for your group and having words up such as "gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, or questioning" or "end homophobia" or "discuss sexual orientation" can be part of educating the school and can actually make other students feel safer -- even if they never attend a single meeting. Bring guidance counselors/school nurses food Everyone loves food! GSA Network “How to Start a GSA” But My School’s Too Homophobic! How to start a GSA without support Getting support Staying safe Be prepared Alternatives Find supportive people Inform your senior management and staff about the laws protecting LGBT youth Ask staff to discuss LGBT History Month, IDAHO (International Day Against Homophobia) and other LGBT events Bring your friends to LGBT youth groups Stay informed! Friends Parents Finding Support If your parents or guardians are supportive, they can be a great resource to pressure the school Staff Is there an openly LGBT teacher? Are guidance counselors/school nurses supportive? Is there a health or PHSRE/citizenship teacher? Community support Community LGBT youth groups have great resources and could provide you with an ally National organizations such as Schools OUT, Chrysalis and Stonewall have many contacts and will know someone in your area REMEMBER! You have the legal right to have a GSA and to feel safe at your school Staying Safe Don’t do anything that will put you in physical harm Always plan events with teachers and senior management present Inform your staff advisor of your plans in advance Hold events in a safe space with allies and friends present Know Look your rights over your school’s student handbook and know your rights at school Talk with community groups to get ideas for safe events Keep it Simple Start out slow Make it about safety Before you plan a school assembly on homophobia, introduce more subtle ways to combat ignorance and intolerance Put up safe space posters in teacher’s classrooms Give teachers and librarians LGBT friendly books and movies to put up and show off Hold a meeting with senior management and staff about the needs of LGBT students at your school Creating a GSA and having LGBT friendly events is about creating a safe space for LGBT people to learn and live Be Prepared Can be hard work Setting up a GSA and running LGBT friendly events can be hard work, especially when dealing with tough senior management and staff. Make sure to take time for yourself and have some fun Celebrate your achievements and always keep a supportive group of friends and allies with you Fun activities Resources and tools Developing a strategy Creating change Ideas! Planning events Having fun Being inclusive Getting resources Safe space posters LGBT friendly posters Fundraising LGBT History Month! Surveys Day of Silence Public Speaking Training Staff! Fun Things To Do LGBT movie night Throw a party IDAHO Have a picnic or baking party Plan trips to LGBT places in town Coffee shops LGBT youth groups Dance party Being Inclusive Make sure every one has a space to speak Be sure every one is comfortable Don’t separate into “boys” and “girls” Hold anti-oppression/racism workshops Commission Build for Equality and Human Rights coalitions with other clubs and community groups Remember, LGBT people are diverse Asian Indian extraordinary successful fathers parents sons smart White foster parents uncles Mixed-heritage teachers scientists sisters friends religious brothers farmers students Black mothers family workmates ordinary grandparents In-laws friends athletes daughters Getting Resources Community Schools Groups OUT LGBT youth groups Community and school counselors Online GSA Network LGBT History Month Stonewall Queer Youth Network EACH Chrysalis No Outsiders National Union of Teachers Give to supportive teachers to put in classrooms Put GSA information on them so people know where to go The "Safe Zone" symbol is a message to LGBT youth and adult allies. A person displaying this symbol is one who will be understanding, supportive, and trustworthy if a LGBT youth needs help, advice, or just someone with whom they can talk GSA Network “Hate Free Zone” Safe Space Posters Club bank account Become familiar with your school's system for financing student organizations. How do clubs set up bank accounts? Where will donations go? Who will donation checks be made out to? Who has the power to sign checks? Talk to other student leaders at your school, your advisor, and the senior management team to get ideas and advice. Fundraising Fundraising as a club activity Have a bake sale or car wash - it's not very original, but it usually works. Or add your own twist - instead of selling just cookies, sell cookies with rainbow chocolate chips. Sponsor a play, concert, or other cultural event to benefit your GSA. You might also consider donating part of the proceeds to a community organization or charity. Look into community grant making programs. GSA Network “GSA Fundraising” Survey Your School Teachers listening? and senior management not Use already made surveys as a guide Survey your own school to show that homophobia is a problem Find out what problems are most important at your school LGBT History Month Every February is LGBT History Month Now in its fourth year, LGBT HM is the largest cultural and educational LGBT event in world Celebrate LGBT history at your school with posters, assemblies, movies, speakers and parties Day of Silence The Day of Silence is an annual event held to bring attention to anti-LGBT bullying, harassment and discrimination in schools. Students and teachers will observe the day in silence to echo the silence that LGBT and ally students face everyday Inform teachers and senior management for their support Make badges, T-Shirts and flyers to advertise the day Have a rally before school to get everyone involved and excited Don’t speak for the entire day! Training Staff Schools OUT leads staff training about anti-LGBT harassment, discrimination, bullying and the development of an inclusive curriculum Training teaches staff how to respond to homophobic bullying, create a school environment that is safe for everyone and create and deliver a curriculum that is appropriate to the needs of all To get your staff trained, contact Schools OUT www.schools-out.org.uk Peer Education Workshops Educating your peers about issues of sexual orientation and homophobia can be one of the most effective ways to make your school safer for LGBTQ students, and GSAs are a great framework for implementing an anti-homophobia peer education program. Come up with a lesson plan for the workshop or download one online from a LGBT community group Some places to look are: GSA Network Schools OUT Chrysalis Points to Remember There is something you can do about the homophobia at your school There is legislation that protects you There are support organizations that can help you School is legally supposed to be a safe place to learn for everyone