Schools Out call for Pride paraders

Schools Out today called on LGBT education workers and supporters of equality in education to march together at London Pride, on Saturday 4 July. Organiser Milena Gravenhorst has set up a Facebook group, ‘Schools Out at London Pride 2009’, to bring people together.

Milena explained:

‘We all know many LGBT teachers, but very few who are out at school, especially to their pupils. LGBT young people deserve to see role models at school.

‘I’m always disappointed I can’t march with fellow teachers at London Pride.  The police and the armed forces have a prominent presence now – so why don’t we?

LGBT teachers have been making a difference to many students´ lives for decades but this fact is neither acknowledged nor celebrated. In fact, in the public eye, LGBT teachers still don’t seem to exist!

‘We also want supporters – of every orientation and gender – to join us andshow how many people care about the next generation. ’

More and more education workers and students are coming out at school, but the majority still don’t feel safe enough. Schools should be fighting negative stereotypes by including LGBT people, culture and history as naturally as they mention race and gender.

Schools have a legal duty¹ to prevent homophobic and transphobic bullying. This can only be implemented effectively if LGBT teachers and other education staff themselves feel able to be fully out to pupils, staff and parents.

Research has shown that ‘meaningful personal contact’ with an LGB person cuts homophobia by half.²

Milena continued:

‘The dark ages of Section 28 are gone, but its legacy lives on in the silence around LGBT issues.’