Fighting homophobia in schools: we can’t let religion stand in our way

[cbayer]

http://www.theguardian.com/education/2015/jun/16/fighting-homophobia-schools-dont-let-religion-stop-us

It’s child abuse to tell gay children that what they think and feel is wrong and schools must stand up to ignorance in all its forms


‘Even in countries that are putting the law on the side of respect and tolerance, there are many young people who will face discrimination.’ Photograph: David Poller/ZUMA Press/Corbis

David Weston

Tuesday 16 June 2015 02.21 EDT

Every school in the world has a significant number of young people who aren’t heterosexual. Some have already identified that they were born this way, some may yet do so. Schools can and must have an increasing role in helping them develop into confident, healthy adults.

Many are lucky enough to be growing up with supportive teachers, families, communities and legal systems, but not everyone is so lucky. Even in the growing number of countries that are, at long last, putting the law on the side of respect and tolerance, there are many young people who will face discrimination, even abuse, from their communities or, worse, family.

This makes it more important than ever that schools are oases of support and celebration of diversity. As a young man growing up and struggling to come to terms with being gay, I found my peers’ homophobic attitudes terrifying. The memory of these difficult years inspired me many years later, as a teacher, to discuss my forthcoming civil partnership ceremony in whole-school assemblies. I know from messages I received then and since that my “being out” as a teacher made a positive difference, not only to those students questioning their sexuality but also to their heterosexual peers. Giving children gay, lesbian, bisexual and trans role models has great impact – far beyond merely reading about gay celebrities. It is also hugely powerful when heterosexual teachers demonstrate that they celebrate diversity.

We should make sure that homophobia is challenged just as strongly as racism or any other form of bigotry
I’ve been fortunate enough to hear many stories of schools and teachers who have engaged positively with these issues, partnering with organisations such as Stonewall, Educate and Celebrate, Schools Out and Diversity Role Models. Through training for staff, briefings for parents and students and ongoing refinement of the curriculum, these schools are creating supportive, positive environments for all their students. I’ve had a number of teachers write heart-warming stories of being “out” for the OutTeacher.org website, which I set up in 2014. However, I’ve also had many people contact me who fear a backlash from parents if they discuss sexuality, or are open about their own sexuality.

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[AtheistCrusader]

1. Religion isn't in the way. It's the source of it.