TALK TO YOUR LOCAL SCHOOL & LIBRARY: ENDING HOMOPHOBIA IN SCHOOLS NOW, 2012-2013
To celebrate 10 years of real change in schools around Australia, Daniel Witthaus is launching a ‘Talk To Your Local School and Library’ Campaign: End Homophobia Now. Pride & Prejudice, the only formally evaluated educational package for everyday schools, has changed the attitudes and homo-aggressive behaviours of 1000s and 1000s of students in every corner of Australia since its launch in 2002.
Pride & Prejudice is an easy-to-follow, interactive six-week program that gets students talking. It doesn’t hide behind broader terms like bullying, diversity and safety, or rely only on posters and stickers alone. It provides real examples of lesbian, gay and bisexual people.
Pride & Prejudice, and the book it inspired, Beyond ‘That’s So Gay’, go beyond talk and awareness-raising. Both the popular resources provide teachers, health professionals and homophobia-curious others with strategies they can use in their classrooms and schoolyards immediately. Not when it gets better. Now. They are available here: 10 Year Combined.
People motivated to end homophobia in schools have reported success when they approach their local school and library to ask a simple question: ‘Do you have this resource?’ Most find that the schools and libraries are quick to get the resources to use for educators and to display for library users.
Please take the time to drink one cuppa and read this short document: End Homophobia Now. If you can take action, please do. Importantly, please consider passing this on to 3-5 people in your networks who could also take action: Pride & Prejudice/Beyond ‘That’s So Gay’ Special.
Oh, and wish Pride & Prejudice a happy 10th birthday in changing the way that we think about homophobia in everyday schools.
Thanks for your time.
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Schools that are interested and/or ready to start everyday conversations with students, teachers and parents are encouraged to get in contact with Daniel about what their school can do, including:
- A comprehensive school audit of policies, procedures and curriculum;
- Tailored programs for students and professional development for teachers;
- A practical, timed action plan for everyday schools.
FOR STUDENTS
- Beyond ‘That’s So Gay’ workshops: starting everyday conversations with classes and year levels;
- Formally evaluated program to change attitudes and behaviours (see Pride & Prejudice);
- Advice on incorporating sexual diversity across the school curriculum.
FOR TEACHERS (AND ALLIED HEALTH PROFESSIONALS)
- High quality professional development that goes beyond research and policy to practical strategies and action plans;
- Train the trainer in the formally evaluated Pride & Prejudice challenging homophobia program;
- Specific training for health and well-being teams and allied health professionals.
ADVANCED TRAINING
- How to identify, engage and challenge homophobic types;
- How to homophobia-proof your school;
- Working with specific groups of young people.
FROM THE FINDINGS SECTION
SUMMARY SERIES, PART TWO: SCHOOLS (May 2011)
Find out what the birds-eye view of regional, rural and remote Australia is from the perspective of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, as well as those who support them.
Schools Introduction: Schools Summary: Introduction
For The Head: Schools Summary: For The Head
(Everyday Schools: Homophobic Hostility; That’s So Gay!; Out In Australian Schools)
For The Heart: Schools Summary: For The Heart
(Markus’, with Shane, story; Edward and David’s story; Joan and Mel’s story)
For The Hand: Schools Summary: For The Hand
(Dealing With That’s So Gay, Now; Is Your School “Ready”?; Starting School Conversations)
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Just wondering if you could come to my school, there really isn’t enough acceptance here and its difficult for the people in the school who haven’t come out, and for everyone else as well. Personally, its difficult for me to live as myself in school as a transgender girl.