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LGBTQ+ @MWS

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LGBTQ+ @MWS

LGBTQ+ @MWS

Mary Webb School is a LGBTQ+ safe space

  • Diverse
  • Inclusive
  • Accepting
  • Welcoming
  • Safe Space
  • For Everyone

LGBTQ+ Article by Sam Butcher, Year 9

First of all I want to establish how the word queer, in this article, is not used in an offensive or abusive way. But I shall use it as a collective noun for the LGBTQ+ community. When I went to the talk, Jamie Lawson talked about how it’s to do with the context in which you use the words. He also talked about how the LGBTQ+ community is taking words which were once used as insults and making them their own.

The queer community hasn’t always existed. For a long time queer people were, and still are in some countries,cruelly opressed. The laws making it legal for the LGBTQ+ community to exist openly were only passed very recently in most countries. It is still illegal in some countries. Some of these countries punish it with death. Even in places that protect queer people by law,there can be discrimination. 

Homophobia can take many forms, from being denied service in a bar or restaurant, to being denied medical attention. It could also be verbal or physical assault. Trans people in particular have been targeted by acts of violence. LGBTQ+ parades and marches can become targets of aggression. Homophobic acts are normally performed by those who refuse to accept the sight of queer people celebrating their identities in public.

Yet through all this, the LGBTQ+ community have still organised marches. In these marches the Rainbow Flag is and has been flown even though, in some places, this can lead to arrest, torture,or worse. The first marches started when queer people over the world realised they had to speak out, and face homophobic abuse.

This all started when on the 28th of June 1969 at about one o’clock, the Stonewall gay bar was raided by police in New York. The Stonewall was one of the few bars that kept itself open and let queer people be served, even with the police and authorities knowing about it. So when the police decided to raid one of the only places in the city that queer people could go and be themself without being assaulted or shouted at. The queer community that used the bar decided to revault against the police and the homophobic behavior that had been crushing their society for many years. This sent a ripple of uprising around the world which ultimately resulted in the gay right movement which led to all the decriminilisation of homosexuality up entil 2018.

To learn more about the discrimination and decriminilisation of the queer community I would recommend the book Rainbow Revolution-by Jamie Lawson which will be in the library courtesy of the author who,at the talk, talked about how Mary Webb is a leading example to other schools on accepting the LGBTQ+ community.

By Sam Butcher

Jamal Gerald - Black, Caribbean & queer

The theatre maker on how his experience of being black, Caribbean and queer drew him away from Catholicism.

Blog

Peter Tatchell Foundation

Speaking out for Human Rights

Website

Mission Statement

Our Students

We need to acknowledge that our students grow up in many different kinds of families.  Some may live with a grandparent/grandparents, a foster carer, are adopted, live with two mums or two dads, or may be growing up with a single parent mum or dad.

Support for our Parents & Carers

Support all parents and carers by encouraging them to continue their education and personal development and inform them of relevant workshops, conference, training, sign-posting as and where appropriate.

Our Staff

As staff we have to remember that we are role models.  We must recognise and challenge discrimination if and when it occurs.

We will continue to use strategies allowing students time to talk in class discussion, allowing opinions to be shared; but to challenge any misconceptions and any form of bullying. Students need to understand that prejudice is recognised and challenged in order to build positive attitudes towards differences between peers.

We will check our own classrooms, reviewing and updating resources/displays so positive messages are presented to the students. We will provide CPD for staff to support discussion and understanding, therefore facilitating a broader approach to equality.

This may require us to go out of our comfort zone, we recognise we must equip staff both new and experienced with the knowledge, confidence, and skills they need to advocate for inclusion.

Many schools are supporting students through poverty, cuts, English as Additional Language, Islamophobia, social media problems, and FMG – the list is endless. So why should LGBTQ+ be any different?

Lesbian

Gay

Bisexual

Someone who is emotionally and sexually attracted to others who may identify as male or female.

Transexual

Genderqueer

Sexually Questioning

Homophobia

Transphobia

Biphobia

Heteronormativity

What does Ofsted say about meeting the needs of LGBT students?

Meeting the needs of Trans* Students

#Refugeepride

Shropshire Youth Association

Ideas & Guidance

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