Challenging Homophobia Together:

LGBT Youth Scotland Schools Conference 2009

Over 180 teachers, and other professionals who work with young people in school settings, attended the LGBT Youth Scotland Schools Conference 2009 on 5th February – the first ever schools conference in Scotland to focus on homophobia and homophobic bullying experienced by young people in Scottish schools.

The full conference report will be available within the next few weeks (please either register to our newsletter by clicking here, and you can also register to the Forum area for information, advice and discussion).

The day focused on real life stories about experiencing or dealing with homophobia and on raising awareness of the new teaching resource Dealing with Homophobia and Homophobic Bullying in Scottish Schools. Delegates attended workshops to develop skills and strategies in challenging homophobia and promoting equality with young people, and shared ideas and practice during an interactive Forum Theatre performance by LGBT Youth Scotland’s youth theatre project.

The Challenging Homophobia Together campaign was launched in style by Alyson Thomson of the Equality and Human Rights Commission and David Paisley, actor in shows such as River City, Casualty and Holby City. They unveiled brand new campaign materials for schools which publicise new online forums for teachers and young people on which they can pledge support for the campaign, gain information and peer support and share best practice www.lgbtyouth.org.uk/forum. 

Truly inspiring comments from Challenging Homophobia Together conference delegates included:

“I now have the confidence to go back to my school and talk openly about the issues surrounding homophobic bullying.”

“I can't wait for the next conference! This is by far the best conference I have ever attended.”

“I am taking away the strong feeling that I want to get more involved to help young people and to put a stop to homophobia!”

Fergus McMillan, Chief Executive of LGBT Youth Scotland, said: “The enthusiasm and commitment of those attending the conference exceeded all of our expectations - it truly was a landmark day. However, this is just the start. We urge you to get involved in the Challenging Homophobia Together campaign and help to make a difference to young people’s lives.”

Over the next three years, Challenging Homophobia Together aims to:

• raise awareness of the effects of homophobia and homophobic bullying in Scottish schools
• encourage pupils to support their peers and challenge homophobia
• provide young people with positive messages about LGBT issues and anti-homophobia 
• equip staff in schools with the knowledge, skills, resources and confidence required to challenge homophobia and to support LGBT young people.  

In the words of one teacher attending the conference: “We've got a lot of work to do in schools and it starts here today.”

Get involved in the Challenging Homophobia Together campaign by clicking here .

Dealing with Homophobia and Homophobic Bullying in Scottish Schools: Toolkit for Teachers is available online at www.ltscotland.org.uk/homophobicbullyingtoolkit. This resource was developed by LGBT Youth Scotland in partnership with Learning and Teaching Scotland.

 

Left to Right: Alyson Thomson (Equality and Human Rights
Commission Scotland), David Paisley (River City, Holby City, Casualty, and
Tinseltown) and Fergus McMillan (Chief Executive, LGBT Youth Scotland)

 

Aileen Campbell

MSP and member of the Scottish Parliament’s Education, Lifelong Learning and Culture Committee

 

Fergus McMillan, Chief Executive, LGBT Youth Scotland

 

David Paisley (River City, Holby City, Casualty, and Tinseltown)

 

David Paisley (River City, Holby City, Casualty, and Tinseltown)