LGBT Groups at School

[keeptothewhiteline]

Do any of your children's schools run an LGBT group for students? Just wondered how this worked in practice.

[titchy]

Only in sixth form colleges. I don't think many year 7-11s are that confident about coming out. Not quite sure what the point would be tbh.

[scribblegirl]

I went to an LGBT youth group back in the day; it was run by Connexions (don't imagine they're still around). Tbh it was best that it was outside school, we were all being bullied in some way and it gave us somewhere to escape to. Not sure it would have worked in school.

[keeptothewhiteline]

I believe one is being set up in our secondary school- pupils range from 12-18.

[Monstermissy36]

I think before schools start up lgbt groups they should actually tackle the homophobic language used in school. Every teacher and support staff should be all over it and tackling it whenever heard.

Until then I don't think any young person would feel comfortable attending a group in school.

So much is ignored by teachers as it's not seen a issue when kids are calling each other gay or faggot, when something they don't like is gay etc schools really need to get on too of this issue.

[Monstermissy36]

Based on schools I've worked in that is.

[AuntieStella]

This thread made me realise that I have no idea.

But i have seen Stonewall posters dotted about the place.

[MrsSquirrel]

There is an LGBT group at my dd's school. It's a girls school, don't know if that makes any difference. They did things for LGBT history month, lead an assembly, had a charity bake sale, had a speaker from Stonewall come in.

[Monstermissy36]

So great to see some schools getting it right it's much needed but has to be a safe environment.

My ds came out at 14 so it's a real passion that schools tackle the issue, unfortunately so many think sticking up a stonewall poster is them doing their bit

[keeptothewhiteline]

This seems to be a pupil led initiative, the staff are supportive. There are a number of gay teachers who are open about their sexual orientation, and have spoken at length at assemblies. It is very encouraging to hear.

[horsemadmom]

DD has helped to set one up at her school. The girls running it are actually all heterosexual but they became really concerned about comments that they heard from some of their peers. A lot of hard work went into setting up the society but DD and her friends wanted to ensure that any girls who are LGBT at the school had a safe space and felt celebrated. The staff were falling over each other to sponsor and support it.
DS's school doesn't have an LGBT but does have openly gay and trans pupils. They all adopted the trans pupils new names and pronouns without missing a beat and his 'out' peers haven't had any stick at all from what I've heard.
So glad that times are changing!