Page 2 | Does your school have an LGBTQ club?

smedrock · 2023-02-03T16:18:40+00:00

My child wanted to start one in their secondary school and while some of the teachers have been supportive, the senior managers haven't. I'm meeting the head soon. How can i convince him it's important when their line is that they want all students to have equal wellbeing support? Are there clubs in your schools? Thanks!

ReformedWaywardTeen · 04/02/2023 18:08

ShowOfHands · 04/02/2023 17:34

DD's school has one. She set it up as she's a young lesbian who experienced homophobia in years 8 and 9 in particular. She set it up in y10 and she and two friends largely run it (she's y11 now) and it is overseen by the diversity/inclusion lead and the head of English. Both are largely gender critical (as is DD). It's not T-dominated and is an extremely positive addition to school life. DD gives small talks sometimes and they do activities, research books for the library and learn about LGB icons. They made badges recently (no pronouns because DD has led on pronoun fixation being harmful to women and the school agrees), did a bake sale, creative writing competition, some songwriting. It's important for some of the young students who need somewhere that feels safe. One girl attending has very religious and homophobic parents and can't talk about her identity at home, having to actively hide it. Like it or not, homophobia also exists in school, even in everyday language and Pride club is a place where it's never a problem. They call it Gay Club most of the time and it's a good thing imo.

I absolutely love this and that's very similar to the ethos of the club at my DCs school

For instance, they as a group raised an issue with the headteacher. As I said, the school will not tolerate bullying and include homophobic bullying in that remit

Sadly, a prime opportunity for homophobia is the PE changing rooms and DD had had some quite nasty "you're a perv" and other such rubbish from girls.

They raised this with the headteacher and said actually, the design of the changing area is so outdated and students should be able to have an additional space to change in if necessary and not just for LGBTQ but for self esteem issues. They are now able to utilise a private change room with cubicles if needed. And the old changing room has had changes made since.

Simonjt · 04/02/2023 18:35

starpatch · 04/02/2023 18:03

I agree with itsgettingweird. Having gone through the process of coming out as lesbian myself and attending a youth group this was post school I didn't come out until I was leaving school. it was all about mutual support, we certainly didn't talk about sex we were too shy and there wasn't any propaganda. Just choosing to be there with other people who were choosing to be there too was powerful. As long as there is a suitable adult with the skills to run the group I don't see the problem. Attending student support just wouldn't be the same at all. Its very strange that you think that a teacher being open enough to wear a rainbow lanyard is dodgy, would you think that about a teacher wearing a wedding ring as they are advertising they are heterosexual?

Completely agree that the only dodgy ones are the ones who think a rainbow lanyard is dodgy. But why would a wedding ring mean het?

Leafstamp · 04/02/2023 18:40

@itsgettingweird I don't think anyone would have a problem with LGB groups particularly, it's the 'TQ' that can present problems.

AlisonDonut · 04/02/2023 18:52

Completely agree that the only dodgy ones are the ones who think a rainbow lanyard is dodgy

Anyone who picks up on any outward sign that declares them 'safe' is dodgy. Especially as anyone can pick up a lanyard.

Rollin · 07/02/2023 09:46

All the secondaries around here do. The 11-16 it's one group. For schools going up to 18 it's usually 11-15/16 then a 16-18 grp.
It's not about 'sex' or discussion of 'sex', they're support grps for kids who are often ostracized or pick on for being LGBTQ+

Leafstamp · 07/02/2023 20:27

Rollin · 07/02/2023 09:46

All the secondaries around here do. The 11-16 it's one group. For schools going up to 18 it's usually 11-15/16 then a 16-18 grp.
It's not about 'sex' or discussion of 'sex', they're support grps for kids who are often ostracized or pick on for being LGBTQ+

I'm not sure anyone said or thought these groups were about sex? I think the concern is exactly what 'support' the 'TQ+' kids are getting.... there are stories of children being transed by schools behind their parents back.

There are teachers who think their calling is to turn students into social justice warriors and tell them JKR is transphobic.

MillicentTrilbyHiggins · 07/02/2023 20:38

DS2s school have one. Sadly the 'cool' kids have a habit of peering through the door to see who attends so they can bully them.

Or they open the door and shout homophobic slurs when the teacher isn't there.

Leafstamp · 07/02/2023 22:45

MillicentTrilbyHiggins · 07/02/2023 20:38

DS2s school have one. Sadly the 'cool' kids have a habit of peering through the door to see who attends so they can bully them.

Or they open the door and shout homophobic slurs when the teacher isn't there.

That’s awful, why is that not being addressed by the school?

maddy68 · 07/02/2023 22:47

plask · 04/02/2023 15:19

Ours does. It's for 11-18 year olds which I feel is completely inappropriate.

Why? That's exactly the age that teenagers start questionimg their sexualiy. (usually before!)

maddy68 · 07/02/2023 22:48

Most schools I have been in do have an LGBTQ organisation

MadamAndTheAnts · 08/02/2023 11:46

TeamadIshbel · 04/02/2023 15:47

Because some Mey be sexually active above the age of consent and some are children at a very different stage developmentally and may be vulnerable. Also a group exclusively based on sexuality can attract people for the wrong reasons and serve to exclude the group in question. It sounds like a good idea but in practice is a breeding ground for T+ capturing.

Show quote history

“capturing”?

MadamAndTheAnts · 08/02/2023 11:47

MillicentTrilbyHiggins · 07/02/2023 20:38

DS2s school have one. Sadly the 'cool' kids have a habit of peering through the door to see who attends so they can bully them.

Or they open the door and shout homophobic slurs when the teacher isn't there.

Sound more like roadmen than ‘cool’ :)

MillicentTrilbyHiggins · 08/02/2023 13:33

@Leafstamp no idea. They claim they don't have a bullying problem. DS isn't currently attending, and didn't go to the club when he did so it's not my place to complain.

@MadamAndTheAnts that's why I put the word cool in '', because they think they are cool. No one else does. I was going to call them dickheads but was feeling kind.

backawayfatty1 · 28/03/2023 01:18

Yes and they meet once a week, at lunch time, supported by a teacher. Their school is working on hanging a rainbow flag at the school alongside registering as a charter. The head teacher used his fund to pay for pronoun pins for them. My 13 year old has met most of their friends through said group. I don't see what they wouldn't support a group!

Leafstamp · 02/04/2023 16:30

Leafstamp · 04/02/2023 14:43

Lots of schools have these and I imagine they could be helpful if run properly and appropriately and by a suitable member of staff.

I'd be wary of including the 'Q' in your request as the DfE doesn't recognise beyond LGBT.

You said the school's line is that they want all students to have equal wellbeing support.... Is there a reason why students who are LGB or who have gender issues cannot access the same support that the other students get?

If there is a LGBT club then are there/should there be clubs for other protected groups?

It may be that senior leaders are not aware of a suitable member of staff to run the group, resources are stretched. Also, they will not want an activist type teacher running the group as there would be a risk of breaching political impartiality that is required by law of teachers.

There is a thought provoking piece here from a gay teacher who ran an LGBT club in school : www.transgendertrend.com/school-lgbt-club/

Article here on the same theme as the Transgender trend piece. Same teacher I think.

'I tried to help students - only for them to turn on me when I failed to endorse ideology' | Daily Mail Online

Teacher's warning from comprehensive where 'kids shop for sexualities'

Are teenagers finding it easier to dress as girls than admit to being gay as a camp, insecure boys in a rough state school, asks secondary school teacher and whistleblower Harry Winter.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11908547/I-tried-help-students-turn-failed-endorse-ideology.html

Rollin · 04/04/2023 09:52

Yes, once a week -a lunchtime club where the gay kids can meet, and not feel like the odd kids at school, because despite all the 'progress' that's been made, and focus on things like Pride etc that's 'so gay' is still the biggest playground insult and LGBTQ+ kids are still called names, ignored, bullied, pick on, excluded.