An Education Pack Challenging Homophobia
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
AN EDUCATION PACK CHALLENGING HOMOPHOBIA AND HOMOPHOBIC BULLYING “The NUT is delighted to endorse this excellent new resource from This education pack has been developed collaboratively with the help and support of many organisations and SRtRC. Homophobia, like SHOW RACISM THE RED CARD individuals. Show Racism the Red Card would like to thank everyone for their valuable contributions. racism, is abhorrent. Linskill Centre, Linskill Terrace, North Shields, Tyne & Wear With these materials, NE30 2AY. Tel: 0191 257 8519. Fax: 0191 257 8541 teachers will be email: [email protected] supported in their work www.theredcard.org to eradicate it.” SHOW RACISM THE RED CARD (SOUTH EAST & EAST) Christine Blower, General Secretary, NUT CONTENTS Bedford REC, 36 Mill Street, Bedford MK40 3HD Tel: 01234 219 481. email: [email protected] 2 CHALLENGING HOMOPHOBIA & 37 CHALLENGING HOMOPHOBIA www.theredcard.org HOMOPHOBIC BULLYING 38 Different Families SHOW RACISM THE RED CARD 2 Film User Guide 40 Escalation of Hate SCOTLAND 2 About this Education Pack 41 Pride The Pentagon Centre, Suite 311, Washington Street, Glasgow G3 8AZ. Tel: 0141 332 8566. email: [email protected] 3 Before you Begin… www.theredcardscotland.org 4 Curriculum Links 42 SUPPORTING YOU IN THE FIGHT 43 Advice for targets and perpetrators of homophobia SHOW RACISM THE RED CARD 6 Some Useful Definitions WALES 44 Top Tips & Guidelines for challenging Room 22, 65 Penarth Road, Grangetown, Cardiff CF10 5DL 8 EXPLORING STEREOTYPES Homophobia Tel: 02920 340 422. email: [email protected] 46 Frequently Asked Questions www.theredcardwales.org 12 EXPLORING HOMOPHOBIA IN SPORT 49 Useful links 13 Homophobia in Football 16 Impact of Homophobia on Sport Some of the activities contained within this education pack require additional resources. KEY These are all available to download from: www.srtrc.org/homophobia-resources 18 EXPERIENCING HOMOPHOBIA 18 The Role of the Media This icon illustrates the relevant parts of the DVD which support and enhance delivery of 21 Barriers the activities within each section. 23 Language MAJOR SPONSORS Look out for the speech bubble to find 28 Exploring Homophobia through drama relevant discussion points 29 Human Rights & Homophobia 31 The Global Picture This pack is filled with a range of engaging activities, indicated by this icon. 32 CELEBRATING AND REMEMBERING 32 Gay Equality This icon illustrates a suggested debate 32 LGB History motion. 35 LGB Contributions WE ASKED YOUNG PEOPLE WHAT SCHOOLS SHOULD DO TO TRY AND COMBAT HOMOPHOBIA… “I think that as important as it is to have LGBT groups it's also important to acknowledge that being any sexuality doesn't really change who you are so I think it's important to include as many people as we can in raising awareness about LGBT issues because they affect everyone.” 2 1 CHALLENGING HOMOPHOBIA AND HOMOPHOBIC BULLYING before you begin… ChallENgiNg Creating a safe space for discussion Talking about themes relating to sexual • Respect confidentiality: Everything said in the hOmOphObia aNd orientation requires maturity and compassion for room stays in the room. When sharing others. While the activities in this resource are personal anecdotes, make sure to avoid using intended to increase empathy and broaden real names, don’t disclose any personal hOmOphObiC young people’s perspectives, certain discussions information about anyone else. Carefully may cause prejudices and stereotypes to consider what personal information you surface. In addition, some participants may chose to share. bullyiNg express anger, frustration, discomfort, sadness • Share ‘air time’ : You are encouraged to or have difficulty accepting alternative views. express your ideas and opinions, take it in Film user guide – About this education pack… It is extremely important to dedicate some time turns to contribute, help create a safe space to creating the right environment to keep all where everyone is encouraged and feels How do I use this resource? This resource has been designed to help educators participants and facilitators safe. comfortable to speak, don’t monopolise the effectively challenge homophobia amongst young people discussions. You are not obligated to speak, it Homophobia: Let’s Tackle It across formal and informal educational settings. A useful and necessary way to encourage is fine to ‘pass’. This 17 minute film focuses on issues of homophobia within It contains a wide variety of visual, auditory and kinaesthetic openness, positive behaviour and also to provide sport and features many top sporting personalities. With activities, which unless specified are suitable for learners a safe space for the learners, is to introduce a As you engage in discussions about LGB issues, recognisable faces and footage of sport, this film is a from upper Key Stage 3 through to adult. working contract or ground rules. Work be aware that it may provoke strong feelings for fantastic and engaging way to introduce the topic of Each activity has estimated timings along with a list of collaboratively with the students to develop a some young people due to internalised homophobia to your learners. resources needed and learning outcomes are clearly working agreement that communicates expected prejudices, past experiences or because they We advise that you watch this film in its entirety at the start of highlighted at the beginning of each section. standards of behaviour and interaction and are LGB (or questioning themselves), or have any work you do. All activities can be tailored to meet the individual needs of ensures safety and respect. Try and include family members or friends that are LGB. Carefully the participants. Teachers are encouraged to use their some of the following exemplar ground rules. monitor students’ responses, allow adequate Talking about Homophobia knowledge of the learners, as well as their discretion to make time to debrief and process their feelings and informed choices about the appropriateness of the exercises These five short films consist of excerpts of interviews with Example ground rules: and suggested discussions. provide further support and resources to role models including Hollyoaks actor Kieron Richardson, learners when needed. writer and comedian Rhona Cameron and young people. They Throughout this resource, lesbian, gay and bisexual people • Respect others: You will hear ideas and feature very personal and moving accounts of homophobic will be referred to collectively as LGB people. opinions that may be different or new to you bullying, advice for dealing with it and frank and open Show Racism the Red Card acknowledges and recognises or with which you disagree. As you dialogue about how and why homophobia is prevalent in that many trans people experience discrimination and participate and interact, try to take in new today’s society. These excerpts can be viewed in any order, prejudice. Often these experiences are grouped together with information without judgement and to keep an Caution! all together or separately. They are structured around some LGB issues (LGBT); however, this resource focuses on open mind. Make sure that your words and key themes that are extremely relevant to young people and homophobia rather than transphobia, and discussions and Openly discussing LGB issues, providing a safe each lasts between five and seven minutes. body language reflect a respectful attitude issues specific to trans people are not included. towards others. Learn by listening to others. and supportive environment and showing a To enable young people to identify with, and begin to See page 49 for useful suggested websites for dealing with commitment to tackling homophobia could result consider, homophobia within their own lives and school transphobia and issues around gender identity. • Own your own values: Speak from the ‘I’, ‘I in young people feeling confident to make a environment, we suggest that you utilise this powerful feel’, or in my experience’, avoiding ‘you disclosure. They may want to discuss their collection of stories after screening Homophobia: Aims of the Pack: should’ or ‘you all think that’. If you are going sexual orientation or to share information with Let’s Tackle It. • To educate learners about the causes and consequences to disagree with something, challenge the you regarding friends or family members. opinion or the behaviour, not the person. Extras of homophobia and homophobic bullying Prepare yourself with the necessary information • To increase understanding of issues of diversity and identity about local LGB support groups and services and The DVD also contains added extras that will enable you to • Be open and honest: Ask questions without • To familiarise learners and educators with a range of explore some specific issues further. There is an interview fear of judgement, there is no such thing as a ensure you are able to offer the appropriate information and skills that will enable them to challenge with a primary school head teacher who shares his personal ‘silly’ question, it is important to try and support and guidance, or be able to point them negative stereotypes and homophobia experiences of being a head teacher and a gay man, and understand as much as possible. If you are immediately towards someone who has, or can. explains how he has included LGB issues into his practice. • To encourage respect for the differences between people not confident to ask questions publicly then regardless of sexual orientation There are also extended interviews with some of the role speak to