LGBT History Month KS 4 Reading Support Why

LGBT+ History Month - KS 4 Reading Support

Why do we have LGBT+ History Month? LGBT History Month is an annual celebration that provides education and insight into the issues that the LGBT+ community faces. In 2017, a study conducted by LGBT+ rights charity Stonewall discovered that two in five LGBT+ students have never been taught anything about LGBT+ issues in lessons. One in five also stated that they don't know who they can speak to at their schools for advice on same-sex relationships. The aim of LGBT History Month is to primarily teach young people about the history of the gay rights movement and to promote an inclusive modern society. Why are the highlighted words important when considering LGBT+ History Month?

I'm not LGBTQIAP, so what's it got to do with me? You might not be, but somebody close to you or somebody you know might be. Use this month to educate yourself on matters surrounding the LGBT+ community. Start small, find out more about it, and important figures. Look at how laws and attitudes have slowed down, stopped or challenged the movement and then look at how things have changed. A movement shouldn't have to relate to you to be worthy, human rights are everybody's rights.

What does the ‘+’ stand for? L - Lesbian G - Gay B - Bisexual T - Transgender Q - Queer and/or Questioning I - Intersex A - Asexual and/or Ally P - Pansexual LGBT+ is an acronym that has been used since the 1990's. It stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender. The plus is used to acknowledge other sexualities and sexual identities such as queer, questioning, asexual, nonbinary and pansexual amongst others. The term developed from the original form of LGB, and continues to develop to incorporate terms such as Questioning and Intersex, but most modern uses of the term include the + symbol to encompass spectrums of sexuality and genders.

A bit of background…

The Flags Which one? The LGBT+ community has many flags which represent togetherness, acceptance and progression. The 'traditional' pride flag is the most commonly used flag. However, some people think it doesn't do enough to represent all areas of the LGBT+ community and consider it a bit outdated. So, you might see other flags, such as the 'modern' pride flag: Which includes white, blue and pink to better represent the Trans community and brown and black stripes to represent people of colour in the LGBT+ community.

How can we learn and understand? We can read! Top 5 recommendations for KS 4 students Even if you don’t identify as LGBTQ+, reading about LGBTQ+ lives, characters and issues can help you to gain an understanding of how life can be different, but also not different at all. We are all still human beings with human emotions and human rights! A more extensive book list for LGBTQ+ issues can be found here. Nothing Ever Happens Here – Sarah Hagger-Holt Simon Vs The Homosapien’s Agenda – Becky Albertalli The Black Flamingo – Dean Atta Boys Don’t Cry – Malorie Blackman Alex As Well – Alyssa Brugman

Recommended Reads Nominated for a prestigious book award, this is a funny and sensitive read. Follow this link to see the author read an extract from this book and talk about her inspiration for writing it. There’s also a creative writing challenge for you to get involved with. Books like this really do change people’s lives. Sixteen-year-old and not-so-openly gay Simon Spier prefers to save his drama for the school musical. But when an email falls into the wrong hands, his secret is at risk of being thrust into the spotlight. Now Simon is actually being blackmailed: if he doesn’t play wingman for class clown Martin, his sexual identity will become everyone’s business. Worse, the privacy of Blue, the pen name of the boy he’s been emailing, will be compromised.

Read together - An extract from ‘Boys Don’t Cry’ by Malorie Blackham Adam is very positive about his homosexuality at the beginning of the book, yet as events spiral out of control, it is clear that homophobia still exists in our society. Adam finally turned round to face me. ‘Dante, I can’t live like this, ’ he said. ‘Look at me. Look at my face. ’ ‘You are more than just your damned face. There is more to you than that!’ I shouted at him. ‘Is that why you did it? Because of how you look? ’ ‘No. ’ ‘Then why? ’ ‘Because Josh was right, Dante. What’s the point? When you get right down to it, what’s the point? ’ I looked down at my lap trying to frame the right words. ‘The point is, you have a family and friends who love you. You have a world out there just waiting for you to conquer it. You have a life that will be anything you make it. That’s the point. ’ ‘But the world is full of people like Josh who hate everyone – including themselves – because it’s too much effort or they’re too scared to do anything else, ’ sighed Adam. ‘And how are the cowards who live like that your problem? ’ I asked. ‘Dante, don’t you get it? Look at my face. Take a good look. That’s how they’re my problem. ’ And I did take a look. I clenched my fists and took a good look. My lips clamped together and I took a good look.

My eyes narrowed, and still I looked. Anger, like a trapped bird, flitted inside my chest. Anger at Josh and Logan and Paul, anger at the whole world. Anger at myself. ‘That’s why you can’t let them win, Adam, ’ I said at last. ‘That’s why you’ve got to keep getting up when they knock you down. But you don’t just give in. ’ ‘Dante, I’m tired. ’ ‘So am I. D’you think this is where I saw myself at eighteen? D’you think this is what I wanted? But I’m not giving up. ’ ‘’Cause you have someone to fight for. You have Emma. ’ ‘So do you, ’ I replied. ‘It’s not the same. And I’m scared, Dante. ’ ‘Everyone’s scared, Adam. If this last few months has taught me nothing else, it’s taught me that. ’ ‘But you’re not, ’ said Adam. ‘You’re like Dad. You get on with life, no matter what it throws at you. ’ I laughed harshly. ‘Are you kidding me? ’ ‘What’re you scared of? ’ Adam asked, surprised. ‘Damn, we’d be here until well into the next century if I went through the entire list, ’ I told him. ‘I’m afraid of being a father. I’m afraid of being a bad father. I’m afraid of not being able to support my daughter properly. I’m afraid I might never meet a girl who wants a relationship with me ’cause I have a daughter to look after. I’m afraid that if I put my dreams on hold I might never get them back again. But most of all, I’m afraid of what will happen if Melanie returns and she wants Emma back. I dream about Melanie coming back and taking my daughter away and I wake up in a cold sweat. ’ Adam got up and walked over to sit next to me. ‘Don’t let her. Take her to court if you have to. ’ He frowned. I sighed. ‘Melanie is Emma’s mum. ’ ‘Yeah, but Melanie abandoned her and you’ve been a great dad. ’

Explore further LGBTQIAP booklists Reading-page-Books-to-support-Complex-Issues-and-Mental. Health. pdf (heathpark. net) 30 Essential LGBT+ Books for YA Readers (abebooks. com) LGBTQ+ Literature | Love. Reading 4 Schools LGBT (YA) | Book. Trust LGBT Young Adult (YA) Books | WHSmith

Watch: Here are some short video clips for you to watch and get you thinking. Watch how younger kids react to this short film HERE, and how older people react to it HERE https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=2 REkk 9 SCRn 0

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Helpful and Useful Websites • Mind. Out – mental health services for LGBTQ+ communities: https: //mindout. org. uk/ • Children’s charity Barnardo’s: https: //www. barnardos. org. uk/what-we-do/supportingyoung-people/lgbtq • Stonewall - an organisation promoting equality and providing support: https: //www. stonewall. org. uk/ • Resources for LGBT+ young people, their families and friends (thebeyouproject. co. uk) • LGBT+ Resources | LGBT+ | Who else can help | The Prince's Trust (princes-trust. org. uk)