The Stephen Longfellow Academy Respecting others views LGBTQ

The Stephen Longfellow Academy Respecting other’s views: LGBTQ+

Recap…. I asked: “How do YOU treat people that have a different way of life or beliefs that you do not share. Should you treat people differently based on their beliefs? ” You agreed: “A person should not be treated any differently because of their culture, beliefs, height, weight, skin colour…. . What about a person’s sexuality? Would you treat somebody differently because of their sexual preference?

LGBTQ+…. Lesbian A woman attracted to people of the same gender. Gay A person attracted to people of the same gender. Bisexual/Pansexual A person attracted to two or more genders. Trans A person who’s gender is different to the one assigned/assumed at birth. Questioning A person who is in the process of exploring their identity + Inclusive of all identities

LGBTQ+ Pride month An Annual Pride Celebration • Every year, during the month of June, the LGBTQ+ community celebrates in a number of different ways. Across the globe, various events are held during this special month as a way of recognising the influence LGBTQ+ people have had around the world. • Why was June chosen? Because it is when the Stonewall Riots took place, way back in 1969. • Pride march last weekend. Why do people march? Should people have to do this?

Now consider… How many of you have ever described something as gay? When students use the word ‘gay’, it usually means something bad or rubbish. I have genuinely heard people say things like: “I am not doing that, that’s well gay. ” “Ergh, don’t be gay!” “She has short hair like a lesbian” “Did you see him running in PE? So gay!” When you use the word “gay” or words such as “fag” to mean something bad, what you are really saying is that it is bad to be gay… I really do not think that you think that!!

What does the law say? Until 2005, if a person was attacked for being gay or because the attacker thought they were gay then it was treated like any other crime. The Criminal Justice Act changed that so that these were classed as ‘hate crimes’ and were treated more seriously. Before 2007 any service provider could discriminate against an LGBT person who bought something from them or used their service. For example, a hotel owner could refuse to allow a gay couple to stay in their hotel, or a local authority could refuse to house a same-sex couple together. Today people can’t be refused goods or services because they’re lesbian, gay, bi or trans. What does TSLA say? As a school TSLA seeks to provide an inclusive and safe space for all students. For this reason, any students who are found to have used homophobic language or carried out any form of homophobic bullying will be issued with a severe sanction for this.

We all have differences but… Every student has the right to: -Be respected irrelevant of how their beliefs or lifestyle choices may differ to others. -Feel safe that their choices will not be criticised. -Feel confident that discrimination will not be tolerated in our academy!