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NEWS
CHALLENGING HOMOPHOBIA SCREEN SUCCESS
An NASUWT-sponsored film is helping schools tackle homophobic bullying.
FIT, which has been produced by Stonewall, is the first feature film designed to tackle homophobia in school and encourage students to question their prejudices, particularly the negative use of the word ‘gay’ by many young people. The film was distributed free of charge to all secondary schools in Britain earlier this year thanks to the NASUWT.
The Union is committed to tackling all forms of prejudice-related bullying and works in partnership with Stonewall through the Education for All coalition, which campaigns to end homophobic bullying of pupils and staff in schools.
Research conducted by Education for All found that almost two thirds of lesbian, gay and bisexual pupils have experienced homophobic bullying and that 98% of students hear the word gay used negatively in schools. Furthermore, nine in ten teachers have never received any specific training in dealing with homophobic bullying, despite the fact that teachers reported that homophobic abuse is the second most common form of bullying in their school.
FIT is an easy and effective way for schools to start the discussion with students about homophobia and the NASUWT is urging all schools to make use of their free copy.
There are further resources and lesson plans on the Stonewall website. For more information on the film and for further resources visit
www.stonewall.org.uk/FIT.
A teacher’s view
“We had an increasing problem with homophobic bullying and language in our school. Everything was ‘gay’ if it didn't work, or was broken or generally if the students didn't like it.
“I had heard about the FIT DVD and had ordered some resources from the Stonewall website in a desperate attempt to do something practical, effective and quick!
“We showed FIT to every class and it was like someone had waved a magic wand. The students were engaged from the second it started. The misconceptions, stereotypes and prejudices were all brilliantly addressed.
“The students now realise how using the word ‘gay’ in a derogatory way is wrong and offensive and we have drastically reduced the homophobic language in one swoop! Absolutely amazing resource for schools!”
Claire Turnbull, Citizenship Co-ordinator, Kelvin Hall School, Hull.
What you can do:
Promote FIT as a resource in your school – speak to your personal, social and health education (PSHE) co-ordinator about using FIT;
Order more copies of FIT for your school by emailing
education@stonewall.org.uk or calling freephone 08000 502020;
Share your lesson plans on the teachers’ area of Stonewall’s website to inspire other teachers about creative ways to use FIT in lessons across the curriculum;
Tell Stonewall what you thought about FIT online or via email at
education@stonewall.org.uk;
Arrange a non-school uniform day to raise money for Stonewall to ensure FIT continues to have maximum impact in driving down homophobic bullying in Britain’s schools. Contact Chris Gibbons at
chris.gibbons@
stonewall.org.uk or call 020 7593 1862;
Find out whether your local authority supports Stonewall’s Education Champions programme, which works to support schools to challenge and tackle homophobic bullying. Renowned stage and screen actor Sir Ian McKellen has recently completed a tour of UK schools to promote the campaign.
www.stonewall.org.uk/FIT
International update
Burma still needs our support
As millions around the world celebrated the release of the Burmese opposition leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, from house arrest on 13 November, what now for Burma?
Zoya Phan, International Coordinator at the Burma Campaign UK, welcomed the news of Aung San Suu Kyi’s release but highlighted concerns that: “The release of Aung San Suu Kyi is about public relations, not democratic reform. The release is not part of any political process, instead it is designed to get positive publicity for the dictatorship after the blatant rigging of elections on 7 November. We must not forget the thousands of other political prisoners still suffering in Burma’s jails.”
Burma remains one of the poorest countries in Asia, yet 50% of its budget goes on the military. Less than $1 per person is spent on education and healthcare per year and there is evidence of widespread use of forced child labour. Burma has some of the most repressive, anti-union laws in the world.
The November elections were little more than a sham. Candidates had to apply for permission to campaign and were silenced if they dared criticise the constitution or the military. The release of Aung San Suu Kyi does not mean that now is the time to dilute international pressure on the Burmese regime.
The NASUWT is actively supporting the work of Burma Campaign UK in pressing the Burmese leadership to enter into meaningful dialogue with Aung San Suu Kyi and the National League for Democracy. The Union has also joined international demands for the release of over 2,200 political and trade union prisoners who have been imprisoned in atrocious conditions for doing nothing more than exercising their basic human rights.
The NASUWT is supporting international calls for the United Nations (UN) to establish a Commission of Inquiry into these crimes against humanity.
What you can do
To add your name to the list of thousands of signatures calling for international action for the release of Burma’s political and trade union prisoners, go to
www.burmacampaign.org.uk.
The TUC Aid appeal is one way that individuals can show their solidarity and bring about change. TUC Aid is appealing for funds to help trade unionists in three of the most challenging environments: Burma, Palestine and Zimbabwe. This is your chance to put solidarity into action and to make a difference.
TUC Aid welcomes personal or donations. Other fundraising ideas are also available on the TUC website as well as information about how to make a donation:
www.tuc.org.uk/International.
Further details of the NASUWT’s international work and the latest updates can be found at
www.nasuwt.org.uk/International.
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