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Upfront
LGBT teachers: 'be the change'
"You must be the change you wish to see in the world," said Marc Lewis, quoting Mahatma Gandhi at the NUT's annual conference for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) teachers in November.
A past president of the Boston Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, Marc outlined the struggle for LGBT rights in the USA. He said there were no regulations preventing the bullying and harassment of LGBT students in US schools, and that an American LGBT teacher could be fired because of his or her sexuality.
Conference highlights included a film made by teenagers from Merseyside's Project Triangle, about their visit to Auschwitz, and a visit from Dikeledi Sibanda, coach of The Chosen Few, the only openly lesbian football team in South Africa.
NUT General Secretary Christine Blower emphasised the importance of members informing the Union if they are LGBT, so that they can vote in the election in 2012 for an LGBT seat on the NUT Executive.
Delegates debated the homophobic prejudice and discrimination faced by some LGBT members in faith schools. The conference agreed to send a motion on this to the NUT’s 2012 annual conference.
The conference also paid tribute to a long- standing LGBT campaigner, Steve Boyce, who is now working in prison education and so has left the NUT to join UCU.
Tackling homophobia
The northern launch of LGBT History Month, sponsored by the NUT and hosted by Salford University, takes place on 27 January. The focus is on sport, with GCSE sport master classes delivered by professional sports stars.
NUT President Gill Goodswen told The Teacher: "I'm looking forward to meeting lots of NUT members at the workshops. I'm proud of the wonderful work being undertaken by so many NUT colleagues."
She added that the month provides a great opportunity for sharing "practical strategies for safeguarding our students and staff from the appalling blight of homophobia within our schools".
Register at
www.salford.ac.uk/lgbthistorymonth.
In memory of Anthony
Playwright and critic Bonnie Greer OBE delivered this year's Anthony Walker Memorial Lecture at the International Slavery Museum in Liverpool on 22 October. She highlighted the unfair economic policies that govern Britain, and linked these to racism and racist attacks.
The 200-strong audience was entertained by pupils from St Paul's Catholic Primary School and Kof, a Liverpool hip hop artist.
This was the fourth time the NUT and the Anthony Walker Foundation have joined forces to celebrate the life of the Merseyside student, who was murdered in a racist attack in 2005.
www.anthonywalkerfoundation.com
Beat bullying
The Teacher Support Network (TSN) has a new bullying factsheet with advice on dealing with workplace bullying. Teachers who have been subjected to bullying can talk to someone at TSN in confidence on 08000 562561.
www.teachersupport.info
Video star
The NUT is supporting O2 Learn, launched to celebrate the UK's best teaching and help people achieve their ambitions. Teachers from Key Stage 3 to A level can film and upload mini-lessons to aid students with revision.
www.o2learn.co.uk.
In the running
Around 850 children from primary schools in Maidstone and Ashford, Kent, took part in an inter-schools cross country competition in the grounds of Leeds Castle in November. The Year 3-6 pupils were urged on by members of Ashford Athletics Club and young sports leaders from Norton Knatchbull School, Ashford. The event was organised by the Mid Kent and Ashford School Sports Partnership, now under threat because of government cuts.
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