Michael Gove under pressure as Equality Act allows faith schools to use homophobic material
18th February 2012
Education Secretary says Equality Act does not extend to the curriculum creating confusion over how faith schools are allowed to discuss homosexuality in sex education…(more)
The Guardian: Footballer charged for homophobic tweet
15th February 2012
Ravel Morrison, a West Ham midfielder, has been charged by the Football Association for using homophobic language on twitter. An FA statement read: West Ham United’s Ravel Morrison has been charged under FA Rule E3 for use of abusive and/or insulting words including a reference to a person’s sexual orientation…(more)
New LGBT group in Patchway
On Monday 12th March 2012 from 7pm to 9pm the first meeting of Patchway’s LGBT group will be held at Coniston Community Centre. The meeting will include introductions and discussion of what activities participants would want to see at the LGBT group.
For further information contact Vicky Poole on info@conistoncommunitycentre.org.uk
Holocaust Memorial Day
27th January 2012
Today marks the remembrance of those who died in the second world war and the victims of many genocides since. The Holocaust Memorial Trust’s social media survey found that many people believe social media has a role to play in fighting hatred and discrimination…(more)
The Guardian: Homophobia in school staff rooms should have been consigned to history
29th December 2011
Racist remarks would not be tolerated – so why do some teachers think it is still acceptable to make anti-gay comments? Emily Dashwood comments on homophobia in school staff rooms…(more)
Sixth anniversary of the first civil partnerships
21st December 2011
Today marks the sixth anniversary of the official introduction of civil partnerships in England and Wales…(more)
Home Office releases Transgender Equality Action Plan
8th December 2011
The first ever Government transgender equality plan was released today, and forms part of their wider work to build an equal and fair society…(more)
The Guardian: Homophobic bullying – this hate filled playground taunting must be eradicated
4th December 2011
Bullying is an age-old issue that many schools are now taking seriously, but the same has to happen with homophobic name-calling. It needs to be challenged at every airing. And this isn’t happening...(more)
Cybersurvey 2
The Cybersurvey will be available for schools from 1 – 30 November 2011. It is free of charge and will yield vital information on the extent of homophobic, sexist and cyberbullying in your local area.
If you would like your school or youth centre to take part, contact Reach on 0117 946 7607 or email: reach@eachaction.org.uk
National Foundation for Educational Research: Being left out is worst form of bullying
18th November 2011
Schools and parents should be aware of the potential harm done to young people when they experience bullying through ‘being left out’, according to research carried out in National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER) Attitude Surveys…(more)
Sheffield Hallam University: Schools fail to tackle homophobic bullying
17th November 2011
A study conducted by Sheffield Hallam University has explored the views and experiences of students and practitioners in regards to the
inclusion of LGBT issues within schooling and youth work settings in South Yorkshire. Click here for the full report.
Education Act 2011
15th November 2011
The Education Bill received Royal Assent this week, and will focus school inspections on four key areas of: achievement, teaching, leadership and management, and behaviour and safety.
The focus on behaviour and safety will give more prominence to prejudiced-based bullying such as homophobic bullying. Ofsted inspectors are increasingly asking schools specific questions about their work in this area.
Children and Young People Now: Young people fear safeguards against cyber-bullying are not enough
11th November, 2011
Nearly half of young people believe current initiatives to tackle cyber-bullying are insufficient, research from the Diana Award has found….(more)
The Guardian: Why is school such a hard place to be gay?
10th November, 2011
Despite the high profile of young characters such as Kurt and his boyfriend in TV show Glee, two-thirds of gay teenagers are still bullied at school. Charlie Condou, who plays a gay character in Coronation Street, considers why – and what is being done to stop it.…(more)
The Cyber survey
The first round of the cybersurvey has already revealed the extent of different forms of cyberbullying. It has also highlighted how early in a child’s educational career homophobic bullying can start. See the Reach Cybersurvey page for more information.
