Who Are We?
Schools OUT UK is the founding charity of LGBT+ History Month, an initiative which is:
Claiming our past.
Celebrating our present.
Creating our future.
Please continue to give us your support.
Don't forget you can buy this year's badge (below) for only £3 from our online shop.
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Who Are We?
Schools OUT UK is the founding charity of LGBT+ History Month, an initiative which is:
Claiming our past.
Celebrating our present.
Creating our future.
Please continue to give us your support.
Don't forget you can buy this year's badge (below) for only £3 from our online shop.
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Happy Pride?
Pause for thought and then action
by Sue Sanders
(Chair, Schools OUT UK)  For those of us who worked against Section 28, my guess is they are feeling, like me, more than a bit of deja vu.
Michelle Snow from whatthetrans.com has provided a list of the Government's moves on LGBT+ equality in order of when they happened (This is not an exhaustive list):
September 2020 - They abandon long promised reform of the Gender Recognition Act (after the public overwhelmingly came down in favour of reform in a public consultation)
December 2020 - Liz Truss, The Minister for Women & Equalities announces that the Government Equality Office are shifting their focus away from "identity politics" and will no longer listen to "specialist groups" who focus on "trendy" issues like racism and homophobia. She also lambasted "the Left" for failing to protect equality, citing child grooming gangs, anti-Semitism and ‘failing to protect single sex spaces’ as examples of their failure. She clearly meant failing to protect single sex spaces from Trans people.
March 2021 - Three members of the Government's advisory panel resign. All three cite the Governments disinterest in what they had to say and their ‘hostile’ attitudes towards Trans equality as reasons.
April 2021 - The Government disbands their LGBT+ advisory panel entirely. They claim this was due to the panel's contract expiring.
Meanwhile the Charity Commission registers the homophobic & transphobic LGB Alliance as a charity. Their founding members hold views including being against LGBT+ clubs in schools; that it is fine to work with far Right homophobic groups like the Heritage Foundation, and surrogacy for gay people should be banned.
May 2021 - The Minister for Women & Equalities gives evidence at a Parliamentary Select Committee hearing.
She signals that the LGBT+ Action Plan has been binned in favour of focusing on a conversion therapy ban, which may have a religious exemption and will be subject to a public consultation starting in September, and hosting an international LGBT+ conference next year. (The LGBT+ Action Plan was a 75 point plan for the Government to advance LGBT+ equality. It was partially the result of a survey of over 100,000 LGBT+ people whose needs will likely go completely ignored).
She went on to announce that there will be a new Government LGBT+ panel, whilst revealing that one of the reasons for the original panel being disbanded was because she disagreed with them. Good luck to this new panel if they dare disagree with her on LGBT+ issues.
She was asked if the pro-conversion therapy/anti-LGBT+ Evangelical Alliance will be involved in the planned International LGBT+ Conference. She neither confirmed nor denied their involvement. The conference's tagline is apparently going to be "Free to be me".
Earlier in the month, the new chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission defended transphobia in The Times.
The EHRC are an independent public body who are supposed to ensure the Equality Act of 2010 is enforced. The Government is responsible for appointing people to its board to oversee this. The Government have chosen to pack this board with members who have a history of anti-LGBT+ sentiments and beliefs.
June 1st 2021- The beginning of Pride Month. The Times reported that the Minister for Women & Equalities is seeking to disconnect Stonewall from working with Government departments. She justified this by citing recent ‘unreasonable’ behaviour by Stonewall. That behaviour? Standing up for the Trans community.
Now take a look at this https://www.fyne.co.uk/a-community-challenged/
We can see we are in a more than a pickle
There is a concerted attack on our hard-won rights from both the Right wing and members of the community who have snuggled up to them.
The dozens of judicial reviews and Freedom Of Information requests dumped on Stonewall, as well as the media’s warped reporting of the Exeter University event that shows we are lacking support there, which is of course no surprise.
So, when you are looking for long delayed fun this Pride month, please remember there are organisations in our community that are consistently challenging this institutional homophobia while simultaneously working on the front line supporting the victims of it.
We at schools OUT UK have a long record of being out there challenging the Government on both education and hate crime. We have in setting up LGBT+ History Month, The Classroom and working with OUTing the Past, made it impossible for people to ignore the diversity and talents of the full diversity of LGBT+ people. We put out free resources and teachers, lecturers, unions, museums, galleries, theatre and their staff pick up those ideas and run with them to make magical events happen. It requires us all to make it clear to this government and the media that we are here, we demand our human rights, and will not sit idly by while they try to fritter them away.
It is no accident that the main brunt of the attack has been on Trans people. The Right think they are the weak link in our coalition, but the reverse is true. They were there on the front line at The Stonewall Inn and have been the champions who so often challenge the binary construct of both gender and sexuality.
The government are making much of hosting an international LGBT+ conference next year, attempting to make out that they and Britain are leaders on LGBT+ rights. We know that not to be the case. ILGA in their Europe Rainbow Index for 2021 have rated us at 10th this year from 3rd in 2016 so we are seriously slipping - Malta remains at Number 1.
So yes, revel in as many Pride celebrations as you can but remember where they came from. Pride was a political statement demanding the world to see us, recognise us and celebrate us as part of society who had all the same rights. Many of us work with other groups who are also denied their rights and visibility; seekers of asylum, migrants, Muslims and disabled people. The rise of the BLM and #MeToo movements and the recent unveiling of appalling sexual abuse in schools makes it clear that the battle for every human being to be respected and having their human rights is a long way away.
There are petitions to be signed and placards to be made to hold this government to account on the promises they made and the reputation they want to have.
So yes, dance and march, be it be in your bedroom or the streets and think what you can do to support the organisations that make sure you can do it all again next year. |
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Science Is A Drag!
Happy Birthday Turing! Science can be a drag, but it doesn’t have to be. We are exploring the queer side of STEM through cabaret, drag, burlesque and more! Join us for a spectacular evening of science, delivered in weird and wonderful ways by drag artists, research scientists and science communicators. This streamed event will bring you ten acts who will explain a scientific concept through a unique performance for one night only. This show is pay-what-you-want. All ticket income will be split between the performers. The gig will be made available to to ticket holders via an online livestream. Performances will be pre-recorded but will be presented live by your hosts Dr Brynley Pearlstone, Carla Suciu and Sam Langford Wed, 23 June 2021 20:00 – 22:00 BST |
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OTP 2022 by Ken Valente
(OTP Conference Programme Co-Ordinator)  OUTing the Past looks forward to presenting ‘Completing the Past: LGBT+ History and Creative Production’ in September!
After a delay necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic, the OUTing the Past Conference and Gathering team looks forward to presenting ‘Completing the Past’ later this year. The event is (provisionally) scheduled for 9th-10th September, and we’re excited to showcase the work of our illustrious -- and very patient -- presenters. Conditions and arrangements may yet allow some of us to meet face-to-face at a venue in Greater Manchester; however, all of the conference sessions will allow for online attendance.
Details regarding the event will be available soon on the OUTing the Past website, but just some of the contributions we expect to offer as part of the programme include: - After Hours Chez Madame Arthur: Staging a 1970s Lesbian Bar Material Engagement and Commemoration (paper)
- ‘Foul, Filthy, Stinking Muck’: The LGBT Theatre of Project Arts Centre 1966 to 2000 (paper)
- Hear Us Out: Performance Techniques for a Queer Celebration of Age (paper)
- Sound Excavations: Exploring Audio's Unique Power to Excavate and Reconstruct Erased, Lost and Hidden LGBT Pasts (paper)
- Stormé Weather: How Gen Z Students Developed, Acted and Danced the Stonewall Uprising and its After-Effects (paper)
- Writing LGBT+ Historical Fiction / Drama (workshop)
Our anticipated presenters will make for a truly international programme, with work associated with the UK, Ireland, Spain, Canada, Australia and the US. They represent academics, heritage professionals, playwrights, authors, artists, musicians, filmmakers and others involved in the production of creative works.
Last September some of our presenters, as well as other invited guests, helped us to set the stage for ‘Completing the Past’ by taking part in our first one-day virtual symposium. During that, they reflected on the impulses that compel them to tell stories about the LGBT+ past in the ways they do. Others were invited to share a personal object that reflects a creative undertaking and to describe how, for them, that work opened a door onto the LGBT+ past. You can find videos of the three symposium sessions on our OUTing the Past YouTube channel -- and we hope you’ll consider subscribing when you check them out! The channel also features recordings of plays by Abi Hynes (‘Burnley’s Lesbian Liberator’) and Stephen M Hornby (‘The Burnley Buggers’ Ball’) that have been performed as part of the OTP heritage theatre. We hope these videos will whet your appetite and encourage you to join us when we ‘raise the curtain’ on the upcoming conference! |
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Pride In Education 2021
by Laila El-Metoui
(Founder, Pride In Education)
 Pride in Education 3 is back https://www.prideineducation.co.uk/ #PrideInEducation3 is back for the third time, as the first-ever global equality inclusion conference aimed at educators, teachers, publishers, and anyone looking to make education more inclusive. This three-day event will take place online on 11th, 12th, and 13th June 2021 and draws together 48 international speakers from 4 continents over 3 days examining best practice aspects across education: from primary to university level, as well as offering published resources. There will be panel discussions, knowledge sharing with live Q&As, presentations from researchers and academics, practical workshops covering curriculum design and content, wellbeing and self-care. The conference is supported by a range of community and media partners and powered by Zoom, with the support of myGwork and Trans in the City. #PrideInEducation3 is taking place at a difficult time for LGBTQ+ people across the world who have been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Trevor Project 2020 reports that LGBTQ+ helplines are currently experiencing double the number of calls. Those who were already facing unbelievable challenges living under anti-LGBTQ+ laws facing violence, discrimination and or eviction from their homes or countries because of their sexuality or gender identity, are now struggling to survive. In addition to raising awareness of these issues and their impact on the lives, #PrideInEducation3 will offer practical tips, send out a positive message of compassion and inclusion. It will provide the practical tools needed to educate and empower practitioners to ensure improved inclusion and the celebration of LGBTQ+ lives in education. “The ongoing pandemic has serious implications for the mental health and wellbeing of LGBTQ+ people. School closures and lockdown have negatively impacted on everyone but even more so on LGBTQ+ people trapped in homophobic and transphobic households. It is of the utmost importance that teachers and educators continue to provide an inclusive and compassionate education. This conference was put together to ensure LGBTQ+ people continue to be visible and celebrated.” Conference organiser Laila El-Metoui. #PrideInEducation3 will run on 11th, 12th and 13th June 2021. All event sessions are free of charge. Link to website: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/pride-in-education-lgbtq-inclusion-in-education-tickets-151726057723 For more information and sponsorship opportunities contact Laila El-Metoui lailaelm@hotmail.com
Educating Out Racism is back in September for its 3rd Edition and this is to invite you to submit a proposal to be part of knowledge sharing discussion , keynote or run a workshop on one of the two days.
Details are below, please feel free to share within your social media, newsletter and networks. Thank you very much
Call for Contributions - Educating Out Racism - Friday 17th / Saturday 18th September 2021 The deadline for submission is Sunday 27th June
Please share within your networks - Thank you
https://lnkd.in/gyCQXQx
A recording of the last conference can be found on the link below
https://lnkd.in/gpvfDWg |
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Your Events 2021 LGBT+ History Month sets out to celebrate our present. So we have an events Calendar for you to publicise your events.
Afterwards, let us know what you did in during History Month, either as an organiser, participant or visitor (with JPG pictures please) and we can add them to our Your Events page |
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Faces For 2022:
Politics In Art 'The Arc Is Long'by Andrew Dobbin
 The final choices have been made for our Faces For 2022, 'Art In Politics - "The Arc Is Long"'.
Next year we visit Art on the National Curriculum for the first time as we commemorate the 50th anniversary of the first Pride demonstration in the UK. Click on the artist's name to find out more. We're very excited with our choices, who cover a range of media and styles, and who you will agree led fascinating lives that all students, not just those who are LGBT+ will enjoy learning about.
As ever, posters, fact-sheets and teaching materials relating to each of our subjects will be available in due course.
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New LGBT+ Children's Books
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Queering The North
Comes To Englandby Jeff Evans
(OUTing The Past)
 We are almost certain, so fingers crossed, we will be in Manchester in Pride Week at the Main City Library from August 23rd to Friday 27th and the play will be on 26 and 27th. More information when we know more at OUTingthepast.com.
The first retrospect QTN Exhibition of LGBT+/Human Rights activism through and after ‘The Irish Troubles’ including a bespoke heritage dramatisation of queer Belfast: The Queer Ceili @ the Marty Forsythe (shortlisted for the Irish Times Theatre Awards)
OUTing the Past International Festival of LGBT+ History is proud and delighted to announce This first showcase of ‘Queer Activism’, emerging from the Irish Troubles, resulted directly from the first Irish OTP Hub held in 2018. It is a joint project between OTP and The Museum of Free Derry made possible by the support of; veteran LGBT+ campaigners from both communities, Public Record Office of NI together with the campaigning/support groups Cara-Friend and Rainbow. The Exhibition we hope will have its English premier during Manchester Pride (i.e., end of August ’21) and part of Manchester City Councils’ cultural contribution to those celebrations.
The QTN performance showcase, Queer Ceili @ Marty Forsythe, provides a further medium of sharing this remarkable story of NI/Northern Ireland LGBT+ activism. The play tells of an astonishing inspiring Belfast event in October 1983 of diverse communities clashing and celebrating together. English delegates attending the first L&G Student Conference in Ireland (Queens University Belfast). Their hostile reception from Save Ulster from Sodomy Campaign and then a subsequent invitation by another community to celebrate a céilí night together. Written by Dominic Montague and produced by Kabosh the rave reviews tell their own story See BBC feature Here & Irish Times Review Here. QC@MF is an immersive play, is to be revived as part of the Exhibition in Manchester at the iconic Manchester Central Library. Shorter In-Gallery Monologue Heritage performances may also be sequenced throughout the daytime as part of the QTN Exhibition.. |
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Please Buy Badges and
Lanyards!
Due to Covid-19, UK Pride celebrations and other events we would normally attend have been cancelled, severely impacting on our already limited income. Please visit our online shop and buy the 2021 badge variant and lanyards., as these remain our main source of finance. We welcome donation of any size (see further down this Bulletin). Thank you.
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Faces of 2022 - 2025
nominate your heroes and
your icons!
2022: Politics In Art
the arc is long
2023: Art II
behind the lens
2024: Schools OUT UK is 50!
2025: History Month is 20!
For each year we would like you, our supporters, to nominate the LGBT+ Faces who will represent queer contributions to the various chosen art forms and topics. Our only specification is that your nominee is now dead. We are particularly keen to expand the list of BAME LGBT contributors to the UK. If possible, please also let us know the source of your evidence - hearsay and rumour are not enough.
So if you have a name who you believe has been forgotten, straightened or even deliberately misrepresented by history in one or more of the above subjects, let us know:
Contact Andrew Dobbin, Promotions Officer for Schools OUT UK here |
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Support Us With your continued support, we can realise our dreams of more lessons posted on The Classroom, LGBT HM in every school in the UK and a festival hub in every major town in the UK.
We have done so much and we want to do so much more. A one-off donation of £20 (less than £2 a month) would help us. A regular donation would be amazing.
For decades, Schools OUT UK, and before that The Gay Teachers' Group, has survived - and thrived - as a purely voluntary organisation, with a small income based mainly around the sale of our annual History Month badge. None of the committee receives any income for the work they do.
You can donate via cheque,
BACS or direct debit here
Or with your credit or debit card
on the Paypal website. |
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