A friendly school makes a world of difference

The fourth roundtable discussion on combating homophobia in educational settings will take place on March 24 in Bankstown.

Sticks and Stones -- Creating Safe and Supportive Environments, will be presented by the NSW Anti Homophobia Interagency (AHI).

The roundtable will focus on creating safe, supportive and inclusive environments in schools with a focus on Western Sydney.

Keynote speakers for the event are:

• Murdoch University education lecturer Dr Wayne Martino. His research focuses on schooling and masculinity with a particular focus on homophobia, boys and critical literacy. His interests include English teaching and gender reform in schools, with a particular focus on masculinities and sexuality. He is currently involved in conducting further research into the links between masculinities and learning.
• Senior education officer Kim Proctor from the NSW Department of Education and Training Student Wellbeing Unit.
• Family Planning Australia (FPA) Health senior health promotion officer Liz Hammond. The presentations will be followed by panel discussion by local experts and small group discussion on practical ways to establish safer school environments.

Current research suggests that about 8-11 per cent of the youth population is same-sex attracted.

A national report on sexuality, health and well-being of same-sex attracted young people conducted in 1998 found that:

• 13 per cent had been physically abused
• 46 per cent had been verbally abused
• nearly 70 per cent of this abuse happened at school.

These figures do not include the large number of young people who, although not same-sex attracted, still experience homophobic discrimination based on a perception that they are gay or lesbian.

In light of this evidence, how can we as educators create safe and supportive environments given the heterosexist nature of school and society? How can we as educators affirm diversity across a continuum and not be locked into a boys versus girls binary?

The NSW AHI works proactively to respond to the need and expressed demand for information and skills development in response to homophobic harassment and bullying in education settings.

For further details call Somali at the Lesbian & Gay Anti Violence Project on (02) 9206 2066 or email scerise@acon.org.au. Also, refer to form attached below.

NSW Anti Homophobia Interagency members are FPA Health, Department of Education and Training, Lesbian & Gay Anti Violence Project, Attorney General's Department, NSW Police, AIDS Council of NSW, 2010 Gay & Lesbian Youth Services, NSW Health, the NSW Teachers Federation, Streetwize Communications and Learn to Include.

Evaluation comments

"The resources made available are fantastic and the panel discussion was very informative and interesting";

"It has given me more information to put into workshops around the nature of gender development and homophobia that I will certainly put to practice"; and

"It helped me to realise that gender construction ideas need to be dealt with at all times -- not just in PDHPE class".

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