Mardi Gras Festival Event

Federation co-hosting book launch

The children's books Koalas on Parade and the Rainbow Cubby House will be launched at Federation House, Mary Street, Surry Hills on Friday 11 February 2005, at 5 pm.

These books are an initiative of Learn to Include, who produces engaging and accessible books designed to teach children in the first three years of school that same sex relationships exist.

Same sex couples are colourfully pictured doing everyday things. The focus is on the children and activities rather than on the nature of the parents' relationships, giving children an image of lesbian and gay people as ordinary, everyday people.

"Teachers - heterosexual as well as gay or lesbian - are all invited to the event, and invited to think about the messages they are presenting to young children. Homophobia grows from ignorance and prejudice that begins when children are in primary school, " Federation President, Maree O'Halloran said.

Recent research conducted by Learn to Include in two Sydney primary schools shows that discomfort and negative ideas may even start as early as Year One.

Maree O'Halloran goes on to say that: "Prior to the release of resources like the Learn to Include books, teachers had real difficulty locating appropriate resource to use in primary school classrooms. These books as well as the free poster and teaching aids are welcomed by teachers across Australia trying to do this work".

The associated poster and teachers' manual will be available free at the launch. Copies of these two new books will be available for sale. The first purchased book is $14.95 and any additional copies are $11, however, at the launch the cost will be $10.

To accompany the book launch there will be a presentation commencing at 6.30pm by Dr Maria Pallotta-Chiarolli from Deakin University, titled "Challenging Homophobia in Education Settings".

It is an honour for the NSW Teachers Federation along with the NSW Anti Homophobia Interagency to be co-hosting this launch. The Federation opposes homophobia and discrimination and supports the rights of gay and lesbian students and teachers in schools and colleges across NSW.

For catering purposes, please RSVP Michelle Rosicky by 10 February 2005, by noon (02) 9217 2188 or (02) 9217 2189

For further information

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Last Modified: 15 Nov 2005