Writes Malcolm Pacey, Joint Leader of Wellbeing
This year, the aim of Pride Month has been to encourage everyone in the school community to celebrate their diversity, whatever form it takes. We should be proud of our cultural heritage; the languages we speak; our religious identity; our neurodiversity as well as our sexuality.
Pride Month encourages LGBTQ+ people to drop the shame surrounding their sexuality and to live freer lives by being true to themselves. Young LGBTQ+ people are at risk when they feel that they may be rejected by family and friends simply because of their sexuality.
天美传媒’ demonstrates support for students who may be questioning their sexuality in many ways. A large number of staff have undergone LGBTQ+ sensitivity training and wear a rainbow lanyard to demonstrate their willingness to be approached by students who may feel that they have nobody else to talk to. Our PSHCE curriculum is often the first-place students might encounter discussions of sexuality at school, and this is reinforced during Pride Month with special events.
Nate Ayling, our Marketing & Communications Manager, gave a lecture to staff and students on the representation of LGBTQ+ people in the media, discussing the evolution of the portrayal of gay people on the screen. In addition, on the 25 June, we were visited by representatives of Diversity Role Models, a charity with a vision of the world where everyone embraces diversity and can thrive. We heard the personal story of Simon and some of the difficulties he experienced coming out as a gay man. Students left with a better understanding of diversity in the school community and practical advice on what to do when friends and family members come out to them. Just as importantly, the role models’ visit gave voice to students at school who may be questioning their sexuality.
We hope that everyone uses Pride Month to acknowledge and celebrate the diversities which make us all unique.
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