Non-Normative Gender and Sexual Identities in Schools: - Schools Out

NUT also has a successful LGBT Working Party, and there are currently excellent
resources available from the four main teaching unions (Association of Teachers and
Lecturers (ATL); NASUWT; NUT; and Unison). These demonstrate legal positions,
support LGBT teachers and show how teachers can support LGBT pupils; for example
ATL (2004; 2008); NASUWT (2008); NUT (2004a; 2004b; 2007; 2008a; 2008b); and
UNISON (2007; 2008b) 12 . However, engagement with these guidelines and with
organisations such as Schools Out is dependent on individual teachers’ and is often only
those with a vested interest (usually those who are LGBT themselves) who do engage.
This, coupled with Government policy pre Section 28 repeal skirting around LGBT
issues, the situation in 2002 was not promising 13 . However, once Section 28 was repealed
in 2003, work began in earnest to specifically address homophobia in schools and
Government polices for schools started to include LGB(T) issues; for example, Five Year
Strategy for Children and Learners (DfES, 2006a) and Youth Matters: Next steps (DfES,
2006b) 14 .
It was Homophobia, Sexual Orientation and Schools: a Review and Implications for
Action (Warwick et al., 2004) which really began to move things forward. This research
was commissioned by the DfES to examine three sets of key questions:
1. What is the extent and impact of homophobic bullying on pupils?
2. How is homophobia and sexual orientation addressed both within the classroom (issues relating to
the curriculum) and as part of whole school approaches?
12 A selection of the most important statements and guidance from these Unions can be seen in Appendix 1-
4.
13 There was however, resistance and Section 28 was seen by many as an out-dated policy and it was these
voices who continued to push for its repeal.
14 It was only homophobia at this stage, with no or little recognition of bisexual or transgender issues.