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

set down by the Government does talk about um you know prejudice and discrimination
and difference and you know very generic issues. So there’s definitely a vehicle there to
talk about different families and same sex families.
AM: Yeah, sure. One of the things I’ve found during my research for excuse for not
talking about it, is things like five years olds are too young to understand sexualities but
on the same hand, they don’t appear to young to understand racism and different
ethnicities.
CG: Sure.
AM: That’s where I’d agree with what you’ve just explained. Um explaining differences,
different families um and really trying to normalise the flexibility of all families and
relationships. And it’s not about, another excuse I’ve heard is about talking about or not
talking about same-sex sex and I wouldn’t advocate talking about same-sex sex or
opposite-sex sex at that level.
CG: No.
AM: And I think that’s a…
CG: {sex and relationship education, SRE is a very different issue to talking about samesex
relationships and different families. Um, you know a five year old is quite capable I
imagine of understanding that you know [//] a woman can live with another woman as a
couple. She may have two mummies and be very understanding of that without having to
know the in depth issues around sexual orientation itself. So we definitely think there is a
place to talk about different families and we are very pleased that the DCSF guidance
does make specific reference to primary schools and how you can talk about different
families and other things you should be doing in the classroom. For example, if if your
class is making mother’s day cards be wary of the fact that some children in your class
may not have a mother, some may have two mothers, so its not just talking about that gay
issue, it’s about talking about the fact that some children in that class wont fit into that
very you know generic, send my one mother a mothers day card. And also when you send
a letter home to parents don’t put dear mum and dad, cos some of them might not have a
mum or dad, you know put dear parents.
AM: Yeah.
CG: And that’s something a lot of schools do adhere to and that’s in the DCSF guidance.
We are very pleased to see that DCSF has acknowledged that there is scope to talk about
these issues.
AM: Ok, that’s really good. Moving on, within schools, how important do you feel it is
for combating problems of homo/bi/transphobia and heteronormativity for staff to
recognise firstly that bullying on this level is occurring and secondly that male and
female binaries and heterosexuality shouldn’t be assumed?
CG: Um sorry I’m not sure if I understand the question, can you.