Lesbians and Gay Men in Education: Research Participants Wanted!

* Are you a lesbian- or gay-identified teacher working in a school in Australia?
* What are your experiences of teaching in relation to your sexuality?
* What strategies and approaches do you use to negotiate your sexuality in the workplace?

Dr Tania Ferfolja and Ms Lucy Hopkins are researching lesbian and gay-identified teachers’ perceptions of their work in relation to their sexuality to provide a picture of the current climate for these participants in public and private schools across Australia. The research aims to:

NSW Teachers Federation launch a new kit for teachers!

WITH research showing that young people subjected to homophobic abuse are most likely to be targeted at school, the NSW Education Department is trialling a program to help high school communities address homophobia.

Twelve schools are involved in the Proud Schools pilot, which aims to support same-sex-attracted and gender-diverse students and educate school staff on related issues.

The NSW Teachers Federation is also working to combat homophobia, transphobia and heterosexism in schools with the launch last Friday of a resource kit for teachers.

United Nations Adopts Landmark Resolution on Adolescents and Youth

Late Friday, 27 April 2012, at the 45th Session of the United Nations Commission on Population and Development (CPD), member states issued a bold resolution in support of young people’s sexual and reproductive health and human rights.

Safe Schools Coalition Victoria welcomes this resolution!

Key points of the final resolution include:

- The right of young people to decide on all matters related to their sexuality;
- Access to sexual and reproductive health services, including safe abortion where legal, that respect confidentiality and do not discriminate;

President Obama Announces Support for the Safe Schools Improvement Act and the Student Non-Discrimination Act

From http://www.glsen.org/obama-day-of-silence.html GLSEN USA

NEW YORK - April 20, 2012 - Today, on GLSEN's 17th annual Day of Silence, the White House released the following statement of support for the Safe Schools Improvement Act and the Student Non-Discrimination Act:

NEW Film Competition for IDAHO 2012!

The competition
Safe Schools Coalition Victoria and Minus18 are proud to invite entries
in the inaugural International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia
(IDAHO) Short Film Competition. The competition will be an opportunity to
spread positive messages about gender and sexual diversity, particularly within
schools, but also for young people more broadly. The winning film will be shown
as part of the IDAHO day celebrations in schools and the community on May
17th 2012.

The judges
Young members of YGLAM Queer Youth Theatre will judge the competition