Forum Education campaign 2008 - 10 - 'Challenging Homophobia, supporting equality in Schools'

Just before Easter 2008, two primary schools in Easton became the focus of anti-LGBT feeling, following the introduction of age-appropriate books and teaching introducing primary school children to the diversity of modern British family, from those with foster parents, single parent parent famiiles, families with a disabled parent and, of course, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transexual parents.

The response of some parents from Faith communities in the area was to stage a blockade of the the school, sintimidating teachers and other parents collecting their children.

In response, Bristol City Council's Children and Young People's Services gave instruction to the Heads of the two schools to withdraw the books.

There followed an 18 monts campaign, led by the Bristol Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Forum with the support of other LGBT organisations and groups in Bristol and Nationally, to have the book reinstated and to inform parents, teachers, school Governors, youth workers, Council Officers and Councillors of the reality that chidren and adults face in British schools every day.  Below is a list of the milestones of the campaign.

2008

3rd April - Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise meeting with CYPS

23rd April - Meeting with parents from the primary schools in Easton

19th May  - Action Points from Bristol City Council LGB consultation AND Action Points as understood by Bristol LGB Forum

26th June - planning meeting for the Forum's Open Meeting, scheduled for the 8th of July 2008

8th July - Open Meeting: 'Challenging Homophobia, supporting equality in schools' -  Progress report

1st November - 'Challenging Homophobia, supporting equality in schools' - Council reportback

2009

30th September - 'Challenging Homophobia, supporting equality in schools' - Outstanding and further work (new Lib Dem Cabinet)

19th March 2010

The Council announce it has signed-up to Stonewall's Educational Champions programme, as promised by Cllr. Hopkins on September 30th.  The Programme is designed to help local Authorities become leaders in LGBT equality and is the beginning of real action against homophobia in Bristol's schools.