Local, national and international news
WHEN WILL IT END?
24th January 2012
The spate of suicides of young gay people in the USA continues
with 14-year-old Phillip Parker who killed himself last Friday.
The majority of these deaths are as a result of homophobic
bullying in school.
QUEER CHILDREN ARE DYING …BUT MANY MORE ARE LIVING
20th January 2012
A very good article which gives an overview of LGBT youth and
suicide and cites relevant research. Concludes with suggestion
that more LGBT youth need to tell their stories of survival,
such as Johnny Robinson, who was a home-coming king in Limerick, Pa.
SUPPORT FAMILIES WHEN SUPPORTING LGBT YOUTH
20th January 2012
This article looks at homeless LGBT youth and the Family
Acceptance Project in San Francisco. The article concludes that,
as Caitlyn Ryan's work shows, to improve the health of LGBT
young people we must not only support them but also their families.
US ADVOCATES APPLAUD OBAMA ADMINISTRATION FOR COMBATING BULLYING
20th January 2012
LGBT advocates in the USA are applauding the Obama administration
for their efforts to combat bullying in schools. A report,
"Analysis of State Bullying Laws and Policies," published in
December 2011, found 46 states have passed anti-bullying
legislation and 41 states have created anti-bullying policies as
models for schools. The report reveals increasing efforts at the
state level to combat bullying. "Every state should have
effective bullying prevention efforts in place to protect
children inside and outside of school," said Secretary of
Education Arne Duncan, in a press statement.
BULLIED TEEN KEYNOTE SPEAKER AT CONFERENCE
19th January 2012
The film 'Bullied' documents the story of Jamie Nabozny who
successfully sued a public school district to protect students
from antigay bullying and harassment. Jamie will be the keynote
speaker at a sold-out educational conference at Hamline
University, Minnesota, USA.
GAY TEEN MURDER TRIAL IN SCOTLAND
19th January 2012
Jack Frew, an openly-gay 16-year old was knifed to death on a
cycle path in East Kilbride's Mossneuk area in 2010. Robyn Roy,
also a teenager, is standing trial for his murder.
GLSEN RELEASES NEW REPORT ON HOMOPHOBIA IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
18th January 2012
The Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network have just released a new report, Playgrounds and Prejudice: Elementary School Climate in the United States. GLSEN also released a resource pack for elementary schools.
WELCOMING SCHOOL VIDEO AND GUIDE
17th January 2012
Welcoming Schools is an LGBT-inclusive approach to addressing
family diversity, gender stereotyping and bullying. The
Welcoming Schools guide offers tools, lessons and resources,
including a short video.
US FENWAY INSTITUTE RECOMMENDS HEALTH SERVICES COLLECT INFORMATION ON SEXUAL ORIENTATION AND GENDER IDENTITY
17th January 2012
The Fenway Institute has published two briefings: "Why gather
data on sexual orientation and gender identity in clinical
settings" gives information on the need to collect such data;
"How to gather data on sexual orientation and gender identity
in clinical settings" gives guidance on how to ask questions
on patient registration form and how clinicians can ask questions
during medical visits. The second also looks at concerns about
confidentiality.
JESS WOODS OF ALLSORTS IN BRIGHTON AWARDED CBE FOR LIFETIME WORK WITH LGBT YOUTH
1st January 2012
Jess Woods, who helped set up AllSorts, an LGBT youth organisation
in Brighton in 1999, has been awarded a CBE in the Queens New Year's
Honours List. Congratulations, Jess.
LGBT ISSUES TO BE MADE MANDATORY IN TEACHER TRAINING COLLEGES IN ONTARIO
1st January 2012
In order to help ensure schools are better able to respond to the
needs of LGBT young people, teacher training colleges in Ontario
will include a mandatory focus on gender and sexuality.