in the news
from February 2006

A 270 foot, long petition of double sheets bearing thousands of footprints with the message ‘Stamp Out Homophobia in Our Schools’ wound its way round Westminster on December 7th.

Students from numerous queer support groups across the country carried the traffic-stopping document to the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) in London.

Jacqui Smith, Minister for Schools, received the petition from Claire Anderson pf Birmingham University, who spearheaded the campaign through countless Pride festivals this summer. She was supported in the presentation by members of Staying OUT and Sue Sanders of Schools OUT.

The Minister was impressed and asked the young people about their motives and purposes in gathering this petition. Nathan of Staying OUT described his experiences of being bullied with homophobic abuse, attacks and violence in his school. He explained the crucial role played by the LGBT Youth Group in giving him support, understanding and a ‘safe’ space at a time when he felt so isolated at school.

Claire described her experiences at the Pride festivals, up and down the country, where people were so keen to place their feet in paint and stamp their footprints and write messages to the DfES, with, in some cases, a brief account their own stories on the sheets. Petitioners wanted to send the message that homophobia and bullying in schools must stop. She heard many moving stories from people, young and old, who had had their own terrible experiences at school. They said that they want future generations to be and feel safe in our schools.

Sue Sanders of Schools OUT explained how crucial it is that the DfES ensure that all lgbt staff in schools feel safe to be ‘out’ there. ‘If the adults are not safe being “out” at their workplace, how can young lgbt people feel safe in school?’