Posts

You Should Volunteer with Just Like Us!

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So, I've been volunteering with  Just Like Us  for almost a year now (!!!), which means the time has come for them to run their annual recruitment drive for the LGBT+ Ambassador Programme . This year however, there's a big difference; for the first time, JLU is opening up it's flagship programme to all LGBT+ 18-25 year olds - not just those currently enrolled at university or located in one of the six main national hubs! Since I'm being a bit reflective on my time with Just Like Us (so far), I've compiled a list of five reasons why you should  sign up to their volunteer programme, based on what I've accomplished and learned over the past 12 months: 1. You can be the person you needed when you were at school Through delivering workshops and assemblies at secondary schools in and around Greater Manchester, I've had the opportunity to tell approximately 400 schoolkids that it's okay to be LGBT+. Even just hearing that at school would've ha...

School Diversity Week 2019

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🌈 HAPPY PRIDE MONTH ðŸŒˆ photo by Jesse Toksvig-Stewart On Monday 24th June, I attended the Parliamentary Launch of Just Like Us ' School Diversity Week 2019 . SDW is a week in which schools and colleges across the UK promote lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans equality in education. This year it will be taking place from 1st-5th July, with over 1 million schoolchildren taking part. School Diversity Week has the power to make an immeasurable impact on not only the LGBT+ pupils in the school, but all who partake. It's possible thanks to a multitude of free lesson plans and materials that Just Like Us has created to help implement LGBT+ inclusive learning into schools. The week before the event, I was asked to make a speech - talking about my experiences at school, what I do as a JLU Ambassador, and how important SDW is. It was extremely nerve-wracking, but I'm so glad I said yes! Afterwards, I was able to speak with so many wonderful people, and it was bri...

#NoOutsidersMatters

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Assistant Headteacher Andrew Moffatt with pupils at Parkfield Community School in Birmingham. ( source ). This past week, I’ve decided to get involved in a conversation that I strongly believe in: the implementation of LGBT+ inclusive education. I decided to speak up about it because a group of people are demanding that it be taken away. No Outsiders is a programme set up by the MBE-awarded teacher, Andrew Moffatt , who just so happens to be the Assistant Headteacher at Parkfield School where the majority of these protests are taking place. The programme uses books, lessons, and interactive workshops to teach school children about the 2010 Equality Act and highlight the importance of equality and diversity in today's society. These lessons involve an array of minority groups, including those of different racial backgrounds, religions, ages, gender identities, abilities, and sexual orientations. Despite its positive approach to teaching kids about acceptance and respect,...