LGBT+ History Month 2021 – 10 great teaching resources for February

1 | LGBTHistoryMonth.org.uk

November saw the launch of LGBT+ History Month 2021, with the theme of ‘Body, Mind, Spirit’.

Facilitated by The British Library, the event was held online due to the ongoing Covid-19 restrictions. You can watch the video here with a selection speakers talking about the lives of 2021’s five chosen ‘Faces’, as well as specially-filmed inserts.

• Lou Engelfield, director of Pride Sports talks about Lily Parr
• Cheryl Morgan of M-Shed and Out Stories Bristol talks about Michael Dillon
• Alan Butler of Pride In Plymouth talks about Mark Weston
• Kamara Dyer Simms of Haringey Vanguard talks about Maya Angelou
• Mike Jackson from LGSM (Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners) talks about Mark Ashton

In addition, Amy from The Proud Trust talks through their forthcoming 2021 History Month education pack.

You can find more videos on the LGBT+ History Month YouTube channel.

Plus, check out the website’s resource section here.

2 | Pride resources

2019 was the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall riots, and therefore of Pride month, and we put together this list of nine great resources for that which will also come in handy now.

There’s this excellent gender continuum diagram, a guide on setting up a student LGBT group and great articles including Dr Finn Mackay’s brilliant piece, Combating Toxic Masculinity In Our Schools – Un-Teaching Gender Stereotypes For Boys.

Check out the full list here.

3 | Create an LGBT-inclusive primary curriculum with Stonewall

If you’re looking to create an LGBT-inclusive primary curriculum, this free Stonewall guide can help compiled by Stonewall.

Whether you’re just getting started on LGBT inclusion or developing your best practice even further, Stonewall’s resources can help.

There are some excellent free-to-download PDFs such as this guide to working with parents, this framing inclusion through rights resource or this resource for schools with faith values.

Check them all out here.

4 | Why inclusive education is vital

Most people (sadly, not everyone) know that it’s important for children to learn about LGBTIQ+ issues and identities, but obviously we can always learn more and improve what we pass on to children, and these expert opinion pieces are a great place to start.

First Amie Taylor explains why LGBTQ+ resources for primary schools are vital, and how her teachers weren’t allowed to talk about same-sex relationships and so she didn’t even realise she was gay.

Simon James Green explains why books containing portrayals of LGBTQ+ characters deserve a place in every school.

So if you’re looking to expand your school library, here Barbara Band picks out 10 inclusive, empowering and empathetic reads.

Then here are 5 more from Ian Eagleton.

5 | How to make your school LGBTIQ+ inclusive

So, how exactly can you improve the culture of your school to be more inclusive? There are, of course, many ways.

In this piece, Elly Barnes argues that true LGBT+ inclusivity means more than a few rainbow posters along school corridors, and starts with a serious commitment to training.

Or in this article, Dr Anna Llewellyn explains that if you want true LGBT+ inclusivity in your school, then you need to address our heteronormative society.

Andrew Coe talks about bringing LGBTIQ+ role models into the classroom.

Then, finally, Shaun Dellenty argues that you should make every month LGBT+ History Month, by using February as the jewel in your crown to showcase the amazing work you do each and every day, all year round.

6 | The Proud Trust

Each year The Proud Trust produces a free LGBT+ History Month Pack for the theme of the year.

The 2021 is available now, plus you can still download 2014-2020’s packs freely.

Get them all here.

7 | Explore LGBT+ History Month through film

Into Film invites schools to host a themed assembly this February and use movies like The Imitation Game, Carol and Milk as the centre of lessons on PSHE, SMSC and citizenship.

Check it out here.

8 | Schools Out

If you’re after advice on things like tackling homophobic bullying or how to use language effectively then Schools Out has a whole host of resources for you to use.

Check them out here.

9 | GIRES

The Gender Identity Research and Education Society has produced two different age-related lesson plans on gender identity for primary school.

There’s one for ages 3-6, and one for 7-11, both of which you can find here.

10 | LGBT History Month Scotland

This research report from 2012, Changing Hearts and Minds, is packed full of facts and findings from research into LGBT identities, experiences and representation in Europe.

Download the summary PDF here, or the full report here.

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