Please find the most recent editions of the LGF newsletters: -
This edition details the LGF’s "Enough is Enough! Action Against Homophobia" Safer Schools packs to be distributed to UK schools by 17 May 2011, International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia. Recent EHRC research has found that two thirds of LGBT young people in England report being bullied. Those that report bullying perform 15% worse at GCSE. They also found only 1 in 6 English secondary school teachers believe that their school is very active in promoting respect for LGBT students. The campaign aims to encourage schools to challenge homophobia and to talk about LGBT people, issues and relationships to promote understanding: -
http://us1.campaign-archive2.com/?u=58079649ef2d9c9d7fcfa985b&id=ef31281e2b&e=f8fc18f798
This edition details the governments new action plan to tackle LGBT inequality "Working for LGBT Equality: Moving Forward" launched by Lynne Featherstone MP, Minister for Equalities, at the opening of the LGF Community Resource Centre in Manchester: -
http://www.lgf.org.uk/assets/Uploads/PDFs/Resources/working-for-lgbt-equality-moving-forward.pdf
The action plan highlights the government's continued commitment to challenging homophobia, transphobia and inequality in all areas including: education, the workplace and public services. Ms Featherstone referred to the governments "Sports Charter" which already has the support of the Football Association and other governing sports bodies to tackle homophobia and transphobia in sport: -
http://www.equalities.gov.uk/news/sports_charter.aspx
http://us1.campaign-archive2.com/?u=58079649ef2d9c9d7fcfa985b&id=f37d062706&e=f8fc18f798
Outreach Cumbria has given this response to the governments new action plan: -
"In 2010 the Coalition Government published a cross government work plan ‘Working for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Equality’ This year the Government has published the actions from this plan. OutREACH Cumbria has worked with statutory and VCS organisations in Cumbria for over a decade. In this time it has supported the changes in legislation, which have seen real progress in the equalising of rights for Lesbians, Gay men, Bisexuals and Transgender people.
OutREACH Cumbria recognises the need to move beyond the legislation and work with communities to address homophobia, which affects far too many LGBT people at school, at work, in the home and in the wider society."