Some People Are Gay. Get Over It!
This
MLA
West
Midlands
funded
Its aim
is to
support
the National
project
brought
together a teacher
Curriculum
in encouraging
from
the William
Brookes
discussion
of, and
respectSchool
for, in
Much
Wenlock
with Shropshire
difference
and diversity
and to
Archives
toinnovative
create a resource
forto
provide an
approach
students
and
teachers atand
Key
combating
homophobic
Stages
3, 4 and
beyond.
transphobic
bullying.
The resulting
DVD uses
archive
Combining
historical
sources
with
material
collections
debate offrom
verythe
current
issues,ofthis is
Shropshire
Archives,
along with
a cross-curricular
resource,
relevant
newly
gathered
video interviews
to PSHE,
Citizenship,
History, REwith
local
people, Ittoincludes
look at lesbian,
gay,
and English.
case studies
bisexualtoand
transgender
history,
relating
Shropshire
people,
both
in Shropshire,
and in its
wider
exercises
and worksheets
to use
national
context.
with students,
plus helplines and
contact details for many support
organizations.
Some People Are Gay. Get Over It!
The timeline brings together landmarks
of national and international significance
in LGBT history, with examples of local
events, initiatives and reactions.
1957
1895
Some People Are Gay. Get Over It!
Digitized images of newspaper articles, publicity
flyers and many other sources illustrate the text
throughout. They can be enlarged to read on
screen or printed out.
Some People Are Gay. Get Over It!
Interviews with local people whose lives
are affected by LGBT issues, either
directly, or through friends, family or
work, form the heart of the resource.
Some People Are Gay. Get Over It!
There are short extracts from the interviews throughout
the DVD, designed to encourage thought and debate.
Full versions of all the interviews are available in the
resource bank.
Some People Are Gay. Get Over It!
Major topics, such as ‘What is Homophobia?’, are examined from
different perspectives, including the work of West Mercia
Constabulary, personal experiences and the findings of campaign
groups and support organizations.
Some People Are Gay. Get Over It!
There
areprovides
also exercises
The
DVD
links toand
important
worksheets
forby
teachers
to download
research
work
organizations
such as
and use with
students.
Stonewall,
allowing
teachers and young
people easy access to further reading.
Some People Are Gay. Get Over It!
Archive sources are used to inspire debate
and to examine how changes in legislation
and public opinion have affected areas such
as newspaper reporting.
Some People Are Gay. Get Over It!
The resource is cross-curricular, with particular relevance to English and
Religious Studies as well as PSHE and Citizenship.
There are sections on the trials of Oscar Wilde, the history of gay and lesbian
literature, LGBT presence in popular culture, and even the use of Polari as a
secret language which has left its mark on the modern vocabulary.
Some People Are Gay. Get Over It!
The introduction of civil partnerships across the United Kingdom in 2005 was a
huge landmark for those involved in campaigning for gay rights.
The resource looks at the legislation involved, the experience of Shropshire
Registration Service in introducing and performing the first ceremonies, and
the story of Shropshire’s first couple to enter into a civil partnership.
Some People Are Gay. Get Over It!
Transgender issues are complex, defined by gender identity rather than
sexual orientation. Thanks to the support of the Gender Identity Research
and Education Society (GIRES), the resource links to their material to
explain the issues involved, and provides contacts for support groups.
Some People Are Gay. Get Over It!
The resource is not just for teachers
and students. For any young person
questioning their sexuality or
struggling to decide whether to not to
come out, it provides valuable
information, details of many support
groups, and stories and advice from
people of all ages who have personal
experiences to share.
The hope is that the DVD will give that
young person a feeling of reassurance
and support.
The information given on general
health and well-being, such as
bullying, contraception, STDs, alcohol
and drugs, with links to useful support
groups and websites, is of relevance
to all young people.
Some People Are Gay. Get Over It!
Fred D'Aguiar is Professor of Creative Writing at Virginia Tech,
USA, and a highly regarded published poet and novelist.
During his teenage years he attended school in Charlton,
London. This was his comment on the resource:
"Imagine a young mind feels and knows intuitively a condition
as true, but lacks any confirmation from others, is devoid of
language and story to validate those tentative feelings and
help to shape that embryonic conviction. It is hard to overstate
the importance to a young mind of a positive word, a good
image and an uplifting story. The witnesses on this DVD, their
evidence and testimony, hold up a mirror to young minds.
This DVD must be seen by all young people who crave a
positive image, supportive words, and a mirroring story,
because this DVD will save lives."
Some People Are Gay. Get Over It!
For more information about the
‘Some People Are Gay. Get Over It!’
DVD, please contact Kerry Dickins at:
Shropshire Archives,
Castle Gates
Shrewsbury,
SY1 2AQ
Tel: 01743 255350
Email: archives@shropshire.gov.uk
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