Telegraph Hotel in Coventry
For any educator who identifies as LGBT+, I’d really recommend attending these weekends and other events, because they are such safe spaces for LGBT+ educators, and also, if people don’t attend, it makes it more difficult for the LGBT+ Organising Forum to get the funding to continue running these events.
I was lucky enough to be given a place at the recent LGBT+ Midlands Weekender in Coventry. The weekend started at 11am on Saturday to give everyone time to arrive without rushing after a busy week at work. We had a warm welcome from the organising team, an explanation of the itinerary, the house rules and, of course, an ice-breaker so we could get to know colleagues on our table. This puts everyone at ease and results in a more relaxed environment.
The main part of the day was given over to talks by Kathryn Barnes, our National LGBT+ executive member, about Equality, Diversity and SEND. Ross Randal had travelled from the South to talk about Building and Fostering Allyship. The Organising Forum held a Q&A about religion and how it has affected their life and work. Fran Monteiro talked about the history of Activism in the Midlands, and Emily Millward talked about Trans Inclusion and Experiences of Education. They were all excellent talks and interactive so the audience didn’t feel like they were being talked at.
There was free time before the formal dinner in the evening. Formal dress is not required unless you want to! Just be yourself!
After the meal, we enjoyed evening entertainment in the form of a quiz with many different styled rounds organised by Aman and Paul, called the Gayme Show, about all things queer!
Rounding off the evening for some was Karaoke with Stevie, popular with lots of delegates singing, listening or both! Some folks went into town after this, where do they find the energy?
Sunday was a shorter day with a nice relaxed start time! Hoda Chentouf gave a talk about Raceology and Unconscious Bias. Bec and Stevie gave us a taster of being an Officer in the NEU.
A lovely lunch was followed by an update on the Coming Out Campaign from Kathryn. A booklet has been produced to assist NEU members who wish to come out at work and want to know their rights and so on. This work is still being completed before being re-released to members.
There was a plenary and wrap-up time, and all too soon, it was time to say goodbye and exchange numbers to keep in touch with new friends made at the weekend.
These safe spaces at a local and national level are crucial for LGBT+ members to meet others and make connections, as well as keeping informed on issues that affect our work and our community, and I would highly recommend attending in the future. You can also help out at NEU stalls at Pride events across the region, where you will meet other LGBT+ educators and show young people that teachers can be queer.
Melanie