LGBTQ+

Lenzie Academy is committed to providing a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex young people.

With LGBTQ+ identities increasingly represented across society, young people are now more able to relate and identify with role models which in turn supports them in understanding and accepting their own gender identity and/or sexual orientation.

In 2021-2022, Lenzie Academy is undertaking the LGBT Charter programme set by LGBT Youth Scotland. We aim to achieve Silver Chartership with lots of support from our community.

Need to Talk

LGBT Rights

LGBT Charter

The LGBT Charter is run by LGBT Youth Scotland and sets a series of standards through which schools can achieve Bronze, Silver or Gold status in relation to the quality of provision and learning experience they offer LGBT pupils. We are aiming to achieve Silver Chartership by August 2022 and already have a huge number of staff and pupils supporting our journey.

The LGBT Charter is structured into the following six areas:

1 - Leadership

Surveys completed by staff and pupils to evaluate ‘how is our current provision for LGBT young people at Lenzie Academy?’
A staff working group (run by Mrs McClure Guidance/Biology) established to work through the Charter Standards in order to ensure we are successful. This group meets monthly.
A pupil working group called Allies (run by Mrs McClure) established to ensure a safe space for sharing and discussion is open to all pupils. This group meets weekly.
Improvement Plan developed to set real targets and ensure progress.

2 - Training

Over 40% of our staff have opted in for 2-2.5 hours of voluntary online training around LGBT identities, orientations and issues
A smaller number will receive a further 1.5 hours of live training later in the year.

3 - Policy

All policies will be reviewed to ensure they meet the standards set out in the Equality Act (2016)
This includes our Anti-Bullying and Uniform policies as well as any other departmental policies
Our LGBT pupil group will be involved in reviewing these policies to ensure the wording is inclusive to them and their peers.

4 - Practice

Key dates in the LGBT calendar (Pride Month, LGBT History Month, International Day Against Homophobia etc.) will be marked in school through special events, announcements and presentations
Departments across the school will include more LGBT content and naturally increase visibility through their courses
Safe spaces will be considered across the school through consultation with our young people.

5 - Visibility

Information will be provided to all our young people through our website, an LGBT noticeboard, Twitter updates etc.
Our library will be updated with newer additions of LGBT inclusive books

6 - Monitoring & Evaluation

We will review our LGBT Charter progress in August 2022 and set real targets moving forward into next session and beyond.

Helpful Organisations and Supports

The highlighted headings/text below all link to external sources offering advice and support information

LGBT Youth Scotland
Making Scotland the best place to grow up for LGBTI young people.

LGBT Health and Wellbeing
A Scotland where LGBT people have access to the support they need and opportunities to connect as a community.

LGBT Foundation
LGBT Foundation is a national charity delivering advice, support and information services to lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) communities.

Stonewall
Here to let all lesbian, gay, bi and trans people, at home and abroad, know they are not alone.

Stonewall also provide advice for those belonging to a faith group:

LGBT Muslim groups, Hidayah and Imaan

You can also contact the Muslim Youth Helpline

LGBT Jewish group, Keshet UK

LGBT Christian group, One Body One Faith

LGBT Catholic group, Quest

The ‘Be You’ Project – provides links to many other useful sites

Childline
We’re here for all young people, whatever you’re going through.

Samaritans
Whatever you're going through, a Samaritan will face it with you. We're here 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Young Minds
We want to see a world where no young person feels alone with their mental health, and all young people get the mental health support they need, when they need it, no matter what.

Sandyford Clinic Glasgow
Provides an integrated sexual and reproductive health service across the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde area; Glasgow, East Dunbartonshire, West Dunbartonshire, East Renfrewshire, Inverclyde and Renfrewshire. It is delivered in a confidential, friendly, non- judgmental manner from a range of highly professional staff that include doctors, nurses, counsellors, reception, and administration staff to name a few.

Mermaids UK
Mermaids supports transgender, nonbinary and gender-diverse children and young people until their 20th birthday, as well as their families and professionals involved in their care.

Transgender, non-binary and gender-diverse children and teens need support and understanding, as well as the freedom to explore their gender identity. Whatever the outcome, Mermaids is committed to helping families navigate the challenges they may face.

Scottish Government
Scotland is considered one of the most progressive countries in Europe in terms of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) equality.

We aim to preserve and advance Scotland's reputation as one of the most progressive countries in Europe in terms of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) equality.

Scottish Trans Alliance
The Equality Network project to improve gender identity and gender reassignment equality, rights and inclusion in Scotland.

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