The Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement (LGCM) are proud to announce the launch of their secondary school Religious Education resource challenging homophobia within Christianity, Judaism and Islam.
On Wednesday 30th March 2011 the Faith and Sexuality Project, a web-based anti-homophobia resource for use in secondary Religious Education, will be ‘unveiled’ at an informal reception with representatives from a number of faith communities, LGBT groups, and educational bodies. Among those taking part is Lat Blaylock, editor of RE Today, and something of a religious education ‘guru’.
The Faith and Sexuality Project has been funded by a grant from the Communities and Local Government Fund.
Rev Sharon Ferguson, LGCM’s Chief Executive said: “Schools are doing increasingly good work challenging homophobia but teachers are understandably more cautious about tackling faith-based homophobia. There is a fear that challenging prejudice against one minority group might be seen as an attack on other minorities of a religious nature.”
The resource provides everything from lesson notes, video of LGBT religious adherents, and guidance for teachers. The Project aims to enable students to look at these issues in a non-threatening and enjoyable way. The emphasis is upon challenging hate whether towards oneself or others, and highlighting the positive responses found within all three faiths towards LGBT people as well as encouraging a healthy questioning of less helpful attitudes.
Tony Green, a former Head of Religious Education and LGCM member, was tasked with providing the educational content of the Project. He said:
“While the first phase of the project has come to an end with the launch of the website, really the work has only just begun. We shall be improving and adding to the resources available and asking for constructive feedback from teachers. In time we want to encourage greater interactivity, with schools submitting writing, photography, art work and even video to showcase the best work being done around these issues.”
The resources available at this stage will focus on work with Key Stage 3 students. It is intended to expand across the Key Stages and beyond to college age students. It is also hoped that young people in different settings such as youth clubs and Sunday schools will be catered for as the resource develops.
Rev Sharon Ferguson added: “There will be those who oppose any such efforts to address these issues. But what we are addressing is real life, and the real questions and concerns of many young people. We are educating not indoctrinating. All we are asking of schools is to provide students with the opportunity to ask questions they may not otherwise get the chance to ask.”
The website can be found from Wednesday 30th March at www.faithandsexuality.co.uk
