Sponsored by myGwork, Lumiere London, Pearson UK, Zoom and Natixis, this year’s conference will combat prejudice and champion LGBTIQA+ inclusion
BY ELEANOR NOYCE, IMAGE VIA PRIDE IN EDUCATION CONFERENCE
Passionate about LGBTIQA+ inclusion in education? The Pride In Education conference will be returning on Saturday 25 June 2022 for its fifth run, marking the organisation’s first in-person event. With over 25 contributors spread over 15 sessions, this year’s conference will centre asexuality and people with intersex variations, aiming to support those with an interest in facilitating Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in the education sector.
Statistics demonstrate that the UK is falling behind when it comes to LGBTIQA+ rights. In 2022, the UK dropped three places on the ILGA European Map, now resting at 14th. Inclusive education has never been more important, with 46% of LGBTIQA+ students reporting not feeling safe at school. LGBTIQA+ students are twice as likely to experience bullying compared to their cisgender, heterosexual counterparts, and 68% report experiencing suicidal thoughts. This figure rises to 89% for Black LGBTIQA+young people. Despite these worrying statistics, funding for anti-LGBTIQA+ bullying programmes has been cut.
This year, Pride In Education will be welcoming the founders of LGBT+ History Month, Professor Sue Sanders and Rodney Wilson. There will be stalls to browse; resources to purchase, and training to book in. The event will finish with a networking reception followed by entertainment provided by LGBTIQA+ Poet Laureate Trudy Howson, poet PJ Samuels, Blouse the Drag Queen and – excitingly – a surprise guest!
Organised by Founder and CEO of Pride In Education and equity educator Laila El-Metoui, the conference has welcomed over 5400 people to date. Laila comments: “Even though Covid-19 infections have seen a significant drop across the world, LGBTIQA+ people have been disproportionality impacted by the pandemic.
“School closures and lockdowns had a negative impact on most of us, but even more so on LGBTIQA+ people trapped in homophobic and transphobic households. It is of the utmost importance that teachers and educators continue to provide inclusive and compassionate education. This conference was put together in June 2020 as an emergency response tool to ensure LGBTIQA+ people continue to be visible and celebrated within education.
“This conference is important because it’s intersectional and practical. Delegates will learn, network, meet organisations who can support them, and be offered free resources and books which they can take away back to their institutions.”
Fancy a 10% discount? Enter the code “DivaMag”, or click here to access the pre-applied discount link. The event will be taking place on Saturday 25 June 2022 from 09:30-18:00, with the evening reception running until 22:30. Tickets range from £14.99 to £85. For further information and sponsor opportunities, contact Laila El-Metoui on Lailaelm@hotmail.com or visit the Pride In Education website.
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