Empowering Educators: 7th Pride In Education Conference set to take place on 4 July

Come to a range of workshops to join in the global movement for queer education

BY RAI POWELL, IMAGE BY JUAN MOYANO

As the UK grapples with heightened anti-trans rhetoric and the rollback of LGBTQIA rights, the seventh edition of the Pride In Education conference on 4 July 2024 stands as a crucial event in the fight for inclusivity and equality. This year’s conference is proudly partnering with the Festival Of Education, one of the UK’s most exciting and inspiring education events. The festival brings together educators from across the country and beyond for invaluable professional development, discussions, and networking opportunities. The 14th annual Festival will take place at Wellington College on 4-5 July 2024, featuring over 300 leading speakers and thousands of attendees from the education sector. 

The current situation for LGBTQIA rights in the UK

• Only 58% of LGBTQIA pupils felt safe at school on a daily basis in the past 12 months compared to 73% of non-LGBTQ+ students. 
• 8% of LGBTQIA pupils reported not seeing any positive messaging about being LGBTQIA from their school in the past 12 months. 
• LGBTQIA young people are three times more likely to self-harm, twice as likely to have depression, anxiety, and panic attacks, and twice as likely to contemplate suicide compared to their non-LGBTQIA peers. 

Despite legal advancements, the picture in the UK has been worsening for many LGBTQIA people in education and beyond. Recent government consultations and guidance have fuelled a fearful attitude towards the teaching and support of LGBTQIA lives and issues, creating an increasingly hostile environment for transgender and non-binary students and educators and undermining existing safeguards outlined in current equality laws. Moreover, there is still no explicit legal recognition of intersex people or intersex characteristics under UK law. 

Save the date and join the movement

Join the global movement for queer education and be part of the change towards a more inclusive and diverse educational landscape. Pride In Education not only highlights critical issues around diversity within the sector but also offers practical solutions and approaches for educators to implement within their work. 

The Pride in Education strand of the festivals is offering five workshops and one keynote on Thursday 4 July, in person at Wellington College, Crowthorne, UK. 

• 09:30 – 10:15: Asexuality: The Invisible Orientation by Sarah Cosgriff
• 10:30 – 11:15: A Beginner’s Guide to LGBTQIA Inclusion for Primary Schools by David Church
• 11:45 – 12:30: Voices Unheard in Class: Exploring Intersex Lived Experiences by Anick Soni
• 12:45 – 13:30: Young Trans People and Learning by Dr Natacha Kennedy
• 14:45 – 15:30: Breaking Barriers: How Can ESOL/EAL Teachers Integrate LGBTQIA Lives in Their Sessions? by Laïla El-Métoui

Keynote Address: The Power of Persistence: 55+ Years of Advocating for LGBTQIA Visibility and Safety in Education and Beyond. Delivered by Professor Sue Sanders, Founder of LGBT+ History Month, and David Braniff-Herbert, Lead Organiser for LGBT+ Educators, National Education Union

For more information and to book your ticket, please visit: the Festival Of Education Agenda

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