Elementary pupils show support for gay headteacher in best way possible

Elementary pupils show support for gay headteacher in best way possible

Pupils made rainbow hearts to hang at the school’s entrances (Photo: @GarethKaneLD | Twitter)

A gay headteacher in England has spoken about the messages of support he received from his pupils after he was targeted by homophobic graffiti outside his school.

Miles Wallis-Clarke is headteacher of Hotspur Primary School, in Heaton, Newcastle. ‘Primary’ school in the UK is the equivalent of elementary school in the US.

Last week, Wallis-Clarke discovered the vile graffiti outside the school. Despite being at Heaton Primary for 15 years, he says this has never happened before.

Related: Gay teen sues high school after he couldn’t bring a boy to dance

He posted a message about the incident on the school’s Friday newsletter bulletin.

“This week some of you will have seen the homophobic and libelous abuse about me sprayed at the entrance to school. This was hurtful and upsetting. The hate crime is being dealt with appropriately and we have suspicions about the perpetrators.

“To be attacked for who you are is a horrible experience. Some people question the need for Pride celebrations or work in schools on equality and diversity. There is a need when there is this level of hatred for difference in our community.

“At the same time, I recognize that other people have a more relentless experience than I have had. There are members of our school community who suffer racism on a daily basis and fear it every time they open their door.

“There are others who live with misogyny and domestic violence and see no way of escape. This is why we place importance on these issues in our curriculum.

“How am I feeling? A little damaged to be honest. Sometimes angry and then quite sad. However, the support from my husband, family, colleagues, our governing body and many others has been wonderful.”

Police are investigating the graffiti as a potential hate crime.

Returning to work on Monday, Wallis-Clarke was bowled over by what greeted him. His school kids had painted rainbow hearts and strung them up alongside rainbow flags outside the school. He was also sent cards and messages of support.

He told the local newspaper the Chronicle: “I am a gay man, I make no secret of that at school and I’m very open and I talk about it. I have been at the school for 15 years and I have never ever had anything like that.

“But from what was a hate crime so much love has come pouring out.”

On the school’s Facebook page, he posted: “I would like to thank everyone in our school community for the fantastic supportive response to the bulletin last week. I have been overwhelmed by the messages, cards, pictures, etc.

“I was also so moved by the decoration of the entrance gates on Monday morning. This turned an awful event into one which was so heart-warming and reminded me what a wonderful school community we have.”

Wallis-Clarke told the Chronicle, “We have got four main entrances to the school and each one had been decorated with rainbow flags and hearts. It was just lovely.

“I always stand outside in the morning and I was given cards and letters, and people saying ‘what can we do to help’, and it was just incredible.”

Lovely spontaneous demonstration of support by pupils and parents of @HotspurPrimary after a nasty homophobic incident last week #loveislove pic.twitter.com/MHFNUI5KpX

— Cllr Gareth Kane (@GarethKaneLD) September 30, 2019

He said the incident had again reminded him of the importance of teaching about diversity. He was proud his kids had responded so quickly to the act of homophobia.

“We always do a lot of work on equality and diversity and we know our children are going to live in a diverse society. Talking about that is really important and we are looking at what we can do to reinforce that we don’t accept homophobia.”

Related: This school wants to out Gay-Straight Alliance members. The students are suing.

The topic of teaching kids about LGBTQ diversity and equality in schools has been hotly contested in the UK of late.

Parents outside one particular primary school in the city of Birmingham have staged regular school gate protests about their kids being taught about diversity as part of the school’s anti-bullying ‘No Outsiders’ program.

The UK government ruled earlier this year that from September 2020, all secondary schools must teach pupils about sexual orientation and gender identity. All primary schools will be required to teach about different families, which can include LGBTQ families.

Last month, a survey conducted by LGBTQ-rights charity Stonewall found that 60% of people aged 16 and over supported primary schools teaching kids about different types of families – although one in five ‘strongly disagreed.’

 

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Mike Pompeo Admits He Was on the Ukraine Phone Call with Trump: WATCH

Mike Pompeo Admits He Was on the Ukraine Phone Call with Trump: WATCH

Speaking with reporters in Rome, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo admitted he was on the phone call with Trump in which the president used U.S. military aid as leverage to persuade the Ukrainian leader to investigate his political rival Joe Biden.

Said Pompeo: “I was on the phone call. I’d been a secretary of state for coming on a year and a half. I know precisely what the American policy is with respect to Ukraine. It’s been remarkably consistent, and we will continue to try to drive those set of outcomes.”

Secretary of State Pompeo confirms he was listening to Trump’s July 25th phone call with the president of Ukraine: “I was on the phone call.”
Via CNN pic.twitter.com/E7OkOQmtGx

— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) October 2, 2019

CBS News reports: ‘The secretary neglected to answer questions on whether or not he had heard anything on the call that had raised any red flags, but said the call was about helping Ukraine get corruption of their government and “taking down the threat that Russia poses to Ukraine. He said that effort will continue “even while all this noise in Washington is going on.”‘

Pompeo on Tuesday defied a subpoena from House lawmakers regarding the impeachment inquiry into Trump’s phone call.

In a letter to House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Eliot Engel, Pompeo suggested he would defy a request to depose five State Department employees, and  wrote, “I’m concerned with aspects of the committee’s request that can be understood only as an attempt to intimidate, bully and treat improperly the distinguished professionals of the Department of State. Let me be clear: I will not tolerate such tactics, and I will use all means at my disposal to prevent and expose any attempts to intimidate the dedicated professionals whom I am proud to lead and serve alongside at the Department of State.”

Wrote Engel in a letter to Pompeo on Friday: “Your failure or refusal to comply with the subpoena shall constitute evidence of obstruction of the House’s impeachment inquiry.”

The post Mike Pompeo Admits He Was on the Ukraine Phone Call with Trump: WATCH appeared first on Towleroad Gay News.


Mike Pompeo Admits He Was on the Ukraine Phone Call with Trump: WATCH

#AM_Equality Tipsheet: October 2, 2019

#AM_Equality Tipsheet: October 2, 2019

HRC MOURNS THE LOSS OF CHANNING SMITH, A TEEN WHO WAS BISEXUAL WAS OUTED AND BULLIED ONLINE: The New York Times’ Emily S. Rueb (@Rueby) reports that at a vigil for her son, who took his life on Sept. 23, Crystal Smith said: “Just because you think it’s cute or funny to make somebody embarrassed or humiliate them, think again. Because if somebody would have realized that, my son would not be dead.” More from The New York Times.

  • It’s Bullying Prevention Month — here are five ways to help young people become allies for their LGBTQ classmates & friends: Bullying in schools is as pervasive as it is damaging to all involved parties — and it’s also preventable. HRC Foundation’s Welcoming Schools program is sharing key strategies to help educators engage in this important work with students. More from HRC

We join Channing’s loved ones in mourning. The stigma and persecution our young people face have a devastating cost. We must come together as a country to better support LGBTQ youth & all young people. t.co/qXmNFb37Ub

— Alphonso David (@AlphonsoDavid) October 1, 2019

WE CALL FOR JUSTICE IN THE UNSPEAKABLE ATTACK IN FLORIDA ON A GAY MAN WHO WAS BEATEN AND DRAGGED BEHIND A VEHICLE: Our hearts go out to the victim, who is struggling for his life, and his loved ones. This type of hate is fueled by the reckless rhetoric of our nation’s leaders. In unity, we must stand against it and take action that empowers, protects and centers the most marginalized in our communities. More from HRC.

Horrific & heartbreaking attack on a member of the LGBTQ community. The brutality of this crime is unspeakable, and comes on the heels of Bee Love Slater’s savage murder in Florida last month.t.co/iUNY7IQ1kQ

— Alphonso David (@AlphonsoDavid) October 1, 2019

WHAT WE’RE WATCHING WEDNESDAY — LIFETIME SHARES THE POWERFUL LIFE STORY OF ALEX COOPER: When she was a teenager, Cooper’s parents forced her into so-called “conversion therapy” with unlicensed individuals. Cooper, a former HRC Youth Ambassador, has also authored a book, Saving Alex, about her experience. Watch a video preview of her life story here

WISCONSIN REP. JOCASTA ZAMARRIPA HOSTS HRC WISCONSIN’S FIRST TWITTER TAKEOVER ON #BIVISIBILITYDAY: Zamarripa (@repjocasta) is the first Latina elected to the Wisconsin legislature and one of the few bisexual legislators in the country. Check out what she had to say on HRC Wisconsin’s Twitter (@HRC_WI) about the importance of being a visible champion for the communities she represents. More from HRC

1/ Hey, Twitter! It’s @repjocasta taking over the @HRC_WI account. I’m the State Representative from Wisconsin’s 8th District and I’m a proud bisexual Latinx Wisconsinite. This #HispanicHeritageMonth AND #BiVisibilityDay, I’m here to talk about representation. pic.twitter.com/H4EDAaOusl

— HRC in Wisconsin (@HRC_WI) September 23, 2019

PHILLY CITY COUNCIL TO CONSIDER NON-DISCRIMINATION PROTECTIONS FOR TRANS AND NON-BINARY YOUTH: “This [proposed legislation] will make other children like me feel seen and welcome even if they are not out to their family or at school,” said Itzela Wiley, a non-binary student at The Philadelphia School. More from Anna Orso (@anna_orso) in The Philadelphia Inquirer.

.@PHLCouncil is considering a bill that would expand protections for trans and non-binary youth in all youth-serving organizations.

We �� must �� protect �� trans �� kids. t.co/WIythV0wog

— HRC in Pennsylvania (@HRC_PA) October 1, 2019

GET CULTURED – Entertainment, arts and sports news!

ON CBS, LIL NAS X (@LILNASX) SHARES HIS COMING OUT EXPERIENCE WITH GAYLE KING: More from CBS News and TooFab.

GLOBAL EQUALITY NEWS

LGBTQ ADVOCATES IN MAURITIUS ARE SEEKING TO OVERTURN THE COLONIAL-ERA ANTI-SODOMY LAW: “All we want is the same rights as everyone else. The right to choose the partner we want. The right to have the freedom to love who we want,” said Najeeb Ahmad Fokeerbux (@YQA_Mauritius), one of the four gay men challenging the anti-LGBTQ law. More from Reuters

ALESSIA INJOQUE ES LA PRIMERA MUJER TRANSGÉNERO EN EJERCER LA PRESIDENCIA DE FUNDACIÓN IGUALES, EL GRUPO LGBTQ MÁS GRANDE DE CHILE: El mes pasado, Injoque dejó su trabajo como ingeniera para dedicarse a la defensa de derechos LGBTQ a tiempo completo. “Tenemos que llegar al punto…en que ser hetero, gay, lesbiana, bisexual o trans sea anecdótico a la hora de postular a un trabajo y no algo relevante.” Más de La Tercera

OPENLY GAY VETERAN ATTACKED IN EASTERN UKRAINE: Vasyl Davydenko told local television that he believes the assault was motivated by his sexual orientation. More from RadioFreeEurope.

GRUPOS DE DERECHA ATACAN A PARTICIPANTES DE LA MARCHA DE ORGULLO EN PARAGUAY: El domingo, la comunidad LGBTQ de Hernandarias realizó su marcha de Orgullo a pesar de que el alcalde intentara impedirla. Después de los ataques, el alcalde procedió a insultar al colectivo LGBTQ y justificar la violencia. Lea más de ABD aquí y aquí

READING RAINBOW – Bookmark now to read on your lunch break!
OutSports shares the beautiful story of athlete Anthony Armoni, who was voted his high school’s homecoming king after coming out as gay;

Have news? Send us your news and tips at [email protected]. Click here to subscribe to #AM_Equality and follow @HRC for all the latest news. Thanks for reading!

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Pope Francis receives an insight into LGBTQ lives from US priest

Pope Francis receives an insight into LGBTQ lives from US priest

Father James Martin (Photo: Facebook)

A US Jesuit priest has revealed more about visits he made this week with Pope Francis and other Vatican officials in Rome, Italy.

On Monday it was reported by several news agencies that Pope Francis, the head of the Catholic Church, had met with New York City-based Jesuit priest Father James Martin.

Father Martin is well-known for his views on welcoming gay people to the Church. The cleric is seen as a liberal voice in the higher echelons of Catholicism.

In 2017, he published a book: Building a Bridge: How the Catholic Church and the L.G.B.T. Community Can Enter Into a Relationship of Respect, Compassion and Sensitivity.

He serves as a consultant to the Vatican’s Secretariat for Communications.

On Monday, the Vatican listed the private audience the Pope had with Fr. Martin. As it only publicly acknowledges a few of the Pope’s private meetings, this was seen by some as a tacit sign of approval for Martin and a wish to publicize the meeting.

Related: Vatican uses ‘LGBT’ for first time in report on why youth are fleeing the church

Martin’s views have upset more conservative voices in the Catholic Church. Several talks he has previously been booked to give in the US have been canceled.

Last year, almost 10,000 people signed a petition demanding Fr. Martin was dropped from speaking at a panel at the Catholic Church’s World Meeting of Families in Ireland. The petition failed and his appearance went ahead.

On Monday, Father Martin took to Twitter to reveal more of the 30-minute meeting with Pope Francis.

He called the private meeting, “One of the highlights of my life. I felt encouraged, consoled and inspired by the Holy Father today. And his time with me, in the middle of a busy day and a busy life, seems a clear sign of his deep pastoral care for LGBT Catholics and LGBT people worldwide.”

One of the highlights of my life. I felt encouraged, consoled and inspired by the Holy Father today. And his time with me, in the middle of a busy day and a busy life, seems a clear sign of his deep pastoral care for LGBT Catholics and LGBT people worldwide. (Foto@VaticanMedia). pic.twitter.com/1BeaiVh0Q4

— James Martin, SJ (@JamesMartinSJ) September 30, 2019

In an interview with the press afterward, Martin said, “I felt encouraged, consoled and inspired by our meeting … It was like talking to the most compassionate parish priest you can imagine.”

Martin was in Rome for the plenary meeting of the Vatican’s communications department.

Following his meeting with the Pope, Fr. Martin has revealed he also met with other Vatican officials to talk about welcoming LGBTQ people to the church.

Dear friends: I am happy to say, with their permission, that I met with Cardinal Giuseppe Versaldi, the prefect of the Congregation for Education, and Fr. Friedrich Bechina, undersecretary, for a dialogue about the Congregation’s document “Male and Female He Created Them” …

— James Martin, SJ (@JamesMartinSJ) October 1, 2019

“Dear friends: I am happy to say, with their permission, that I met with Cardinal Giuseppe Versaldi, the prefect of the Congregation for Education, and Fr. Friedrich Bechina, undersecretary, for a dialogue about the Congregation’s document “Male and Female He Created Them” …” he posted.

This controversial document, issued by the Vatican in June, questions gender theory. It rejects the idea that transgender people can be any gender besides what they are assigned at birth. It claims modern concepts around gender destabilize the family and society.

Related: Vatican declares trans people will ‘annihilate the concept of nature’

“During our meeting I read aloud letters from a Sister who ministers to transgender individuals, from a family with LGBT children, and a transgender person himself,” says Martin. “Again, with their permission, I can share that they spoke about the context and purpose of their document, which was focused on Catholic schools.

“His Eminence expressed sorrow if people thought the Congregation was accusing people of being ideologically distorted, and they wish to share their care for transgender people and want to continue dialogue to reflect on their experiences.

“As I said, they gave me permission to share this with you, but the rest of the meeting will be kept private. I was happy to bring LGBT voices to this warm meeting and very grateful for their openness to dialogue.”

Martin tweeted again last night about sharing the stories of LGBTQ lives with Vatican officials, saying he will continue to do so until his trips ends this weekend.

“Dear friends: Thanks for all your prayers over these last few days of meetings, which I had asked for when I left. So far I’ve shared the stories of #LGBT people with the Pope and Vatican officials and have tried to build bridges. I’ll continue to do so in Rome until I return!”

Dear friends: Thanks for all your prayers over these last few days of meetings, which I had asked for when I left. So far I’ve shared the stories of #LGBT people with the Pope and Vatican officials and have tried to build bridges. I’ll continue to do so in Rome until I return! pic.twitter.com/wm2ssrWBUn

— James Martin, SJ (@JamesMartinSJ) October 1, 2019

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