Exceeding Expectations

Exceeding Expectations; Ending Homophobia Through Education

A new Manchester initiative aimed at ending homophobia through education called "Exceeding Expectations" has launched a newsletter to be distributed to all adults working at secondary schools across the city.

The three year initiative to support schools will reach more than 12,000 education professionals with appropriate interventions, resources, training and advice on homophobia and sexuality.

The project is an unprecedented collaboration between the Lesbian and Gay Foundation, Manchester City Council Children’s Services (Manchester Education Partnership, Excellence in Cities, Service Improvement and Inclusion), Manchester Healthy Schools Partnership and Hope Theatre Company.

Pauline Newman, Director of Manchester City Council’s Children’s Services said: "Exceeding Expectations is an important initiative to safeguard Manchester young people from the harmful effects of homophobia and homophobic bullying. The initiative also aims to help and support schools to address issues of sexuality through education."

Paul Martin, Chief Executive of the Lesbian and Gay Foundation said: "Homophobia in schools can have tragic consequences for young people and can result in truancy, poor grades, substance misuse, illness and even self-harm or suicide.

It is important that we start to tackle this issue. Our intention is to promote a zero tolerance approach to homophobia by addressing it in a similar way to racism."

Manchester City Cllr Paul Fairweather commented: "Sadly young people have low expectations when it comes to challenging homophobia and talking about sexuality openly. That’s why we hope to exceed their expectations through this initiative."

On 12th April 2007, The Lesbian & Gay Foundation Communication Manager Andrew Gilliver was interviewed by Radio DJ Umberto on Century FM about the Exceeding Expectations initiative and how it's impact is being felt in schools across Greater Manchester and beyond.

Exceeding Expectations are looking for colleagues in Manchester Schools to sign up as champions for the initiative.

For more information contact exceedingexpectations@lgf.org.uk