Gov. Inspectors Critical Of Schools That Fail To Teach
About Homosexuality Or Tackle Homophobia The Queen
Mother's Pink Men
Son died under train after telling his family he was gay
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Newspaper cuttings related to homosexuality:
Gov. Inspectors Critical Of Schools That Fail To Teach
About Homosexuality Or Tackle Homophobia
The Queen
Mother's Pink Men
Son died under train after telling his family he was gay
Newspaper
/ Web Site: uk.gay.com/news/
Heading / Article Name: Gov. Inspectors Critical Of
Schools That Fail To Teach About Homosexuality Or Tackle Homophobia
Date: 03/05/02
Government inspectors for the Office of Standards in Education (OFSTED) are critical of schools in the UK that fail to teach about homosexuality or tackle homophobia.
"Pupils felt that there were aspects of sex and relationships that they would want to discuss that appeared to be' no-go areas ' for some teachers", according to a Government Inspectors report, quoting a Year 10 (14-15 Year Old) boy as stating: "We never talk about homosexuality. There are over a thousand boys in this school and it must be an issue for some of them. But the staff seem scared to talk about it".
The report also concludes that "in many secondary schools homophobic attitudes among pupils often go unchallenged. The problem is compounded when derogatory terms about homosexuality are used in everyday language in school and their use passes unchallenged by staff".
The report recommends that in Key Stage 3 (11 to 14 year olds) pupils should consider, "the importance of respecting difference in relation to gender and sexuality; how it feels to be different and be discriminated against and the unacceptability of prejudice and homophobic bullying".
It continues :"Schools should make sure that homophobic attitudes do not go unchallenged".
Welcoming the report Schools Out! National Media Officer Steve Bonham said, "OFSTED has highlighted failings of many schools and issued clear guidance on good practise. Schools that wish to receive positive reports when inspected by OFSTED need to ensure that their policies and practices follow OFSTED guidance".
The report published on 30th April 2002 by the Office for Standards in Education OFSTED is based upon a survey of 140 schools and discussions with 650 young people.
Newspaper
/ Web Site: http://uk.gay.com/news/
Heading / Article Name: The Queen Mother's Pink Men
Date: Unknown
I am sure the passing of the Queen Mother meant little to young gay men frequenting the many gay clubs and bars that exist today, but as a homosexual man in his twilight years I have to admit I shed a tear.
It is often forgotten that the Queen Mother had close friendships with some of the most flamboyant gay men. She also retained many gay men amongst her staff who have always been referred to as ‘confirmed bachelors’. They saw to it that her Dubonnet Royales were served on time, that her lavish luncheons went to plan and that her much loved Fetes Vertes were equally grand.
Like both Princess Margaret and Diana, Princess of Wales she attracted gay men. They in turn loved her theatrical ways, her wit and her magnificent get togethers where only the best crystal and porcelain would do and the champagne flowed freely.
The Queen Mother by all accounts didn’t suffer fools gladly, but she had no problems with one’s sexuality. She was very close to Sir Noel Coward, even though it is widely speculated that his knighthood was initially put on hold due to his rumoured affair with her brother-in-law, Prince George, Duke of Kent. The aristocracy, however, were always known to dabble and the young Elizabeth probably thought nothing of it. In fact Sir Noel was known to be a regular at her soirees.
The Queen Mother took her sense of duty very seriously, but behind all the pomp and ceremony there was a glorious campness. Bedecked in chiffon with half a bottle of champagne in an ice bucket by her side one can just visualise her being fawned over by her many gay friends, including Benjamin Britten, Cecil Beaton and Stephen Tennant, the aristocratic dandy of his day who said “I almost faint when I think of pink”.
Then came Norman Hartnell’s frothy designs. The fact that most of her outfits looked identical really didn’t seem to matter. How can one not admire a woman who’d splash out on another powder blue coat when she already had ten hanging in her wardrobe!
The Queen Mother lived a privileged and luxurious lifestyle, that by all accounts she herself couldn’t afford. She was the darling of many a gay man, who in return for companionship enjoyed her generous and lavish ways. But it must be remembered that she came from a time when ‘discretion’ was the key word. Apparently when Lord Wyatt told her that he was reading a book on Oscar Wilde and his trials, she said: "They were much too strict about those things then. But now I think they've gone too far the other way." Obviously a case of what you can’t see, can’t offend.
Newspaper
/ Web Site: Unknown
Heading
/ Article Name: Son died under train after telling family he was gay
Date: unknown
A Cambridge
University student was killed under a tube train hours after revealing his homosexuality
to his parents an inquest was told.
An argument erupted after Fredrick Hooder, 21, made his announcement and he
had left his home in a "distressed state". The family found out only
the next day that the had died after drinking the equivalent of a bottle of
whisky.
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