At Herts for Learning we are committed to supporting and welcoming individuals from all backgrounds and lived experiences to feel connected, authentic and have a sense of belonging within our diverse community while supporting our core purpose. In this podcast we discuss
LGBTQ+ issues in schools and settings, including how teachers can implement a framework and what resources are available. We examine concerns raised around teaching children and young
people the topic of LGBTQ+, and the let 'children be children' debate; also, the recent 'Don't say gay' bill being implemented across the USA, and what the impact similar legislation would have on UK LGBTQ+ pupils.

This episode was presented by Charlie Firmin, Content Marketing Assistant at Herts for Learning (HfL), who identifies as a gay woman and uses the pronouns she/her.

Charlie was joined by Karin Hutchinson, Lead Wellbeing Advisor for HFL. Karin identifies as heterosexual and uses the pronouns, she/her. She began her working life as a teacher but left the classroom when the Thatcher government established Section 28 prohibiting the "promotion of homosexuality" by local authorities. She was instructed by her employers at the time to discontinue her pastoral support for a sixth former who was beginning their journey in identifying
as gay. Since 1997, she has worked in a range of roles involving a focus on equality in education and has led significant work on LGBT diversity and inclusion in Hertfordshire schools since 2003.

Also joining Charlie was Michael Gray, who identifies as a gay man and uses the pronouns he/him. Michael has been working in primary education for over ten years including a time as a Primary
English Adviser at HfL. He is now working at Gamlingay Village Primary School (GVP) in Cambridgeshire where he is the soon to be assistant head . He is also the diversity lead for the Cam Academy Trust, of which GVP is a part of.

For more information about Herts for Learning’s services towards supporting LGBQT education and other Wellbeing services, visit: https://www.hertsforlearning.co.uk/teaching-andlearning/pupil-wellbeing or contact wellbeing@hertsforlearning.co.uk.

To read more about Charlie and her experiences, read our latest blog, “Proud to be part of something more” visit https://www.hertsforlearning.co.uk/blog/proud-be-part-something-more

To read blogs from Michael Gray and others from our company on topics that support equality,
diversity and inclusion, visit https://hfl.mobi/HfLPride

HFL Education (formally Herts for Learning) is a not-for-profit organisation providing all the services, training and resources needed to deliver a great education to every child.