Description
“Others are us" is a project intended to enhance social acceptance for LGBT youth, in particular in the educational system in the region of Łódź, and to create safe and non-discriminatory school environment. The project aims at developing working methods for psychologists and teachers employed in the youth education system to discuss the problem of homosexuality and counter the homophobic violence in schools. The project includes: a series of trainings for 20 active beneficiaries who will use the knowledge in practice, supervision sessions, meetings with LGBT activists, evaluation of their work, and a final conference to develop recommendations for future activities in this field. The results will be disseminated through a publication prepared in cooperation with beneficiaries, that will describe methods of work and activities intended to limit homophobic behaviours in schools.
Summary of project results
"According to survey results, schools are the second most common place where violence towards LGBT+ persons occurs. The report of KPH and Lambda for 2011-2012 shows that as much as 63% of youth in this group had suicidal thoughts, and as the reason for them, they cited psychical and physical aggression in schools and denying them their rights. As much as 82.6% of teachers who took part in the survey ""Lesson in Equality"" believed that the issues of homosexuality and homophobia should be discussed in schools (Lesson in Equality, 2012). At the same time, persons working in schools as school pedagogues and psychologists admit that they lack tools and knowledge in the field of counteracting homophobia in schools and supporting LGBT+ youth. As a result, schools that should be a safe place prove to be quite distant from the ideal, and young people often lack assistance that they need. The aim of the project was to supply persons working in educational institutions in Łódzkie voivodeship with knowledge and competencies in the field of counteracting homophobia. The long-term aim is to create safe, non-discriminatory school environment and to enhance acceptance for LGBT+ youth in Łódzkie voivodeship. As a result of the activities undertaken under the project, 22 persons working with youth in Łódzkie voivodeship developed competencies in the field of counteracting discrimination of LGBT students. Two two-day educational conventions were organised with participation of 22 persons working in educational institutions in Łódzkie voivodeship. Then, based on the acquired knowledge in counteracting discrimination, participants led antidiscrimination workshops for youth in their educational institutions. To prepare themselves for this task, participants of the project used supervision sessions and took part in four meetings with antidiscrimination activists. The experiences gathered during implementation of the project were publicised during a conference summarising the project and in a publication containing ideas for exercises that can be used during lessons for youth concerning the problems of discrimination and homophobia. Under the project, also recommendations for regional Departments of Education were prepared. The project benefited 22 persons working in educational institutions and 69 persons who participated in the conference summarising the project."
Summary of bilateral results