SS4Q Conference 2007: Working for Change

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SS4Q Conference 2007: Working for Change

“I was bullied everyday for being gay and I told the teachers but they never understood... When the Deputy Principal asked questions about whether or not I was being bullied, I was too scared to tell him” says 17 year old Peter Hotere who has left school because of the homophobic harassment he experienced there.

Hotere, who hopes to attend the upcoming Safety in Schools for Queers (SS4Q) Conference in Wellington, says that teachers need to understand how hard it is for queer students, and they need to enforce school rules about bullying more fairly by challenging homophobic bullying too.

When asked what would have made him feel safe at school, Hotere said simply, “being free to be me.”

The SS4Q Conference is a collaborative effort by several organisations and individuals including PPTA, OUT THERE! Youth Development Project, the Human Rights Commission, the Family Planning Association, Rainbow Youth, and the NZ Association of Adolescent Health & Development.
Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) President Robin Duff says the SS4Q Conference will continue the groundbreaking work that began at the first conference in 2005, but reiterated there is still a lot more understanding required by schools to diminish the level of homophobic bullying so prevalent in our school communities.

“SS4Q is an important campaign because it aims to bring together all the groups working to make schools safer and more affirming places for queer and transgender students,” Duff says. “PPTA have been working on these issues since the late 1980's, but our work is strengthened by our links, through SS4Q, with other groups that have a similar agenda.”

About 100 people are expected to attend the conference with late registrations still being received. A full listing of workshops with abstracts and Registration forms can be found online at www.outthere.org.nz/ss4q

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National President of NZEI Te Riu Roa Irene Cooper says sexuality harassment and discrimination are also a significant issue for staff and learners in early childhood education centres and primary schools.

“The SS4Q campaign is critical in raising awareness and helping develop safer and more inclusive learning and working environments" says Cooper.

The conference will feature a range of workshops including two on running Diversity Groups in schools, by Kathleen Quinlivan and Waikato Queer Youth. PPTA Safe Schools Task Force member, Jo Belgrave, will run a workshop on supporting queer teachers. Jill Chrisp from the Human Rights Commission will present on schools as 'human rights communities.'

The Family Planning Association (FPA) will deliver a workshop for teachers on Affirming Diversity (2007) – a resource for teaching about sexual orientation and gender identity.

FPA Chief Executive Jackie Edmond says “It is evident that many young LGBT people experience abuse and harassment in our schools. By providing training and consultancy support for teachers, and quality resources for classroom use, FPA works to contribute to positive and safe environments for all young people, regardless of their sexual orientation.”

A feature of the Conference will be a keynote address by Louisa Wall of Ngati Tuwharetoa. Wall has worked in mental health, health research, human rights, and was Equity Advisor of a tertiary institution prior to her current role as a programme manager at Counties Manukau District Health Board. She has represented NZ in Rugby and Netball, and 'outed' herself when interviewed for NZ Rugby Magazine prior to the 1999 Women's Rugby World Cup in Holland by naming her then partner, Michelle, on the profile.

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