Are gay people born or made?

Did your staff see the Guardian article in February, about 3,000 neurologists from around the world who met in Lisbon to settle a debate that has raged for decades: are gay people born or made? Did your staff see the television programme on ITV where a gay doctor went undercover to explore how people offer ‘cures’ to change people from gay to straight? What do your staff think?

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Idaho day – what is your organisation planning?

Same –sex marriage finally becomes legal on March 29. Although there is still much to do, sexual orientation equality has made great strides in the last 20 years in the UK. But this is not the case in many other countries. Do your staff and students know, for example, that in five countries in the world, gay people still face the death penalty? May 17 is Idaho day - international Day against homophobia and transphobia. What are you doing to raise awareness and take a stand against homophobia and transphobia?

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Spotlight on training

Did you know that one in five learners aged between 16 and 25 will have a mental health difficulty? Are non-teaching staff such as reception, security and student services staff clear on how best to support these learners, and are they equipped to deal with issues including those with safeguarding implications? Do tutors know how to provide effective support? Do all staff understand that effectively supporting these learners is an integral part of robust safeguarding procedures?

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Inclusive student support services - Ideas on how to provide effective support

The Equality Challenge Unit has published ideas of how to provide effective support for all students whatever their protected characteristics or backgrounds. How does your practice shape up?

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Commission writes to the government about FGM (female genital mutilation) strategy, as two men face the first UK prosecution

The first British charges for FGM (female genital mutilation) were announced on 21 March 2014, in a landmark decision. In February, The Equality and Human Rights Commission wrote to Norman Baker, the Minister responsible for the government’s strategy to combat female genital mutilation (FGM), to express concern that current steps are not sufficient and that a more robust approach is needed. What steps are you taking in your organisation to address FGM? For example, did you use Womens’ History Month to highlight action to end violence against women? Have you circulated guidelines to teaching staff?

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