Creating space for LGBT issues in faith schools
As a current participant on the René Cassin Activist Enrichment Programme I am pleased that the organisation has clarified the legal implications behind so-called reparative/conversion “therapy’ such as JONAH being discussed in Britain’s Secondary Schools (Teaching a “cure’ to homosexuality: It’s outside the Law, René Cassin, 2012). In the interest of disclosure, I think that at this point, I should state that I am a former JFS pupil.
In case you missed the twitter storm and related JC coverage, concern has been raised regarding the way in which JONAH was supposedly referred to in a Jewish Studies lesson at JFS. Having not been present during this lesson, I shall refrain from commenting on the alleged incident.
One inevitable outcome of this controversy is that a spotlight has been shone on how LGBT issues and people are dealt with by faith schools. Sadly, one of the most recent studies exploring LGB experience in Britain’s Secondary Schools found that homophobic bullying is almost endemic, with 75% of respondents from faith schools suffering from homophobic bullying (The School Report, Stonewall, 2007). The report makes for distressing reading and many of the respondents’ experiences mirror my school days.
During my time at JFS, LGBT issues simply did not exist. Whilst school assemblies tackled a spectrum of issues, LGBT concerns remained hidden. Unfortunately, within the more formal environment of the classroom, LBGT issues did not fare much better. During my History lessons, there was no mention of Stonewall or the Gay Rights Movement. Whilst my Sociology lessons looked in-depth at Gender theories, the topic of Sexuality was largely ignored. I believe that by making LGBT concerns invisible, homophobia is allowed to take root and flourish.
For me, one of the consequences of growing up within an environment in which LGBT people were marginalised is that I began to reject involvement with organised Jewish activity. It is only in more recent years that I have become aware of, and engaged with, organisations such as René Cassin, which welcome and embrace the full rainbow of Anglo-Jewry.
Not only have René Cassin and other organisations such as Limmud made LGBT rights and topics very visible, they have also shown me that far from having to be at odds with Judaism, Queer identity is reflected in Jewish culture and values, and my voice can contribute to the ongoing building of the Jewish community in the UK. I hope this is what JFS and other faith schools want for their pupils. They can start by respecting the rights of all and protecting LGBT young people – I just hope they move beyond simply avoiding doing harm and actively strive for positive inclusion.
By Adam Davidi
(31/01/2012)