Making our schools LGBT+ inclusive is incredibly important, but sometimes we can be unsure of where to start, if we are doing the right thing, or just want more ideas of how to make our schools more inclusive spaces.
Whether you are a member of the LGBT+ community, or want to be an ally, here are 6 books to help you, no matter where you are on your journey.
If you want to know why LGBT+ inclusivity is so important:
Pride and Progress by Dr Adam Brett and Jo Brassington
Based on the excellent Pride and Progress podcast, this book explores why LGBT+ inclusion is important, and talks readers through the theory and practice of how can develop the culture and curriculum so that schools can be more inclusive spaces.
If you want to understand the changing landscape of LGBT+ vocabulary and concepts
The Queer Parent by Lotte Jeffs and Stu Oakley
This informative and funny handbook talks through an enormous range of concepts, from adoption to Gen Z, and can help us all understand how to support LGBT+ people, whether they are our children, parents, friends, pupils or coworkers.
If you want practical ideas for improving LGBT+ inclusion
How to transform your school into an LGBT+ friendly place by Dr Elly Barnes and Dr Anna Carlile
From developing an inclusive curriculum to developing youth networks, this easy to read guide can help you identify where you can make real and meaningful change to make your school a more inclusive place.
If you want to see LGBT+ inclusion through the lens of pupil wellbeing.
A practical guide to pupil wellbeing by Kirsten Colquhoun
This new book talks through wellbeing in an approachable and clear way, and gives practical examples and advice on how to improve wellbeing in the classroom. Although not an LGBT+ specific book, the section on School Connectedness, discusses how to become an ally to LGBT+ pupils and begin to consider how to empower pupils to take action.
If you want ideas for lessons that teach about diversity.
No outsiders by Andrew Moffat
In addition to developing an inclusive school culture, sometimes we also want ideas for expressly teaching about diversity and inclusion. Based on picture books or novels, the lessons in this book are creative and easy to implement, and cover a wide range of inclusive topics, not just LGBT+ inclusion.
If you want to direct young people or parents to a supportive book
Queer Up by Alexis Caught
With a huge range of topics, from coming out, to love and sex, this easy to read and uplifting book provides a wealth of information in an accessible way and can help everyone, whether they want to understand their own feelings, know where to go to for support or to become an ally.
I'd love to hear from you if you have any recommendations for books that celebrate or support inclusive education. Get in touch using the social links at the top of this page and thank you for making our schools more inclusive for all.