Stop Homophobia in Schools Petition Launched at Birmingham Pride

BIRMINGHAM, May 29  –  A petition with a difference was launched today at Birmingham Pride.  The petition which will be presented to Parliament in the autumn is to highlight the problem of homophobia in schools.

In the place of the usual sheets of paper with signatures, this petition almost falls into the category of art.

Dreamed up by students in the University of Birmingham LGBT Association, the plan is to visit as many Pride events as possible during the summer, collecting palm and foot “prints” in place of names, addresses and signatures.

Those wishing to sign are asked to “stamp” on the sheet with paint on a foot as their way of sending the message Stamp Out Homophobia in Schools.

“It is different,” admitted Claire Anderson, who chairs the Association.  “And so we hope to attract more publicity that a normal petition.”

She said it would be a bit of a struggle to get to every Pride event in the country.  “We reckon it will cost about £30 to get to each Pride, but we will get to as many as we can afford,” she promised.

Claire was quick to praise the national organisation ‘Schools Out’ who is assisting in the petition.

“Sue Sanders, the vice chair, is giving us a lot of help and encouragement,” she said.

Yesterday’s Pride Parade through the centre of Birmingham failed to attract the same number of participants as the parades in Manchester or Brighton.  There were barely a dozen floats in the parade.

But today’s activities brought thousands into the Gay Village, centred around Hurst Street for the largest free admission Pride event in the UK.

There was something for everyone – from fairground rides and commercial vendor stalls to the popular “Village Green” – normally a car park, but “greened-up” with turf for the weekend.

Here there was a range of activities from a dog show and a tug of war to a performance by the Rainbow Voices, the city’s choir for the LGBT community and their friends.  The Village Green also featured stands for trades unions, community groups, gay and lesbian health organisations, and a group that campaigns for the older persons.

Birmingham Pride continues tomorrow (Spring Holiday Monday)

More Photos at Birmingham Pride

LINKS

University of Birmingham LGBT Association website
Schools Out website

29 May  2005