The issue here is not what people believe’ they have a right to their belief but what they do. If you try to change the way your colleagues think, you will always be frustrated. Far better to highlight their behaviour is not acceptable. Aside from simply being mean, destructive and cruel, it is now illegal to discriminate harass or victimise any person or group based on certain characteristics or ‘protected strands’ (read more about the Equality Act here). The school’s policy and the staffs’ behaviour needs to make that plain at all times. Don’t forget that there will be people from different faiths in the school who do not believe in each others faith, though this does not stop them from working together productively. The curriculum should educate and enable pupils to learn about the rights and identities of all the protected strands and the enable them to understand the implications of bullying. Also be aware that it takes time for people to adopt new practices. They may never have met some one before who challenged them or was passionate or articulate about it. Our very best advice is not to let difference of opinion get in the way of forming constructive relationships with your colleagues. IF they are hard to reach and unresponsive, it is usewful to smile and be friendly to them. Some people take longer to warm up to new people than others. Also realise that everybody is at a different stage in accepting new ideas especially when it asks them to question belief systems that they didn’t /weren’t allowed to question themselves. People are much less likely to be homophobic if they know someone who is themselves LG or B or a supporter of LG B rights.
Don’t allow yourself to demonize and speak poorly of particular members of staff who aren’t effusing with praise at your plans for an equality revolution. It doesn’t always mean they hate lesbians or gays. Understand that a diverse world, means diversity of opinion, and sometimes your desire for equality in school feels to others like nothing more than extra work. Don’t sweat it. That’s why this site exists to tell you not to stop your revolution, and to make them aware how easy it all is.
