Euro queer youth discuss gay-friendly schools

By Maryam Omidi • December 6, 2007 - 12:30

IGLYO member organisations will discuss the organisational priorities and strategies on advancing equality.

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Today 100 young LGBT people from all over Europe are gathering in Málaga, Spain, for a three-day meeting of International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Queer Youth and Student Organisation.

IGLYO member organisations will discuss the organisational priorities and strategies on advancing equality and human rights for LGBTQ young people.

Euro MP Michael Cashman will be speaking at the event. He is President of the European Parliament Intergroup on Gay and Lesbian Rights.

At the meeting new Guidelines for the development of more friendly schools for LGBT people will be launched.

These guidelines will help school boards in making their schools more welcoming for all young people.

"Whereas there is a good intention in many schools to help young marginalised people, there is often lacking awareness of the position of LGBT young people," said IGLYO board member Bruno Selun, responsible for the project.

"Because schools don't see them, they think they don't exist. The guidelines should help schools in both realising that LGBT pupils exist at each school, as well as taking measures that make these people feel at home and are protected."

IGLYO Chair Björn van Roozendaal added: "Europe can no longer wait with protecting young people in schools and universities from any form of discrimination.

"Young LGBT people continue to be victims of bullying and discrimination and continue being deterred from treatment on an equal basis.

"If we want to count them as full European citizens, then we need to actively start protecting them today."

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