Equalities Group at Herts and Essex
Ellen Jones
Equalities Group meets every Wednesday in C4, where we drink tea, eat biscuits and discuss LGBT+ issues. The primary purpose of the group is to provide a safe space where things can be discussed confidentially and without fear of judgement. There are ground rules in place to make sure everyone and their opinions are respected. The group is open to all students, regardless of gender or sexual orientation and is a good, safe space to chat and discuss issues. Every week we have lots of students attending from all year groups. It is worth reiterating that this group is for everyone, regardless of whether they are LGBT+ or not.
The club is relatively new so we have spent lots of time deciding what we want to achieve, both within the group and throughout within the school. We have lots of events planned for this year, which the whole school can get involved in. February is LGBT+ history month and we are going to hopefully spend this time helping to create awareness about the LGBT+ community, its history and achievements, as well as the current issues faced by it. The group are hoping to make displays to go up around the school, run assemblies and raise money for charity. We are also open to other suggestions.
The group is very much student-led and although there are staff present to offer guidance and support, it is often the students who are deciding what we are doing. The group is a very relaxed and understanding place and, although some students want to be involved with activities such as assemblies, there is no pressure to do anything which makes you feel uncomfortable. Everyone is welcome so please do come along!
The club is relatively new so we have spent lots of time deciding what we want to achieve, both within the group and throughout within the school. We have lots of events planned for this year, which the whole school can get involved in. February is LGBT+ history month and we are going to hopefully spend this time helping to create awareness about the LGBT+ community, its history and achievements, as well as the current issues faced by it. The group are hoping to make displays to go up around the school, run assemblies and raise money for charity. We are also open to other suggestions.
The group is very much student-led and although there are staff present to offer guidance and support, it is often the students who are deciding what we are doing. The group is a very relaxed and understanding place and, although some students want to be involved with activities such as assemblies, there is no pressure to do anything which makes you feel uncomfortable. Everyone is welcome so please do come along!