Our LGBTQ Pride Week celebrations at the Farnley Academy were joyfully received by students and staff alike, fostering a sense of empathy and tolerance through open discussion. On the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, which gave rise to Pride as we know it today, students eagerly engaged with the culture that surrounds the international celebrations taking place during this month. LGBTQ historical information and advice on where to seek support were disseminated during form time, providing students with a chance to share their views on the important social issues surrounding sexuality and gender in modern society. The boundless enthusiasm of our student BEAM group (Equality Ambassadors) was abundantly clear in their passionate organisation of a Pride stall, where they graciously gave up their break times to educate members of our community by talking honestly with students and providing useful leaflets. They also sold badges so that students could proudly display their support of LGBTQ rights, promoting tolerance across the school.
The week’s proceedings culminated in a series of assemblies in which key issues associated with LQBTQ Pride week were explored. Students from across the school demonstrated exceptional behaviour and respect. A wonderful guest speaker from the University of Leeds helped shed light upon the many triumphs that our community has made within recent history, but also to highlight the inequalities that still exist within our society and around the world. A large portion of these assemblies was dedicated to the importance of being a “good ally” to LGBTQ peers, even if you are not personally a member of the LGBTQ community. This includes standing up for those who are being treated poorly, respecting the identities of other students, and raising awareness wherever possible. Since presenting these assemblies, we have received an influx of new requests from students (LGBT or otherwise) to join the BEAM group, demonstrating their kindness and 
their desire to make our school environment comfortable for everyone, regardless of their identity. It has been a truly exciting week. LGBTQ students were extremely grateful for the opportunity to have their voices lifted and represented across the school, and the resulting explosion of enthusiasm for LGBTQ causes has been phenomenal.
Staff also embraced the celebrations by dressing as brightly and colourfully as possible to emulate the Pride rainbow flag. The Science Department did an especially impressive job of dressing as a rainbow!
Regular meetings of our BEAM group will continue throughout the next academic year, and these students will be leading the way to ensure that the spirit of LGBTQ Pride is felt all year long at the Farnley Academy. For any further information on LGBTQ identities, including joining the BEAM group, please contact Mr Howlett.