Boys SHALL go to the ball!

http://metro.co.uk/2017/08/30/boy-refused-princess-makeover-at-disneyland-paris-because-hes-not-a-girl-6890804/

https://www.theguardian.com/film/2017/aug/30/disneyland-apologises-for-banning-boy-from-princess-experience#img-1

Disney has apologised for not allowing a boy to join their 'Princess for a day' experience. When the boy's mother tried to book the day for her son Noah, she was told he would not be allowed to take part because he was a boy. Her son was offered a cuddly toy instead.

Noah is a "Frozen" super-fan and loves to dress up as Elsa. Noah's mum replied to the rejection in an open letter asking , "What terrible, awful fate may befall" her son if he wears a dress. Disney immediately apologised to the family and said the experience was open to all children aged 3 to 12.

Noah's mother argued, "If a little girl wants to be a superhero, she can be. If she wants to be a Jedi, she can be. She can be whatever she wants." 

After apologising, Disney released a statement:

“Diversity is near and dear to our hearts and we want to make sure that all our guests enjoy their experience at our resort. Of course, both boys and girls are welcome to enjoy the Princess for a Day experience in addition to all our other special activities.”

Noah's story hit news headlines around the world and  his mum received huge support on social media following the incident. Writing after the incident , Noah's mum said "Now Noah, and every other little boy who wants to, SHALL go to the ball!"

Disneyland Paris have changed the wording on their website which used to read, 

"Grant every little girls wishes with a Princes experience."

the website now reads, 

"Grant every child's wishes with a Princess experience."

What do you see in the picture?

What is the child wearing?

Explain the story

- Why did Noah's Mum feel so angry?

- Why did mum ask, "What terrible, awful fate may befall my son if he wears a dress"? What was she trying to show?

- Why did Disney apologise? Why didn't Disney continue to say boys could not join the experience?

- Why have Disney said, "Diversity is near and dear to our hearts"?

- Why have Disney changed the wording on their website? 

- What does this show about Disney and the world today?

- What law in the UK says that you should not face discrimination because of your gender? (The Equlaity Act 2010)

- Who was facing discrimination in this story?

- What can we learn from Noah's Mum?

- What can we learn from Disney? 

- Why is this story about No Outsiders?

No Outsiders in our school: teaching the Equality Act in Primary Schools by Andrew Moffat

equalitiesprimary

Statues removed

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/16/us/baltimore-confederate-statues.html?mcubz=1

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/08/16/us/confederate-monuments-removed.html

There are many statues and monuments in America today of leaders from the 1800's who believed people of different race were not equal. These men were soldiers and generals who fought to keep black people as slaves and believed only white people should be free. They fought for the Confederate army in the American Civil war 1861- 1865.

The statues show people who had very different ideas to those most Americans have today. For example, Roger B Taney has a statue in Annapolis. Taney was the chief author of the 1857 law that stated African-Americans could not be American citizens.

Many of these statues are being taken down because people want to show that America has changed. Some people think the statues should stay where they are, some say the statues should be moved to museums, some say the statues should go altogether because they represent racism and slavery.

A monument in Boston has been covered up while the council decide what to do with it. Governor Charlie Baker said, "We should refrain from the display of symbols, especially in our public parks, that do not support liberty and equality."

What's happening in the picture?
What are they doing?
Why do you think they are taking down a statue?

Explain the story

- Why do we have statues today, what are they for?
- Why do you think statues of Confederate leaders were put up in America 100 years go?
- 100 years ago did we have equality for different races, genders, gay or lesbian people?
- What has changed today?
- In the UK today what law do we have about equality? (The Equality Act 2010)
- Why do you think some people are calling for the statues to be removed from public spaces?
- Some people say the statues should stay up because they show history; what do you think?
- What does the removal of these statues tell us about the world today?
- What does this story show us about ideas? (ideas can change)
- The Governor in Boston says we shouldn't have monuments 'that do not support liberty and equality', how do you think he could replace those monuments?
- What can we learn from this story?
- Why is this about No Outsiders?

No Outsiders in our school: Teaching the Equality Act in primary schools by Andrew Moffat

equlaitiesprimary

Diverse Little Mermaid

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/little-mermaid-star-addresses-racist-critics_us_59907c89e4b090964297c55b?utm_hp_ref=asian-voices

Diana Huey is an Asian-American actress currently touring the USA in a Broadway production of The Little Mermaid. Diana plays the part of Ariel.

Some people have reacted to Diana's role negatively, saying Diana should not play Ariel because of her ethnicity. Some Disney fans said only a white woman should play the part of Ariel.

Diana said that when she auditioned for the part, she didn't think she would be successful because she was Asian; "Looking back on that now, that thought makes me so sad. No one should feel like they aren't enough because of the colour of their skin or the shape of their eyes or any factor outside of WHO THEY ARE"

Diana continues; "I want to believe in a world where racism and bigotry no longer exist. I want to believe we can truly have equality in this world- and the arts are a damn good place to start."

What do you see in the picture?
Any guesses who the character is?
Say the character is Ariel from The Little Mermaid. Do you notice anything about the actress playing Ariel?

Explain the story

- Why are some people saying Diana can't be Ariel?
- Why do you think Diana got the part? (because she was the best actress)
- Who decided Diana should play Ariel? (The director / the producers of the play)
- What does this decision show about how the director and the producers feel about an Asian actress playing Ariel?
- Diana is playing Ariel successfully in a tour all over America; what does this show us about America today?
- Why did Diana think she wouldn't get the part? Why did she keep going?
- Why does Diana say, "No one should feel that they aren't enough because of who they are."?
- What can we learn from Diana?
- Why is this story about No Outsiders?

No Outsiders in our school: Teaching the Equality Act in primary schools by Andrew Moffat

equalitiesprimary

Dr Who - gender equality

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-40624288

The new Dr Who has been announced, to be played by Jodie Whittaker. This is the first time the character has been played by a woman. Jodie will be the 13th Dr Who, the series was first aired in 1963.

Jodie said, "I want to tell the fans not to be scared by my gender. This is a really exciting time and Dr Who represents everything that's exciting about change."

"It feels completely overwhelming as a feminist, as a woman, as an actor, as a human, as someone who continually wants to push themselves and challenge themselves and not be boxed in by what you're told you can and can't be."

What do you see in the picture?
Who is it?

Explain the story

- Why do you think before now Dr Who has always been played by a man?
- Why does Jodie ask the fans not to be "scared of her gender"?
- Why do you think in 2017 Dr Who is being played by a woman?
- What does Jodie mean by not being "boxed in by what you're told you can and can't be"
- What British law says you cannot face discrimination because of gender?(Equality Act 2010)
- What other groups of people are protected by this law?
- What can we learn from Jodie Whittaker?
- Why is this story about No Outsiders?

No Outsiders in our school: Teaching the Equlaity Act in Primary Schools by Andrew Moffat

equalitiesprimary

Animal families

JOOP VAN DER LINDE/NDUTU LODGE
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-40603065

A lioness in Africa has been photographed raising a leopard cub. The lioness has three cubs of her own but also appears to have adopted the leopard.

Conservation officers are astonished because they expected the lioness to kill the cub at first. One said, "We know there are cases where lionesses will adopt other lion cubs... but this is unprecedented."

What do you see in the picture?
What do you notice about the animals?

- Why do you think the lioness has adopted the leopard?
- People thought the lioness would kill the cub, what does this show about animal habits and ideas?
(It shows things can change)
- What do you think will happen as the leopard grows up?
- What can we learn from the lioness in this story?
- Why is this story about no outsiders?

No Outsiders in our school: Teaching the equality act in primary schools by Andrew Moffat

equalitiesprimary

Gay- Muslim wedding

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/uk-first-gay-muslim-marriage-jahed-choudhury-and-sean-rogan_uk_59648e64e4b03f144e2d4e67

Jahed and Sean married each other in Walsall, UK last month. Jahed is Muslim and Sean is not but they both wore traditional Islamic dress for the ceremony.

Growing up, Jahed says he felt like an outsider because many people did not accept he was gay and he was told it was just "a phase". Some people told jahed he couldn;t be both Muslim and gay. However everything changed when Jahed met Sean. The couple have been together for five years and now say they want to show the world you can be Muslim and gay.

Jahed says his family have been supportive, especially his Mum. He says, "Now I'm happy, I'm out and proud"

What's happening in the picture?

What do you notice about the two men?

explain the story

- Why have Jahed and Sean got married?

- Sean is not Muslim so why did he wear traditional Islamic dress for his wedding?

- In the UK what does the law say about gay and lesbian people getting married?

- What does British law say about people of different skin colour getting married?

- What does British law say about people who have different faith getting married?

- Some people say that Jahed can't be Muslim because he is gay. Jahed says he is gay and he is Muslim. Who gets to decide if Jahed is Muslim or not? (Jahed gets to decide)

- What does the Equality Act say about people of different faith, race and sexuality in the UK today?

-What can we learn from Jahed and Sean?

- Why is this story about No Outsiders?

No Outsiders in our school: Teaching the equality act in primary schools by Andrew Moffat

equalitiesprimary

London Pride support

https://prideinlondon.org/news/2017/7/7/uk-parliament-lights-up-ahead-of-pride-in-london-parade

The Houses of Parliament were lit up in the colours of the rainbow flag to celebrate London Pride at the weekend. This is the first time this has happened.

2017 marks 50 years since homosexuality was decriminalised in the UK. In 1972 the first gay pride was held in London, with 2000 people taking part. This year 26,000 people joined the parade to celebrate LGBT equality and 1 million people lined the streets to watch and cheer to show their support. 

http://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/pride-2017-thousands-gather-in-central-london-for-biggest-ever-pride-parade-a3583271.html

Photograph: Amer Ghazzal/Rex/Shutterstock

https://www.theguardian.com/world/gallery/2017/jul/08/lgbt-pride-parade-in-london-2017-in-pictures

What do you see in the pictures?

Where are the photos taken? 

explain what is happening

Who works in the Houses of Parliament? 

What is the building for?

What / who is the rainbow flag for?

What is London Pride about?

Why do you think the MPs decided to light up the building in the rainbow flag on the day of London Pride?

50 years ago it was against the law to be LGBT. What does this picture demonstrate about ideas? (it shows that ideas can change and people can change)

What law in the UK protects LGBT people from discrimination? (The Equality Act 2010)

Who else is protected in the Equality Act 2010?

Why is this photo about no outsiders?

No Outsiders in our school: Teaching the Equality Act in primary schools by Andrew Moffat

equalitiesprimary