How can we create a safer school environment for queer youth in rural areas? How can we improve the school environment, combat marginalization, and promote greater acceptance of queer students? How can we increase the support queer students and families need in rural schools?
These three fundamental questions were raised during a seminar organized by theHinsegin jivasgäði association , VMA today. The title of the meeting or symposium was Belonging – integration – public health of young homosexuals in rural areasThe seminar was well attended. It was open to all, but especially to teachers and other interested school staff who wish to deepen their knowledge of the public health of young gay men in rural areas and how they can be supported and empowered within the school system.
The man behind the Hinsegin life quality project is David Samuelsson. He has long thought about the need to intensify the debate on ensuring a safe school environment for young gay people in schools in sparsely populated areas. It is extremely important to create a discussion forum with teachers and other school employees – at all school levels – and today’s meeting in Akureyri marked the start of a series of meetings to be held on the same topic.
I am a gay teacher, so this topic is close to my heart. I didn't always do well in the school system, in some places you could say I was a marginalized student. And the teachers I had as a child were very different, so you could say that I decided to learn to be a teacher so that I could correct the mistakes that some of my former teachers made when I was at school.
Ugla Stefanía Kristjönudóttir Jónsdóttir, a sexologist and queer issues specialist, spoke about her personal experience as a queer person, born and raised in the countryside.
The source and development of the article here (English)
