Film:
Blue Jean (in cinemas now)

Blue Jean is a film about a lesbian PE teacher in the late 1980s when Section 28 was coming into place. Often films about social history are displaced to stories outside of the UK and avoid addressing our uncomfortable history. This leads to many younger people not having the context or understanding of what LGBTQIA+ communities that came before us experienced. 

Blue Jean provides an intimate insight into the community’s experiences and the pressure on LGBTQIA+ teachers. It made me think about what impact Section 28 had on me and my education and how powerful acceptance and positive role models can be. 

STORY OF THE WEEK

Brianna Ghey Had Her Whole Life Ahead of Her, But Even in Death, She's Facing Transphobia

After initially resisting calls from trans activists and allies, police are now finally considering whether the murder of Brianna Ghey should be categorised as a hate crime.

16-year-old Brianna, a transgender girl, was found stabbed to death in Cheshire on Saturday after being bullied for years. The media response was predictable but crushing nonetheless. Brianna's deadname and her incorrect pronouns were used in numerous publications. The tragic death of a young schoolgirl is being used to fuel anti-trans arguments and further critical discussion around Gender Recognition Certificates. It seems even in death, trans people are deemed a threat by the "gender-critical" groups.

Candle-lit vigils took place across the UK this week, paying respects to Brianna and showing up for all trans people under attack in the media. Two teenagers, both aged 15, have now been charged with her murder.

Brianna was known fondly by many, particularly on TikTok where she would share advice and was “constantly looking out” for others.

A campaign has been launched to posthumously give Brianna a Gender Recognition Certificate so her death certificate reflects her true gender. Support the campaign by using the hashtag #DignityForBrianna.

“Trans people have been so dehumanised by the press – they see us as nothing more than someone to argue with, or rather argue at.”

IN OTHER NEWS

Church of England to Explore Gender-Neutral Terms for God – Women Clergy’s Suggestions for Replacing ‘Our Father’

The Church of England has said that it will consider other terms to describe God in order to be more inclusive. The long-standing Christian practise of referring to God as "He" and "Father" will be challenged. But a representative for the church claims that the official Christian teaching is that there is no gender in God. "Godself" has been suggested as a potential replacement for masculine pronouns. Many have expressed joy at being able to worship in church without hearing the pronouns "he" and "father" all the time. Reforming patriarchal language could pave the way for addressing other forms of social injustice.
 

More Ethnic Minority Teachers Are Needed in UK Schools – But Teaching Can Effect Their Mental Health And Wellbeing

There is a severe shortage of new teachers, including those from ethnic minorities in England. According to research from 2020, 46% of schools had no black or other ethnic minority teachers at all. A 2016 NASUWT poll found that 31% of black and ethnic minority teachers had experienced workplace discrimination. Many young black students believe that their teachers' perceptions of them are the biggest obstacle they encounter in school. For UK schools, having teachers from ethnic minority backgrounds is essential. They serve as significant role models for both white and ethnic minority children.

Surge in Young People Declaring Disability in England and Wales

In 2021, the census in England and Wales included questions about mental health for the first time. The results have shown a rise in the number of people now declaring their disability, meaning that 1.2 million aged between 10 and 24 now declare themselves as disabled.
The mental health charity Mind has called the results “shocking but sadly not surprising” and highlighted that the current cost of living crisis is having a detrimental effect on young adults with mental health problems. The results also showed that people were twice as likely to be disabled in the most deprived areas of England, with one in four in the poorest locations declaring a disability.

WORK SPHERE

Social Enterprise Creating ‘Endless Opportunities’ For Deaf Community

Social enterprise I Love Coffee recruits and trains deaf individuals to become baristas. It is part of a wider initiative to "break the barriers of communication" between deaf and hearing communities. The venture began in South Africa but has expanded to London due to its success of helping more than 100 deaf people. A partnership with WeWork is supporting their work in London with four of their baristas being positioned in WeWork locations. One such barista praises the initiative for helping grow confidence and upskill herself for future endeavours.

EVENT: Women in Finance: Find Your Career at Diageo

Join us in March, as part of Women's History Month, to find out more about the exciting upcoming finance roles at Diageo.
Are you looking to take the next step in your finance career? 
Diageo are looking for passionate, creative and determined people to carve out exciting careers and make an impact across their global finance division.

Diageo is the world’s leading premium drinks company with an outstanding collection of brands, such as Johnnie Walker, Guinness, Tanqueray, Smirnoff, Baileys and Captain Morgan. Join us on the 1st March at 12pm where we will be exploring the career stories of five inspiring women in finance, as well as providing key insight into the range of current roles available.

Bridging Generational Divides in Your Workplace

In the US, the working-age population is declining at a rate that has not been seen since World War II. Businesses have seen many older people leave during the pandemic as a result of a number of causes, including early retirement, ageism, and cost-cutting tactics. More than eight out of ten global leaders understand the importance of multigenerational workforces for growth. Yet less than half of businesses incorporate age diversity into DEI programs. Employers who don't place attention beyond the new generation of workers will certainly struggle to establish a stable and effective workplace. Businesses can help employees stay in the workforce by offering benefits like carer leave, retirement savings plans, and opportunities for lifetime learning and reskilling.