A comprehensive school has become the first in Swansea to join a renowned scheme which tackles the problem of homophobic and transphobic bullying.
Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Bryn Tawe is being helped by international rugby referee Nigel Owens to embrace the Safe Space programme.
The 38-year-old Welshman said: “I hope to help the young people I meet understand that there’s no need for anyone to feel isolated or that they have to suffer in silence.
“People should be allowed to be themselves and to be honest with themselves without feeling that there is anything wrong with them.”
The referee’s link-up with the school’s year 11 students was organised by the organisation which runs Safe Space- Swansea’s LGBT Excellence Centre Wales which supports those who identify themselves as gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender.
Safe Space tackles the problem of homophobic and transphobic bullying in Welsh schools. It has been rolled out across Cardiff and Carmarthenshire.
It also supports higher education students understand sexual orientation and gender identity issues through videos, presentations, games, group and pair work, competitions and networking.
Excellence Centre staff see Mr Owens as a superb role model for young gay students.
Managing Director Federico Podeschi said: “We’re excited to be taking Safe Space to Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Bryn Tawe and to be helping Swansea Council tackle homophobic and transphobic bullying.
“It’s encouraging to see that sexual orientation and gender identity are no longer taboos when it comes to helping people understand equality and diversity and we encourage people to contact us on 0800 023 2201 when things go wrong.
“Young people can then be at ease with themselves and with each other no matter what their background, make-up or lifestyle is.”
Mr Owens said: “It’s a big taboo to be gay in my line of work; I had to think hard about it because I didn’t want to jeopardise my career.
“Coming out was difficult and I tried to live with who I really was for years. I knew I was ‘different’ from my late teens, but I was just living a lie.”
Safe Space works with young people to progress their education in a safe and supportive environment. Swansea Council offers invaluable support to those with concerns about bullying. In conjunction with charity LGBT Excellence Centre it offers advice and guidance.
Cllr Mike Day, Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Education, said: “No child should have to be a victim of homophobic bullying at school. I commend Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Bryn Tawe for hosting this workshop and I’m pleased to see the difference that the Safe Space programme is making.
“Workshops such as this will help to empower children and young people to speak out about bullying as well as educating people about differences and personal values.”
