Schools OUT UK is an education charity that began life as The Gay Teachers Association in 1974. Our overarching goal is to make our schools and educational institutions safe spaces for our Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans (LGBT) communities as teachers, lecturers and trainers; as pupils and students; as parents; as teaching and learning support staff; as site-officers, catering and cleaning staff; and as headteachers, managers and governors. There is no other organisation that supports such a wide community in attaining such a wide, yet simple overarching goal.

Our over-arching aim is to make our schools safe and inclusive for everyone. To do this we need:

1. To provide both a formal and informal support network for all people who want to raise the issue of homophobia, biphobia, transphobia and heterosexism in education.
2. To campaign on lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans issues as they affect education and those in education.
3. To research, debate and stimulate curriculum development on LGBT issues.
4. To work towards unison between teacher and lecturer unions and other professional stakeholders in education.
5. To promote equality, safety and visibility in education for LGBT people and all the protected characteristics.

As part of this goal we recognise the need to be inclusive and to recognise the needs and rights of all the characteristics listed as protected under the Equality Act of 2010. We also recognise the need to make LGBT people visible in our schools and in the wider community.

Schools OUT takes part in research, debate and curriculum development on LGBT people and issues. We deal with the Department for Education, OFSTED, The Equality and Human Rights Commission, local authorities and academies; teaching and other trade unions and any other stakeholders in the education process when and where relevant.

We campaign on lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people issues as they affect education and those in education. We raise awareness of important issues in education, with press releases, publicity raising through our website and newsletter and direct contact with relevant agencies.

We respond to numerous media requests for information, quotes and interviews, supporting the role of LGBT people in our schools.

We also respond to the various government and DfE consultations; giving an honest appraisal of initiatives, bills and directives.

We support groups and organisations that share our interests at local and national level. We are a grass-roots organisation but we will hold the door open to all stakeholders in education in order to achieve out overarching goal.

We founded LGBT+ History Month [www.lgbtplushistorymonth.co.uk] and the Classroom [www.the-classroom.org.uk] and are affiliated to OUTing the Past [www.outingthepast.com] and Pride in Education [www.prideineducation.co.uk]

1. All LGBT+ Communities
2. Black, Asian and Minoritised Ethnicities
3. Men
4. Non-UK Residents
5. People of Faith
6. People over 50
7. People with disabilities
8. Women
9. Young People