Welsh teacher wins LGBT+ Inclusive Teacher of the Year at Just Like Us Awards 2023
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A teacher in Wales has been named LGBT+ Inclusive Teacher of the Year at the Just Like Us awards 2023.
Gemma Evans, a teacher at Ysgol Greenhill School in Pembrokeshire, was nominated for the LGBT+ Inclusive Teacher of the Year award by a pupil who described her as “a true role model” and “one of the most active allies I have ever met”.
Evans has been committed to embedding LGBT+ inclusion in the school’s culture, and has created a Social Action Team within her school to celebrate and increase awareness of all forms of diversity among pupils and staff. She also helps the group get involved in county-wide diversity and inclusion initiatives.
Her pupils have praised her efforts to prevent anti-LGBT+ bullying, use of LGBT+ inclusive resources by Just Like Us, and her weekly “Wellbeing Wednesday” presentations, which aim to support the mental health of all young people.
The Just Like Us Awards on 13 July featured a line-up of well-known and beloved awards presenters including Heartstopper cast members and West End star Layton Williams in a celebration of the strides made by young people, school staff and mentors for LGBT+ inclusion.
Eva Echo and Shiva Raichandi presented the teacher with the award. Non-binary BAFTA-nominated film director Shiva Raichandani said: “Teachers shape every aspect of our school life, from the curriculum, to preventing anti-LGBT+ bullying and being role models their pupils can look up to. It has been 20 years since Section 28 was repealed and yet Just Like Us’ research has found that only 40% of LGBT+ school staff feel safe to be out, and many more are afraid to speak up about their allyship.”
Eva Echo, a trans woman behind the Trans People are Loved campaign, said: “Now is not a time where we can afford to be quiet. Trans young people need you to speak up and show your support.”
“I am extremely proud to say that our school is one of the most active participants in celebrating diversity, and a school where students can be themselves without judgement.”
— Gemma Evans, LGBT+ Inclusive Teacher of the Year
Gemma Evans said: “At first, we started working with a small group of students that we’d identified as having difficulties in school due to being LGBT+, but we quickly became aware of the need for more diversity and inclusion in our little town in Wales. Not only in our school, but across our whole county.
“Together along with our Social Action Team and whole school community, we’ve worked incredibly hard to ensure that not only are all types of diversity supported, but also celebrated through countless lessons, meetings, workshops, assemblies, presentations, staff training, you name it, we’ve done it! And, in partnership with other schools in our county, we’ve led change at a county-wide level.
“I am extremely proud to say that our school is one of the most active participants in celebrating diversity, and a school where students can be themselves without judgement.”
Laura Mackay, Chief Executive of Just Like Us, the LGBT+ young people’s charity, said: “Gemma Evans is a shining example of a teacher going the extra mile to instil LGBT+ inclusion across her entire school and wider community, and helping LGBT+ young people to feel celebrated in an increasingly difficult climate.
“The LGBT+ Inclusive Teacher of the Year nominations were filled with examples of teachers going above and beyond their usual duties to make sure that all of their pupils are safe and supported, and I am proud that Just Like Us is able to support them in those efforts.”
The Just Like Us Awards 2023 were sponsored by JP Morgan Chase & Co, and Gay Times was the official media partner.
