By STACEY BODGER
Teachers are being told to examine their attitudes towards gay colleagues and students in guidelines on how to deal with homosexuality in schools.
All secondary schools will next month receive a pamphlet from the secondary teachers' union, the PPTA, on the treatment of gay and lesbian teachers and students.
The
guidelines, called "Making schools safe for people of every sexuality," have been developed by the PPTA's Safe Schools Taskforce.
In a draft version of the pamphlet, teachers are reminded that they are often role-models for students' attitudes. The draft guidelines warn teachers not to disparage people with a "different sexual orientation."
Teachers are told they would be exhibiting or reinforcing homophobia if:
* They commented on a student's or teacher's physical or social behaviour as evidence of homosexuality.
* They urged a student or colleague to change their mannerisms to adopt a more "straight" manner.
* They passed over students they thought were homosexual when seeking volunteers or answers to questions.
