Great idea to address prejudices in school itself

This picture has been used for representational purpose. Pic/iStock

Students from an international school in Tardeo launched a ‘Rainbow' club recently. The club stands for queer rights and will work for inclusivity in education. The rainbow with its seven colours is associated with the gay movement as it is a symbol of diversity.

There are several aims of the newly minted school club. The first is to bring visibility and, of course, through that, give voice to the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender (LGBT) community. The second is not just talking about inclusivity but how that can be brought about in the classroom and outside world. The third is awareness about the community and that has already started with the formation of the club.

It is hugely significant that students from the Std X to XII are involved in the initiative. It is an acknowledgement that knowledge about rights, being unafraid to speak out about one's orientation and erosion of stigma must start at the school level itself.

We know that certain prejudices, attitudes and misconceptions can be deeply rooted from a young age. Schools across the board have upped counselling and mental health is being given the importance it did not have earlier. This does come under that ambit, as young people, conflicted about their sexuality, ashamed of it or bullied because of it are more prone to depression and suicide.

Mumbai has a parents of queer children group, now visible at gay pride parades in the city, talking about how they came to terms, accepted and embraced their child's sexuality. Many of them rued that they should have been more accepting earlier or that their child should have ‘come out' to them earlier instead of staying stifled in the closet. School initiatives like this pioneering one are giant steps towards helping young people do just that.