A review of your essential guide to real LGBTQ+ inclusion in schools.
Reviewed by Kat Cauchi
It’s More Than Flags and Rainbows is focused on, as the book’s sub-heading suggests, ‘Getting LGBTQ+ provision right in schools’. So how does Timbrell’s book do this? By taking you on an informative journey that encourages you to go deeper – beyond tokenistic or check-box approaches to inclusion – to really embed a whole-school DEIB culture (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging) in which LGBTQ+ students, staff, parents and carers feel safe, seen and supported.
How the book works
Structure
The book is divided into nine chapters (with sub-topics), an introduction and useful resources section – as well as a foreword of reviews, acknowledgements and references.
The introduction isn’t just a description of what the book is about and how to use it but an overview into understanding LGBT+ rights, history and the roles educators play in this (legally and morally). It also works to address misconceptions right off the bat, for example, page 12 is entitled, ‘Can you ‘catch’ being lesbian or gay’? (Spoiler alert: obviously, you can’t!)
Following the introduction, the nine chapters cover a range of topics including language and vocabulary, representation, policy, school culture, pastoral care, working with the whole school community and more. The final chapter, entitled ‘Not all heroes wear capes’, talks about support for those leading on DEIB, as well as support specifically for LGBTQ+ educators.
In the ‘Useful resources’ section, you will find examples surveys, planning tools, helpful organisations and further reading.
How to use it
While you can absolutely dive into any of the topics, I would highly recommend reading this book in order – or at least reading the introduction before jumping elsewhere.
There is a lot of foundational understanding in the beginning of this text that will really help you better appreciate the purpose of the book and better use the strategies and advice Timbrell gives throughout. As Timbrell explains, ‘It’s More than Flags and Rainbows describes a journey through improving the diversity and inclusion of a school’. So it would be a shame to start part way through that journey, right? Working your way through the text will also ensure you are building true inclusion, not tokenistic gestures, as you’ll learn, for example, how to craft your vision, policies, curriculum and communication with the whole school community. Reading it cover to cover will give you the necessary knowledge to ensure every aspect of school life is included!
Book highlights
Shares lived experience
At the start of each chapter, Timbrell shares his own experiences as an LGBTQ+ person, from when he was at school and university, and later as an educator himself. This is really powerful. Although everyone’s lived experience is different, if you aren’t an LGBTQ+ individual, reading Timbrell’s personal stories make you feel much more connected to the purpose of why LGBTQ+ inclusion is so important and how you can be an ally. And even if you are part of the LGBTQ+ community, these stories are still a vital part of illustrating what was absent in Ian’s education, and you can make sure your school does better.
It also helps those reading this who didn’t experience growing up when Section 28 was in force understand just how lacking representation was pre-2003. It helps us to reflect on how this history is still making an impact today because those people who didn’t have that inclusive education, who grew up in a time when LGBTQ+ couldn’t even be mentioned in schools, have grown up and are now parents, teachers etc.
For some, this experience will be a driver in making things better; for others, they may not understand the need for this education now – or have misconceptions about LGBTQ+ which have been shaped by a lack of education and harmful stereotypes in the media. If we understand this, then we can understand how to address these misconceptions. It also helps us get an insight into the trauma Section 28 caused for many LGBQT+ students and school staff.
Encourages participation
There are parts of the book where you are actively encouraged to participate, to scribble in the book so you can really get immersed and connected. It encourages you to really reflect on what you know. For example, there is a little quiz of terms for you to answer and a blank outline of a person for you to fill with words that you would use to describe your own identity. I thought these elements were clever and purposeful.
Is non-judgemental
Timbrell doesn’t try to make you feel bad if you do not know something or might have an unconscious bias. In fact, Timbrell talks about how heteronormativity is ingrained in society. The book instead asks you to question, to challenge your assumptions and biases and to be ready to learn. To be willing to recognise you might be wrong and to be ready to apologise, and to better consider people’s feelings and experiences.
In this vein, I love Timbrell’s approach to building a team for LGBTQ+ provision in school; that he recommends including those who feel reluctant to support – or who worry they don’t have the experience or knowledge to voice their ideas. I love how he talks about how to respectfully include children in a way that doesn’t pressure them. It echoes that Timbrell wants everyone to be able to use this book as a tool to step forward with empathy and not let limited knowledge or awareness prevent critical action.
Gives practical steps
For example, the book doesn’t just talk about the importance of LGBTQ+ inclusion in policies, it tells you which policies it should be explicitly included in. It provides example questions to help you build LGBTQ+ inclusion in your policies, e.g., How can we ensure that our toilets are inclusive for all, including trans, non-binary and neurodivergent learners?’ in the equalities policy.
It also sets out items your policies should include, such as, ‘Make it clear that the use of “gay” or “queer” as pejorative terms is a form of bullying, even if not directed at an LGBTQ+ context’, in your anti-bullying policy. The advice in the book is practical, giving you tangible steps for what you can do and how you adapt for your school’s context.
Another example of practical advice is Timbrell sharing, ‘what to teach and when’. Many schools want to support but want to ensure they are going about it in the right way and age-appropriately.
The section on incorporating LGBQT+ provision across the curriculum was extremely helpful too. To illustrate how this can work, Timbrell gave an example where students learnt about Frida Kahlo – about her life, history and activism, but her identity was totally skipped over; her bisexuality and challenging of gender norms shaped her art, life and social action. Learning about her identity would not only be great for LGBTQ+ representation but provide a deeper understanding of Frida herself.
Digs deeper
The text encourages you to think a little deeper, for example, about the different forms of representation. In chapter 6, ‘Representation and Role Models’, Timbrell provides role-model framework tables for primary and secondary schools. In these, you have intrapersonal, interpersonal, societal and global themes cross-sectioned with people, events and places. For example, in the primary table, in the intrapersonal/people cell is ‘immediate family or close circles’ and in the secondary table, in the societal/events section is ‘national movements or legislative changes’.
Summary
This is a must-read book for anyone reviewing their LGBTQ+ provision in school. Many of the principles within this text could also be applied to supporting DEIB as a whole. This book holds your hand – not in a patronising way – but it takes you on a supportive journey of awareness, understanding, empathy and purpose.
As you reach the end of the book, you are left feeling empowered to ensure the LGBTQ+ members of your school community feel safe, seen and supported.
