Hope Theatre ground breaking tour
MANCHESTER SCHOOLS TACKLE HOMOPHOBIA AND HATE CRIME
Schools across Manchester are tackling homophobia and hate crime for Anti-Bullying Week. Hope Theatre Company’s ground-breaking play Out/LOUD is touring secondary schools across the city in partnership with NHS Healthy Schools, Manchester. The play helps teachers and students discuss how best to combat homophobic bullying and language.
Since 2007, over 15,000 young people have seen Out/LOUD, making it one of the most successful anti-homophobia projects in the UK.
The play was created by Adam Zane from interviews with young people across Greater Manchester and is updated annually. This year the play will include the recent homophobic attack of Jean Claude Manseau and Jake Heaton, who were subjected to a terrifying attack after getting off a tram in Manchester. Adam says “The play talks about real life cases of hate crime and homophobia, from these horrific acts of violence to the use of the word ‘gay’ in schools.
I’m proud of the schools across our city who continue to take homophobia seriously - but there is still a lot of work to be done”. Previous findings have shown that the play has an immediate impact upon audiences. Before the play, surveys completed by the young people taking part showed that only 21% of those surveyed would do something if they witnessed homophobia or homophobic bullying in school.
Following the play and accompanying workshop, 93% of pupils would do something if they experienced or witnessed homophobic bullying.
For further information about Hope’s work, visit www.hopetheatrecompany.com @hopetc
Published: 20-Nov-2014: (2692)
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