Proud to support the launch of the Pride in Leadership Report

I have been privileged over a very busy few months, to broaden my tutoring portfolio, support a range of school leaders, deliver many author workshops and facilitate learning for groups in the corporate world. So opportunities to update my blog have been limited. That said, I regularly keep updated with a range of reports about the promotion of diversity and inclusion.

After reading this amazing report by Pride in Leadership, I have been prompted to reflect on my own leadership journey. Looking at the statistics, the disparity between opportunities (be that real or perceived) for those who identify as being part of the LGBTQ Community and those who do not are stark.

My journey to educational leadership was one where for many years, I did not feel able to be my authentic self. Likening myself to Bananaman (relating to an 80s cartoon hero really shows my age), I was very much leading a double life.

My secondary education commenced in 1988, just as Section 28 (an infamous amendment to UK legislation) took a hold. For such a short number of words described by the BBC in 2019 as being “brought in to prohibit the promotion of homosexuality by local authorities,” it caused an awful lot of damage that is only now being recognised and acknowledged, as high profile celebrities such as Davina De Campo are now prepared to speak out about it. As a school student, just as she did, I suffered mercilessly at the hands of homophobic bullies, and was unaided by lack visibility or protection from the very school staff who should have been able to safeguard me. This was compounded by the torrent of hate spread in the media at the time. Knowing I wanted to be a teacher, I had little choice but to keep my private life, private.

As I gained experience and moved into school leadership roles, I continued to veil my authenticity. It was only after the loss of both of my parents that I began to take the stance of not taking any nonsense anymore. This was not because I didn’t want to talk to my parents about it; perhaps it was because I had finally had enough of hiding!

In my third headship, working in a more deprived school community I met unchallenged homophobia in the playground, face to face. Although not directed at me (it was aimed at an inanimate object!!), it brought me crashing back down to my teenage years of wondering who was going to be “on my case” next. Being informed that a child had been picked on for having two mums, galvanised me into working to ensure no other child went through the same experience I did (of feeling they or their family were of little or no worth).

Writing stories for assemblies was the norm, so I was inspired to write one to give same-sex parents a voice. I’d already shared “And Tango Makes Three” by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell and this had had some impact, but I needed another story with animals in (as we had started introducing pets into school). Encouraged by our school pet snails, “The Best Mummy Snails in the Whole Wide World” was born and the story goes on from there…

While I have recounted my story many times, this new report resonates so clearly with me as this data reflects my experience too. Although my experience has been very much based in educational leadership, it parallels with other careers too.

I now find myself drawn to stories and films that highlight the experiences of LGBTQ individuals from throughout history as I try to strengthen my own personal identity. After all, we all love a relevant story, and we all want to feel represented in the tales we hear and see.

I am compelled to share this fascinating research (and others like it) that validate my own experiences (and probably many people like me out there who have yet to find this project). Sharing my journey with professionals at all levels both in education and the corporate world and backing it with this raw data is my way of collaborating with other like-minded professionals who continue the fight for inclusion.

In these times when hate crimes against marginalised groups are an increasing trend, it is now more powerful than ever to be able to back stories with reliable data. We need credibility to bring about meaningful change that empowers everyone, regardless of their characteristics, to feel like they belong. Only when we truly feel like with belong to an organisation or community, can we reach our full potential.

I intend (and have started) to incorporate overviews of some of these statistics into the training that I deliver, like 76% of the respondents, I had no professional role models to look up to early in my career. And while I don’t believe identifying as a gay man negatively impacted my academic achievement, it did impact my overall educational experience and like 80% of the respondents has also influenced my choice of where to live. But I consider myself one of the lucky ones. I want to empower those in positions where they are able to, to make appropriate adaptations to their practice to hear everyone’s voices.

I am thrilled to have been invited to speak at the launch event for of the report in Manchester and cannot wait to meet other like minded individuals who want to make a difference. Standing together, we can fight the fear mongering that threatens the hard work and freedoms we have achieved. Secure your place (they are limited so book it quick).

Troy Jenkinson

Troy  is a former headteacher, award-winning children’s author, and passionate advocate for Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging in education. With over 20 years’ experience as a school leader, and many more in the classroom, Troy has spent his career using the power of stories to give young people visibility, voice, and validation. Educated under Section 28 and beginning his teaching career in its lingering shadow, Troy knows the harm that invisibility and silence can cause.

Troy is the author of several acclaimed picture books, including: The Best Mummy Snails in the Whole Wide World – celebrating same-sex parenting, and The Most Contented Snail in the Whole Wide World – giving a voice to trans identities.