Saturday 10th November
4.00pm / Black Box / FREE
OUTBURST, in association with the Northern Ireland Teachers’ Council LGBT group, proudly brings you an afternoon of reading and discussion on the subject of LGBT equality and respect in our schools. We warmly invite parents, teachers, students and others, of all identities, to come along and take part in this important event.
Shirley Anne McMillan will read from her recently published novel for young adults, Widows’ Row. The book tells the story of Lila, a 16 year old girl from small town Northern Ireland who dreams of a less constricted life. She soon finds out that this kind of dream isn’t restricted to the most obvious misfits, when she finds herself pulling the most popular boy in school out of the Irish sea. Part ghost story, part love story, Widows’ Row is a tale for outsiders,
including the secret ones who appear to fit in.
As well as being a writer, Shirley is a teacher and was instrumental in setting up Northern Ireland’s first Gay/Straight Alliance in Shimna Integrated College in Newcastle, Co. Down: a safe space where students can talk in confidence about themselves and their experiences, learn from one another and
celebrate differences through creativity.
After the reading, Shirley will talk about the importance and success of the Gay/ Straight alliance. She will be joined by members of the NITC LGBT group and
LGBT parents, to lead a discussion on the way forward for promoting LGBT equality, respect and awareness in schools, for both pupils and teachers.
