Following requests by IOL members for further guidance in the area of trans-gender and gender identity, and coinciding with the 50 year anniversary of The Sexual Offences Act 1967 which partially decriminalised gay sex IOL prepared a Statement of Good Practice on Supporting LBGT+ Rights. It has been created for Individual and Organisational Members of IOL to support the LGBT+ community whether they are participating or working in outdoor learning. The IOL statement includes these words:
"IOL does not support any policy, procedure or action that seeks to limit, suppress or change a persons sexual orientation or gender identity... Individuals who are participating or working in outdoor learning should be able to do so without fear of judgement or the threat of being pressured to share, hide or change a fundamental aspect of who they are.
IOL members have a duty to combat prejudice, not to add to it."
The Statement of Good practice has links to organisations with a range of guidance and resources to help when working with members of the LBGT+ community. It is a valuable starting point and we encourage all Individual and Organisational Members of IOL to be familiar with the guidance.