Stonewall launches diversity film for primary schools

Gay rights group Stonewall has made a film designed to “help tackle bullying and celebrate difference” among primary school children.

The film, directed by Rikki Beadle-Blair, is titled FREE and follows four children as they explore “family, friendship and what it means to be yourself”.

Stonewall collaborated with parents, pupils and teachers over a period of four years to ensure the film is as engaging to primary school children as possible.

Ruth Hunt, Stonewall’s Acting Chief Executive said in a statement: “Every parent wants their child to grow up in a world where they can be themselves. A world where they can learn, play and make friends at school and beyond. A vital part of growing up in 21st century Britain is learning that difference is something to be celebrated, not shunned. FREE helps schools teach this important lesson in an age-appropriate way.”

Every primary school in Britain will receive the film – which is supported with lesson plans advising how to tackle bullying and celebrate different families in an age-appropriate manner.

Distributing a film like FREE would have been impossible a decade ago, when Section 28 of the Local Government Act 1988 was still in force. Section 28 restricted the so-called “promotion” of homosexuality in schools across Britain, but was repealed in 2003 after a campaign spearheaded by Stonewall.