Shaun Dellenty – Award winning #LGBT inclusion teacher/trainer/author

Celebrating Difference

Shaun Dellenty is a multi-award-winning teacher, LGBT+ inclusion advocate, trainer, inspirational speaker and author who has been named one of the most 100 influential LGBT+ people in the U.K. Shaun was honoured at the National Diversity Awards and by the U.K. Prime Minister for services to education and LGBT+ communities. His inspirational first book ‘Celebrating Difference -A Whole School Approach to LGBT+ Inclusion’ published by Bloomsbury is released May 2019.The book was recommended in the U.K. Parliament by Lord Michael Cashman in April 2019.

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In my 19 years of teaching the day spent with Shaun and our pupils was my most powerful day in education. Within school now there is a clear LGBT+ presence and voice. I do feel that they can see themselves reflected more in school that before and I have heard far less homophobic language within the school.

- Ben Eyres Assistant Headteacher Ramsey Grammar School, Isle of Man

Shaun’s anti-bullying programme is having a fantastic impact on increasing awareness of homophobia in schools. By equipping teachers to speak to children about these issues he is helping make sure future generations will not face the prejudice that he and many others in the LGBT community had to endure.

- U.K. Prime Minister May 2016

Celebrating Difference Reviews

“Recommended. Celebrating Difference is essential and valuable reading for every teacher and school leader – a groundbreaking book to help make our schools safer spaces for all young people.” – Peter Tatchell, Director, Peter Tatchell Foundation

“This is not a book, it is a philosophy, and one which I wish had been in place when I was growing up. We can only truly celebrate difference when we face prejudice head-on, including our own.” – Lord Michael Cashman CBE, Founder of Stonewall

“Shaun Dellenty’s whole-school approach to LGBT+ inclusion is a huge stride towards genuine organisational change. Regardless of the stage you or your school are at, this accessible and stimulating book will be highly relevant and of much value.” – Dr Joseph Hall, University of Leeds

“This is an outstanding book. It is highly engaging, and humorous in places. The discussion of the author’s personal experiences of exclusion adds to the richness of the text. There is very clear guidance offered to schools on how to implement a whole-school approach to LGBTQ+ inclusion. Questions are used effectively to promote thinking and reflection. This book is a major contribution to the field and the author does not shy away from contentious issues. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.” – Jonathan Glazzard, Professor of Teacher Education, Leeds Beckett University

“So many older LGBT+ people will be able to relate to Shaun’s personal journey; it’s why we need to constantly be reminding people of the “not so long ago” past. Celebrating Difference is written beautifully with honesty and passion to make LGBT+ education understandable for everybody, without any barriers or prejudice needing to be in place. Once children have the knowledge and understanding, they will lead the way to becoming the LGBT+ educators of their siblings, mothers, fathers and other family members.” – Dr Carl Austin-Behan, LGBT+ Advisor to the Mayor of Greater Manchester

“I thoroughly enjoyed reading Celebrating Difference and consider it a very timely book. This text uses a clear structure to move through the personal experiences of the author, through education practice, to a consideration of the issues from a more theoretical view. It situates LGBT+ within the context of inclusive education as well as providing practical approaches to the development of practice in schools. I shall certainly be using this text with both undergraduate education students, as well as student practitioners reading for their Masters in Inclusive Education.” – Tristan Middleton, Senior Lecturer, School of Education, University of Gloucestershire

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Welcome

Thanks for taking the time to visit my website. 2019 marked ten years of my LGBT+ inclusion advocacy in schools, businesses and communities, including many of faith. My LGBT+ work was triggered by widespread homophobic bullying in my own London primary school and stems from a place of compassion for human beings, in all their natural and joyful diversity. Ten years in the field has proved to me that prejudice can be targeted at anyone, anytime, with significantly damaging results. I hope you will read and enjoy my book ‘Celebrating Difference-A Whole School Approach to LGBT+ Inclusion’ and engage with my talks and training. Love and light. Be proud. Shaun Dellenty