Breaking a spell of silence The Tasmanian evaluation of the 2006 Pride & Prejudice program

Abstract

An evaluation of the Pride & Prejudice program, which ran in three Tasmanian schools in 2006, suggests that students who completed the program had more positive attitudes towards gay men and lesbians. This finding parallels an earlier evaluation of the same anti-homophobia program undertaken in Victoria. The evaluation leads to a discussion about the deeper and often hidden purposes of schooling, and about the discursive formations of heteronormativity, which provide a heterosexist basis for 'curriculum'. Issues related to school systems becoming more democratic and tolerant are also identified.