🍽️ Scran goes on the road... 🏴
🏳️🌈 And new episodes of The Out Crowd and The Steamie are out now! 🗳️
With more restrictions lifted, Scran - our hit food and drink podcast - has finally returned to the road, finding the best dishes and drams across Scotland.
Whether it’s a glass of whisky or stunning seafood, Scran is your tour guide as host Rosalind travels to Islay in this week’s episode.
We also have a new episode of The Steamie out, looking back at yet another interesting year in Scottish politics as Holyrood goes into summer recess.
And it may be the last week of Pride Month, but our LGBT+ podcast The Out Crowd will continue to fly the rainbow flag.
In a two-parter dedicated to LGBT+ education, host Joe Ali discusses the dark days of Section 28 with Baroness Debbie Wilcox of Newport, as well as looking what’s happening in the classroom right now with teacher Andrew Moffat.
So pour yourself a glass of your desired drink and wave your rainbow flag with pride, as we dish up the latest Laudable Podcasts newsletter.
🏳️🌈 The Out Crowd: from Section 28 to LGBT+ lessons
Section 28 was a dark time in our educational history. The anti-LGBT+ legislation, passed into law by Margaret Thatcher’s government in 1988, prohibited “the promotion of homosexuality” in local authorities, including schools.
It was finally repealed by the Labour government in 2003, but for the previous 15 years, teachers were forced inside the closet in fear of retribution for simply being themselves.
Baroness Debbie Wilcox of Newport was a teacher at the time of Section 28, and in the second episode of The Out Crowd, she reflects on her experiences of being a lesbian during her 30 years in education.
The Labour peer said:
Of course you had to hide it. No one knew I was gay, and no one knew I had a partner, although we had been together for five years by then.
“I remember once, a colleague and her husband called in to see me one night, on the off like you do.
“And my partner had to hide upstairs in our own home, because that’s how it was. And it's not that I didn’t like or trust this lady and her husband, but I couldn’t risk it.”
Debbie would eventually be more open about her sexuality in the classroom, but remained constrained by the Section 28 legislation.
She said: “It was no big announcement - it was a gradual drip-drip effect.
“I’ve never actually come out to anyone - I’ve just been who I am. And being gay is central to my identity, a part of my life, and it’s who I am. I’ve always prepared for people to get to know me.”
Things have thankfully improved in our schools. Rather than censoring the LGBT+ community, many teachers have included inclusivity in their lessons.
One of those teachers is Andrew Moffat, who appeared on the third episode of The Out Crowd to discuss his ‘No Outsiders’ teaching resource.
Andrew, who is openly gay, based the curriculum around the Equality Act 2010, teaching all types of equality covered by the Act - such as protecting people from discrimination about age, race, disability, gender, and sexuality. It includes inclusive education about LGBT+ families through the use of picture books.
No Outsiders was met by religious protests at Andrew’s school, Parkfield Community School in Birmingham. Andrew received homophobic abuse and threats during the protests, and was advised by the police to do a risk assessment of his travel arrangements from school.
Andrew tells host Joe Ali how he has adapted his No Outsiders curriculum to religious communities, changing the language from celebration of the LGBT+ community to acceptance about differences.
🏴 Scran on the Road is back!
Scran on the road is back!
Following the great success of our little road trip last summer Rosalind has been back out on the road, this time visiting wonderful Islay.
Islay is the southernmost of the Inner Hebrides islands, off the west coast of Scotland. It is a hot spot for whisky production but in recent times has expanded its repertoire and is fast becoming a craft gin and rum producer.
Rosalind spent some time on the island recently and found out all about the draw it has for visitors - from whisky tourism to amazing seafood.
On part one of Scran on the road, Rosalind chats to head chef at luxury hotel The Machrie, Darren Velvick about training with Gordon Ramsay and Marcus Waring, running his own restaurant in Dubai and the big move to Islay and why it's such a special place.
Rosalind also speaks to retired fisherman turned sea tour guide at Islay Sea Adventures, Harold Hasting and owner of Glenegedale House, Emma Clark who shares her experiences of living and working on the island and most importantly of the delicious unique food and drink offering of the island.
Tune in to find out what to expect when visiting Islay and the guests' top spots to visit.
🗳️ The Steamie: looking back at a year in Scottish politics
It's been quite the year in Scottish politics (once again) and in the most recent episode of The Steamie you can join Conor and Gina who take a look back at what's been happening.
As the parliament closes for summer recess, they look to what we can expect once the parliament returns.
So, if you've been missing out on what's been going on north of the border this is the perfect chance to get a recap and insight from The Scotsman's political reporters.
We hope that you have had a fabulous Pride Month, and as we say on The Out Crowd, the LGBT+ community is not just for June; it’s for life.
Have a wonderful weekend, and don’t forget that Laudable Podcasts are always here to keep you company at home, at work, on the bus, or if you are out and about.
In the meantime, stay safe, stay positive, stay informed, and stay tuned.
- Dan McLaughlin and Kelly Crichton