Storytelling: Reflections on the SGIS Pride Educators Conference at ISL

On Tuesday 21 May 2025, the International School of Lausanne (ISL) proudly hosted the seventh annual SGIS Pride Educators Conference, a student-and-teacher-led event that brought together more than 100 participants from across Swiss international schools. The day was one of inspiration, reflection, and learning—anchored in the shared belief that all schools should be spaces of visibility, protection, and inclusion for LGBTQIA+ students, staff, and allies.

The conference is an initiative of the SGIS Pride Educators Group, a growing professional network of teachers committed to LGBTQIA+ inclusion within the Swiss Group of International Schools (SGIS) framework. ISL was honoured to host this year’s event for the first time, designed with equal parts celebration and challenge: to reflect on our progress, learn from one another, and continue to grow more inclusive practices in every corner of our school communities.

A Day of Stories, Solidarity, and Student Voice

The day opened with informal networking over coffee and light refreshments, while students explored interactive poster displays in the ISL lobby. These included posters on storytelling prompts, LGBTQIA+ movies to watch and a ‘love is love’ photo exhibit curated by ISL English Teacher, Ms MacLeod. This reflective space for students in the South Building set a tone of authenticity, curiosity, and community.

At 10:00, all participants gathered in the auditorium for the keynote speech by Leon Salin, whose personal journey of self-discovery, identity, and belonging set a powerful emotional foundation for the day. With humour, compassion, and honesty, Leon reminded us all of the strength it takes to live openly and authentically—and the role educators play in making that possible for young people. One student reflected: “It was really interesting to hear all the stories and the experiences from the Transgender speakers.”

Student Workshops: A Space to Learn and Lead

Following the keynote, students stayed in the auditorium for a dedicated workshop with Leon Salin, continuing the conversation in a smaller, more interactive setting. At the same time, adults took part in a parallel session with speaker Bea Knecht, a pioneering Swiss entrepreneur and trans advocate, who shared her insights on systemic change and gender equity in educational and professional contexts.

The rest of the day was packed with choice-based workshops designed to empower and educate students. These included:

• Book Club with Aimee Moore:  Students explored LGBTQIA+ representation in Dear Evan Hansen, a coming-of-age story about mental health, grief, and the need to be understood. Evan’s journey highlights the power of connection, the risks of seeking belonging through lies, and the strength found in vulnerability.
  
  

• LGBTQIA+ Issues Workshop with Bea Knecht: A thought-provoking session inviting students to ask questions, share reflections, and think critically about rights, visibility, and experiences in school settings.
  
  

• Queer History Bingo with Michael Goodman: An energetic, educational activity uncovering lesser-known milestones and trailblazers in LGBTQIA+ history around the world.
  
  

• Continued Book Club Discussion with Aimee Moore: A chance to dive deeper into stories discussed earlier in the day, making connections between representation and real-life experience.

These sessions gave students the chance to hear different perspectives and share their own. As one student noted:

“I enjoyed the conference and being able to connect with other teenagers with similar experiences.”

Nava (Year 11), who had also participated in the 2024 SGIS Pride Conference, shared:

“This conference was important to me as I had attended last year's held in ISZL and found the experience to be very enjoyable and inspiring. I found that hearing others' stories and experiences of being part of the LGBTQ+ community to be fascinating... Having students attend this conference and other events allows them to learn more about the different groups and minorities they are hearing from, and allows them to get a better understanding of some of the hardships and challenges that those groups might have to go through, allowing them to empathise.”

And finally, Abigail (Year 9) added:

“The SGIS Pride ceremony was very important to me because even if the topic of LGBTQ+ is talked about, it is not talked about in depth in schools and workplaces... I learnt so much from the conference, including different stories from people, as well as how to be a much better ally.”

Throughout these sessions, students were active, thoughtful, and empowered—whether unpacking queer histories, exploring how stories influence perception, or grappling with real-world challenges facing LGBTQIA+ youth today. Many expressed that this was one of the few times they had ever experienced this kind of open, affirming learning space.

Educator Learning and Practice Sharing

While students participated in workshops, educators had their own professional learning tracks. These included:

• Inclusive Curriculum Design with Gilles Collong, offering concrete strategies to embed LGBTQIA+ content in a way that is both authentic and age-appropriate
  
   
  
  
• Policy, Practice and Culture Change with Daniel Grocott, focused on moving beyond one-off events to sustainable structures that protect and affirm queer students and staff. 

Each adult session encouraged open dialogue and the sharing of good practice—rooted in real-world contexts and challenges.

Our school librarians have thoughtfully curated a diverse selection of literature across the primary and secondary libraries that features greater representation of LGBTQIA+ characters. This initiative ensures that students of all identities see themselves reflected in the stories they read, fostering a sense of belonging, empathy, and inclusion. Highlighting this work at a conference is important as it showcases how schools can actively support representation and affirm the identities of all learners through the power of books.

Looking Ahead

As schools begin to depart, the energy remains. The SGIS Pride Educators Conference is more than just an annual event—it is a movement rooted in student voice, educator collaboration, and a shared vision for more inclusive learning environments. Every session, story, and interaction reinforced a simple truth: representation matters, and schools can be places where all identities are seen, respected, and celebrated.
We’re just getting started. Join us.

To learn more, access resources, or join the network, visit:
  🌐 SGIS Pride Educators Network

Written by Daniel Grocott, Head of DEI, International School Lausanne & Member of the SGIS Pride Educators Network