End homophobic bullying in schools

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) children and teenagers suffer from homophobic abuse in schools and colleges everyday.  Dr Epstein from the London University Institute of Education says: “Homophobic bullying is the most widespread form of abuse in schools’’.

With the big steps towards legal equality over the last few years why is it that so many young people still face homophobic abuse on such a huge scale?

What causes homophobic bulling in school and colleges?

Students

Adolescence is a time when young people are dealing with their own identity and sexuality, yet feel huge pressure to fit in and conform.

The stereotypical messages the fashion industry, media and society send to young people build up their ideas on how they ‘should’ look, act and generally live their lives. Strict ‘gender roles’ are created in the school environment. The threat of seeming ‘unmanly’ or ‘unfeminine’ enforces these ‘rules’ and anyone who breaks them can find themselves being victimised and abused.

So any boy who doesn’t like football or a girl who doesn’t like make-up can find themselves been branded as ‘Gay’.  Both gay and straight alike can suffer homophobic bulling as a form of punishment for being ‘different’.

Teachers and Schools

When homophobia takes place in classrooms teachers are usually aware of what’s happening; but due to lack of training and fear of ‘anti-gay’ legislation they are unsure of how to deal with it.

This normally means teaches end up ignoring homophobic abuse thus allowing it to continue in the classroom.

Most schools have no clear cut anti-homophobia rules in their anti-bulling policies. Some religious schools even promote homophobia within their religious teachings. This leaves homophobia unchallenged and able to run rampant

An OFSTED report said "In too many secondary schools homophobic attitudes among pupils often go unchallenged. The problem is compounded when derogatory terms about homosexuality are used in everyday language in school and their use passes unchallenged by staff" 

All of this sends a message to LGBT youth that they are forgotten and ignored by the people who are there to teach and protect them. 

The effects of homophobic bullying?

·        Bullied LGBT youth can feel isolated and become depressed

·        Their self-esteem is damaged

·        Lowers educational attainments

·        LGBT youth are more likely to leave school at 16 than go on to higher education

·        Later in life bullied LGBT can suffer symptoms associated with post-traumatic stress disorder. They may also suffer from flashbacks and nightmares linked to bulling, and turn to alcohol or drugs to cope.

·        Some turn to self harm

·        Some even attempt suicide

Section 28

Section 28 has been the issue around teaches supporting LGBT youth and dealing with homophobic issues for many years.  Teaches felt held back from approaching the issue or afraid of losing their jobs to if they do. Now that section 28 of the local government act has finally been repealed, the last excuse in the way of talking Homophobic Bulling in schools has been removed. Now is the time to launch a campaign of information and action. Trade unions in education, student groups, parents and communities need to be targeted

What are our aims?

·        Education on identity and ‘gender roles’ issues in connection with PSHE lessons.

·        Education on discrimination covering all forms, including homophobia.

·        All schools and places of learning to have a clear section on homophobia in their anti-bullying policies

·        Sex education should cover both homosexual and heterosexual sex as well as sexual identity and sexuality.

·        Teachers to receive training and support on a local and national level, on handling homophobic bullying and ‘gay’ issues in the classroom.

·        Introduction of polices to protect LGBT teachers, as well as supporting them coming out.

What can you do?

·        Ask for a copy of your place of education’s policy on bullying and see if it covers homophobia

·        Get people you trust to help organise a group to address the issue

·        Find the NUT representative and ask they for advice and support in raising the issue of homophobia in your school/college

·        Contact your school/college counsellor and see if they can help

·        Get in contact with your local youth group

·        Contact the ISR for support and more information

ISR

The ISR believe the rich and powerful who rule our lives under capitalism try to weaken our ability to fight back by spreading prejudice and division.  Any rights we gain are constantly under threat of being scrapped, whilst more oppressive laws are considered. 

International Socialist Resistance (ISR) is an independent, broad anti-capitalist youth organization. We are fighting for a socialist alternative to capitalism and anyone can get involved through joining.

We are building local groups across the country, and are fighting against the exploitation and poverty that exists everywhere.  From low pay in your local area, too many young people internationally being forced into sweat-shop labor.

Attacks continue against the educational system: school and university fees, the privatization of education, and cuts in spending.  Access to free education is a basic right. ISR fights all attempts by capitalist governments to create an educational system that drives working class youth out of colleges and universities, and increasingly is only open to the children of the rich elite.

Discrimination against people because of the colour of their skin, their gender, their nationality, their religion, or their sexual orientation is deeply rooted in the society we live in. The ruling elites use ‘divide and rule’ tactics to maintain their power.

We stand for the maximum unity of youth and working people. We will play an active part in the struggle against all forms of discrimination.

Join the ISR and get involved with the LGBT work.

Visit:   www.anticapitalism.org.uk

Or call the ISR youth team on: 020 8988 8791