Tackling Homophobia By Jonathan Robinson Director of Teaching School Advanced Learning Alliance

“That’s so gay!” “When you’re with the Flintstones, have a yabba dabba doo time, a dabba doo time, we’ll have a gay old time.”

Homophobia in Britain’s Schools 98% of gay students and 95% of school staff hear phrases like ‘You’re so gay’ every day at school. 65% of young LGB students admit to being bullied at school. 97% of students hear abusive language, like ‘dyke’ and ‘queer’ (and over 70% say they hear such terms often). Less than 23% of young gay people say they have been taught at school that homophobia is wrong. More than 50% of lesbian and gay students feel they cannot be themselves at school. 35% of gay students do not feel safe or accepted at school. 30% of gay and lesbian teenagers say that adults at school have been responsible for bullying them verbally or physically. In a piece of research, Stonewall found that only 46 minutes of TV programming showed a positive image of gays out of 126 hours.

Two Case Studies #1 A confident and popular Year 9 girl comes out as a lesbian to her peers. No discernable bullying takes place and she becomes a positive role model in Year Group. #2 A Year 11 boy who has few friends, is bullied and struggles socially confides in his form teacher that he’s gay and wants to come out to his Year Group, because he’s fed up of living a lie.

Specific Issue: Struggling with Sexuality Useful website: Typical questions: 1.Am I gay? 2.Is it just a phase? 3.Was I born gay?

Specific Issue: Coming Out Useful website: Typical questions: 1.How should I come out? 2.How will my parents react? 3.What if I get bullied?

Single Equality Duty All state schools have a duty to tackle discrimination, bullying and harassment and promote equality for all members of the school community irrespective of an individual’s sexual orientation. Discussing / talking about alternatives to heterosexuality is perfectly legal in the context of the above paragraph.

Advice for Tackling Homophobia Students struggling with their sexuality Assume nothing Listen actively Direct to support Record Monitor Keep communicating Straight students ANTI-BULLYING POLICY

Preventing Homophobia Curriculum (examples) Study of an author or poet Drama and playwrights Study major relevant historical events Dispelling myths around HIV and AIDS and STIs, and paedophilia Film: (e.g. Milk) Looking at positive contributions of gay figures in culture and society at large Study sexuality from different religious perspectives, including those positive towards gays Pastoral (examples) Assemblies Form time discussions Quizzes Displays Guest speakers Role plays News items Charity fundraising or volunteering (THT) PSHE – sexuality and relationships Duty of Care

Further Support for Teachers TeacherNet ehaviour/tacklingbullying/homophobicbullyin g/adviceforteachersandschoolstaff/ Stonewall tion_resources/default.asp