May 01 2008
Stop Homophobic Bullying
Young people have a tough time these days, the media portrays them as yobs, hooligans and gang members. But the media isn’t anywhere near as hard on kids as they are on each other, especially when concerning lesbian, gay or bisexual issues.
Coming out as gay or bisexual or been “outed” by your peers can be very difficult for young people, especially for those still in school. The playground taunts can be brutal, they can ruin lives and make it very difficult for the victims to concentrate on their studies. Worse still there seems to be a culture of homophobia bread in the playground, “gay” has now replaced “lame” as the preferred casual slur for anything uncool or undesirable. EG: “X-factor is Gay” - “Those trainers are Gay”. Now whilst this remains a throwaway comment for most kids with no homophobia intended to be attached, it makes for a very daunting environment for lesbian, gay or bisexual teenagers to come out into.
It also makes you wonder how long before the taunt turns away from TV programs, pop bands and inanimate objects to become: “Chris is Gay,” or “Marie is a lesbo.”
Three things have to change if we are going to tackle homophobic bullying in schools:
- Homophobic taunts and name calling in schools should be challenged immediately by staff.
- All schools’ anti-bullying policies should be required to include measures specifically to deal with homophobic bullying.
- At least one teacher in every school should undergo training which includes how to tackle homophobic bullying.
The Liberal Democrats have launched a campaign to end homophobic bullying in schools with these three points in mind. Even if you are not a Lib Dem supporter, I’d urge you to sign this petition and help put an end to anti-gay taunts in the playground.
DELGA Lib Dems - Stop Homophobic Bullying Campaign
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Speaking as a teenage bisexual girl, I would definitely agree with the points you’re making. I’ve had to sit with people in my year at lunchtime and hear them chatting amongst themselves about lesbians:
‘I wouldn’t want to sit next to a lesbian on the bus - she’d feel me up.’
‘I wouldn’t go in the showers with a lesbian - she’d be eyeing me up all the time’
‘God, why would anyone want to kiss another girl? That’s just wrong!’
This is why I haven’t come out at school.
And this shouldn’t be happening.
Hi Mac
Really sorry to hear that things are like that at your school, it’ll be cold comfort to hear that you’re not alone. Thousands of other lesbian, gay and bisexual teenagers have to sit silently though the same shit everyday at their schools.
On the plus side though you are clearly intelligent, articulate and in touch with your own feelings. Remember these are other people’s hang-ups, not yours. You’ll find the world changes in terms of tolerance once you reach college/university, its much easier to find acceptance. Hang in there.
But you are right, this shouldn’t be happening.
David
im 13, and iv came out at my school and just about everyone knows but my parents, simply because i don’t know how they will take it because there not very open minded, well, nether is my school but i don’t depend on the people at my school for a roof over my head and support when stuff goes wrong.
iv had a ot of bs comments but im one of those people who simply don’t care if im laughed at because words don’t hurt me, and i can reason with every single comment i get.
here are some of the odd comments/questions that iv got
when your in locker room do you think about feeling boys up?
some people think just because your bi it means that you must fancy every guy you see and if you close the curtains at your house they think you have had sex with someone, and they pick someone you wouldn’t be attracted to in a million years.