Transcript Challenging Homophobia in Schools
Challenging Homophobia in Schools
Al Green – Project Lead, Healthy Gay Cornwall Trustee - YAY! LGBTQ Youth Cornwall
What is Homophobic Bullying?
Just like any form of bullying or harassment, homophobia can include verbal, physical and emotional abuse by an individual or group but it's directed specifically at someone who is lesbian, gay or bisexual (LGB) or thought to be by others. What makes it different from other forms of bullying or harassment is the personal motivation that drives it.
What Is Homophobic Bullying?
Most homophobic bullying takes place at a time when young people are unsure about their own developing identity Homophobia presents itself in young people as the fear of and the reaction to an issue about which they may have little understanding/exposure and to a person perceived as "different". Sometimes the bully/bullies may do so to hide their own fears/secrets
What Is Homophobic Bullying?
Very often young people who are being bullied or abused will not confide in a member of staff, for fear of not being taken seriously, assuming that the member of staff will also have a negative reaction, fear of parents finding out etc.
Staff sometimes jump in panic from A-Z “are you having gay sex?” – would this happen with any other form of bullying?
What Is Homophobic Bullying?
Very often the effects of homophobia last well into adulthood. Research shows that young LGBT people often do not achieve the grades they are capable of, have higher rates of smoking/alcohol/substance use, mental health issues, suicide and self harm. Internalised Homophobia takes years to shake, very often never completely.
Glee!
http://www.youtube.co
m/watch?v=LTDDoVP 4vB4
Changing times – legislation and social change
Single Equality Act/Goods & Services 2007/2009 Civil Partnership Act 2004 Sexual Offences Act 2004 Hate Crime Laws recognise Sexual Orientation 2003 Repeal of Section 28 2003 Employment Rights 2002 Adoption Rights 2000 Military Ban lifted 2000 Age Of Consent equalised 1998 (Still) no compulsory anti-homophobic bullying policy for schools, or compulsory PSHE (we got close though!)
Surely everything in the garden is rosy then?
Social change takes longer than laws and policies - like racism, homophobia and acts motivated by it still take place both subtly and overtly in and out of school.
Hate crime is still massively under-reported to the Police Where did LGB get the idea, as adults that people in a position of trust or care won’t help them?
Lets not let this generation leave school with those negative messages, if they do – WE HAVE FAILED THEM.
Stonewall “The School Report” (2007)
Key Findings:
Homophobic bullying is almost endemic in Britain's schools. Almost two thirds (65 per cent) of young lesbian, gay and bisexual pupils have experienced direct bullying. Ninety eight per cent of young gay people hear the phrases “that’s so gay” or “you’re so gay” in school, and over four fifths hear such comments often or frequently.
Stonewall “The School Report” (2007)
Key Findings:
Ninety seven per cent of pupils hear other insulting homophobic remarks, such as “poof”, “dyke”, “rug muncher”, “queer” and “bender”. Over seven in ten gay pupils hear those phrases used often or frequently. Only 23 per cent of young gay people have been told that homophobic bullying is wrong in their school. In
schools that have said homophobic bullying IS wrong, gay young people are 60 per cent more likely not to have been bullied.
Over half of lesbian and gay pupils don’t feel able to be themselves at school. Thirty five per cent of gay pupils do not feel safe or accepted at school.
“That’s So Gay”
Part of everyday young people’s language In 2006, Radio 1 DJ Chris Moyles used the term on-air to deride a ringtone. Despite 100’s of complaints to Ofcom, The BBC governors said that “Moyles was simply keeping up with developments in English usage.” How does hearing “Gay = Worthless” feel for young LGB people?
Would we accept it if “gay” was replaced with “Paki”?
How do education staff respond? Do education staff respond (every time?)
Challenging homophobia in the classroom
Sorry to drag you here… but I don’t have all the answers. Challenge the language in a way that works for you, but ALWAYS challenge it, because SILENCE is interpreted as COLLUSION by all parties.
Fear of losing respect/control if seen as “one of them”? – its (still) very hard in schools for LGB teachers too Are we suddenly black, disabled, female, older, ginger if we challenge bullying based on other charactisterics?
Not turning the victim into the problem
“I spoke to a young man who was born in the UK to Indian parents, who was getting bullied for being gay. The teacher said to him “well have you tried toning it down, y’know…. It might help a bit” The young man replied “Do you want me to be a little less Asian too?” It’s the schools responsibility to ensure young people are safe, regardless of the issue, but don’t ignore the issue.
“Embed, not In Bed”
Integrate LGB issues into school curriculum on a day to day basis, in the same way as any other diversity issue – eg: English lit, History, Art, Music, IT, Science Black History Month, International Women’s day, Holocaust Memorial Day…. LGBT History Month? Gay Pride? World AIDS Day?
Displaying posters/info about sexual orientation sends a really positive message to those who are questioning or being bullied.
Lets not be too negative
Some really good work done in Cornish schools to integrate sexual orientation into the learning experience, particularly in primary education.
Anti-Bullying policies are useful tools, even if they don’t have to be specific around homophobia. “Safe To Learn” offers some really good advice on how to embed into school policy and environment Not all young people are homophobic!
External support for young people (LGBTQ Youth Cornwall)
HM Govt. “Working for Lesbian,Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Equality: Moving Forward” Rationalise and simplify anti-bullying guidance Extend head teachers powers to respond to homophobia based bullying in & out of school Reform Osted inspections to give all forms of prejudice based bullying more prominence Work with schools on issues around cyber bullying Work with govt. led review of national curriculum to explore how to embed equality & inclusion
So what is there in Cornwall?
YAY! LGBTQ Youth Cornwall: www.lgbtqyouthcornwall
The Intercom Trust: www.intercomtrust.org.uk
Healthy Gay Cornwall: www.healthygaycornwall.org.uk
Devon & Cornwall Police Diversity Team www.devon-cornwall.police.uk
Useful websites
www.stonewall.org.uk/at_school/ www.schools-out.org.uk
www.itgetsbetter.org
http://www.equalities.gov.uk/pdf/405215_ GEO_LGBT_acc%5b1%5d.pdf
10 things a School can do to prevent Homophobic Bullying
Acknowledge & identify the problem (monitor and respond to incidents) Develop policies with young people Promote a positive social environment (challenge language and behaviour) Address Staff training needs (look at us!) Provide information and support(use existing media, internet/moodle, school library etc
10 things a School can do to prevent Homophobic Bullying
Integrate sexual orientation into the curriculum (“relationships” work doesn’t start and end in PSHE classes) Use outside experience – plenty of people willing to help nationally and locally Encourage Role Models (make sure those people have support though) Don’t make assumptions (tread carefully and ask if not sure) Celebrate Achievements (be proud that you’ve made progress!)
Thanks
01209 313419 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHfM_iV-554&feature=related