TACKLE HOMOPHOBIA

Why Tackle Homophobia?

Homophobic bullying leads young people to truant, leave education early, self harm and, in some instances, to attempt suicide (NIMHE 2007; NSPCC 2006; Stonewall 2007).

Tackling homophobia and creating a safer, more supportive, learning environment helps to ensure that children and young people are caring and respectful, developing self confidence and ultimately raising educational attainment.

Homophobia is endemic in primary and secondary schools in the UK (ATL 2008; Stonewall 2007). School staff would like to be better able to tackle homophobia, but recent research indicates they often lack the skills and confidence:

‘Half of all teachers do not challenge homophobic language when they hear it…as a result, homophobia remains a pervasive and persistent problem within our society’ (ATL 2008)

The Tacade pilot project in London, supporting schools to tackle homophobia, found that the majority of students in the secondary schools worked with felt that their school was unsafe for lesbian, gay and bisexual people and wanted more done to tackle homophobia.

Government legislation and guidance makes it clear that schools have a responsibility to create a safe environment for pupils and staff free from harassment, intimidation and bullying.