Homophobic bullying is an epidemic that affects gay pupils’ attendance and attainment at school. Stonewall’s 2012 research found that over half of lesbian, gay and bisexual students experience homophobic bullying at school. This is supported by ‘The Teachers’ Report,’ which states that teachers often hear homophobic language used such as “that’s so gay” or “you’re gay.” If this language continues to go unchallenged, it can have severe negative consequences for young people, resulting in them skipping lessons or even more seriously, resulting in depression and self-harm. All because of what you say! “The bullying went on for the whole five years of secondary school. I was depressed, I cut (myself,) and I was on the verge of suicide. For …show more content…
Drug use equals expulsion, abusive behavior results in suspension… but where does homophobia lie? The problem is, it’s not seen as a major offence. Schools should be obligated to ensure that no student is harassed based on actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity. Teachers play a crucial role in preventing homophobic bullying yet they do not get adequate training on how to intervene. Some teachers cite fears of upsetting parents and faith communities by venturing into sensitive territory. Others say they need firm backing from school governors in order to address issues relating to homosexuality and society's attitudes to it in their lessons. "I would want to be following a clear and specific school policy regarding these issues before I addressed them in the classroom, to ensure I would not be left open to criticism from school senior management, governors and parents," says one primary teacher from a school in the east of …show more content…
Currently the media portrays perfect heterosexual relationships and families. But when do we ever hear about gay parents? School children idolize aspects of the media; so putting the thought that LGBT children are ‘not how they should be’ not only isolates gay children but also supports heterosexist beliefs, that being gay is wrong. Schools need to challenge children’s speculations about children of a different sexual orientation. By being open, everyone benefits.
"I used to think gay people were wrong when I was young. I had that stereotype, and I'd say 'you're gay', not in a good way, like it was, you know, eurgh," says 17-year-old Moe Salim, an A-level student at Welling school in Bexley, written in the guardian. "Now, I'd think, why would anyone say that? It's really unnecessary. I'm black, and if someone said to me 'you're a nigger', well, it's the
Unfortunately although our society is working towards becoming more accepting of the LGBT community there still are plenty reports of bullying and harassment of LGBT adolescents in the public school system. According to Roxane Gay's essay “nine out
[The Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) organization at my high school, which meets twice per month, generated a list of concerns that they shared with school administration. The focus was specifically about gender identity, the lack of support from school staff, and the daily scrutiny they face as a result of their sexual orientation and gender identity. Through collaboration with my colleagues it was evident that there had been an increase in teacher and student referrals surrounding gender identity. The feedback from GSA clearly identified that as a school we are not meeting the needs of our LGBT students and those struggling with sexual orientation. Members of the GSA clearly feel that teachers ignore negative comments like “gay” and “faggot” when they hear them in class, that teachers may not clearly understand gender neutral language, and that our Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) students do not feel safe and protected in school. Students needed support advocating for their right to use a restroom, correct pronoun, etc., requiring district, community, parent, and colleague
In the documentary, Noah, an 18 year old male to female transgender, many people in school ask question about her gender over and over again. Because of the harassment, many tend to drop out from school. “Harassment and bullying lead almost one-third of LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning) students to drop out of high school” (T Salazar). For most of them dropping out from school means working at a lower wage. Or even worse they became homeless. Some people argue that we should create a separate school of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) students. However critics say that it means of “segregation or shielding the youth from the real world.” Giving a class about LGBT people in schools might be the solution, since students then will be aware of it. Education about LGBT people teaches not only students, but also the whole generation. Therefore, schools should be the primary targets to teach the society about LGBT
School psychologists must help create and foster an environment that educates administrators, teachers, and non LGBT students. Many lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, and transgender youth do not feel safe in school. Sexual minority students may suffer harassment (verbal and/or physical) from teachers and peers. As a result, they may experience more absences than heterosexual students. In addition, LGBT youth may turn to drugs and alcohol as a means of coping with the stressful school environment (Patterson 2013, p.192). Many will contemplate or even commit suicide.
Education is an important factor in life in order to thrive, but LGBT students face harassment in school due to their identity. According to a Human Rights report conducted in 2001, two million American students in the LGBT
After reading week 13’s article by Coiser (2009) I agreed with the teachers who were served that said they would intervene if a queer student felt a problem was arising at school. The sad thing is that Coiser (2009) states that students from queer families do not feel confident that their teachers would intervene if a problem arises. This made me think back to my previous comment about how I am unaware of the queer families at
Homophobia is the concept in which people are hateful or fearful towards lesbians and gays (Dictionary.com, 2014). Fear and revulsion of the LGBT population commonly emanate from religious concepts or traditional ideas of society. In 2011, 18% of hate crimes based upon sexual orientation were reported, however, the number proved to be higher than expected due to the fact that many more individuals are reporting these crimes to the authorities (Northhumberland View, 2013). This further demonstrates the progression of LGBT rights in Canadian society due to the fact that lesbian, gay and transgender individuals alike feel comfortable enough to report these matters to the police and receive justice rather than allowing the issue to go unnoticed out of fear of being judged. Also, though many laws have been implemented to prevent discrimination, it is a reality in which many members of the LGBT community still face today. In terms of bullying, 25% of homosexual adolescents reported being physically harassed by heterosexual peers in 2009 (CBC, 2010). However, in 2002 approximately one third of homosexual students were harassed based upon their sexuality (Riese, 2014). Although discrimination and bullying based upon sexual orientation is prevalent in today's society, Canadians have become more accustomed to the idea of homosexuality which is reflected through the decrease in the amount of harassment that occurs. However, with adequate education and continuous learning about the matter, discrimination based upon sexuality can be virtually eliminated in the
Most LGBT youth become happy with who they are which gives them room to thrive during their adolescent years. Attending a school that has a safe and comfortable environment for every student is especially important. Positive environments can help all youth achieve good grades and maintain good mental and physical health. However, some youths are more likely than their straight peers to experience bad health and life outcomes. Experiences with violence, compared to other students, come easy to LGBT individuals that can cause increased risks for unfortunate circumstances.‘Violence’ includes behaviors such as teasing, harassment, and physical assault. It is important that students at risk have access to resources and support to deal with any questions or challenges they may have or face as they mature. Surveyed LGBT students reported 10% were threatened or injured, 34% were bullied, and 28% were bullied electronically.
The authors of this journal examine bullying of LBGTQ youth from teachers perspectives. It is acknowledged that bulling is a concern for many children and teens, but as a LBGTQ youth the odds increase dramatically. It is important to get educators perspectives according to the authors because school environments are shaped by adults. Many LBGTQ students report bullying to educators, and do not see action, which creates a fear of confiding. A shocking fact in the article is how uncomfortable most teachers are dealing with LBGTQ based bullying, due to the fear of losing their jobs or reactions of parents. Teachers also feel unequipped to deal with LBGTQ subjects and lack training.
As a child they must deal with certain factors that they cannot change no matter how hard they try. For example eye color, hair color, height, weight, and so on and so forth. Then based on these factors it is determined whether a child is liked in school by others. However there is another factor, that determines if a child is liked, and that is, whether a student is gay . Students nowadays judge one another solely based on belief if someone is gay . Children use the “gay” word out of context everyday and the effects of their harmful slander can be detrimental.
The common thought has been bullying is a normal reaction to school. Studies show that bullying is the result of underlying issues. Traditional bullying was a common thug trying to make a place for themselves, whereas now it has gone to new heights, it now includes physical trauma and even death. We find that bullying affects the bully as well as the victim. The victims tend to have more problems in school with attendance and achievements within the academic world. This is not just about the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender students, it involves all students that don’t fit societies idea of normal then the person gets bullied. The amount of attention given to this issue is a direct result of this escalation in events within the school system from grade schools to universities. The most pressing problem with getting the bullying policies changed is the conservative communities that school boards serve and convincing them that these policies need to be
If you’re in the LGBTQ Community, for me anyways, it hurts when someone yells “That’s gay” because I think, “how so, how are these clothes gay, they didn’t go the nerve-racking choice to tell their parents that they weren’t like the other kids at school.” Yes, they’ve spent some time in the closet, but it isn’t the same. Students can feel ambushed by these words because people use them as an insult. It is suppose to make the person they’re telling feel bad about whatever they are being judged about. How is that okay? What if someone is still in the closet, and you call their outfit gay, you’re saying “you’re outfit looks so bad, so I’m going to call it gay.” It’s also the same with the word “dyke” People feel like it’s bad to be one, when really that person is just being themselves. They would feel hurt and unwanted,
Many students may feel hesitant to speak out against anti-gay slurs out of fear of being persecuted themselves. In the U.K. a series of surveys commissioned by Stonewall reported that as many as 93 percent of young gay, lesbian and bisexual people who are ‘‘out’’ at school suffer verbal abuse (Thurlow, 2001). It is evident that it is not a coincidence the LGBTQ youth face the most harassment of any minority at school.
In a study conducted by Robert W. Mitchell and Alan L. Ellis, LGBT stereotyping was tested by introducing a college student to a male who has personally labeled himself as ‘gay’ or ‘adopted’ and comparing the resultant descriptions. (Mitchell and Ellis 80) Those who labeled themselves as ‘gay’ were more inclined to be stereotyped as ‘less masculine, and more feminine’ than those who labeled themselves as ‘adopted.’ (Mitchell and Ellis 81) It is a common misconception that if a man is homosexual he must therefore be ‘less masculine.’ Mitchell and Ellis also state: “Masculinity, an essential part of the male gender role, is a culturally valued attribute for men in the US.” (Mitchell and Ellis 81)
Our culture emphasizes a mentality that encourages dominance and aggression. Extreme bullying, often using sexual slurs such as "gay, fag, slut and whore," is becoming a common experience for students of all ages, and in particular, for children aged 11-13.