HOMOPHOBIC BULLYING GUIDE IS MUCH NEEDED - ATL

30 January 2008

The Government’s guidance for tackling homophobic bullying in schools is much needed, says the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL). 

Homophobic bullying is a widespread and prevalent problem in UK schools.  In an ATL survey of teachers and lecturers 70 per cent said they regularly heard terms such as gay, poof, batty boy, queer and lezzie used in homophobic bullying in their school or college. 

Not conforming to peer expectations, not belonging to a peer group, showing emotions, and the type of clothes worn were the main reasons teachers identified for the name calling. 

Dr Mary Bousted, ATL general secretary, said:  “Schools should be safe places for our children and those who work with them.  They need to be places where children can learn free from fear, and learn to treat everyone equally and with respect regardless of their sexuality.  This respect and freedom from bullying should also extend to teachers and school staff.

“Bullying, in whatever form, blights the lives of its victims, and can lead to truancy and even suicide in severe cases if it is not tackled.  Unfortunately schools have obviously still got a long way to go in combating this invidious type of bullying.”

ATL hopes the Government’s commitment to tackling homophobic bullying is not restricted to schools but is also extended to further and higher education.  We would like to see concerted and joined-up action between the DSCF and DIUS to challenge and change our heterosexist culture.