Gay students get death threats
More than 150,000 students in the UK have been bullied at secondary school because they are gay, a new survey found.
Over two thirds of lesbian and gay pupils have been victimised by homophobic bullying, with abuse ranging from verbal abuse to violence to death threats at the hands of students and staff alike. Of those, 92 per cent (143,000) have experienced verbal bullying, 41 per cent (64,000) physical bullying and 17 per cent (26,000) death threats.
The study also discovered that that half of teachers did not intervene when students used homophobic language, using derogatory labels like "dyke", "queer" or "rug muncher".
Catherine, 13, from a single sex independent school (South East) explained that “ teachers join in on the joke’.
Ben Summerskill, Stonewall chief executive, said "These deeply disturbing figures should serve as a wake-up call to everyone working in education.”
"This is a damning legacy of Section 28, which deterred schools from tackling anti-gay bullying for so long. This remains one of the few sorts of bullying about which too many schools still take no action. It blights the lives not just of gay children but of thousands of pupils perceived to be lesbian or gay too."
The Stonewall survey polled 1,145 young people and found that 7/10 of those who have experienced homophobic bullying said it has adversely affected their school work. Half of those bullied say they have missed school as a result.
Ali, 17, from a secondary school in London said, “On three occasions I’ve been assaulted and had to go to hospital to be examined and get the police involved”.
‘People call me ‘gay’ everyday, sometimes people kick me and push me, they shut me out of games during school gym and they steal my belongings, “ said James, 17, from a secondary school in the South West.
Stonewall’s survey is the largest poll of young gay people ever conducted in the UK.
This story was first published on Gay.com
Labels: bisexual, bullying, diversity, gays, hidden barriers, homophobia, human rights, lesbians, LGBT
posted by Ian Dodds Consulting @ 4:24 pm
14 comments
14 Comments:
That's very unproffesional of the teachers to join in, or to not say anything. They are in charge and should be promoting acceptance and tolerance. If your religion does not accept it, then tolerate it. Respect everyone.
This is a major problem, and for teachers to be taking part in bullying is absolutely horrible. Figuring out your sexuality is already a difficult experience. And people who can't accept your choice, should not make it public. Yes, I believe we are all entitled to our own opinions, but we should not make the hurtful ones public. Teachers are seen as role models, if they are joining in, then this is a serious issue. Which needs to be resolved.
I agree that these actions are very unprofessional on the teachers' part and that they are supposed to be role models. The fact that they join in during student taunting is very disturbing, not to mention that they ignore death threats, which is shocking! This is obviously a situation that should not be taken lightly and the teachers are perhaps letting their own views and beliefs get in the way of the safety and healthy development of these youth. What is to be the expected outcome for future generations if society keeps allowing and being spectators for the maltreatment of today's youth? More people need to take a stand against such injustices...if you are not part of the solution, then you are part of the problem.
Shell-87
I completely agree, if people are just standing back doing nothing. They are also the problem, we need to take a stand in what we believe and act on it. Not just stand back and agree with how wrong it is. The first step is finding the problem, the next is taking action. Which is what we are lacking in.
It sucks to hear that this type of bullying is going on, and the fact that teachers are joining in is very upsetting. You can't help the way you are born. Teachers need to be role models for these students and they are acting like children themselves. These are the sad stories we see on the news of kids taking their own lives because of bullying. It's sad!
Gay rights is the civil rights issue of our time, but it is seldom treated as a civil rights issue at all. I find it reprehensible for a teacher--who is paid by tax-payer dollars--to taut a student about his/her sexual orientation. Its time we moved past all the bigotry and let people live their lives.
I am very upset by what I hear. The thought that men and women are being violently discriminated against is rediculous. Everyone has their own life and choices. No one should be able to say being gay or lesbian is wrong. Let's try and put ourselves in another's shoes.
This is unacceptable! Individuals should be able to be what they want to be without having to worry about others. It is unjust for students and teachers to act in a negative behavior towards gay students. Although some people are truly homophobic, it does not justify them to disrespect and harm gay students at any level.All of these situations can ruin an individual in a mental and physical way.
I am very shocked that the teachers do nothing to stop the bullying or join in themselves. These teachers should be fired! I know kids can be mean in teasing other kids about a variety of things but the teachers should not allow it, they are supposed to be role models!
I think this is so ridiculous because people are being so immature and stupid because they can not except how someone is gay. It is none of their business what the students do in their social lives. LEAVE THEM ALONE!!
It's ridiculous, really, that students can get away with this behavior. Even more shocking is that teachers not only ignore this behavior, but they sometimes join in! I've heard a multitude of excuses in my day to justify the mistreatment of gays and lesbians. When, in fact, you can control your sexual orientation just about as much as you can control your race. There should be no difference in the way you treat gays and lesbians as you do everyone else. Whether it's the UK or the US, this is a huge problem. I keep hoping that, one day, society will look back on this behavior, astonished that we would even consider such things.
The school and the authorities should do something about this. It is highly important that this kids get to feel save in their own school.
Yuck. This makes me sick!
It is unimaginable that gay or lesbian pupils are treated in this way and their teachers are part of insulting people. I think people discriminate homosexual is because it is rare in history and know little about this population. However, their sexual direction should not be involved to judge their personality. They have right to live like any other people. Children in this horrible situation and cause huge problem for their physical and mentally development and the whole society health. The way to care about them is to learn more about them, understand them and find they are same with us.
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