Gay Today: World

Britain Moves to Protect Bullied Young Lesbians & Gays

Government Discovers Homophobic Harassment a Problem

Teachers to Be Given Guidance
— Urge Sensitive Approach

Compiled By GayToday

London---As the campaign to repeal Section 28 of the Local Government Act (1988) got under way, last weekend's Pink Paper reported that the Department for Education and Employment has taken a very positive and important step towards protecting young lesbians and gays from bullying at school.

In its new guidance for teachers, Social Inclusion: Pupil Support, the DfEE has for the first time recognized that homophobic bullying is a real problem and shows a new level of understanding of the issue, which it acknowledges can lead to truancy or even suicide, advising that it "needs sensitive handling".

The recently issued document sets out to tackle homophobic bullying in the same way as it plans to stamp out bullying because of a child's race, physical appearance or special educational needs. It reiterates that head teachers are under a legal duty to prevent bullying amongst all pupils. (School Standards and Framework Act 1998)

The sentiments expressed in the new guidelines will boost the campaigning of gay rights groups pushing for the repeal of Section 28 to be included in the forthcoming local government bill. Controversial Section 28 seeks to prevent local education authorities from 'promoting homosexuality', or the teaching of 'homosexuality as a pretend family relationship'.

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Commenting on the guidance Angela Mason, executive director of Stonewall, said: "We welcome the new circular, but schools will still be frightened and unsure about tackling homophobic bullying whilst Section 28 is still on the statute book. Section 28 imposes a statutory requirement; this circular is only guidance. The repeal of Section 28 would be the clearest signal that the government wants teachers to tackle the bullies and eliminate discrimination in the classroom."

Notes

Last year the coroner in Burton-on-Trent recorded a verdict of suicide on Darren Steele following evidence that he was driven to hang himself by school bullies who burned him with cigarettes and branded him gay.

New research by Neil Duncan of Wolverhampton University claims sexual bullying by boys of other boys is widespread in schools and that 'gay' is used as a catch-all term for any trait thought undesirable (Sexual Bullying: Gender Conflict in Pupil Culture, Neil Duncan, Routledge).