UK National News - Anti-homophobia initiative for schools launched

31 January 2005

Anti-homophobia initiative for schools launched

Gay equality organisation, Stonewall, have launched a nationwide initiative aimed at tackling homophobia and homophobic bullying in British schools.

'Education for All', which is sponsored by IBM, aims to get headteachers in Britain to introduce effective policies to combat homophobic bullying in their schools. Stonewall have claimed that the latest figures suggest that only six per cent of schools have such measures in place.

Stone wall Chief Executive, Ben Summerskill, said: "It's time that headteachers took seriously their responsibilities to the pupils in British schools who are growing up as lesbian or gay. We're still in regular contact with pupils who are victims of homophobic bullying. It's entirely unacceptable in 2005 that Stonewall should be receiving calls from 16-year-olds who have been prescribed anti-depressants because teachers are failing to prevent physical violence against them.

Stonewall have cited research conducted by the University of York to support the initiative. The research found that gay pupils with six GCSEs were more likely to leave school at 16 than their heterosexual counterparts. Mr Summerskill, said: "Many of those who leave cite experiences of bullying and violence and have had a history of absenteeism as a consequence. That compromises children's life chances forever."

The study also found that 72 per cent of lesbian, gay and bisexual adults admitted to regularly missing school, while half of those who had been bullied admitted to contemplating self harm or suicide.

The 'Education for All' initiative will be launched in London this week, with 3,200 campaign packs being delivered to every school in the capital. Stonewall expects the initiative to be replicated across the UK.

Commenting on the campaign, London Mayor, Ken Livingstone, said: "I've become increasingly concerned that too many lesbian, gay and bisexual schoolchildren are still denied some of their life chances by casual and sometimes concerted bullying. I'm determined that all London's children grow up with a fitting sense of self-worth and self-confidence."

Mr Summerskill added: "This isn't a question of making special provision for some young people. It's a question of valuing every pupil equally. We hear too many reports of teachers failing to address these issues appropriately. Even today, almost every adult lesbian or gay man I talk to has appalling memories of their schooldays. If they weren't bullied themselves, they often lived in fear of being the homophobic bully's next victim."

Six per cent of the adult population is lesbian or gay, according to current government estimates, Stonewall stated.

(KmcA)