Homophobic bullying concern for schools, report finds

Homophobic bullying and name calling is an area of concern for many schools, according to a new report launched today.

The study, Valuing Visibility: An Expoloration of How Issues of Sexual Orientation Arise and Are Addressed in Post-Primary Schools, was undertaken by the Department of Education, NUI Maynooth and the Gay and Lesbian Equality Network (GLEN).

It reveals that while schools are aware of the issues faced by lesbian, gay and bisexual students, many feel they need guidance and support in addressing homophobic bullying and name-calling effectively.

According to a Department of Education and Science study from 2006, 79 per cent of teachers were aware of homophobic bullying in their schools, but few schools had policies in place to tackle the problem.

A total of eighteen schools participated in the Valuing Visibility study and many reported a general level of tolerance of homophobia in educational institutions alongside a prevalence of targeted bullying of gay and lesbian students and of those considered to be so.

A number of teachers said they felt ill-equipped to address the issues of sexual orientation as they related to the school context. Many spoke of the difficult bind they found themselves in, on the one hand wanting to support a young person who may be in the process of coming out, while on the other hand dealing with their own fears around the consequences if the student were to come out.

Some teachers and principals also felt that a lack of knowledge and awareness contributed to fears that discussing issues of sexual orientation may have negative consequences for individual students, for teachers, or for relationships between the school and its trustees or with parents.

Participants also said the unknown position of the parents in relation to the child’s sexual orientation added a particular anxiety for school personnel which might not be present in other bullying situations.

Speaking at the launch of the report this morning, Minister for State at the Department of Education and Science, Sean Haughey said it was essential that young people be given the opportunity to discuss their concerns about sexual identity issues.

This latest study follows on from the publication of the National Economic and Social Forum's fifth periodic report in July which noted "with concern" continuing homphobic bullying in many schools.

That report recommended that the Department of Education take a lead role in tackling the issue.