School Report

Date: 1st January 2007
Category: Basic Health and Welfare, Education, Leisure and Cultural Activities
Author: Stonewall Scotland

The experiences of young gay people in Britain's schools (2007)

Key Findings:

• Homophobic bullying is almost endemic in Britain's schools. Almost two thirds (65 per cent) of young lesbian, gay and bisexual pupils have experienced direct bullying. Seventy five per cent of young gay people attending faith schools have experienced homophobic bullying.
• Even if gay pupils are not directly experiencing bullying, they are learning in an environment where homophobic language and comments are commonplace. Ninety eight per cent of young gay people hear the phrases "that's so gay" or "you're so gay" in school, and over four fifths hear such comments often or frequently.
• Ninety seven per cent of pupils hear other insulting homophobic remarks, such as "poof", "dyke", "rug-muncher", "queer" and "bender". Over seven in ten gay pupils hear those phrases used often or frequently.
• Less than a quarter (23 per cent) of young gay people have been told that homophobic bullying is wrong in their school. In schools that have said homophobic bullying is wrong, gay young people are 60 per cent more likely not to have been bullied.
• Over half of lesbian and gay pupils don't feel able to be themselves at school. Thirty five per cent of gay pupils do not feel safe or accepted at school.

• Download the School Report here.