- July 29th, 2011
LGBT Pupil Voice growing in the Borders
- kmayer
- Comments: noneTags: community, conflict, learner voice
The Scottish Borders Challenging Homophobia Together Project is part of a national project that aims to reduce homophobia and homophobic bullying in schools bullying. The project is led by LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) Youth Scotland, supported by Scottish Borders Council and funded by the Big Lottery Fund. This work follows both national and local research that indicates homophobic bullying has links with low attainment, truancy and early school leaving. Research also suggests that this type of bullying can have a negative impact on young people’s health and well-being, the consequences for some pupils include depression, self harm and suicide attempts.
In Galashiels Academy and Peebles High School LGBT delivered assemblies to 5th and 6th year pupils. Here we asked if anyone would like to get involved in delivering work that challenges homophobia in their school. The response was overwhelmingly positive and a Youth Advisory Group now runs in Gala Academy with 6 pupils and in Peebles High school with 5 pupils. Their ideas have included: posters that challenge homophobia, eliminating the use of the word “gay” as an insult, gathering information on homophobia from other pupils, involvement in developing and delivering lesson plans, and promoting the inclusion of same sex couples at their Christmas dance.
This work is in its infancy, however the interest from a broad range of pupils has shown that young people are interested in getting involved in work that can make a difference in their school, and that homophobia and homophobic bullying can affect many pupils. We also discovered that assemblies, although short, can still have a clear impact. In a recent assembly pupils were asked the question: “Does Homophobia exist in your school”? In response all of the pupils in the assembly hall put their hand up. This sent a strong message about the need for this work and school staff noted their shock and surprise at pupil’s responses.
Written by Karen Wilson,Youth & Community Development Officer LGBT Youth Scotland
Karen can be contacted at [email protected]
Categories citizenship, secondary schools
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