Further education

All students should be able to enjoy their college experience and focus on their education in a safe and supportive environment. However, one in five college students experience homophobic bullying, and almost all hear homophobic language in college.

Do you know a college which needs support in tackling homophobic bullying, celebrating difference and supporting students? Find out about Stonewall's College Champions programme.

Homophobic bullying

Stonewall's 2012 research The School Report found that one in five students experienced homophobic bullying in Britain's FE colleges in the last year and almost all of them hear the use of homophobic language. Research into Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity in Adult Learning, conducted for the Skills Funding Agency in 2011, surveyed the experiences of lesbian, gay and bisexual learners aged over 19 and found that a quarter of lesbian, gay and bisexual 19-21 year olds in adult learning had experienced bullying and/or harassment. Read more 

Lesbian, gay and bisexual issues across a broad curriculum

Almost three in five (58 per cent) of lesbian, gay and bisexual college students are never taught anything about lesbian, gay and bisexual issues in their lessons. Research by the Skills Funding Agency also found that the greatest barrier to learning for gay students was 'insensitive curriculum content'. By using a curriculum which reflects the lives of lesbian, gay and bisexual people you can help to make sure that gay students feel included and have the information they need to stay safe. Stonewall's research has also found that in schools and colleges where pupils are taught about gay people in a positive way levels of homophobic bullying decrease. Read more

Supporting lesbian, gay and bisexual students

Lesbian, gay and bisexual students have the same needs as all other students; that is to study in an environment which allows them to fulfil their potential and to feel like a part of their student community. All professionals working with students should want to make sure that lesbian, gay and bisexual students learn in a supportive environment, but many lack the confidence to do this in practice.  Stonewall's resources are designed to make sure that you have the knowledge and skills to be able to support gay students. Read more

Supporting lesbian, gay and bisexual staff

The best performing workplaces are those where all staff, including gay staff, feel able to be themselves. Creating an environment where this is possible makes sure that you get the most out of your staff and sends a clear message that sexual orientation is no barrier to career development, allowing you to attract and retain the best talent. If staff feel comfortable being open about their sexuality it also means that they can act as role models across the college, particularly for gay students. Stonewall's Diversity Champions programme supports employers to create a workplace where staff feel able to be themselves and perform to their full potential.  Read more 

Information for Governors

Governors can also act as role models for the college and have an important leadership role to play in a college's efforts to combat homophobic bullying. Governors also have a duty to make sure that a college complies with legislation, particularly the public sector Equality duty. Read more

 Resources

From Some People Are Gay. Get Over It! posters, stickers and postcards to the award winning film and teaching resource FIT, Stonewall has produced a series of ground-breaking resources. Read more  

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