Anti-Bullying Week in class

“If a teacher doesn’t intervene when pupils use anti-gay language, it could go further the next time (more specific anti-gay bullying, for example).”
Jessica, teacher, independent secondary school (Scotland) 

The theme of this year’s Anti-Bullying Week, Stop and think – words can hurt, provides an ideal opportunity to talk about homophobic language in school.

Recent YouGov polling for Stonewall, The Teachers’ Report, showed that:

• 95 per cent of secondary school teachers and three quarters of primary school teachers report hearing the phrases ‘you’re so gay’ or ‘that’s so gay’ in their schools
• Eight in ten secondary school teachers and two in five primary school teachers report hearing other insulting remarks such as ‘poof’, ‘dyke’, ‘queer’ and ‘faggot’.
  

Teachers and school staff often ignore homophobic language because they are worried or unsure about how to respond to it. But responding to homophobic language doesn’t have to be difficult.

• For more information and resources for primary school teachers, click here.
  
• For more information and resources for secondary school teachers, click here.

Just banter?

Homophobic language is often dismissed as ‘harmless banter’, especially when the intent is not to comment on someone’s perceived or actual sexual orientation.
But phrases like ‘that’s so gay’ still associate being gay with something that’s bad, wrong, or inferior. Not responding to this casual use of homophobic language creates a culture in which pupils are constantly inundated with messages that equate being lesbian, gay, or bisexual with something negative. This can particularly affect pupils who are gay, those who think they might be, and those who have gay friends or family members.
No school would ever dismiss racist language as ‘banter’ – in the same way, school staff should feel confident in responding to homophobic language whenever it occurs.

When is it ok to say ‘gay’?

The word ‘gay’ is not an insult in itself. Many lesbian, gay and bisexual people use the word ‘gay’ to describe their sexual orientation, and when used appropriately, ‘gay’ can be a very positive word. Banning all use of the word ‘gay’ will not help tackle homophobic language in school.
Schools may need to help pupils understand this. Teachers may need to explain that homophobic language includes the use of the word ‘gay’ to imply that something is negative in any context, and is always unacceptable.

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