NUT: Homophobic bullying and attitudes in schools impact on every child and young person in school
Commenting after the debate on Motion 51, Christine Blower, General Secretary of the National Union of Teachers, the largest teachers? union, said;
Homophobic bullying and attitudes in schools impact on every child and young person in school. If children hear language or ideas which are negative about gay and lesbian people and this is not challenged by teachers, they learn that homophobia is tolerated and normal in their community.
Schools must be safe places for all staff and all students. All schools will have lesbian, gay or bisexual young people whether they have so identified publicly or not. Very many schools will have LGBT staff who may fear what the consequences will be if they came out. This is not what a safe school should be like.
Very many local authority equalities officers have lost their job due to Government cuts. This is a disgrace and will undermine the support available to schools to challenge negative attitudes and prejudice.
END pr59-2012
For further details contact Caroline Cowie on 0207 380 4706 or 07879480061
-01.png){kind=spacer}