06/26/2007
Death Threats to Students Revealed in UK Bullying Report
The largest poll on homophobic bullying ever conducted in Great Britain has found that nearly 2/3 of gay secondary school students had experienced some form of it.
According to the BBC: "Almost all of those had experienced verbal bullying but 41% had been physically attacked, while 17% said they had received death threats."
The report said that many teachers — half — allowed the bullying to go on unchecked and less than a quarter of teachers had told students homophobic bullying was wrong.
Simon Watt, 17, told The Guardian: "Even before I came out, at school people were always calling me names, because I was effeminate-looking. I couldn't walk down the corridors without being called 'gay boy'. It was really embarrassing and I couldn't really talk about it. It made me feel like I was a bit of a wuss. Even in class, people would say: 'Shut up, gay boy', but the teachers wouldn't do anything. When I lost my temper and flared up at them, I would be the one who got in trouble...I was attacked one night by some 19- to 20-year-olds. I had a burst blood vessel in my eye, a black eye and a burst lip. I nearly fractured my cheekbone and they almost ripped my lip piercing out."
The report also said that "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."
70% of bullied students said it had adversely affected their school work.
50% said they had missed school as a result of the bullying.
Said Stonewall chief executive Ben Summerskill: "These deeply disturbing figures should serve as a wake-up call to everyone working in education. This remains one of the few sorts of bullying about which too many schools still take no action. It blights the lives not just of gay children but of thousands of pupils perceived to be lesbian or gay too."
Gay bullying in schools 'common' [bbc]
'The teachers joined in on the joke' [the guardian]
Posted 3:45 PM EST by Andy in Bullying, Education, Gay Youth, Great Britain, News | Permalink
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I think this is a huge issue. Gay kids are treated like shit, sometimes, even by other gay kids, because of the demands of defining mascultinity/femininity in this culture, not to mention sexuality issues. I think the numbers are closer to 100% of kids being taunted about being "gay" as the society forces people into gender and sexually approved roles. And those that do not fit that feel the greatest weight of that pressure.
Posted by: Lee Gordon | Jun 26, 2007 3:55:19 PM
Ugh, breaks my heart that kids still get treated like this. When I was at (UK) school in the 70s bullying was endemic for all manner of "offences". Being gay was absolutely the worst thing you could be (this was only a few years after the decriminalisation of homosexual acts); no one (me included) would dare admit to being gay for fear of having the entire school turn against you and no support from teachers.
Given the way things have changed in society at large since that time, the injustice seems greater now that kids are still persecuted by mob mentalities. This year--next month, in fact--is the 40th anniversary of Leo Abse's decriminalisation bill being passed in the House of Commons; teachers have had long enough to get to grips with this problem.
Posted by: John C | Jun 26, 2007 4:44:37 PM
If you want to read the report which contains dozens of quotes from kids, it can be downloaded at http://www.ukgaynews.org.uk/Archive/07/June/Stonewall_The_School_Report.pdf
Posted by: Eddie | Jun 26, 2007 4:46:40 PM
I went to a British all-boys' state school from 89-93. I was called gay pretty much everyday - before I even figured it out myself. You get called gay whether it's true or not, and get beaten up for it too.
I now work in a public library and whilst racist terms are hardly ever heard from kids, homophobic comments are rife and obviously have been unchecked at home and at school. I can cope with kids saying things are gay when they mean lame - language develops regardless of sensitivity - but calling other kids gay with the intention to insult reminds me a bit too much of my own youth.
Posted by: Darren | Jun 26, 2007 5:32:37 PM
Ooh, I wrote a blog about it:
http://blog.myspace.com/actualdarren
29th May entry, should it be of interest. I make light of it, which is not to belittle the situation - it's just a way of dealing. Plus, it's always slightly funny once you get through it unscathed, and it wasn't the Holocaust, so I'm doing fairly well all in all.
Posted by: Darren | Jun 26, 2007 5:41:47 PM
Darren, this is not a critisicm of you or your point of view. You probably have a heathy attitude. But not all people have the same resillience, and everyone faces a different set of circumtances. Other guys may be more effiminate than you, weaker than you, face meaner, more violent antagonists, etc.
Unfortunately, many people do not go through the situation "unscathed." A recent case in Italy involved a 16-year-old boy who finally committed suicide after being continually bullied at school (under the blind-eye of teachers) and everywhere else except in his room. His suicide prompted prompted a bit of outrage, and many - mostly anonymous - heartbreaking confessions from individuals alienated from all of society, who suffered unremitting verbal and physical violence. I don't think the situation in Italy is much different from that of any Western country.
Those who do make it to adulthood after years of bullying in schools are probably not at all "unscathed." It's not so easy to forget abaout the years of fear and alienation. The scars may be hidden, but unfortunately they still probably remain.
Good luck to all survivors. And there must be something that we could do to ease the pain of those going through this right now.
Posted by: expedito | Jun 26, 2007 7:37:55 PM
When I was in middle school a zillion years ago, I was bullied incessantly by several larger boys: called faggot, sissy, "Mary", etc. My dad sent me to learn boxing at the Y. I returned to 8th grade in the autumn and flattened each and every one of them. They never spoke to me again. I broke one nose. I am not proud of this moment in my childhood. But it worked. Ran into one of these assholes years later in a New York gay bar. QED!
Posted by: Boston Queer in Dallas | Jun 26, 2007 7:50:46 PM
Expedito, you're right, and I probably contradicted myself - 'unscathed' was the wrong word to use. My experience at school has undoubtedly shaped my attitudes. Rather, it is with a sense of relief that I look back and realise it could have been a lot worse. Teachers did nothing to stop homophobic bullying. For the kids who actually were gay, we felt beaten over the head just for being who we are. 'Gay' was only ever used with negative connotations, and that would have been instructive to the non-gay kids too, and shaped their attitudes towards gay people.
I coped by suppressing who I was and it took me a long time to address my sexuality and its place within my identity. The fact that I've finally done it and can function within society in a regular way elates me, which is why when I talk about school now I am lighthearted about it.
I certainly didn't mean to dismiss the grave situation that gay people face at school, and how that can damage them. I hope this report is a kick-start for this to be finally addressed. I wouldn't want to go through it again, that's for sure.
Posted by: Darren | Jun 27, 2007 6:05:06 AM
Expedito, you're right, and I probably contradicted myself - 'unscathed' was the wrong word to use. My experience at school has undoubtedly shaped my attitudes. Rather, it is with a sense of relief that I look back and realise it could have been a lot worse. Teachers did nothing to stop homophobic bullying. For the kids who actually were gay, we felt beaten over the head just for being who we are. 'Gay' was only ever used with negative connotations, and that would have been instructive to the non-gay kids too, and shaped their attitudes towards gay people.
I coped by suppressing who I was and it took me a long time to address my sexuality and its place within my identity. The fact that I've finally done it and can function within society in a regular way elates me, which is why when I talk about school now I am lighthearted about it.
I certainly didn't mean to dismiss the grave situation that gay people face at school, and how that can damage them. I hope this report is a kick-start for this to be finally addressed. I wouldn't want to go through it again, that's for sure.
Posted by: Darren | Jun 27, 2007 6:06:14 AM
Expedito, you're right, and I probably contradicted myself - 'unscathed' was the wrong word to use. My experience at school has undoubtedly shaped my attitudes. Rather, it is with a sense of relief that I look back and realise it could have been a lot worse. Teachers did nothing to stop homophobic bullying. For the kids who actually were gay, we felt beaten over the head just for being who we are. 'Gay' was only ever used with negative connotations, and that would have been instructive to the non-gay kids too, and shaped their attitudes towards gay people.
I coped by suppressing who I was and it took me a long time to address my sexuality and its place within my identity. The fact that I've finally done it and can function within society in a regular way elates me, which is why when I talk about school now I am lighthearted about it.
I certainly didn't mean to dismiss the grave situation that gay people face at school, and how that can damage them. I hope this report is a kick-start for this to be finally addressed. I wouldn't want to go through it again, that's for sure.
Posted by: Darren | Jun 27, 2007 6:08:05 AM
Expedito, you're right, and I probably contradicted myself - 'unscathed' was the wrong word to use. My experience at school has undoubtedly shaped my attitudes. Rather, it is with a sense of relief that I look back and realise it could have been a lot worse. Teachers did nothing to stop homophobic bullying. For the kids who actually were gay, we felt beaten over the head just for being who we are. 'Gay' was only ever used with negative connotations, and that would have been instructive to the non-gay kids too, and shaped their attitudes towards gay people.
I coped by suppressing who I was and it took me a long time to address my sexuality and its place within my identity. The fact that I've finally done it and can function within society in a regular way elates me, which is why when I talk about school now I am lighthearted about it.
I certainly didn't mean to dismiss the grave situation that gay people face at school, and how that can damage them. I hope this report is a kick-start for this to be finally addressed. I wouldn't want to go through it again, that's for sure.
Posted by: Darren | Jun 27, 2007 6:10:34 AM
Expedito, you're right, and I probably contradicted myself - 'unscathed' was the wrong word to use. My experience at school has undoubtedly shaped my attitudes. Rather, it is with a sense of relief that I look back and realise it could have been a lot worse. Teachers did nothing to stop homophobic bullying. For the kids who actually were gay, we felt beaten over the head just for being who we are. 'Gay' was only ever used with negative connotations, and that would have been instructive to the non-gay kids too, and shaped their attitudes towards gay people.
I coped by suppressing who I was and it took me a long time to address my sexuality and its place within my identity. The fact that I've finally done it and can function within society in a regular way elates me, which is why when I talk about school now I am lighthearted about it.
I certainly didn't mean to dismiss the grave situation that gay people face at school, and how that can damage them. I hope this report is a kick-start for this to be finally addressed. I wouldn't want to go through it again, that's for sure.
Posted by: Darren | Jun 27, 2007 6:26:28 AM
Expedito, you're right, and I probably contradicted myself - 'unscathed' was the wrong word to use. My experience at school has undoubtedly shaped my attitudes. Rather, it is with a sense of relief that I look back and realise it could have been a lot worse. Teachers did nothing to stop homophobic bullying. For the kids who actually were gay, we felt beaten over the head just for being who we are. 'Gay' was only ever used with negative connotations, and that would have been instructive to the non-gay kids too, and shaped their attitudes towards gay people.
I coped by suppressing who I was and it took me a long time to address my sexuality and its place within my identity. The fact that I've finally done it and can function within society in a regular way elates me, which is why when I talk about school now I am lighthearted about it.
I certainly didn't mean to dismiss the grave situation that gay people face at school, and how that can damage them. I hope this report is a kick-start for this to be finally addressed. I wouldn't want to go through it again, that's for sure.
Posted by: Darren | Jun 27, 2007 6:36:49 AM
Expedito, you're right, and I probably contradicted myself - 'unscathed' was the wrong word to use. My experience at school has undoubtedly shaped my attitudes. Rather, it is with a sense of relief that I look back and realise it could have been a lot worse. Teachers did nothing to stop homophobic bullying. For the kids who actually were gay, we felt beaten over the head just for being who we are. 'Gay' was only ever used with negative connotations, and that would have been instructive to the non-gay kids too, and shaped their attitudes towards gay people.
I coped by suppressing who I was and it took me a long time to address my sexuality and its place within my identity. The fact that I've finally done it and can function within society in a regular way elates me, which is why when I talk about school now I am lighthearted about it.
I certainly didn't mean to dismiss the grave situation that gay people face at school, and how that can damage them. I hope this report is a kick-start for this to be finally addressed. I wouldn't want to go through it again, that's for sure.
Posted by: Darren | Jun 27, 2007 6:54:52 AM
Expedito, you're right, and I probably contradicted myself - 'unscathed' was the wrong word to use. My experience at school has undoubtedly shaped my attitudes. Rather, it is with a sense of relief that I look back and realise it could have been a lot worse. Teachers did nothing to stop homophobic bullying. For the kids who actually were gay, we felt beaten over the head just for being who we are. 'Gay' was only ever used with negative connotations, and that would have been instructive to the non-gay kids too, and shaped their attitudes towards gay people.
I coped by suppressing who I was and it took me a long time to address my sexuality and its place within my identity. The fact that I've finally done it and can function within society in a regular way elates me, which is why when I talk about school now I am lighthearted about it.
I certainly didn't mean to dismiss the grave situation that gay people face at school, and how that can damage them. I hope this report is a kick-start for this to be finally addressed. I wouldn't want to go through it again, that's for sure.
Posted by: Darren | Jun 27, 2007 7:05:52 AM
Expedito, you're right, and I probably contradicted myself - 'unscathed' was the wrong word to use. My experience at school has undoubtedly shaped my attitudes. Rather, it is with a sense of relief that I look back and realise it could have been a lot worse. Teachers did nothing to stop homophobic bullying. For the kids who actually were gay, we felt beaten over the head just for being who we are. 'Gay' was only ever used with negative connotations, and that would have been instructive to the non-gay kids too, and shaped their attitudes towards gay people.
I coped by suppressing who I was and it took me a long time to address my sexuality and its place within my identity. The fact that I've finally done it and can function within society in a regular way elates me, which is why when I talk about school now I am lighthearted about it.
I certainly didn't mean to dismiss the grave situation that gay people face at school, and how that can damage them. I hope this report is a kick-start for this to be finally addressed. I wouldn't want to go through it again, that's for sure.
Posted by: Darren | Jun 27, 2007 7:23:22 AM
Expedito, you're right, and I probably contradicted myself - 'unscathed' was the wrong word to use. My experience at school has undoubtedly shaped my attitudes. Rather, it is with a sense of relief that I look back and realise it could have been a lot worse. Teachers did nothing to stop homophobic bullying. For the kids who actually were gay, we felt beaten over the head just for being who we are. 'Gay' was only ever used with negative connotations, and that would have been instructive to the non-gay kids too, and shaped their attitudes towards gay people.
I coped by suppressing who I was and it took me a long time to address my sexuality and its place within my identity. The fact that I've finally done it and can function within society in a regular way elates me, which is why when I talk about school now I am lighthearted about it.
I certainly didn't mean to dismiss the grave situation that gay people face at school, and how that can damage them. I hope this report is a kick-start for this to be finally addressed. I wouldn't want to go through it again, that's for sure.
Posted by: Darren | Jun 27, 2007 7:44:21 AM
Expedito, you're right, and I probably contradicted myself - 'unscathed' was the wrong word to use. My experience at school has undoubtedly shaped my attitudes. Rather, it is with a sense of relief that I look back and realise it could have been a lot worse. Teachers did nothing to stop homophobic bullying. For the kids who actually were gay, we felt beaten over the head just for being who we are. 'Gay' was only ever used with negative connotations, and that would have been instructive to the non-gay kids too, and shaped their attitudes towards gay people.
I coped by suppressing who I was and it took me a long time to address my sexuality and its place within my identity. The fact that I've finally done it and can function within society in a regular way elates me, which is why when I talk about school now I am lighthearted about it.
I certainly didn't mean to dismiss the grave situation that gay people face at school, and how that can damage them. I hope this report is a kick-start for this to be finally addressed. I wouldn't want to go through it again, that's for sure.
Posted by: Darren | Jun 27, 2007 8:19:52 AM
Expedito, you're right, and I probably contradicted myself - 'unscathed' was the wrong word to use. My experience at school has undoubtedly shaped my attitudes. Rather, it is with a sense of relief that I look back and realise it could have been a lot worse. Teachers did nothing to stop homophobic bullying. For the kids who actually were gay, we felt beaten over the head just for being who we are. 'Gay' was only ever used with negative connotations, and that would have been instructive to the non-gay kids too, and shaped their attitudes towards gay people.
I coped by suppressing who I was and it took me a long time to address my sexuality and its place within my identity. The fact that I've finally done it and can function within society in a regular way elates me, which is why when I talk about school now I am lighthearted about it.
I certainly didn't mean to dismiss the grave situation that gay people face at school, and how that can damage them. I hope this report is a kick-start for this to be finally addressed. I wouldn't want to go through it again, that's for sure.
Posted by: Darren | Jun 27, 2007 10:08:49 AM
I was pretty lucky in high school. The teachers were mostly young and well-educated. I learned later that some of them were closeted and most had gay friends. The theatre teacher had a gay brother and was especially protective. It would have been a great school to come out early in, except I was far more fearful of my parents than my peer.
I've worked with kids a lot over the years and I have zero tolerance for homophobia.
Posted by: Iko | Jun 27, 2007 10:31:30 AM
Expedito, you're right, and I probably contradicted myself - 'unscathed' was the wrong word to use. My experience at school has undoubtedly shaped my attitudes. Rather, it is with a sense of relief that I look back and realise it could have been a lot worse. Teachers did nothing to stop homophobic bullying. For the kids who actually were gay, we were beaten over the head just for being who we are. 'Gay' was only ever used with negative connotations, and that would have been instructive to the non-gay kids too, and shaped their attitudes towards gay people.
I coped by suppressing who I was and it took me a long time to address my sexuality and its place within my identity. The fact that I've finally done it and can function within society in a regular way elates me, which is why when I talk about school now I am lighthearted about it.
I certainly didn't mean to dismiss the grave situation that gay people face at school, and how that can damage them. I hope this report is a kick-start for this to be finally addressed. I wouldn't want to go through it again, that's for sure.
Posted by: Darren | Jun 27, 2007 11:10:33 AM
Sorry Andy - I did what Type-pad suggested and tried again, but now the message is up multiple times! Not my intention, I swear. I don't repeat myself this much usually.
Posted by: Darren | Jun 27, 2007 11:32:03 AM
Thanks, Darren. "Unscathed" wasn't the best choice of words, but I knew what you meant. High school can be a very ugly place, with an atmosphere that fosters rampant homophobia - sometimes with tacit encouragement from faculty and administration. It is a relief just to survive intense abuse. I wish kids suffering from this kind of horror realize that there is a ray of hope; as adults, we're all better able to control our environment and find more supportive and even loving surroundings. But sometimes it's hard to realize that things can get better when you're in the middle of a bad situation.
On a slightly different but related subject, Britain has some allegedly tough laws about broadcasting hate speech. A recent case involved a broadcaster who used "gay" in a pejorative way. The commission found that this was not homophobic. They found that "gay" was a commonly used expression used to mean "bad," "crappy," etc. Very sad! As long as you aren't referring to someone's sexual preference, apparently it's OK to use "gay" as a synonym for bad. These people's standards are completely fucked up!
Anyway, best of luck you, Darren! Glad you made it!
Posted by: expedito | Jun 27, 2007 3:30:24 PM