Young people get bullied for all sorts of reasons. Often it can happen because the bullies are insecure, afraid or terrified themselves of something they don’t understand or something that they see as threatening. If it’s homophobic bullying, then the chances are the bullies themselves are insecure about their own sexuality, otherwise they wouldn’t find anyone else’s such a threat.

People get bullied because they are different, but we’re all different for all sorts of reasons. Although being different is what makes us unique and something to celebrate, sadly others don’t see it that way and can target those who are different from them. Homophobic bullying is used as a tool by bullies to hurt young people who are thought to be gay, bisexual or lesbian as well as young people who actually are. Any young person who is seen as different can experience homophobic bullying.

What is homophobic bullying?

Is it calling someone a homophobic name? Or is it physical abuse? Or is it something much less obvious? It can be all these things.

LGBT Youth explain homophobic bullying as; ‘when a young person’s actual or perceived sexual orientation/gender identity is used to exclude, threaten, hurt, or humiliate him or her. It can also be more indirect: homophobic language and jokes around a school, youth project or at home can create a climate of homophobia which indirectly excludes, threatens, hurts, or humiliates young people.’

According to LGBT Youth, Homophobic bullying can include some of the following behaviours: 

• name calling, rumour spreading and gossip about a young person’s sexual orientation or gender identity
• using threatening homophobic language or behaviour
• physical or sexual assault based on someone’s perceived sexual orientation or gender identity
• not letting someone join in with activities and games because of their perceived sexual orientation or gender identity
• stealing from someone because of their perceived sexual orientation or gender identity or damaging their property with homophobic graffiti
• using email, texts or online technologies to threaten someone or spread rumours about someone’s sexual orientation or gender identity
• ‘outing’ or threatening to ‘out’ someone as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender to their peers, teachers or family. 

Homophobic bullying is not:

• acceptable
• inclusive
• character-building
• a normal part of growing up
• a normal part of being lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender
• the fault of the person being bullied
• a positive way for young people to live, grow up and learn 

So why talk about homophobic bullying separately from other forms of bullying?

LGBT Youth explain ‘Homophobic bullying relates to the young person’s identity, targeting his or her ‘inner being’. It is similar to sexist or racist bullying in this way. Young people’s sexual orientations or gender identities are not a choice but part of who they are. These types of bullying are called prejudice based bullying.

Young people who experience this type of bullying rarely report it for fear of being accused of being LGBT or because they don’t want people to know they are LGBT. Sometimes they don’t report it because they believe it won’t be taken seriously. But then again, sometimes they don’t hear homophobia being challenged by teachers so they don’t believe their complaint will be taken seriously!

You have a right to taught or to participate in activities without fear. If you experience homophobic bullying- report it! 

The power of words...

Gay is one of the main playground terms of abuse and it seems everything is ‘gay’ these days. Many people who use the saying ‘that’s so gay’ will probably believe they are not being homophobic. They may not mean any harm towards LGBT people, thinking that it’s not directed at them and it’s just a saying! LGBT Youth explain ‘The common use of the word ‘gay’ to mean uncool or not up to standard may seem harmless but LGBT young people who hear the word ‘gay’ used in an insulting way to mean these things can feel that it applies directly to them.’

If this use of the word gay is not challenged then this allows for homophobia to be used in a way to directly hurt someone to take place. A good place to start to challenge homophobia and homophobic bullying is by challenging language. 

If you are experiencing bullying

If you are experiencing homophobia or homophobic bullying we know that this can make you scared and you might not want to talk about it or go to school. It may be hard to concentrate on your work and you may feel very isolated. However please know these two things

Nobody has to put up with bullying! We agree with LGBT Youth when they say that it is your right to be educated or work without fear and your school, college or workplace have a duty to look after you. It’s important to know that if you report bullying of any kind – and homophobic bullying is no different – then your school, college or workplace must take it seriously and must do something about it.

And,

Things will get better! As part of the ‘It Gets Better’ Campaign, people from President Obama, Facebook  and Pixar have made videos about homophobic bullying and the affect it can have.

More...

Enquire run an information and advice service for young people with additional support needs. They interviewed some young people from LGBT Youth about homophobic bullying. You can listen to the interview through their website.

For more information and support on bullying you can contact the following services:

LGBT Youth Scotland

Respectme

It Get's Better Project