SOME SCHOOLS are afraid to seek the support of parents in challenging homophobia in case parents think they are promoting homosexuality, Michael Barron of the BeLonG To youth organisation told a Unesco gathering in Paris yesterday.
BeLonG To offers support to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender young people in Ireland. Mr Barron said the support of parents and the community was crucial if schools were to successfully tackle the bullying of students because of their sexual orientation.
“Education ministries and schools may be reluctant to raise the issue, especially in more conservative social contexts, because of concerns that this will be interpreted by parents as promoting homosexuality,” he said.
“Parents are often more supportive than educators expect, especially when they are made aware of the extent and impact of homophobic bullying.”
He said it was in the interest of all parents to fight against bullying as no parent wanted their child to be bullied, or to be a bully. He pointed to one study which found that 90 per cent of parents were in favour of the inclusion of issues relating to homophobia in the post-primary school curriculum.
Mr Barron said parents of young people who were lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT) also needed help in order to offer support to their own children.
He was speaking at the launch of a new global manual on tackling homophobic bullying by Unesco, the United Nations educational, scientific and cultural organisation.
It was held to coincide with International Day Against Homophobia, which takes place today.
Mr Barron said homophobic bullying had been found to reduce school attendance, lead to early school dropout and affect academic performance and achievement.
“Homophobic bullying can also adversely affect young people’s mental health. This has serious educational consequences, negatively affecting an individual’s right to education.”
He said gay, bisexual and transgender teenagers were often left isolated and alone to deal with homophobic bullying.
“No young person should have to experience this. It is an affront to basic human dignity.”
