Bullying
Bullying can take lots of different forms and all of them are upsetting and difficult to deal with.
Homophobia and homophobic bullying can damage your self-esteem, make you scared to go to school and have an effect on how well you do in your exams. Nobody has to put up with bullying: this section of the website is designed to point you in the right direction for support and information.
You can also visit respectme,Scotland's anti-bullying service managed by SAMH in partnership 
with LGBT Youth Scotland. Just click the respectme logo on
the right.
First and foremost, it’s important to know that you don’t have to put
up with any kind of bullying. It is your right to be educated without
fear and your school has 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 must take it seriously and must do
something about it.
Bullying and ways of dealing with it
You have the right to be protected at school. Your school’s Anti-Bullying Policy sets out the ways in which your school deals with bullying incidents. If you don’t feel that your bullying is being addressed properly by your school ask to see what the policy says.
Some people find it useful to make a note or keep a diary of when and how they are being bullied. It can help things from getting muddled in your head if you’re stressed out and when you do tell someone about the bullying it will act as clear evidence of what has happened.
Telling someone about being bullied is difficult enough but if you’re being bullied because you’re LGB or T then it can be even more difficult – maybe you don’t want to say anything because you don’t want to come out yet and maybe the thought of bringing it up with your parents or a teacher is the last thing you want to do. It’s important to do whatever feels right for you and sometimes it’s good to chat it over with someone objective first of all – have a look at the advice, support and information numbers further down the page.
Whatever you do it’s important to stay in control of the situation – if you do tell someone don’t let it be taken out of your hands, it’s up to you what happens next.
First and foremost, it’s important to know that you don’t have to put up with any kind of bullying.
Bullying at College, University and in the Workplace
Bullying isn’t just an issue for schools – it can happen anywhere and at any age.
A new law has been in place since 2003 to protect students in further and higher education and employees in the workplace.
The Employment Equality (Sexual Orientation) Regulations outlaw discrimination, victimisation and harassment on the grounds of sexual orientation. In short, homophobic bullying in college, university or the workplace is illegal and your employer, college or university is legally obliged to take action on your behalf.
- You can get more information about these new rights and protections at here
Advice, Information and Support
LGBT Youth Scotland can support you in a number of ways.
Maybe you want to talk to somebody about bullying? Depending on where you live you might be able to have a 1-2-1 chat with one of our workers. Go to Your Area section of this website to see what’s available in your area.
We also have LGBT Youth Scotland message boards where you can chat to other LGBT young people online – chances are, whatever your problem and whatever your question someone's been there before. Go to the Get Involved area of this website. Just go to the Interact section of this website to browse through other people's messages or post one of your own.
ChildLine is also a really good source of information and support – you can get lots of information about bullying and ways of dealing with it on their website: www.childline.org.uk. You can also call 0800 1111 to chat to one of their experienced counsellors.
Education For All
The Education For All campaign aims to eliminate homophobia and homophobic bullying from schools and colleges and ensure that all young people receive the education that they are entitled to. The Scottish campaign is being coordinated by LGBT Youth Scotland, Stonewall Scotland and Parents’ Enquiry Scotland.
To find out more about the campaign go to www.stonewall.org.uk/education_for_all/. If you want to find out about taking action then send an email saying so to info@lgbtyouth.org.uk