Anti-homophobia toolkit for teachers launched today by Minister for Schools and Skills

Dealing with Homophobia and Homophobic Bullying in Scottish Schools, a brand new toolkit resource for teachers, was announced today at the launch of Anti-Bullying Week by Maureen Watt MSP, Minister for Schools and Skills.  “The research on which this toolkit resource is based shows that LGBT young people want their schools to take a proactive and preventative approach to tackling homophobia. Teachers have also identified the need for specific guidance to tackle homophobia effectively. This resource will increase awareness of LGBT young people’s issues and raise confidence in dealing with homophobia – we hope that it will play a part in ensuring that our schools are safe and inclusive places in which all young people can learn.”

Ms Watt told the audience of young people and professionals that "We need to address all types of bullying so that schools can be inclusive, welcoming places, irrespective of an individual’s race, beliefs, gender, sexual orientation, disability or age”

She went on to say that the new resource would help to build teacher’s confidence and skills in dealing with homophobia and provide them with the support which they require to deal with these issues within the context of the purpose and values of Curriculum for Excellence. Ms Watt stated that the resource would be reassuring for parents and teachers in Scottish schools.

Dealing with Homophobia and Homophobic Bullying in Scottish Schools was developed by LGBT Youth Scotland in partnership with Learning and Teaching Scotland and in consultation with a range of schools and other stakeholders. The resource focuses on areas such as including anti-homophobia in policy, supporting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender young people and responding to and challenging homophobia and homophobic bullying in schools.  It also contains lesson plans with which to address issues of prejudice, inequality and homophobia with young people.

 “As a service provider, we know that homophobic bullying is a reality for many young people and that it can have a negative impact on their wellbeing and learning,” said Fergus McMillan, Interim Chief Executive at LGBT Youth Scotland. 

Also at the event today was the launch of a new campaign from respectme, Scotland’s Anti Bullying Service, and of the online anti-bullying resource developed by respectme in partnership with ENABLE Scotland. In addition, the Minister also presented prizes to the children and young people who were the winners of respectme’s Anti-Bullying Week competition.