Borders
Welcome to LGBT Youth Scotland's Scottish Borders service.
Resources for families
We have recently purchased some books that are available on short term loan to families or professionals working with families who have LGBT members. These books include:
- The Family Book by Todd Parr
- It's Okay To Be Different by Todd Parr
- The Daddy Machine by Johnny Valentine
- One Dad Two Dads Brown Dad Blue Dads by Johnny Valentine
- Spacegirl Pukes by Katy Watson and Vanda Carter
They are suitable from children aged approximately 2-10 years old. If you would like to borrow any of these books or would like to discuss their suitability for your situation then please email info@lgbtyouth.org.uk .
LGBT Youth Borders consultation: Results
Below is the young people’s report from the consultation. If you would like an electronic copy of this or the professional's report, or further information about the consultation process or the results, please email info@lgbtyouth.org.uk
Introduction
In March and April 2007, LGBT Youth Borders consulted with young people to find out what they know and what they think about lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) issues. We know that a lot of LGBT young people are bullied and discriminated against because of their sexuality or gender identity, but we also wanted to know what the general population of young people thought about issues like homophobic bullying.
All this information was collected from young people from the Scottish Borders, so the results also showed us what you think life might be like to be a young LGBT person growing up in the area.
How we did the consultation and who took part
513 young people aged 11-25 filled in paper and online questionnaires, and we also gathered the thoughts and opinions of young people aged 8-25 during outreach events.
Questionnaire demographics: “…’gay’ is used as an insult” female, 16
Age
11-13yr: 210
14-16yr: 218
17-19yr: 61
20-25yr: 14“I would stand by them because it doesn’t matter if they are, they are still the same person they were before” female, 17
Information missing: 10
Sexual orientation
Bisexual: 2%
Gay: 2%
Heterosexual/straight: 88%
Lesbian: 1%
Unsure/questioning: 3%
Other: 1%
Information missing: 3%
“If I stood up for them the bullies might come after me” male, 13
Location
Berwickshire: 324
Eildon: 66
Teviot&Liddesdale: 59
Cheviot: 29
Tweeddale: 8
Information missing: 27
Results
• At least 86% of young people had heard the words lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and homophobia before. 99% had heard the word gay.
• 74% of young people said that they had heard about LGBT people at school. For a limited number of young people in the Borders this will have been through a formal educational input, but for the majority, LGBT people are more likely to be talked about with friends at school and heard about outside the classroom setting.
• 53% of young people said that they had heard mainly negative things about LGBT people.
• 13% of young people said they wanted to find out about LGBT issues at school. This was top of the list ahead of sources like friends, family and the internet.
• 67% of young people said they knew someone who was L, G, B or T.
• When asked what they would do if a friend or family member told them they were L,G, B or T, some young people were very supportive:
“I would stand by them because it doesn’t matter if they are, they are still the same person they were before” female, 17
Some gave a negative response:
“Be very upset I don’t think it is right!! I won’t like them anymore” female, 14
• From a choice of horrible, bad, okay, good or great, 58% of young people said that school would be horrible or bad for LGBT young people. When asked why they thought this some of their comments included:
“Some people may choose not to be friends with them” male, 17
“…’gay’ is used as an insult” female, 16
“because they get bullied, leftout, beaten up” female, 14
• Only 38% of young people said they would do something if they saw an LGBT young person being bullied. Some young people said they would be worried about being bullied themselves if they did anything to help:
“If I stood up for them the bullies might come after me” male, 13
Some were also worried about being labelled as LGBT themselves if they helped:
“…obviously I’d feel bad for the person and want to help but then the bullies may turn on me and call me a lesbian when I’m not, just because I was helping someone who is an LGBT” female, 14
• 22% of young people said they would go to a family member for help and support if they or a friend were L, G, B or T, with other young people saying they would get help and support from sources like friends, school staff or a medical professional like their school nurse. However, 21% of young people did not know where they would get help and support from.
Conclusions
Some young people were very positive about LGBT issues and LGBT people, and many said they would get involved in situations like finding help and support for a friend, or stopping the homophobic bullying of an LGBT young person.
However, the results also showed that life in the Borders might not always be good for LGBT young people. The majority of young people had heard mainly negative messages about LGBT people, and the majority also thought that school would be horrible or bad for an LGBT young person. Lots of young people didn’t know where they would access support if they needed it.
Therefore there is still a lot of work to be done in schools and youth settings to raise awareness of LGBT Youth Borders’ services and to share positive messages about LGBT people. We’d also like to talk to more young people about issues like homophobia to ensure that schools and youth settings are safe places for LGBT young people to go to.
Thank-you to all the young people who took part in the consultation, your answers are very important to the work that we will do in the Borders in the future.
Local services
Our aim at LGBT Youth Scotland is to ensure that all LGBT young people can access quality services locally, so instead of having to travel to cities like Edinburgh you can now access a range of services in your local area.
1-2-1 support
Would you like some support on issues like bullying, relationships, coming out, or self esteem? Then you can access 1-2-1 support, which we can sort out in a local venue that's suitable for you.
To arrange a time, contact info@lgbtyouth.org.uk
myspace and bebo sites
We have myspace and bebo sites for the LGBT Youth Borders, so email info@lgbtyouth.org.uk for the URL addresses so you can catch up on what's happening locally and meet some new friends.
Let's make the Borders a better place for LGBT people to live!
Events
We're hoping to organise some local events soon so that we can get together and have some fun!
Log on to our myspace and bebo sites, or email us (info@lgbtyouth.org.uk) your email address so we can keep you up-to-date with what's going to be happening.
LGBT Equality Forum
The Forum is run by volunteers and is an independent organisation with its own constitution. We are supported by Scottish Borders Council, NHS Borders, and Lothian & Borders Police through the New Ways community planning initiative.
The Forum exists to improve the lives of sexual minorities in the Scottish Borders. The aims of the Forum are to:
- Provide advice and act as a consulting body to all community planning partner organisations on matters affecting LGBT people
- Disseminate advice from public sector and other organisations to LGBT people
- Develop a range of social and recreational activities, independently or jointly with other organisations
- Provide a befriending service to LGBT people
- Encourage links between community groups and share best practice with similar organisations.
Social events include pub-nights, film-nights, quizzes, barbeques and picnics. Recreational activities include hill-walking and mountain-biking.
Membership is open to individuals and organisations with an interest in LGBT issues, who shares our aims. Benefits include a newsletter, social events, participation in consultation exercises and liaison meetings with public bodies. There is no charge for membership.
If you would like LGBT Youth Borders' support to go to an Equality Forum meeting then please get in touch. We can arrange to meet before the meeting and go along together.