Staff issues

What are the issues facing LGBT staff in Scottish schools?

Just as young people can feel excluded, threatened, hurt, or humiliated by homophobia at school and unable to come out, members of staff can also feel inhibited about disclosing their sexual orientation or gender identity. Many staff members feel unable to come out as LGBT because of the potential reactions of colleagues and pupils.

A 2006 survey from The Times Educational Supplement revealed that 75 per cent of lesbian and gay teachers have experienced discrimination at work. One in five said that they were scared to go to work as a result of school-based harassment.

How do I challenge homophobic behaviour amongst my peers?

It can be very difficult to challenge colleagues who use homophobic language or tell homophobic jokes – potentially even more difficult than challenging young people who do the same. Challenging this behaviour can lead to the one person who speaks out feeling vulnerable, exposed and open to accusations of ‘political correctness’ and overreaction.

There are no easy answers, although there are suggestions elsewhere in the toolkit for teachers for ways in which to challenge homophobia more generally. However, if homophobic language and jokes are acceptable in the staffroom or anywhere else in the school then it will be impossible to challenge young people who display the same kind of behaviour. The acceptance of homophobia anywhere in the school will undermine all other equality, diversity and anti-discrimination work carried out.