Dealing with Homophobia and Homophobic Bullying in Scottish Schools: Teachers Toolkit and Lesson Plans

Dealing with Homophobia and Homophobic Bullying in Scottish Schools is a brand new toolkit resource designed to support teachers in recognising, challenging, and effectively reducing homophobia and homophobic bullying in their schools. The resource, funded by the Scottish Government and developed by LGBT Youth Scotland in partnership with Learning and Teaching Scotland (LTS), was distributed to all secondary schools and local authorities in January 2009 and is available for download. 

Click here to access the LTS website

"Using the toolkit has made young people aware that staff take homophobic bullying seriously and that they are available and willing to talk to young people about it. It gives the message that homophobic attitudes and behaviour have no place in the school." Guidance Teacher, Pilot School

This toolkit is based on research into homophobic bullying conducted with LGBT young people and over 200 schools in Scotland in 2006. This research highlighted that homophobia and homophobic bullying were problematic for young people and that schools were not always sure about how best to tackle it and support LGBT young people. While young people called for proactive and preventative approaches to tackling homophobia and open discussion of LGBT issues, teachers requested clear information and guidance in order to feel as confident as possible.

The toolkit addresses a range of areas: 

• The Key Issues Issues facing LGBT young people, defining homophobia and homophobic bullying and understanding its impact
• Questions and Answers Responses to questions on homophobic bullying, gender stereotypes, transgender young people and transphobia, discussing LGBT issues and supporting LGBT young people
• Including Homophobia and Homophobic Bullying in School Policy Inclusive anti-bullying policies, an anti-bullying policy ‘health check’ and raising awareness of policy
• Practical Guidance Guidance in areas such as challenging homophobia, the use of language, recording and monitoring incidents, confidentiality, information sharing and involving parents and carers in anti-homophobia work
• Suggestions of Good Practice A range of ways to kickstart anti-homophobia work in schools including ways in which to raise awareness of LGBT issues in the school and wider community
• Further Resources Glossary of terms and further useful resources and contacts
• Lesson plans A range of adaptable cross-curricular lesson plan suggestions for Third, Fourth and Senior levels, along with guidance on addressing anti-homophobia and LGBT issues with young people. 

The toolkit and lesson plans were piloted in five secondary schools in East Lothian, Falkirk, Edinburgh, the Scottish Borders and Dumfries and Galloway.

To ask questions or to discuss any part of the toolkit please email info@lgbtyouth.org.uk.

Email info@lgbtyouth.org.uk to order Challenging Homophobia Together campaign materials for your school.