Homophobic Bullying: Doing Nothing isn't Fixing Anything

[sparkindarkness]

When we talk about homophobic bullying that hurts our youth so much there’s always a lot of distractions - there’s the “no let’s tackle all bullying” and the “why are you focused on GBLT kids” distraction, there’s the “religious freedom” wail, there’s the “indoctrination hiss” and, inevitably, there’s the earnest and tearful “but what can we do

Comments

[masterde]

But isn't this just symptomatic of the common response of the cis straight person towards young LGBT kids. Because, of course, to acknowledge them in the first place would be a big step for them. That might mean that they'd have to admit that it's not a choice. There's more than one wall to getting to the problem when it comes to our school. And why stop at schools? What about the work place. Raise your hand if you've heard anti-gay slurs there? It's still acceptable to use there and in schools so until we change the vocabulary then we have to deal with a potent weapon. Start with removing homophobic words from the "acceptable" list of words to use. Make them words that get people in trouble. You want a starting point, start there. When they have no way to express their hatred than with physical actions (and let's face it, if they really want to then they will still use the unacceptable words) then you've got reason to know that it's queer-bashing. Helps to identify the problem people and get them in trouble for their actions. Helps

[sparkindarkness]

Of course, we're not supposed to be there, and we're too obscene to be around kids - of course they'll look away, anything but acknowledge the actual existence of us. Anything but acknowledge that there are gay kids there.

Hah, my work plce is toxic, beyond toxic. These words need to be out of casual discourse -unacceptable, punished and condemned.

[iolo1234]

Some of us do challenge these comments. I am well known for doing so with kids and staff (when necessary). Perhaps my prominent display of pictures of John Barrowman and Captain Jack helps.

[sparkindarkness]

I wish there were so much more

[iolo1234]

So do I. When Clause 28 was introduced I was outraged and also that it took so long for the Labour Party to repeal it. I do agree that there are teachers who don't say anything but there are many of us who do. What I find is refreshing is that the kids we've had have found it safe to talk about being gay in school. I also find myself smiling in a silly way when boys feel able to touch and hug each other without being labelled and there is far more of that than when I started work 30 years ago.

[teleens_journal]

I faced bullying in the lunch line in school and I once literally had a teacher turn his back rather than deal with the boys who were messing with me.

I had him the next year in class and he was a nice person there, but I always judged him for not standing up for me when he could have. He had the full weight of the school behind him and yet he ignored their behavior, which included physical intimidation as well as verbal abuse.

[tattooofhername]

When that happened to me and years later I confronted them about it, I was told that it was their way of 'teaching me to stand on my own two feet'.

I think some of them get so overwhelmed they just give up.

[girlofavalon]

I was told that it was their way of 'teaching me to stand on my own two feet'.

That's a line of thinking (and teaching) that I will never understand, because it doesn't teach anyone to stand on their own two feet. Chances are it's going to do the exact opposite. :\

[tattooofhername]

Well see, if someone stepped in I'd expect them to do that every time, and the world just isn't like that outside of school!

It still makes me angry.