Challenging Homophobia in schools

[Forward Union]

Challenging Homophobia in schools

Homophobia is simply, a hatred, or fear of someone who is lebian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT). It is important, for working class solidarity, and for the good of all individuals, that this phenomenon is stopped.

All around the world LGBT people are victimised for being nothing more than themselves, in some countries, people hanged in other, they are simply discriminated against in the workplace/community, tormented and bullied.

As you can imagine, homophobic behaviour can start in the early years of a humans life, from influences in the family, and more commonly, in the school.

if you are at school, and consider yourself a revolutionary, these are a list of responses that you should take, to combat homophobia.

- Tackle the language that gives licence to homophobic bullying, stop people saying "That's gay" or "Your so gay" do your best not to use that language yourself.

- Use non-steriotypical images through the school. When creating a hypothetical situation, don't use bourgeois norms like the 'nuclear family'

- Avoid using race and gender as the only examples of prejudice (but don't cut them out completely)

- Make sure you stick up for anyone being abused, even if it is clear you will loose a physical clash. Teachers and staff will be able to administer more official punishment, but it wont stop the underground spreading of homophobic assaults, you need to do things yourself.

- Avoid generic language that assumes parents and staff have opposite sex partners or that pupils have traditional/nuclear families.

- Develop policies and practice that address homophobia.

[which doctor]

There is only one gay kid at my school and I'm probaly his only male friend at school. He is made fun of by all the other guys at school. I stick up for him pretty often. I encourage others to stick up for LGBT kids at their schools. High school is a rough place.

[boosh logic]

Make sure you stick up for anyone being abused, even if it is clear you will loose a physical clash

If you mean if someone themselves is being physically abused, then I agree. However, if it is only verbal I don't think this is the best way (always). A few weeks ago on my way out of sixth form a new girl from Cantonia was leaving too, and some pricks were shouting racist shit at her. She ignored them and walked off, and they didn't take it any further. I told them to shut up anyway, but then when they all turned around and said "say that again you dick" I shut up. I was on my own and there were about 7 or 8 of them, and I don't think it's worth getting your face kicked in, it wouldn't of changed anything, they'd still be racist twats.

[Everyday Anarchy]

I've noticed that telling racists/homophobes to "stop" or to "shut up," doesn't cut it at all.
Attacking the attackers rarely accomplishes anything. It's much better to show how illogical it is to be racist or homophobic.

For example, one time I heard somebody that I knew fairly well discriminating against homosexuals. I didn't shout at them "shut up, homophobic retard!" Instead, I asked them if they thought I was homosexual (I'm not). They answered "No, why? Are you?" I then asked them if my answer would change the fact that we had been friends for a couple years. Their answer was no.
From there I just pointed out how hating homosexuals is ridiculous because a person's sexual preference rarely affects their personality and/or friendships.

Never heard that person say a homophobic comment again.



A common arguement against homosexuals is "I don't want some dude trying to hump me!" If you ever hear that, just point out that girls aren't humping random guys and guys aren't humping random girls.
This (very common) arguement is a very stupid one.

[cbm989]

we have a gay-straight alliance at my school along with may gay students. last year some crazy baptist people came from kansas and marched around our school yelling ant-gay messages and all the kids ran out of the school and threw things at them (even the republican kids). coolest-moment-ever.

[Forward Union]

I stick up for him pretty often

Good to hear :)



"say that again you dick" I shut up. I was on my own and there were about 7 or 8 of them, and I don't think it's worth getting your face kicked in, it wouldn't of changed anything, they'd still be racist twats.

Although I don't think it's preferable, you can alert the staff to this, if your not going to get you face smashed in. Infact, if you did get your face smashed in, those kids might never go to that school again.



I've noticed that telling racists/homophobes to "stop" or to "shut up," doesn't cut it at all.
Attacking the attackers rarely accomplishes anything. It's much better to show how illogical it is to be racist or homophobic.

Of course, but it depends how you go about doing this.

In my 6th form...Instead of saying "Your so gay" we tend to say things like "Your such a fascist", or "That's fascist" It became very popular amongst History students, and is now fairly well used :D :D

[Tormented by Treachery]

I agree with AF. I tell people to shut up when they are making homophobic comments, and I never back down.

[loveme4whoiam]

This is a very personal argument for me, as my mum is actually gay and I've taken a fair bit of flak for it over the years. I could have hidden it, but I didn't see why I had to. Obviously I didn't walk around wearing a sandwich board with it on, since I don't see kids with straight parents doing it. I've taken some verbal shit, and occassionally that's led to some physical shit, but I've never backed down, not once.

This is how you fight these ignorant fools; you give them one opening, one moment when you back down, and that opens the flood-gates. I sympathise with boosh logic, and frankly no-one can condemn your actions. But as long as there's something you can do, its your duty not just as a revolutionary but simply as a right-thinking human being to stop it.

Wow, sorry for the rant :blush:.

[Goatse]

Today on MSN someone called me a "gay boy." I asked what was wrong with gay people. He just said because I am. I pointed out that if the only thing wrong with being gay is that I'm one then pointing out that I am gay is pointless, since I being me is already associated with me.

Or something like that. He just said he was going to "batter" me at school tomorrow, and then blocked me. Oh well.

But for people with an IQ above 70, I think your advice would work.

[Forward Union]

Originally posted by [email protected] 5 2006, 09:41 PM
This is a very personal argument for me, as my mum is actually gay and I've taken a fair bit of flak for it over the years.


Sad to hear, about the abuse I mean. I have a somewhat different situation, im Bisexual, and my parents are right wing, catholic homophobes. Don't need to go into the bourgeois worker stereotype too much, but that's basically them.


its your duty not just as a revolutionary but simply as a right-thinking human being to stop it.

Very much so! well said.


I being me is already associated with me

hehe, that's the most sense I've heard anyone make for a while...

I hope that guy didn't "batter you"

[RebelOutcast]

He just said he was going to "batter" me...
Did you ask what he was going to batter you with? Ale batter? Plain ol' coating batter? :P

I agree with what Additives has said, but the only way to tackle homophobia/racism/sexism in some people is to talk to them in a language they can understand, Aggression.
It's not smart to confront a group of people on your own, so leave it until you have people with you or get the ring leader later.

[which doctor]

Perhaps it was fish batter.

[La Comédie Noire]

People at my school are very closed minded but I don't care I was the president of the gay/straight alliance 2 years in a row and I am still a member of it :D

The only thing people said to me was "your gay" and I responded with "I'm only half gay" becuase I am Bi sexual and do not care who knows it. I just reasoned to them "how is calling me a sexual orientation offensive?, its like me calling you vietnamease"

[Ol' Dirty]

There is only one gay kid at my school and I'm probaly his only male friend at school. He is made fun of by all the other guys at school. I stick up for him pretty often. I encourage others to stick up for LGBT kids at their schools. High school is a rough place.

Actualy, 10% of all people are gay. He's probably not alone.

Also, there are a few people in my grade who may be gay, but I'm not positive. They're usually called fagots, and the like. I stand up for them when can, but I have to pick my battles. I'm an avid anti-homophbe, and I do what I can, when I can.

[Delirium]

There are no openly gay students that i know of in my school. Thats how conservative it is. Homophobia is rapant, i must hear the word 'faggot' at least twenty times a day.

[Sentinel]

This really needs to be brought up often, great that you did, AF! Civil courage is a matter of heart to me.

I don't go to school anymore, actually I've been out on the labor market for several years, but it is of course equally important, although possibly somewhat easier, to combat homophobia at work.

But one thing is the same everywhere: If nobody does anything about it, it'll be there.

I've always tried to fight it, but especially since I became an union representative I've seen it as one of my top priorities in everyday life onboard my ship.

It really doesn't take much effort from anybody on a working place to put an end to this creeping, hideous disease.

Someone just needs to start pointing out that it's unacceptable every single time it occurs. I've noticed that after a while people become more careful and start to consider what really is acceptable to say.

So, keep fighting that crap whereever you are comrades.

[Ol' Dirty]

Originally posted by Datura [email protected] 7 2006, 11:28 PM
There are no openly gay students that i know of in my school. Thats how conservative it is. Homophobia is rapant, i must hear the word 'faggot' at least twenty times a day.
I feel sorry for you. My empathy.

[Delirium]

Originally posted by FluxOne13+Feb 8 2006, 12:35 AM--> (FluxOne13 @ Feb 8 2006, 12:35 AM)
Datura [email protected] 7 2006, 11:28 PM
There are no openly gay students that i know of in my school. Thats how conservative it is. Homophobia is rapant, i must hear the word 'faggot' at least twenty times a day.
I feel sorry for you. My empathy. [/b]
I just really try to tune out the whole thing. Since there aren't any openly gay people in my school (of about 600) it's just a bunch of idiots accusing each other of being gay. :blink:

If they were actually attacking somone who was LGBT i would certainly take offence and speak/act.

[YSR]

It's important to struggle against homophobia in schools. It's also important to not get caught up in the establishment of the school with this.

I was part of our school's GSA in its first year. It was really on the edge and challenging peoples' bigoted viewpoints for the first year. And then it got caught up with being part of the school's official "clubs" and lost any radical tendencies. It became just a part of the system and totally ineffectual. I don't even know if it does anything anymore, as little as I hear about it.

The key is to fight homophobia the same way we fight capitalism: directly. Organize but never let the school's establishment co-opt you.

[La Comédie Noire]

And then it got caught up with being part of the school's official "clubs" and lost any radical tendencies. It became just a part of the system and totally ineffectual.

I was actually barred from being president of the gsa for an "extreme Incident" well that is what the fuckin school called it. Apparentaly being passionate about anti-discrimination has no place in a school. <_<