Just Like Us launch free resources to tackle homophobia in schools
BY GRACE CROWLEY, IMAGE BY GETTY
Just Like Us, an LGBTQIA young people’s charity, in conjunction with VotesforSchools surveyed 31,875 school children, including 4,307 primary schools, across the UK and found that homophobic language is unfortunately still common amongst young people. This new study shows that 78% of primary school pupils hear homophobic language, rising to 80% at secondary school.
Some primary school children reported that they heard it as a “joke” and others repeated it from TikTok where they heard the derogatory language. In response to this high statistic, Just Like Us has created and launched free resources for both primary and secondary schools for teachers to use to stop the problem in the classroom.
One primary school student from Bristol said: “We didn’t realise it was homophobic and it was something that everyone says. We all agree we are more aware after lessons and discussions in school.” Another from Slough explained: “Some people say unkind words without knowing what they mean.”
TikTok and social media have normalised this language with a student in Sandhurst saying: “We mainly hear people call each other ‘gay’ as an insult or a joke. This is because we see it trending on TikTok.”
The survey, conducted in June 2024, asked primary school pupils aged 9-11 across the UK: “Have you heard people being homophobic?” to which 78% responded “Yes”. Just Like Us works to keep homophobia out of schools, where this language can have detrimental impacts on young people’s mental health.
Laura MacKay, the Chief Executive of Just Like Us, said: “Homophobic language should never be dismissed as ‘just a joke’ because we know it has real-life consequences and hopes that ‘by empowering teachers with the knowledge and confidence to lead discussions around diversity, we can help all young people become allies and advocates for change.”
Just Like Us is the LGBT+ young people’s charity: www.justlikeus.org
DIVA magazine celebrates 30 years in print in 2024. If you like what we do, then get behind LGBTQIA media and keep us going for another generation. Your support is invaluable.
