Research conducted by Just Like Us reveals the percentage of trans children facing bullying because of their identity
BY YASMIN VINCE, IMAGE BY GETTY VIA CANVA
According to new research conducted by charity Just Like Us, trans school pupils are five times more likely to face daily bullying than their cisgender peers.
Only 2% of cisgender secondary school pupils reported that they are bullied daily, but this number becomes one in 10 (10%) for trans pupils. A similar difference can be seen for pupils who have experienced some form of bullying in the last year. One in five (21%) cisgender pupils reported being bullied at least once in the year prior, while more than half (54%) of trans pupils could say the same.
The research is part of a report, Growing Up LGBT+, published by Just Like Us. The report independently surveyed almost 3000 secondary school pupils and over 500 educators across the UK. It was first published in 2021, but a new appendix has been added to include bullying statistics this year.
Sebrina, a trans woman and Just Like Us ambassador, said: “The majority of the bullying I experienced was as a secondary school pupil. It was at a time when the phrase ‘that’s so gay’ was very popular, especially amongst teenage boys. I was a shy and camp little kid, so an easy target for the boys in my class.
“I already knew I was LGBT+, but the relentless bullying stopped me from exploring and understanding my sexual orientation or gender identity. The constant messaging of ‘gay is not OK’ made me isolate and repress my feelings. I didn’t want to identify with the LGBT+ community because I thought life would just get harder for me if I did.”
Sebrina shared: “It wasn’t until after the bullying stopped that I eventually built up the courage to come out as transgender at the age of 18. I believe the bullies robbed me of the precious years I could have been myself as a teenager, which could have changed the whole trajectory of my life. I’m so glad I did come out at 18, and I love my life today, but bullying really did affect my own perception of myself.”
Just Like Us is the LGBTQIA young people’s charity. You can access their website here http://www.justlikeus.org/
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