HOMOPHOBIC BULLYING

Early day motion 2535, tabled 10 July 2006 by Baroness Teather (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 97 members.

That this House notes that all bullying has serious effects on victims, resulting in failure of pupils to achieve their full potential, truancy, self-harm and even suicide; further notes that one survey found 72 per cent. of lesbian, gay and bisexual adults reported a history of regular absenteeism at school due to homophobic harassment and that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered pupils are more likely than their peers to leave education at 16; recognises that there is no duty on schools to monitor or tackle homophobic bullying, which can severely affect pupils who grow up to be gay, pupils with gay family members and pupils labelled 'gay' by their peers; believes schools must acknowledge this problem and challenge all forms of homophobic bullying immediately, including taunts and name calling; and calls for anti-bullying policies in all schools to include measures specifically to deal with homophobic bullying, and training for at least one member of staff in how to tackle homophobic bullying.

Signatures by party: Liberal Democrat 45, Labour 38, Conservative 5, Scottish National Party 4, Independent 1, Plaid Cymru 1, Respect 1, Social Democratic and Labour Party 1, UUP 1.