Sun 30 Sep 2007 In: New Zealand Daily News View at Wayback View at NDHA
95% of New Zealand students believe their gay, lesbian and bisexual classmates feel unsafe in their own schools, according to an Otago University study - and their teachers almost exactly reflect that view. The study, conducted by Otago University in 2003, found only 5% of students and only 7% of staff from over 100 high schools believed gay, lesbian and bisexual students would feel safe in their own schools. The disturbing statistic has been highlighted by the Out There! Youth Development Project which says that homophobia and homophobic bullying can undermine gay teenagers' sense of self-worth and even lead to actual abuse. Out There was responding to questions in the wake of GayNZ.com's revelations that Opposition spokesperson for Education Bill English's son continued to publicly post increasingly homophobic statements for three weeks after his father was alerted to the problem. The content only vanished from public view after the general media highlighted it. "The New Zealand Suicide Prevention Strategy confirms sexuality is a risk factor for young peoples well-being and states that research indicates that this stems from social prejudices, homophobic attitudes, victimisation and harassment that lead to feelings of feelings of isolation, of not measuring up, and self-hatred," says Nathan Brown, National Co-ordinator of Out There. "Homophobia hurts all of us regardless of our sexual orientation [and] words like homo," Brown says, "It should not be a surprise to anyone that words like 'faggot' and 'homo' are frequently used by young people in New Zealand.” He has observed that negative phrases using 'gay' are "endemic" in New Zealand youth cultures. "The sad thing is that no one seems to care or understand that is not ok and that it hurts." Brown says there is "intense pressure" on all young people, including those who are destined to be heterosexual, "as they struggle with deeply held fears that they may not measure up. These are fears invoked by homophobia. And if it's difficult for them, then imagine the isolation for young people who realise they may be queer or trans." When faced with an environment where homophobic insults are broadly tolerated, many young people will begin to use that language so they can feel part of the group," says Brown. "So powerful are its effects that many people who know it is not ok will not challenge its use out of fear of being labeled 'gay' themselves. This is how homophobia can affect everyone, regardless of their sexual orientation. Brown and the Out There project urges all parents and teachers to try to stamp out such homophobic abuse and bullying by their children or students. Ref: OUT THERE!, GayNZ.com (m)
Credit: GayNZ.com News Staff
First published: Sunday, 30th September 2007 - 4:08pm