LGBT Students Asked To Change Separately For PE
A study of LGBT students in Yorkshire by Sheffield Hallam University published last week and reported in Pink News says some gay students are ‘being instructed to get changed for Physical Education (PE) away from other pupils’.
The report, ‘Tackling Homophobia and Transphobia In Settings Supporting Young People’, interviewed students, teachers and youth workers about their experience in South Yorkshire.
Students at several schools reported being instructed to change in ‘toilets and in other rooms located near to the regular changing facilities’.
The study says: ‘Perhaps not surprisingly, this made them feel singled out and excluded, and contributed to some not attending PE and/or school. When one group member had complained about this practice they had been told they were “causing a fuss”, whilst another in a different school was told it was for “their own safety”.’
Lead researcher Eleanor Formby, from the Centre for Education and Inclusion Research at Sheffield Hallam, said such behaviours could lead to homophobia becoming ‘normalised’ by the time children leave school.
She said: ‘I don’t think telling pupils who have “come out” to get changed separately is official policy, but I fear that it may be routine practice in some schools and could lead to homophobia being normalised.’
One student is quoted as saying about changing separately: ‘At the end of the day it was partly my decision to do it coz’ I was scared of stuff that would get said or done.’
According to Formby: ‘Staff often want to be able to tackle issues dealing with sexuality, but are often unaware of or unable to access training or resources that are on offer so they can deal with these issues appropriately and effectively.’
The study also highlights reports by some students of teachers making openly homophobic statements.
One student claimed a teacher told them: ‘If my son or my daughter was ever gay I’d take them into the back of my garden, tie them to the wall and shoot them with a shotgun.’
Formby added: ‘This study suggests that whilst many young people and staff strongly believe in equality for LGB groups, there is still a clear view among some that same-sex relationships are “different”, “unnatural”, “unfamiliar” and therefore wrong’.
‘It is concerning to me that young LGB people may still face these attitudes from both their peers and professionals who ostensibly should be working towards supporting and safeguarding their wellbeing.’
The Sheffield study recommends stronger senior management for LGBT awareness and support, the nomination of a school governor responsible for LGBT issues and an LGBT ‘champion’ to promote them in the organisation.
Have a look at the report: it’s depressing, but worth a read.