HBT bullying is often present in an environment that fails to challenge and respond to HBT phobias. Like other forms of bullying, HBT bullying can be physical, verbal or indirect and the motivation of the bullies is specific.

What is Homophobia, Biphobia, ENBY phobia and Transphobia?

HBT can be defined as an irrational dislike, hatred or fear of individuals that are, or are perceived to be gay, lesbian, bi or trans. It results in negative consequences ranging from damage of self-esteem to self harm and suicidal thoughts.

Such attitudes can also affect anyone who does not conform to stereotypical standards of masculine or feminine behaviour.

'Trans' is an umbrella term to describe people whose gender is not the same as, or does not sit comfortably with, the sex they were assigned at birth. Trans people may describe themselves using one or more of a wide variety of terms, including (but not limited to) transgender, cross dresser, non-binary, gender queer.

Transphobic bullying affects young people who are trans but can also affect those questioning their gender identity as well as students who are not trans but do not conform to gender stereotypes. For example:

Students pestering and mocking a trans young person with questions about their gender such as 'are you a real boy?' or 'are you a boy, or are you a girl?' or asking invasive questions like 'do you wear knickers or boxers?' or 'what body parts do you have?'

A girl being teased and called names referring to her as a boy or trans because she wears trousers or 'boys' clothes' – a boy who tells his friends that his dad is now his mum suffers other students laughing and repeatedly telling him 'that can't happen – your dad's a freak'

Non-binary people can feel that their gender identity and gender experience involves being both a man and a woman, or that it is fluid, in between, or completely outside of that binary. People who have an irrational dislike, hatred or fear of individuals who are non-binary are ENBY phobic.

 

When does it take place?

Like any form of bullying it can occur at any time in a person's life however...

Most bullying takes place at a time when young people are unsure about their own developing identity. Bullying about gender, sexuality and identity can present itself in young people as the fear of and the reaction to an issue about which they have little understanding and to any person perceived as 'different'.

Who gets bullied?

Anyone can become a victim of HBT bullying:

• Teenagers who have misjudged their best friend by confiding in them only to find themselves 'outed' are the principal targets of this form of bullying
• Heterosexual girls and boys who others think of as lesbian or gay can come under similar attack. Most young people taunted about their sexual orientation are, in reality, too young to know what sexuality is
• Friends of lesbian and gay young people are frequently forced to face up to their own prejudices, fears and preconceptions whilst regularly finding themselves the targets of homophobia by being 'guilty by association'
• Brothers and sisters of LGBT bullied young people are also often victimised
• Children of a LGBT gay parent can often be vulnerable to HBT abuse from peers should their family situation become known

How can HBT bullying affect young people?

Young people can have their education disrupted. They may not participate in lessons appropriately due to feelings of fear or anger. Pupils' self-esteem is often severely affected and, as a result, their academic potential is not fulfilled.

Young people whose fears and confusions are not adequately dealt with in their youth too often go on to develop problems in adulthood including depressive disorders or dependencies upon alcohol and drugs.

Schools who dismiss the problem are not helping any of their young people to develop a concern for the well-being of others and an understanding and healthy acceptance of people's difference.
LGBT young people can find themselves seriously stressed by having to wrestle with their own feelings about themselves and the problems other people have in coming to terms with their sexual orientation.

Is being LGBT the problem?

It's not being LGBT that makes some young people unhappy, it's the negative reaction of other people that they fear, coming to terms with being 'different' and coping with it that's difficult. It is even harder if this has to be done in secrecy from family, friends and teachers.

LGBT people of all ages can find themselves emotionally exhausted by having to reconcile how they are feeling inside with the problems others have in coming to terms with their sexual orientation or identity.

Bullying of LGBT Children with SEN

The Anti-Bullying Alliance (ABA) has teamed up with the Equality and Human Rights Commission to show the scale and impact of identity-based bullying 

What the law says

Equality Act 2010
The public sector Equality Duty requires all schools in England to eliminate discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender reassignment.

Education and Inspections Act 2006
Schools have a duty to promote the safety and well-being of all children and young people in their care, including those who are lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans and those experiencing homophobic, biphobic or transphobic bullying.

Ofsted
Ofsted inspectors are explicitly directed to look at a school's efforts to tackle bullying based on sexual orientation and gender identity. They may also look at how the school supports the needs of distinct groups of students, such as lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans students.

Government
Tackling homophobic, biphobic and transphobic bullying is a clear government priority. The Department for Education, in conjunction with the Government Equalities Office, supports schools and organisations across England to tackle homophobic, biphobic and transphobic bullying.

Resources

• Stonewall - Stonewall work for equality and justice for LBGTQ+
• Gendered Intelligence support young trans people aged 8-25 delivering projects aimed at youth programmes, support for parents and carers, professional development and trans awareness training for all sectors and educational workshops for schools, colleges, Universities and other educational settings.
• Anti Bullying Alliance