Huge spike in severe cases of anti-LGBT bullying across UK, study finds
Just Like Us have revealed there have been over 13,000 pupil exclusions or suspensions since the 2020/2021 academic year
Recent research has uncovered a significant rise in the most severe cases of anti-LGBT+ bullying in schools across the UK.
The charity - Just Like Us - have revealed there have been over 13,000 pupil exclusions or suspensions since the 2020/2021 academic year, something the organisation's CEO, Laura Mackay, has called 'deeply upsetting'.
Laura said: “We work with young people every day who have been affected by bullying, and sadly we know that this data represents the tip of the iceberg.
"In many cases, anti-LGBT+ bullying can go unreported if a young person feels that their school is not safe or supportive, and some schools are unprepared to tackle the issue even when those being bullied do speak up."
“We're seeing an increased need for our programmes, and demand for our school talks has tripled this year alone.
"Anti-LGBT+ bullying can have devastating effects that last a lifetime, impacting careers, personal relationships and mental health.
"At Just Like Us, we’re working to make sure that schools are places where every young person can feel safe and encouraged, and we hope more people will join us in bringing about this urgent change. Just Like Us is determined to prevent anti-LGBT+ bullying and help all young people to thrive.”
'The LGBT+ community have become a political scapegoat - and I'm scared for today's youth'
Belly, from Kenilworth, came out when they were 11 years old, but when the news spread across their year group they have described how they faced "relentless" bullying.
It made it really difficult going to school, with the bullying so intense that they went back into the closet for years, convincing themself they were straight, and suffering severe depression as a result.
Belly told Hits Radio Pride: "Growing up in Kenilworth, and in my experience, if you walk around town looking like an LGBT person, you'll get funny stares, and in my recent life, the only time I've been publicly harassed for being a lesbian is by secondary school children from there.
"A lot of children weaponised anti-LGBT+ rhetoric, and what ended up happening was my secondary school had a terrible homophobic culture.
"I was hearing from the get-go slurs and a lot of misogyny and racism.
"So I can definitely say that growing up gay in Kenilworth was certainly difficult, and it was even more difficult for my other LGBT+ friends who were born as boys, and who were thought to be gay.
"That was where I saw the most physical violence.
"For me, what I experienced was more emotional damage and verbal abuse.
"So, with these stats coming out about bullying today, I'm not shocked.
"There are still some schools where there are great safe spaces, but the fact that anti-LGBT+ bullying is on the rise is not surprising.
"I think that LGBT+ people, especially young people who are trans, have become a kind of political scapegoat in recent times.
"I'm scared for LGBT youth at the moment, and that's why it's so important to have charities like Just Like Us.
"One visit from an ambassador could genuinely change a child's life."
Belly now works with the charity, having discovered what they do to help people like them.
They volunteer by speaking in schools to be the representation they never had growing up - and has this message for their former self: "I would say hold on, hold on tight.
"It will be okay, you will find your community.
"There is nothing wrong with you, and actually being LGBTQ+ will lead you to have such a vibrant and happy life.
"Unfortunately, in this country, this life waits for you when you turn 18 years old - but you will get there."
'Genuinely shocked'
Liz Soulby, PSHE lead at Charlton School, said: “Just Like Us has helped reduce homophobic bullying in our school. We’re so grateful to the charity.
"Just Like Us has helped us to explain to pupils why anti-LGBT+ language is so damaging and we’ve seen a real difference in our school culture.”
Commenting on the data, comedian and broadcaster Sandi Toksvig said: “The latest figures on anti-LGBT+ bullying are shocking.
"When I was growing up, I felt entirely invisible. Today's young people deserve so much better than this and the charity Just Like Us is making sure they get it."
DJ Annie Mac added: “I’m genuinely shocked by these figures. Anti-LGBT+ bullying at this level, happening right now, in our kids' schools is not okay, and we can't look away from it. Just Like Us have been a brilliant resource for me as a parent, they help you understand what these young people are actually experiencing, and what you can do about it.
"That's why their work matters so much. I really hope more parents find them.”
Help and support
The research for the study is based on Department for Education exclusion data and analysed by the BBC, which shows more than 13,000 pupils have been excluded or suspended since the 2020/2021 academic year for bullying others based on their sexual orientation or gender identity.
There's help and support on the Just Like Us website.
The LGBT+ anti-abuse charity Galop also supports people of all ages.
There's more information about bullying with BulliesOut.