UK’s leading charity for LGBT+ equality, releases guidance to help combat bi-erasure and biphobia
Celebrating Bi Inclusion In Secondary Schools is designed to provide specific insight into the experiences of bi young people in schools and highlight issues that bi people of all ages continue to face.
Bi people are often the forgotten part of the LGBT+ acronym and can face what is called “double discrimination”, not only do they face abuse from straight people, but also from lesbian and gay people.
Research by Stonewall demonstrates why this guide is needed. The Stonewall School Report found that three in four LGBT+ pupils (76 per cent) have never learnt about bisexuality.
It also found that one in three bi pupils (35 per cent) are bullied for being LGBT+.
Nearly half of LGBT pupils (45 per cent) are bullied for being #LGBT in school. Your vote can make a difference. Be heard this 3 May in the England Local Elections. Read our Policy Officer @tomwmorrison's blog, and #ComeOutForLGBT at the polls: https://t.co/gEkoweLFdR pic.twitter.com/kZrm7IdNo3
— Stonewall (@stonewalluk) April 30, 2018
Stonewall’s new resource identifies three key ways in which schools can tackle these problems – training staff, talking about bi issues with students, and building an inclusive school environment.
Some of the practical steps covered in the guide include talking points for teachers to increase the understanding of the unique experiences that bi people face, as well as tips on how to interweave bi role models into the curriculum.
Many LGBT+ young people say that seeing more and more openly LGBT+ people in the public eye has enabled them to embrace their identity as an LGBT+ person and feel hopeful about the future.
“Every time someone famous comes out as bisexual, I feel hopeful that my sexuality will continue to be normalised,” said Antonia, 19, a respondent to Stonewall’s School Report.
Stonewall research reveals a lack of visibility has a lasting impact, and the recent LGBT+ in Britain university study shows that 47 per cent of bi students will hide or disguise their identity when at university, compared to 29 per cent of gay and lesbian students.
Ruth Hunt, Stonewall’s Chief Executive, said: “Bi young people don’t often see themselves in schools or in popular culture and this has a serious impact.
“It can lead to them doubting that what they are feeling is true or normal. It can also lead to them being excluded from important conversations about their health and wellbeing.
“We know there is a real need for young people to learn more about the issues bi people face.
“This can help us start to tackle the lack of understanding there is about bisexuality, which in turn will help to stop the damaging bi-erasure and biphobia that young bi people experience.
“We want all young LGBT to be able to grow up confident about who they are and to have their sexual orientation and gender identity accepted without exception.”
Read Celebrating Bi Inclusion In Secondary Schools here.
