HOMOPHOBIA,
BIPHOBIA & TRANSPHOBIA IN EDUCATION
MGRM
AND We Are would like to commemorate the International Day Against
Homophobia which is celebrated annually on the 17th
May. Adverts from MGRM’s Think Before You Speak: Making Life Better
for LGBT Youth Campaign will be displayed on a number of newspapers
on the day. The University LGBT group We Are will also be holding a
Flowers of Friendship event on campus, distributing flowers to
students. Both activities are being supported by the US Embassy.
 |
Activities on IDAHO are being supported by the US Embassy |
The
focus for this year’s activities around the world is homophobia,
biphobia and transphobia in education. Numerous studies continue to
demonstrate that a significant percentage of LGBT youth are victims
of bullying due to their sexual orientation, gender identity or
gender expression in the schools they frequent. This has an impact on
their well-being and also effects their school attendance and
academic achievement. Schools should be safe spaces for all students
and research demonstrates that policies that directly address
homo/bi/transphobic bullying do make schools safer.
It
is therefore unfortunate that the new National Curriculum Framework
currently fails to make any specific reference to issues that most
effect lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) students. This
continues to render members
of the LGBT communities – students, parents, administrators,
teachers, and other staff — invisible in the Maltese education
system.
Moreover,
while reference is made to the learning environment no mention is
made to ensuring the physical and emotional safety of students. MGRM
and We Are hold that safety is a precondition for learning and that
the absence of any reference to addressing bullying is of grave
concern. Our educational institutions should be committed to
providing each student with the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and
behaviours needed to live in a complex and diverse world. This
includes ensuring that any language or behaviour that deliberately
degrades, denigrates, labels, stereotypes, incites hatred, prejudice,
discrimination, harassment towards students or employees on the basis
of their real or perceived sexual orientation or gender
identification will not be tolerated and the prohibition of such
language and behaviour should be included in student and teacher
Codes of Conduct.
Gabi
Calleja, coordinator from MGRM states: ‘No LGBT student should have
to suffer just because of who they are. This means making sure that
schools are safe places for all and that the diversity of the student
population is reflected in the curriculum.’
Luisa
Tolu, a member of We Are adds, "last week We Are had the chance
to speak to students at Giovanni Curmi Higher Secondary School and
one sentiment emerged very clearly from these conversations; that
there isn't enough visibility of LGBT issues within our education
system and that every student would benefit if they are provided with
information about sexual orientation and gender identity from a young
age."