ISSUES
: Sexuality and Gender
Chapter 3: LGBTQ+ issues
28
Challenging homophobic language
What is homophobic
language?
‘poof’, ‘lezzer’, ‘gay boy’,
‘batty boy’, ‘you’re so gay’
Homophobic language means terms
of abuse that are often used towards
lesbian, gay and bisexual people, or
those thought to be LGB.
However, homophobic language is
also often used to refer to something
or someone as inferior. Phrases such
as ‘you’re such a lezzer!’ or ‘those
trainers are gay!’, for example, may be
used to insult someone or something,
but without referring to actual or
perceived sexual orientation.
This language is often dismissed as
“harmless banter” and not thought
to be particularly hurtful, especially
where the intent is not to comment on
someone’s actual or perceived sexual
orientation.
However, regardless of the lack of any
deliberate intent, these terms liken
being gay to something that’s bad,
wrong or inferior.
Homophobic language tends to be
used without thinking and is often
ignored by teachers and school staff
because either they feel it is difficult to
know how to respond or they believe
the language is used without any
homophobic intent.
Why is it a problem?
In secondary schools
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98 per cent of gay pupils hear
‘that’s so gay’ or ‘you’re so gay’
at school
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97 per cent of gay pupils hear
derogatory phrases such as
‘dyke’ or ‘poof’ used in school
‘‘I get called names all the time at
school, especially ‘poof’ or ‘faggot’.
My stuff is always being ripped up
or drawn on or stolen.” Alan, 13,
secondary school (Scotland)
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95 per cent of secondary school
teachers report hearing the
phrases ‘you’re so gay’ or ‘that’s
so gay’ in their schools
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eight in ten secondary school
teachers report hearing other
insulting homophobic remarks
such as ‘poof’, ‘dyke’, ‘queer’ and
‘faggot’
“Use of phrases like ‘that’s so gay’
have become commonplace.”
Megan, administrative support,
secondary school (East Midlands)
In primary schools
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three quarters of primary school
teachers report hearing the
phrases ‘you’re so gay’ or ‘that’s
so gay’ in their schools
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two in five primary school
teachers report hearing other
insulting homophobic remarks
such as ‘poof’, ‘dyke’, ‘queer’ and
‘faggot’
‘‘At primary level, to call another child
gay is currently a term of abuse.” Jill,
teacher, primary school (Yorkshire
and the Humber)
“I teach primary age children who
use the terms ‘poof’, ‘queer’, etc.
when name-calling.” Emily, teacher,
primary school (East Midlands)
Even if pupils are not in each instance
deliberately commentingon any actual
or perceived sexual orientation, they
are inundated daily with messages
that equate being lesbian, gay or
bisexual with something negative.
Name-calling is the most common
form of homophobic bullying.
A school culture that permits casual
use of homophobic language makes
it all the easier for pupils to suffer
homophobic
name-calling
and
bullying.
Who is subjected to
homophobic language?
“The majority of anti-gay remarks
are directed at students who are
(probably) not gay but the remarks
are intended as insults to insinuate
that they are gay.” Anna, librarian,
secondary school (West Midlands)
Teachers and school staff say
that the pupils most affected by
homophobic language are, in
descending order:
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pupils who are thought to be
lesbian, gay or bisexual
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boys for behaving/acting ‘like girls’
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pupils who are openly lesbian,
gay or bisexual
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boys who don’t play sports
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boys who are academic
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girls for behaving/acting ‘like boys’
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girls who do play sports
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pupils whose parents/carers
are gay
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pupils who have gay friends or
family.
‘‘I think that the term ‘you’re so gay’
is very commonly used to express
dislike or scorn. Usually when
challenged about these comments,
pupils are either embarrassed or
defiant, expressing their views that
to be gay is ‘gross’.” Kim, teacher,
secondary school (Yorkshire and
the Humber)
It is not exclusively gay young people
who experience homophobic name-
calling or harassment. Homophobic
bullying can affect any young person
at any time during their education,
including primary and secondary
schools, as well as Further Education
and sixth-form colleges.
The impact of
homophobic language
When homophobic behaviour
and language go unchallenged, a
culture of homophobia is created
and can impact on young people’s
sense of belonging, self-esteem
and attainment at school.
“If a teacher doesn’t intervene
when pupils use anti-gay language,
it could go further the next time
(more specific anti-gay bullying,
for example).” Jessica, teacher,
