Homophobia has long been a problem in schools. GLBT students are often subject to taunts and teasing, discrimination and in some cases, acts of violence.
Tasmania, which has been a progressive in fighting homophobia in schools since the late 1990s has taken another step forward, with Tasmanian Education Minister David Bartlett announcing on March 19th that the Education Department would set aside $50,000 to implement ‘Pride and Prejudice’ programs in all Tasmanian secondary schools. ‘My department is committed to working with… organisations to ensure that gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender young people are able to gain an education in environments that are free from bullying and harassment’.
The ‘Pride and Prejudice’ program consists of six 45-55 minute interactive class sessions that discuss issues of sexuality and gender. The program seeks to challenge and explore student attitudes towards gender and sexuality and is not a sex education or sexual health program. The government’s decision to implement the programs was prompted by a report by Dr. Doug Bridge of the University of Tasmania’s Institute for Inclusive Learning Communities entitled ‘Breaking the Spell of Silence.’ Dr. Bridge’s report examined the impact of such programs on school communities and found that they significantly reduced homophobic attitudes in many students. Dr. Bridge told OUTinPerth that he was motivated to undertake the study because ‘We have all, at some time, experienced discrimination and bullying based on some perceived difference. We have all, at some time or other, had to stand in resistance to ‘majority’ or group behaviour. We all know how difficult that can be! I believe schools could become agents of change to address many forms of discrimination, harassment and bullying’.
Since the Mr. Bartlett’s announcement, numerous groups have expressed their support for the decision. Rodney Croome, spokesperson for the Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group said, ‘The Education Department’s funding shows it is serious about reducing levels of class-room homophobia’. The Greens and Dr. Bridge have also applauded the Education Department, though they are calling for even further progress. Dr. Bridge stated, ‘I would like to see the deeper, embedded homophobia of the curriculum researched. Schools as institutions work to ‘normalise’ certain ways of being, certain sexualities, and to perpetuate particular relations of power.’
Megan Smith
