LGBT+ Inclusion Work As Former Teacher Challenges Homophobic Silvers

According to a former teacher and consultant, children as young as seven are using homophobic language, with offensive insults “increasing dramatically” in schools.

Ian Timbrell, who works with schools on LGBT+ inclusion, said a growing number of teachers have recently sought his help after hearing derogatory terms being used.

Social media apps such as TikTok were highlighted as sources where such language was heard – although a company spokesperson said it had removed around 90% of videos that violated its policies on bullying and hate speech. used to do

The Welsh Government said: “Any form of bullying, discrimination, or sexual harassment is completely unacceptable.”

Warning: This story contains offensive language.

Mr Timbrell, who has been a teacher for 17 years, said he could not remember hearing the phrase “that’s so homophobic” during his career.

However, in the past 12 months, he felt there had been a “huge recovery”.

“A lot of it is their family and their parents who are using it,” he said.

“But it has mostly United States social media, TikTok accounts, things like that.”

The Cardiff-based father-of-one now runs a not-for-profit organisation, More than flags and rainbowswhich aims to make schools and colleges more inclusive as well as challenge homophobia.

“Ignorance is not an excuse,” he added.

“If people are saying, ‘I didn’t mean it, or I don’t know what that means,’ then it’s our responsibility as parents, as teachers, to educate them about that.” Why is that?”

He said he would use his own experiences to explain to the students how hurtful the term can be when it is used in such a negative way.

“The only way we’re going to stop this is if everybody stands up to it, whether you’re a teacher, a parent, a young person,” he said.

A report By Easton in December 2021 found that LGBTQ+ students have substantial personal experiences of verbal homophobic harassment. Many stated that homophobic bullying occurred all the time as the most common form of harassment at their school.

Ashton Taylor, who came out as trans at age 15, has no memories of school.

“One of the things I found was that I was being called homophobic quite a bit, which a teacher can’t take because it’s disgusting,” he said.

“But again, it’s something that would affect me a lot as a kid.”

The 22-year-old, from Caerphilly, said he heard homophobic language at school from the age of 11, which made him “more afraid to come out”.

“I think it’s starting to change, but I think it’s still a huge problem, especially in smaller communities,” he said.

The law student now visits schools and universities to give talks based on his experience.

“I’ve talked to people who maybe weren’t that nice to me at school, and they’ve bought me a pint in the pub, because I’ve sat down and talked to them, and they’ve grown up a bit, reflect, and actually sit and listen to me,” he said.

Ashton said she overcame her experiences by sharing her story and pushed herself out of her comfort zone, traveling around the world to do so.

The problem is a familiar one. Just like usa charity working with schools to support LGBT+ young people.

His research, in conjunction with Vote for schools – which provides resources for teachers to support discussions on topical issues – found that almost four in five primary school pupils it spoke to in England had heard homophobic language.

The survey of nearly 32,000 students included more than 4,000 primary school students.

The organisation, which works with 272 schools in Wales, said it believed it was a UK-wide problem.

“Gay insults haven’t moved away from school playgrounds and classrooms, and I think social media has increased it,” said Amy Ashenden, who led the research.

“I think sometimes even as LGBT+ adults, we like to think things have gotten better, but a lot of young people are still facing a lot of the same challenges… it’s one of the And there is an example.”

A TikTok spokesperson said it did not allow content that contained hate speech or attacked a person or group based on their gender, gender identity, gender or sexual orientation.

The social media platform’s enforcement report from April to June this year showed that it had 88% of videos violating its hate speech policies and 89% violating its bullying and harassment policies. % Videos removed before being reported.

The Welsh Government said the curriculum taught across Wales was designed to promote “empathy, respect and kindness”.

“Educators are supported to challenge discriminatory language and reduce bullying,” a spokesperson added.