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Under capitalism, starvation, war, poverty and environmental destruction blight the lives of millions the world over. At the same time the enormous wealth, resources and human talent that exists in the world is squandered. |
Stop Homophobic Bullying!OFSTED, the school inspection authority, reported recently that homophobic bullying is one of the most widespread forms of abuse in secondary schools. It also noted that these discriminatory attitudes go unchallenged; staff fail even to curb the use of offensive language associated with sexuality. In December 2003, the government introduced legislation making discrimination in the workplace over sexual preference illegal. This means that employers are now unable to sack workers or refuse to hire or promote them because of their sexuality. This massive breakthrough in government policy prompted many gay rights organisations to adopt the attitude that discrimination in the workplace is over. But can we really believe this is the case in a society where degrading homophobic language in educational establishments is the norm? Homophobic bullying in education is a massive problem and does not only affect LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) youth. Anyone who appears different can be victimised, pupils and staff alike. As many as 82% of pupils experience some form of homophobic abuse. In order to maintain control in the hands of a small ruling minority, the capitalist system attempts to divide the working class and prevent the progress of a unified class struggle. This is increasingly apparent in the tabloid promoted furore against asylum seekers which has worked to increase the profile of fascist groups such as the BNP. It was not so long ago that LGBT people were targeted by the government as the source of society’s problems and accused of stealing children away from ‘traditional family values’. Section 28 was introduced in 1988 to prevent local councils educating people about homosexuality. It also prohibited schools from promoting "the acceptability of homosexuality" which it described as "a pretend family relationship". The introduction of Section 28 and other such laws saw victimisation of LGBT people taken to extremes in the late 1980s. However, it also united large sections of society in struggle against such divisive measures and led to the formation of many different groups and organisations to tackle LGBT issues. In recent times, many of these organisations have been downsized or simply disappeared. At NUS national conference this year, motions were pushed through for dramatic cuts in the democratic structures of the NUS, amongst other things to abolish individual sector conferences. If motions are ratified in the next term, they would include the abolition of separate conferences to discuss issues which affect women, black and Asian students and LGBT students. Socialist Students oppose these cuts and argue for NUS and for individual students’ unions to campaign for more public funding in order to be able to represent the full membership of over one million students. Although Section 28 was finally abolished in 2000 its effects are still very damaging, local authorities often remain uncertain how to tackle LGBT issues and homophobic discrimination which has led to the acceptability of homophobic attitudes. These attitudes have the power to wreck young people’s lives and should not go unchallenged. Socialist Students and International Socialist Resistance (ISR) are running a campaign to stamp out homophobic discrimination and bullying. We campaign for education of sexual identity and gender roles and for educational establishments to have a clear section on homophobia in their anti-bullying policies. We also demand teacher training and support on tackling homophobia and LGBT issues as well as policies to protect LGBT teaching staff. Our aims:
Leah Jones – Northumbria Socialist Students
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