For many, it involves widespread experience of homophobia, particularly among teenage boys in the playground. The school environment can feel like one in which difference and diversity are not sufficiently protected, with many gay children and young people feeling a need to hide their sexuality to conform, to protect relationships and to avoid stereotypes. ChildLine has received nearly 2,800 calls in the past year about sexual orientation or homophobia. Sixty per cent of callers were 12- to 15-years old, while 34 per cent were between 16 and 18.
The Lesbian and Gay Switchboard was founded in 1974 to provide a listening ear to LGBT children and young people across the UK. While the service is open to all ages, a startlingly high proportion of callers are children and young people who are experiencing uncertainty and discrimination, often in relation to coming out, managing relationships and self-image.
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