Opinion: Debate - Are efforts to reduce homophobic bullyingworking?

NO - David Henry, activist, Queer Youth Network

Despite our best efforts, there is only so much we can do without a bigchange in thinking. The school system is an inherently flawed fossil andthe main reason behind most forms of bullying. We must radicallyoverhaul the concept of school. A network of autonomous youth-led socialcentres within schools can improve the quality of life and education forall pupils. Schools must create social centres for all pupils with safebut integrated facilities such as meeting rooms, and a platform forhosting social and support groups and societies.

YES BUT - Nigel Tart, committee member, Schools Out

The situation is getting better, but slowly. Too often it's changingthrough the efforts of individual teachers. For local educationauthorities this is because of a lack of political commitment, whileschool managers are still scared of bogeymen parents who they think willcomplain if they do anything positive about gay people - but thoseparents don't exist. At this rate it'll take years just to get close towhere we are now on racist bullying and that's still far from perfect.We need better leadership.