It's according to a new report from BeLong To
76 per cent of LGBTQ+ students feel unsafe at school, according to new research.
The national LGBTQ+ youth organisation, BeLong To, surveyed 1,208 students in secondary schools across the country as part of the 2022 School Climate Survey.
They found homophobic slurs and remarks from staff are still commonplace in schools, with some students saying they have skipped school to avoid adverse treatment.
The survey found that:
- 69% of LGBTQ+ students hear homophobic remarks from their fellow pupils.
- 58% of the surveyed pupils heard homophobic comments from school staff.
- 1 in 3 LGBTQ% students have skipped school to avoid negative treatment due to their sexual orientation.
The places where lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and queer students say they feel most unsafe are bathrooms, sports facilities, PE classes, locker rooms and lunchrooms.
Moninne Griffith, BeLong To's CEO said that while we've come a long way, "we've also seen [an] increase in extremist views in relation to LGBT people, online and offline. She said it's "taken its toll."
It comes as Stand Up Awareness Week is currently ongoing this week in schools.
The BeLong To movement aims to give schools and youth services an opportunity to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community.
