Homophobic bullying is widespread in our schools. No support structures exist for young LGBT people in most of Scotland. Teachers are inhibited from tackling homophobic bullying and from providing advice and support to young LGBT people, by section 28 of the Local Government Act 1988, and by a lack of clear national policy in these areas. Personal and sex education compounds the problem in many schools by ignoring, marginalising and stigmatising LGBT identities. The Scottish Parliament should repeal 'Section 28' as a matter of urgency.
National policy is needed explicitly to recognise and tackle homophobic bullying in schools.
School curricula should be inclusive, non-discriminatory, and supportive of the diversity of pupils. Local authorities should recognise and support the particular needs of young LGBT people in their area, and Parliament should promote this recognition and support across Scotland. Fair treatment by public bodies Discrimination in society can extend to the operation of public bodies and services. This leads to a lack of trust in public services by members of the LGBT community, with the result, for example, that homophobic assaults go unreported to the police and the perpetrators are left free to attack again. Public bodies must address discrimination in their service provision, and further, they have an important role to play in tackling and redressing the effects of discrimination in society as a whole.