Questions And Answers About Lesbian, Gay And Bisexual People
“In the fight against homophobia in school
How can you tell if someone is lesbian, gay or bisexual? You can't. Lesbian, gay and bisexual people may be found at every level of society and with lifestyles as diverse as those of heterosexuals.
Can a homosexual person to be changed into a heterosexual person? Some people claim that homosexuality can be cured, but this is based on the assumption that homosexuality is a sickness, or that homosexual feelings can be suppressed. According to both the American and Australian Psychological Associations it is impossible to turn lesbians, gays and bisexuals into heterosexuals or vice versa.
Is being gay or lesbian abnormal? Lesbians, gays and bisexuals are fewer in number than heterosexuals. Although heterosexuality is more common, homosexuality is a part of the range of sexualities.
Aren't lesbians and gays a threat to the family? All lesbian, gay and bisexual people are brought up in families and many belong to extended families. Lesbians, gays and bisexuals appreciate family life no less than heterosexuals and many work hard at maintaining family ties. Some lesbian and gay people have children and establish families of their own.
Are children endangered when in the care of lesbian and gay people? In Australia 96% of convicted child abusers are heterosexual, married or previously married men. It is a myth that homosexuals are child abusers.
If you're gay, don't you get AIDS? At a global level the majority of people with HIV/ AIDS are heterosexual. At the same time the overwhelming majority of homosexual men do not have HIV/ AIDS. Whether you are lesbian, gay, bisexual or heterosexual you need to know how to protect yourself from HIV/ AIDS. The virus cannot tell who is gay and who is not.
Is it OK to be gay or lesbian? Lesbian and gay people can be, and often are, every bit as happy fulfilled and loving as heterosexual people. Society can make life difficult for many gay, lesbian and bisexual people.
What percentage of the population is lesbian or gay? Most researchers accept that about 10% of men and woman are predominantly or exclusively homosexual.
Drawn from Affirming Diversity, New Zealand Family Planning Association, New Zealand 1994.
Questions And Answers About Lesbian, Gay And Bisexual Issues In Schools
How many students are affected by sexuality discrimination and harassment? 11% of Grade 7 to 12 students surveyed by La Trobe University academic Lynne Hillier for a study of student sexual health did not identify as heterosexual. The study of nine schools around Australia included three in Tasmania. Other recent national student sexual health surveys have found similar percentages. A recent study of homophobic attitudes at Hobart's Elizabeth College found that 9% of students did not identify as heterosexual. When some students are harassed because they are, or are perceived to be, lesbian, gay or bisexual the morale and cohesion of the entire school community suffers.
How do I know there are lesbian, gay or bisexual students in my school? Just because there are no openly lesbian, gay or bisexual students in a given school community doesn't mean they are not there. In Tasmania a small minority of lesbian, gay and bisexual students are open about their sexuality, but most are not because they may be uncomfortable with their sexuality, or fear the hostility of others. Before these students disclose their sexuality to others they must feel at ease with themselves and supported by their school environment.
No-one in my school complains about sexuality discrimination and harassment. Does this mean it isn't a problem? According to a recent survey of 300 students at Elizabeth College, 16% of students admitted to verbally or physically harassing other students on the basis of their sexuality, while 8% of the students surveyed admitted to being verbally or physically abused because of their sexuality. This form of harassment can occur in all schools, but it is often not reported because those who experience it fear that their complaint will not be taken seriously, that there isn't the will or the capacity to rectify the situation, or that the situation will worsen. Students will only begin to report homophobic harassment if they feel safe enough to talk about what they have experienced, and believe that their action will make a difference.
Is there a problem with sexuality discrimination and harassment if there are no openly lesbian, gay or bisexual students? Yes. The reason many students are not open about their sexuality is because of the discrimination they see around them. This discrimination must be tackled before lesbian, gay and bisexual students feel comfortable enough to come out. At the same time many students who may or may not be lesbian, gay or bisexual are harassed simply because they are perceived not to be heterosexual.
Is sexuality harassment really that serious? Yes. According to a study conducted at the Hobart-based Centre for Population and Rural Health in 1998 young gay men in Tasmania are three times more likely to seriously consider suicide than their heterosexual peers. These same young men reported higher than average levels of other self destructive behaviours such as smoking, drinking to excess, and involvement in conflict with peers and parents. They also reported much higher levels of harassment and discrimination while at school.
When is it appropriate to introduce these issues? Many teachers know that derogatory name-calling including words such as 'poofter' and 'lezzo' begins in the early years. Long before they grasp the meaning of the words, students have been exposed to negative images about being lesbian, gay or bisexual. It is unlikely that schools will 'introduce' these topics. What a school can do is create a safe environment for students to ask questions, consider what they are hearing and seeing and be given accurate information.
Should schools be teaching young children about gay sex? Think about all the stories children read about mothers and fathers. Just as these stories are not about heterosexual sex, lessons about lesbian, gay and bisexual people are not about gay sex. What schools can do -in the context of lessons about families, current events, literature or civil rights -is incorporate ways to acknowledge that lesbian, gay and bisexual people are amongst us and to prevent harmful stereotypes, prejudices and name calling.
I support eliminating sexuality harassment, but what about the views of parents and the broader community? Very few parents would tolerate harassment, abuse or violence regardless of the motivation for this behaviour. Parents want their children to learn in a safe and secure environment. This means tackling all forms of discrimination including that based on sexuality.
Isn't there a danger of promoting and encouraging homosexuality? The new anti-discrimination and anti-harassment policy is about reducing levels of unfair treatment and making schools safe and supportive for all students. It is not about promoting any particular way of life. The American and Australian Psychological Associations have both stated that an individual's sexual orientation is deeply entrenched and that people with either same sex attraction or opposite sex attraction cannot be persuaded to adopt the other.
Won't talking about homosexuality just make harassment worse by inflaming prejudices and how can schools change prejudices which run so deep? Homophobic attitudes are learnt and therefore can be unlearnt. Some students may initially resent any discussion of sexuality, but this discussion is nonetheless necessary to reduce levels of abuse and violence within the school community.

Drawn from Affirming Diversity, New Zealand Family Planning Association, New Zealand 1994
Re - edited by Jay PCS Black Members Rep
To be used for awareness sessions and talks and other documents in Teaching
Very Useful for teachers