Educational Videos

Dealing with Homophobia

The latest Australian research shows that about one out of every ten secondary students will experience strong emotional feelings towards people of the same sex - regardless of their eventual sexual identity. So in a school of 600 students, possibly 60 students - enough to easily fill two classes - may be experiencing gay, lesbian or bisexual tendencies as part of their social and sexual development.

Tragically, these teenagers are often misunderstood, marginalised and vilified by the very people who should support them: their peers, teachers and even their parents. This homophobic reaction can result in verbal and physical abuse ('gay bashing'), bullying and discrimination - forcing victims to seek solace in risk taking behaviour (unprotected sex, drug abuse, etc), and resulting in higher rates of self harm, poor academic results, further social isolation, and even suicide.

Rather than being a moral issue, every school has a legal and moral 'duty of care' to provide a safe and nurturing learning environment for all students - regardless of their sexuality. Further, state and federal anti-discrimination laws prohibit the vilification of any citizen - including students. Yet many schools, teachers and parents simply don't know how to deal with homophobia, in order to create an inclusive environment.

So in this new 24 minute program produced by Media Australia we set out to explore homophobia in our schools by provide factual and commonsense information about this very complex, but very normal situation. In particular, this program provides information on questions such as:

• how many same-sex attracted students are in our schools?
• what is homophobia?
• what causes homophobia?
• how prevalent is homophobia in our schools?
• what are the typical experiences of gay, lesbian or bisexual students in our schools?
• what are the longer term consequences of this treatment?
• how can school communities develop safer, supportive learning environments that recognise and protect the rights of all students - regardless of their chosen sexuality?

The program includes a series of incisive and frank role plays with secondary school students, together with informative graphics, to illustrate key points made by sexuality experts from:

• Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health & Society (La Trobe University, Melbourne);
• Equal Opportunity Commission (Victoria);
• Victorian Gay & Lesbian Rights Lobby;
• Family Planning Victoria.

This thought-provoking program comes with Teacher Notes and should be compulsory viewing for every mid to senior secondary and TAFE level student - as well as their teachers, parents and school councilors keen to improve the welfare of our schools.

The program should also be required viewing for anyone involved in educating, training, mediating or caring for young people as they grow into adults - such as trainee teachers, welfare & social workers, police officers, nurses, doctors and other care professionals.

MEDIA AUSTRALIA
PO Box 2039, BDC
Bendigo, Vic 3554

Telephone: (03) 5439 3926
Mobile: 0417 146 762
Email: pwiseman@mediaust.com.au