Australia: Gay kids bullied by teachers as well as other students says study
A report by Parents and Friends of Gays and Lesbians (PFLAG), based in the Australian state of Queensland, has said that gay, lesbian, and bisexual students face bullying from their teachers as well as their peers.
According to PFLAG, 70% of gay and lesbian children said they had been bullied about their sexuality and sometimes by their teachers.
The Associated Press reports that PFLAG representatives had met with the Queensland government to discuss the issue.
The Federal Schools Education Minister Peter Garrett said: “I very much want to see state education ministers nationwide recognise that this is a real and present issue for young people in our schools.
“Where we see victimisation or bullying on the basis of sexual choice or gender it is completely unacceptable.”
Department of Education, Training and Employment officials said they would look to address the issue, and would be adding anti-homophobic bullying guidelines to their website.
