Can this work of art help stop homophobic bullying in schools?
A competition to name a new work of art is being run to support a charity that tackles homophobic and transphobic bullying.
Artist Graeme Messer has created a new work of art to help stop the bullying of gay and trans students in school.
Members of the public are being asked to suggest a title for the artwork, which will be on display in Messer’s ‘The Art of Love and how to avoid it’ show at The Chocolate Factory in London.
Entry to the competition costs £2 and the money raised will benefit the charity Diversity Role Models, which tackles homophobic and transphobic bullying in schools.
Graeme Messer, who wanted to include a fundraising element in his solo contemporary art show. “I was keen to involve a charity that was close to my heart. A lot of my work deals with the difficulties of growing up gay in a predominantly straight environment so Diversity Role Models seemed like the perfect choice.”
The charity notes that LGBT students are three times more likely to attempt suicide. Seven out of ten lesbian and gay young people say homophobic bullying affects their school work and many skip school because of it.
Perhaps most shockingly, one in fifteen have been subjected to death threats, and 52% have heard homophobic comments from teachers and school staff. The charity aims to create a society where LGBT students can learn and play safely, without worrying about homophobic bullying.
Entry to Graeme Messer’s solo show is free and visitors will be able to purchase an entry to the competition to name the artwork.
