Nick Clegg MP

Liberal Democrat Leader Nick Clegg has called for more to be to done to stamp out homophobic bullying in schools.

At the start of National Anti-Bullying Week, Nick Clegg MP spoke out in a video statement produced by the Liberal Democrats to highlight the particular problems of homophobic bullying.

Liberal Democrat Shadow Home Secretary Chris Huhne MP and members of the party’s youth organisation, Liberal Youth also speak in the short video which calls for every school to address homophobic bullying in their anti-bullying policies.

Although 98% of schools have anti-bullying policies, only 6% have specific policies to tackle homophobic bullying.

Nick Clegg MP said:  
“It’s a sad fact that looking or acting ‘gay’ can instantly make someone a target in thousands of schools across the country.

“Until we deal with homophobia in schools, we’re never going to stamp out wider discrimination in society.

“There should be a zero-tolerance approach to homophobic bullying in schools to tackle this harmful and nasty legacy of outdated attitudes.”

Chris Huhne MP said:  
“Homophobic bullying is insidious and vile and should not be happening in our schools and colleges.   

“It greatly affects the lives of young people, harms their academic activities and may even drive some to take drastic action.

“This needs to stop now. We must champion the values of fairness, equality and diversity to stamp out homophobic bullying once and for all.”

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