The play, entitled ‘Gay’ - written by Robert Higgs, Anti-Bullying Development Officer for Leicestershire Educational Psychology Service, is being performed by students from Longslade Community College, Birstall.

 

The play aims to highlight the widespread and harmful use of homophobic language in schools, encourage open discussion about lesbian, gay and bi-sexual issues and reduce levels of homophobic bullying.

 

Currently 80% of secondary school teachers say they are aware of verbal homophobic bullying but only 6% of schools include it in their anti-bullying policy.

 

DCSF research discovered that almost two thirds of LGB pupils have been bullied. One third of those pupils say they do not feel safe in school. According to research, lesbian, gay or bi-sexual (LGB) pupils in schools that do include homophobic bullying in their anti-bullying policy are 70% more likely to feel safe.

 

The Educational Psychology Service recently made available the STANCE pack – a new resource for schools to tackle homophobic bullying. Each school hosting the play will also be provided with classroom materials to follow up issues raised by the play to educate pupils and staff.

 

This is Robert Higgs’ second anti-bullying play for the psychology service. The first: BANGED OUT toured in 2004 and enjoyed a one week residency at Leicester Haymarket Theatre in 2005.

 

For more information on ‘GAY’ visit www.beyondbullying.com or call the Anti-Bullying Team direct on 0116 284 5100.