No one deserves to be bullied. Bullying should never be accepted as normal behaviour. When children and youth do not feel safe they may find it harder to learn. The responsibility to protect our children and youth from bullying and abuse lie on the shoulders of their parents, families, friends, schools and communities. 

 

Homophobic bullying [Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans-identified, Two-spirited, Queer or Questioning (LGBTQ)] is defined as bullying behaviours that are motivated by prejudice against a person’s actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity. Homophobic bullying may be an isolated incident or a repeated pattern of behaviour. It can range from seemingly simple comments to physical violence. Homophobic bullying often happens in secret. Many youth are embarrassed to be singled out from the “norm”, or are afraid to report it and risk being “outed” or re-victimized by an adult.