This research project is funded and supported by:

1
LGBT Youth Homelessness Research Project
experiences at school (findings presented to
Spectrum LGBT youth forum)
Mark Cull, Hove YMCA and Hazel Platzer Sue
Balloch, University of Brighton Full report
available in April from mark.cull_at_hoveymca.org.uk
This research project is funded and supported by
SIR HALLEY STEWART TRUST
2
Methods used
33 in-depth interviews 10 questionnaires Focus
group with frontline workers in housing and
homelessness services Interviews with service
managers
This research project is funded and supported by
SIR HALLEY STEWART TRUST
3
Participants recruited through
Youth Advice Centre, housing advice drop-in
(sexual and gender identity monitored) Street
outreach (YAC) Housing, homelessness and
substance misuse projects LGBT projects Publicity
in LGBT venues Advertising and publicity Word of
mouth through interviewees
This research project is funded and supported by
SIR HALLEY STEWART TRUST
4
Profile of the participants

• 43 LGBT people aged 16-25
• 23 young men
• 17 young women
• 3 young transgender people (all M-F)
• 18 identified as gay men
• 15 identified as lesbian or gay
• 10 identified as bisexual
• 85 of the sample were white
• 15 of the sample were BME

This research project is funded and supported by
SIR HALLEY STEWART TRUST
5
Profile cont.

• 3rd grew up in Brighton 3rd Sussex 3rd outside
  the area
• 18 were or had been rough sleepers
• 24 had been in care

This research project is funded and supported by
SIR HALLEY STEWART TRUST
6
Experiences in school

• All of those asked, reported not receiving
  relevant sex education at school
• 67 were bullied at school and did not receive
  support
• Bullying and homophobia in schools is associated
  with truanting, school exclusion, dropping out
  and educational under-achievement
• Bullying and homophobia in schools is associated
  with isolation and lack of peer support
• Possible link with increased vulnerability to
  mental health problems, sexual exploitation and
  domestic violence

This research project is funded and supported by
SIR HALLEY STEWART TRUST
7
Experiences of sex and relationships education
It was all heterosexual and none of it was
relevant. I asked a couple of times if we could
do anything on homosexuality but they just
shunned my idea (Tracy) We only had one lesson
and lesbian and gay issues were not mentioned
you couldnt bring anything up or say anything
because people would just laugh (Amber) I had
no sex education at school and I could only find
one book in the library (Tina) ( educated in
Brighton and Hove)
This research project is funded and supported by
SIR HALLEY STEWART TRUST
8
Experiences of sex and relation ships education
I went to every lesson on sex education and PSE
and at the end of the year they said we are not
going to talk about homosexuality because we are
not allowed to but if anyone wants to stay behind
they can but no one did (Becky) Gay sex was
never mentioned it would have made it easier
for us by normalising it for the straights so
that they could see what things are like for us
(John) There was nothing on lesbian and gay
stuff but there should have been. It would have
stopped it being so hidden so that people
wouldnt find it so amusing and realise that it
is real (Jane)
This research project is funded and supported by
SIR HALLEY STEWART TRUST
9
Experiences of sex and relationships education
It would have helped if they had included
lesbian and gay relationships because it would
have put the bullies homophobic misconceptions
and fears at bay and it would also have helped
those who were gay or were unsure
(Martin) They could say a lot more about gay
sex, lifestyle and safety when they did mention
any gay issues they brought them up as an aside
and made a joke of it it wasnt serious or
inclusive (Simon) ( educated in Brighton and
Hove)
This research project is funded and supported by
SIR HALLEY STEWART TRUST
10
Experiences of homophobic bullying at school
I was bullied from the age of 11 for having my
hair cut short I was called a boy in a skirt.
Then I wore trousers but it carried on and they
used to take the piss out of me, make snide
comments and trip me up. When I was older they
were all going on about two lesbians and I stuck
up for them so then it all got turned round on
me (Becky)
This research project is funded and supported by
SIR HALLEY STEWART TRUST
11
Experiences of homophobic bullying at school
I was out at school and I was bullied and beaten
up for years I lost a lot of friends when I
came out which was devastating they thought I
would come on to them and it was very difficult
I find it hard to make friends now (Tracy) I
was outed at school after Id been seen with my
girlfriend in a pub. I was called a dyke and had
bottles throw at me and insults written on my
bag (Maggie)
This research project is funded and supported by
SIR HALLEY STEWART TRUST
12
Experiences of homophobic bullying at school
I was bullied by one person in particular with
some vicious name calling he would call me a
filthy fucking faggot. I complained and he was
suspended for a while but it didnt stop until I
left school (Patrick) Ive been called gay
ever since I can remember and with the bullying
the gay thing really haunted me (Dan) (
educated in Brighton and Hove)
This research project is funded and supported by
SIR HALLEY STEWART TRUST
13
Experiences of homophobic bullying at school
I was very badly bullied at school and one time
I had my wrists broken I think some of it was
because I was seen as different - I was into the
Goth scene (Ellen) There was constant back
stabbing and tormenting theyd decided I was
gay when I retaliated I was expelled 6 months
before my GCSEs (Peter)
This research project is funded and supported by
SIR HALLEY STEWART TRUST
14
Experiences of homophobic bullying at school
Many of the young people who were bullied did
not always recognise it as homophobic bullying.
If they were not out or were still uncertain
about their sexual identity they were less likely
to recognise it. This will lead to
under-reporting in any surveys or monitoring in
schools.
This research project is funded and supported by
SIR HALLEY STEWART TRUST
15
Effects on educational attainment and emotional
well-being

• 2/3rd left school with less than 5 GSCEs or did
  less well than expected and half of these these
  had experienced bullying (others underachieved
  later at college)
• Of the 23 who had been bullied, 11 left school
  with poor or lower than expected qualifications
• 1/3rd had truanted and/or been excluded from
  school
• Most had poor academic achievement
• Most had been bullied or avoided school in fear
  of being bullied

This research project is funded and supported by
SIR HALLEY STEWART TRUST
16
Effects on educational attainment and emotional
well-being
Young people are afraid to come out in school
because of homophobia this leads to isolation
and affects young peoples ability to develop
friendships I never came out at school because
of what I saw happening to those who did one
girl had her head flushed down the toilet after
shed come out (Tina) I saw what happened to
people who came out they were slated behind
their backs I had a lot of friends but when I
became aware of my sexuality when I was about 14
I pushed them all away because I was worried they
would find out I truanted a lot for the same
reason (Edward)
This research project is funded and supported by
SIR HALLEY STEWART TRUST
17
Effects on educational attainment and emotional
well-being
There is a possible link between the homophobia
in schools and vulnerability to mental health
problems, sexual exploitation and domestic
violence
This research project is funded and supported by
SIR HALLEY STEWART TRUST
18
Recommendations (preventative)
Need for LGBT inclusive sex and relationship
education in schools (and not just in context of
STIs) Need to address homophobia and bullying in
schools through implementing government
guidance Need for mentoring of LGBT youth in
schools (adult and peer mentoring) Need to
address isolation
This research project is funded and supported by
SIR HALLEY STEWART TRUST
19
Further Recommendations
Support for LGBT school pupils who truant,
drop-out or are excluded because of
homophobia. Connexions Youth Support Service to
monitor sexuality of service users. However,
workers may need LGBT awareness training before
introducing monitoring. Connexions service to
extend support up to the age of 25 to LGBT youth
who have under-achieved in their education as a
consequence of homophobia.
This research project is funded and supported by
SIR HALLEY STEWART TRUST
20
Preliminary findings have been discussed with key
providers involved in strategic reviews and
policy developments re

• Youth homeless strategy
• Anti-bullying, healthy schools team and extended
  schools
• Connexions and Youth Support Service review
• Children and Young Peoples Plan
• Community safety, crime reduction and drug
  strategy

This research project is funded and supported by
SIR HALLEY STEWART TRUST
21
Every Child Matters Aims and Outcomes (underpins
Children Young Peoples Plan)
Be healthy Stay safe Enjoy and achieve Make a
positive contribution Achieve economic
well-being
This research project is funded and supported by
SIR HALLEY STEWART TRUST
22
Recommendations around Every Child Matters
Services in Brighton and Hove need to be
developed to enable disadvantaged young LGBT
people to achieve the aims within Every Child
Matters. For this to happen, homophobic
bullying must be responded to and preventative
solutions developed to reduce isolation within an
inclusive school culture
This research project is funded and supported by
SIR HALLEY STEWART TRUST