Every day, lesbian, gay, bi, trans (LGBT) and intersex kids – and other children seen as defying gender stereotypes – are bullied at school, at home and in their community. Bullying can take many forms–from taunting and name-calling to brutal violence.
Children who experience this kind of abuse have a higher risk of anxiety, loneliness, low self-esteem, self-harm, depression and suicide. They are also more likely to skip or drop out of school.
The United Nations is calling on everyone – from parents and teachers to Governments – to protect these children’s fundamental right to live free from violence and discrimination. Your actions matter!
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Advice for Parents and Teachers
Take action when you see bullying, insults and slurs against LGBT and intersex kids.
Provide support to children who experience bullying and their families.
Lead by example: Do not propagate negative and harmful stereotypes about LGBT and intersex people.
Refer to a person using the pronouns, gender and name that they use to identify themselves.
Do not refer to, or reveal, a person’s sexual orientation, gender identity or intersex status without their consent.
Work with local civil society organizations to combat discrimination against LGBT and intersex people.
Advice for Peers
Listen to your LGBT and intersex peers and educate yourself about the issues that they face.
Speak out when you see any form of bullying, violence, insults or slurs against LGBT and intersex people.
Refer to a person using the pronouns, gender and name that they use to identify themselves.
Support LGBT and intersex youth organizations and, if you’re a student, join or start a gay-straight alliance group.
Advice for Governments
Systematically monitor the prevalence of violence based on sexual orientation, gender identity/expression and sex characteristics.
Develop and implement comprehensive national education sector policies to prevent bullying against LGBT and intersex students. Ensure that curricula and learning materials are inclusive and provide comprehensive sexuality education.
Provide training and support to teachers and other school staff to prevent and address bullying against LGBT and intersex students.
Lift restrictions on discussion of LGBT and intersex related issues in schools.
To learn more about Governments can do, click below:
