Table of Contents
The experiences of queer people in school and training show that bullying is a structural problem. Although it does not only affect queer people, it does affect them in particular, as sexual diversity still seems to be a long way from being accepted in classrooms. This pattern continues in training. Discrimination by colleagues is still commonplace in vocational schools and in companies themselves. What support is available? What do young people experience in school and training, and how can you defend yourself against bullying?
Real-life experiences: What queer students report
As reported by hna.de, queer students still suffer from bullying, discrimination, and exclusion today. Two students from the Fuldatal comprehensive school spoke up and told the magazine about their experiences. Fifteen-year-old Niko is transgender and bisexual, while 16-year-old Stacey is bisexual.
Both talked about their experiences in an interview with hna.de. Niko, for example, reported on his problems using the toilet. He normally feels comfortable using the boys’ toilet, but this was not possible at his school. The reason for this was that the other boys felt uncomfortable with him being there. Niko reports that the unisex toilet is difficult to use. He has to get a separate key for it. For practical reasons, it is easier for the young transgender boy to use the girls’ toilet, even though he does not feel comfortable there.
He experienced similar problems when changing for physical education. He does not feel comfortable with the girls in his class, but he is not allowed to use the boys’ changing room. As a result, he changed in the toilet to feel more comfortable. This is a situation that affects boys like Niko in their daily lives.
Stacey reported that as a new student at the school, she was physically and verbally bullied. According to her own statement, her classmates were afraid that she was attracted to them. The bisexual student is attracted to both genders, which was taken as the reason for these fears.
School establishes LGBTQ club for queer students
An LGBTQ club has been set up at the Fuldatal Comprehensive School to make everyday school life easier for queer children and young people. Niko is not convinced that this club will lead to real improvements. According to him, there are people who accept him and those who don’t. Stacey, on the other hand, believes that discrimination has generally decreased. However, she cannot say exactly why this is the case. She talks about her class being more mature and how some students join in with negative comments but are not actually queerphobic.
The two also have tips for improving the situation for queer young people. Stacey recommends more sex education and has a suggestion ready. She can well imagine a project week on the topic of LGBTQ. Topics such as bullying could also be addressed. Niko agrees and adds that this topic also belongs in sex education classes. Queer people can and should also be featured in school textbooks.
Education and employment become challenges for queer people
Even when school is (finally) over, bullying often doesn’t stop. Queer people often continue to face difficulties in education and later in their professional lives. The problems range from discrimination and exclusion to bullying.
Those affected are afraid to openly show their identity and hide their sexuality, their relationships, and their personality. They often feel that this is the only way to stay safe at work. Career development, job satisfaction, and well-being suffer greatly in such situations.
There are studies on the frequency of queer people coming out in the workplace that clearly show that there is still a need for more education.
Among other things, the following figures were found:
● One in three members of the LGBTQI* community is not out to their colleagues, and 40% are not out to their employer.
● In the arts, entertainment, recreation, and service industries, around 76.9% of people are out. In mining, energy, water supply, and construction, the figure is only 57.3%.
● In an online survey conducted in 2020, 14% of gay men and 45% of bisexual men said they were not out. 31% of trans* people said they were not out, compared to 40% of inter* people.
The reasons given also highlight the importance of more education.
The following reasons were given by non-out members of the LGBTQI* community for their reluctance to come out:
● 53% separate their private life from their work. They do not come out because their sexual orientation is nobody else’s business.
● 42% have not yet seen any reason to talk about the subject.
● 38% are afraid of being reduced to their sexual identity or sex life.
● 27% fear that the working atmosphere could change after coming out.
● 24% are not out in their private lives, which is why they are also reluctant to come out in their professional environment.
● 10% are unsure of their gender and sexual identity.
● 6% have already had bad experiences in other professional situations.
Fear is likely to play a major role when coming out at work, but also at school and in education. Germany lags behind other countries when it comes to coming out at work. Only 37% of German participants in an online survey said that they had disclosed their sexuality and identity to their colleagues.
In Brazil, Canada, and the UK, the figures are significantly higher at 60%, 55%, and 63% respectively. At least 85% of Germans said they would come out in theory, although 22% see a risk to their career.
How can such problems be dealt with at school and at work?
Many queer people are connected via the internet, but often find themselves isolated in their professional lives. The more conservative the employer, the more problematic issues such as coming out, acceptance, and discrimination become.
Those who accept themselves will have fewer problems coming out, but they are still not protected from bullying. Even the strongest personalities suffer at some point when they are excluded and treated unfairly because of their gender identity and sexuality.
If you are affected yourself, you will find many different counseling centers for queer people in Germany. Bullying is never okay, no matter who you love, who you are in a relationship with, or what gender identity you have. It is also unacceptable that you are denied a job or a promotion because you are queer.
Seek help if you are being bullied or if you notice that someone in your environment is. Employers and colleagues also do not have the right to discriminate against someone based on their sexual orientation or gender identity. The works council is a good point of contact; if there is no works council in your company, seek help from a counseling center.
Never forget that you are not alone. Recognition of our queer community is growing, and even though there is still a lot of discrimination and bullying, support is growing at the same time. Talk to people if you need help, and don’t be ashamed of who you are and how you live.