Have you heard your peers use homophobic language?

31875

Total votes

11749

5-11 votes

20126

11-16+ votes

To mark Pride Month, we wanted to ensure voters were able to share their experiences of what it means to be LGBTQ+ today, so that they can help drive forward solutions to the problems the community still faces.

Secondary, 16+ & College voters were asked: “Have you heard your peers use homophobic language?”, while Primary 9-11 voters discussed: “Have you heard people being homophobic?”, and Primary 5-9 voters considered: “Have you heard people using unkind names?”

31,875 young people in the UK have taken part in this vote.

Age 5-11 voter

I think people are more aware now so they don't really say horrible things.

Age 11-16 voter

Many said they had heard it being used but not directly used to insult a member of the LGBTQ+ community - almost not realising what is being said.

Age 16+ voter

Football for men has had lots of abuse.

Feedback from our impact partners

Thank you to Just Like Us for responding to young people's voices on this VoteTopic!

"It's incredibly concerning to see that so many children and young people are still hearing acutely high levels of homophobic language in their everyday lives. This will be having an enormously detrimental impact on LGBT+ young people or those with LGBT+ family members, and also creates a negative atmosphere for everyone in school. We really urge teachers to read this research and get in touch with Just Like Us, so we can help you on that journey to making your school environment one that is free from homophobic language."

Amy Ashenden, Director of Comms & Engagement at Just Like Us

81% of 5-9-year olds voted 'Yes' to the question, "Have you heard people using unkind names?"
Similarly, 78% of 9-11-year olds voted 'Yes' to the question, "Have you heard people being homophobic?"

Secondary, 16+ and College voters were all discussing the question, "Have you heard your peers use homophobic language?"
80% of Secondary students and 76% of College and 16+ students voted 'Yes'.

Many young people argued they have heard or used homophobic language without knowing its real meaning or intending to cause offence.

Many 'Yes' voters argued the lanuage they have heard or used was not intended to cause harm.
Many also stressed that this is a learned behaviour and more needs to be done to tackle the influences causing it.