UNESCO ( The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization ) has compiled "Out in the Open," a global report on education sector responses to violence based on sexual orientation and gender identity or expression.
Put together for the International Day of Action Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia ( IDAHOT ), the report reveals the nature, scope and impact of the violence, the status of education sector responses and recommendations for the way forward.
The report was released at an international education Ministers meeting hosted by UNESCO in Paris May 17-18, and it was the largest gathering at such a high level to take a look at homophobic and transphobic violence in education.
Among some of the impactful findings are:
In some countries, 85 percent of lLGBT students experience homophobic and transphobic violence in school;
45 percent of transgender students drop out;
In China, 59 percent of LGBT respondents to a survey said bullying had negatively affected their academic performance; and
Homophobic violence also targets 33 percent of students who are wrongly perceived to be LGBT because they do not appear to conform to gender norms.
UNESCO recommends that the education sector's response should be rights-based, learner-centered and inclusive, and should take into account several factors, including age and gender.
"Out in the Open" is at www.unesco.org/new/en/media-services/single-view/news/report_shows_homophobic_and_transphobic_violence_in_education_to_be_a_global_problem/.