Towards a complex vision of homophobic bullying: Unveiling daily homophobia in schools

Abstract

Towards a complex vision of homophobic bullying: Unveiling daily homophobia in schools

Despite the growing interest in LGBTI research, in Portugal there are few studies on homophobic bullying, especially with a qualitative focus and involving a critical reappraisal of the concept. This paper explores the representations and experiences on homophobic bullying and sexual diversity of 232 young students (boys and girls), using focus group discussion in 12 public secondary schools in the North of Portugal. As in other studies, our data suggests the inability of the concept of «homophobic bullying» to include all the diversity of forms of homophobic and heteronormative violence within and of the school. The expression of homophobia is strongly related with juvenile cultures and processes of masculinity construction, a phenomenon with a daily prevalence that challenges us to question what are the real opportunities for the construction of a citizenship that includes sexual diversity in schools.