School homophobia - Persecution of gay pupils intolerable

Any form of bullying in the classroom, or anywhere else, should not be tolerated, but that highlighted by the Cork Gay Community Development Project (CGCDP) is particularly invidious.

According to its manager, Dave Roche, it can involve gang attacks, blackmail and exclusionary behaviour which in some cases can lead to suicide.

Considering that boys as young as 15 are forced to endure physical, sexual and verbal abuse which can drive them to such extreme measures, it is quite obvious that such peer persecution has to be eliminated in schools.

Mr Roche has accused the Department of Education of lacking the political will to address this intolerable problem, but proper training for teachers would at least be a start. In any case, neither the department nor the school authorities can allow it to continue without intervention, because every person is protected by law from sexual discrimination.

Homophobia, where it occurs, is inexcusable but if it is endemic at second level, as has been suggested, it warrants immediate response by those in authority.

Young people have sufficient to contend with, without bullying at school, or at home, because of their sexuality.