Why is school such a hard place to be gay?

Despite the reputation of the young characters Kurt and her boyfriend in the television series Glee, two-thirds of teens gays are bullied at school. Charlie Condou, who plays a gay character in Coronation Street, examines why - and what is done to stop

Adolescence is difficult. Driven by hormones, mixed with uncertainty, are the years trying to achieve what we are and find our place in the world. We can move to the intense excitement extreme embarrassment in a heartbeat, while all the time who want nothing more than to make friends and fit? It is difficult for everyone, but probably for gay teenagers can be much more difficult. When even the word "gay" has become synonymous with "shit" or "pathetic", it is clear that the problems are very deep.

Some alarming statistics: death threats According to Stonewall, 92% of LGBT teens have been verbally abused because of their sexuality, 41% were physically bullied, 17% had received. For many gay children, the school feels like a very safe place. I do not come until I left school and at the same time has never been directly harassed, I still remember the paranoia I was not having a girlfriend, and lies occasional that are discarded in the hope of diverting the attention of my sexuality. I was lucky that I was popular and confidence and, as a "drama geek", particularly in the Ministry, where the theatricality and extravagance were an asset, not a problem.

But I went to a pretty rough school in London, where Darwin was overall survival. I had already been expelled from my school first, it came with the prestige and somehow attached to the bullies left me alone. I was lucky. My school days were long ago when models were gay Larry Grayson and John "I am free!" Inman. I certainly did not respond to stereotypes, while the other children, probably assumed that I was heterosexual. The idea, then, that a pop star could launch a career while being openly gay, as Jessie J has done, or that a transsexual can win a national popularity contest like Big Brother, Nadia Almada that made 2004, was completely laughable.

There is no doubt that in many ways, things have improved for us, foreigners, and yet, despite all the progress, we still live in a country where two thirds of adolescent homosexuals are harassed to school. Why things are so difficult to change?

There are many models for young LGBT people who are looking to date, and this must be a positive thing, but sometimes I wonder if there is a great point that we lack. Gay adolescents characters began to appear in the popular (especially among youth) is shown as Ugly Betty and Glee. And while we see these characters in bullying and fighting for the acceptance of peers and family, we also have a clear and powerful sense of themselves. They can be intimidated and ostracized, but they are not contradictory. Most gay characters on shows for teens are portrayed as heroes, learn to stand up and proud of who they are and that's fine, it really is. But I wonder how realistic it is.

Ironically, I suspect that the gay character that best reflects the reality of Glee is not Kurt and proud, but the closet thug athlete, Karofsky, who fights in denial about their sexuality. Not that I'm suggesting his violent nature is usually much less, but their confusion and anxiety is no doubt. And while much has been done with the campaign It Gets Better (where do gay adult gay videos of children fighting, telling them to stand firm), and one can imagine that a guy like Kurt have a comfortable listening this message, it seems unlikely that the world Karofskys a clear enough sense of himself for her.

• There are other types of assistance available for LGBT kids too, like the Albert Kennedy, who works with youth who are victims of domestic violence, and the fantastic volunteer program for young Stonewall , which allows children involved in the fight against homophobia in their local communities. Then there are boards with London Lesbian and Gay and support from the control panel at the end of a phone. Help is here. Not enough, of course, never enough, but it is there

However, and here's the problem, a child must feel confident enough to ask for help. It is easy to reach the Kurts, but how Karofskys help? They must have reached a point where it is sufficiently clear about who are they to identify themselves as gay - and many children are bullied are a long way from that point. In fact, even reluctant to talk to people close to them for fear of provoking a conversation simply are not willing to leave. How many children are ready to confuse their parents: "Everybody thinks I'm gay?" It may not even be gay.

is important to recognize that homophobic bullying affects not only children gay. It can happen to girls who do not meet your classmates, "feminine" ideal, and children who are bad at sports. Anyone, in fact, that does not conform to gender stereotypes strictly defined. Damilola Taylor, the boy who was stabbed to death near his home in 2000, was mercilessly harassed, beaten and called "gay" and "fag" in the months before his fatal attack. Even had to ask his mother what the word "gay" meant. He was 10 when he died, and although his death may have been nothing to do with his sexuality perceived, it is clear that in recent months is difficult because of this. He was gay? Who knows? Probably not. But he was intimidated as I was.

So what's the answer? How can we help children who are bullied - gay, straight or undecided? I think there are a number of ways to challenge homophobia toxic is present in many schools. First, I think the models are important, gay actors, sports stars and public figures who live their lives openly and honestly, the best. I can be subjective, but I think the soap to do a much better standardization work (oh, how I hate that word) LGBT issues that some programs that cover most flamboyant gay issues. All soaps are major gay characters, integrated into their communities and spend their lives. So there may address issues that are specific to their sexuality (coming out, the struggle for acceptance), is considered most often deal with matters of life itself every day that the characters directly. It is political, but in a non-confrontational. Programs such as EastEnders, Emmerdale and Coronation Street are doing extraordinary work to help people see beyond stereotypes, which contributes to the global fight against homophobia.

Find best price for : --Albert----Karofskys----Glee----LGBT--