I’m not gay so I obviously can’t comment on what it is like to be gay or to be bullied for being so. I can only comment on my own experiences of being bullied and suffering from serious depression for about 2 years as a result. I don’t think it fair to say that a gay person suffers more from bullying than a straight person. Bullying is bullying no matter what form it comes in and the effects are the same. Schools often take a very relaxed attitude to bullying in all its forms.

No one said it was a competition of who suffers more. I’m sure all kinds of bullying are bad. The horrible fact is that sometimes when it comes to homophobic bullying it comes from teachers aswell. There is a serious lack of education and acceptance in schools when it comes to lgbt people.

Ah but, Brendan, these people could never get to grips with the possibility that one (or more) of their own precious brood would turn out “like that.” Moreover, they would probably take the question as a slanderous insult. What you’re asking is for people – who have little capacity to do so – to empathise. I’m willing to bet that there’ll be some numpty who’ll soon suggest that these kids act a bit straighter or (more predictably) not ‘rub people’s faces in it.’ Kinda like the old “don’t wear short skirts if you don’t want to get raped” rubbish that was trotted out in less enlightened times.

not on my watch sister.

Your comment suggests bullying of any kind is just the norm and we should put up with it,

I’m afriad that bullying it’s a completely unacceptable behaviour in school, college and in the work place.

Many bullys go on to continue to bully in later life, be it in the work place or in relationships. We need to do what we can to stop such situations

Not at all, bullying is never acceptable. I agree that we should try to eradicate this, but that doesn’t mean that we will ever be able to eradicate bullying. Some people are just c****. The only way I was able to stop the bullying I experienced as a teenager was by meeting the bullies with violence. Its the only language these people understand.

Yes, Anthony. You do actually end up being a wee bit sensitive when you’re constantly hearing homophobic comments from your peers and teachers, in the knowledge that nobody in your school gives enough of a damn to help. I’m sorry you seem to think people should “deal with it”. The thing is that nobody should have to. Nobody should have to put up with their teachers effectively treating them, or referring to them, as subhuman, let alone their peers. This doesn’t just go for homophobia, needless to say. Shrugging your shoulders and saying “well, that’s life, whatever” is a completely appalling attitude to have. Apathy lets bullying and homophobia continue, at best. At worst, it’s encouragement. I’m honestly shocked by how little empathy you’re displaying here. (Also, you’re pretty much just saying here ‘hey queer teens, you think you’re being treated horribly now? Just wait ’til adulthood, you’re see what being treated horribly REALLY is!’ Great message of hope and joy there, bro. No, really. So inspiring. You should be in the ‘It Gets Better’ campaign.)
As to “education [solving] 99 percent of problems”, thanks so much for this advice! SO helpful in the context of teenage bullying! Hey kids, being bullied? Do assertiveness training, that will stop hate crime! WAIT, HOLD ON, NO IT WON’’T. When you provide a ‘solution’, ask yourself “does this make any sense in context, or do I look preachy and unsympathetic?” (HINT: it’s the latter.) Please don’t tell LGBTC&c. teens they can solve all (or 99% of, whatever) their problems if they only do [blank], at the same time as denying a real problem exists. That doesn’t even make sense. How about you aim your ‘advice’ at someone OTHER than the victims? It’d help, all I’m sayin’.
But I dunno, maybe I’m just being an oversensitive little teenage queer, huh? I should just get the hell over the fact that some of my teachers think I’m a filthy sinner for EXISTING, right? I should totally grow up. Definitely making a fuss over nothing here, amn’t I? God, lesbian drama, amiright? LULZ.

(WHOA long post is long. Righteous fury=it takes up a lot of space.)

No-one is attacking anyone here wind your teenage neck in Aisling , when you get a bit older you will understand that the person responsible for dealing with your life is your self. I am sorry that i am not rubbing your head and tummy and sound a bit old and silly but i am from the school of hard knocks and have learnt through my long life and experience that no amount of support groups will stop a bully.Only direct action stops a bully ,ie the two by four i hope you solve your issues in the best way you can and wish you luck . You really sound anxious Aisling, its not the end of the world being Gay or confused i was a teenager once and understand, adults don’t sprout from womb you grow up and learn your own way , chill out look for some help to find your way ,i found mine on my own.

Well you’ve obviously never suffered the type of bullying which leads many teenagers to take their lives. Read a little, check out some of the anti-bullying websites and when you educate yourself on the facts then maybe comment, until then you just come across as a dumb uneducated no mark with little empathy for fellow human beings. In fact you sound like someone who probably was/is a bully. And your grandfather was very wrong, violence and bullying solves nothing.

Calling me a no mark and dumb and ignorant isn’t name calling Richard you are beneath contempt you confused hypocrite you are the bully. I believe in fighting back but if lying down and taking it works for you go for it.I don’t have to go on websites to see the truth i have experience of being bullied as a child and bullying in life and have come out the other side by fighting back not crying about it.Teenagers are the same to today as they were when i was one ,some cruel some kind ,you or i don’t have all the answers i just related what works for me and you call me names.Not all child suicides are from bullying do some research yourself and you will get your ignorant eyes opened.