Nicola Douglas

Homophobic bullying in secondary schools in England and Wales ‐ teachers’ experiences

This paper describes findings from recent research in the UK on one particular type of bullying, that linked to sexuality and the assumed sexual orientation of the victim ‐ namely homophobic bullying. A survey involving 307 secondary schools throughout England and Wales showed that awareness of general bullying among school staff was almost universal. Most respondents also knew of homophobic verbal bullying, and over one in four were aware of homophobic physical bullying. Existing school policies on bullying and confidentiality rarely referred to lesbian and gay issues. Respondents identified barriers to tackling homophobic bullying, but most thought schools were appropriately placed to provide information on lesbian and gay issues. Study recommendations include: modernising national policy, supporting local teachers and policy‐making in schools through training, new initiatives in citizenship education, and encouraging schools to build collaborative relationships with other local community agencies.

Vital Youth: evaluating a theatre in health education project

Theatre in education (TIE) has recently been advocated as an effective health education method with young people. However, evaluation findings to date have been mixed. Describes the evaluation of a TIE project involving 19 African and African‐Caribbean young people in inner‐city London. Project objectives included the development of social skills, performing arts skills and opportunities to learn about relevant health topics. The project consisted of workshop sessions culminating in performances at a local theatre. Contextual factors and stakeholder expectations encouraged the development of an innovatory evaluation workshop method. Findings suggested that the intervention was largely successful, with participants reporting opportunities to learn about and discuss relevant health‐related topics, and enhanced social skills and confidence. The evaluation concluded that actively involving young people, addressing their concerns and using activities that engage them in productive group work processes, can be usefully applied whatever the resources available.

Young Gay Men and HIV/AIDS: Towards a contextual understanding of sexual risk

Recent research in the USA, some European countries and Australia points to an increase in rates of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections amongst young gay men. Urgent action needs to be taken to meet the health promotion needs of those who are most vulnerable. HIV/AIDS awareness and sexual health promotion strategies aimed at young gay men have frequently focused on problems and needs. In contrast, the strengths and capacities of young gay men have largely been ignored. With these issues in mind, the research described here sought to explore the HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention needs of young gay men within the context of the other issues in their lives. As part of a larger research project focusing on gay and bisexual mens HIV primary prevention needs, data was collected from 77 self identified gay and bisexual men under the age of 25 living in the Greater London area. Through a participatory workshop format, both written and oral accounts were generated. Data were analysed thematically so as to identify recurrent issues and concerns. Findings illustrate the strengths of young gay men in coping with a range of challenging life and relationship issues, including those related to HIV. The capacity of young gay men to identify their own sexual health education needs is emphasised and processes through which such stated needs may be incorporated into HIV prevention and sexual health promotion strategies are discussed.

An impact evaluation study of a community mobilisation and HIV prevention programme among gay men

Gay and bisexual men continue to be the group most affected by HIV and AIDS in the UK. In 1996, as part of an effort to address this situation, a consortium of London health authorities commissioned a gay mens HIV prevention project based on principles of community mobilisation which the research literature suggests offers considerable scope for achieving effective HIV prevention. This impact evaluation study, analysing responses to a self- completion nuestionnaire administered to a community-based sample of 674 men in London, found highest reported levels of contact with the awareness- raising interventions in the project. Much lower levels of engagement with more participative and involving activities were identified. In relation to the reported outcomes of the project, awareness-raising was achieved to a greater extent than behavioural outcomes for prevention. Future gay mens HIV prevention based on commmity mobilisation should be oriented to focus more specifically on the achievement of these more complex outcomes.