The effects of discrimination, and the lack of supportive youth services in many areas, are stark. Research indicates that young LGBT people in Scotland are several times more likely to self harm than other young people. Some young people miss out on many of the benefits of education, leaving at the earliest opportunity to escape the difficulties.

Bullying often starts in primary school, or pre-school. Children may be targeted because they have LGBT parents or relatives, or because they do not conform to peer or adult expectations for their gender. This abuse harms all those who are bullied, regardless of their future identity. For this reason, work around bullying and attitudes towards LGBT people must start in the earliest years of education.

Lack of access to appropriate sexual health information also puts young LGBT people at unnecessary risk. The figures for HIV transmission amongst young gay men are one indicator of this.

Generations of young LGBT people have been, and are still being, failed by Scotland’s education and youth support systems.

• The Scottish Executive Education Department should take immediate steps to counter the discrimination faced by young LGBT people and young people with LGBT families, including:
  • Providing national guidance and materials for dealing with homophobic and transphobic bullying, from primary school upwards
  • Ensuring that education from the earliest years on presents an age-appropriate inclusive view of Scotland’s families and identities, including LGBT families and identities
  • Ensuring the principles of equality and anti-discrimination are mainstreamed effectively throughout the 3 to 18 curriculum
  • Ensuring that confidential support services are available to all young LGBT people
  • Ensuring that appropriate sexual health services are accessible to all young people.