A two-hour intervention by an association like SOS homophobia can be a game-changer in terms of the inclusion of LGBTI + students, notes an OECD report. The study pleads for “strengthened support for associations”.
Two hours of discussions with an association, such as SOS homophobia, can be a game-changer for the inclusion of LGBTI+ students (lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgenders, intersex) at school, reveals a report from the OECD (Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development) published on Wednesday.
This study was carried out in France, from 2018 to 2022, by interviewing more than 10,000 students aged 13 to 18, to measure the impact of interventions in schools by SOS homophobia, the main French association fighting against discrimination and anti-LGBTI+ violence.
Interventions that are neither too short nor counterproductive
This is one of the conclusions of this report: “Sustainably improving students’ openness to LGBTI+ inclusion during two hours of structured discussions without taboos is possible.” The study sweeps away two received ideas. These interventions are not too short to have an impact, nor counterproductive despite the homophobic or transphobic comments that may be expressed.
In colleges, the intervention of SOS homophobia increases by 20% the proportion of students who are aware of the consequences of anti-LGBTI+ harassment. In high schools, there have been many improvements following discussions with the association: awareness of the consequences of anti-LGBTI+ harassment, but also understanding of what being LGBTI+ means and the attitude towards LGBTI+ people .
free speech
More generally, these interventions make it possible to free speech about LBGTI+ people. The percentage of students who talk about it with school staff goes from 14% to 22%, an increase of 60%. “Negative group dynamics are less likely in establishments where SOS Homophobia has intervened at least once in the last 5 years”, also notes the OECD study. Between 2018 and 2022, 30,000 students from 5th to 12th grade benefited from sessions with SOS homophobia as part of its agreement with the Ministry of National Education.
Associations not sufficiently developed to generalize interventions
“These results underline the relevance of awareness-raising actions aimed at middle and high school students to prevent anti-LGBTI+ harassment”explains the OECD report. “The direct contact of students with LGBTI+ people is a unique experience that awareness-raising by teachers does not seem to be able to completely replace”continues the organization which notes however that “associations such as SOS homophobia are insufficiently developed to generalize [les interventions] to all students”.
IOECD calls for “better needs assessment and increased coordination with LGBTI+ associations”, “a trace regularity of trained educational staff and the school climate in the various secondary schools” And “strengthened support for associations to help them professionalise their actions”.