HOMOPHOBIC AND TRANSPHOBIC BULLYING

By Dr. Tomori Mareglen, Criminologist & Crime Analyst.

Bullying is aggressive and bullying behavior repeated over time.

People who commit bullying can act individually or in

group, either in person, through the web or on social networks.

When bullying affects LGBT girls and boys or who are insulted as such,

there is talk of homophobic and transphobic bullying.

Bullying on the Internet and on social networks is referred to as Cyberbullying and Sexting. Bullying is characterized by repeated attacks, both physical and

verbal, and their particular gravity. In any case, bullying is a crime.

Anyone found guilty, even if a minor, risks heavy penalties such as suspension or expulsion from school, rejection, compulsory social work, compensation cheap.

Shortlist of bullying, by way of example:

insults and teasing

offenses for physical appearance

exclusion from groups or persistent disregard

use of vulgar nicknames

sexual orientation offenses - homophobic and transphobic bullying

offenses against skin color, origins or religion

threats or coercion to do something against their will

offensive phone calls or emails

damage or theft of personal items

physical violence (pushing, kicking, punching).

Homophobic and transphobic bullying

Bullying is aggressive and bullying behavior repeated in the

time by individuals or groups of people.

The acts of bullying, both physical and verbal, which are particularly serious are

constitute real crimes.

The use of the Internet and social networks for bullying is defined

like cyberbullying.

Homophobia and transphobia are an attitude of intolerance towards

LGBT people - Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgerder. Consequently, when bullying affects girls and boys who are homosexual or perceived as such, homophobic bullying is spoken of while when it affects girls e transgender guys we talk about transphobic bullying.

This type of bullying manifests itself against those who do not reflect gender stereotypes, such as effeminate or con guys flashy clothing, masculine or short-haired girls, girls and boys who enjoy activities usually aimed at the opposite sex.

But it can also address those who have homosexual or transsexual relatives or parents and to whom has LGBT friends or girlfriends.

Compared to the traditional phenomenon of bullying, which affects the identity of the person, the homophobic one concerns sexual orientation, while that transphobic is about gender identity. In case of bullying happen to those who are not yet aware of their orientation or defined their identity, it is much more difficult to ask for help and report

the violence suffered for fear of being embarrassed or for fear of the reaction of others.

Unlike other types of bullying, LGBT young men and women do not find, in

most of the time, in the adult group someone who can share

your own situation, as for example happens to someone who has been a victim of

racism or other forms of discrimination.

Since part of society shares stereotypes and prejudices towards LGBT people sometimes parents and teachers do not understand the effects of this type of bullying and underestimate its situation or even focus on the identity of girls and boys bullied more than about what happened.

Not everyone is heterosexual - Student Parliament of the Tuscany Region

Homophobia is a disease, not homosexuality - Superquark

What to do?

In these situations, it is important to find someone you can trust and with whom

to confide in, not withdraw into oneself but ask for help, without being afraid of

be judged for who you are.

By Dr. Tomori Mareglen

Criminologist & Crime Analyst

Executive President

International Police Organization IPO

https://www.interpolice.org/mareglen-tomori