CARIMAC Times 2016: The JREAM Edition Journalists Reviving Awareness of what Matters | Page 18

Bullying in schools often takes the form of
‘gay bashing’, which happens on the basis of
perceived sexual orientation. It is one type of
school-related gender-based violence (SRGBV).
The United States Agency for International
Development (USAID) found that this is prevalent
in developing countries where there is steady
devotion to traditional cultural beliefs and
attitudes about gender roles, particularly with
regard to male and female sexuality.
As a social issue, bullying is at the centre of
intersections of education, gender, public
health, and other aspects of society. Based on
studies cited by the United Nations Educational,
Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
in 2012, it is said that actual or perceived LGBT
youth are more likely to experience bullying
while at school than at home.

Institute for Gender and Development Studies
at the University of the West Indies, Mona
Photo by Tori Haber

According to Dr. Annecka Marshall, lecturer and
specialist on gender and sexuality at the Institute
for Gender and Development Studies (IGDS) at
the University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona,
there are unwritten rules in the Jamaican society
that dictate how people are expected to obey.
There is a cultural requirement that individuals
should not only identify as heterosexuals but
portray themselves as such.
This is firmly upheld in schools.
“There is a sense that if you are talking about
this campus [UWI, Mona], it’s a heterosexual
space; and that anyone who is not seen as
heterosexual is seen as an invader. The other
who should either hide their sexual orientation
or make sure that they keep to themselves,” Dr.
Marshall explained.

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