LGBT policies and attitudes in Maltese secondary and post-secondary schools

Abstract

This study aimed to better understand school policies and attitudes of head teachers and academic staff towards Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) students in Maltese secondary and post-secondary schools. The issue of LGBT students in secondary and post-secondary schools does not receive much attention, hence, it is important to find out about procedures and protocols for when LGBT students come out. This study takes on a combination of both qualitative and quantitative methods in order to gather more detailed data. The sample population for this study was gathered through a stratified, systematic sample technique with a random start, in order to ensure representativeness. Data for this study was gathered through the use of two, self-administered questionnaires; one for head teachers and another for academic staff of the selected schools. The findings indicate that secondary and post-secondary schools do not have any policies specifically referring to LGBT students. Many respondents have not received training or guidelines as to how to deal with LGBT issues which may suggest that the issue of LGBT students has not been given sufficient importance in the schools or by individual respondents. The lack of training may also be the reason for the finding that many respondents, especially academic staff, believe that homophobia does not exist in the school, which appears to contradict literature (Rivers, 2002). Respondents may not have been clear about what constitutes homophobia, thus, the question yielded a positive result, which may not be valid. Many respondents stated that they would support LGBT support groups and would encourage improvement in LGBT policies which may indicate that the issue is beginning to gain importance, and awareness is increasing. Out of the few suggestions given by respondents as to how to improve LGBT policies, many vii focused on raising awareness and on acceptance of LGBT students. One respondent also suggested devising a national policy, which would then be adopted by all schools. The findings yielded by this study reflect the need for formal policies on LGBT students to be established. These policies are important for the protection of LGBT students against discrimination and homophobic bullying.