Combatting homophobia, biphobia and transphobia in educational system

Sexual orientation and/or gender identity are the basis of discrimination, social stigmatization and marginalization in different areas including education. In Croatian schools, different forms of homophobia, biphobia and transphobia are visible alongside with worrying presence of peer violence and harassment based on sexual orientation and/or gender identity.

Violent behaviour leaves direct, but also long-term consequences on the psychosocial health of the youth that experienced it, as well as on their success in school, private and professional life.

Violence against LGBTIQ+ youth should be approached as a complex social issue, that can be solved using a strategic approach and by all social and institutional bodies taking responsibility, which can in the end contribute to the creation of a sustainable, accepted and efficient way in which the state and society should deal with the acknowledged problem.