The new ‘we’re here, we’re queer’ for 2008?
February 21st, 2008God bless Stonewall and their wonderfully blunt new ad campaign. It’s just a shame that there still exists a need to tell the nation that yes, gay people really do exist, and, guess what – that’s not actually a problem. But if homophobia is a hassle on the high street, that’s nothing compared to what goes on in schools.
97% of gay pupils regularly hear homophobic insults at school, and two thirds have had a personal experience of homophobic bullying. Amazingly, three in ten of the 1100 young people surveyed by Stonewall said that it was adults in their school who carry out the bullying.
Stonewall’s ‘some people are gay’ billboard campaign is an extension of a wider project called Education for All to tackle homophobic bullying in schools, and the gay rights group has distributed posters, stickers and postcards to all 5,000 secondary schools across England.
Dr Who and Torchwood actor John ‘Captain Jack’ Barrowman launched the campaign on behalf of Stonewall. He has a special message for students: “Join me in Stonewall’s Education for All campaign and help exterminate homophobia. Be bold. Be brave. Be a buddy not a bully.” It’s a heartfelt message, if slightly cheesy; hopefully he’s not too upset that they chose another slogan for the billboards…
[...] says some people are gay, get over it, hilarious vandals say ‘NO’ and also ‘LOL GAYS’. Is that honestly the best anyone can come [...]
Omg im sick of gay people getting so stressed and over the top about being gay, dont shove it in peoples faces, just live you lives.