Gay rights charity Stonewall has launched a guide on how to support young people who are lesbian, gay or bisexual.

According to the charity, the guide will help people who work with young LGBs to provide a safe and supportive learning environment. It is part of Stonewall’s Education for All programme, which has included the anti-homophobia feature film FIT that has been sent out to every school in Britain.

The new guide, which has been introduced following a change in the law that means there is no statutory obligation to support young people, gives practical information on how to show young LGBs how to be themselves, and includes case studies and real-life examples from across the UK.

Senior education officer Chris Gibbons, said: “Most young people tell Stonewall that they realise they’re lesbian, gay or bisexual when they’re 12 or 13. But many don’t tell anyone until they’re 16 or older. The fear of a negative reaction can be very damaging to a young person.

“This guide gives practical advice for teachers and all youth professionals such as avoiding assumptions, working with parents and carers and how to respond when a young person comes out.”

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