Rights through Alliances: Findings from a European Project Tackling Homophobic and Transphobic Bullying in Schools through the Engagement of Families and Young People

Abstract

This paper draws on findings from a European project, ‘Rights through Alliances: Innovating and Networking Both Within Homes And Schools’ (RAINBOW-HAS), conducted in 2013–15. It built collaboration between six EU countries to analyse and improve the rights of children and youth regarding sexual orientation and gender identity in educational settings. The main focus of discussion derives from a secondary discourse analysis following thematic analyses of the qualitative interviews undertaken with a range of different families, schools and community associations across these European countries, which provide a snapshot of contemporary practice. We discuss the relative silence of social work in challenging homophobic and transphobic bullying, given their potential in promoting family and young people’s engagement.