Teachers reflect on homophobia in the Cypriot education system: A qualitative study

ABSTRACT

A review of the academic and lay literature concerning Cyprus reveals that homophobia is prevalent throughout society. This research aimed to investigate homophobia through the narratives of educators. Twenty-three teachers were randomly selected out of the pool of volunteers in a training project. Aspects of homophobia previously reported in literature were investigated and categories emerged. Analyses of results show that homophobia manifests itself through the use of homophobic language in school settings and through homophobic bullying incidents. Results were expected according to previous reports investigating LGBT issues and gender and ethnic identity formation processes.

KEYWORDS:

• Cyprus
• education
• homophobia
• teachers' reflections

Notes on contributors

Panayiota A. Shoshilou is a PhD candidate on Clinical Psychology at the University of Cyprus. Her academic background includes psychology, clinical psychology and cognitive neuroscience. Her activism background includes human rights activism mainly on the areas of religious freedom, lgbtqi+ and womens rights. She has been involved in the Lgbt movement in Cyprus for the last 5 years by coordinating lgbt support groups and conducting research on lgbt issues.

Elena Vasiliou is a PhD candidate on Gender Studies at the University of Cyprus. Her academic background includes , psychology, social psychology. She was instructor at the Nicosia Central Prison Education Program. Her academic areas of interest includes gender and lgbt issues, post colonial theory and prison critical studies.