Homophobic bullying is a major problem in our schools, with a shocking 40% of those affected attempting suicide. To combat the problem, a teaching union has argued children should be taught about gay, lesbian, bisexual and transsexual relationships. But is it too much too young? SIMON BARRETT reports.

"Some people are gay. Get over it."

That was the message emblazoned on giant billboards as part of an awareness campaign run by gay equality charity Stonewall earlier this year.

The posters prompted more than 50 complaints to the Advertising Standards Authority - with many arguing they were not suitable for children.

But according to research carried out by Stonewall, homophobic bullying is almost endemic in schools, with about two thirds of young lesbian and gay people facing abuse.

Nearly all the 1,145 lesbian and gay students who took part in the research reported hearing homophobic insults at school.

Now the Trades Union Congress has said that, despite much being done to counter racism and sexism through equality education, not enough has been done to tackle homophobia.

TUC general secretary Brendan Barber said the education system is often part of the problem.

He said: "Whereas our schools and colleges have done much to counter racism and sexism, the same cannot be said when it comes to tackling homophobia.

"Despite some notable exceptions, too many educational establishments are breeding grounds for the worst kind of casual prejudice."

Yet some experts have raised concerns as to how effective any scheme to teach youngsters about same-sex relationships will be in beating the bullies.

Since retiring as a headteacher of several schools in London, Dr Stuart Newton has become a campaigner for the safety of children, leading antibullying campaigns.

Dr Newton, now a part-time biology teacher at Brighton, Hove and Sussex Sixth Form College, was invited to Downing Street to meet Gordon Brown and Home Secretary Jacqui Smith to discuss his views on yob culture.

Speaking from his home in Peacehaven, he said: "They are saying that homophobic bullying is prevalent but in all my years of teaching I can recall only one clear example of it.

"I would be very reluctant to go along the course of today we will have a lesson on what gay men do', as it just doesn't address the causes of bullying.

"I would rather have some education about how we treat human beings, including the issues of racism and sexism.

"I have a very real problem on doing so exclusively on gay relationships.

It is tinkering around with things. It should be more about respect and how we treat each other as human beings, despite all of our differences."

Yet campaigners say schools and colleges are not doing enough to tackle homophobic abuse. They argue evidence suggests that schools which take a stand have reaped rewards.

Michael Bracey, a trustee of lobbying group Stonewall, said: "Too few young people are being told that homophobic bullying is wrong, even though we know that in those schools that have taken a stand and said homophobic bullying is unacceptable, lesbian and gay students are far less likely to be bullied."

Initiatives introduced elsewhere include gay students telling their personal accounts of the bullying they have experienced in a DVD sent to schools.

East Sussex County Council uses a resource for secondary schools called All of Us which includes guidance on policies, handling incidents, staff training and lesson plans.

Councillor Vanessa Brown, Brighton and Hove City Council's cabinet member for education, said: "I think this sort of lesson would not be suitable for primary school children, but if we are talking about secondary age then it is already covered extensively. We also run an anonymous survey each year among students and any problems of bullying are flagged up.

It is an important issue, and I think enough is being done."

Ed Balls, Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, has made it clear that homophobic insults should be viewed as seriously as racism.

His department has recently published new guidance for teachers to tackle homophobic bullying in schools. A spokesman for the Government's Equalities Office said: "The Equality Bill will place a duty on schools to tackle homophobia, for example publicising a zerotolerance policy to send a clear message to parents and pupils that anti-gay bullying is completely unacceptable."

Do schools do enough to teach children about gay, lesbian, bisexual and transsexual relationships?

Tell us what you think.