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rhifyn 1180 issue 1180
21 chwefror 2022 21 february 2022
gair rhydd Cardiff University’s student paper | Established 1972
Inside: Gair Rhydd looks ahead to everything we can expect to see over the next few months (Page 3)
Homophobic abuse reportedly rising in UK schools and universities
George Symonds News Editor
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omophobic abuse has always been prevalent for LGBT+ students within Wales and the rest of the United Kingdom, however we would hope that reports of said abuse would be diminishing not increasing as we continue into the 2020’s. According to a study published by the Law Enforment Services ( or ‘LES’) last year, the frequency of homophobic abuse and attacks had significantly increased. Throughout 2022, the report found that 11,481 hate crime offences were reported and in 2021 over 14,670 were reported - This rise in reports of homophobia was also mirrored within primary and secondary schools. Additionally, as recently outlined by Wales Online, LGBTQ+ students have become more subject to abuse than in previous years. This was echoed by statistics collated by Stonewall, the UK’s largest LGBT+ rights charity, which had found that “The vast majority of teachers – nine in ten in secondary schools (89 per cent) and seven in ten in primary schools (70 per cent) – hear pupils use homophobic and discriminatory expressions like ‘that’s so gay’ or ‘you’re so gay’.” This statistic was from Stonewall’s findings in 2012 however in 2022 eight in ten teachers explained that they felt they hadn’t received “any specific training on how to tackle homophobic bullying within the last decade.” This therefore raises questions about whether training or other measures are needed to improve the current situation. A representative for Cardiff University told BBC News that their research had found that homophobia in primary schools, specifically in Wales, was not uncommon or "unusual" and they went as far to say that anti-gay comments are "normalised" within primary schools. The representative questioned whether the pandemic had prevent-
ed young pupils from being able to socially mature and be taught the consequences of using homophobic phrases. The representative then went on to say that not only is homophobia rising but also transphobia- they detailed some horrific case studies with Welsh queer and gender nonconforming students and the abuse they had been subjected to at primary and secondary school. Perhaps most interestingly, the representative drew on a recent case study into some homophobic abuse reported by a student who identifies as a member of the LGBTQ+ community. The student argues that the remarks their had received as a queer pupil was out of “genuine naivety” rather than a deliberate homophobic attack on their sexuality. They continued to say that it would be easier to educate their peers rather than go to teaching staff to help - A key finding in Stonewall’s study into the lack of training around homophobic bullying. The use of unintentional or intentional homophobia is no surprise within a school setting, but a new curriculum is being introduced into some, not all, Welsh primary and secondary schools from September 2022. Supposedly the curriculum “would be inclusive of everyone and included a mandatory relationships and sexuality education (RSE) code.” This may be a step in a positive direction for pupils, nevertheless there seems to be no attempt from the Welsh Government to react and respond to the lack of education and training for Welsh teachers. With this issue continuing to gain attention across parts of the UK, it is likely that politicians will choose to debate this topic over the next few weeks and, no doubt, into the future as it continues. Until queer pupils feel safe enough to talk to their teachers about their problems the teaching system doesn’t quite feel complete. To read George's article looking at the recent rise of reports of homophobic abuse in UK schools, turn to page 5. 5
NHS Vaccine Mandate: The new decision has been made due to fears that the current policy is leading to crucial shortage of NHS staff across the UK. Source: Number 10 (via Flickr)
NHS set to scrap COVID-19 vaccine mandate
Darcy Arnold Politics Editor
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n Monday, Health Secretary Sajid Javid announced the decision to scrap the policy over major under-staffing fears. This comes after the new knowledge of the decreased severity of the Omicron variant and an estimated loss of 73,000 members of staff. The initial decision made by minis-
Mis hanes LHDTC+ (LGBTQ+ History) Nansi Eccott
Golygydd Taf-od
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ae mis Chwefror yn fis i ddathlu’r gymuned LHDTC+ a’r thema eleni yw celf. Mae gwaith celf newydd wedi cael ei ddadorchuddio ar Stryd y Castell er mwyn dathlu a chodi proffil Mis Hanes LHDTC+ sydd yn digwydd yn flynyddol ym mis Chwefror. Mae eleni yn flwyddyn arbennig gan ei bod yn nodi hanner canrif ers gorymdaith Pride cyntaf y Deyrnas Unedig a ddigwyddodd yn Llundain ar y 1af o Orffennaf 1972. I ddarllen erthygl lawn Nansi ar Fis Hanes LGBTQ+ yng Nghymru, trowch i dudalen 6 6
ters at Westminster to enforce a vaccine mandate on NHS staff was always going to be a controversial one, despite its initial intention of protecting employees and patients alike. The retraction of this policy, however, will not come at a loss to many; the making of COVID vaccination mandatory for both NHS staff and care home workers has been heavily dissented from the outset, with a variety of concerns over staffing issues voiced by
'War' by Bob Marley and the Wailers Caz Love
Review Editor
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ob Marley lived from 1945 to 1981, dying at the age of thirtysix. Despite his short life, the impact he had on the world was extraordinary. He was, and continues to be, the most influential reggae musician in the world. His life was spent creating music that simultaneously protested against political and social injustice and advocated peace and love. His songs often reflect the hardships of growing up in the largest shantytown in Jamaica. To read Caz's full review of 'War' by Bob Marley and the Wailers, turn to page 16 16
leaders within the organisation. Another reason for the scrapping of the vaccination mandate was the fact that the hospitalisation rates for the Omicron variant were around half of that of Delta, making it less deadly and having the potential for placing less of an intense strain on NHS services. To read more about the impact removing the vaccine mandate is expected to have on the NHS, 9 turn to page 9
Teen skater competes after failing drug test Annabelle Martin Contributor
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he 15-year-old figure skater, Kamila Valieva, accused of doping has been cleared to compete in figure skating at the Beijing Winter Olympics. On Wednesday 9 th February 2022, two days after the Russian Olympic Committee’s figure skating team won gold in the team event competition, Valieva’s performance was brought under the microscope. A sample from the 15-year-old was taken on Christmas Day and tested positive for the banned substance trimetazidine. To read Annabell's article on the recent controversy at the Olympics, turn to page 24 24