Boys don’t play with dolls: accounts of homophobia and exclusion in school

Homosexuality remains an underdeveloped and controversial area of educational research. This study investigates the perceptions of both heterosexual and gay male adults’ experiences of their educational experiences in England. Semi- structured interviews were used to collect data relating to the informants’ experiences of their education. The data were subsequently formatted as accounts which are presented in this paper. This research examines the accounts of three young males and their experiences of homophobia during their primary and secondary education. The accounts powerfully illustrate the ways in which homophobic discourses within schools can marginalise pupils in various ways. Additionally, the data also illustrate how the prevalence of heteronormative practices within schools can position heterosexual pupils as outsiders.