A Banchory teenager has bravely spoken out about bullying targeted at lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual (LGBT) youngsters in north-east schools.
There have been various successful Pride events across the region recently, including a 3,000-strong parade through the heart of Aberdeen in May.
But earlier this month, new police statistics revealed an increase in north-east hate crimes against members of the LGBT community over the last two years.
During the 2018/19 period, 65 incidents were reported in the north-east – up 54% since 2016/17.
And the cruelty is proving to be a major issue for pupils in schools, according to one girl from Banchory Academy.
The teen, who does not wish to be identified due to fears she could face further bullying, said classrooms and school playgrounds are rife with homophobia and similar forms of discrimination.
She said: “Almost every person I know at school who is openly out has their own horrible stories of the experiences they’ve suffered, whether it’s people shouting stuff at them in the corridors, or actions that are more serious.
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“Everyone wants to be on top, everyone wants to be seen as the toughest, the strongest, the coolest, and sometimes to do that they feel the need to target minority demographics.
“This kind of hatred unfortunately seems to breed in this sort of environment.”
She added: “My girlfriend has had bricks thrown at her – thankfully they missed – and she’s been shoved against walls and shouted at in her face.
“It’s really easy to feel like there isn’t this problem when it’s not happening directly to you.
“I remember going to Pride, and thinking that it was so wonderful and great that this was able to happen, but even on the way back we had teenagers shouting abuse at us.
“I remember my mum, who came along with me, was really shocked by it – but I told her that’s the kind of stuff that happens to me and other people like me almost every day.
“It really just makes you feel so hopeless, and so drained.”
Schools across Aberdeenshire have access to the LGBT Charter, offering national guidance on issues such as bullying.
A spokesman for the LGBT charity Stonewall added: “While there’s been plenty of progress, our research shows half of LGBT young people in Scotland are bullied for being who they are.
“We want all young LGBT people to grow up confidence about who they are, and to have their sexual orientation and gender identity accepted without exception.”