The LGBTQ+ Quality Mark and Stand Up Week
Kinsale Community School is currently aiming to achieve the LGBTQ+ Quality Mark. This is an award given by BeLonG To, an Irish charity that specialises in supporting LGBTQ+ young people. As part of this, KCS is working to assess our current inclusivity and identify how the school may become a safer space for teenagers who are part of the LGBTQ+ community. It is undeniable that Ireland has become a safer place for LGBTQ+ people in recent years. However, there is still much that needs to be done in society to make LGBTQ+ young people feel acceptance and safety.
In November 2022, BeLonG To released the 2022 School Climate Report, which surveyed over 1,200 LGBTQ+ young people about their experiences in schools nationally. Some of the findings were very difficult, although there were some very encouraging results too.
o 69% of LGBTQ+ students hear homophobic remarks from other students.
o 58% of LGBTQ+ students heard homophobic remarks from school staff.
o 1 in 3 LGBTQ+ students have skipped school to avoid negative treatment due to being LGBTQ+.
o Bathrooms, PE, sports facilities, locker rooms, and lunchrooms are spaces LGBTQ+ students are most likely to avoid due to feeling unsafe.
o 99% LGBTQ+ students said they know at least one school staff member supportive of LGBTQ+ identities.
The full report is available to view on the Belong To website:
In October 2022, KCS surveyed its students, parents and staff on their views for how KCS supports LGBTQ+ students. The findings of these surveys were largely positive.
- 84.4% of parents and 83% of students believed the school to be a welcoming place for LGBTQ+ young people.
- 85% of teachers identified SPHE, a key subject for the teaching of LGBTQ+ inclusion as being valued by the student body.
On the week of the 14th of November to the 18th of November, Kinsale Community School took part in Stand Up Week. The aim of Stand Up week was to celebrate inclusion and allyship. Nationally, the focus on the week was to encourage students to think about the language that they use and to reduce homophobic and transphobic language. During the week, students who are part of the LGBTQ+ community and supporters of the LGBTQ+ community created workshops informed by their lived experience around issues such as coming out, the word ‘queer’, allyship, transgender experiences and homophobia in schools.
Transition Year students were visited by Valerie Mulcahy and Clare Shine, two accomplished football players. Valerie delivered a powerful address to the TY students about her lesbian identity and touched on how students may be able to support a friend coming out as LGBT. Students organised a bake sale on the final day of Stand Up week to raise money for BeLonG To. We hope that everyone enjoyed Stand Up Week and we are looking forward to continuing to make improvements as an LGBTQ+ safe school.
