‘BEING LGBT IN SCHOOL’

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27% had self-harmed
18% had attempted suicide;
Most related the attempt in some
way to their LGBT identity.
Over a third of those aged 25 years
and under had thought seriously
about ending their lives within
the previous year
As set out in the Action Plan, a positive
school culture is pivotally important for
the prevention of bullying behaviour and
the provision of a safe environment for
learners who are supported and affirmed
in their holistic development. Creating
and maintaining such a culture is the
responsibility of every member of the school
community and is central to the ethos of
all schools; some individuals have a greater
role to play and at times that role requires
additional support.
1.1 ABOUT THIS
RESOURCE
This resource is intended to provide
support to key individuals as they fulfil
their responsibilities in ensuring that their
school is safe, supportive and affirming of
all students, including lesbian, gay, bisexual
and transgender (LGBT) students, students
perceived to be LGBT and students who have
close family members (parents, siblings, etc.)
who are LGBT.
Further support for schools in addressing
bullying is provided inter alia through the
Well-being in Post-Primary Schools Guidelines for
Mental Health Promotion and Suicide Prevention
(Department of Education and Skills et
al, 2013b), which outline how to develop a
positive whole-school environment that
includes structures to support students who
are experiencing difficulties. Additionally, the
HSE, Schools for Health in Ireland Framework
for Developing a Health Promoting School (Postprimary)
(2013) sets out the essential elements
of a whole-school approach to health in its
broadest sense.
Following the Department of Education and
Skills publication of Anti-Bullying Procedures
for Primary and Post-Primary Schools in
September 2013, it was considered important
to update existing resources to reflect the new
requirements on schools and to outline clearly
the role of key school personnel in preventing
and addressing homophobic and transphobic
bullying. This resource contains additional
advice from GLEN that is based on good
practice; this good practice is highlighted
clearly within the document in tables denoted
by this symbol:
The resource is divided into colour-coded
sections for ease of access by people according
to their specific role in the school community.
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‘Being LGBT in School’