Statement
BeLonG To Youth Services Welcomes Relationships And Sexuality Education Review
Wednesday, April 4th, 2018
“We are delighted that Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE) is being reviewed to reflect the needs of young people in Ireland today, including our LGBTI+ young people. For too long information about same sex relationships, safe sex and LGBTI+ matters has been taught in just a small minority of classrooms in Ireland.
Our young LGBTI+ people have been calling for improvements to sex education for many years now. They are frustrated with the lack of information available to them and eager to see significant improvements. With this review process, we hope that the implementation of RSE will be mandatory for all schools, and that schools will receive the encouragement and support they need to talk about sexuality and relationships.
Our work with schools and the education sector over the past decade as part of Stand Up LGBTI+ Awareness Week has focused on bringing conversations and information on sexual orientation, gender identity, and equality into classrooms across Ireland. In 2017, some 43% of second-level schools nationwide took part in the week-long event. We look forward to the next generation of LGBTI+ young people receiving relevant, realistic information about relationships and sexuality to better equip them for the real world.”
Moninne Griffith, Executive Director, BeLonG To Youth Services
ENDS
Contact: To arrange interview or for further information, please contact Sinead Keane, Communications Officer: 087 768 0389/ 01 670 6223/ sinead@belongto.org
Notes for Editor
- In 2013, BeLonG To worked with the Professional Development Services for Teachers (PDST) and the Health Service Executive (HSE) on the creation of ‘Growing Up LGBT’ a RSE resource for teachers to use in their classrooms.
- BeLonG To Youth Services is the national organisation for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI+) young people in Ireland.
More News
Statement from Belong To in response to Prime Time
For over 20 years, Belong To – LGBTQ+ Youth Ireland has supported trans young people and their families Central to our work is ...
Read moreCelebrity hairdresser Andrew Fitzsimons talks about the importance of LGBTQ+ allies during Stand Up Awareness Week.
Stand Up Awareness Week, Ireland’s largest LGBTQ+ anti-bullying campaign, takes place from November 6-10, 2023 Celebrity hairdresser ...
Read moreWhy we decided to leave Twitter/X
Our vision is a society where LGBTQ+ young people are equal, safe and thriving This includes both offline and online spaces At Belong ...
Read moreBelong To’s Winter Project
It’s the Holigays! This December, Belong To will host a series of events in Dublin City Centre to get you in the festive spirit! ...
Read moreUpdate Belong To School Climate Report 2024
September 2024 As part of our ongoing work in schools, we have been conducting research concerning the lived experiences of LGBTQ+ ...
Read moreCork City Council first to pass motion committing to using factual and accurate information in council discussion and debate
- Motion put forward as part of the #CheckTheFacts campaign to address misinformation in public life - On Monday, 11 ...
Read more