Over 75% of Irish schools to take action this week against LGBTQ+ bullying

Belong To launches 16^th annual Stand Up Awareness Week with three quarters of schools participating

Today, the national LGBTQ+ youth organisation Belong To – LGBTQ+ Youth Ireland launched the annual anti-LGBTQ+ bullying campaign, Stand Up Awareness Week at O’Carolan College in Nobber, Co. Kildare with Minister for Education and Youth Helen McEntee.   

All week, from 3 to 7 November, educators and young people will stand together against LGBTQ+ bullying – creating school and youth service environments where homophobic bullying is not just tackled but prevented.  

Belong To is anticipating the highest level of participation by post-primary schools, Youthreach centres and youth services yet, with 75% of schools across Ireland taking part in the campaign last year in 2024.  

Schools across the country will hold events and run activities such as talks, presentations and special lessons exploring LGBTQ+ topics, in order to prevent homophobic and transphobic bullying.  

In 2024, the Being LGBTQI+ report revealed that among LGBTQI+ students in Irish secondary schools:  

• 79% witnessed anti-LGBTQ+ bullying in their school;  

• 26% reported that they had missed or skipped school to avoid bullying; and 

• 32% thought about leaving school due to negative treatment related to being LGBTQI+. 

Stand Up Awareness Week 2025 

Stand Up Awareness Week is supported and part-funded by the Department of Education & Youth, HSBC Ireland and ESB Energy for Generations Fund. 

This year, the theme of Stand Up Awareness Week is preventing homophobic and transphobic bullying through the implementation of the Bí Cineálta procedures from the Department of Education and Youth to tackle bullying and foster the wellbeing of post-primary school students.  One of the core principles of Bí Cineálta is preventing bullying from occurring, with the understanding that education and empathy generation are the foundations for knowledge, respect and inclusion.  

Minister for Education and Youth Helen McEntee said: “Every child and young person deserves to feel safe, respected and valued in school. Research on how LGBTQ+ young people feel in school settings indicates there is still more to do. I’d like to commend the efforts of every school, teacher and principal that has taken part in Stand Up Awareness Week and other inclusive initiatives over the last 16 years.  

“With the introduction of Bí Cineálta this year, we are strengthening procedures to create school communities where every student feels truly welcome and included. We know how deep and lasting the impact of bullying can be on the wellbeing of young people. This week, I stand proudly with our LGBTQ+ students to say no to bullying in every form, and yes to belonging, respect and inclusion.” 

Also commenting was Moninne Griffith (she/her), CEO of Belong To who said: “Every young person in Ireland should feel safe to shine – to be fully themselves and live without fear of bullying or harassment. Our research shows that this isn’t the case yet. But, we’re working year on year to make Ireland the best place to grow up LGBTQ+. Schools play a pivotal role in this – they are environments where young people spend a crucial time of self-discovery and development.  

“I would like to thank the thousands of dedicated teachers, principals and youth workers across Ireland who go above and beyond in ever greater numbers to make Stand Up Awareness Week a memorable and impactful week for their communities, and help shape a better, more inclusive Ireland.” 

Belong To is the national organisation for LGBTQ+ young people in Ireland. More information about all the services and supports offered by the charity to LGBTQ+ young people and their families is available at www.belongto.org.