Belong To’s Stand Up Awareness Week, taking place 2 to 6 November 2026, is a time for post-primary schools, youth services and Youthreach centres across Ireland to join together and take a stand against homophobic, biphobic and transphobic bullying.
The week is an opportunity to take steps to make spaces welcoming and inclusive for LGBTQ+ young people. We will equip you with the resources, tools and knowledge needed to host Stand Up Awareness Week in your school, youth service or Youthreach at any time that works for you.
It is heartbreaking that one in five young LGBTQ+ people face bullying and that 76% of LGBTQ+ students feel unsafe at school.
Together we can create spaces where LGBTQ+ young people feel safe, equal and valued.
Stand Up Awareness Week 2026 Resources
Belong To sent schools, Youthreach centres and youth services a resource pack in September including an information guide and posters.
You can download the resources for Stand Up Awareness Week 2026 here:
Check out all our education resources on the Education Hub here:
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“Who wouldn’t want to be a teacher during Stand Up Awareness Week? A time of fun, friendship, learning and solidarity. A time when the the community that schools can provide gets to shine and we get to show love, compassion and inclusion for every single member of our school.”
Lauren Comer, Mercy College Coolock, Dublin
Stand Up Awareness Week Awards
The Stand Up Awareness Week Awards celebrate the diversity of inspiring and impactful actions that schools, Youthreach centres and youth services carry out all over the country.
The 2026 Award Categories are:
Stand Up Awareness Week Impact Award
Recognising impactful and well-organised Stand Up Awareness Week programmes of activities that meet the objectives of Stand Up Awareness Week.
Stand Up Awareness Week Theme Award
Recognising creative interpretation of the theme for Stand Up Awareness Week 2026.
Stand Up Awareness Week Visibility Award
Recognising efforts to increase the visibility and representation of LGBTQ+ identities in your school, centre or service during Stand Up Awareness Week.
Stand Up Awareness Week Creative Expression Award
Recognising the impactful use of art, music, writing or other creative outlets for Stand Up Awareness Week.
Stand Up Awareness Week Photography Award
Recognising the most impactful photographs captured of Stand Up Awareness Week activities.
Stand Up Awareness Week Youth Participation Award
Recognising high levels of youth involvement in the planning and running of Stand Up Awareness Week.
Stand Up Awareness Week Youth Service Award – *New this year! *
Recognising impactful and well-organised Stand Up Awareness Week programmes of activities at youth services.
The 2025 Stand Up Awareness Week Awards winners were:
The Impact Award – Ardscoil na Mara, County Waterford
The Theme Award – Limerick Educate Together Secondary School, County Limerick
The Visibility Award – Kishoge Community College, County Dublin
The Creative Expression Award – Causeway Comprehensive School, County Kerry
The Photography Award – Ardscoil na Mara, County Waterford
The Youth Participation Award – Ardscoil Rís, County Dublin
Senior Cycle LGBTQ+ Inclusive Lesson Plans
Brand new lesson plans and class resources for LGBTQ+ inclusion across different subject areas.
Education Resource Videos – Being LGBTQ+ Today
Hear from young people about the experience of growing up LGBTQ+ in Ireland today. These short animations, two interviews recorded with some of the young people we work with, can be used as an excellent resource in the class or group to foster understanding during Stand Up Awareness Week.
Spill the Tea
Every year for Stand Up Awareness Week, schools, Youthreach centres, and youth services around the country hold bake sales, coffee mornings, and bake offs to raise funds to support our life saving work with LGBTQ+ young people.
Our free ‘Spill the Tea’ fundraising event pack makes this simpler than ever, with a whole pack of materials, decorations and resources sent to anyone holding a Spill the Tea fundraiser, including as part of Stand Up Awareness Week.
Find out more about Spill The Tea, and get in touch to receive your free pack here:
The History of the Rainbow Flag – A new resource for Stand Up Awareness Week
This educational resource explores the history of the original Rainbow Flag created by LGBTQ+ activist and artist Gilbert Baker in 1978. It traces the flag’s origins, the meaning behind its colours, and its evolution into one of the most recognised symbols of diversity, equality, and pride all over the world.
A section of the original 1978 Rainbow Flag is currently on loan from the GLBT Historical Society, is currently on display at Cork Public Museum, offering the opportunity to engage with an iconic piece of LGBTQ+ history.
Suitable for post-primary schools, Youthreach centres and youth services across Ireland, this resource can be used to support learning in SPHE, CSPE, history and wellbeing programmes. It provides an engaging starting point for discussions on identity, human rights, social change and inclusion, helping young people explore how symbols can reflect both personal and collective experiences. It can be used as part of your Stand Up Awareness Week 2026 activities and would be great addition to your LGBTQ+ inclusion noticeboards!
View the resource here
Get In Touch
Stand Up Awareness Week Endorsers
Thank you to our Stand Up Awareness Week funders:
Stand Up Awareness Week is endorsed by:
