Wexford centres recognised for LGBTQ+ wellbeing and inclusion

By Dan Walsh

Three Wexford based schools and Youthreach centres have received the Belong To LGBTQ+ Quality Mark recognising their work over an 18-month period to foster LGBTQ+ wellbeing and inclusion for their students. 

The three schools and centres awarded were New Ross Youthreach, Enniscorthy Community College and Gorey Youthreach.

The schools were presented with their awards at an event in the Royal Marine Hotel, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin which was attended by over 350 staff and student representatives, including those from Wexford and hosted by social media influencer and TV presenter James Kavanagh. 

In total, 44 schools were presented with the LGBTQ+ Quality Mark at the event, representing 17 counties and 26,000 post primary school students across the country. 

The accreditation initiative was developed by Belong To LGBTQ+ Youth Ireland in 2022. That year, the School Climate Survey by Columbia University revealed that 76% of LGBTQ+ young people in Wexford and across Ireland do not feel safe in post-primary schools.

The initiative draws on national and international best practice to create an environment where students feel safe and welcome regardless of who they are. This is done through a host of practical, proactive actions such establishing an LGBTQ+ and Allies Club for students, training whole-staff teams on supporting LGBTQ+ students and promoting the representation of LGBTQ+ families and identities in classroom teaching. 

Speaking at the launch, Michelle Keating, Co-Ordinator at New Ross Youthreach commented; “Following 18 months of work and engagement, New Ross Youthreach was proud to receive the Belong To LGBTQ+ Quality Mark. The initiative provides a comprehensive approach to promoting wellbeing and inclusion for LGBTQ+ young people in education throughout Ireland.  

She added; “The LGBTQ+ Quality Mark focuses on the four key areas of wellbeing promotion from an LGBTQ+ perspective, working with parents, community organisations and other local LGBTQ+ youth projects or groups to promote LGBTQ+ inclusion,”