
This initiative is a response to statistics from the 2022 School Climate Survey, which revealed that 76% of LGBTQ+ young people in Ireland do not feel safe in post-primary schools.
Three schools in Kildare have received the Belong To LGBTQ+ Quality Mark in recognition of their efforts to foster LGBTQ+ wellbeing and inclusion over an 18-month period.
The awards were presented at a ceremony at the Royal Marine Hotel in Dun Laoghaire, attended by over 350 staff and student representatives.
The schools to get the award locally include Rathangan Secondary School, Naas CBS and Maynooth Post Primary School.
Nationally, 44 schools received the recognition.
The recipients, representing 17 counties, include institutions catering to 26,000 post-primary students.
The LGBTQ+ Quality Mark, launched by Belong To – LGBTQ+ Youth Ireland in 2022, is an accreditation initiative aimed at creating safer, more inclusive environments for LGBTQ+ students.
This initiative is a response to statistics from the 2022 School Climate Survey, which revealed that 76% of LGBTQ+ young people in Ireland do not feel safe in post-primary schools.
Moninne Griffith, CEO of Belong To, highlighted the ongoing challenges of homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia in schools, citing the need for continued progress in creating inclusive spaces.