Stand Up Against LGBTI+ Bullying - Stand Up Awareness Week 16th - 20th November 2020
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Stand Up Against
LGBTI+ Bullying Stand Up Awareness Week
16th - 20th November 2020
Resource Pack
• Terminology & Language
• Create an Inclusive School
• Supporting Trans Students
• Whole School Activities
1
WELCOME,
By taking part in Stand Up Awareness Week, they witness homophobic or transphobic words
you are joining hundreds of second-level or actions. You can read more about this on
schools taking a stand against LGBTI+ page 5.
bullying. Last year a record number of schools
participated and as we mark the 11th year This year’s Resource Pack includes an updated
of this anti-bullying campaign, we hope more terminology section, tips on supporting trans
schools will join us in creating safe and and non-binary students, and an introduction
supportive environments for all students. to teaching your students about combating
hate speech. As schools move their learning
The harrowing results of our 2019 School online, we have a host of educational
Climate Survey 1 painted a bleak picture of the resources, videos, and worksheets available
reality of school life for LGBTI+ students in on our website. We have created these ready-
Ireland. Findings indicated that in the 2018- made activities and resources to ensure it is as
2019 school year, an alarming 73% of LGBTI+ easy as possible for you to join us for Stand Up
students felt unsafe at school. The results Awareness Week in this uncertain climate.
show increased levels of absenteeism since
the LGBTIreland Report 2 (2016), which impacts We invite you to encourage your students to
how students negotiate their educational #ComeIn to school wearing a jumper in their
outcomes and their ambitions for the future. year’s colours on Friday 20th November, the
last day of Stand Up Awareness Week. Don’t
While there is much to do to improve the forget to share your photos with us by emailing
experiences of LGBTI+ young people in school, standup@belongto.org or using the hashtags
it is important to note the positive outcomes #StandUp2020 and #ComeIn.
when staff members, school curriculum,
and school policies are inclusive of LGBTI+ We hope that your entire school community
identities. There are remarkable teachers and stands up this November and that you are
staff across Ireland saving lives by creating collectively proud of your work to create a
safe, supportive spaces for LGBTI+ students. positive, inclusive school environment. Thank
By running Stand Up Awareness Week in your you for joining us as we work with you to create
school, you are playing an important role in safe and supportive schools for all students.
supporting your LGBTI+ student community.
This year, during Stand Up Awareness Week,
we invite you to relaunch your school’s Anti-
Bullying Policy, ensuring it specifically names
homophobic and transphobic bullying. Not only
does this send a positive message of solidarity
to your LGBTI+ students, but it also means Moninne Griffith
that staff will feel confident in the school’s CEO, BeLong To Youth Services
position and empowered to take action when
1
Pizmony-Levy, O., BeLonG To Youth Services (2019). The 2019 Irish National School Climate Survey Report. Research Report. New York:
2
Teachers College, Columbia University.
2
Share these statistics with your
colleagues to ensure the whole According to the 2019
team understands why we need to School Climate Survey1
stand up for LGBTI+ students.
The landscape of Ireland has changed for
members of the LGBTI+ community over the
past few decades from the decriminalisation of
homosexuality in 1993 to the vote for Marriage
Equality for same-sex couples in 2015. With 73% ofunsafe
LGBTI+ students feel
at school
these changes, some people may wonder if
there is a need for a campaign such as Stand
Up Awareness Week.
Irish research indicates that while many
LGBTI+ people over 26 live happy, fulfilled
lives; those under 26 do not experience the 77% ofverbally
LGBTI+ students are
harrassed
same levels of positive mental health. Not
being accepted for who you are can have a
devastating impact on young people, their
1 in 3 LGBTI+ students
reported that other
*Based on their sexual orientation, gender, gender expression or ethnic origin
wellbeing, and their education. students are not
accepting of LGBTI+
identities*.
Compared to their
non-LGBTI+ friends
X2 Levels of self-harm
68%
LGBTI+ Young X3 Levels of attempted suicide
People of LGBTI+ students
Experience...2 X4 Level of extreme stress, hear homophobic
anxiety and depression remarks from
other students.
2
Higgins A. et al. (2016) The LGBTIreland Report : national study of the mental health and wellbeing of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and
intersex people in Ireland. Dublin: GLEN and BeLonG To Youth Services.
3
3
One supportive educator can change the life of an LGBTI+ student. There are
many ways your school can create an environment that is safe and welcoming for
LGBTI+ students and, as a result, positively impact lives.
Connect with your Community Safe and Supportive Schools Programme
Proactively linking in with professionals and Everyone in the school community has a role to
youth organisations outside of your school play in creating safe, supportive, and inclusive
can be useful when you need specialised environments for all students, including
support and can also help you when you LGBTI+ students. Join our Safe and Supportive
are developing referral pathways for LGBTI+ School (SASS) Programme, developed in
young people. Get in touch with your local partnership with the HSE, and create a school
LGBTI+ youth group (for a full list see www. environment that is fully supportive of LGBTI+
belongto.org) and national organisations students. We will be there to support you every
such as BeLonG To Youth Services, Jigsaw, step of the way with practical action points
TENI (Transgender Equality Network Ireland), and learnings. Joining SASS is an ideal way to
LGBTI+ Ireland and LOOK (Loving Our Out celebrate the work you are already doing to
Kids). support LGBTI+ students and bring the entire
school community on this journey. For more
Develop Staff Skills information, get in touch with our Education
and Training Coordinator:
Participate in our free online training for
training@belongto.org/ 01 670 6223.
teachers to create an environment that is
safe and welcoming for the LGBTI+ students.
This interactive training includes videos,
exercises, and quizzes to equip participants to
become better at listening to, understanding,
responding to, and supporting LGBT+ young
people. As part of the training, you will learn
about terminology and language, non-binary
and transgender identities, and improving
your own practice. Sign up today from www.
belongto.org
4
4
This year, to mark Stand Up Awareness Week in your school, we invite you to
relaunch your school’s Anti-Bullying Policy.
Making a specific reference to homophobic • Homophobic/transphobic bullying is
and transphobic bullying in your school’s Anti- recorded as such in the DES Anti-
Bullying Policy sends a powerful message that Bullying Procedures ‘Template for
your school does not tolerate such behaviour. Recording Bullying Behaviour’ and
Not only does this show your solidarity with monitor related trends.
LGBTI+ students, but it also aligns with • The Anti-Bullying Policy is linked to the
the recommendation of the Department of code of behaviour, which identifies
Education and Skills ‘Anti-Bullying Procedure’ unacceptable behaviour that can lead
to deal explicitly with homophobic and to bullying, for example the use of
transphobic bullying in your school. homophobic language.
• All staff are aware of the policy and
It has been proven that LGBTI+ bullying is their role in implementation, particularly
lower in schools that have developed anti- in relation to homophobic/ transphobic
bullying policies that explicitly state that language and name-calling.
anti-LGBTI+ bullying is wrong and will not be
• A ‘no tolerance’ approach is taken by
tolerated. In these schools, LGBTI+ students
all staff in relation to homophobic/
are less likely to experience harassment and
transphobic language and name-calling
are more likely to report incidents when they
and in all aspects of school life.
occur. Teachers in these schools are much
more likely to intervene in incidents of LGBTI+ • Ensure that all staff and the school
related bullying as they are confident about the community are aware of the policy.
school’s position. Make explicit reference to the nine
grounds of Equality Legislation,
including sexual orientation and gender
What your school can do:
identity, in the school policies and
Review your Anti-Bullying Policy in line with the school mission statement.
DES Action Plan on Bullying (2013) and the
Anti-Bullying Procedures, ensuring that:
5
5
The best way to
ensure that you are
A simple, yet effective way of showing using the proper terms
support is to use LGBTI+ related terms when referring to an
accurately and respectfully. Talk to individual is to ask
them what they prefer.
your students about the terms below
to create familiarity and understanding.
LGBTI+: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans+ and Gender identity: Our deeply felt internal
Intersex people. experience of our own gender.
Sexual orientation: Sexual and romantic Gender expression: How we show our gender
attraction to other people. through our clothing, hair, behaviour, etc.
Lesbian: A woman who is attracted to other Cisgender: Someone whose gender identity
women. matches the sex they were recorded at birth.
Gay: Someone who is sexually or romantically Transgender/Trans: People whose gender
attracted toward people of the same gender. identity doesn’t match the sex they were
This term is often used by someone who is recorded at birth.
male-identified, who is romantically or sexually
attracted to other male-identified individuals. Non-binary: Someone who identifies as neither
exclusively male or female or maybe identifies
Bisexual: Someone who is attracted to more as both.
than one gender e.g. both men and women.
Intersex: People who are born with variations
Heterosexual: Someone who is attracted to in their sexual anatomy or their hormonal
people of the opposite gender to their own. patterns, which are not seen as fitting in with
typical male or female bodies.
Pansexual: Someone whose romantic and/or
sexual attraction towards others is not limited LGBTI+ bullying: Bullying based on prejudice
by sex or gender. or discrimination towards LGBTI+ people.
Queer: Some people use queer as another Ally: Someone who is a friend, advocate, and/
term for LGBT+ people. Other people may use or activist for the LGBTI+ community.
it to explain their gender, sexual or political
identity. Some people still use this word as an
insult, so unless you know how someone feels
about the word, you shouldn’t use it to
describe them.
6
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Join Us Online green, 5th years blue and 6th years purple.
The school environment is very different Make sure to use #ComeIn when you are
this year and we want to make it as easy sharing your photos online.
as possible for you to take part in Stand Up
Awareness Week. As a result, we have created Relaunch your Anti-Bullying Policy
a host of online resources for you to share with Stand Up Awareness Week is a week for your
your class. These include video resources with school to take a stand against LGBTI+ related
discussion points and additional activities. bullying. Let your school community know
Visit www.belongto.org/stand up that you will not tolerate LGBTI+ bullying by
relaunching your Anti-Bullying Policy explicitly
Be a Virtual Ally naming homophobic and transphobic bullying
As we move to a more virtual world, there are in the policy. Read more about this on page 5.
many ways you can support LGBTI+ students
online. Put your pronouns in your name window Same-Sex Couples
to let LGBTI+ students know you realise the Whenever possible, include examples of
importance of pronouns. Invite your students diverse families, including same-sex couples
to do the same – not only does this open a and LGBTI+ parents when referencing families
conversation but it also ensures you accurately in the classroom.
refer to students when calling on them.
My Networks
Create a Rainbow Flag #ComeIn Using hands as templates, ask students to
On Friday, November 20th, encourage your draw out their hand on a piece of paper and
students to wear a jumper in their year’s think about who they would be able to talk to
colours so that the whole school will make if they or one of their friends was experiencing
up the LGBTI+ rainbow flag: 1st years red, anti-LGBTI+ bullying. Ask them to identify five
2nd years orange, 3rd years yellow, 4th years people or organisations that they might be
7
77able to confide in or ask for help (see page 14 on opposite sides of the room. Read out the
for information on LGBTI+ support services). five statements from Words Hurt worksheet
Discuss what kind of people these might be on our website (www.belongto.org/standup)
and ask your students to describe what the and ask students to walk to the position of
important qualities are for example trust, agreeing or disagreeing in the room. You can
honesty, someone who will listen. learn more about hate speech and the LGBTI+
community on pages 10 and 11.
Poster Design
Support your students to design posters Raise Funds
that represent diversity and inclusion. Ask BeLonG To is a charity providing life-saving
the group what positive words, images, and support services for LGBTI+ young people
colours they think about in relation to LGBTI+ across the country. There are lots of great
identities and encourage them to create ways for your school to raise funds to support
posters using these ideas. Ask every teacher our services including asking students to
to display these posters in their classroom – contribute €2 during the #ComeIn Rainbow
no matter what subject they teach. Jumper Day on Friday, November 20th. For a
fundraising pack, contact Oisín or Caroline:
Table Quiz fundraising@belongto.org /01 670 622.
Host a table quiz using the ready-made
questions and answers template on our Find Inspiration
website – there are rounds on LGBTI+ history, For over a decade, schools across Ireland
culture, and terminology. have creatively marked Stand Up Awareness
Week never forgetting the core anti-bullying
Rainbow Content focus. From walls of supportive messages to
inspirational local LGBTI+ guest speakers,
Encourage students to write what they can
there are many ways you can put the spotlight
do to help make their school a safer place
on inclusivity and equality. Check out the
for their LGBTI+ friends on a strip of coloured
hashtags #StandUp19 and #ComeIn for
construction paper. Create the strips (links)
some inspiration.
using sheets of different coloured construction
paper to make the rainbow. Cut into strips
up and then staple or glue them together,
resulting in one long, connected chain that
Teachers, send us photos of your 2020
visually represents the power of uniting
Stand Up Awareness Week activities
together as a school to protect our LGBTI+
and be in with a chance to win one of
friends. Hang the link in your school corridor or
four €50 One4All vouchers! Email your
cafeteria.
entries to standup@belongto.org before
December 4th, 2020.
Words Hurt
This activity helps students learn about hate
speech against the LGBTI+ community. Put
posters with the words ‘agree’ and ‘disagree’
8
8Raising awareness of LGBTI+ identities PE
can and should be done in all subjects. In our 2019 School Climate Survey, LGBTI+
students told us that PE is a subject they avoid
Here are some ideas on adding due to feeling unsafe. Discuss and challenge
an LGBTI+ focus to any subject gender norms in sports and athletics and
you teach. talk about how PE can be a safer and more
inclusive subject for LGBTI+ students.
Classroom Discussions
Irish (SPHE, Politics and Society, CSPE, English)
We co-authored the first Irish/English queer Visit our website for a host of articles to
dictionary, ‘An Foclóir Aiteach’. Download the promote critical thinking and discussion
dictionary from our website and spend time including the Ted Talk from journalist and
sharing LGBTI+ terminology ‘as Gaeilge’ with LGBTI+ activist, Lyra McKee, and the annual
your students. Youth Issue of GCN (Gay Community News)
magazine written by LGBTI+ youth.
Science
Share the Huffington post video and article
Alan Turing is one of the most famous gay from LGBTI+ activist and actress Laverne Cox
men in science. This brilliant scientist and talking about her experiences as a member
mathematician is known for breaking the of the trans community. Show your students
enigma code for WW2 and for creating the the Key Findings of our 2019 School Climate
Turing machine in 1936. This machine Survey to highlight the experience of LGBTI+
included the idea of a computer program. students at schools across Ireland. Discuss
Using the handy resource on our website, with the role schools and students can play in
your class highlight the scientific contributions creating a safe environment for LGBTI+
of LGBTI+ individuals. students. Visit www.belongto.org/standup
for links to these articles and other great
Home Economics resources to share with your students.
Face masks are now a part of our daily lives
Geography
as we all play a part in preventing the spread
of COVID-19. Teach your students how to Access the IGLA world map of sexual
make face coverings and to mark Stand Up orientation laws on our website, and with
Awareness Week incorporate the colours of your class explore what countries have equal
the Pride flag. laws for LGBTI+ individuals and where it is a
criminal offence to be LGBTI+.
9
9Words hurt and can deeply impact a • Trying to damage someone’s reputation
by making false comments
student’s school experience. Create an
• Pretending to be someone online
understanding of this impact by sharing • Doxxing: publishing personal
these resources with your class. information about you (including
What is LGBTI+ hate speech? intimate videos and photos)
• Outing someone: telling someone
LGBTI+ hate speech is any communication
that someone is LGBTI+ without their
or expression which advocates, promotes,
knowledge or consent when they are
or incites hatred, discrimination or violence,
not “out” to everyone
against any individual or group, because of
their sexuality, sex characteristics, gender • Trolling: posting offensive, upsetting or
expression or gender identity. inflammatory comments online in an
attempt to hurt and provoke a response
For LGBTI+ people hate speech can look What is the difference between hate speech
like: and bullying?
• Threats to an individual or group Hate speech is not the same as bullying,
though both are very harmful. Bullying targets
• Online abuse and cyberbullying
an individual – sometimes because of an
• Words, images, and videos that call for aspect of their identity but not always.
or glorify violence against a group
Hate speech always targets by identity,
• Encouraging others to commit hate
sometimes toward an individual because of
crimes
their identity but more often it targets the
• Grossly offensive posts or comments group. By targeting the group, hate speech
• Trolling (posting offensive, upsetting hurts everyone in that group.
or inflammatory comments online LGBTI+ hate speech can happen:
in an attempt to hurt and provoke a
response) • Publicly, for example in school or at the
football pitch
• The use of slurs
• Privately, for example through social
• Stereotyping
media, messaging apps, dating apps,
Online LGBTI+ hate speech is the same as and emails.
hate speech in person except it takes place
online. LGBTI+ Hate speech online can look
like:
10
10Tackle LGBTI+ hate speech Activity: Recognising LGBTI+
in your school, community hate speech
and society Read these examples to your class and ask
1. Recognise them to determine if it is an example of
You can recognise LGBTI+ hate speech when hate speech or not.
an expression or communication attacks Example 1:
a group of people because of their LGBTI+
You are getting books from your locker
identity. This can include hateful language,
and you notice someone has written an
stereotyping or discrimination against a group
LGBTI+ slur on your friend’s locker.
because of their identity.
This is hate speech because it is the use of a
2. Challenge word historically used to discriminate against
When you hear something offensive towards a group of people because of their sexuality or
gender identity and aims to harass and intimidate
an LGBTI+ student, you should point out that
someone.
it is hate speech and is harmful. You can say it
or comment online if it is safe to do so. Example 2:
3. Defend You are playing hurling with your local
team and you miss a goal, someone on
When someone is spreading hate speech
the other team says that you missed
about LGBTI+ people, it is important to defend
because “you’re gay”.
our LGBTI+ friends and family. Share stories
This is hate speech because it is stereotyping
with a human rights perspective that are
someone’s ability based on their sexual
insightful and that challenge stereotypical and orientation.
hateful content.
Example 3:
4. Report
Visual of Instagram comment on Pride
If you encounter LGBTI+ hate speech, you photo saying “Gay people shouldn’t be
should report it to your teacher, principal, or a allowed to have Pride, they are all sick”.
trusted adult such as a parent.
This is hate speech because it is
If you encounter LGBTI+ hate speech online eliciting hate online and encouraging
you should report it through the website. others to believe that LGBTI+ people
Many social media sites have a reporting tool should not be allow to gather and
specifically for hateful material. celebrate their experiences. And it puts
Hate speech is a crime under the Prohibition forward negative beliefs the LGBTI+
of Incitement To Hatred Act, 1989. If you are community due to their identity.
concerned about an incident of hate speech,
Discussion points:
you can reach out to the Gardaí.
• Why is this hate speech?
• What should we do in
this situation?
• How can we prevent
hate speech in our
school and community?
11
11Transgender (or trans) is an umbrella term The best way to support a trans student is to
for people whose gender identity differs from talk to them about how best to support their
the sex they were given at birth. You may specific journey.
also have students who identify as non-
Names and Pronouns
binary. This gender identity falls under the
trans umbrella and means that they don’t Trans students need to be called their
feel exclusively male or female. correct name and pronouns in day-to-day
interactions. Changing a student’s name or
Like all students, trans youth need the gender on the school register is a decision
support of the adults in their lives to develop the Board of Management makes, but this
a strong sense of self and thrive. should not impact everyday use of the
student’s name and pronouns.
Transitioning
Uniforms
Some transgender young people will choose
to transition. Transitioning means different Many schools have gendered uniforms which
things to different people. For some, it can can cause challenges for trans students.
mean a social change for example changing Trans students should be allowed to wear
clothing, hair, use of different pronouns, and a uniform that is consistent with their
using a new name. If you are unsure what gender identity. If your school does not have
pronoun or name to use, ask the student. variations in the uniform e.g. skirts and
trousers, you may need to ask for specific
For others, it can involve legal changes such accommodations like a gender-neutral option
as change of name via deed poll or going on behalf of your trans students.
through the process of gender recognition
and changing the gender marker (male or Bathrooms and Changing Rooms
female) on their birth cert. Trans students should be able to access
toilets and changing facilities that
Some trans people choose to medically correspond with their gender identity.
transition. These changes may include Being able to access gender-neutral toilets
the use of hormone blockers (to pause can be particularly important as someone
or stop puberty), hormone replacement transitions. Talk to the colleagues in your
therapy and/or surgery. Try not to make school about the needs of trans students
any comments (good or bad) about body relating to feeling safe in spaces such as
changes. Remember every student is bathrooms and changing rooms.
different and has different needs.
12
12With the help of trans young people,
we have created tips on how to make
your school more welcoming for trans
students. • Allow students to wear the uniform they
feel most comfortable in.
Respecting
Protecting
• Use the name and pronouns the
student requests. If you aren’t sure • Enforce your Anti-Bullying Policy and
of someone’s pronouns, rather than specifically mention transphobic
assuming, just ask. bullying.
• Don’t share information about the • Be aware that transphobia can come
student’s trans identity without from staff as well as students.
consent. • Listen to students when they feel
• Don’t single out students as an example targeted or unsafe.
of a trans person. • Encourage an inclusive school
Accommodating environment.
• Challenge transphobic comments and
• Allow students to use the bathroom that
ideas from students and staff.
matches their gender.
• Remember that different students will
• Make a gender-neutral bathroom
be comfortable with different things,
available and accessible to all students.
so when in doubt, ask the student.
• Allow students to share rooms on of a trans person.
overnight trips with other students of
Supporting
the same gender.
• If students are not comfortable in • Advocate for the interests of your trans
gendered spaces, make neutral rooms students.
or single rooms available by choice. • If a student asks for help, do your best
• Ensure that trans students are not to provide it.
obliged to partake in PE to partake • Put up BeLonG To posters and engage
in PE. in Stand Up Awareness week.
13
13BeLonG To Youth Services is the national organisation supporting LGBTI+ young
people in Ireland. Since 2003, we have worked with LGBTI+ young people across
Ireland offering safety and support through our services. Let your students know
about BeLonG To and what supports are available for them.
Youth Groups Digital Support Services
We support youth groups for LGBTI+ young
people and allies in 45 locations across We are here to offer support to LGBTI+ young
Ireland. Many of these groups are now people. Our Youth Workers provide confidential
operating online. These groups provide a text, email, and phone support. They are
space for LGBTI+ young people to develop happy to listen, provide you with information
friendships, get support, and have fun. and make referrals if needed. Reach out and
Activities range from pizza nights and special talk to our friendly, expert Youth Workers in
events to clothing swaps and information confidence: www.belongto.org/we-are-here-
nights on a range of LGBTI+ issues – for-you.
determined by the group members. Visit www.
belongto.org to find your nearest LGBTI+ youth Crisis Couselling
group. Our in-house crisis counselling service, offered
in partnership with Pieta, provides a dedicated
Tools and Resources LGBTI+ youth counselling service for those
Show your students the website www.belongto. experiencing suicide ideation or engaging in
org on your whiteboard and let them know self-harm. This service is free of charge and
about this useful resource. Under the heading available to LGBTI+ young people aged 14-23.
‘Young People’ you will find information about To make an appointment call Pieta Dublin
coming out, mental health, transgender South on 01 462 4792 and ask to book an
identities, and bullying. There is also advice appointment for the LGBTI+ youth counselling
for parents and carers, and a section for service or send an email to belongto@pieta.ie
professionals, which includes upcoming
training opportunities for teachers.
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14Students approached me saying how proud they
were that the school was proactive in showing the
community that we were inclusive, welcome, and
intolerant of bullying.
Pierce DeCourcy
Regina Mundi College, Douglas, Co. Cork
Thank you to our amazing funders:
Stand Up Awareness Week is endorsed by
BeLonG To Youth Services info@belongto.org
13 Parliament St www.belongto.org
Dublin 2, D02 P658 01 670 6223
BeLonG To Youth Services is a registered charity in the Republic of Ireland
Registered Charity Number: 20059798. ©BeLonG To Youth Services, 2020
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15So no one has to come out
Teachers, show your support for your LGBTI+ students – encourage your
students to # ComeIn to school wearing a jumper in their year’s colours on
Friday 20th November, the last day of Stand Up Awareness Week.
Declare your
Ask them to beg, support
borrow or buy a jumper in their year’s colours so that the whole school will
make up the LGBTI+ rainbow flag: 1st yrs red, 2nd yrs orange, 3rd yrs yellow, 4th yrs green,
ofphotos
your
5th LGBTQI+
yrs blue and
online
friends.
6th yrs purple. Please make sure to use #ComeIn when you are sharing your
#ComeIn
Stand up! Awareness Week against
Stand Up Awareness Week
Supporting againstBisexual
Lesbian,Gay,
LGBTI+ Bulling 12-16 NovemberLGBTI+
2019 Bullying&16-20 November
Trans Young 2020
People in Ireland
16You can also read
