Last week was ‘Stand Up Awareness Week’ – and students at Loreto Secondary School in Letterkenny formed a human rainbow to mark the occasion.
This is a time for second-level schools in Ireland to join BeLong To and take a stand against homophobic, biphobic and transphobic bullying.
The week is an opportunity for schools to look at how they can make them safe and supportive places for LGBTI+ students.
Belong To ran a nationwide incentive inviting school communities to come in.
The hashtag #comein was created by BelongTo for Stand Up week because ‘no one would have to come out if everyone else chose to come in’
On Friday the Loreto school community was invited to come in.
Each group represented a different colour of the rainbow and over 900 staff and students united to form a human rainbow.
The rainbow was a symbol of the support our school extends to the LGBTI+ community.
“Staff and students displayed that we are allies, that our students are there for their LGBTI+ friends and that our staff are supportive of our LGBTI+ students,” Loreto said.
“We all deserve to feel safe, welcome and accepted within our school community and Loreto Letterkenny strives to make this a reality for all our students.
“We hope that our inclusivity demonstrates to all our students that our school is safe place to be yourself and that you will be treated with dignity and respect regardless of how you identify.
“Loreto Letterkenny is a place where all students can thrive and reach their full potential.”
