The LGBT inclusivity climate of post-primary schools in Ireland

Dr. Debbie Ging of the National Anti-Bullying Research and Resource Centre has received an IRC New Foundations award to build and pilot a survey tool that will measure the LGBT inclusivity climate of post-primary schools in Ireland. This project is a collaboration with the Gay and Lesbian Equality Network (GLEN) and aims to give Irish schools a deeper understanding of their LGBT climate as well as practical measures that they can implement to foster a more inclusive and supportive culture for all students. According to Dr. Ging, “The literature on LGBT inclusivity stresses that policies and procedures alone are not sufficient in guaranteeing a safe, supportive and affirming school environment. Rather, a visible and proactive culture of welcome, support and affirmation needs to be promoted and nurtured on a whole-school basis”. Echoing this need for positive, diverse and inclusive school cultures, Sandra Irwin-Gowran, Director of Education Policy with GLEN, says, “We know that schools can be very difficult places for LGBTI young people, just 20% feel that they completely belong in their school…The tool that this research project is developing will help those schools to see if what they are doing is having a positive impact for LGBTI young people and will highlight areas that they need to do further work on. It is going to be a really valuable tool for schools and GLEN is delighted to partner with DCU in developing it.” If widely adopted, this survey instrument has the potential to place Ireland among the most progressive countries worldwide in actively embedding an ethos of LGBT safety and inclusivity in its post-primary education system.