Sinead Baker | Editor-at-Large
A Dublin schoool has cancelled planned ShoutOut workshops aimed at tackling homophobic bullying today, reportedly citing concerns of the school board that “feels that the other side needs to be heard”.
The organisation was reportedly contacted this morning by the principal of Coláiste Eoin in Stillorgan informing them that the three workshops that were planned to take place today had been cancelled. Seventy secondary school students were expected to attend the workshops which were organized via the school’s Transition Year Coordinator at the beginning of January. The organisation has claimed that this is the first time a school has cancelled a workshop, and workshops from ShoutOut were included in the school’s transition year programme in both 2012 and 2013.
Shoutout is an organisation founded and ran by Trinity students and graduates that provides free workshops to schools that provide young people with knowledge about LGBT issues. These workshops aim to help students understand the effects of homophobia and transphobia and to help them to support their LGBT peers.
The goal of the organisation “is to develop a school climate where difference is valued for the positive contribution it makes to create a more vibrant and diverse community”. The organisation has visited around 60 schools in 14 counties since its foundation in 2012.
Speaking to The University Times ShoutOut founder Eoin O’Liatháín claimed “it’s important to note that this is the first time this has happened. Usually the response from teachers and students is fantastic.”
Coláiste Eoin did not respond to a request for comment by the time of publication
Photo: ShoutOut
