News
New Gay Bullying Guidelines
In hopes of drastically reducing homophobic bullying, Minster for Minster for Children and Youth Affairs launched ‘Addressing Homophobia, Guidelines for the Youth Sector in Ireland’ earlier this morning.
The
Office for the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs and BeLoNg to Youth
Service produced the guidelines in response to research that shows this type of
harassment can have devastating effects on the mental health of young people
and that homophobic bullying is a huge issue amongst today's youth.
Minister Andrews said: "An equality based approach should be fundamental
to our work with young people and should underscore the necessity of actively
and unequivocally addressing homophobia in all its guises. It is important,
therefore, that structures, services and supports that work with, and on behalf
of, young people are clearly committed to addressing and combating homophobia'.
He continued: "Along with their valuable work with young people in Ireland, BeLonG
To have been to the fore in addressing homophobia through their work in the
youth sector, as well as in other sectors and settings. My office is committed
to supporting the youth sector in tackling homophobic bullying and urge all youth
workers, volunteers and all those working with young people to commit
themselves to addressing and combating homophobia”.
A statement from BeLonG To's Advocacy Coordinator, Carol-Anne O'Brien stated, “The
guidelines are really practical -- based on ideas from youth workers and from
young people themselves. We've included a list of Best Practices and
information about BeLonG To's national network of LGBT youth groups and lots of
other resources”.