ShoutOut at ILGA Europe!

Earlier this month ShoutOut were lucky enough to be able to send Managing Director, Bella FitzPatrick, to the ILGA Europe Annual Conference which took place in Warsaw. We want to express so much gratitude to ILGA Europe who sponsored Bella's trip over, making it possible for ShoutOut to be represented at this incredible event. Here's how Bella found the experience:

The theme of the event was: "Change! Communities mobilising, movements rising!", which was very fitting for me as a volunteer working to create safe schools on the Island of Ireland. 

Among the incredible workshops and talks I was able to attend a meeting about youth work hosted by the amazing organisation IGLYO. IGLYO showed us how they are assessing the level of LGBTQIA+ safety and inclusion in schools across Europe. 

Next I learned about research into safe schools from US org GLSEN. We can't wait to work with IGLYO and GLSEN in the future! 

We heard worrying statistics from the True Colors Fund about how LGBTQIA+ youth are affected by homelessness in greater numbers then their cis-straight counterparts, and how much a stable home and welcoming schools are vital for LGBTQIA+ young people. 

As well as workshops and talks on safe schools and youth issues, I was able to attend workshops on a variety of topics such as bi visibility, parent support, and intersex rights. 

On the last evening we went to the Palace of Culture and Science which was aglow with rainbow colours! 

This conference was truly transformative, and I'm very lucky that I was sponsored to go, and that I have such an understanding day job that always make room for my work with ShoutOut.

 

Meet a ShoutOuter - Ross Hunter

ShoutOut isn't one person, it's dozens and dozen of volunteers! This is how we do so many workshops. It's the beginning of November and we've already 50 workshops this school year!

Ross is one of our most committed volunteers. Learn more about Ross!

Hey guys! I’m Ross, a 21 year old from Meath with a passion for meditation, psychology and most importantly ShoutOut! I’ve been a volunteer for about two years now and I can safely say it has been one of the most fulfilling and enjoyable experiences I’ve had in college!

I remember walking into my first workshop looking like my dog after he’s peed on the new carpet. I.was.so.nervous. Thoughts flew through my head “What if they act out?”, “What if they ask me a question I don’t know the answer to?”. My anxieties were soon eased as I was introduced to my partner for the day Conor. Conor was a ShoutOut veteran and all round cool guy. He helped me through my first workshop and gave me all the hints and tips I could ever want. It was bizarre yet liberating sharing my story of coming out with a group of 14 year olds (now it feels like reciting a shopping list!).

I couldn’t help but think that one of those kids could easily have been and just how beneficial I would have found it! What I love most about ShoutOut is the feeling after you finish a workshop (and that’s not just from the free lunch!). You really feel like you have made a difference. Just standing up there, as a LGBT* individual you can be a role model, a voice and that can be a lifeline in itself

10 Tips to Ensure Supportive Schools!

There's likely an LGBTQ+ student in almost every classroom across Ireland. Here are our ten tips to ensure a supportive school environment:

1. Ensure the school's anti-bullying policy clearly & explicitly addresses homophobic and transphobic bullying. 

2. Include all types of families and relationships in class discussions, lessons and resources. The silences around certain representations can be very loud for some students.

3. When pupils use phrases such as ‘that’s so gay’ or ‘you’re so gay’ it's essential for the teacher / principal to challenge this. Even if it's not intended as an insult, it can be inferred as such and must not be tolerated.

4. If a student comes out to you respond by thanking them for telling you, continue by asking about their experience in telling others, and let them know of the internal and external support available if needed.

5. Put up an LGBT themed poster!

6. Take part in Stand Up!, a national week against homophobic and transphobic bullying.

6.. Have an SPHE class on the differences between sexual orientation and gender. 

7. Respect the correct gender, name and pronoun for addressing transgender or intersex students.  

8. Transgender students should be allowed to wear a uniform that corresponds with their gender identity and access toilet and changing facilities that correspond with their gender identity.

10. Book a free ShoutOut workshop!

2017 Annual Report

We are delighted to present our 2017 annual report full of the facts and figures from the past 12 months! Have a read and if you have any questions please don't hesitate to get in touch! 

ShoutOut Wins a Belfast Pride Award!

We're delighted to announce that ShoutOut has won a BelfastPride Award along with Cara-Friend for our LGBTQ+ Inclusive Schools Programme!

Last year ShoutOut and Cara-Friend partnered together for the use of our schools programme for schools in Northern Ireland.

For this 27 workshops we're delivered in 10 schools reaching 800+ young people.

Along with Cara-Friend we're very grateful for everyone who voted for us!

170 WORKSHOPS COMPLETE!

Today was our very last workshop of the school year! 

This marked the 170th ShoutOut workshop since September. 

170 workshops

5000 school students

67 secondary schools

17 counties

Delivered by 65 trained volunteers

This represents over 1000 working hours from our workshop facilitators and the Directorial team, all of whom volunteer their time. 

66% of our workshops took place outside Co. Dublin 

We also trained 150 secondary school teachers on LGBTQ+ issues and how to be ally to their LGBTQ+ students. 

This would not be possible without our fantastic volunteers, the wonderful teachers who welcome us into their schools, and the incredible sponsors who support us. A huge thank you to Fidelity Investments, Oracle, Ulster Bank, Dropbox, Intertech, Lush and all the individual donations which have made the above possible. 

We cannot thank everyone enough. 

Yours,

Bella, Clare, Declan & Eoin

 

Dropbox & Samantha Mumba Lend A Hand

Dropbox Dublin last night held a fab networking event for LGBT tech workers. All 100 tickets SOLD OUT and the money raised (€1k) is being donated to ShoutOut to help us reach more schools.

Special guest star of the evening was SAMANTHA MUMBA (pop icon & friend of the gays). She was delighted to attend and support the cause.

Queer Prom Honours ShoutOut :-)

The Annual Queer Prom (organised by college pride societies) took place in the Davenport Hotel February 24th 2017. A new aspect of the ball was in inclusion of an award and guest of honour. 

Eoin O'Liathain (pictured below) accepted this on behalf of the ShoutOut committee. A good time was had by all. 

DIT Pride Soc Holds ShoutOut Training

DIT LGBT Society hosted ShoutOut training this evening in their Aungier street campus.

Good thing too as we've so far done 50+ workshops this year and have many more to go! :O

Our next training is in Outhouse March 8th. 

Fidelity Donates Furniture to our Office!

THANK You to Fidelity Insurance for their donation of lovely furniture for our office. Mitchell Cash, HR Director, and personal hero, led the charge on this partnership. Previously ShoutOut has worked with Fidelity's PRIDE Employee Resource Group and Learning & Development teams giving sessions to Fidelity Parents and Allies of LGBTQ+ children. As you can see from our smiles we're delighted with the gift :)

Pictured: Mitchell Cash, Eoin O'Liathain, Clare Ni Cheallaigh, and Bella FitzPatrick.