Schools across Ireland are working hard to create inclusive environments for LGBTQI+ students, but there is still a gap between intention and lived experience. While many believe schools are supportive spaces for LGBTQI+ students, feedback gathered through ShoutOut’s workshops shows that only one in four LGBTQI+ students rate their school as very supportive. Students continue to experience biased language, a lack of representation and feeling unsafe. This impacts a young person's wellbeing, attendance and educational experience.
This conference will bring together educators, school leaders, youth workers, researchers and advocates for a day of exploring how to build safer, more inclusive schools for LGBTQI+ young people across Ireland.
A one-day event dedicated to building safer, more inclusive schools for LGBTQI+ young people across Ireland.
ShoutOut have delivered over 2,800 workshops to more than 84,000 students, promoting inclusion and tackling LGBTQI+ bullying in schools. TENI have been working with school principals and staff for 10 years, helping to create safe and supportive learning environments for trans and non-binary students.
The conference will draw on their combined experience to share practical learning with honest conversations about what meaningful inclusion really looks like in schools today.
Inspiring keynote speakers
Panel discussions and real conversations
Young LGBTQI+ voices and lived experiences
Interactive workshops with practical takeaways
Opportunities to connect and collaborate with others passionate about inclusive education
We are very excited to share details of some of the contributors for the conference:
Dr Angela Rickard and David Gough will deliver the keynote addresses to open the conference, offering valuable perspectives on creating more inclusive school spaces through an LGBTQI+ lens.
Panel Sessions:
Safe, Seen, Supported: Through Our Own Stories - Centering the voices of LGBTQI+ young people, this session explores their lived experiences and reflections on inclusion in schools. PJ Kirby brings his trademark warmth and humour as MC, guiding a discussion rooted in honesty and real stories.
From Policy to Possibility: Creative Practices for Building Inclusion - This session offers an educator's perspective on inclusion, featuring Dr Aoife Neary (UCC), Dr Seán Henry (Liverpool John Moores University), Emma O'Beirne (DDLETB) and Dr Leanne Coll (DCU). Facilitating the conversation as MC is passionate advocate for social change, Amanda Adé. This session promises an in-depth exploration of how policy can be used to create meaningful, everyday change.
The conference will feature interactive workshops delivered by organisations working at the frontline of inclusive education in Ireland: ShoutOut, TENI, AsIAm, GORM and Too Into You. Each workshop gives educators practical tools and information to bring back to their classrooms and school communities, and a chance to engage directly with the people doing this work on the ground every day.
Joining us for our Spotlight Talks:
"Belonging at School: Young People’s Perspectives on Creating Inclusive School Communities" with Dr. Sinan Aşçı from DCU Anti-Bullying Centre
"Navigating heteronormativity: a systematic review of LGBTQ+ educators’ experiences in educational settings" with Niall Farrell and Beatrice Sciacca from the DCU Anti-Bullying Centre.
Potentials of creative listening for inclusive education futures: classroom to whole school and beyond.” with Katie Judge (Dominican College Griffith Avenue), Katie Scully (Newbridge College) & Dr Leanne Coll (DCU).
Exhibition stands will feature from organisations including Active*Consent, AsIAm, BelongTo, BodyWhys, GORM, The Shona Project, Soar, SpunOut, and Women’s Aid Too Into You Project.
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Post-primary teachers and educators
School leaders and management
Guidance counsellors and support staff
Pre-service teachers and course leaders
Academics and research allies
Allies working within education
LGBTQI+ and youth organisations
If you have a passion and interest in making educational spaces in Ireland more inclusive for LGBTQI+ people, this space is for you!
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The conference is designed to support collaboration, learning, reflection, and continuous professional development.
Sessions will explore
Developing LGBTQI+ inclusive policies
Practical tools for inclusive teaching and classroom culture
Increasing positive LGBTQI+ visibility across schools and curricula
Responding confidently to discriminatory language and behaviour
Navigating backlash and difficult conversations
Building safer environments where all students feel respected and supported
Learning outcomes include
Evaluating and improving school inclusivity
Demonstrating allyship for LGBTQI+ students and colleagues
Responding confidently to biased language and behaviours
Navigating backlash or complaints with greater confidence and competence
Attendees will leave feeling more informed, more confident, and better equipped to act as trusted adults and advocates for LGBTQI+ students.
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Date: Saturday, 26th September
Time: 09:30 am - 4:00 pm
Location: Dublin 8 (full venue details will be shared closer to the date)
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We’ll be welcoming people from 9:15 AM
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In an effort to support fair access, this event is free for students to attend.
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We would like to ensure there are no barriers for attendance at the event. If anyone with an interest in inclusive education finds the cost of the ticket to be prohibitive, please contact the ShoutOut team at info@shoutout.ie.
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The conference has grown directly from ShoutOut's work with schools across Ireland. Through our partnerships with teachers and schools, we consistently hear that many educators want to create more inclusive learning environments but do not always feel they have access to the resources, training or confidence needed to effectively support LGBTQI+ students.
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The programme for this conference has been developed following conversations with teachers, academics and other members of civil society who work within the LGBTQI+ space.
ShoutOut already partners with schools to support SPHE/ RSE curriculum delivery by providing accurate and inclusive LGBTQI+ workshops. The conference is intended to further support curriculum delivery by providing up-to-date, factual and reliable information that counts as Continuous Professional Development for teachers.
Join us this September as we promote inclusion and understanding of LGBTQI+ people through education and work towards an Ireland where every LGBTQI+ person can fully and proudly be themselves.
