At the launch of new guidelines for School Principals developed by GLEN and the National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals, the Minister for Education spoke strongly of the need to "draft a roadmap towards the elimination of homophobic bullying from our schools".

The Minster stated that "Young gay men and women must be allowed to come to terms with their own identities and sexualities without fear of hostility or violence. We should support all of our young people to be at ease with themselves and with others, regardless of difference. Bullying of all forms, and targeted bullying of young LGBT people in particular, should receive no welcome in our schools and our society."

This was the first occasion that a Minister for Education has addressed the issue of supporting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender young people in schools.
Welcoming the new Guidelines, Clive Byrne of the NAPD, who collaborated on development of the new resource with GLEN, commented that they believe that "the school leader sets the tone and must preside over a school climate which recognises and encourages tolerance and diversity".

To read the new guidelines for Principals: http://www.glen.ie/news-post.aspx...r_education_calls_for_elimination_of