Alexa Moore, Policy Campaigns and Communications Manager at The Rainbow Project, said, “All of our young people are entitled to and should enjoy the best possible education that we can offer them – including LGBT pupils. The Minister’s removal of this guidance at the very start of the school term hasn’t been good for pupils, for teachers, or for parents. We urge him to reinstate the guidance and meaningfully engage with the young people affected by his decisions.”

The joint statement references the Department’s own research published in 2017 after it emerged this morning that the Department has removed the publication from its website. The report showed that, at the time, around two thirds of LGBT pupils did not feel safe and supported in school, and that trans pupils faced key issues addressed in the guidance including access to toilets, flexible uniform policies, and appropriate use of name and pronouns.

Susan Neill, vice-chair of NIC-ICTU’s Education Group, which “represents thousands of dedicated education workers from teachers to support staff,” expressed that they are “gravely concerned that this important guidance has been withdrawn and would ask that the Minister immediately publish the legal basis for the withdrawal.”

Susan added, “Given the legal uncertainty as to how the Supreme Court judgement applies to Northern Irelands devolved institutions, we believe that this is at best a premature move on the part of a Minister who would be better to focus on delivering educational outcomes for every child in every school across Northern Ireland. We are also concerned about the absence of discussion or consultation with stakeholders, and we urge the NI Assembly Education Committee to seek the legal basis for the Minister’s decision, and to seek the restoration of the guidance to the EA website.”

The detailed guidance, which placed no legal obligations on schools, explored issues including appropriate use of name and pronouns, access to facilities, and safeguarding considerations in depth. It has been replaced by a page long ‘Policy Statement’ which outlines the Department’s legal position but provides little advice to teachers for supporting young people.

Cohen Taylor, Chairperson of the NI Youth Forum has said, ”In its most recent report, the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child made it clear that our government must act to protect LGBTQIA+ young people. The NI Youth Forum is committed to securing a Bill of Rights that guarantees safety, equality and dignity for every young person, including LGBTQIA+ youth. Restoring the existing guidance on supporting transgender and gender diverse young people is a necessary step towards that goal.”

Read the full statement below:

We the undersigned LGBTQIA+, human rights organisations and education unions are disappointed and concerned by the Education Minister’s decision to remove guidance which provided information to schools in relation to supporting transgender and gender diverse pupils.

Transgender young people in school are entitled to compassion, acceptance and support. The removal of guidance for supporting these young people, with no replacement guidance, is a step back for those young people struggling in school, as well as their parents and teachers seeking to support them.

The previous guidance from the Education Authority was non-statutory and non-binding, meaning schools already had scope to support pupils in a manner that suited the individual school. It is vital that schools are an inclusive, welcoming and empowering space for all pupils. This decision, taken without any meaningful consultation with the children and young people it will impact upon, is contrary to that goal.

The Department’s own 2017 research identified that appropriate access to toilets, changing facilities, and flexibility with uniform policies were key issues trans young people faced, and the key issues that caused over half of LGBT pupils to not feel supported in schools.

The Minister has clearly misunderstood that to consider children’s best interests is to consider the best interests of each individual child, including children and young people who are developing their own understanding of their identity. We are in no doubt that his decision will have direct consequences for pupils. It will affect their ability to fully participate in school life, to thrive in their educational environment, and will have knock-on impacts on other services including CAMHS.

The Minister has a responsibility to prioritise the education and wellbeing of all pupils over stoking political culture wars. We call on him to reinstate this guidance and to meaningfully engage with the young people, parents and school staff this directly affects.

The post Education Unions, Children’s Rights Groups and LGBTQIA+ Organisations call on Education Minister to Reinstate Trans Guidance appeared first on The Rainbow Project.

Hosted by the inimitable Pure Bent, EUPHORIA will showcase some of the finest drag and cabaret Derry and Northern Ireland have to offer – with act announcements to come over the next month.

Doors are at 8, show starts at 8:30 and we’ll round the night off with a DJ set – keep an eye on our socials to find out who!

Come along, have a ball and support Rainbow’s work to deliver equality for LGBTQIA+ people and their families across Northern Ireland. This event is strictly over 18s.

The post Maiden City Tease x Rainbow Project Presents: EUPHORIA appeared first on The Rainbow Project.

The post Share your Experiences: Impact of the Supreme Court Judgment in Northern Ireland appeared first on The Rainbow Project.

This event, which has been going on for many years without issue, has garnered attention this year due to a small protest held outside the venue, causing both the performers and families attending the event to require PSNI support leaving the premises. We were extremely disappointed to see the Communities Minister stoking culture wars rather than defending the rights of LGBTQIA+ communities to free expression and participation in public life.

Libraries NI should be a “welcoming and inclusive place” for all communities, including those from the LGBTQIA+ community. Attempts to reduce access to libraries for a certain section of our community are deeply troubling, and sends a message that the mere presence of LGBTQIA+ people, culture and expression in these spaces is unwelcome.

Use our email tool below to send a clear message to the Communities Minister: Don’t be a Drag, Support our Queens! 

The post Minister Lyons, Don’t be a Drag! Support our Queens appeared first on The Rainbow Project.

We would love for you to join us in the morning of Belfast Pride, when we’ll be having a Pride breakfast in the Belfast LGBTQIA+ Centre from 9am before making our way to the Green Zone behind the Kremlin/Union St float for 11am.

You can join us for the breakfast or just for the parade, pick up one of our placards or bring your own! Either way, we’d love for you to join us on Pride day.

In order to join, we would advise you to pick up a green wristband from the Belfast LGBTQIA+ Centre either during the Pride Breakfast the morning of Pride, or in the weeks leading up to it. This will ensure you’re able to get to the green zone where we’ll be lining up for the parade. Register below to keep up-to-date, and call the office if you need to arrange to pick up a wristband.

The post Belfast Pride – Rally With Rainbow! appeared first on The Rainbow Project.

You’ll hear from ourselves and colleagues on what the judgment, and the Equality Commission’s paper, might mean for trans people in Northern Ireland, what we’ve been doing to defend the rights of trans communities, our plans for the future, and how you can get involved.

The post Trans Rights & the Supreme Court – What Does it Mean and What Next? appeared first on The Rainbow Project.

To inform our campaigns, and the development of new services, we’re holding engagement sessions for trans people and their families, exploring what best practice care looks like and how to ensure trans healthcare services work for trans people.

Come along, hear about our work on trans healthcare and share your views on what future care should look like.

The post Have Your Say – The Future of Trans Healthcare appeared first on The Rainbow Project.

This project will bring workshops, accredited training, and public events to the district and beyond throughout 2025 and 2026.

Whether you’re a professional looking to better support LGBTQIA+ colleagues and clients, or someone who wants to grow as an ally, this programme is designed to equip you with real tools, real knowledge, and real connection.

Funded through the PEACEPLUS Local Co-Designed Action Plan under the theme of Celebrating Cultural Diversity, A project supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).

The post PeacePlus LGBTQIA+ Awareness Training Project Launch – Derry/Strabane appeared first on The Rainbow Project.

The post LGBTQIA+ Health Fair appeared first on The Rainbow Project.

The post Lack of Progress on Equality Strategies a ‘Missed Opportunity’ appeared first on The Rainbow Project.