Members of the public received a pleasant surprise last Friday morning when staff of Roscommon County Council completed a special design on the approach to the level crossing outside Roscommon County Library.
The vivid street artwork is designed in support and solidarity with members of the LGBT+ communities, not just in Roscommon, but throughout the country. The action coincides with ‘Stand Up Awareness Week, which is taking place nationwide.
The week-long campaign begins on Monday, November 14th and runs to this Friday, November 18th. The aim of the initiative is to ‘pave the way’ for a more inclusive community in county Roscommon as well as throughout the country, supporting the LGBT+ community.
The local initiative is supported by Roscommon County Council, Galway Roscommon Education Training Board (GRETB), BeLonG To Youth Services, Youthreach and Foróige Roscommon. Students attending local second-level schools are also supporting the initiative.
As one of the partners to the initiative, BeLonG To’s vision is a world where LGBTI+ young people are equal, safe, and valued in the diversity of their identities and experiences.
Their mission is to support LGBTI+ young people as equals to achieve our vision through youth work, changing attitudes, and research. A key objective of BeLonG To is the promotion of human rights, social justice, solidarity, and intersectionality through collaboration, youth and inter-agency participation.
Belong To’s Stand Up Awareness Week is a time for post-primary schools, youth services, and Youthreach in Ireland join to take a stand against homophobic, biphobic and transphobic bullying.
‘Stand Up Awareness Week’ is an opportunity to take steps to make spaces safe and supportive for LGBTQ+ young people. Participants are equipped with resources, tools, and knowledge needed to host Stand Up Awareness Week in schools, youth services, or through the Youthreach network this month.
One in five young LGBTQ+ people face bullying with almost three-quarters, 73% of young LGBTQ+ students feeling unsafe at school. Working collaboratively, the campaign can help create spaces where LGBTQ+ young people feel safe, equal, and valued.
