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We're pleased to be letting you know about the new dates for Stand Up! Awareness Week in 2013: 11th - 15th March.
Stand Up! tackles homophobic bullying by encouraging all young people to support their lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) friends.
More and more organisations are joining our work to tackle homophobic and transphobic bullying. We are really honoured that Stand Up! has been endorsed by many education partners, including the ASTI, TUI, NAPD, IGC, JMB, LOOK, ISSU and IVEA!
Look out for the Stand Up Educational Packs - we'll post them out to you in February 2013. We would be delighted if you would like to register to participate in Stand Up! using the form below.
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Hollywood actor Colin Farrell has come on board to support Stand Up! Don’t Stand for Homophobic Bullying, the campaign launched last Friday by BeLonG To- the Irish LGBT youth organisation. The Stand Up! Campaign calls on everyone, gay and straight, to support each other in taking a stand against homophobic bullying. It includes an interactive video ad which has become international online phenomenon – www.standup.ie
Colin and his brother Eamon have been championing BeLonG To’s work to combat homophobic bullying in Ireland for a number of years now. Eamon, a gay man, has recalled how he was terribly and violently bullied in school and Colin has talked about how devastating it was to witness his brother being discriminated against as a child.
Speaking from Los Angeles Colin Farrell issued the following statement
"If there was one great wish I have for my country - for a land that I love and a people I so revere, it would be that school bullying were a thing of our past.
So much has befallen us in our shared history as a people. The harshest of these times have threatened to take our dignity, or scald our hearts into closing.
“Most of our great trials, from soiled land to the institutionalized abuse of trust and power, were inflicted upon us, whether by nature or the power corrupt. Now with bullying, there is a clear choice and the choice is ours.
“Each individual, as a member of his and her community, must Stand Up! In the face of this appalling brutality that plagues our schools. In effect, bullying is no less than the systematic doling out of pain upon the innocent. It is literally laughing in the face of somebody as they fall into increasingly grave danger. It's not my place to draw parallels, but we have had enough of such hardships. The world has.
“Whether it be the attacking of Gay students, which I witnessed first hand happening to my own brother, or students who are in the minority as a result of race or religious beliefs or any other such characteristic that separates them from 'the norm', it is all wrong and has no place in a just and compassionate country such as I know Ireland to be. We have always been praised as being the friendliest and most welcoming race in the world. My wish is for us to prove it daily, in the school yards and playgrounds across this Great Land of Ours."
Welcoming Colin’s statement, BeLonG To’s Founding Director, Michael Barron said:
“Eamon and Colin Farrell are fantastic advocates for LGBT young people and their families. Our Stand Up! Campaign is about supporting everyone - LGBT young people, straight people, teachers, parents and family members to all take a stand together against homophobic bullying which can have devastating affects on young people’s lives. The Farrell brothers are the perfect example of what Stand Up! really means.”
“BeLonG To believes that everyone can make a contribution to end homophobic bullying. To experience what it’s like to take a stand, see our powerful interactive video on www.standup.ie.”
Watch the Stand Up! Video here:
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You will find the photographs from the launch of Stand Up! 2012 below:
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As we know, homophobic bullying is a serious issue for young people in Ireland. Stand Up! is an annual awareness week run by BeLonG To aimed at creating positive understanding of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender young people and their issues. Stand Up! challenges homophobia by encouraging friendship between LGBT young people and other young people.
What does a Stand Up! Activist do?
- Helping to raise much needed funds for BeLonG To, helping us to support and resource LGBT young people across Ireland.
- Engaging with members of the public to raise awareness of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans young people and their needs.
- Raising awareness of the ways that friendship and positive understnading can help eliminate homophobic bullying.
What is the time commitment? - Approx 5 Hours
- Half Day's Training on either Sat 25th or Sunday 26th of February. (3 hours)
- One or more 2-hour shifts helping us to do outreach and fundraising on Friday 2nd of March 2011 from 7am - 7pm. (Min 2Hrs)
Where?
- Selected location across Dublin city.
Benefits
- Help to raise much needed funds for BeLonG To's support for LGBT young people.
- The change to really make a difference and help end homophobic bullying.
- Be connected to a dynamic LGBT organisation that's doing cutting edge work to address homophobia across Ireland.
- Meet like-minded people and be part of BeLonG To's community of supporters.
- Learn about the challensges faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans young people in Ireland today - and the best ways of addressing those challenges.
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