Sir, – Declan Kelly's assertion (March 24th) that parents might consider the risk in sending their LGBT child to a Catholic or Protestant primary or secondary school needs to be challenged.
Many of these schools are robustly dealing with the many real challenges faced by LGBT students on a daily basis. In my own, a co-educational school with a Christian patronage, we have attempted to create an inclusive environment where all our students feel respected regardless of religion, gender or sexual orientation.
Our staff have undertaken intensive training in recognising the difficulties faced by transgender students and how we can facilitate students in transition in a dignified manner.
The rainbow flag is on prominent display in every classroom and in all the corridors. This sends out a strong and clear message of inclusiveness to all our LGBT students.
The characterisation of our schools as institutions paralysed by a religious ethos that actively works against the best interests of our students is unfair to all who work in the educational community. – Yours, etc,
ALAN KEENAN,
Clonee,
Dublin 15.
A chara, – I find it appalling that this newspaper would seek to hijack the serious issue of self-harm among LGBT in pursuit of an anti-denominational school agenda (Editorial, "An alarming picture of attitudes confronting young LGBT people", March 24th). There is no evidence that our school system is a key factor; and the fact that self-harm among LBGT in other jurisdictions with a mainly secular system of education is also far higher than among the general population suggests it is not.
Unsubstantiated “truthy” allegations go no way towards finding a solution to the heart-breaking situation that exists and may well prove a distraction that prevents the real cause and solution being found. – Is mise,
Rev PATRICK G BURKE,
Castlecomer,
Co Kilkenny.