Rainbow Project and NIHRC Launch LGBTI Rights Animation

Violence and discrimination against LGBT and intersex children and young persons can take place at home, in schools and in institutions. Working together to raise awareness on these issues The Rainbow Project and Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission (NIHRC) launched a joint animation focusing on LGBTI rights at Hazelwood Integrated College on Thursday 8 February.

The short animation explains how human rights laws mean that the government is required to respect and protect the needs of the LGBTI community from discrimination. It sends out a strong message that bullying based on your identity is wrong, and what you should do if it happens to you.

Director of The Rainbow Project, John O’Doherty stated:

“February marks LGBTI history month and is a key opportunity to educate the LGBTI community and wider society of the rights issues affecting the LGBTI community. Whether in work, school, home or in communities LGBTI people should not face discrimination. We are delighted to work with the Human Rights Commission and Hazelwood Integrated College in the launch of this initiative and encourage all schools across Northern Ireland to work with us in educating young people about their rights.”

Principal of Hazelwood Integrated College, Mrs Kathleen O’Hare said:

‘Hazelwood Integrated College are delighted to host the launch of this resource. Our college is all-ability, all-inclusive and welcomes pupils of all faiths and none. We value the support of agencies who protect and promote human rights for all’.

Chief Commissioner Les Allamby commented:

“We wanted to work with The Rainbow Project to explore the rights issues affecting the LGBTI community in Northern Ireland. We were delighted to have them collaborate with us on this project. We hope to send a strong message that it is a human right to express your identity if you are gay, bisexual,transgender, intersex or straight and that no one should be discriminated against because of their sexual orientation. We are also particularly pleased to launch the initiative at a local school as this is an important message for young people in particular. Human rights for all should be protected and diversity valued.”

ENDS

Further information:

Press are welcome to attend this event for further information please contact Claire Martin on: (028) 9024 3987 or by email on Claire.martin@nihrc.org

Notes to Editors

Agenda

11.30- Introductions by Hazelwood Integrated College, Rainbow Project and NIHRC

11.50 Screening of animation

11.55 Discussion group

12.30 Close.

2. The Commission works to promote and protect the human rights of everyone in Northern Ireland. The Commission remains concerned that NI is the only part of the UK retaining a statutory bar on same sex couples marrying. It observes that a change in the law elsewhere may have led to an unequal level of human rights protection across the jurisdictions of the UK and continues to advise the Department of Finance of these concerns. The Commission successfully challenged the law to enable unmarried and same sex couples to apply to adopt in Northern Ireland. The United Kingdom has signed up to the United Nation Convention on the Rights of the Child which offers protections for all children and young people including those who identify as LGBTI. For more details on human rights or the Commission’s work see www.nihrc.org

3. This animation is available to watch at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g1R3OdmBYqs&t=4s

4. The Human Rights Commission is a statutory public body established in 1999 to promote and protect human rights. In accordance with the Paris Principles the Commission reviews the adequacy and effectiveness of measures undertaken by the UK Government to promote and protect human rights, specifically within Northern Ireland (NI).