Dublin school cancels workshop on homophobic bullying, saying “both sides should be r

RobYourBuilder · 27-01-2015 5:00pm #1

Dublin school cancels workshop on homophobic bullying, saying “both sides should be represented”

A SECONDARY SCHOOL in Dublin cancelled a workshop on homophobic bullying just half an hour before it was due to go ahead today, reportedly saying that “both sides should be represented”.

Coláiste Eoin in Stillorgan was due to host the free workshop by ShoutOut, a voluntary organisation which runs classes on bullying around the country, starting at 11am.

The workshop focuses on encouraging students not to discriminate against LGBT people.

Howver when the group of volunteers arrived at the school, they were told that the event had been cancelled.

Declan Meehan, the schools co-ordinator for ShoutOut, said that the group was originally not given any explanation, before an unidentified person told them that the Board of Management had decided that “both sides of the argument should be represented”.

“My colleagues were baffled by this and questioned what he meant, but it wasn’t forthcoming”.

Meehan said that workshop had been booked several months ago and the cancellation was “out of the blue”.

“We’ve been out at Colaiste Eoin before back in 2012 and 2013,” he toldTheJournal.ie. ”It was actually the first school we ever did a workshop in and they’ve always been very hospitable to us.”

It is the first time that the group has ever had a school cancel.

“We’ve been running for about two years and we do between three and four workshops a week. We’ve been in all kinds of schools – Church-run, non-denominational, mixed, same-sex. We’ve never had anything like this before”.

A person who answered the phone at the school said that the principal “doesn’t want to comment” on what happened.

She said that the incident will be “going to the Board of Management” but did not elaborate on what exactly this meant.

http://www.thejournal.ie/colaiste-eoin-stillorgan-homophobia-workshop-1905500-Jan2015/

"Both sides of the argument"? I don't think that there's an argument to be made for the bullying of LGBT students. Or the bullying of any student for that matter. This is crazy stuff.

errlloyd · 27-01-2015 5:02pm

Know the guys who run the workshops, they were initially very unwilling to name the school. I'm glad they did, this sort of thing actually affects where i would consider sending my kids, and Colaiste Eoin was previously right at the top.

Gatling · 27-01-2015 5:03pm

So what the bully a need to be officially represented ,

Seriously idiotic stuff

eviltwin · 27-01-2015 5:03pm

How can there be two sides to bullying, homophobic or of any other kind?

Generic Dreadhead · 27-01-2015 5:04pm

What absolute dross

jobbridge4life · 27-01-2015 5:06pm

Its not bullying to tell kids that they are intrinsically disordered, a perversion of Gods plan for humankind and doomed to eternal hell-fire unless they live a life of celibacy. It is religious freedom.

NormalBob Ubiquitypants · 27-01-2015 5:06pm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZ4LuE1U3Ks

Donkey Oaty · 27-01-2015 5:07pm

Had a look at their website, but it seems to be in some kind of incomprehensible foreign language, with little line things over some of the words.

http://www.eoiniosagain.ie/eoin/

Scuid Mhór · 27-01-2015 5:08pm

Donkey Oaty wrote: »

Had a look at their website, but it seems to be in some kind of incomprehensible foreign language, with little line things over some of the words.

http://www.eoiniosagain.ie/eoin/

That's just the old Irish language man, perfectly explains such a bafflingly conservative stance.

jmayo · 27-01-2015 5:09pm

RobYourBuilder wrote: »

Dublin school cancels workshop on homophobic bullying, saying “both sides should be represented”

http://www.thejournal.ie/colaiste-eoin-stillorgan-homophobia-workshop-1905500-Jan2015/

"Both sides of the argument"? I don't think that there's an argument to be made for the bullying of LGBT students. Or the bullying of any student for that matter. This is crazy stuff.

That reminds me of the Dara O'Brian sketch where he talks about how TV programs have a scientist on discussing a scientific topic and to give "balance" they have someoe who hasn't a clue but believes in fairies or some such.

Sorry poor chjoice of phrasing considering the thread discussion.

RobYourBuilder · 27-01-2015 5:09pm

Donkey Oaty wrote: »

Had a look at their website, but it seems to be in some kind of incomprehensible foreign language, with little line things over some of the words.

http://www.eoiniosagain.ie/eoin/

It's a Gaelscoil.

errlloyd · 27-01-2015 5:09pm

jmayo wrote: »

That reminds me of the Dara O'Brian sketch where he talks about how TV programs have a scientist on discussing a scientific topic and to give "balance" they have someoe who hasn't a clue but believes in fairies or some such.

Sorry poor chjoice of phrasing considering the thread discussion.

Or hilariously appropriate given where Dara O Brian went to school

Saipanne · 27-01-2015 5:11pm

I think fools like this should be given a spot to speak. It will only do damage to their own position, I mean, can you imagine trying to justify bullying in a coherent argument? They'd look like the fools they are.

Donkey Oaty · 27-01-2015 5:12pm

Fact of the day: Coláiste Eoin has the same motto ("Fiat Justitia") as the British Royal Air Force and the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court.

Maybe we shouldn't mess with these guys.

VinLieger · 27-01-2015 5:12pm

Expect Iona parachuting in to provide the "other side"

jmayo · 27-01-2015 5:12pm

errlloyd wrote: »

Or hilariously appropriate given where Dara O Brian went to school

Oh I forgot he went to gaelscoil.
I always thought he went to Pres in Bray or some such.

I wonder will he include this issue in his next stage show.

K4t · 27-01-2015 5:14pm

This is what happens when you start inventing titles like "homophobic bullying" instead of simply BULLYING.

If you want to teach people about homophobia then fair enough but you can see an argument for both sides being represented, which is what I think is happening here.

Links234 · 27-01-2015 5:16pm

This "Both sides of the debate should get equal representation" bollocks needs to die immediately. It's the reason why diseases like measles and the like are on the rise in the US, because anti-vaccination idiots are allowed to air their bollocks, or why people in the states have seriously poor knowledge about evolution or climate change, or any number of other issues.

Gatling · 27-01-2015 5:17pm

Donkey Oaty wrote: »

Fact of the day: Coláiste Eoin has the same motto ("Fiat Justitia") as the British Royal Air Force and the

No it doesn't

Per Ardua ad Astra

Links234 · 27-01-2015 5:18pm

jmayo wrote: »

That reminds me of the Dara O'Brian sketch where he talks about how TV programs have a scientist on discussing a scientific topic and to give "balance" they have someoe who hasn't a clue but believes in fairies or some such.

Sorry poor chjoice of phrasing considering the thread discussion.

Get in the feckin' sack :pac:

eviltwin · 27-01-2015 5:19pm

K4t wrote: »

This is what happens when you start inventing titles like "homophobic bullying" instead of simply BULLYING.

If you want to teach people about homophobia then fair enough but you can see an argument for both sides being represented, which is what I think is happening here.

What argument could there be? Who would represent the other side?

Donkey Oaty · 27-01-2015 5:20pm

Gatling wrote: »

No it doesn't

Per Ardua ad Astra

Sorry, it's the RAF Police I meant.

hatrickpatrick · 27-01-2015 5:20pm

An anti-racism workshop has been cancelled because "both sides should be represented".

Take in how utterly ludicrous that sentence sounded and ask why the hell homophobia should be treated any differently.

This country is ridiculous.

Gatling · 27-01-2015 5:21pm

eviltwin wrote: »

What argument could there be? Who would represent the other side?

John waters

GLaDOS · 27-01-2015 5:23pm

Bear in mind this isn't a debate, it's an anti-bullying workshop. There's no need for "another side".

o1s1n · 27-01-2015 5:24pm

Scuid Mhór wrote: »

That's just the old Irish language man, perfectly explains such a bafflingly conservative stance.

RobYourBuilder wrote: »

It's a Gaelscoil.

Is it just me or are peoples sarcasm detectors breaking down at a much higher rate lately?

K4t · 27-01-2015 5:25pm

Links234 wrote: »

This "Both sides of the debate should get equal representation" bollocks needs to die immediately.

And if a homophobia bullying workshop focusing on discrimination against those who hold homophobic views was scheduled to visit your school, would you not be annoyed at the lack of equal representation?

Riskymove · 27-01-2015 5:26pm

This has to be one of the most ridiculous things I ever heard

This was a workshop for kids on why they shouldn't bully people not some debate for the electorate or political discussion

whatever next......

Donkey Oaty · 27-01-2015 5:27pm

I'm inclined to agree with the school's stance here, assuming they have had Satan adequately represented in RE and also some pro-smoking/drinking/drugs material distributed during sports lessons.

Timberrrrrrrr · 27-01-2015 5:27pm

jobbridge4life wrote: »

Its not bullying to tell kids that they are intrinsically disordered, a perversion of Gods plan for humankind and doomed to eternal hell-fire unless they live a life of celibacy. It is religious freedom.

It's also utter bolloxollogy.

Riskymove · 27-01-2015 5:29pm

Donkey Oaty wrote: »

I'm inclined to agree with the school's stance here, assuming they have had Satan adequately represented in RE and also some pro-smoking/drinking/drugs material distributed during sports lessons.

and creationism taught in science class!!

Donkey Oaty · 27-01-2015 5:30pm

Riskymove wrote: »

and creationism taught in science class!!

Alongside FSM, no problem.

Ramen, brother.

K4t · 27-01-2015 5:31pm

eviltwin wrote: »

What argument could there be? Who would represent the other side?

Homophobes.

Donkey Oaty · 27-01-2015 5:33pm

K4t wrote: »

Homophobes.

They wouldn't do.

They'd have to be homophobes who are pro-bullying LGBT kids, and not all of them are.

And presumably they'd have to be Irish-speaking as well.

K4t · 27-01-2015 5:36pm

No. 1 One Direction Fan wrote: »

Bear in mind this isn't a debate, it's an anti-bullying workshop. There's no need for "another side".

It became a debate as soon as the focus of the workshop was homophobic bullying instead of simply bullying.

Ficheall · 27-01-2015 5:37pm

hatrickpatrick wrote: »

An anti-racism workshop has been cancelled because "both sides should be represented".

Take in how utterly ludicrous that sentence sounded and ask why the hell homophobia should be treated any differently.

This country is ridiculous.

Why does everyone seem to be picking up "the other side" as the bullies? Presumably what the school meant is that it should be a workshop teaching that it's not okay to bully anyone.

If the quoted analogy were instead about a workshop for preventing "racism against black people", people might see the issue?

hotmail.com · 27-01-2015 5:39pm

Ficheall wrote: »

Why does everyone seem to be picking up "the other side" as the bullies? Presumably what the school meant is that it should be a workshop teaching that it's not okay to bully anyone.

If the quoted analogy were instead about a workshop for preventing "racism against black people", people might see the issue?

The school hasn't clarified what they meant when asked which is a bad sign.

PopePalpatine · 27-01-2015 5:41pm

o1s1n wrote: »

Is it just me or are peoples sarcasm detectors breaking down at a much higher rate lately?

From what I've heard, Gaelscoils are more conservative-minded than non-Gaelscoils. Maybe it's some de Valeraesque fantasy of a Gaelic, Catholic Ireland at play here.

Ficheall · 27-01-2015 5:41pm

hotmail.com wrote: »

The school hasn't clarified what they meant when asked which is a bad sign.

Maybe they didn't expect people to jump to such a stupid interpretation of their argument..

hotmail.com · 27-01-2015 5:42pm

Ficheall wrote: »

Maybe they didn't expect people to jump to such a stupid interpretation of their argument..

I think their response was stupid.

Donkey Oaty · 27-01-2015 5:42pm

hotmail.com wrote: »

The school hasn't clarified what they meant when asked which is a bad sign.

They'll be crafting a statement as we speak.

It will be all down to a "misunderstanding" and stress that they have a deep commitment to anti-bullying of any kind.

But an explanation would be nice.

PopePalpatine · 27-01-2015 5:43pm

Funnily enough, this situation reminds me of a homophobic Boardsie who claimed anti-homophobic bullying campaigns were threatening religious freedom. :rolleyes:

K4t · 27-01-2015 5:45pm

Donkey Oaty wrote: »

They wouldn't do.

They'd have to be homophobes who are pro-bullying LGBT kids, and not all of them are.

Not if they reject the view that there is such a thing as homophobic bullying, but rather only bullying, and feel the workshop is unfairly targeting homophobia.

Jogathon · 27-01-2015 5:46pm

I really would think that there should be a workshop against bullying, and have parts of the day showing all different types of bullying. I would definitely give the school a chance to explain before jumping onto the outraged wagon.

Also, sometimes in these workshops things are said/done which can be inappropriate in a school setting. I know in my school we have said thank you to certain shows and events and never booked them again. Maybe, just maybe, the teachers felt that it wasn't the best workshop and to save their money and try something new?

eviltwin · 27-01-2015 5:50pm

Jogathon wrote: »

I really would think that there should be a workshop against bullying, and have parts of the day showing all different types of bullying. I would definitely give the school a chance to explain before jumping onto the outraged wagon.

Also, sometimes in these workshops things are said/done which can be inappropriate in a school setting. I know in my school we have said thank you to certain shows and events and never booked them again. Maybe, just maybe, the teachers felt that it wasn't the best workshop and to save their money and try something new?

Bad form letting the group involved make their way to the school only to be sent away. If they had just decided it wasn't for them they should have had the courtesy to give adequate notice.

steddyeddy · 27-01-2015 5:50pm

Imagine being a gay student at that school thinking about complaining about homophobic bullying. This would make you think twice.

Donkey Oaty · 27-01-2015 5:51pm

K4t wrote: »

Not if they reject the view that there is such a thing as homophobic bullying, but rather only bullying, and feel the workshop is unfairly targeting homophobia.

That's the wider side. Not "the other side".

Maybe the school representative was misquoted, but we can only go on what we have been told so far.

hatrickpatrick · 27-01-2015 5:52pm

Ficheall wrote: »

Why does everyone seem to be picking up "the other side" as the bullies? Presumably what the school meant is that it should be a workshop teaching that it's not okay to bully anyone.

If the quoted analogy were instead about a workshop for preventing "racism against black people", people might see the issue?

This is Ireland. It's usually safe to assume that this kind of incident is brought on by social conservative moronity being given more legitimacy than it deserves.

steddyeddy · 27-01-2015 5:52pm

You cannot unfairly target homophobia.

Lyaiera · 27-01-2015 5:53pm

K4t wrote: »

unfairly targeting homophobia.

Quoting this because I think it's the greatest phrase I've read since Christmas.

K4t · 27-01-2015 5:54pm

steddyeddy wrote: »

Imagine being s gay student at that school thinking about complaining about homophobic bullying. This would make you think twice.

Imagine being a ginger student at that school thinking about complaining about ginger bullying. This would make you think twice.

Dublin school cancels workshop on homophobic bullying, saying “both sides should be r

Comments