Carlow College is delighted to partner with IT Carlow, WIT, Mary Immaculate College, NUIG, and TU Shannon to launch Ireland’s first National Gender Identity & Expression Equality Champion Network for Higher Education Institutions, supported by ShoutOut, a charity working to create inclusive services and educational institutions.

The launch of the Network on Transgender Day of Visibility is the culmination of over two years work by the partner colleges on HEA Gender Equality Enhancement Fund funded projects to embed Gender Identity and Expression training and awareness in the Higher Education Sector.

The National Gender Identity and Expression Equality Champion Network represents a voluntary community of individuals working in relevant roles within their HEIs s who are working to end discrimination based on gender identity & expression through training, awareness, policy development and information-sharing across institutions. In particular the Network aims to assist institutions in ensuring that non-binary, trans and other LGBTQ+ staff do not experience unfair treatment and enable staff to become allies of the LGBTQ+ community.

This network will initially involve staff members from Carlow College, IT Carlow, Mary Immaculate College, NUIG, TU Shannon and Waterford IT, with a goal to include all in the sector. Interested HEIs should email EDI@itcarlow.ie for further information.