Programme Overview:

“Rainbow Ready” is a certified inclusivity training programme designed for community organisations, non-profits, and educational institutions. This training equips staff, educators, and leaders to create and maintain inclusive, respectful, and safe spaces for LGBTI+ individuals. Through this programme, participants will gain practical tools and knowledge to foster a culture of inclusion and provide a positive experience for all community members.

Upon completion, organisations will receive the prestigious Rainbow Ready Inclusion Rating, a certification symbolising their commitment to LGBTI+ inclusivity. In addition, organisations will appoint an Internal Reporting Officer who will be responsible for managing LGBTI+ grievances, tracking the organisation’s/institution’s progress, and overseeing simple annual reviews to ensure the continuous application of inclusive practices.

Why “Rainbow Ready” for Community Organisations and Educational Institutions?

1. Build a Culture of Inclusion and Safety
   “Rainbow Ready” equips organisations and educational institutions to actively support and protect LGBTI+ individuals. By prioritising inclusion, you contribute to a culture of respect, where all individuals feel safe to express their identity without fear of discrimination.
2. Receive the Rainbow Ready Inclusion Rating Certification
   After completing the training, your organisation will earn the Rainbow Ready Inclusion Rating, a symbol that recognises your dedication to LGBTI+ inclusivity. Displaying this rating highlights your commitment to the community, enhances your reputation, and demonstrates leadership in diversity.
3. Assign an Internal Reporting Officer for Accountability
   Each participating organisation will designate an Internal Reporting Officer who will be responsible for handling LGBTI+ grievances. This officer will ensure that incidents are confidentially reported, appropriately addressed, and used to improve internal policies and inclusivity practices. The Reporting Officer will also manage the annual review process to track the organisation’s adherence to the program.
4. Annual Reviews for Continued Improvement
   Inclusivity is an ongoing commitment. Following certification, organisations will complete annual reviews to evaluate how well inclusivity principles have been sustained. The Reporting Officer will facilitate this review, ensuring that the organisation continuously applies best practices and adapts to any evolving needs.

Programme Highlights

1. Certified Inclusivity Training
   The “Rainbow Ready” training covers key topics such as understanding gender identity, using inclusive language, recognising and addressing discrimination, and fostering a safe environment for LGBTI+ individuals. This comprehensive training ensures that staff, educators, and leaders are prepared to create an inclusive space that respects all identities.
2. Real-World Scenarios and Case Studies
   Participants will explore real-world scenarios to understand how LGBTI+ discrimination and microaggressions may appear in a community or educational setting. These interactive case studies provide valuable hands-on experience for dealing with sensitive situations and improving inclusive practices.
3. Internal Reporting Mechanism
   To ensure accountability, each organisation assigns an Internal Reporting Officer who:
   • Receives and manages LGBTI+ grievances from staff, students, or community members
   • Ensures reports are handled confidentially and resolved with appropriate follow-up
   • Identifies patterns of harassment or discrimination for policy improvements
   • Leads the annual review process to ensure inclusivity practices are consistently maintained
4. Annual Review for Continuous Progress
   Each organisation will undergo an annual review following certification. The Internal Reporting Officer will assess data from grievances, gather feedback from staff and community members, and evaluate inclusivity efforts. This process helps identify areas for improvement, ensuring that the organisation continually evolves and strengthens its LGBTI+ support.

Programme Benefits

1. Create a Safer, More Inclusive Environment
   “Rainbow Ready” helps organisations and educational institutions foster a safe, inclusive environment for all, especially LGBTI+ individuals. By adopting these practices, you contribute to reducing harassment and discrimination, creating a welcoming and respectful community for everyone.
2. Build Trust and Community Reputation
   The Rainbow Ready Inclusion Rating serves as a visible symbol of your institution’s commitment to inclusivity. Whether you’re a non-profit, community centre, or educational institution, displaying this rating reinforces your reputation as a trusted and inclusive space for LGBTI+ individuals.
3. Accountability through the Internal Reporting Officer
   With an Internal Reporting Officer, your organisation will have a dedicated person responsible for managing LGBTI+ grievances and monitoring inclusivity efforts. This role ensures accountability and ensures incidents are handled with care, improving policies and training based on real-world feedback.
4. Annual Review for Continued Success
   The annual review process ensures that inclusivity remains a central focus throughout the year. By tracking progress, assessing incident reports, and continually improving policies, your organisation will uphold its commitment to providing a safe and inclusive space for all members of the community.

Conclusion:
Becoming “Rainbow Ready” means creating an environment where every individual—whether in a community setting or educational institution—feels respected, valued, and safe. By completing the “Rainbow Ready” training and earning the Rainbow Ready Inclusion Rating, your organisation showcases its dedication to inclusivity and ensures continued growth through annual reviews.

Join the movement. Become Rainbow Ready today.
Let’s build a future where inclusivity thrives, and every space is a safe space for LGBTI+ individuals.

Out, Out! Night Time Economy Inclusion Mark Training Programme

OUT, Out! is supported by LINC, Safe Gigs Ireland, and Cork Pride. This innovative training programme is designed to create a more inclusive and safe night-time economy by providing bar staff, security, and late-night venue workers with the tools and knowledge to foster welcoming spaces for LGBTI+ patrons.

Topics covered include  LGBTI+ awareness, tackling homo/bi/trans-phobia, responding to sexual harassment and spiking, policy implementation, and actively seeking to create genuinely safe spaces.

We have just completed a successful pilot training session with key members from Wilde, Cork and we are now fine-tuning the final programme and resources. Over the next few weeks, we’ll be rolling out the training to all staff in Wilde. We are also excited to invite other venues in Cork to participate in this initiative, helping to create safer spaces throughout the city. Participating venues will be reviewed annually, and new staff will receive ongoing training to maintain high standards of inclusivity and safety. We’re looking forward to working together to make Cork’s night-time economy a brighter, more inclusive place for everyone!

For more information contact: killian@gayproject.ie

Allies in the Workplace training is facilitated in partnership with Gay Project and LINQ Ireland and funded by HSE Cork South Community Work Department for HSE campuses and departments.

An LGBTI+ Ally is someone who, through the Allies training, develops the skills and knowledge to better support LGBTI+ colleagues and clients. This training aims to create an informed campus/workplace, where staff are more aware of the issues facing the LGBTI+ community. Through this training session participants will :

● Become familiar with the current terminology and definitions
● Demonstrate an increased awareness of the issues and challenges that LGBTI+ people face.
● Be confident in engaging and supporting LGBTI+ people as an active ally.
● Demonstrate increased empathy and understanding towards diverse members of the LGBTI+ community.

If you would like to further develop Allies in the Workplace, within your own HSE campus or department, you can contact konrad@gayproject.ie or kate@linc.ie.

Pride In Health – LGBTI+ Allyship Training Programme for Medical and Healthcare Staff in Cork and Munster.

Executive Summary

The “Pride In Health: LGBTI+ Allyship Training Programme” aims to enhance the quality of healthcare services for the LGBTI+ community in Cork and Munster. Delivered by Gay Project this initiative seeks to extend the provision of comprehensive training to healthcare and medical staff, promoting an inclusive and supportive environment for all patients. Funded by the Hospital Saturday Fund this training is free for G.P.s and  other medical practitioners.

Background and Rationale

Despite significant progress in LGBTI+ rights, many individuals still face discrimination and lack of understanding within healthcare settings. From our own experience as an LGBTI+ NGO working in the community development sector over 40 years we know that can lead to inadequate care and reluctance to seek medical help. Through our services users ongoing engagement and feedback we have identified a pressing need for structured allyship training to bridge this gap and ensure that private healthcare professionals are equipped with the knowledge and skills to provide inclusive and respectful care.

Gay Projects most recent Needs Analysis (available here) found that when seeking help and support 45% of respondents first sought help from their local GP (general practitioner). The topics they generally sought help and support around were in relation to sexual, mental, physical health and wellbeing, followed by information about LGBTI+ support services and groups. The findings also identified that respondents felt access to appropriate healthcare, and education in wider society around issues affecting the LGBTI+ community were high priorities in the communities needs.

Objectives

The primary objectives of the “Pride In Health” programme are:

• To educate healthcare and medical staff on the specific health needs and challenges faced by the LGBTI+ community. With a particular aim to provide training to GPs.
• To promote understanding and empathy towards LGBTI+ patients.
• To develop skills for creating inclusive healthcare environments including education in relation to use of inclusive terminology.
• To reduce instances of discrimination and improve the overall quality of care for LGBTI+ individuals.

Methodology:

Programme Design

The training programme is designed and delivered by experienced trainers from the Gay Project and includes:

• Workshops: One comprehensive 2.5-hour session covering key topics such as terminology, health disparities, policy inclusion and best practices.
• Case Studies: Real-world scenarios to facilitate practical understanding and application.
• Resource Materials: Comprehensive guides and online resources for ongoing reference.

Target Audience

The training  is targeted at all levels of healthcare staff, including:

• GPs, Doctors and nurses
• Administrative Healthcare staff
• Allied health professionals
• Medical students and trainees

Delivery

The training is delivered through in-person workshops to ensure direct engagement and interaction. Sessions will be scheduled to accommodate shift patterns and availability of healthcare staff.

To book a session please email killian@gayproject.ie with your name, contact details, and a brief description of what type of training you’re interested in receiving.