The 22nd USI Pink training took place in University College Cork and Cork IT this weekend.
Over 200 students from colleges all over Ireland attended the annual event with nineteen representatives from DCU in attendance.
Students from DCU’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Society society attended USI’s Pink Training, alongside DCU Students’ Union welfare officer Eve Kerton.
USI pink training aims to teach students about issues relating to gender identity and sexuality. The weekend aimed to build a sense of community amongst LGBT students and provided workshops and talks that allow students to discuss topics in an open and safe environment.
The main focus for this years workshops was informing students on combatting issues affecting the LGBT community and how to campaign for marriage equality in Ireland.
With the upcoming referendum for Marriage Equality set to happen in 2015, USI president Laura Harmon and USI equality officer Annie Hoey gave speeches about the subject.
“This is the last Pink training which we will be treated as second class citizens” Annie Hoey told the College View.
When asked to sum up the weekend one student described it as “an inspiring insight into such a diverse community that just want the same rights as everyone else” while another said the weekend was “a sample of that sense of belonging and true comfort among people and friends that will become a reality in Ireland”.
Zainab Boladale
Image Credit: usi.ie
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