The Student’s Union at Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT) has raised a Rainbow/LGBT Flag on the Co.Louth Campus.
The decision was taken by DkIT’s SU as a means to advocate a “Yes” vote in the upcoming Marriage Equality referendum, scheduled to take place nationwide on the 22nd of May.
Before the flag was raised, DkIt’s SU had created a petition to obtain a mandate from the student population to so.
The target for the petition was 1,000 signatures and this was exceeded by 2,000 signatures secured in a sole day.
At the flag raising ceremony, the President of DkIT SU spoke of his support for LGBT students at DkIT and the position he would be taking in the lead up to the referendum.
Brian Fitzpatrick said “Equality plays a central part in how we operate in DkIT.”
He went on to say that he has “hope it will serve as a reminder to staff, students and the local people of Dundalk to get out on May 22nd and vote ‘Yes’ for Marriage Equality.”
Fitzpatrick added that “it sends out a strong message to all current and prospective students- DkIT is safe place to be different and to celebrate your uniqueness and be proud of who you are.”
The Class Representative Council (CRC) recently approved plans to fly a Rainbow Flag at the DCU SU building.
The SU member responsible for the motion was second year EPL student, Sean Cassidy.
Cassidy said “It’s quite a significant gesture towards young LGBT people because during this referendum their identity will be up for debate and this is a reminder to them that we stand with them.”
In a recent referendum held at DCU that saw 2615 students balloted, 2393 voted for DCU SU to campaign for a Yes vote in the referendum.
Andrew Ralph
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