Sir, – Further to "Dublin school cancels workshops on homophobic bullying" (January 27th), as a recent ex-pupil of Coláiste Eoin, I would like to offer my opinion on some of the claims made. I have personal experience of ShoutOut and similar organisations, and fully support the decision of the school's principal. I find such seminars to be severely lacking in any sense of empathy for heterosexual students and they employ sweeping generalisations and use outdated suppositions. Furthermore, they do nothing to correct antisocial behaviour in both heterosexual and homosexual participants, and do not even consider bullying within the gay community.
I never once experienced anything other than complete tolerance throughout my years in Coláiste Eoin. With regard to the principal, he has only my highest respect for offering his full support, knowing full well of my sexuality. I consider myself indebted to him, and to other teachers at the school. – Yours, etc,
EIMHIN
Ó RAGHALLAIGH,
Zaragoza, Spain.