NCI Blog

We are in the last month before NCI is fully active again, the only month where most students (even our accelerated degree students!) are on holidays. We want to remind you that Student Supports are still available on campus and online. If you are having any problems getting yourself in a good space for next year, remember that you can access Student Supports at NCI at any time. 

We’d like to focus now on our LGBTQ+ students. Colleges tend to be very tolerant, accepting places. Sometimes the rest of the world is not as welcoming. We want to reassure you that NCI is an active ally. 

A message from the President of NCI LGBT Society

“We are living through a cost-of-living and housing crisis, many students are already under intense pressure. For LGBT+ and queer students like me, that stress is being compounded by the wave of troubling news coming from around the world. My name is CJ Smith, I’m the president of the NCI LGBT Society and, as a non-binary bisexual person, I’m deeply concerned about what’s happening not just in the US and the UK, but now even in New Zealand. 

“We’re seeing a disturbing global trend: the rollback of rights and increased hostility towards transgender and gender non-conforming people. People ask, "Why should the rest of the world care?" But the truth is, we’re all connected. What happens in one country influences the climate in others. Hate crosses borders, and we’re feeling it here in Ireland too. 

“In Ireland, the rise in anti-LGBT+ hate—especially online—has been devastating. I’ve personally received hateful messages simply for being who I am and for standing in solidarity with non-binary and transgender people. We’re constantly told we’re “mentally ill” just for existing but being trans or non-binary is not a mental illness. We deserve dignity, respect, and access to care—just like anyone else. 

“And yet, Ireland’s healthcare system for trans people is failing us. To access gender-affirming care, you must go through the National Gender Service (NGS), where waitlists stretch for years. For many, this is the only path to a referral and, until you’re referred, you can’t even access basic information or consultations. There’s only one place in Ireland that offers top surgery, and it’s prohibitively expensive—made worse by the fact that you can’t even begin the process without that elusive referral from NGS. 

“We’re also seeing harmful rhetoric take hold here around bathrooms, just like in the US and UK. Let’s be clear: trans people are not a danger in bathrooms. Trans people just want to pee in peace. But already, people in Ireland have been targeted simply for using the bathroom that aligns with their gender. This so-called “debate” isn’t about safety—it’s about control, fear, and pushing trans people out of public life. 

“In the US, we’re watching terrifying moves like Trump’s administration cutting funding for suicide prevention hotlines aimed at LGBT youth. It’s cruel, it’s dangerous, and it sends a chilling message that queer lives don’t matter. But they do matter. Every single one of us deserves to be safe, supported, and loved. 

“It feels like the world is moving backwards. Every new policy targeting trans and queer people abroad fuels more hate here at home. And while some dismiss it as “not our problem,” it absolutely is. Because these messages don’t stop at borders. They embolden bigots, they deepen stigma, and they make life harder for every queer person trying to live authentically. 

“Let me be clear: the LGBT+ community isn’t going anywhere. We’ve always existed, we’ve always fought, and we will keep fighting for our rights. No amount of hate, no number of oppressive laws, will erase us. "

“We need to stand up together against this rising tide of hate. We need real healthcare reform that meets the needs of trans and non-binary people. We need protections so we can simply exist—whether in schools, workplaces, or yes, even bathrooms. And we need allies who won’t stay silent while our rights are chipped away. 

“Our existence is not up for debate. Our identities are valid. And we won’t stop fighting for a future where we can live safely, openly, and without fear.” 

• CJ Smith, President of NCI LGBT Society 

Acknowledgement and supports 

NCI takes a whole person approach to education. We have many supports in place to assist our students. It is important to know and to feel secure that the EDI policies and procedures of the College are also supported by Irish and EU law.  

• Deirdre McCarthy, EDI and Training Manager at NCI, says: 

“The anxieties being felt by the LGBTQ+ community in Ireland are not unfounded, even though Ireland has not regressed in terms of human rights. 

“The Parliament Magazine recently shared coverage of a report by the European Parliamentary Forum (EPF) for Sexual and Reproductive Rights that shows an increase in funding in the EU by organisations wishing to reshape laws, policies and public norms around gender, sexuality, and reproductive rights. Both abortion and trans rights are seen as easy targets by these groups, able to strip them of religious conservatism and position them as secular ‘issues’, ultimately using them as a wedge to undermine personal autonomy for women, children, and LGBTQ+ people. 

“Ireland is a liberal and progressive country, however we have seen a rise in far-right activity here over the past 5 years, mostly concentrated on racism and anti-immigration sentiment, but with a persistent attempt to make trans rights a contentious issue here too, even though our Gender Recognition Act (GRA) was passed ten years ago, with only positive outcomes. 

“An attack on the rights of one minority is an attack on all human rights. I echo CJ’s words: we must stand together and take part in actions that let those in power now that we value equal rights for all.” 

As well as Student Support Services, if you need any support, you can also talk to your Class Rep, who is the connection between you and NCISU (NCI Students’ Union), or join the NCI LGBT Society to meet your peers. Outside of college, there are many trustworthy organisations offering all kinds of support and advice to LGBTQ+ people. 

If you experience bullying, verbal or physical harassment, or assault because of your gender or sexuality, please contact college counselling and wellness services. You may report this incident anonymously via Speak Out too, which will also direct you to appropriate support and information services. Speak Out can be used to report any inappropriate behaviour in the college. 

NCI is proud to host a pop-up Garda Station on campus, which allows students to talk face-to-face with gardaí about their experiences, either to report an incident or to seek advice. If you do not wish to go to a Garda Station, you can also make a report to the gardaí online. 

NCI – an LGBTQ+-friendly HEI 

NCI takes a whole person approach to education. NCI’s Athena Swan testimony, which accompanied our award, specifically acknowledged that the college takes an intersectional approach to EDI. Class, ethnicity, colour, religion, sexuality or gender, we believe the diversity of our college makes us stronger. We hope you feel safe to be you at NCI. 

• Professor Gina Quin, President of NCI says: 

“NCI is proud of our support for all students and of the college’s own policies and procedures on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, and our longstanding commitments to our Athena Swan Charter. 

“Ireland consistently ranks as one of the most LGBTQ+-friendly countries in the world, and that friendliness is manifest here in NCI, backed-up by the work of all of our students, students’ union and our staff. We are all connected - and we are stronger in our diversity.” 

“NCI is with our LGBTQ+ students every step of the way, throughout your studies, offering support, marching beside you at Pride, and celebrating your achievements at graduation.”