New proposals to overhaul sex education in schools are being described as a matter of "life or death".
LGBT advocacy group BeLong To are welcoming plans that would see Gay, Lesbian and Transgender relationships being taught in Catholic schools.
A draft report from the Oireachtas Education Committee recommends all schools having to teach the new programme - regardless of their beliefs.
Director of BeLong To, Moninne Griffith, says students feel excluded at the moment.
"Addressing homophobic bullying, making schools safe and supportive is really a health matter,"
"It should be a priority for schools and for parents, this is really a matter of life or death to make our schools safe and supportive so that LGBT young people aren't self-harming or experiencing suicide ideation because they don't feel like they belong in schools."
Under the plans, schoolkids would be taught about LGBT relationships, without distinction to their heterosexual counterparts.
