• This just in from our roving reporter in studentville, Soapie:

This week DIT’s LGBT Society will be holding DIT Rainbow Week 2012. With workshops galore, there’ll be speakers on trans issues, a homophobia discussion and a coming out workshop – not to mention bake sales and quizzes.

Kicking off today, Monday, we’ve Rebecca De Havalland, Ireland’s first recognized transgender woman, to speak about her journey. The talk will be held in DIT’s Aungier Street campus at 6pm, with light refreshments afterwards.

The Coming Out Workshop, on Tuesday, will act as a safe, inclusive space to LGBT students. Anyone querying coming out, head down to the Black Box Theatre in the basement of DIT Aungier Street for 4pm.

The same evening there’ll be the Homophobia panel discussion, held by USI LGBT Rights Officer Siobhán McGuire. The panel will feature “Growing up Gay” producer and “Hold on Tight” director Anna Rodgers, and Senator Katherine Zaponne. This will be held in DIT Aungier Street too at 7pm.

Bake sales will take over DIT on Wednesday hitting the Kevin Street, Cathal Brugha Street and Mountjoy Square campuses from 8:30am to 1pm. As the posters say, “Om Nom Nom Nom Nom.”

That evening, at 8pm, Panti will be hosting the Rainbow Quiz in aid of Aware. Held in Pantibar, on Capel Street, it promises great prizes from Nandos, Lush, Havana Tapas Bar, Foam Café & Gallery, Lemon Jelly Café, Burritos & Blues, Irish Film Institute, Lunatic Fringe, DIT LGBT Soc, Stephen Thomas Male Grooming, Pantibar, Boojum and many more! Tables are €25 for 4/5 people.

Louise Hannon and Broden Giambrone of the Transgender Equality Network of Ireland will visit DIT Aungier Street on Thursday, 9th February, to speak about transphobia and their own experiences of it. The talk will start at 6pm, with light refreshments afterwards.

Thursday night at 8:30pm will mark the opening of the DIT Rainbow Week Closing Party. DIT LGBT Soc and DJ Soc will be managing the tunes for the night in SOLAS Bar on Wexford Street.

A fantastic week of events, it looks to be highly informative and a great way of lending support to some much needed causes. I look forward to seeing a few of you there. Be proud!

• DIT Rainbow Week FB event
• DIT Rainbow Week FB page
• DIT Rainbow Week on Twitter
• DIT LGBT Soc website