The IEU will continue to fight against discrimination

A national survey, published in the journal Culture, Health and Sexuality, has found that the majority of parents with children at Australian religious schools oppose discrimination against LGBTIQA+ staff and students.

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In October, Education HQ reported on the study, saying, ‘… across government, Catholic and faith-based independent schools, most parents want their children to be taught inclusivity towards sexual orientation, gender identity and gender diversity, and to reduce homophobia and transphobia. Even among parents who describe themselves as ‘very’ religious, substantial majorities support these principles’.

The findings support the fight of Equality Australia and the IEU for national reforms to outlaw discrimination against LGBTIQA+ people in religious schools.

Before the last federal election, the government promised the changes. However, in August, the government indicated that because bipartisan agreement had not been reached with the federal opposition, action on the issue would be delayed until after the next election.

IEU General Secretary David Brear said, ‘Every worker, including all members of the IEU, deserves the right to a workplace devoid of discrimination.

‘Our school staff and students have waited long enough for equitable and reasonable safeguards. Schools and faith communities can flourish without discriminatory practices.’

Equality Australia says the survey results are no surprise.

‘This survey confirms what we already know: parents want their children to get a quality education in a safe, supportive and inclusive environment. They don’t want their schools to discriminate against LGBTQ+ students and staff,’ said Equality Australia CEO Anna Brown.

Ms Brown cited two recent examples where parents were at odds with school leadership. In June this year Citipointe Christian College made an expression of regret after parents at the school took legal action over discrimination against gay and trans students.

The Brisbane Christian school sparked national debate in January 2022 when it forced parents to sign a declaration of faith to keep their children enrolled. The declaration included the statement that homosexuality was ‘sinful and offensive to God’ and ‘destructive to human society’.

It also stated that students could only be enrolled based on their ‘biological sex’ and teachers were forced to accept that it was a requirement of their role to only express their sexuality through married heterosexual relationships.

‘Citipointe shows us that when many parents choose a religious school for their children, they expect it to be welcoming and inclusive,’ Ms Brown said.

‘They don’t expect schools to encroach into the personal lives of their students and teachers, especially when it has absolutely nothing to do with what happens in the classroom.’

There was another outpouring of anger in October 2023 when a student at the Catholic St Ursula’s College at Kingsgrove, NSW, was told she was not allowed to bring a female date to the Year 12 formal. NSW Premier Chris Minns and Federal Education Minister Jason Clare were among those who spoke up for the students.

‘The outpouring of support for the students involved, including from many Christians, was overwhelming,’ Ms Brown said.

‘The position of the school was out of step with the views of many people of faith. Unfortunately, this incident is only the tip of the iceberg. We know of children who have been expelled, denied leadership positions, told they are going to hell, forced into ‘counselling’ or advised to live celibate lives because of who they love.

‘Urgent reform is needed so young people can feel welcome, safe and free to enjoy every aspect of school life. Students deserve the same protections regardless of where they go to school.’

One in three students and almost two in five staff are enrolled or employed in private schools, most of which are religiously affiliated.

‘These organisations rely on billions of dollars of public funding but are not required to comply with the same laws when it comes to employment, education and service delivery as other organisations,’ Ms Brown said.

The IEU and Equality Australia lobbied for, and helped win, important antidiscrimination laws in Victoria. Both organisations are disappointed that the national measures have been delayed, but we will continue campaigning for them.