2016/02: Should Australia adopt the Safe Schools Program?





Introduction to the media issue

Video clip at right:
An August 14, 2015, Fox News report giving a range of views on a Californian elementary school teaching students about gender diversity. If you cannot see this clip, it will be because video is blocked by your network. To view the clip, access from home or from a public library, or from another network which allows viewing of video clips.


What they said...
'They're intimidating children, they're bullying children and they're indoctrinating children into subscribing to a worldview that no 11 year old should be forced to do within our school system'
Coalition Senator Cory Bernardi suggesting that the Safe Schools Program is coercing children into accepting a gay, lesbian and transgender worldview

'Sadly, many of the people opposed to Safe Schools are opposed to diversity in general. They won't accept our LGBTIQ communities and seem to think that by sticking their heads in the sand they can make diversity, in terms of sexuality and gender identity, go away'
New South Wales Greens Sexuality and Gender Identity spokesperson, Jenny Leong

The issue at a glance
On February 22, 2016, the Australian Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull, ordered an investigation into the Safe Schools Program, a taxpayer-funded program aimed at helping lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and/or intersex (LGBTI) school students. The review of the program's materials is expected to be completed by March, 2016.

Critics of the Safe Schools Program, such as Coalition backbencher, Cory Bernardi, have claimed that it is a 'radical program' which is 'indoctrinating' children. Some Coalition MPs have been agitating against the program, saying it raises sexual issues which are inappropriate for teenagers and young children. Defenders of the program, such as Federal Labor shadow minister and gay rights advocate, Penny Wong, have argued that the program is supplying a necessary service in addressing discrimination against the LGBTI community

According to its website, the Safe Schools Coalition offers resources and support to equip staff and students with 'skills, practical ideas and greater confidence to create a safe and inclusive environment for same-sex attracted, intersex and gender diverse students, staff and families.'