Jump to content

Gay and Lesbian Teachers and Students Association

Edit links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The printable version is no longer supported and may have rendering errors. Please update your browser bookmarks and please use the default browser print function instead.

Gay and Lesbian Teachers and Students Association
AbbreviationGaLTaS
Formation1991
Founded atNew South Wales
Dissolved1998; 26 years ago (1998)
TypeNGO
PurposeActivist and support organisation for lesbian, gay, bisexual, intersex and transgender students and teachers.
HeadquartersSydney
Location
Co-convenors
Derek Williams
Jacqui Griffin
Part of a series on
LGBTQ topics
      
Sexual orientation and gender
History
General
Identities
Culture
Rights
Health
Social attitudes
Issues
Academic fields and discourse
LGBTQ portal

The Gay and Lesbian Teachers and Students Association (GaLTaS) was an Australian LGBT organisation active from 1991 to 1998 that was established during a wave of gay gang murders, to publicise widespread problems of anti-gay bullying and violence in Australian schools, as well as to offer support and a path to redress for its victims.[1][2] It was founded by two Committee members of the New South Wales Gay & Lesbian Rights Lobby:[3] gay activist Derek Williams, a New Zealand born teacher at Randwick Boys High School[4][5] and Jennifer Glass, an 18-year-old lesbian New South Wales high school student.[6] Williams was subsequently six times re-elected its male co-convenor, and after the resignation of Jennifer Glass, teacher (now lawyer) Jacqui Griffin became female co-convenor for the major part of GaLTaS' significant activism.[7][8] Her GaLTaS SchoolWatch Report, and the association's landmark legal cases representing LGBT+ students and teachers led to changes in government policy that had far-reaching and longlasting impact. Integral to GaLTaS' success was the activism of its student members, and its dialogue with unions, politicians, police, parents, and parent organisations PFLAG and Parents and Citizens (P&C).

History

GaLTaS was registered on 17 September 1992 as an Australian Incorporated Society, and was managed by a committee elected at each AGM, headed by two co-convenors. Parents were invited to all meetings, both individually and through the working association with PFLAG and the P&C. Previous attempts to set up support organisations such as the similarly named 'GAYTAS' in 1978 had not survived, with same-sex relationships at that stage still a criminal offence in New South Wales until law repeal in 1984,[9] and in West Australia, Queensland and Tasmania until 1989, 1990 and 1997 respectively.[10] However, GaLTaS prevailed after LGBT+ students themselves spoke openly to both LGBT+ media and mainstream media.[11][12][13][14]

Background

Incipient moves to establish support networks for LGBT+ students and teachers included the Gay Teachers and Students Group (originally called the 'Gay Teachers Group'), established in Melbourne in 1975. This group spearheaded efforts to reform attitudes in relation to schooling and homosexuality by working with and seeking to influence, politicians and the broader community. In 1978, the group published Young, Gay and Proud, a book written for adolescents exploring a gay identity. An Americanised version of the same name was published in 1980.[15] The Lesbian Teachers Group based in Sydney formed in June 1978, with the NSW Gay Teachers and Students (GAYTAS) group forming in 1979. The two groups worked both separately and collaboratively to agitate for change. Despite students being part of GAYTAS's name, the group did not have any student members.[9][16][17] Nevertheless, they were attacked in Parliament by Mick Clough, who called for an inquiry to ensure that students were "protected from homosexual pressure".[18][19] Clough also opposed decriminalisation of homosexuality in 1984.[20]

Gay Gang Murders

The impetus to set up the new association for LGBT+ teachers and students had reached a crucial point following the murder convictions and 18-year prison sentences handed down in 1990 to 8 students (the "Alexandria Eight") from Sydney's Cleveland Street High School and a North Shore Catholic School for the gay-related killing of 33-year-old New Zealander Richard Johnson. Another group of 30 youths aged 12–18 (the "Bondi Boys") were active in throwing gay men to their deaths off the cliffs of Marks Park, Tamarama (colloquially euphemised as "cliff jumping"). As many as 88 men were killed, including Scott Johnson, Ross Warren, Gilles Mataini and John Russell, with their deaths initially dismissed as "suicide", "accident" or otherwise "not suspicious".[21][22][23][24] Amid a spate of such attacks,[25] gay Social Science teacher Wayne Tonks was also brutally murdered by two 16-year-old students from Cleveland Street High School after he had received threats at the school and had his Artarmon flat ransacked. Aside from the two who killed him, Tonks had previously taught three of the boys eventually convicted of Richard Johnson's murder.[22][26] By 2023, there were still "50 to 100 persons of interest at least known" to NSW Police.[27]

Political response

In February 1993, Education Minister Virginia Chadwick agreed to a meeting with GaLTaS at the New South Wales Parliament led by Derek Williams with former Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby Co-Convenor, Carole Ruthchild[28] and some of the students being subjected to homophobic victimisation and violence at their school.[29] Following an interview with Chadwick and Williams by Quentin Dempster on the 7:30 Report, Chadwick announced a draft Procedures For Resolving Complaints About Discrimination Against Students,[30] that would provide a means for LGBT+ students to achieve redress and complete their education.[31] Following the publication of the SchoolWatch Report, this was eventually promulgated in 1996[32][33] and the New South Wales Education Department also published a revised Resources for Teaching Against Violence kit, which included a substantial section devoted to 'Violence and Homophobia'.[34] These measures were primarily intended to reverse the escalation of ubiquitous homophobic student invective into serious crime such as assault and homicide that were having life-changing consequences not only for their victims, but also for their juvenile perpetrators.[35][36]

The SchoolWatch Report and LGBT+ Youth Hotline

Education Minister Virginia Chadwick (left) at her launch for GaLTaS of Jacqui Griffin's (centre) SchoolWatch Report at Randwick Boys High School whose Principal Geoff McNeill (right) issued the invitation. First published in Sydney Star Observer.[37]
(Photo: Mazz Images)

In March 1993, GaLTaS was awarded a Federal National Youth Grant of $30,000 (=c.$69,500 equivalent in 2024)[38] by the Department of Employment, Education and Training to establish a toll-free telephone hotline for gay and lesbian student victims of homophobic harassment and violence in schools.[39] A team of 18 counsellors was trained by GaLTaS parent convenor Kay Humphreys and counsellor Karen Paroissien[40] during May 1993. More than 500 calls were taken after the hotline was launched on 17 July 1993.[41]

Research from surveys conducted by Jacqui Griffin was compiled for inclusion in The SchoolWatch Report : A Study Into Anti-Lesbian and Anti-Gay Harassment and Violence in Australian Schools, with Foreword by Paul O'Grady MLC and Epilogue by Derek Williams.[42][43] SchoolWatch was modelled on the Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby's Streetwatch Report on anti-LGBT+ violence, launched in 1990 by Police Minister Ted Pickering.[44][28] A copy of Griffin's SchoolWatch Report was sent to Mrs Chadwick, who expressed alarm at its findings in an interview with The Sydney Morning Herald, confirming she had heard "very sad, and sometimes horrifying stories" about discrimination:

But I'd have to say I think equally sad are the stories you don't hear about the young people who drop out of school because they haven't told their parents, because their parents don't know they are gay, they don't tell their teachers because they fear they might not be understood or get support there. Rather than stand up for their rights and know there is a mechanism there to help them, they drop out. It is such a loss and a source of great concern for me.[36]

Mrs Chadwick told the Herald she would have 'no difficulty' with reading lists of fiction and non-fiction books selected from a list provided by GaLTaS that provided positive images of LGBT people being placed in school libraries.[45] Chadwick subsequently launched the SchoolWatch Report on 6 March 1995 at Randwick Boys High School in a ceremony attended by teachers, students, Griffin, Williams, the headmaster Geoff McNeill who had invited Chadwick, and the school's P&C.[37] Following the launch, the SchoolWatch Committee was formed in June 1995 by Williams (with Griffin later becoming Secretary)[46] to bring together representatives from the New South Wales Department of Education, the Board of Studies, the New South Wales Parents and Citizens Association, the New South Wales Teachers Federation, the Independent Education Union of Australia, the Catholic Education Office (CEO), the New South Wales Anti-Discrimination Board, independent MP Clover Moore and the NSW Police Gay Liaison Officer[47] to address ongoing issues of school bullying,[48][49] suicidal ideation, suicide among LGBT youth[50] and homicide by students,[21][51][52] via workshops,[31][53] teacher training and books in schools programmes.[54]

In September 1995, the New South Wales Legislative Council Standing Committee on Social Issues referenced the SchoolWatch Report data in A Report into Youth Violence in New South Wales, noting significant under-reporting:

It is of concern that of 37 students reporting incidents of verbal or physical harassment, 31 had not reported the most serious incidents to school authorities. (Submission 43). In two submissions to the Committee from school students, little sympathy was expressed for victims of this form of violence (Submissions 20 and 58). It was suggested to the Committee that 46% of young people involved in an anti-homophobia workshop in one school were not aware that it was illegal to bash homosexuals. A group of ten students, charged with the murder of a Sydney man at a park near their High School, expressed genuine surprise upon their arrest (in camera evidence). The Committee also heard that school personnel have demonstrated homophobic attitudes.[55]

After the defeat of the NSW Liberal Party by Labor at the 1995 New South Wales state election, Chadwick was succeeded as Education Minister by John Aquilina, who later abruptly shelved implementation of her reforms.[56]

In February 1997, as GaLTaS delegate, Williams addressed a Parliament of Australia forum on youth suicide convened by then Prime Minister, John Howard,[57][58] working with Heather Horntvedt who represented PFLAG[59] in her address to the forum.

Northern Territory

NT Legislative Assembly

Attempts to set up regional branches of GaLTaS sometimes met stiff political opposition. In February 1993, upon hearing Jacqui Griffin was setting up a GaLTaS office in her home town of Darwin in collaboration with the parent group PFLAG, NT Education Minister Mike Reed expressed concerns in an ABC radio broadcast that GaLTaS would "recruit impressionable children". He called GaLTaS "discriminating and bigoted" and said it was "about time they recognised they are a minority group."[60] Nevertheless, 30 years later, the Northern Territory Government under Labor would revoke entirely all anti-LGBT religious exemptions from its anti-discrimination legislation, with Griffin in attendance.[61]

Wood Royal Commission

During the Justice James Roland Wood Royal Commission into the New South Wales Police Service, Derek Williams represented GaLTaS in submissions on behalf of LGBT+ teachers and students.[62] In an interview on the 7:30 Report by Quentin Dempster, Williams outlined the GaLTaS Code of Ethics and student welfare policy that had been revised the year before by Jacqui Griffin and adopted at a SGM in December 1995.[63][64][65]

Workshops and Conferences

GaLTaS was regularly called upon to convene workshops in schools and in Department of Education teacher training, as well as holding its own conferences.[53] In her article for Kevin Jennings' book One Teacher In 10, Jacqui Griffin described her experiences dealing with homophobia among students when teaching Science, some of which became case studies for such conferences.[66]

In 1994, led by Co-Convenor Margaret Edwards, GaLTaS held a conference at the Australian Museum titled Pride and Vision: The Way Ahead. Speakers included Clover Moore, Chris Puplick, Paul O’Grady and Julie McCrossin. The conference agenda included 'ignorance and homophobia', 'parenting gays/lesbians', 'gay rural youth', 'special needs of gay/lesbian students', 'breaking down stereotypes', 'coming out without the put-downs', 'HIV issues in schools' and 'strategies for homophobia reduction'.[67]

Political demonstrations

In every year of its existence, GaLTaS participated in the annual Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade, often marching with PFLAG (Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays). Beyond its academic associations and liaisons with government officials, GaLTaS maintained high visibility through its participation with banners in street demonstrations of relevance to its anti-violence and anti-discrimination LGBT civil rights campaigns. In addition to its LGBT mandates, GaLTaS also championed equal rights for BAME and Disability networks, whose members were themselves oftentimes LGBT+.

1. March on Parliament by GaLTaS group
2. GaLTaS Newcastle University student demonstration 1994. Sign held by student committee member, Claudine Moutou.
3. Newcastle Uni demo 1994, members of GaLTaS student group - Claudine Moutou holding sign.[68]
4. GaLTaS participants Mardi Gras 1996, PFLAG member Heather Horntvedt leftmost, next to GaLTaS Co-Convenor Derek Williams.
5. Mardi Gras 1996, leftmost GaLTaS Co-Convenor Jacqui Griffin
Photos 1-4: Jacqui Griffin, Photo 5: Derek Williams

Breach of Duty of Care lawsuits

From April 1997, GaLTaS began assisting LGBT+ students suing their schools in a number of landmark cases[69][70][71] alleging breach of Duty of Care by the Catholic Education Office (CEO) and the New South Wales Department of Education (DoE), that were eventually settled out of court under non-disclosure agreements.[69]

An investigation by researcher Dr David Plummer at the Australian National University[72] found that homophobia was endemic in Australian schools, and he had "uncovered behaviour that was more to be expected in jails than the supposed safe haven of schools." Plummer said, "My research details children being spat on, physically assaulted and terrorised. Often the assault is so savage, bones are broken in gang attacks."[73]

Tsakalos v. DoE

In 1997, assisted by GaLTaS and Carters Law Firm,[74] at age 14, Christopher Tsakalos became the youngest student ever to sue his school[75][76][77] for anti-gay vilification and bullying.[78][79] Tsakalos had already changed school several times and said he was "beaten up, abused and terrorised" by fellow students because he was gay.[69] Nine Network's 60 Minutes broadcast the documentary Pride and Prejudice - Chris[80][79] that showed students at West Sydney's Cranebrook High School[81] yelling homophobic abuse across the school playground, along with interviews of Williams from GaLTaS, Cranebrook students, Tsakalos, his mother Vicky Tsakalos, and the headmistress.[82]

The Assistant Director General of Education, George Green, told the Sydney Morning Herald the matter was being taken extremely seriously, and that he was "investigating the matter personally",[75] but he disputed claims that nothing had been done to help Tsakalos, who he said had longstanding "learning and attendance difficulties". Despite being in direct communication with GaLTaS, Green said he believed there was "no evidence that homophobia was causing big problems in NSW schools,"[83] however, the President of the NSW Anti-Discrimination Board and NSW Privacy Commissioner, Chris Puplick challenged claims by the Education Department that abuse of homosexual students in NSW schools was rare. Puplick alleged the department was ignoring clear evidence of widespread vilification of gay pupils and was therefore "morally culpable" for the violence and harassment experienced by significant numbers of students.[73] The Department responded that "the strongest possible action is taken but we cannot act if incidents are not reported to us," thereby lending credence to evidence of widespread under-reporting by LGBT+ victims given to the Legislative Council Standing Committee on Social Issues in its Report into Youth Violence.[55] Alongside its data documenting bullying and violence against LGBT+ students, the GaLTaS SchoolWatch Report submitted to the Council had by then already uncovered significant under-reporting by victims out of fear of reprisals, and outing to their families and peers.

The Tsakalos case had first been publicly raised by Williams in his address to the Australian Parliament on 28 February 1997[57] before the decision was taken to sue the Department of Education for breach of Duty of Care, in what Williams said would be a test case.[75] A barrister involved in the case assessed likely damages at $200,000 (=c. $422,500 equivalent in 2024).[84] In a last-minute out-of-court agreement between the parties, the department undertook to provide a safe school for Tsakalos. Under the settlement, the DoE provided drivers to collect him from his home and return him there on schooldays, and chaperons to ensure his safety during his time at school.[69] The story was taken up in major mastheads, both nationally and internationally,[73][85][86][87] but suffered entirely negative press coverage in the Daily Telegraph, which accused Tsakalos of faking it, and GaLTaS of coaching him, while also suggesting LGBT+ students deserve to be bullied.[88]

Brilley v. CEO

Marcellin College Randwick

Also in 1997, again assisted by GaLTaS and Carter's Law Firm, gay student James Brilley sued his private Catholic high school, Marcellin College Randwick for breach of duty of care and anti-gay vilification. Brilley alleged that teachers witnessed his fellow students' homophobic abuse against him, "but had done nothing to prevent it." Instead, Brilley stated that from the age of 14, he was sent regularly by the school's principal to the Prince of Wales Hospital's Adolescent Unit, where he was given counselling and medication without his mother's consent.[69] After collapsing at his school as a result of his experience, Brilley spent 4 months in psychiatric care at St Vincent's Hospital's Caritas Psychiatric Unit.[71] Despite Catholic schools' religion-based exemption from the Anti-Discrimination Act, the matter was settled out of court under a non-disclosure agreement for a six-figure sum.[69] Williams told the Sydney Star Observer, "The CEO accepts public money to assist in funding their schools; they should therefore have to obey the same Anti Discrimination laws that apply to the rest of the community." In light of Brilley's complaint, and echoing Williams' call for the law to be reformed, Chris Puplick stated, "Students' rights should not be contingent upon their particular school."[71][89] Brilley's treatment fell short of the Catholic Education Commission's (CEC) own denouncement of discrimination, both in the Anti-Discrimination Board's 1982 report, Discrimination and Homosexuality:

Catholic authorities have made it clear that they deplore personal discrimination against homosexuals … homosexuals are assured of acceptance, and guaranteed the human rights enjoyed by others.[90]

and in its 1993 syllabus Towards Wholeness – A Catholic Perspective on Personal Development, Health and Physical Education Year 7-10 under the heading 'Information about adult lifestyles related to sexuality – heterosexuality, homosexuality, bisexuality', where it states:

Teachers through example and through formal teaching programs should reinforce what the Church has stated, that it is deplorable that homosexual persons have been the objects of violent malice in speech or in act. Such treatment deserves condemnation from the Church's pastors wherever it occurs. (New South Wales Catholic Education Commission, 1993:6)[91]

Dismissals under anti-discrimination law exemptions

Australian Catholic University, Strathfield campus

In October 1992, the Deputy Principal of the Australian Catholic University, Brother Dan Stewart refused GaLTaS permission to establish a student group on its campus, following a meeting with a GaLTaS trainee teacher member enrolled there. Stewart accused GaLTaS of contriving and politicising an issue "contrary to the stated ethos of the university", however, the federal Minister for Education, Peter Baldwin said he was very disappointed by the university's decision; "Gays and lesbians, like any other students, should be allowed to meet and offer each other support without fear of repercussion from the university administration."[92]

From May 1993, GaLTaS began to call on the NSW parliament to remove private schools' LGBT+ related exemptions from the New South Wales Anti-Discrimination Act 1977.[93]

Saidi v. CEO

On 10 March 1995, 25-year-old Computer Science teacher Peter Saidi alleged constructive dismissal by the Catholic Education Office from his position at Freeman Catholic College after his employers learned he had marched with the GaLTaS float at the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras the preceding Saturday.[94] The following day, more than 500 students and parents staged a school revolt on the school oval in support of Saidi, while all 1100 students of the school signed a petition demanding his immediate reinstatement.[95][96] Despite the strong support for him from the students and parents, Saidi told Capital Q newspaper, "I was made to resign so that when I go seek employment elsewhere, I would look more favourable than I would had I been sacked".[97] Derek Williams told the Daily Telegraph that because anti-LGBT+ discrimination was legally permitted in these schools under religious exemptions to the Anti-Discrimination Act, "students were being cocooned from laws that would eventually apply to them when they left school."[98] Independent Education Union (IEU) Secretary General Dick Shearman responded that the IEU could not defend Saidi because non-government schools were exempt from anti-discrimination legislation. "Whether you agree or disagree with that view, it happens to be the law as it stands in New South Wales, and we have to operate within that in any legal sense."[97] After realising the extent of support for him within the student and parent body, Saidi unsuccessfully attempted to walk back his resignation, and the students ended their strike after the school threatened to withhold their academic results. He was thereafter employed as a Computing Studies and Maths teacher by the New South Wales Department of Education.[99][100]

Griffin v. CEO

While NSW state law could offer Peter Saidi no protection against religion-based anti-LGBT+ discrimination, the federal Human Rights & Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC) was prepared to rule on such cases, based on Australia's commitment to international human rights law.[101][102][103] Even though any finding in favour of an appellant would be a paper tiger, it would still bring anti-LGBT+ discrimination into the public eye through being tabled in the federal parliament.

In 1997, Jacqui Griffin won her discrimination case filed with HREOC under Chris Sidoti against the Sydney Catholic Education Office for refusing her employment on the basis of her GaLTaS co-convenorship, with Derek Williams appearing as witness representing GaLTaS.[104][65][105] Griffin argued that GaLTaS advocacy for schools free of violence and discrimination directed against homosexuals was compliant with the Catholic Church's own declarations in 1982 and in 1993,[90][91] and that moreover, the CEC had itself explicitly stated that homosexuals could be teachers:

Persons who are homosexually oriented should be eligible for employment in any occupation and homosexual teachers have this right.[36]

Williams also told the hearing, "The aims of GaLTaS are not to promote homosexual activity…" Sidoti later commented in the report:

If the employment of Ms Griffin would injure the religious susceptibilities of these students and their parents, the injury would be founded on a misconception. Indeed it would be not an injury to their religious susceptibilities but an injury to their prejudices.

The CEO rejected the HREOC finding;[106] nonetheless, in March 1998 Sidoti submitted his decision to the Attorney General Daryl Williams for tabling in the Federal Parliament, declaring the church's assertions 'gratuitous and scurrilous'.[107][108]

In his book The High Price of Heaven, author David Marr wrote that the Griffin matter was "deeply embarrassing for the Catholic Church. It had to concede that the GaLTaS aim of protecting homosexual and lesbian kids from harassment squared with the church's own teaching as laid down by the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith."[108][90][91]

The Presbyterian Church of Queensland later adduced Griffin's HREOC win in support of its claims of competing rights and alleged abrogation of Freedom of Religion in its submission to the Australian Commonwealth Parliament Inquiry into the Status of the Human Right of Freedom of Religion or Belief that had been called in 2016 by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Hon. Julie Bishop.[109] However, the inquiry lapsed when the Joint Standing Committee disbanded at the dissolution of the House of Representatives in April 2019.[110]

Media representation

In 1997, The Sydney Daily Telegraph, a conservative tabloid opposition to the Sydney Morning Herald and The Australian, interviewed anti-LGBT+ school bullies who claimed their gay student victims were asking for it with their camp behaviour, insinuating that they were bringing upon themselves mistreatment at the hands of students and staff[55] at their schools.[88] The Telegraph devoted its entire front page to the Christopher Tsakalos lawsuit, with the imperative headline "Walk Like a Man", featuring a full-height photograph they had taken of Tsakalos with his protest placard drooped over one shoulder, highlighting the improbability of him ever walking like a "real" man. Reporters from the Daily Telegraph also pursued the Tsakalos story in an article titled "Gay boy asked for it — students" (Trute & Angelo, 1997)[88] in which it was implied that Tsakalos's court case was suspect because, as his fellow students suggested, "he brought it upon himself" and they moreover resented him taking legal action. (Trute & Angelo, 1997, p. 3). In another report in the Daily Telegraph, Miranda Devine, well known for her critical comments on gender and LGBT+ issues[111] argued that anybody who is different, such as Tsakalos, is an "easy target" in the schoolyard and that preventing such harassment is impossible:

In order to protect Christopher and children like him from being ostracized, you would have to make mincing homosexuality the norm in schools. The torment he has suffered has less to do with his homosexuality than the fact he is different from his peers.[88]

Devine also questioned the authenticity of Tsakalos’ camp performance, suggesting it had been stage-managed by GaLTaS to gain financial reward and to make him into "an international poster boy for the homosexual movement" (Devine, 1997, p. 10.)[88] The assertion, also made by George Green, was strenuously denied as "absolute rubbish" by Tsakalos' mother, Vicky on ABC Radio, and in a letter to the Telegraph editor.[112]

Elsewhere however, GaLTaS secured a largely sympathetic media portrayal of LGBT people, especially from the Sydney Morning Herald[1][11][12][75] as well as television documentaries, in its efforts to bring LGBT youth vulnerability into public focus.

In 1992, for example, the Nine Network TV series Sex[113][5] broadcast a "Homosexuality" episode, a televised dinner hosted by actress Sophie Lee, with Australian Medical Association (AMA) President, Dr Kerryn Phelps as medical reporter,[114] Festival of Light politician and outspoken LGBT+ rights opponent, Fred Nile, as well as representatives from Parents and Citizens (P&C) associations and Williams representing GaLTaS.[115] Williams and Phelps were subsequently interviewed by Liz Hayes on the Today Show about school-based homophobia.

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) and Channel 9's 60 Minutes also broadcast television documentaries covering GaLTaS' endeavours to keep LGBT+ students at school. The ABC's Attitude documentary Homophobia, which featured a report on the Harvey Milk High School, included interviews with LGBT students, parents, Jacqui Griffin and filmed Derek Williams teaching at Randwick Boys High School, whose supportive principal Geoff McNeill was also interviewed.[116][65]

Repeal of religious exemptions

Australian States, Territories and Commonwealth jurisdictions vary greatly in their exceptions to anti-discrimination law for religious educational institutions in relation to students and staff.

On 10 April 2019, the Attorney-General issued Terms of Reference requesting the Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) to conduct an Inquiry into the Framework of Religious Exemptions in Anti discrimination Legislation.[117] However, on 3 November 2022, the Attorney-General withdrew the terms of reference for the Inquiry, which was then abandoned following the shelving of the Coalition's contentious Religious Discrimination Bill.[118] Existing exemptions already gave religious and independent schools the legally protected right to expel LGBT+ students and to fire LGBT+ teaching and ancillary staff on the grounds of their real or perceived sexual orientation or gender. Nevertheless, notwithstanding the collapse of the Religious Discrimination Bill, Law & Justice Professor Lucas Lixinsky of the University of New South Wales argued that religious schools could still engage in constructive dismissal wherein "the prohibition of expelling a student or firing a teacher creates an incentive for creating hostile educational and work environments".[119]

Northern Territory Legislative Assembly Chamber

Meanwhile, in the Northern Territory (NT), after a period of consultation,[120] the Anti-Discrimination Amendment Bill 2022 (NT) removing 'limited' religious exemptions in areas of education – section 30(2), work – section 37A and accommodation – section 40(2A) was passed in the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly on 22 November 2022, with Jacqui Griffin present in the House.[61][121] While this was welcomed by the NT LGBT+ group Rainbow Territory, who had made a submission in January 2018 to the NT Government calling for reform,[122] it was opposed by the Country Liberal Party, who promised to repeal it, and was objected to by religious bodies as eroding religious freedom.[123][124]

On 27 January 2023, the ALRC released its consultation paper, Religious Educational Institutions and Anti-Discrimination Laws, in which the Australian government declared commitment to reforming federal anti-discrimination laws to ensure religious educational institutions no longer "discriminate against a student or member of staff on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, marital or relationship status or pregnancy". The proposed reform did not otherwise limit the right of religious institutions to give good-faith preference to persons of the same religion as the educational institution in the selection of staff. In light of the large volume of submissions received, amended Terms of Reference were promulgated 20 April 2023,[125] and the report was released 14 December 2023.[126] It was tabled in Parliament 21 March 2024.[127]

In December 2023, Saint Ursula's College, Kingsgrove ended its ban on same-sex partners for LGBT+ students attending the school formal after a Change.org petition launched by a student against its "discriminatory policy" had reached 4,900 signatures. Federal education minister, Jason Clare, had urged the Catholic school to rethink the ban and "show a little bit of common sense", saying "It's 2023. You should be able to take whoever you want to the Year 12 farewell."[128] In the same month, Pope Francis announced that priests would be allowed to bless same-sex couples,[129] a move that appeared to depart radically from the Church's erstwhile denial of its core sacraments to LGBT+ communicants if they were not celibate,[130] and longstanding refusal to bless same-sex unions.[131]

Despite these advances, in March 2024, Equality Australia published a scathing 155-page report 'Dismissed, Denied and Demeaned: A national report on LGBTQ+ discrimination in faith-based schools and organisations' in which it claimed anti-LGBT discrimination was still rife in faith institutions:

Through 26 personal stories and an extensive investigation of publicly available records and financial information, this report reveals the impact and true extent of LGBTQ+ discrimination in religious educational institutions and faith-based service providers in Australia.[132]

Legacy

In 1998, GaLTaS was absorbed into the New South Wales Teachers Federation as a Special Interest Group,[133] with Derek Williams as a founding member. The SchoolWatch Committee established by Williams continued in its intended ministerial advisory role for the next five years, with Jacqui Griffin eventually assuming the role of Secretary. From 2010 to 2017, the Safe Schools Coalition Australia ran the Safe Schools Program to give support to teachers and schools seeking assistance in the creation of a more inclusive environment for LGBT+ students and their families.[134]

After entering the legal profession full-time,[135][136] Griffin continued her LGBT+ rights activism through her involvement in her native Northern Territory with the Rainbow Territory group, who made submissions in relation to federal religious freedom legislation as well as the Territory's own State anti-discrimination laws in relation to religious schools. The most comprehensive outcome for both staff and for students after lobbying by the group was the 2023 repeal of religious exemptions, passed while she was present in the House.[61][137] Her children's book The Adventures of Scales and Sarah about the friendship between a young girl and a chromosomally gender-flipping bearded dragon lizard in a context of climate change was self-published in 2023.[138]

Williams (R) holding banner.[139]
Edinburgh University Staff Pride Network, Pride Edinburgh 2024

In 2006, Williams moved to his ancestral Scotland[140] where he remained active in LGBT+ politics, and in 2018 he was co-opted to the Committee of the Edinburgh University Staff Pride Network, on which he is currently serving his 7th term as Meetings Secretary.[139][141][142] On 3 March 2023, his former employer, Randwick Boys High School, celebrated World Pride Day as a whole-school event.[143]

Prior to the activism of GaLTaS in bringing the existence of LGBT+ youth and their victimisation to inescapable public awareness, the NSW Dept of Education policy had been that "The Department of School Education does not condone or promote homosexuality", along similar lines to the British Section 28, which reflected the prevailing view at that time. Virginia Chadwick's heartfelt recognition of the problems facing LGBT+ children in her schools and her willingness to address them with new anti-discrimination and anti-bullying policies, reflected an opening up of dialogue with parents of these children, and their teachers. Moreover, the Keating government's funding of the GaLTaS youth hotline that preceded Griffin's SchoolWatch Report followed by the report's public launch and adoption by Chadwick credibly placed on public record LGBT+ students' experience of bullying and its direct correlation with homicide by students, depression and suicide ideation. Crucial to GaLTaS' advocacy for safe schools was its dialogue with parents. In its February 2000 edition of Parent & Citizen Journal, the P&C published an article by Griffin (Secretary of the SchoolWatch Committee), Teaching Against Homophobia, which stated:

Homophobic harassment, though, begins at primary school and is intrinsically connected to gender. Homophobia originates from, and serves to reinforce, dominant constructions of appropriate masculine and feminine behaviours.[46]

By 2017, the New South Wales Education Department had promulgated its Review of Sexuality and Gender Education, setting out guidelines for age-appropriate sex education curricula,[144] following the 2011 expansion of its anti-bullying policy.[145] In 2022, the New South Wales government published its LGBTIQ+ Health Strategy 2022-2027 paper,[146] which along with the conclusive 61% 'Yes' vote in the 2017 Australian Marriage Law Postal Survey, further underlined the magnitude of the shift that had taken place in public understanding of LGBT+ identity away from its criminalisation prior to 1984.

References

  1. ^ a b Singerman, Deborah (18 January 1992). 'Testing Time for School Gays'. Page 36 (full page). The Sydney Morning Herald (Australia)
  2. ^ Singerman, Deborah. (27 November 1991). "Out of the closet and into the classroom". Green Left Issue 37. 6 September 2016. Retrieved 11 November 2023.
  3. ^ NSW Gay & Lesbian Rights Lobby Human rights in Australia
  4. ^ Committee, Gay & Lesbian Rights Lobby AGM, July 1990. (Source: Gay & Lesbian Rights Lobby Annual Report 1988–1989). Wayback Machine. (Sydney, Australia)
  5. ^ a b Skiffington, Toni. (1 February 1997). 'Derek came out to find success and become a role model'. Page 14 (full page). The Daily Post (Rotorua, New Zealand)
  6. ^ Jennifer Glass. Lesbians on the Loose. Issue 14. February 1991. Trove.
  7. ^ (January 1996). 1996 'Derek Williams and Jacqui Griffin are the new co-convenors of the Gay and Lesbian Teachers and Students' Association'. Sydney's Pride History Group. Wayback Machine. Australia)
  8. ^ Zwolsman, Debbie. (July 1992). Dykes drop out while Chadwick stalls. Front page. Lesbians on the Loose. Issue 33, Vol. 3 No 7. Trove.
  9. ^ a b McKinnon, Scott (12 June 2017). "Maintaining the school closet: the changing regulation of homosexuality and the contested space of the school in New South Wales, 1978–84". Australian Geographer. 49: 185–198. doi:10.1080/00049182.2017.1327786. ISSN 0004-9182. S2CID 148956408.
  10. ^ York, Barry. (27 August 2015). 40th Anniversary of Decriminalisation of Homosexuality. Museum of Australian Democracy.
  11. ^ a b Totaro, Paola (20 March 1992). 'Student gang forces gay boys to quit school. Front Page. The Sydney Morning Herald (Australia)
  12. ^ a b Totaro, Paola - Education Writer. (27 March 1992). Gay students are coming out of the classrooms. p.3 - Sydney Morning Herald.
  13. ^ Larriera, Alicia (30 March 1992). 'Gays refuse to enroll'. Page 2. The Sydney Morning Herald (Australia)'
  14. ^ (6 June 1992). 'Three Lesbians Quit HSC'. Page 6. The Sydney Morning Herald. (Australia).
  15. ^ Young, gay, and proud! 1995. AlyCat Books. Internet Archive.
  16. ^ McKinnon, Scott. (20 September 2017). Anti-LGBT rights campaigns and the figure of the child/ Australian Women's History Network official website.
  17. ^ Marshall, Daniel. (May 2011). Young Gays: towards a history of youth, queer sexualities and education in Australia. No 87, Page 60: The Latrobe Journal, State Library Victoria.
  18. ^ Petitions. Legislative Assembly, Full Hansard, 8 November 1979, Page 2783, 'Gay Teachers and Students Group', Mr R.I. Clough: New South Wales Parliament, Hansard.
  19. ^ 'Students asked to join gay teachers group says MP'. (9 November 1979). Daily Telegraph.
  20. ^ Dunn, Ross. (16 May 1984). 'Gay bill will pass, but with a change'. Front page. Sydney Morning Herald.
  21. ^ a b Goddard, Martyn (6 April 1991). 'Seeds Of Tolerance: In The Gay Killing Fields'. Page 39 (full page). Sydney Morning Herald Spectrum. (Australia)
  22. ^ a b Callaghan, Greg. (1 October 2021). 'A willingness to write crimes off': on the trail of the Bondi killers. Sydney Morning Herald.
  23. ^ Timeline for Key Events in the Hate Crimes Journey 1978 - 2018 2 For NSW Parliamentary Inquiry (by Sue Thompson 6.11.18 v.12). New South Wales Parliament.
  24. ^ Davis, Kristen (January 2007). "Bondi's underbelly: the 'gay gang murders". Queer Space: Centres and Peripheries.
  25. ^ Fenely, Rick. (27 July 2013). Up to 80 men murdered, 30 cases unsolved. Sydney Morning Herald.
  26. ^ Goddard, Martyn. (25 January 1991). 'Death Boast'. Front Page. Star Observer (Australia)
  27. ^ Whitbourn, Michaela. (21 February 2023). Police quietly 'reversed' inquest findings on Bondi deaths, inquiry told. Sydney Morning Herald.
  28. ^ a b Special Commission of Inquiry into LGBTIQ hate crimes: Statement of Carole Ruthchild. 7 November 2022. New South Wales Government.
  29. ^ (27 February 1993) Carole Ruthchild, co-convenor of the Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby (GLRL), Derek Williams, co-convenor of Gay and Lesbian Teachers and Students (GaLTaS) meet with Virginia Chadwick. Parliament of New South Wales. Sydney's Pride History Group. Wayback Machine. (Sydney, Australia)
  30. ^ Powell, Sian (7 October 1993). 'Govt bid to outlaw racism, sexism in schools'. Page 3. The Sydney Morning Herald (Australia)
  31. ^ a b Long, Stephen (11 April 1991). 'Education the way to wipe out prejudice'. Page 6. The Eastern Herald (Sydney, Australia)
  32. ^ (February 1995). Sydney Star Observer: Issue 253 The NSW Education Minister releases an anti-discrimination policy for schools which addresses lesbian and gay and HIV status harassment and vilification'. Sydney's Pride History Group. (Australia)
  33. ^ Procedures For Resolving Complaints About Discrimination Against Students - whole of document scan: https://fliphtml5.com/ website.
  34. ^ Resources for Teaching Against Violence (1996). ISBN 0731014170. New South Wales Department of Education. National Library of Australia.
  35. ^ Combatting Homophobia. Education: Vol 73 No 5, 27 April 1992. New South Wales Teachers Federation. Trove
  36. ^ a b c Mason, Gail (Ed.) & Tomsen, Stephen (Ed.) (1997). Homophobic Violence. Pages 104–117. 'Anti-lesbian/gay violence in schools'. Griffin, Jacqui (GaLTaS Co-convenor). The Hawkins Press. ISBN 1876067047. Australian Institute of Criminology.
  37. ^ a b (9 March 1995). Sydney Star Observer: Issue 256. The School Watch Report – 'A Study into Anti-Lesbian and Anti-Gay Harassment and Violence is launched at Randwick Boys' High School by the NSW Minister of Education'. Sydney's Pride History Group. (Australia)
  38. ^ Inflation Calculator.
  39. ^ (24 March 1993). IN BRIEF: Help for gay victims. Page 4. The Sydney Morning Herald
  40. ^ Karen Paroissien. Senior Project Officer, Office of Environment & Heritage. LinkedIn
  41. ^ Parker, Maralyn. (15 December 1993). 'Crisis Line Helps Beat Harassment'. Telegraph Mirror.
  42. ^ Griffin, Jacqui (1994). The SchoolWatch report: a study into anti-lesbian and anti-gay harassment and violence in Australian schools. Chippendale, N.S.W.: J. Griffin. ISBN 978-0-646-19960-3. National Library of Australia.
  43. ^ The SchoolWatch Report - whole of document scan: https://fliphtml5.com/ website.
  44. ^ STREETWATCH. Issue 5, May 1990. Page 4: Lesbians on the Loose. Trove.
  45. ^ Lewis, Julie (7 March 1995). 'Anti-gay students targeted via literature'. Page 5.The Sydney Morning Herald (Australia)
  46. ^ a b Griffin, Jacqui. (February 2000). 'Teaching Against Homophobia'. Parent & Citizen Journal - Vol.51 No 1: pages 30-31. Parents and Citizens.
  47. ^ Jenny Mouzos and Sue Thompson. (March 2001). Comparison between Gay Hate-Related Homicides of Men and Other Male Homicides in New South Wales 1989 -1999 . Hate Crime Conference, 9–10 December 1999, University of Sydney. Published as Trends & Issues in Crime and Criminal Justice - No. 155 by Australian Institute of Criminology.
  48. ^ Passey, David. (15 May 1997). 'Schools tackle rights of gays'. Page 3. The Sydney Morning Herald (Australia)
  49. ^ Vass, Nathan (1 July 1996). 'Gay slurs: school suspends 2 students'. Page 6. The Sydney Morning Herald (Australia)
  50. ^ Adamson, Judy (20 July 1995). 'Death by Numbers'. Front Page, P4-5. Northern Herald (Sydney, Australia)
  51. ^ Goddard, Martyn (25 January 1991). 'Death Boast'. Front Page. Star Observer (Australia)
  52. ^ Wade, Matthew (23 September 2016). "The Sydney gay beat murders revealed". Star Observer. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
  53. ^ a b Williams, Derek. 11 October 1997. How to Stop Classroom Homophobia conference. Sydney's Pride History Group. Wayback Machine. (Sydney, Australia).
  54. ^ Raethel, Stephanie (22 October 1997). 'Gay book gift bushwhacked'. Page 3. The Sydney Morning Herald (Australia)
  55. ^ a b c A Report into Youth Violence in New South Wales. Report No 8, P.92, Para. 3.10: 'Violence Against Homosexuals and Lesbians': Standing Committee on Social Issues, New South Wales Legislative Council.
  56. ^ Passey, David. (16 May 1997). 'Aquilina forbids school trial of pro-gay program'. Page 6. The Sydney Morning Herald (Australia)
  57. ^ a b Hansard: "HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES STANDING COMMITTEE ON FAMILY AND COMMUNITY AFFAIRS" (PDF). 5 February 2023. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 February 2023. Retrieved 19 November 2023.
  58. ^ 28 February 1997. Prime Minister John Howard hosts a forum on youth suicide. Gay and Lesbian Teachers and Students Association (GaLTaS) and Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) speak at the forum. Canberra. Sydney's Pride History Group. Wayback Machine.
  59. ^ Zwolsman, Debbi. (May 1992). Pushed to the Limit. LESBIANS ON THE LOOSE: ISSUE 29. Trove.
  60. ^ GaLTaS in NT. (February 1993). Issue 38. Vol. 4 No 2. Page 6.'Beyond The Border': Lesbians on the Loose. Trove.
  61. ^ a b c Magaletti, Douglas. (24 November 2022). Northern Territory Passes Sweeping Anti-Discrimination Law To Ban Discrimination Against LGBT Persons. Sydney Star Observer. Australia.
  62. ^ David Humphries and Jennifer Cook. (27 August 1997). 'Wood's main recommendations' and 'MP's say 'no' to consent proposal'. Page 7. The Sydney Morning Herald (Australia)
  63. ^ Griffin, Jacqui. (June 1996). Pedophile Herrings. Lesbians on the Loose. Page 7. Trove.
  64. ^ 'Briefs'. "Vote 'political suicide'". Lesbians on the Loose: Vol. 5, No 7, July 1994. National Library of Australia. Trove.
  65. ^ a b c Sidoti, Chris. (March 1998). Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission Report of Inquiry into a Complaint of Discrimination in Employment and Occupation. Discrimination on the ground of sexual preference. HRC Report No. 6. (Australia)
  66. ^ Jennings, Kevin. One Teacher In 10: 'So What Does Happen When You Answer "Yes" to the "L" Question?' Pages 156-163. ISBN 1-55583-263-6. National Library of Australia.
  67. ^ GaLTaS conference. 25 February 1994. Sydney Star Observer.
  68. ^ Dr Claudine Moutou. LinkedIn.
  69. ^ a b c d e f O'Grady, Dominic (17 April 1997). "Gay Students Sue". Sydney Star Observer. Retrieved 31 March 2024.
  70. ^ Martin, Louise (2 April 1997). 'Youth sues over school abuse'. Page A3. The Age (Melbourne, Australia)
  71. ^ a b c Passey, David. (1 May 1997). 'Gay man sues Catholic school for vilification'. Page 6. The Sydney Morning Herald. (Australia)
  72. ^ 'David Plummer'. Additional affiliations > (Show All) > February 1993 - May 1997 > Australian National University > National Centre for Epidemiology & Population Health Research. ResearchGate.
  73. ^ a b c Maslen, Geoff. (11 April 1997). Teenage gays sue over gang attacks. TES (magazine). United Kingdom.
  74. ^ "Australian Lawyers Directory – All Lawyers, Solicitors firms, Barristers and Bar Chambers in Australia, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane". www.australianlawyersdirectory.com.au. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
  75. ^ a b c d Passey, David (1 April 1997). "Gay student, 14, sues school in landmark vilification case". Sydney Morning Herald. p. 3. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
  76. ^ "Australian Youth Sues Over School Abuse". groups.google.com. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
  77. ^ (3 April 1997). 'The case of 14 year old gay student Christopher Tsakalos who is suing Cranebrook High School Penrith for failing to prevent anti-gay vilification, will be rushed directly to the Supreme Court'. Sydney's Pride History Group. Wayback Machine. (Australia).
  78. ^ Passey, David. (5 April 1997). 'Schoolyard Victims'. Page 38. The Sydney Morning Herald (Australia)
  79. ^ a b Rasmussen, Mary Louise (12 November 2012). Becoming Subjects: Sexualities and Secondary Schooling. Routledge. pp. 90, 92, 134, 248, 251. ISBN 978-1-136-08194-1.
  80. ^ (23 March 1997). Reporter: Jeff McMullen, Producers: Kerryn Pratt and Stephen Taylor. Pride and Prejudice – Chris. 60 Minutes. Nine Network. (Sydney, Australia)
  81. ^ Cranebrook High School Official school site, New South Wales Department of Education.
  82. ^ Kendall, Christopher & Sidebotham, Naomi. (2004). Homophobic Bullying in Schools: Is there a Duty of Care?. 1327-7634 Vol 9, No 1, 2004, pp.71–93 Australia & New Zealand Journal of Law & Education. Australasian Legal Information Institute, Murdoch University. Western Australia.
  83. ^ Smith, Deborah (2 April 1997). "Teaching Tolerance". Sydney Morning Herald. p. 11. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
  84. ^ Inflation Calculator
  85. ^ Epstein, Debbie (Ed.) & Sears, James Thomas (Ed.) (1 November 1999). A Dangerous Knowing: Sexuality, Pedagogy and Popular Culture. Pages 287–298. 'Multicultural does not mean multisexual'. Maria Pallotta-Chiarolli. Continuum International Publishing Group. Bloomsbury Publishing. ISBN 1441193510. ISBN 9781441193513. (United Kingdom).
  86. ^ Meyer, Elizabeth L. & Stader, David. (2009). 'Queer Youth and the Culture Wars: From Classroom to Courtroom in Australia, Canada and the United States'. McGill University (Canada). Saint Louis University (USA).
  87. ^ "Queer Youth and the Culture Wars: From Classroom to Courtroom in Australia, Canada and the United States". 5 February 2023. Archived from the original on 5 February 2023. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
  88. ^ a b c d e Rasmussen, M. L. (2003). Queer trepidations and the art of inclusion. Melbourne Studies in Education, 44(1), 87–107. https://doi.org/10.1080/17508487.2003.9558593
  89. ^ Fredericks, Karen. "... and ain't i a woman?: Learning hatred from the church". Green Left Weekly. 9 June 1993. Retrieved 19 November 2023. Issue 103.
  90. ^ a b c Clews, Colin. (26 August 2013). 1982. Politics: NSW Government ignores anti-discrimination findings. www.gayinthe80s.com website.
  91. ^ a b c Towards Wholeness – A Catholic Perspective on Personal Development, Health and Physical Education Year 7-10. ISBN 9780949807939. 1993. Catholic Education Commission, New South Wales. Google Books.
  92. ^ Leech, Graeme. (7 October 1992). 'Campus Rejects Gay Support Group'. Page 14: 'Higher Education'. The Australian.
  93. ^ Kirk, Sigrid. (19 May 1993). 'Call to ban school discrimination.' Page 3. The Sydney Morning Herald. (Australia)
  94. ^ Scott, Mark. (10 March 1995). 'Gay man quits as teacher'. Page 2. Sydney Morning Herald.
  95. ^ Chris Brennan & Peter Alpert. (11 March 1995). 'School sacking revolt'. The Daily Telegraph (Sydney).
  96. ^ Raethel, Stephanie. (10 March 1995). 'Parents support parade teacher'. The Daily Telegraph (Sydney).
  97. ^ a b 'Teacher accuses union of misrepresentation'. 17 March 1995 Capital Q.
  98. ^ Raethel, Stephanie. (10 March 1995). 'Parade teacher forced to quit'. The Daily Telegraph (Sydney).
  99. ^ I WANT MY JOB - Pupils back gay teacher. 14 March 1995. Bankstown Express - Cumberland Newspapers.
  100. ^ Nicholls, Murray. (14 March 1995). 'Ready for a fight'. The Fairfield Advance.
  101. ^ Australia-United States dialogue in support of the human rights of LGBTI persons. Updated 14 October 2016. Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Australian Government.
  102. ^ Australia's commitment to Human Rights. Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Australian Government.
  103. ^ International Human Rights System. Attorney-General of Australia. Australian Government
  104. ^ Raethel, Stephanie (19 December 1997). 'Lesbian teacher wins discrimination case'. Page 8. The Sydney Morning Herald (Australia)
  105. ^ December 1997. 'The Human Rights Commissioner, Chris Sidoti condemns the Catholic Education Office for refusing Jacqui Griffin's employment in 1993 when she was the co-convenor of GaLTaS'. Sydney's Pride History Group. Wayback Machine. (Sydney, Australia)
  106. ^ McGillion, Chris (24 June 1998). 'Ruling on gay teacher rejected'. Page 7. The Sydney Morning Herald (Australia)
  107. ^ Legal developments From HREoc & the EOT. March 1998. Australasian Legal Information Institute.
  108. ^ a b Marr, David. The High Price of Heaven. Page 233 - The Spires of St Mary's. ISBN 9781865082011. Goodreads.
  109. ^ Submission to the Australian Commonwealth Parliament Human Rights Sub-Committee Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Inquiry into the Status of the Human Right of Freedom of Religion or Belief. 'Practical Examples of Dangers of Courts Weighing Religious Truth': p.21, Section 1.29(b). Presbyterian Church of Queensland.
  110. ^ 29 November 2016. Inquiry into the status of the human right to freedom of religion or belief. Parliament of Australia.
  111. ^ Deveny, Catherine (17 August 2011). "Why equal rights activists need Miranda Devine more than rallies". ABC News. Archived from the original on 15 March 2017. Retrieved 14 April 2024.
  112. ^ "Gay Student's Mother Denies Manipulation". Radio Australia. 3 April 1997. Retrieved 15 April 2024.
  113. ^ "The Museum of Broadcast Communications – Encyclopedia of Television – Sex". 14 November 2018. Archived from the original on 14 November 2018. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
  114. ^ Lee, Sophie. (19 March 1992). Sydney Morning Herald. Page 24. Television. "Homosexuality". Nine Network. (Australia).
  115. ^ Luck, Peter. (23 March 1992). 'Luck on the Logies'. Pages 48 and 53 (= 1 and 6 The Guide). Sydney Morning Herald. (Australia).
  116. ^ "Attitude | Library Sales – ABC Commercial". 18 May 2022. Archived from the original on 18 May 2022. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
  117. ^ Review into the Framework of Religious Exemptions in Anti-discrimination Legislation. 10 April 2019. Australian Law Reform Commission. Australian Government.
  118. ^ Sarah Martin & Paul Karp. (10 February 2022). Coalition shelves religious discrimination bill after Christian lobby says changes do "more harm than good". Guardian Australia.
  119. ^ Lixinsky, Lucas. Explainer: What happened to the Religious Discrimination Bill?. Australian Human Rights Institute, University of New South Wales.
  120. ^ Modernising the Anti-Discrimination Act: 1992 Anti-Discrimination Amendment Bill 2022: Fact sheet. Northern Territory Legislative Assembly.
  121. ^ Balancing protections from Discrimination with Religious Freedoms – Religious schools. NT Dept of Justice.
  122. ^ Rainbow Territory: Submission to the Modernisation of the Anti- Discrimination Act 1992 (NT) Discussion Paper. Northern Territory Legislative Assembly.
  123. ^ Northern Territory Parliament passes anti-discrimination bill. 24 November 2022. cathnews.com website. Catholic education in Australia, Northern Territory.
  124. ^ Steenhof, John. (2 December 2022). NT anti-discrimination law changes target religious schools Human Rights Law Alliance
  125. ^ Religious Educational Institutions and Anti-Discrimination Laws. 4 November 2022. Australian Law Reform Commission. Australian Government.
  126. ^ What We Heard. 14 December 2023. Australian Law Reform Commission.
  127. ^ ALRC Religious Educational Institutions and Anti-Discrimination Laws Report tabled in Parliament. Australian Law Reform Commission, Australian Government.
  128. ^ 'Sydney Catholic school scraps same-sex formal ban following backlash'. 3 November 2023. Guardian Australia. Australian Associated Press.
  129. ^ Horowitz, Jason. (18 December 2023). 'Pope Francis Allows Priests to Bless Same-Sex Couples'. New York Times.
  130. ^ Yurcaba, Jo. (9 December 2021). 'Catholic diocese says gay and trans people can't be baptized or receive Communion'. NBC News
  131. ^ Elbaum, Rachel. (15 March 2021). 'Vatican says Catholic Church can't bless same-sex unions'. NBC News
  132. ^ 'Dismissed, Denied and Demeaned: A national report on LGBTQ+ discrimination in faith-based schools and organisations'. equalityaustralia.org.au website.
  133. ^ "Special Interest Groups". NSW Teachers Federation. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
  134. ^ Safe Schools Coalition Australia. Health and Education Resource Centre: UNESCO.
  135. ^ So. Who the hell is behind Family Law Assist? familylawassist.net.au website.
  136. ^ Jacqui Griffin. lawtap.com website.
  137. ^ CROSS-JURISDICTIONAL SUMMARY OF EXCEPTIONS FOR RELIGIOUS EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS. Australian Law Reform Commission.
  138. ^ Griffin, Jacqui. (27 April 2023). The Adventures of Scales and Sarah. ISBN 9780645780611. Goodreads.
  139. ^ a b "Contacts and Committee". The University of Edinburgh. 3 June 2020. Retrieved 25 June 2024.
  140. ^ "Derek Williams". The University of Edinburgh. 17 April 2015. Retrieved 29 March 2024.
  141. ^ 'LGBT+ Network of Networks in Higher Education's Networks Got Talent Showcase: Derek's Entry' - (Video). Staff Pride Network on YouTube.
  142. ^ 'Pride Month 2021' - (Video). The University of Edinburgh Staff Pride Network on Facebook .
  143. ^ RBHS Newsletter 3 March. Issue 5: 3 March 2023. Randwick Boys High School.
  144. ^ Louden, William. (17 January 2017). Review of Sexuality and Gender Education. Department of Education (New South Wales).
  145. ^ Bullying of Students - Prevention and Response. Policy contact: 'Behaviour and Student Participation' #0278143809 - Reference number: PD-2010-0415-V01.0.5. Implementation date: 21 March 2011. Department of Education (New South Wales).
  146. ^ Brad Hazzard. Minister for Health (New South Wales). NSW LGBTIQ+ Health Strategy 2022-2027. Government of New South Wales.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Gay_and_Lesbian_Teachers_and_Students_Association&oldid=1265478514"