Greens MP Cate Faehrmann says a formal apology and compulsory training are needed after LGBTIQ youth support organisation, Twenty10, were forced to remove their promotional banner from the ‘Rediscover the River’ event.

According to Twenty10, a representative of Parramatta City Council’s Lord Mayor, John Chedid, directed the group to remove their sign at the ‘Rediscover the River’ festival last Thursday because it was “offensive”. The group complied and left.

“Such an action was blatantly homophobic and last-century and should have no place in Sydney in 2013. No wonder so many of our LGBTIQ young people are bullied,” said Ms Faehrmann.

“There’s nothing about Twenty10′s banner or the services that this much-needed organisation provides which is offensive.

“Instead of trying to shift the blame for this decision on to the festival’s organisers, Parramatta City Council should recognise that their own handling of this event has also clearly shown a lack of respect for Twenty10 and the LGBTIQ residents of Parramatta.”

“Rather than offering a fun event for all of Parramatta’s residents, this has just highlighted the exclusion of LGBTIQ people that so often occurs. Responding to Twenty10′s request for a formal apology and completing the organisation’s training package on working with disadvantaged youth is the least that Parramatta City Council and the festival’s organisers could do to redress this issue.”

“LGBTIQ youth are already vulnerable to exclusion and the numerous negative effects that this can have on their mental wellbeing. We need to make sure that we are doing everything possible to address these issues, not adding to them,” said Ms Faehrmann.

Greens MP Cate Faehrmann says Miranda Devine’s attack on the Proud Schools program which is helping end homophobia in our schools is a hark back to 60s era prejudice and discrimination. Ms Faehrmann is calling on the Education Minister to stand strong in the face of fear mongering from an extreme minority.

“Ms Devine is completely out of touch with mainstream Australia on this one. We’ve got multi-partisan support for this critical education program. I call on the Education Minister to stand strong in the face of fear mongering from an extreme minority,” said Ms Faehrmann.

“The rest of us have moved on from the days when people thought being gay was somehow abnormal. It’s 60s era thinking and Ms Devine should catch up.

“Unfortunately homophobia in schools is still a big issue, with homophobic abuse and bullying causing significant distress and harm to young people. That’s why programs like Proud Schools exist in the first place – to make sure young people understand that same-sex attraction is perfectly normal.

“With two thirds of same-sex attracted young people experiencing abuse and around 80% of that happening in schools it would be extremely dangerous for programs like Proud Schools not to be expanded and encouraged.

“Regardless of sexuality, all students should feel safe and accepted at school. The sad reality is that we still have hangovers of unjust discrimination that need to be challenged, in schools, in workplaces and in the community.

“Of much greater concern to parents than same-sex education programs these days is that their children may be the target of homophobia in the playground. MPs from all the major political parties have been working together to challenge homophobia and remove discrimination.

“Ms Devine’s attempt to stir fear about the Proud Schools program will fall flat because the fact is, people have grown up on this issue – it’s time she did as well,” said Ms Faehrmann.

Media contact: Peter Stahel 0433 005 727

The Hon. Trevor Khan: Don’t be provocative!

The Hon. CATE FAEHRMANN: I am never provocative, and I will not be provocative over the next four years. Prior to polling day both the Labor and Coalition leaders indicated that they would not move for changes to the State’s anti-discrimination laws to remove or tighten exemptions for religious organisations. To my knowledge, the new Labor leader has remained silent on the issue thus far, but it seems unlikely that the old party leadership will drive progress in this area anytime soon. As I indicated during the election campaign, it will be left to the Greens again to introduce a bill to remove these exemptions and bring New South Wales another step closer to the abolition of all discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, sex and/or gender identity. The Greens bill will close some of the worst loopholes in the Anti-Discrimination Act that allow unacceptable discrimination to continue not just for gays, lesbians and the gender diverse but also for those with a disability and so on.

The former Attorney General’s explanation that exemptions are necessary to maintain a “delicate balance” between protecting individuals from discrimination and allowing people to practice their own beliefs is out of touch. It is out of touch with the reality of the everyday discrimination faced by individuals in accessing health services or aged care, education and employment. His assertion missed the mark in two ways. First is the misguided assumption that any narrowing or removal of exemptions is automatically an attack on freedom of religion. This linear argument ignores the fact that for the most part these exemptions are applied in the provision of public services which have a direct and practical impact on the life of the individual concerned, regardless of his or her faith or otherwise.

There is a false dichotomy at play here: freedom of religion, association and speech need not play out against the need to conform to standards of fairness and equality as determined by our democratically elected Parliament. No one set of rights should displace another, and they need not. Second is the former Attorney General’s failure to understand the extent of discrimination that can still occur, and the potential for this to increase as more vital services are provided by faith-based organisations. When the Greens bill comes before this place again I challenge those who will oppose it to explain why it is acceptable that in 2011 a young gay man or woman can be legally expelled by a private school for no reason other than his or her sexual orientation. Why should this situation continue? And how does this protect freedom of faith? Why is it acceptable that a faith-based aged care home or foster care provider can legally discriminate against transgender workers whose gender identity has nothing to do with their ability to perform the responsibilities of their profession? 

In the final days of the election campaign I was frustrated by a last minute appeal to gay and lesbian voters from individual Coalition and Labor members of Parliament and candidates, citing their personal views that these exemptions should be removed. At the time I criticised this appeal as cynical and one that would not be followed up in the new Parliament. No-one was surprised by the timing of the comments. As I said at the time, whilst I am glad that some members in the old parties are opposed to discrimination, this will be meaningless if they are hamstrung by the backward policies of their last-century parties. However, I hope I was wrong. Once the Greens bill is before this place I hope to have the opportunity to withdraw those remarks and congratulate those from all sides on voting in accordance with what I know are their genuinely held views. It is extremely important that they are allowed to come forth and be expressed in this place, not just in the media prior to polling day.

I acknowledge the work of individuals and groups in the gay, lesbian and sex and/or gender diverse community on the question of religious exemptions. While the Greens are not recent recruits to this particular campaign, we are by no means lone operators. I look forward to working closely over the coming months with these extremely committed and passionate champions, and extend publically an invitation to all in the community to come and speak to me directly about the everyday discrimination they face and their views on the way forward in New South Wales. As Senthorun Raj, of the Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby, said eloquently earlier this year:

Anti-discrimination laws are not just rhetorical niceties. Social policy legislation has tangible effects on all our lives. So if we are committed to social justice outcomes that seek to guarantee equality in substantive, rather than just symbolic, terms, let us begin by removing the legal excuses we provide for discrimination.

When I started working on the issue of homophobic bullying in schools last year, my office was inundated with messages congratulating the Greens for bringing the issue some much needed attention and profile. People told me that homophobia was rampant in schools across the state, and that young people were still suffering, far beyond what you’d expect given significant achievements in removing discrimination from law in recent years.

It was clear that the issue struck a chord with people, and not just with those who are same-sex attracted or gender diverse. This is because homophobia affects the whole of society, and contributes to poor social and mental health outcomes in schools, workplaces and communities in general.

You’ve probably already heard some of the statistics, with the latest research from the Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health & Society (ARCSHS) indicating two thirds of same-sex attracted or gender questioning young people have experienced abuse because of homophobia. Even more worrying is that most of this abuse occurs in schools, making students feel unsafe in what should be supportive and productive learning environments.

At a forum I hosted in Parliament House last year to discuss homophobic bullying, members of the public, MPs and the media were given an opportunity to learn more, not just about the latest research from the ARCSHS, but also the personal stories of abuse. I indicated I would move for a full parliamentary inquiry into homophobia in schools – I argued that compulsory anti-homophobia programs were essential to curb the worrying levels of abuse. It isn’t enough to expect teachers to use one-size-fits-all anti-bullying measures to deal with the much more insidious issues of homophobia and discrimination.

So I was thrilled to learn last week that the NSW Government will begin a pilot program aimed at tackling homophobia in schools. Back in 2005, a similar trial was scrapped by then Education Minister Carmel Tebbutt after an appalling tabloid beat-up attacking the program. It’s unfortunate that it’s taken this long to reverse this decision, especially given overwhelming evidence which supports urgent action on the issue. No prizes for guessing what role the looming election had on this announcement.

Cynicism aside, this is excellent news for all young people in NSW. I congratulate the government and look forward to hearing more details about the program. It is especially important we end up with a roll-out for all schools in the state, not just those that request it for example. After all, the students who are most in need of support are also likely to be at the schools least likely to proactively engage.

For this trial to actually end up making a difference to young people’s lives, the government needs to secure multi-party support early on. This will prevent the moral crusaders of NSW politics from sabotaging the program before it gets off the ground. We can’t see a repeat of events in 2005, where fear-mongering enabled another six years of inaction, and undoubtedly many more cases of horrific and life-changing abuse.

Unfortunately, the same far-right fringe interests who have helped block action on this issue in the past are still very influential at Macquarie Street. There is a very real risk that this program won’t make it into all schools simply because of the last-century thinking of a few lone homophobic voices in the Parliament.

I will be doing everything I can to ensure all sides of politics understand the importance of addressing homophobic bullying in schools – I hope the government does the same. This is too important to let political expediency get in the way.

Greens MP and spokesperson for sexuality and gender issues Cate Faehrmann has congratulated the NSW Government for announcing a trial program to combat homophobia in schools.

“This is excellent news – after caving in to the fear mongering of far-right moral crusaders in 2005, the government should now be congratulated for acting on homophobia in schools,” said Ms Faehrmann.

“The latest research shows homophobic bullying in schools is rampant, and affects the entire community, not just those who are gay, lesbian or gender diverse.

“Unfortunately, the same far-right fringe interests who have blocked action on this issue for so long, are still very influential at Macquarie Street. The government must secure multi-party support before the extreme conservatives of NSW politics sabotage the program.

“There is a very real risk that this desperately needed program won’t make it into all schools simply because of the last-century thinking of a few lone moral crusaders at Macquarie Street,” Ms Faehrmann said.

I draw to the attention of the House the disturbing issue of homophobic bullying in schools. Most teenagers will not be surprised to hear that best estimates suggest that close to half of gay and lesbian young people experience verbal abuse or bullying because of their sexuality or gender identity. However, I am concerned that many other people in the community do not understand the scale of what is going on in our schools and communities, nor the immense pain that even verbal bullying can cause.

Schools can be very unsafe for people who are, or who are perceived to be, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or intersex. Feeling safe at school is extremely important for the healthy academic, social and physical development of young people. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or intersex people experience discrimination at many levels throughout their lives. But being confronted with homophobia in school, at probably the most vulnerable period in their lives, can have lasting impacts.

Young people who experience bullying are more likely to miss school, are less likely to stay in full-time education, and are less likely to feel safe, achieve, be healthy and make a positive contribution to their community. Research commissioned by beyondblue suggests that approximately 30 per cent of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or intersex people suffer anxiety or depression—twice the rate for the rest of the community. Even more frightening is that the suicide rate for young lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or intersex people is three or four times higher than for their heterosexual peers.

The discrimination faced by people during their youth plays a significant role in their ongoing mental health later in life. We have a responsibility to ensure that, regardless of a person’s sexuality or gender identity, our young people are provided with a safe and accepting environment in which to learn and grow. Unfortunately, there is a lack of support for teachers, parents, students and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or intersex young people to deal with homophobia and its effects.

In talking with members of the community I found that their experiences at school appear to be frighteningly similar. This makes me wonder whether the available statistics underestimate the level of verbal and physical abuse that is going on. One young man who contacted me a couple of days ago, after hearing about my interest in this issue, told me of the bullying that he had experienced at school even though he did not disclose his sexuality to anyone. He wrote:

I felt that if I came out at high school then it would have been just as bad as putting a target on my face and telling everyone to have their best shot. I felt that if I came out I would receive more bullying than before, where I would divert the attention from other people being bullied and they’d join in, in order to receive some form of immunity from the main bullies. That form of stress was just not something I needed, especially in year 11 and 12 where my academic life was more important.

He went on:

I also had no one to talk to about it. No friends, no family, no one. I felt so alone and just wanted to scream and cry but couldn’t. I just wanted someone to talk to about it and didn’t know where to go or look for someone, so I didn’t look anywhere and hid in the closet even more.

I believe that homophobia in schools—and the relentless, cruel bullying that can result—can no longer be ignored, as it is all too often. We have a responsibility to closely examine this issue, to hear young people’s stories and experiences, and to design effective, long-lasting responses as a matter of urgency. Addressing prejudice when it rears its ugly head is an enormously complex task. Blame cannot be attributed to one factor, such as the education system or the lack of government programs, nor the students who are doing the bullying. To address this we need to look at many underlying factors, including cultural norms shaped by religion and ideology. I know is very good work is being done already by some community groups on providing support to young people who are experiencing homophobic bullying. Most of them operate off the smell of an oily rag and we need to ensure that their work is supported.

Taking up the sexuality and gender identity portfolio on behalf of the Greens in New South Wales, I am committed to ensuring that this issue receives the attention it deserves by bringing the voices of students, as well as those within the community working on this issue, into the New South Wales Parliament in the months and years to come. Silence condones ongoing violence and continued bad behaviour. Turning a blind eye encourages the homophobia that is causing many young people a great deal of suffering and hardship to continue. Just as this Parliament has shed light on domestic violence, sexual violence and child abuse in the past, it is time this Parliament shed light on the extent of homophobic bullying in our schools. This needs to happen before another generation of some of our finest young people lose their confidence in society to keep them safe and give them promise of a bright future.