Duty of care to students ignored in gay school essay debate

While the brunt of sexuality-related abuse falls hardest on gay and lesbian students, others are on the receiving end of terms like “poofter”, “dyke” or “faggot” used as insults. Homophobic abuse has the potential to harm all students, regardless of their sexuality, and often occurs at a stage of development when they are very concerned about fitting in.

Schools have a legal duty of care to ensure their students’ safety and well-being. Given the reality of sexual discrimination and abuse within schools, it is not an optional nicety for schools to respond, it is a legal requirement. If the Queensland Studies Authority drops this assignment and similar curriculum items designed to foster tolerance, the Queensland Government will be more vulnerable to legal action from current and former students for the abuse they experience under its care.

Family Planning Queensland (FPQ) and the Queensland Association for Healthy Communities (QAHC) support the retention of this Grade 9 assignment. Windaroo Valley High School’s attempt to promote a safe, non-discriminatory environment is commendable and fits within Education Queensland’s Human Relationships Education policy. Evidence that teachers at the school are standing by the assignment is also welcome.

If this assignment question is dropped from the Queensland school curriculum, it will reinforce the view that homosexuality is taboo and high school students should not be allowed to think about it. Surely this would be a political agenda masquerading as curriculum. High school students are already aware of sexual identity issues, and need good quality, non-judgmental information and advice about sexuality.

If Queensland is serious about being the Smart State, we should ensure our school curricula equips students for living in the real world, one that is rich in diversity, in which respect and acceptance are considered core life skills.