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School chaplains need counselling

By Brian Greig - posted Tuesday, 1 July 2014


The commonwealth’s schools chaplaincy program has been of deep concern to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI), community since its inception in 2007.

Leaving aside the fact that the program undermines the separation between church and state, the more worrying aspect of the program for many people is the inadequacy of qualifications for applicants or their questionable motivations.

To be a school chaplain it is enough simply to hold a Certificate in Pastoral Care or Theology and a diploma in Youth Work, a status largely founded upon belief in a supernatural being, a 2000 year old prophet and life after death.

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It’s true that many chaplains have some qualifications beyond this, such as teaching or family therapy, but it’s not a requirement. They are not psychology graduates, professional psychiatrists or qualified counsellors and it’s very worrying that the origin of the chaplaincy program sprang from lobbying by evangelical and Pentecostal church groups when the Howard government was courting the votes of the religious right.  

Supporters of the program like to defend the ‘chappys’ as lovely, Vicar of Dibley characters who offer care and support for troubled students. No doubt many of them are, but others have been exposed as having direct or indirect links to anti-abortion, anti-gay activities and holding harsh views on same-sex relationships. Some believe homosexuality is a sin and can be “prayed away”.

For many gay people, myself included, their school experience of awakening to a homosexual identity in early teens, not understanding it, being closeted, frightened, confused or a victim of teasing, ridicule or violence, can be very scarring. Some 30 per cent of all youth suicides are from LGBTI kids who didn’t or couldn’t get the care and support they really needed.

Which is why the notion of chaplains in public schools repulses so many gay and lesbian people. For at least 150 years, religion has been the main perpetrator of institutionalised homophobia and anti-gay intolerance.

Even in recent years, religious groups supported the criminalisation of homosexuality and fiercely opposed repealing such laws. They also opposed basic anti-discrimination laws for LGBTI people in employment, housing and the provision of goods and services.

Religious groups sought, and won, special rights to be exempt from these anti-discrimination laws so they could sack gay teachers, expel gay students and block anti-homophobia courses in the classroom.

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Religious groups opposed civil unions and now campaign against equal marriage. And religious groups continue to use fake, discredited “research” to claim that same-sex parents are bad for children. Their history is one of fear, ignorance and persecution.

Despite all this, many of the same groups and individuals behind all of that are now defending their access to public schools, “to help students with problems.”

Given the track record, it’s highly questionable as to whether any student struggling with same-sex attraction or gender confusion can be objectively and compassionately addressed by a chaplain sourced from a religious body.

It cannot be stressed strongly enough just how much suspicion and loathing exists among many gay people towards organised religion. It’s palpable, and not for irrational reasons. Religious people and church groups have often made their lives miserable, painful or difficult. 

Certainly, I wonder whether any organisation which supports the right of schools to expel gay students and sack gay teachers is really in any position to offer support, reassurance and empathy to an LGBTI teen struggling with a lack of acceptance.      

The recent High Court decision does not dismantle the chaplaincy program, it merely shifts the funding arrangements. The Abbott Government has Labor support to now send the money directly to the states. The program will continue, however, Opposition Leader Bill Shorten said last month that ALP support will not be forthcoming unless the program also allows for secular counsellors.

Not surprisingly, this move is opposed by church groups which want their religious ambassadors in the public school system for their own reasons. Of course, not all chaplains are anti-gay. Some are very supportive, but the organisations they emerge from frequently have histories of anti-gay sentiment and many of the program’s key backers, including the Australian Christian Lobby, are on record with opposing equal rights for gays, relationship recognition for same-sex couples and demanding exemptions from anti-discrimination law.    

If Access Ministries, The Scripture Union or GenR8 Schools Ministries, for example, which supply many of the chaplains across Australia, wish to be taken seriously in their claims that they are not pursuing a religious, moral agenda then they must demonstrate this.

These organisations need to publicly acknowledge the cruelty and harm of past wrongs. They should accept the science on sexuality and gender identity and affirm that homosexuality is a natural part of the human experience. They should agree that same-sex relationships are legitimate and distance themselves from those who encourage ‘reparative gay cures’.

A good starting point for this would be to ensure that all chaplains are trained in LGBTI issues, in the same way that similar training has been provided to many teachers, state police forces and the equity divisions in the nation’s military. Some chaplains are already calling for this but resources are the issue. The new state funding model could perhaps address this?

At the very least, under the new arrangements it should be mandatory for chaplains to adhere to the Sexuality and Gender Diversity policy and guidelines around the states. 

I oppose the chaplaincy program outright. But if it’s going to continue with Labor and Liberal support, then the training requirements must be improved to benefit LGBTI kids. Where religious groups will not agree to this, then referral to secular counselling options must be guaranteed and readily available.

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About the Author

Brian Greig is a former Democrats’ Senator (1999-2005), and long time gay rights campaigner. Today he works in public relations, Perth.

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