Current Media Releases Gay lobby says WA students need sexuality diversity programs
GALE Convenor Rod Swift says Western Australia schools should be further encouraged to present more factual and fair information discussing people with different sexual orientations and gender identities as part of a broader curriculum focus on diversity, tolerance and values.
"The course at Ballajura Community College isn't about gay sex education. It is about presenting the reality that these students may have to relate to people with diverse sexual orientations after they leave high school," Mr Swift said.
"The course allows students to understand and learn about why discrimination is wrong, by hearing about the life experiences of gays and lesbians."
"Students need to learn that people of diverse sexual orientations exist in WA -- even in our schools -- and their lives and human rights are now protected under WA law. Intolerance, discrimination and hatred towards gays and lesbians is no longer acceptable in WA."
GALE rejected the notion that courses presenting a realistic representation of gays and lesbians will result in more students becoming gay.
"Learning that gays and lesbians exist does not turn students gay. It does however, foster understanding, reduce homophobia, and minimise the environment that leads to higher rates of suicide among gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people," Mr Swift said.
"Acceptance and fairness are traditional values that we should be teaching in schools."
GALE recently called on the WA Government to set up a working party on homophobia in the wake of a report released in May into homophobia by the Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society (ARCSHS) at La Trobe University. The survey found that one in two same-sex attracted youths face verbal abuse and one in six faces physical abuse.
MEDIA COMMENT:
Rod Swift GALE Convenor 0417 890 111
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