Soooo…. ICYMI, the decision about the Safe Schools program was announced today. People on both sides of the argument are irked. Everyone is upset.
Why? Well, we’ll tell ya. We’ll just a moment to release our fervent and disgusted anger before we begin.
*screams violently into a pillow*
Alright – ready?
Well, lets start with the far-Right. Conservative MPs such as George Christensen and Cory Bernardi, who kicked up this whole fuss in the first place, seem okay – not stoked that the whole program wasn’t pulled, but happy about the changes which will cost LGBTQI youth lives. (And no, that’s not an over-exaggeration.)
“As long as all the stuff the Minister said comes to pass, all of the concern is gutted out of the program.I still am yet to see the response from the Safe Schools Coalition because we are talking about fundamentally altering what they have proposed and what they have proposed I think was disastrous for schoolchildren so if they reject what the government’s put forward then the funding will just be suspended.That’s my understanding from my conversation with the Minister.”
He also said that the changes would make sure that Safe Schools would be “an anti-bullying program rather than something that’s bringing in queer theory into classrooms and sexual liberation ideals into classrooms.”
A bunch of MPs, including Christensen, even stormed out of Parliament that it was announced that Safe Schools complies with the national curriculum. On unnamed MP described the findings as “a joke” and called on Education Minister Simon Birmingham to fix the program or resign.
And “fix it” he did – as conservatively as possible.
Here’s why the Left are upset by the changes:
First and foremost, the program has been taken from all kids who aren’t in high school. Only high schoolers will be able to access the Safe Schools resources. Which, many people from the LGBTQI community will tell you, will be far too late for many children who need support at an early age.
Secondly, students will need parental consent to participate. So, if a homosexual child has homophobic parents, they’re likely to lose access to a program which could help them feel comfortable for the rest of their lives – or even save their life. If they don’t get access, they will have to go to school counselling.
The resources for Safe Schools will be moved to a broader anti-bullying site (because it’s obviously horrendous that gay youth have their own website and resources, like obvious favouritism much?!!!!1!!) and some content will be removed. No word yet on exactly what content.
Other than that:
- gender-diversity role playing activities deemed ‘unsuitable’ and will be removed
- There’ll be restricted access to ‘OMG I’m Queer‘, ‘OMG My Friend’s Queer‘, and ‘Stand Out‘ resources.
- All resources will be peer-reviewed and approved by a panel of qualified educators.
That last one’s probably okay. Everything else is FUCKED.
But not as fucked as this – according to Buzzfeed Australia, Birmingham also indicated that the Safe Schools program will be terminated next year once funding is finished.
First on @BuzzFeedOzPol – here’s Labor’s response to Safe Schools funding ending next year https://t.co/WMuK3BLmgn pic.twitter.com/RgQ0lw6h2f
— Lane Sainty (@lanesainty) March 18, 2016
And our Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, who was (for some stupid fucking reason) was hailed as some kind of moderate-conservative, progressive hero post-Abbott, is silent. Completely silent.
Call us the ‘bleeding heart progressives’ all you want – we’d rather have a bleeding heart than no heart at all.
If you are in the LGBTQI community, and you need some help of any kind, at ANY AGE, please know that there are people and services out there that can help you. Being gay, lesbian, bi, trans, intersex, asexual, and/or queer is completely fine and normal and excellent – you’re great! And you can chat to someone at BeyondBlue on 1300 22 4636, or if you need information, head HERE.
You are very loved and very accepted. <3
Source: Newscorp.
