Premium Content:

Advocates call for case studies of discrimination in private schools

Advocates for WA’s LGBTI community have called for more people to come forward and provide case studies of discrimination within private and religious schools.

- Advertisement -

Under Western Australian law, LGBTI teachers and staff can be sacked, students can be expelled and enrolments from same-sex families denied.

Recent high profile cases of discrimination include the removal of a seven year of girl from a church school because she has two gay dads, and the case of teacher Craig Campbell not being asked to return to teach at a Baptist college after he came out as gay.

Spokesperson for LGBTI Advocacy Group WA Brian Greig, said it was likely there were many more cases of discrimination not being reported or made public.

“We are determined to push the McGowan Government to abolish this discrimination, just as Tasmania did 20 years ago,” Greig said.

Greig said the more evidence that could be produced, the better – even through the law should stand condemned simply by ‘virtue of its repugnant nature’.

Greig and members of the community first raised this issue at the OUTinPerth public election forum this time last year, but after almost one year in office the government has shown no desire to enact reform.

“It was very disappointing to see that just five months after being elected, Labor party members and MPs did not even raise this issue in policy discussions at their 2017 State Conference.

“It’s clear that if our community wants to scrap this dreadful law, we have to put a human face to this discrimination, so we call on more people to please step forward.”

Greig is urging anyone who has experienced anti-LGBTI discrimination from a private or church school to contact the advocates with the information.

“Everyone will be treated in the strictest confidence,” he said.

Rainbow Rights WA have also expressed their concerns about the current laws, and are calling for an urgent review by the McGowan government.

If you are interested in sharing your experience, you can email LGBTI.advocates.WA@gmail.com


Support OUTinPerth

Thanks for reading OUTinPerth. We can only create LGBTIQA+ focused media with your help.

If you can help support our work, please consider assisting us through a one-off contribution to our GoFundMe campaign, or a regular contribution through our Patreon appeal.

Become a Supporter→     Make a contribution→ 

Latest

Get your New Year celebrations underway with Elton John and Brandi Carlisle

The pair will be performing songs from their collaborative album and well as lots of hits from the past.

The Year in Review | December 2025

Take a look back through all the news and events of December 2025.

On This Gay Day | Brandon Teena was brutally murdered

The film 'Boys Don't Crey' is based on the case.

The Vivienne’s memory to be honoured across UK cities

Multi-talented entertainer and drag queen The Vivienne sadly passed away on 3 January 2025.

Newsletter

Don't miss

Get your New Year celebrations underway with Elton John and Brandi Carlisle

The pair will be performing songs from their collaborative album and well as lots of hits from the past.

The Year in Review | December 2025

Take a look back through all the news and events of December 2025.

On This Gay Day | Brandon Teena was brutally murdered

The film 'Boys Don't Crey' is based on the case.

The Vivienne’s memory to be honoured across UK cities

Multi-talented entertainer and drag queen The Vivienne sadly passed away on 3 January 2025.

Mind Warp Pavilion: Celebration of David Bowie’s music returns

Mind Warp Pavilion is returning for its tenth fabulous...

Get your New Year celebrations underway with Elton John and Brandi Carlisle

The pair will be performing songs from their collaborative album and well as lots of hits from the past.

The Year in Review | December 2025

Take a look back through all the news and events of December 2025.

On This Gay Day | Brandon Teena was brutally murdered

The film 'Boys Don't Crey' is based on the case.