Premium Content:

Australian Lesbian Medical Association add support for Safe Schools

ALMA

The Australian Lesbian Medical Association have added their name to the growing list of organisations that publicly support the Safe Schools anti-bullying program after a recent federal review.

- Advertisement -

ALMA Co-Convenors Dr Katrina Allen and Ms Shaday Weatley have together released a message saying the organisation proudly supports the program.

“Many of our members have first hand experience on seeing the positive health effect that a supportive and inclusive school environment has on the LGBTIQ young people in our communities, but sadly we also see the devastation caused by being bullied at school,” the statement reads.

ALMA praised Safe Schools as a response to the alarmingly high rate of suicide among LGBTIQ youth compared to their heterosexual peers.

“The mental health issues of these LGBTIQ young people is not inherent to their sexual or gender diversity but occur due to the harassment, isolation, bullying and stigmatisation that many LGBTIQ individuals are exposed to.”

ALMA refer to a 2014 National Survey of mental health and well-being of trans and gender diverse youth which found 66% of participants experienced verbal abuse over their gender diversity, while 21% reported physical abuse. 38% of that abuse was experienced at school.

“Safe School[s] Coalition Australia is an invaluable program which aims to reduce these experiences by educating children that diversity is normal and should be celebrated and that everyone deserves to be treated with respect and have the opportunity to learn in a safe environment.”

OIP Staff

Latest

Barnaby Joyce says he won’t run again for the Nationals

The MP says he's considering his options and hasn't ruled out a switch to One Nation.

Kim Petras returns with ‘I Like Ur Look’

The new track is a mix of hyper pop and rock vibes.

Pentagon says Netflix series ‘Boots’ is part of an ideological agenda

The show has been a huge hit for Netflix but the current US administration doesn't appear to be fans of the show.

WA government releases draft plan for suicide prevention

Mental Health Minister Meredith Hammatt says all Western Australians have a role to play.

Newsletter

Don't miss

Barnaby Joyce says he won’t run again for the Nationals

The MP says he's considering his options and hasn't ruled out a switch to One Nation.

Kim Petras returns with ‘I Like Ur Look’

The new track is a mix of hyper pop and rock vibes.

Pentagon says Netflix series ‘Boots’ is part of an ideological agenda

The show has been a huge hit for Netflix but the current US administration doesn't appear to be fans of the show.

WA government releases draft plan for suicide prevention

Mental Health Minister Meredith Hammatt says all Western Australians have a role to play.

On This Gay Day | ‘Holding the Man’ author Tim Conigrave died

His memoir became widely acclaimed as queer literature since its publication in 1995.

Barnaby Joyce says he won’t run again for the Nationals

The MP says he's considering his options and hasn't ruled out a switch to One Nation.

Kim Petras returns with ‘I Like Ur Look’

The new track is a mix of hyper pop and rock vibes.

Pentagon says Netflix series ‘Boots’ is part of an ideological agenda

The show has been a huge hit for Netflix but the current US administration doesn't appear to be fans of the show.