Premium Content:

"Love is love, cat food is cat food": Scots College in Sydney apologises

The Principal of Sydney’s prestigious Scots College has apologised for homophobic comments made by a visiting pastor during a recent school assembly.

- Advertisement -

According to the Sydney Morning Herald principal Ian Lambert (pictured) issued the apology after multiple students and staff raised concern about the content of a speech delivered by Presbyterian Reverend David Maher.

Reverend Maher spoke to staff and students at an assembly on 13th June, later staff and students voiced their concern that the sermon had homophobic and misogynistic overtones including the phrase “Love is love, cat food is cat food”.

‘Love is Love’ was a key phrase used during Australia’s campaign for marriage equality, while recent opposition to the acceptance of transgender people has led to the urban myth that people have begun identifying as cats.

Speaking to students Dr Lambert said the school valued diversity.

“I would like to say, I think it is important to nip it in the bud, to any boys who were upset and offended by comments made yesterday I would like to apologise to you. The Scots College values the rich diversity of this college.”

In April the school was forced to deny it would be asking students about their sexual history after their governing body The Presbyterian Church of Australia wrote in a submission to a government inquiry about the need for religious schools to be able to discriminate against gay students, saying students who were homosexual would not be suitable for leadership roles.

TV host Hamish McDonald, who is a graduate of the school, asked how the school would ever know about a student’s sexual history.

The thing that strikes me is there’s a practical side to this. Are you seriously going to ask 16 and 17-year-old kids vying to be a school prefect or head prefect ‘Are you gay?’”, Macdonald asked on The Project.

OIP Staff


You can support our work by subscribing to our Patreon
or contributing to our GoFundMe campaign.

 

 

Latest

From pop star to podcasts: Kim Hart chats about her remarkable career

She had an memorable Aussie Top 10 hit in the 1980's but now you'll find Kim Hart diving into the world of crime and fascinating stories.

June is Bowel Cancer Awareness Month – have you been tested?

Bowel cancer is one of Australia’s most common cancers, often developing with no signs or symptoms – which is why regular screening is so important.

SXSW Sydney 2025 reveals massive multimedia program

South By Southwest Sydney (SXSW Sydney) is returning this year with a huge line-up of international creative and industry talent.

Bibliophile | Fredrik Backman’s ‘My Friends’ explores meaning we find in art

My Friendsby Fredrik BackmanSimon & Schuster Louisa hated the pompous...

Newsletter

Don't miss

From pop star to podcasts: Kim Hart chats about her remarkable career

She had an memorable Aussie Top 10 hit in the 1980's but now you'll find Kim Hart diving into the world of crime and fascinating stories.

June is Bowel Cancer Awareness Month – have you been tested?

Bowel cancer is one of Australia’s most common cancers, often developing with no signs or symptoms – which is why regular screening is so important.

SXSW Sydney 2025 reveals massive multimedia program

South By Southwest Sydney (SXSW Sydney) is returning this year with a huge line-up of international creative and industry talent.

Bibliophile | Fredrik Backman’s ‘My Friends’ explores meaning we find in art

My Friendsby Fredrik BackmanSimon & Schuster Louisa hated the pompous...

WA government announce new ‘post and boast’ laws

In future footage posted online that shows people breaking the law could see those posting the clips in court.

From pop star to podcasts: Kim Hart chats about her remarkable career

She had an memorable Aussie Top 10 hit in the 1980's but now you'll find Kim Hart diving into the world of crime and fascinating stories.

June is Bowel Cancer Awareness Month – have you been tested?

Bowel cancer is one of Australia’s most common cancers, often developing with no signs or symptoms – which is why regular screening is so important.

SXSW Sydney 2025 reveals massive multimedia program

South By Southwest Sydney (SXSW Sydney) is returning this year with a huge line-up of international creative and industry talent.