Premium Content:

Tasmanian 'Religious Freedom' Legislation May Affect LGBT Students

Court Gavel Law

Last week Tasmania passed new legislation that some are concerned will allow schools to discriminate against LGBT students and families.

- Advertisement -

The lower house on Thursday passed an amendment to the Anti-Discrimination Act which would allow religious schools to consider faith when making enrollment decisions.

Shortly after the legislation passed, the Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group issued a statement expressing concern that the law would allow schools to discriminate against LGBT students and the children of same sex parents.

“It will allow prejudiced school authorities to turn away students for any number of tawdry reasons dressed up as ‘religious belief’,” the statement said in part.

“Life is already hard enough for young gay people and the children of same-sex couples in religious schools without this kind of ideological move fostering prejudice and discrimination against them.”
The Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group stated that it would work with other community groups to make sure their concerns are heard when the legislation is debated in the Lesgialative COuncil, which could happen as early as this month.

Latest

InterLink achieves accreditation against national standards

The community-controlled intersex psychosocial support service run by InterAction for Health and Human Rights has achieved accreditation in line with the National Safety and Quality Digital Mental Health Standards. 

Miami Horror to headline Pride Live 2025

Miami Horror be joined by Tseba, and drag stars Karen from Finance and Spankie Jackzon.

Review | ‘Tivoli Lovely’ is a joyful, heartfelt celebration of Australian theatre history

A truly home-grown Western Australian musical has premiered in Perth this weekend, and it's a glitzy, high-energy and heartfelt love letter to Australia's rich theatre history.

Author Armistead Maupin makes plea for trans inclusion

"We cannot do that. We must be good guys. We must be good queers." Maupin said of gays and lesbians who don't stand up for trans inclusion.

Newsletter

Don't miss

InterLink achieves accreditation against national standards

The community-controlled intersex psychosocial support service run by InterAction for Health and Human Rights has achieved accreditation in line with the National Safety and Quality Digital Mental Health Standards. 

Miami Horror to headline Pride Live 2025

Miami Horror be joined by Tseba, and drag stars Karen from Finance and Spankie Jackzon.

Review | ‘Tivoli Lovely’ is a joyful, heartfelt celebration of Australian theatre history

A truly home-grown Western Australian musical has premiered in Perth this weekend, and it's a glitzy, high-energy and heartfelt love letter to Australia's rich theatre history.

Author Armistead Maupin makes plea for trans inclusion

"We cannot do that. We must be good guys. We must be good queers." Maupin said of gays and lesbians who don't stand up for trans inclusion.

Four dead, 13 injured after police chase crashes into gay bar

The car plowed into Bradley's on 7th, a popular gay bar which was filled with a Saturday night crowd.

InterLink achieves accreditation against national standards

The community-controlled intersex psychosocial support service run by InterAction for Health and Human Rights has achieved accreditation in line with the National Safety and Quality Digital Mental Health Standards. 

Miami Horror to headline Pride Live 2025

Miami Horror be joined by Tseba, and drag stars Karen from Finance and Spankie Jackzon.

Review | ‘Tivoli Lovely’ is a joyful, heartfelt celebration of Australian theatre history

A truly home-grown Western Australian musical has premiered in Perth this weekend, and it's a glitzy, high-energy and heartfelt love letter to Australia's rich theatre history.