RAINBOW TERRITORY media release – Immediate release – 26 August, 2016
Giles’ language in Safe Schools debate is homophobic and derogatory
At the Sky News People’s Forum held in Darwin on Thursday night ahead of the NT election on Saturday, the Chief Minister backflipped on his previous agreement to implement the Safe Schools program and used the phrase “grooming kids in their sexuality” when describing his opposition to the Safe Schools program in the NT.
This statement was made 10 days after expressing support for the program at the NTCOSS Election Forum, and promising that it would be rolled out by Semester 2 2016.
“The use of the phrase “grooming kids in their sexuality” in relation an anti-bullying program is appalling” said Rainbow Territory member Jane Black. “The use of such language and inference draws on bigoted and unfounded beliefs about the lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer and intersex community.”
“Safe Schools is program that addresses the homophobic and transphobic bullying that is present in schools. If it didn’t talk about sexuality or gender identity it would be totally ineffective. If we want to address the high rates of suicide in the Territory, we need to start talking about this, not shutting it down.” said Jane Black Rainbow Territory member.
“This is Adam Giles gaining political points by targeting some of the most vulnerable young people in the NT, who can’t even vote against him.” said Jane Black, Rainbow Territory member.
Safe Schools is a federally funded program aimed at creating safe and supportive school environments for same sex attracted, intersex and gender diverse people by reducing homophobic and transphobic bullying and discrimination in schools.
Adam Giles’ comments were made on the eve of the Wear It Purple day, a movement to build a world in which every young person can thrive, irrelevant of sex, sexuality or gender identity. Wear it Purple Day also marks the second anniversary of the formation of Rainbow Territory. The group was brought together in response to homophobic comments made by a former leader within the CLP.
-ENDS-
Contact
Jane Black, Rainbow Territory member and media representative. Email: lgbtqi2014nt@gmail.com