By - An Anonymous Teacher
I saw him around the school, his hair long, down to his waist, he was proud of his long hair, secure in himself as a boy, but everyday students asked him if he was trans. And everyday he would bravely say, 'A child who is 13 can't be trans!'
After seeing these interactions play out in front of me in that high school's playground, I approached him and asked him if he was ok and told him how brave he was and how some of the coolest rockstars of all time had hair like his. This student then confided in me about how crazy he is finding school, how the ridiculous trans stuff is everywhere. How he doesn't believe in any of it, how recently, in HPE, he was marked on his ability to identify people's 'genders and sexualities' based on descriptors.
After my conversations with this year 8 student, I went looking through the HPE curriculum and found that yes they were indeed being taught about brother boys, cis genders, pansexuals, and all manner of trans identities.
How did it get this bad? How is this being allowed in schools?
With such questions in mind I began my research into educational policies in Australian Public schools and here is what I found.
Australian Education Department's Inclusive Policies: “We all Belong, A Commitment to Diversity"
I discovered that The Australian Education Department has implemented an 'Inclusivity and diversity' policy entilted, ‘We all Belong’. The department describes that by adhering to and promoting the 'We all Belong' policy they are meeting the Australian Workforce Equality Index (AWEI) https://www.pid-awei.com.au/awei/. Yet, when I researched what the Australian Workforce Equality Index is, I found that it wasn't an Australian Government index or a global standard but instead is an ACON initiative, and ACON is an organisation that creates, supports and distributes trans related material https://www.acon.org.au. So of course, when I looked through the 'We all Belong', inclusivity policy, I found that it wasn't at all about making everyone involved in the Australian Education system feel that they belong but it is a policy about being supportive of 'all genders'.
'When reading through this so called ' We All Belong', policy I found that it does not address the needs of individuals outside the LGBTQ+ community, such as teachers and students from migrant families, those living in poverty, ESL learners, and those with disabilities. It also fails to protect those affected by sharing facilities with trans identifying individuals, compromising the safety and wellbeing of staff and students.'
Consequently, this 'We All Belong' policy does not align with the Australian Public Service Code of Conduct's ethics that mandates: respectful, apolitical, and impartial engagement with all community members. In fact the policy even recommends that teachers who oppose 'gender affirmation' or the inclusion of trans ideology in the curriculum may well face disciplinary action, shaming and job termination. As such teachers are gagged from voicing their concerns about changes that integrate trans terminology into subjects like biology, health and physical education, science, and Respectful Relationships. Additionally, teachers are actively restricted from informing parents if a child expresses a desire to change their gender, name, or pronouns at school.
The 'We All Belong' policy contradicts all of the following Australian Public Service Code of Conduct guidelines:
Commitment to the highest ethical standards.
Providing objective, independent, apolitical, and impartial advice.
Showing respect towards all individuals.
Prioritizing public interest and managing conflicts of interest.
Engaging with the community in an honest, fair, and respectful manner.
Who is ACON, and why does the Education Department use their guidelines on inclusion and diversity to inform Educational policies?
In researching ACON I found that it has created both incentives and initiatives that have found their way into, not only Australian public schools but many Australian Government sectors. ACON was established in 1985 to support individuals and families affected by HIV. Following the resolution of this health crisis, ACON expanded its focus to support community programs for the lesbian, bisexual, gay, and later, trans communities. Currently, ACON's mission is to "strive to be a global leader in community health, inclusion, and HIV responses for people of diverse sexualities and genders." Headquartered in Sydney with offices across New South Wales, ACON provides services and programs statewide, and nationally, primarily funded by the NSW Government through the NSW Ministry of Health.
In ACON’s disclaimer, it states that "nothing contained in this site (ACON) is intended to be used as medical advice... ACON does not accept any liability for any illness, loss, or damage incurred by use of or reliance on the information contained in this website." https://www.acon.org.au/acon-privacy-policy-disclaimer/
ACON claims to be 'specialists in human resources, organizational change, and workplace diversity', their own disclaimer raises questions about the reliability and the effectiveness of their materials in improving the health and wellbeing of any individual. As such, the policies derived from ACON's initiatives, programs and policies, like AWEI and ' We all Belong' should not be used by any department to inform policies that affect the education, body autonomy and future of the next generation.
Below is a summary of The Australian education Department's Inclusive Policies: 'A Commitment to Diversity, We all Belong'
In looking through it you can see how it inhibits teachers from speaking out
Creating an Inclusive Workforce
The Education Department is dedicated to fostering an inclusive workforce that mirrors the diverse community it serves. Recognizing diversity as a strength, the department supports LGBTQ+ employees, students and allies in bringing their authentic selves to work.
As per the department’s gender affirmation guide (PDF, 674KB), employees and students are entitled to use toilets and other facilities that are appropriate to their affirmed gender or have access to gender neutral or accessible bathrooms as required. the
Initiatives and Strategies
The department has implemented several initiatives to promote LGBTQ+ inclusion, guided by the Proud at Work workforce strategy and the broader We All Belong inclusion and diversity framework. These initiatives are designed to ensure that all employees and students feel valued and respected, irrespective of their gender identity or sexual orientation.
“The Preventing workplace bullying, sexual harassment and unlawful discrimination policy External link encourages the establishment and maintenance of a respectful workplace culture across the department. It clearly states that bullying, harassment and discrimination towards LGBTQ+ people and allies will not be tolerated. You can find the department’s complaints and grievances processes on OnePortal and/or reach out to your local rainbow liaison officer as listed below. If you need additional support, please see the link for Qlife in additional links and for the department’s Employee Assistance Program below.”
Recognition and Awards
The department's commitment to inclusion has been recognized through its consistent ranking as a Gold Tier Employer in the Australian Workforce Equality Index (AWEI) for three consecutive years. This prestigious award underscores the department’s ongoing efforts to create a supportive and inclusive work environment for LGBTQ+ individuals.
Support Systems
To further enhance inclusion, the department has established Rainbow Liaison Officers (RLOs) across various regions. RLOs provide training, peer support, and confidential advice to LGBTQ+ staff, students and their families. Additionally, the LGBTQ+ Steering Committee, formed in 2017, plays a crucial role in consulting on inclusion plans, organizing events, and fostering conversations about diversity within the department.
Policies and Resources
The department has a range of policies supporting LGBTQ+ employees, and students including:
The Proud at Work workforce strategy and the We All Belong framework, outlining the department's commitment to LGBTQ+ inclusion.
The Diversity and Inclusion Policy, which promotes a respectful and inclusive workplace.
The Preventing Workplace Bullying, Sexual Harassment, and Unlawful Discrimination policy, ensuring a safe and respectful environment for all employees.
Specific provisions for parental leave, gender affirmation, and appropriate workplace attire, supporting employees in all aspects of their professional and personal lives.
Employee Assistance Program
The department offers an Employee Assistance Program, providing support for personal, emotional, or work-related issues, with specialized services for LGBTQ+ employees.
Connecting and Collaborating
The True Colours Online Community and the Queensland Public Sector LGBTIQ+ Network provide platforms for LGBTQ+ employees and allies to connect, share information, and foster inclusive workplaces across the sector.
By implementing these comprehensive strategies and support systems, the Education Department continues to lead the way in creating an inclusive, diverse, and supportive workplace for all.
Resources
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