CALL TO STRIP TAXPAYER FUNDING FROM CITIPOINTE COLLEGE
BOTH MAJOR PARTIES MUST SUPPORT PROTECTIONS FOR LGBTIQ+ TEACHERS IN RELIGIOUS SCHOOLS
Just.Equal Australia has called on the Federal and Queensland governments to strip Citipointe College of its public funding.
The organisation has also urged both major parties to protect LGBTIQ+ staff in faith-based schools.
The call follows news today that the school is asking staff to sign employment contracts that say they will be sacked for being LGBTIQ+.
Earlier this year the school asked parents to sign contracts declaring homosexuality immoral and implying students would only have their biological sex recognised, not their gender identity.
Just.Equal Australia spokesperson, Brian Greig, said,
"Religious schools cannot continue to defy discrimination laws and public opinion, and expect to receive public funding."
"There comes a limit where taxpayers should no longer be expected to fund bigotry, and Citipointe has reached that limit."
"We call on the Federal and Queensland governments to withdraw all public funding for Citipointe College until it can show it respects the laws of the governments that fund it and the inclusive attitudes of the everyday Australians who pay."
Queensland law prohibits discrimination against LGBTIQ+ staff and students in faith-based schools.
In 2018, polling by YouGov Galaxy found that 78% of voters believe that religious schools should not be entitled to taxpayer funding if they discriminate against gay, lesbian and transgender teachers and students. Its polling in February this year found that 62% of voters opposed schools discriminating sagainst LGBTIQ+ teachers.
Mr Greig also called on both major parties to support federal discrimination potections for LGBTIQ+ staff in faith-based schools and other organisations.
"Existing LGBTIQ+ discrimination protections in places like Tasmania and the ACT have not prevented faith-based schools from operating according to their religious ethos."
"It's time such protections were adopted nationally."
"Ahead of the federal election, we will campaign for both major parties to show stronger support for such protections."
For a copy of this statement on the web, click here
For more information contact Brian Greig on 0407 776 961.
