NSW LEADERS URGED TO SUPPORT TRANS KIDS IN RESPONSE TO TRANS ERASURE BILL
“We would very much like for the NSW Parliament to emerge from this debate with a better understanding of our amazing transgender children and families, and as a result, to reject this legislation.” - Eloise Brook
NSW peak transgender organisation,
The Gender Centre, together with
just.equal, has launched a new initiative that encourages NSW political leaders to learn more about the needs of trans and gender diverse young people, and urges them not to support the Education Amendment Bill put forward by One Nation state MP, Mark Latham.
The One Nation bill would ban all recognition of trans and gender diverse school students and threaten staff with dismissal if they provide any support to these vulnerable young people or encourage other students to treat trans people with respect.
Further, a parent could withdraw a child from any discussion of LGBTIQ+ issues in school.
The Gender Centre, working with national advocacy group, just.equal, has launched
a webform that makes it easy for allies of trans and gender diverse young people and their families to write to NSW political leaders affirming these young people and expressing concerns about the One Nation bill.
All emails sent through
the webform will also go to the current Parliamentary inquiry into the bill.
On top of their letter-writing initiative, the two groups have launched
a petition calling for NSW leaders to affirm trans and gender diverse students, and not allow them to be erased from NSW schools.
The Gender Centre spokesperson, Eloise Brook, said,
“By prohibiting the recognition of trans and gender diverse students, the Education Amendment Bill would effectively restrict the ability of these students to attend school.”
“The bill would have a profoundly negative impact on trans youth health. Transgender children would struggle to access education safely in a way that every other NSW student receives. It would give a green light to bullying, and it would increase demand on the state’s already overstretched mental health system.”
“What we are seeing currently being debated in Parliament is at odds with the reality of trans and gender diverse children and their families.”
“This has led to the Gender Centre commenting on the proposed amendments and encouraging parliamentarians to become more informed about the negative impacts that would arise should this legislation be enacted.”
“We would very much like for the NSW Parliament to emerge from this debate with a better understanding of our amazing transgender children and families, and as a result, to reject this legislation.”
Just.equal spokesperson, Rodney Croome, said there is national concern about the NSW bill.
“LGBTIQ+ people across Australia are worried bills like the one proposed in NSW may be introduced elsewhere.”
“We want to do all we can to support LGBTIQ+ communities in NSW stand against this discriminatory legislation so it won't be enacted and so it won't spread to other states and territories.”
“I urge everyone who wants to affirm trans and gender diverse people, and oppose the One Nation bill, to
send an email and
sign the petition.”
Letters sent through the webform will go to the parliamentary inquiry into the bill, as well as to the NSW Premier, Opposition leader, Education Minister and Shadow Education Minister.
A graphic for the joint initiative is attached.
For a copy of this statement on the web, click
here
For more information contact
GC media manager, Eloise Brook, on 0403 187 944
just.equal spokesperson, Rodney Croome, on 0409 010 668
