ADVOCATES URGE LEADERS NOT TO LEAVE TRANSGENDER STUDENTS AND TEACHERS BEHIND

LEGISLATION SHOULD NOT BE RUSHED TO MEET "WENTWORTH DEADLINE"

 

Equality advocates have welcomed a commitment from Bill Shorten to protect gay teachers and staff at religious schools from discrimination and have called on Scott Morrison to match the commitment.

 

But they have also urged both leaders not to forget transgender and gender diverse students and teachers in a rush to legislate.

 

Just.equal spokesperson, Rodney Croome said,

 

"It is in the best interests of students at faith-based schools that their teachers are employed on the basis of skill and nothing else."

 

"Tasmanian law has protected LGBTI teachers and other staff at faith-based organisations from discrimination for twenty years and there have been no complaints about religious freedom being impinged."

 

"If religious schools can operate in Tasmania without the right to discriminate against LGBTI people, there is no excuse for religious schools in other states."

 

Mr Croome said neither major-party leader has yet talked about protecting transgender and gender diverse students and teachers from discrimination.

 

"Transgender and gender diverse students and teachers are particularly vulnerable to stigma and discrimination and deserve the same protections as everyone else."

 

"It would make a mockery of any protections for gay students and teachers if their transgender counterparts were not also protected."

 

"We urge Parliament to get this legislation right, and not to rush to meet the arbitrary deadline set by the by-election in Wentworth."

 

For a copy of this statement on the web, click here