‘Extremely harmful’: Parents forced to sign contract about child’s gender identity
A Queensland school’s demand children adhere to the gender roles of their biological sex or face exclusion has been met with major backlash, with more than 50,000 people signing a petition against the move in just a matter of days.
Education
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A Brisbane school is requiring parents to sign a contract that states their children will identify as their birth gender or face being excluded from the school.
Citipointe Christian College, in Carindale, gave parents little more than a week before school returns to consider its new contract, which also proclaims beliefs that homosexuality and bisexuality are destructive to society.
The contract sparked outrage at the weekend, with more than 50,000 people so far signing an online petition calling on the Prep to Year 12 school to recall the amendments.
Petition creator Bethany Lau said she was shocked to read through a copy of the contract, and felt she had a responsibility to do something about it as a former Citipointe student.
“I started the petition for all the queer and trans kids who are born into religious families and don’t get a say in where they go to school and they are going to be made to feel less than human because of this contract,” Ms Lau said.
“I hope they feel less alone and they know that there are lots of people on their side and I ultimately hope that Citipointe recalls the amendment to their contract because it is inhumane.”
Principal Brian Mulheran on Friday sent an email, viewed by The Courier-Mail, which stated the school had sought legal advice and, given it was established for religious purposes, could include new clauses in its contract under international law and Commonwealth and State legislation.
Mr Mulheran attached the contract which stated the college required practices consistent with a person’s sex as recognised at birth.
“Whilst each student is individually valued and equally encouraged to pursue opportunities in both academic and co-curricular activities, I/we agree that, where distinctions are made between male and female (inclusive of, but not limited to, for example, uniforms, presentation, terminology, use of facilities and amenities, participation in sporting events and accommodation) such distinctions will be applied on the basis of the individual’s biological sex,” the contract stated.
“The Parents acknowledge and accept that, should I/we not share the college’s commitment to fostering these fundamental doctrinal precepts, this will constitute a serious departure from the religious precepts upon which Citipointe Christian College is based and will afford Citipointe Christian College the right to exclude a student from the College who no longer adheres to the College’s doctrinal precepts including those as to biological sex …”
A declaration of faith was attached to the Citipointe watermarked contract which also denounced homosexual and bisexual acts as “destructive to human relationships and society”.
Principal Pastor Brian Mulheran on Sunday said the school had always held “these Christian beliefs” and was trying to be fair and transparent to everyone in the community by making them clear in the enrolment contract.
“We are seeking to maintain our Christian ethos and to give parents and students the right to make an informed choice about whether they can support and embrace our approach to Christian education,” Mr Mulheran said.
“Citipointe does not judge students on their sexuality or gender identity and we would not make a decision about their enrolment in the College simply on that basis.
“ … We unequivocally love and respect all people regardless of their lifestyle and choices, even if those choices are different to our beliefs and practice.”
Former student and proud transgender man Samuel Martin said Mr Mulheran’s response was confusing and conflicted with the conditions in the contract.
He agreed with fellow alumni Ms Lau and Emmey Leo that the contract was conveying a culture that existed at the school for decades.
Mr Martin said he suffered depression and suicidal thoughts as a result of the shame he felt for not being the person he was expected to be.
“If a kid attending the school is already questioning their gender identity or sexuality, it could be extremely harmful to their growth,” he said.
“Even the fear of being caught or repressing who they are to stay safe is difficult enough and the school does not seem to be coming from a place of compassion here.”
Mr Martin said he experienced what it was like to not feel represented within his community and he hoped other students questioning their identity knew that life would get better after school.
“I live a very successful life, I’m in a loving relationship, I have a strong support network and I’ve just bought a home,” he said.
“You can be yourself and live a happy, fulfilling life.”
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