‘Not very Christian’: Brisbane private school blasted over controversial contract
An emotional Education Minister Grace Grace has again responded to a Brisbane private school’s gender contract, saying as a parent of a non-binary child, the “situation was distressing”.
Education
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Education Minister Grace Grace says as a parent of a non-binary child, a Brisbane private school’s controversial new gender contract was “very distressing”.
More than 50,000 people have signed an online petition for Citipointe Christian College to recall amendments to its contract requiring parents to agree that their children will identify as their birth gender or face being excluded from the school.
“As a parent of a non-binary child, that situation is very distressing,” Ms Grace said.
Ms Grace said the situation at Citipointe Christian College was “unbelievable” and the school had been warned by the Human Rights Commission.
The move by the school sparked outrage, with Ms Grace on Monday confirming she would be referring the matter to the Non-State Schools Accreditation Board, as well as the Attorney-General.
“I think this is unacceptable, the ‘values’ laid out in this document don’t seem very Christian to me,” Ms Grace said.
“Every student deserves to feel accepted and supported at school.
“I’ve raised the issue with the Attorney-General around anti-discrimination laws, and I’d encourage parents, carers, or students (who believe they have been discriminated against) at the school to report this to the Human Rights Commission.”
The Board was contacted by The Courier-Mail but did not provide a response.
Ms Grace’s involvement comes after a furious Corrine McMillan, State MP for Mansfield, sounded the alarm and called out discrimination.
Ms McMillan, a former school principal herself, said she was “completely opposed to the homophobic and transphobic positions put forward” in the Carindale college’s new enrolment contract.
“I will not let this issue go … today I raised my concerns directly with Education Minister Grace Grace via a zoom call.
“I know how hard these formative years can be for all students, especially LGTBIQ+ students, without having the school leadership actively promoting discrimination.
“I believe our community is one of inclusivity, equity and fairness – and that’s what I’ll be standing up for.”
Ms McMillan said discrimination had “no place in our community”
“Our young people especially should not have to manage discrimination based on their sexuality, identity or gender,” she said.
Ms McMillan said policies and rules in all Queensland schools must reflect the Queensland Anti-discrimination and Human Rights Acts.
“Families seeking a Christian education should not have to contend with discrimination based on their child’s gender or sexuality,” she said.
“I stand with our parents, teachers and students who are outraged by such bigotry and extreme right ideology.”
Citipointe principal Brian Mulheran defended the Carindale school in the wake of backlash over the weekend, after telling parents the school sought legal advice to include the new clauses.
QUT senior law lecturer Dr Alex Deagon told The Courier-Mail the move by Citipointe was legal under Section 38 of the federal Sex Discrimination Act as it stands.
The section states it is not unlawful for educational institutions established for religious purposes to discriminate against people in certain circumstances on the basis of their sex, sexual orientation or gender identity.
But LGBTI Community Legal Service president Matilda Alexander said Queensland had some of the toughest anti-discrimination laws in the country and she questioned whether the new conditions in the contract were legal under state law.
Queensland Anti-Discrimination Act states direct discrimination occurs when a person proposes to treat a person with an attribute less favourably than another, and those attributes can include gender identity and sexuality.
“There’s diversity of views in the legal fraternity but it’s my opinion that … in that contract there is evidence of discriminatory … behaviour on behalf of Citipointe.”
Ms Alexander said LGBTI Legal Service would provide urgent legal advice to families at the school concerned about the contract.
Former Citipointe transgender student Emmey Leo said the legal service helped her last year when the college heard she had bought a dress for the formal, and advised that she was expected to dress conservatively, in male formal attire.
“I was very confused and incredibly stressed as I had expected I would just be able to attend the formal without being held up, like any other student,” Ms Leo said.
“It was very scary.”
Ms Leo said she wouldn’t have made it to the formal if it wasn’t for the help of Ms Alexander.
She said anyone feeling confused by how they may be impacted by Citipointe’s new contract should get in touch with the service for free and confidential legal advice.
Queensland Attorney-General Shannon Fentiman also encouraged parents and students who believe they have been discriminated against to make a complaint to the Human Rights Commission.
“We have strong laws in place to protect Queenslanders against discrimination and that’s why we introduced the Human Rights Act in 2020,” Ms Fentiman said.
“We need to ensure our laws protect and promote equality for our diverse communities.
“If there are parents or students who believe they have been discriminated against as a result of the school’s policies, they should make a complaint to the Human Rights Commission.”
The Human Rights Commission is currently reviewing Queensland’s Anti-Discrimination Act.
A government spokesman for the federal Attorney-General’s office said it was important all schools abided within the law and they believe Citipointe had sought advice.
“It is important for all religious educational institutions to act within the law when outlining their enrolment policies and we understand that the relevant school has sought legal advice on this issue,” the spokesman said.
National spokeswoman for PFLAG Jane Hopkins has been supporting members of the school who reported their mental health had been impacted by the contract.
She fears the conditions introduced by Citipointe could become more common if a religious discrimination bill, currently before two federal parliamentary committees, is voted through.
“Citipointe is a prime example of what schools will be able to do if this bills go through,” Ms Hopkins said.
“They will be able to say and do whatever they like to harm people, and they will be covered by the law.”
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