Unisex toilet rollout recommended for Queensland Catholic schools

Hundreds of Queensland Catholic schools have been told to install controversial unisex toilets to support students in gender transitions. VOTE IN THE POLL

Queensland Catholic schools have been recommended to install controversial unisex toilets or change room areas to support students in gender transitions, according to the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference.

The conference has released a guide on gender and identity to support Catholic schools in responding to the individual social and pastoral needs of students in a “sensitive” way.

Queensland has more than 300 Catholic primary and secondary schools and more than 150,000 students.

The guide, Created and Loved, said a review was being undertaken in several areas with schools well placed to deal with most matters that may surface is a student is undergoing physiological and/or medical intervention.

Unisex toilets have been installed at Burpengary’s St Eugene College. Picture: Supplied

Unisex toilets have been the subject of controversy in Queensland schools in the past.

The state government was forced to backflip on a gender neutral toilet block that was set to be installed at the $80m Fortitude Valley State Secondary College following parent and expert outcry.

St Eugene College at Burpengary also installed unisex toilets without consulting parents to trial a gender-neutral approach to “match what happens in family homes”.

Chair of the commission Archbishop Peter Comensoli said the guide offers principles that can

be used by Catholic education authorities for their own contexts.

The guide recommended schools provide a unisex toilet and change room area or create a private bathroom space not aligned to biological sex to increase the access and safety options of vulnerable students and potentially alleviate anxieties.

Appropriate bathroom and sleeping arrangements would be required to ensure students felt safe and supported on school camps and events.

Further, it recommended schools offer flexibility with uniform expectations that cater to the diversity of the student body.

It also recommended schools ensure any school policy states that all documentation is to record a student’s biological sex when they’re enrolled.

“Catholic schools are well placed to handle the above practical matters sensitively and thoughtfully, keeping in mind that the majority of students experiencing gender variance may not desire or seek out a medical intervention for transition,” the guide read.

Education specialists including principals and teachers were consulted by the bishops and advice was sought from parents with children facing gender questions.

It also heard from bioethicists and experts in the field and from the international church community.

“The Catholic Church and our schools begin from the foundational principle that each person is created in the image and likeness of God, and is loved by God,” Archbishop Comensoli said.

“That principle guides this document, which we offer to our schools to support them in walking compassionately alongside each student we are invited to educate.”

A Queensland Catholic Education Commission spokeswoman said the guide reinforced the work being done and support being provided to Queensland Catholic school students.

The spokeswoman said schools, school leaders and staff would be able to reference the guide to establish a safe and trusting relationship with students where issues of identity can be discussed openly.

“Catholic schools are communities of faith, and that faith is lived out through the care, respect and love shown by staff to all those in their care, within strong, supportive and respectful school environments,” she said.

“The guide provides schools with a framework for making decisions in the local context to support the wellbeing of all students.

“The primary aim of Catholic schools is to provide nurturing and supportive environments for all students.”