Parents question Geelong childcare centre’s action against transphobia

The nation’s biggest childcare provider has backed a Geelong centre for celebrating a day of action against transphobia — but parents say it’s “not the place”.

Parents at the Goodstart centre in Geelong were invited to celebrate IDAHOBIT by ‘weearing your Rainbow colours’.

Australia’s largest childcare provider has defended a Geelong childcare centre’s celebration of a national day of action against homophobia and transphobia.

IDAHOBIT is celebrated on May 17 and aims to raise awareness of LGBTQIA+ rights.

It stands for the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia and Transphobia.

Parents at the Goodstart centre were invited to “join us wearing your Rainbow colours” via a message sent to all parents, accompanied by a photo of a staff member wearing rainbow nail polish.

One parent, who wished not to be named, said it was important all kids felt included and did not experience violence or harassment.

But she questioned why “confusing” ideas such as biphobia and transphobia were being introduced to three and four-year-olds.

The announcement sent to parents.

“There has to be a discussion around it (gender equality), and of course we do not support violence of any kind towards anyone,” she said.

“But it is not appropriate for a daycare to even have this certain day on their agenda for small children. It’s not the place.

“That’s not a conversation that you really want to have with your five-year-old.”

A spokeswoman for Goodstart said the company “celebrates diversity within our families and in the workplace and encourages employees to do the same.

“The centre has invited parents to also express their support for Goodstart employees by dressing their children in rainbow colours,” she said.

“While we support diversity and inclusion in all we do, no learning activities around IDAHOBIT Day are planned.”

The IDAHOBIT website details activities for the early childhood sector which provide “an opportunity to encourage children to reflect, share and discuss the diversity that they already engage with – in their school, families and broader community”.

Activities include reading books to children, such as The Family Book by Todd Parr, My House by Brenna and Vicki Harding and Introducing Teddy by Jessica Walton.

The 2016 Australian Census counted 46,800 same-sex couples living together in Australia which accounted for 0.9 per cent of all couple families. Around 11 per cent of gay men and 33 per cent of women have children.