Schools, sporting teams urged to fly LGBTQI+ flag for equality

Restrictions on terms like “mum”, “dad”, “boyfriend” and “girlfriend” are part of a push to make schools more inclusive to LGBTQI+ people.

Schools and sporting groups are bringing in unisex bathrooms, forming non-gendered playing teams and flying rainbow flags in a bid to be more inclusive.

Restrictions on terms like “mum”, “dad”, “boyfriend” and “girlfriend” are also part of a push to curb the dropout and suicide rates of LGBTQI+ young people.

The North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network has launched the #SpeakingUpSpeaksVolumes campaign to support LGBTQI+ students in schools.

The campaign does not focus on gendered language specifically, but general support for LGBTIQ+ young people.

The network’s CEO, Chris Carter, said the campaign “encouraged people to speak up and actively support LGBTQI+ kids”.

“When someone is experiencing bullying, silence often feels like indifference, which can create a terrible sense of isolation,” he said.

“The simple act of openly showing support can be a catalyst for great change for the better and it’s often the less obvious moments that can be the most impactful to someone’s wellbeing.”

Schools and sporting groups are bringing in unisex bathrooms.

The campaign draws on material from Proud2Play and VicHealth, which include strategies for schools and sporting groups such as rainbow flag signage, unisex and gender-neutral change rooms and toilets, non-gendered formats for teams, and allowing people to play according to gender identity.

The material also suggests avoiding “gendered terms” such as husband and girlfriend instead of the non-gendered partner, and mum and dad rather than parent.

People are also encouraged to ask others which pronouns they use.

Merrin, the mother of Jax, 12, who was “gender not-sure” in his early years before affirming his gender as a boy, said the support of the school had been crucial to her son’s growth.

“There needs to always be obvious support and prevention so kids like Jax don’t have their confidence derailed,” she said.

Rainbow flag signage is also being encouraged.

Another Victorian student, Natalie, who came out as bisexual in year 11, saw Pride Week posters supporting LGBTQI+ students replaced with posters saying “wear black to support the straights”.

Her principal, Colin Burke, who is now head of Elevation Secondary College in Craigieburn, said the homophobia was “really detrimental to our student culture”.

Mr Burke said schools were already doing a lot to be more inclusive and support students who may be persecuted for their sexual orientation.

“This includes gender non-specific bathrooms and taking down some of the boys and girls signs,” he said.

He said gender-specific language terms weren’t being banned, but there were proactive programs to promote more inclusive language.

“It’s also about calling out mistreatment and making it clear it’s not OK,” he said.

www.speakingupspeaksvolumes.org.au