Citipointe Christian College reaches settlement with parents over gender contracts

The Pentecostal Christian school that made national headlines after issuing a controversial student gender and sexuality contract, Citipointe Christian College, has reached a settlement with parents.

The college in Carindale on Brisbane’s southside has issued an “expression of regret” two years after asking parents to sign a new enrolment contract, which stated that homosexuality was “sinful”.

The contract, sent to families in January 2022, stipulated that the school would only enrol students on the basis of the gender that corresponded to their biological sex. It also said homosexuality was sinful, like bestiality, incest and paedophilia.

The contract was withdrawn the next month amid fierce community backlash, and the school’s principal Pastor Brian Mulheran resigned.

Protesters outside Citipointe Christian College in February 2022 after the school issued sexuality contracts.Credit: Getty

Parents took the school to the Queensland Human Rights Commission, and on Sunday the school issued a statement expressing regret.

“It is acknowledged that the issuance of the enrolment contract, coupled with a request for the prompt execution and return, caused distress and concern to some students and parents,” the statement reads.

“We regret any distress or concern which was caused to students, parents and guardians of students or prospective students of the college.”

Former Citipointe Christian College student Felicity Myers outside the school with protesters in January 2022.Credit: AAP

Former teacher and parent Helen Clapham Burns said the statement was a step towards reconciliation between the school and LGBTI community.

“This statement is very powerful. It allows and demonstrates a conversation can take place between religious communities with different interpretations,” she told ABC Radio Brisbane on Monday.

“Our goal has been the safety of students who are part of the LGBTI community.”

She hoped this was the first step for the religious community to understand the importance of inclusive language and love for all students regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

The Public Interest Advocacy Centre said the school’s expression of regret showed how anti-discrimination laws need to be changed to prevent schools around the country from implementing special rules against LGBTI students and teachers.

“All students should have the right to learn and grow, free from the fear of discrimination on the basis of their sexual orientation or gender identity,” director Alastair Lawrie said in a statement.

“The Commonwealth Government must urgently implement the Australian Law Reform Commission’s straight-forward recommendations to ensure every student, in every classroom around the country, is finally protected.”

Lawrie raised particular concern at laws in NSW where there are broad exceptions for religious schools.

“The successful outcome of complaints in relation to Citipointe’s January 2022 enrolment contract also sends a strong message to the NSW government that it is time to remove outdated privileges that allow religious schools to discriminate against LGBTQ people,” he said.

A bill is being considered by the NSW government that would remove the exceptions.