Prevent the passing of the Education Legislation Amendment Bill
Petitioner:
Miss Molly Pearce
| Member:
Leong, Jenny
| No. of Signatories:
516
| Date closed:
13/05/2021
To the Speaker and Members of the Legislative Assembly,
The proposed amendments to the Education Act 1990 that aim to "to prohibit the teaching of the ideology of gender fluidity to children in schools" and "to ensure that curriculum, syllabuses, and courses of instruction at all levels of schooling do not include the teaching of gender fluidity and recognise parental primacy in relation to core values" are harmful not only to the education of our youth, but to their mental health.
Transgender people have an extremely high rate of suicide compared to other demographics. This bill very much may contribute to it. This amendment will stop school counselors from affirming trans, gender questioning or gender diverse students and prevent them from providing them with any support or referrals. This amendment will stop our children from getting the support they need from trusted adults.
This legislation could see important historical figures, such as Hatshepsut of the Eighteenth Dynasty or the renowned surgeon James Miranda Barry, unable to even be mentioned in the classroom. It will also see certain aspects of certain cultures - such as the Fa'afafine of Samoa or the Hjira of the Indian continent - unable to be mentioned within humanities classes.
The proposed amendment is of no positive impact to our school children. We, the undersigned petitioners, request its immediate dismissal. Schools should be a safe space for our children regardless of what beliefs their parents may hold.
