Sydney, Australia
Following widespread public condemnation, a Christian college in the Australian state of Queensland has withdrawn a controversial parental contract perceived as anti-gay and anti-gender diverse, and the headmaster has apologised.
Citipointe Christian College in Brisbane on Friday asked parents to sign a contract agreeing to a range of conditions canvassing a range of topics, including school values, discipline and fees. It also also asked them to adhere to the notion that their child’s gender be recognised only as that registered at birth.
The move angered many parents, with some immediately withdrawing their children from the school, and those within the LGBTQI+ community, who labelled it offensive, discriminatory and illegal. At least one teacher reportedly resigned over the issue.
Parent Janina Leo, whose child identifies as transgender, told the Nine Network she has disenrolled her three children from the school.
A change.org petition calling on the withdrawal of the contract on Thursday claimed victory after receiving 155,820 online signatures. Queensland education minister Grace Grace, who also has a child that identifies as non-binary, said earlier this week the school would be referred to the state’s independent accreditation board.
“I think this is unacceptable. Every student deserves to feel accepted and supported at school. The ‘values’ laid out in this document don’t seem very Christian to me,” she said in a statement.
“I’ve raised the issue with the Attorney General around anti- discrimination laws, and I’d encourage parents, carers, or students at the school to report this to the Human Rights Commission.”
The contract, which was issued to parents on the Friday night before students were due to start online learning on Monday.
It stated in part, “Whilst each student is individually valued and equally encouraged to pursue opportunities in both academic and co-curricular activities, I/we agree that, where distinctions are made between male and female (inclusive of, but not limited to, for example, uniforms, presentation, terminology, use of facilities and amenities, participation in sporting events and accommodation) such distinctions will be applied on the basis of the individual’s biological sex”.
Failure to agree to the terms would give the college “the right to exclude a student from the College who no longer adheres to the College’s doctrinal precepts including those as to biological sex”.
It also stated, “We believe that any form of sexual immorality (including but not limiting to adultery, fornication, homosexual acts, bisexual acts, bestiality, incest, paedophilia and pornography) is sinful and offensive to God and is destructive to human relationships and society”.
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In a statement on Thursday, Citipointe advised it had withdrawn the enrolment contract issued on 28th January and said some [current] students had been vilified due to their attendance at the college and because of their faith.
“Families will no longer be asked to agree to that contract for their child to be enrolled in the College,” the statement says.
Principal, Pastor Brian Mulheran, said, “We deeply regret that some students feel that they would be discriminated against because of their sexuality or gender identity, and I apologise to them and their families on behalf of the college.
“As stated previously, the College does not and will not discriminate against any student because of their sexuality or gender identity. It is central to our faith that being gay or transgender in no way diminishes a person’s humanity or dignity in God’s eyes.”
Mulheran said it was “deeply distressing” that some students had been vilified in the community simply for their religious beliefs or because they attend the College.
“I hope that by withdrawing the contract we can return all of our focus to the Christian education of our students as we begin this new year,” he said.
“Every individual is created equal in the image of God and should be treated with compassion, love, kindness, respect and dignity. This will continue to be at the heart of our College and help us to come together again as a community.
“Our society gives freedom to people to be a part of groups with shared beliefs. Citipointe has the freedom to maintain its Christian ethos and this is an essential part of Christian education and choice for parents. As a College established for religious purposes, we will continue to provide an education based on our shared beliefs.”
The headline has been amended.
