Transpositions

10 Feb 2016

Labor Refutes Transphobic MP Comments

FTM, Gender Diversity, Gender Non Conforming, LGBTIQ, Support, Trans-Man, Transgender, Transman, Transmen, Transwomen

If you quote the Basic Principles of the Australian Labor Party, NSW Branch: “The Australian Labor Party has its origins in the aspirations of the Australian people for a decent secure, dignified and constructive way of life”. Yet somehow no one ever told NSW Labor MP Greg Donnelly that.

The Daily Examiner, partly owned by News Limited, has reported that NSW Labor MP Greg Donnelly has criticised the Safe Schools Coalition use of the children’s book, The Gender Fairy, to promote an inclusive school environment for same sex attracted, intersex and gender diverse students, staff and families.

Greg Donnelly said “I would argue that parents are being deliberately left in the dark by schools and those promoting the program.”

The book, authored by Jo Hirst is a story two children who are taking steps towards living as their true selves. The book is designed to be read in the classroom, or at home to children aged from four and older. Speaking to TRANSpositions on JOY 94.9 Jo Hirst expressed the anxieties her son experienced when returning to school as his affirmed gender and the important role the Safe Schools Coalition in his school transition.

Melanie Gaylard from the Safe Schools Coalition told TRANSpositions on JOY 94.9 they perform staff training “about how they can make their teaching practices and curriculum more inclusive for same sex attracted, intersex and gender diverse population at their school”, and “work with trans young people, who want to affirm their gender identity to make to make that a safe and supportive process”.

Victorian Labor MP and Minister for Equality, Martin Foley told JOY 94.9, “Victorian Labor refutes these transphobic comments. They do not reflect Labor’s policy and are a throw-back to times when transphobic stigma. It is never acceptable.” Martin Foley launched the book “as an exemplar for what schools, carers and the wider community can do to assist in Gender Dysphoria and questioning environments.”

“If we are serious in removing stigma and discrimination against LGBTI people then these unhelpful comments need to be called out for what they are – a dog whistle to unhelpful and antiquated views that ultimately hurt people. “, he said.

The issues surrounding the misinformation of transgender children come off the bat of negative comments by English broadcaster, Jeremy Clarkson and more recently in the Melbourne suburb of Frankston where a mother removed her children from a school in protest against the Safe Schools Coalition program; and if you read in-between the lines, a program that advocates a decent secure, dignified and constructive way of life.