Neighbours says no to homophobia

A Rainbow Network poster advocating diversity in the classroom has been spotted on the walls of Erinsborough High in long-running soap Neighbours.

Rainbow Network this month launched a poster to be displayed in schools to combat homophobia and make a visual statement that diversity is accepted.

On April 30, Neighbours aired a scene in which one of the posters was attached to the fictional Erinsborough High classroom walls.

Rainbow Network is a Victoria-wide member organisation for those working with same-sex attracted or transgender young people in community and school-based settings.

The poster sighting is a positive footnote to reports of -˜controversy’ surrounding lesbian plotlines in rival soaps in recent months.

Rainbow Network said if Erinsborough High can say no to homophobia, then so too can local schools around Victoria.

The state Government last year released a policy document, Supporting Sexual Diversity in Schools, which encourages schools to combat homophobia to protect GLBT students from bullying. It also provides advice and guidance on how to deal with sexual diversity and where to find information and support.

Posters can be downloaded from the Rainbow Network website or can be ordered.

Details: rainbownetwork.net.au