WA teachers back gay students

Perth teachers, students and parents learnt new ways to challenge sexuality and gender-based bullying last month. Western Australia’s Equal Opportunity Commission held its second forum on the issue at Balga State High School, drawing a crowd of about 100 people.

The forum was presented by five panel members including UnitingCare West Safer Schools representatives Vicki Barry and Helen Robinson, Bunbury SHS student services manager Kelly Anderson, Freedom Centre representative Dani Wright and Equal Opportunity Commissioner Yvonne Henderson.

“Parents, staff and students have told us this type of bullying is going on in schools; however it is a lot harder to deal with than other types of bullying, because it involves the sensitive issue of children’s sexuality,” Henderson said.

The program began in 2010 to counter homophobic and transphobic bullying in WA schools and has produced information pamphlets and a research report.