“Religious freedom is a vital aspect of Australian society and religious communities should feel respected and protected,” the committee’s report states, recommending legislation to remove discrimination exemptions not be passed and for the issue to undergo another inquiry.
“This is not some epidemic of gays being expelled. Rather than responding to a pressing social need, this bill, we view, has been proposed in support of a long-term political strategy advanced by a vocal minority.”
Macdonald is the chair of the Senate committee due to report next week on an inquiry into the bill which would introduce protections for LGBTI students at faith-based and independent schools.
Advocates say that Scott Morrison’s school funding package, which will see Catholic schools receive $4.1 billion public money over the next decade, should be linked to the removal of discrimination exemptions.
Wintour called for Margaret Court Arena to be renamed before saying she has “been alarmed by your Prime Minister’s record on LGBTQ rights, which seems backward in all senses.”
“Nearly seventy percent of Liberal voters agree that LGBTQ students and teachers need to be protected. It’s time for Prime Minister Morrison to listen to his constituents about the need for change.”
Karen Pence was reported to be returning to teaching at Immanuel Christian School, which forbids “homosexual or lesbian sexual activity, polygamy, transgender identity, any other violation of the unique roles of male and female”.
“We didn’t find a lot of evidence of actual material discrimination that would be of concern”
“LGBTI communities spoke of the stress and mental health pressures placed on teachers who felt compelled to hide their identity from colleagues and students.”
“Freedom needs to be protected – including and especially the right to dissent from the rainbow gender-fluid world view,” Lyle Shelton said.
