Diversity support pulled

The NSW Attorney General’s Department has ordered its logo be removed from the Learn To Include (LTI) website.

The direction follows a tabloid media controversy over its decision to reprint the educational book Where Did I Really Come From?

LTI, a publisher specialising in classroom material on diversity and same-sex families, printed an updated version of Narelle Wickham’s 1992 book designed for ages two to 12, including adding an image of a gay male couple with their child.

Borders has already placed a large order to stock the book in all its Australian stores.

LTI project manager Vicki Harding praised the book as groundbreaking and informative.

The publisher had previously been given the logo to promote two Government anti-bullying sponsorship grants for LTI books including The Rainbow Cubby House and Koalas on Parade.

But Sydney Star Observer understands the Attorney General’s office contacted MediaWatch to complain about newspaper reports linking Wickham’s book to the department because its logo appeared on the LTI website.

Harding said she wasn’t being malicious by leaving the logo on the website and said she thought the department was proud to be seen to be supporting diversity and anti-bullying materials it had sponsored.

The Attorney General’s Department asked for its logo to be removed last week in an email sighted by SSO, claiming it implied ongoing support for all the material available through LTI.

The department claimed it does not provide broad endorsements of any non-government organisation, but remains committed to the safety of GLBT people and communities.

In 2002 and 2004, the Attorney General’s Department provided grants to Learn to Include for the production of early intervention resources aimed at preventing discrimination, bullying and violence, a spokesman said.

In February this year the department launched the Safety Partnerships website [and] funded a range of GLBT crime prevention projects, including a recently published Aboriginal community resource for combating homophobia and transphobia.

The department recently updated the booklet Understanding Your Legal Rights -” A Guide for Lesbians and Gay Men in NSW.

Where Did I Really Come From? is available for purchase from the Learn to Include website.