Many of the teens felt including information that was more inclusive or representative of LGBTQA+ identities, could help lessen discrimination.
It is becoming increasingly difficult to go a day without seeing a headline, social media post or public figure sharing harmful rhetoric about LGBTQA+ people. Often framed around claims of a so-called "woke agenda", this rhetoric includes misinformation about LGBTQA+ inclusive education and narratives about so-called "gender ideology" that seek to portray the inclusion of gender diversity in educational environments as a threat. This rhetoric can cause harm to a population who already experience disproportionate rates of psychological distress, self-harm and suicidality.What is often lost in these conversations, dictated by a loud minority of people, is what young people themselves have to say about education that is more inclusive
It has been almost a decade since national funding ended for the Safe Schools Program, which supported schools to create safer and more inclusive environments for LGBTIQA+ students. Its demise came amid intense political debate about LGBTIQA+ rights, including the lead-up to the legalisation of same-sex marriage. Young people raised their voices then, opposing the defunding of Safe Schools and calling for their own schools to remain places where LGBTIQA+ students should feel safe and included. While the East Coast initiative Safe Schools was eventually dismantled due to pressure rendering schools now reluctant to tackle such topics for fear of backlash, almost a decade later, it turns out young people still call for similar education.
Research continues to show that students want more from their education when it comes to the inclusion of sexuality and gender diversity. New data from Edith Cowan University (ECU) research shows that this is not the case for LGBTIQA+ people alone, but also their cisgender, heterosexual peers. Perhaps we should take young people for their word. That is, after all, at the heart of Wear It Purple Day coming up on Friday 28 August - a movement created by young people to call on all of us to help build a world where LGBTIQA+ young people can feel safe, supported and proud to be who they are.
What teens say
West Australian teens spoken to as part of ECU research via interviews and focus groups found that young people believe more education is needed to affirm identities and promote inclusion in schools:
"I feel like sexuality and gender was rarely ever covered. I think that's important 'cause it's just the way people are, and I think learning about it makes you more open to new ideas about it and less hostile to other people that don't fit your norms." (Focus Group participant aged 14-16, Mixed-gender focus group).
Importantly, many of the teens expressed these views regardless of whether they identified as LGBTQA+ or not:
"I think something they could focus on a bit more is maybe the LGBTQI+ community because they don't really touch on that at all" - Ethan (Heterosexual male)
Many of the teens felt including information that was more inclusive or representative of LGBTQA+ identities, could help lessen discrimination:
A lot of us are gay and stuff, so we get called a lot of slurs in daily life so that can be quite harmful [...] some of the kids in my year make jokes about it, like: "do you identify as a –helicopter?"– one of my friends who was female, is trans and there is a lot of hate towards them […]" - Max (non-binary)
Participants relayed that clubs for young LGBTQA+ people are helpful and affirming, as are pride celebrations and other dates of significance, however, more is needed:
"Well at our school we have a club for gay people. It's in a classroom for whoever supports it. Then sometimes we have days where gay people can dress up in rainbow stuff and dress up how they like dressing up and stuff.: but heaps of guys at my school pull the piss out of them and stuff." - Seraphina (female)
While days such as 'Wear it Purple' give a chance to support and stand together in solidarity, more is needed to dismantle discrimination and bullying based on identity, and to promote ongoing safety for queer communities.
Participants also reiterated that such information could promote understanding, and allow individuals to accept who they truly are, later in life:
"Generally speaking, people are probably going to realise later on in life and so I just think it's much better if they realise earlier on [...] it would save a lot of trouble and trauma and stuff like that." - Max (Non-binary)
Final Thoughts
Visibility is important in signalling inclusion for LGBTIQA+ people. Dates of significance, such as Wear It Purple Day can send a powerful message that individuals are seen and valued. However, visibility and celebration alone do not ensure genuine or sustained safety every other day of the year. Safety is built through inclusive policies, in how LGBTIQA+ people are spoken about and represented, and in the everyday practices that foster respect and belonging.
What this might look like:
- Listen to LGBTQA+ people
Rather than allowing public and political debates to dictate what LGBTIQA+ populations need, involve LGBTIQA+ people in shaping the education, policies and support intended for them. - Invest in LGBTQA+ inclusive education
Give young people opportunities to learn about sexuality and gender diversity, respectful relationships and inclusion. Importantly, provide educators and parents in your school community the training, resources and confidence they need to support these conversations. - Support student-led LGBTQA+ groups
Provide practical support and resources for students to establish and sustain LGBTQA+ or queer groups within schools and other learning environments, creating opportunities for peer connection, belonging, allyship and student-led inclusion. - Back visibility with action
Rainbow posters and statements of support are important, but they mean more when they are reinforced by clear policies, appropriate responses to discrimination, inclusive practices and accessible support. - Challenge misinformation
Harmful narratives about LGBTQA+ people and so-called "gender ideology" gain power when they go unchallenged. Schools, organisations, leaders and individuals can play a huge role in correcting misinformation and modelling respectful conversations. - Skill building
Help people understand what they can do when they witness homophobia, biphobia or transphobia, as well as build knowledge around how to support someone experiencing discrimination.
While days of celebration and more spaces signalled as safe for LGBTQA+ individuals, are important steps forward, it's important to consider beyond these spaces. Are commutes to such spaces safe for those with diverse identities? How do you make sure significant days, and posters aren't just tokenistic, and engage in more meaningful, long-lasting change? How can everyday language and behaviour in our own environments contribute to inclusion? Everyone has a right to feel safe within their workplace/place of education, and we can all collectively play our part and do more to ensure people of all genders and sexualities feel safe and accepted.
*names have been de-identified
