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16 Apr 2008

debate on gay prom dates erupts in australia

A prominent private all-boys school in Brisbane has come under attack for its decision to disallow final-year students from taking same-sex partners to their end-of-year dance in June.

One pupil made a request on behalf of at least eight of his Anglican Church Grammar School mates wanting to take their partners to the June 19 event - but was told that the policy of taking only female dates had never been challenged.

According to media reports, the student, who did not wish to be named, approached a senior teacher Dr Phil Cummins about the request and was told that the school's practice of allowing only female formal partners might be "quietly changed" if he did not make a big deal about it.

"(Dr Cummins) said to me, 'if you start a political movement this is going to get blown out of proportion. If you go quietly about this and if you don't cause us too much trouble, we will just quietly change the rules so they're allowed and no-one gets hurt'," the student said.

Peter Jensen, the Anglican Archbishop of Sydney, has publicly backed the school's decision saying that homosexuality in the view of the church is wrong.

"People do send their children to our schools - they send them there on the understanding that we understand from the teaching of the Bible that the expression of same-sex attraction... is morally wrong," Dr Jensen was quoted as saying to Macquarie radio, according to The Australian on Tuesday.

Laurie Scandrett, chief executive of the Sydney Anglican Schools Corporation, says he supports the decision undertaken by the school although there is no umbrella "edict" among its schools banning gay students to take their partners to school dances. But it "would not be encouraged," he told The Sydney Morning Herald.

The news has sparked an intense public debate in newspapers and the Internet after a local newspaper ran a headline, "School bans gay couples" over the weekend.

Noting that the debate on the Internet has evolved into an issue of public attitudes towards homosexuality, media studies associate professor Karen Brooks highlighted the amount of "vitriol and negativity" found in some of the online blogs as a cause for concern.

"Why is it we are so often protected from racial abuse and gender abuse, but when it comes to comments about homosexuality, it is like the filter collapses and this hatred is allowed to come to the fore?" the Southern Cross University associate professor was quoted as saying in the Sunshine Coast Daily.

Meanwhile in Victoria, the State Government has said that state schools are expected to adhere to equal opportunity legislation and thus must allow gay students to bring their partners to formals and functions.

The students at Churchie, as the school is commonly known, involved say they may boycott their senior formal but will not lodge a complaint with Queensland's Anti-Discrimination Commission.

Under Queensland's Anti-Discrimination Act, private schools are exempt only for the purpose of enrolling students from one gender or religious background. Any other forms of discrimination on the basis of sexuality is unlawful and applies to both public and private schools.

Australia

读者回应

1. 2008-04-16 19:55  
fuck you, fucking school.....
2. 2008-04-16 19:56  
I can sympathize with the guy, but if you go to a Christian school what do you expect?
3. 2008-04-16 20:20  
They should have taken the "go quietly" option and made a real difference in the rules of the school for both themselves and those in future years rather than throwing a hissy fit and having a definte "No" imposed upon them now and into the future.
4. 2008-04-16 21:47  
Boys I hope you change your mind and decide to take legal action. This kind of outright homophobic attitude must not be tolerated here in Australia. The opportunity to make this change is in your hands!
5. 2008-04-16 22:18  
Quote: "the Bible that the expression of same-sex attraction... is morally wrong.."

it's a LIE!!

The bible never says anything moral about same-sex attraction!
6. 2008-04-16 23:53  
Anti-Discrimination Act is setup to protect individual rights. You should enforce your rights.
7. 2008-04-17 00:37  
The last paragraph above gives us the answer. So wish people could learn to accept the minority and bare in mind that peace is created or destroyed by the same people (us).
8. 2008-04-17 00:57  
This is pure HATE CRIME !!!!!
9. 2008-04-17 04:04  
I think Karen Brooks made the best comment......."Why is it we are so often protected from racial abuse and gender abuse, but when it comes to comments about homosexuality, it is like the filter collapses and this hatred is allowed to come to the fore?" .......that is so true and needs to be challenged.....The amusing thing is that there is probably so many closet poofs hiding in these religious establishments......if they had the guts to come out and support the kids, it might be a different story.......Shane
10. 2008-04-17 12:24  
hmmmm "A prominent private all-boys school in Brisbane " meaning it is private. They have their rules and all should abide by it. So, the rules set "taking only female dates ", then the dates should be females.

I me, this is not discrimination at all. Why want to go to a boring place like that ???. I would have simply give the prom a miss and head to the local gay bar.

What's the fuss ???
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13. 2008-04-17 12:40  
I totally disagree with Post #3 & #10.

When one has to pander to the charities and moods of others for one's own basic right to existence equality, that is when discrimination starts. So wat if an establishment is private, post #10? Does that give it more right to discriminate? If going by your logic, then private entities can commit unjust acts above the law.

Geez. Now do u all see why things are the way they are? Tat's coz many vultures prefer to wait for leftovers instead. If Stonewall were in the likes of similar passive bystanders, go figure.

At their ages, these schoolboys are role models for their courage and conviction. I salute them. Dun think the school can take credit for these virtues, which are almost non existent in societies these days.

God have mercy!
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18. 2008-04-17 13:24  
How sweet! How I wished some boy brought me to my formal. In spite of the fact that, "I am a naughty girl [boy] with a bad habit, a bad habit for drugs", so says Mr. G.
19. 2008-04-17 14:37  
The last para means that private schools can choose to admit only boys (if it's a boys' school) and exclude non-Christians ((if it's a Christian school). It does not mean that the school can decide to not admit gay boys or boys of any particular race, etc.
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21. 2008-04-17 15:54  
It is very true that we need to excercise our rights, but not in everything we do and at all cost, without weighing the pros and cons. We need to excercise abit of our grey matter in this issue. I wonder if excercising rights is about getting things done our way no matter where we go. What about the rights of others ??? Why is there a need to advocate hostile behaviours with the heterosexuals in every issues.

Some people here seems to be so free as to run around looking for "discrimnations" or shouting"discrimination everywhere he goes. Put it this way, you discriminate against me just because I disagree with you.... get it ???

Being militant about things will not solve problems but further divide the human race. Why head that way ??

My logic is simple, if we are not welcome, then we go to a place where we are welcome. If I set up a private school, and insist that everyone should wear pink, then everyone should wear pink, for afterall, it is a private establishment and if you are not happy about it, then don't be here. The world can't change overnight ........ we are making baby steps and it is good. No need to have bloodshed.
22. 2008-04-17 18:52  
Jesus would probably have told phoney Pharisee Peter Jensen to get out of the temple, gone to the party himself (along with his 12 male companions) and changed the water into wine to keep the party going.
23. 2008-04-17 21:07  
just some typical queen trying to get his 5 minutes of fame, fucked it for everyone, like usual..
24. 2008-04-17 22:35  
I am not surprised Christian/Catholic schools will object students bring same sex partner. It is what they believe.

NSW government is going to educate students to use "partner" instead of "husband and wife", the suggestion is not welcomed according to polling. People concern about it poses a threat to foundation of family value.

I wonder why we are way behind Spain....a Catholic country!
25. 2008-04-18 01:01  
At the end of the day, it's a the chicken and egg squabble, anti-gay vs gay, maybe the likes of the Dr Jensen vs Karen Brooks? Perhaps they will never see eye to eye for the rest of their lives. Least they have 1 thing in common that is speaking up for what they hold to their beliefs and values.

Maybe the top doG can do something.
Could be subtle as long as it's effective.
The Govt and the people.
IMHO, I think the people always hold more power.
The Govt rules but they fear the people power.
They cant please everybody so they have to come up things like -
"Meanwhile in Victoria, the State Government has said that state schools are expected to adhere to equal opportunity legislation and thus must allow gay students to bring their partners to formals and functions...Under Queensland's Anti-Discrimination Act, private schools are exempt only for the purpose of enrolling students from one gender or religious background. Any other forms of discrimination on the basis of sexuality is unlawful and applies to both public and private schools."
If this is a slow but steady process, to take effect, over all states, imagine the positive impact Australia would have on the world.

Kudos to these boys. They could have chosen to go the 'quiet way'. Some may say they're stupid, why do u even bother to fight 'the system'. Well, they stood up for what they believe in. They just got to be prepare for the onslaught from the oppositions, that's all. Nonetheless, they sure raise awareness bar for everyone who comes to know about this, regardless gay, straight or alien. :)

There is really no resolution/recipe in diffusing HATE. It just requires of psychological buffing to encourage acceptance and tolerance. It applies to anything one can develop feelings for and eventually, it is up to the individual to embrace it.
26. 2008-04-18 03:22  
Once again this is an example of an decisions being made on behalf of gay people by a religious or state authority.
27. 2008-04-18 06:54  
On a more positive note, it's great to see society slowly evolving, even if it takes some constructive public pressure and awareness to make it happen.

Full marks to this guy for actually wanting to take his partner to his school formal while so many people still fail to be proud of who they are.

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31. 2008-04-18 07:59  
Really it's a non issue, religious groups are often exempt from some anti-discrimination laws..these being private religious scools with very entrenched view points..live with it or go else where...simple...I do beleive how ever religious schools who disregard secular law & discriminate against any one on unreasonable grounds as in this situation ought to have public funding denied, they are religious theocracies not Democracies thats the reality, same sex orientated schoolies parents (if they give a damn) should place their kids else where if they want them to have greater acceptance rather than tolerance, (who really just wants to be tolerated?) in a school situation...there are other choices available to private religious schools where Gay kids can get excellent educations, it's up to the parents to make better selections.
32. 2008-04-18 09:27  
I hope these brave gay boys in Australia realize that their story is reverberating around the world. What they are doing, standing up for their equal human rights, is NOT a small, or insignificant deed...hundreds of thousands of People Like Us are watching, cheering, supporting and sending them positive energy.
33. 2008-04-18 11:47  
A true story of Aaron Frick who went to court in the 1970's to get permission to bring his date to the prom. Reflections of a Rock Lobster. Alyson Publications Inc., 1981.

This autobiography relates the challenge of growing up gay in a small Rhode Island town. Fricke knows he is different early on in his life and begins having homosexual relations at the age of six. As he matures, he is the object of unrelenting prejudice. He has trouble making and keeping friends and feels rejected by society because of what he is. Eventually, he meets other young homosexuals as well as straight friends who help him gain self-confidence and feel acceptance. When he is a senior in high school, he stands up for himself, as well as for human and gay rights, when he invites another gay male to the prom as his date. Initially, Fricke was not granted permission from his principal, so he took his case to court in order to receive consent. Through this very public experience, Fricke learned that people do respect and support him, but there will always be those that will never accept homosexuality.
34. 2008-04-18 12:41  
yes- it's great to see society slowly evolving..I hope one day will be normal life
35. 2008-04-18 15:19  
If you knew that sometimes, something just could not be changed, why force it? Why don't you just try to undertand it? We perhaps need to compromise and realize that actually it is the difference which makes this world so interesting and worth fighting for.
36. 2008-04-18 15:51  
"(Dr Cummins) said to me, 'if you start a political movement this is going to get blown out of proportion. If you go quietly about this and if you don't cause us too much trouble, we will just quietly change the rules so they're allowed and no-one gets hurt'," the student said.


---I don't see how this qualifies as 'banning gay couples'. There needs to be a little more in the way of explanation in this article
37. 2008-04-18 17:42  
A bit stupid to blow it up like that, but then the "quiet change" may have never happened. So why not just take it straight to their Anti-Discrimination Commission and deal with it properly??
38. 2008-04-18 17:54  
According to the Australian press, it looks like the quiet approach was rejected by the headmaster; I think this fills the gap in the article:

"Churchie headmaster Jonathan Hensman said none of the students had approached him directly, but a staff member had raised the issue on their behalf.
"The senior dinner dance is an opportunity for our young men to escort a young woman in a formal school environment," Mr Hensman said.
"We don't intend to change our practice. As well as being a social occasion, it's an education forum and to that end the school decides what is appropriate behaviour and what is not."

"Mr Hensman said if any of Churchie's seniors approached him formally, he would consider taking the request to the school council."

39. 2008-04-18 18:16  
As is says,its unlawful,its simple as that...
40. 2008-04-18 19:51  
I say go all the way to the Anti-Discrimination Board boys. These people need to be educated. Being gay is as natural as being straight, so as being tall or short. It is time religions are brought into line with secular laws. So is it okay for Muslims to kill the infidels? Of course not, it is not okay but they still believe it as it is their "faith". The same issue is with homosexuality.

Anyone who thinks that the boys should just " do it quietly" is mistaken. There are forces constantly trying to put us back in the closet. We have every right to be here and so we should alway stand up for our rights whenever it is threatened.
41. 2008-04-18 23:34  
Talking of dances, is the Nation
party in Singapore banned again this year?
42. 2008-04-19 03:46  
It goes to show that in Australia there are a variety of reactions to gays and there is still a substantial minority who are hung up about it... heck, even my twin brother is still. It's like an identity for them; being against something. Making it political seems to make it worse. But I support these guys. Put your own prom on and maybe you'll get even more boycotters joining you, guys! You know how to party better than they do.
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44. 2008-04-19 09:30  
Post #30 m5547821 says " So is it okay for Muslims to kill the infidels? Of course not, it is not okay but they still believe it as it is their "faith". The same issue is with homosexuality. "

Please do not mix things up. WE MUSLIMS are good people. your statement is very misleading. Be carefull when you generalise using "They".

It is totally tasteless to drag other religions into this.
45. 2008-04-19 19:43  
I am challenged by the word "exemption" from anti-discrimination laws. I used to get "exempted" from swimming classes when I was ill: it was a temporary measure of understanding which gave me time to get better and rejoin the class later. The "exemption" from democratic rule which this school shelters under really should be described for what it is: a perpetual license for religious organizations to discriminate against non-heterosexual people for reasons no longer shared by the wider community since anti-discrimination laws were enacted by a majority vote in Parliament.

The existence of the "exemption" (but: "immunity from prosecution" in my view is a better phrase; bring closer to home the prospect of the eventual legal chop) in itself is the scandal -not the fact that a sad set of timewarped "educationalists" try their level best to foster and perpetuate hatred within the community.

The people in charge of that school betray the community with illegal and morally indefensible home-brewed rules.

The community should make them pay the price, literally, and terminate whatever public subsidy, direct or indirect, these schools get --yes, private schools do get public funds too, and tax breaks, and services in kind. It may be the case that religious schools are "exempt". Government spending and policies are not. Hatemongers should be hounded out of public spending.
46. 2008-04-20 08:31  
At least this subject has been dealt with in new zealand as far as i know. Gay students are not restricrted in who they can bring to their prom's.
47. 2008-04-21 13:23  
Cheers for these boys.

Nothing is more important to ending the immorality of homophobia then people discovering that quite a few people they know are gay, and that these gay people are ordinary decent folks who deserve to be treated equally by our societies. Of course, it is always easy to create despisement and even hatred of a minority if people don't know the people in that minority face to face.

As for the fundamentalist bible believers, a look through history shows how the bibles of societies have been used to foment or support most wars which are nothing but mass murders.9/11 here in the USA was one example. The thousand years of the dark ages is another, as is the million or so women burned alive by the church as witches, and the tens of thousands who were murdered by the inquisition for daring to say that the pope was wrong, the earth wasn't flat, etc. And then there was the Catholic Church which here in the USA for decades hid and protected their pedophile priests, realizing that their religion is a house of cards, and once people begin to think clearly about it, enormous change will come or the church will rightfully die. And then there was WWII, by a maniac who used religious hatred of the Jews to gain power and kill 50 million before he was destroyed.

The churches ramblings against gay people show a total moral bankruptcy, for any religion whose God has to be strengthened and promulgated via the degredation of a minority is a disgrace to God and everything Jesus Life on Earth was meant to be.

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49. 2008-04-21 13:47  
Thank you SteveMD2USA =)

Taking into context the inevitable hostility these boys face, how many of us here can boast of having half their guts & moral courage, esp. when chickening out- or stooping to the level of
passive-aggression- is the far easier option?
Kudos to them for their efforts & hopefully we all can draw some lessons from their positivity & the resilence of the human spirit in face of adversity- in our very own lifes. =)
50. 2008-04-21 19:27  
Look! It`s those "loving" Christians again!
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52. 2008-04-22 16:33  
Spunk guy has nailed it in one: X-tians have it in for us.
In all great movements for social change there have been some X-tians for progress but many against it. It was the same in the struggle for women's votes or the abolition of slavery.
X-tians seem happy to pick and choose from the old testament based on little more than their prejudices at the time. For instance eating non-scaled fish is explicitly forbidden by the bible, yet X-tians seem more than happy to tuck into a big plate of shrimp. Stoning adulteress to death is encouraged by the bible, but fortunately has been left of the agenda of modern Xtians, as has owning slaves or committing genocide against the "enemies of the lord".
In time perhaps the X-tians will give up their hatred of the GLBT community. Till then we have to oppose their bigotry, and at least in Australia take some comfort from the fact that their numbers are dwindling as their brand of magic hold less hold on the popular imagination.
53. 2008-04-24 01:37  
The current, very intellectual, world head of the Anglican Church has or had liberal views regarding gays, but has been compromised by threats to split the church by extreme bullying conservatives mainly from Africa and Asia. In 1989 he wrote this, which is worth the effort of deciphering if you have a few moments:

"[T]he absolute condemnation of same-sex relations of intimacy must rely either on an abstract fundamentalist deployment of a number of very ambiguous texts, or on a problematic and non-scriptural theory about natural complementarity, applied narrowly and crudely to physical differentiation without regard to psychological structures. I suspect that a fuller exploration of the sexual metaphors of the Bible will have more to teach us about a theology and ethics of sexual desire than will the flat citation of isolated texts".
54. 2008-04-25 00:36  
Typical, yet another illustration of the moral and ethical bankruptcy of the christian fundamentalists; whose interests were pandered to by the racialistic and divisive policies of the prior Liberal government of australia. I welcome Labour movements towards a fairer and better world.
55. 2008-04-25 06:03  
What I can't understand is that this school and the church use the bible to justify their homophobia, yet the very same bible has far more admonishments against heterosexual relationships than it does against homosexual relationships.
56. 2008-04-25 23:17  
Re post #33. Yes what I should have said is some of the so-called Muslims. I am trying to give an example of how religion can totally remove logic from people. I am against all religions in general because it does not promote tolerance and logic thinking. People can be good people and can be spiritual without belonging to any labelled religion. Think about it.
57. 2008-04-26 02:41  
The Anglican Church has said that "homosexuality in the view of the church is wrong", therefore students cannot bring same-sex partners to the high school prom. Conversley, prom dates are expected to be opposite sex, and assumably heterosexual, which means enjoys sex with members of the opposite sex. Does the Anglican Church condone sexual activity at high-shool proms?

58. 2008-04-28 15:12  
"Look! It`s those "loving" Christians again!" - good one spunkboy you are not just a pretty face.....

but on a serious note its time for a class action against all schools in australia who dare to discriminate against gay people
59. 2008-04-29 21:50  
why do queens always exagerate, that theatrical streak I suppose...it was a one day wonder on morning TV cos there was no real news..homo press of course rattled on n on cos being professional dated queers they have to inflame passions to create an urgent sence of oppression and encourage others to self marginalisation

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