We already know that LGBTIQ young people face much higher rates of mental health issues than their non queer peers. A part of this at least is likely due to discrimination or fear of discrimination. The last thing young LGBTIQ youth need is a public debate about whether Private Religious Schools should have the legal right to exclude students and teachers based on sexuality or gender identity. I can’t believe we’re even having this debate in contemporary Australia, knowing what we know about the risk factors for mental health, suicide or self-harm for LGBTIQ youth. This from an article in Junkee.com published yesterday.
“Most of all we need to remind the nation that Australia is a better place for having anti-discrimination laws, and we will be a better place still when we improve those laws to offer ever more protection for vulnerable people.”
