20 November 2023
Trans Day of Remembrance
Today is Trans Day of Remembrance.
As teachers and school leaders, we want all our colleagues, students, and families to feel like they belong in our school communities.
So today and every day, we stand in solidarity with our trans, gender diverse and non-binary people within our community.
From the QTU Pride Committee
As we come to the end of our second year as a standing committee, the focus of the Pride Committee has been on enhancing the visibility of our LGBTIQ+ members and on supporting the LGBTIQ+ students that our members teach.
The QTU Pride Committee is made up of 15 elected rank and file members. The committee meets once per term and discusses QTU policy and a range of issues impacting upon the LGBTIQ+ community – including visibility initiatives.
Being LGBTIQ+ isn’t a choice, a lifestyle, or a passing phase. It is being who we are and loving who we do, in spite of it all – all the barriers, the ignorance, the othering, and the bigoted legislation. So, today and every day, the QTU Pride Committee invites you to be courageous, to stand up against the current media climate and be a present and visible ally.
If you’d like to stay up to date, please check out the updated QTU LGTBQ+ webpage, here: https://www.qtu.asn.au/LGBTQplus
QCU Pride Awards
On behalf of the QTU Pride Committee, we are pleased to announce that QTU acting First Nations Officer and LGBTIQ+ activist Emerson Zerafa-Payne received the inaugural Outstanding Activist Award at the QCU Pride Awards.
Emerson is a First Nations man, secondary school teacher, Queensland Teachers’ Union activist, PhD candidate, lecturer and current acting QTU First Nations Officer. Emerson has been instrumental in advocating for trans inclusion, relevant policy changes and raising awareness of the role brother boys and sister girls play in First Nations lore.
Over the course of 2022-2023, Emerson’s passion for trans rights has resulted in:
- a presentation at the NSWTF Diversity in Education Conference as part of Sydney WorldPride
- the writing of gender affirmation leave provisions into QTU policy
- advocacy and education for Gandju Jarjum, the QTU’s First Nations Committee, to recognise and include brother boys and sister girls in QTU policy
- advocacy for the progress flag to replace the non-inclusive rainbow flag in Union communications (including advocating for the use of “Pride” instead of “Rainbow” terminology for the QTU’s standing committee and associated member network)
- creation of a standing item at every QTU Pride Committee meeting to raise awareness of issues facing the trans community, to ensure the QTU stands in solidarity and is united in its support of trans and gender non-conforming teachers, students, and community members.
Emerson is an all-round determined, courageous, and inspirational human being. For all these reasons and more, the QTU recommended Emerson Zerafa-Payne for the inaugural Pride Award for Outstanding Activist.
Department Network News
In October, the department relaunched their We All Belong Communities on SharePoint–including the LGBTIQ+ True Colours Network.
You can find out more and sign up below:
We All Belong online communities
This includes:
- Able - All Abilities
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
- Many Cultures
- Parents and Carers
- True Colours
The department have also recently restocked their supply of rainbow lanyards. You can reach out to order via the We All Belong team email, here: WeAllBelong@qed.qld.gov.au
DoE Quick Links
Proud at Work
https://intranet.qed.qld.gov.au/Services/HumanResources/payrollhr/workplaceculturediversity/we-all-belong/proud-at-work
Resources for managers
https://intranet.qed.qld.gov.au/Services/HumanResources/payrollhr/workplaceculturediversity/we-all-belong/proud-at-work/Pages/managers-of-LGBTQ-people-and-allies.aspx
Resources for LGBTQ+ workers
https://intranet.qed.qld.gov.au/Services/HumanResources/payrollhr/workplaceculturediversity/we-all-belong/proud-at-work/Pages/LGBTQ-employees.aspx
Resources for supporting LGBTIQ+ students
https://intranet.qed.qld.gov.au/Students/mental-health-wellbeing/Pages/supporting-LGBTIQ-students.aspx
Resources for allies
https://intranet.qed.qld.gov.au/Services/HumanResources/payrollhr/workplaceculturediversity/we-all-belong/proud-at-work/Pages/active-allies.aspx
From us all here at the QTU, have a lovely end of term and a safe and happy holiday!
Rebecca Humphreys | Campaign Communication Officer
Queensland Teachers' Union
Gender pronouns: she/her/hers
Authorised by Kate Ruttiman, General Secretary, Queensland Teachers' Union
21 Graham Street, Milton, QLD, Australia, 4064