QTU activists recognised

Queensland Teachers' Journal, Vol 129 No 8, 1 November 2024, page no. 15

The annual Queensland Council of Unions’ Union Pride Awards were held in the September holidays. 

Recognising that equality is union business and that discrimination against LGBTQ+ folks continues, the QCU recognises LGBTQ+ activism within the union movement in two categories: 

• Outstanding Activist 
• Outstanding Union Achievement. 

This year, three QTU members from Mayfield State School were recognised as the QTU’s outstanding activists. These members are Greg, Jake, and Union Rep Lana. Together they have worked to foster an inclusive environment where all students feel safe and supported to be themselves. 

Greg was nominated for his work in sharing his expert knowledge with staff. He is described by a colleague as “the brains behind the lesson content and resources for the teachers to use for their classes.” Greg notes that “inclusion, wellbeing and community matter to us at Mayfield State School.”

He comments that “we seek to provide a safe, supportive and inclusive space for all students, including lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, intersex and queer students. 

“As part of our Wear It Purple day celebrations, we educate our teaching staff about: 

• the who, the what, the how, and the why of Wear It Purple Day 
• Queensland Department of Education policy 
• current research about LGBTQIA+ young people 
• age-appropriate teaching approaches and resources.

“In our classrooms we enjoy picture books that: 

• allow our students to see themselves, their friends, families and communities 
• open-up space for our students to talk about their thoughts, feelings, and wonderings in relation to difference, fitting in and belonging.

“We amplify messages of being okay with who you are and respecting and supporting the diversity of our community.” 

Over a number of years, the Wear It Purple celebrations at the school have become more popular, with students opting to participate in larger numbers each year. 

Jake told the QTU that their first Wear It Purple Day celebration in 2020 was quite low key given their sensitivity to a potential community backlash. The next year, there was a class Pride flag art activity, and the children were allowed to wear purple if they wished. After community support and no backlash, in 2022 Jake decided to do an age-appropriate drag show. Encanto was the big movie of that year, so Lana played Mirabel and Jake played Isabelle in a class performance with the principal’s blessing. Again, after no parent or community backlash, in 2023 it expanded to an eight scene, 20-minute drag show with a cast of 30-35 children. Lana and the principal were also a part of that show, playing the teachers. 

“This year I decided to do a Taylor Swift inspired Eras tour, which included Greg as our MC and Lana played Travis at the end of the Taylor Show. 

That show was described by students as “the best thing ever”. 

Jakes states “my goal is to show other teachers what can be done and how they can do it in a way to not upset their community. I am very proud of the legacy I am able to leave at Mayfield State School and am so lucky to have a principal who supports and encourages this.”

While Jake uses the word “lucky” to describe his principal’s support, it should be noted that luck should not have anything to do with it. DoE policy, the Australian Curriculum, and legislative requirements under the Anti-Discrimination Act and the Human Rights Act all require schools to be safe, inclusive places for students, whatever their sexuality or gender identity. We also know that a supportive school environment is one of the greatest protective factors for some of our most vulnerable students. 

Schools that would like to learn more about their responsibilities for LGBTQ+ students should contact the DoE’s LGBTIQ Student Inclusion Team via LGBTIQStudentInclusion@qed.qld.gov.au and visit https://intranet.qed.qld.gov.au/Students/mental-health-wellbeing/Pages/supporting-LGBTIQ-students.aspx for more information. Free PD and expert support are available to schools and individual staff, noting there are a variety of different school communities and challenges that may arise as schools work to become safer, supportive learning environments. 

Kim Roy

Industrial/Services Officer

(she/her/hers)