Recently, Year 7 Student Isabeau Turner (as pictured below) competed in the Royal South Street Prepare Speech Competition.

Her amazing speech, as seen below, placed third which is an incredible result.

We are very proud of you Isabeau!

The Importance of Queer Inclusivity in Education

I would like to begin by saying that America has faced much controversy recently with new legislation in many states prohibiting schools from using a curriculum or discussing topics of gender identity or sexual orientation. Opponents have called this the ‘Don’t Say Gay’ movement. This is not a campaign we want to see in Australia. I firmly believe that queer inclusivity, and LGBTQIA+ representation and pride is an important aspect of education – and this is what I will be talking about today. Our queer youth need safe spaces, representation, and a world that is diverse and open-minded. It is unquestionable that now, more than ever, we need to understand the importance of queer inclusivity in education.

Firstly, this is important because queer youth can see themselves represented in their schools and communities. If they see and are taught about people like them, it is telling them that it is okay to be who they are. It empowers them. If we don’t speak about it, if we act like the topic of being queer is taboo, or if it is inappropriate or dirty, then it is like trying to erase a generation of LGBTQIA+ youth. In Australia, approximately 11% of people identify as being queer. But what does queer actually mean? As per the Cambridge dictionary, queer is defined as having or relating to a gender identity or a sexuality that does not fit society’s traditional ideas about gender or sexuality. Please note the phrase society’s traditional ideas. We live in a world where being heterosexual and cisgender is the default, but by representing LGBTQIA+ people in our education systems, we could show every sexuality and gender identity as being valid.

In this world, many queer youth are in danger and in need of a safe space in their schools, something which, sadly, many may not have at home. In fact, a United States survey by the Trevor Project found that only 1 in 3 queer youth found their home to be LGBTQIA+ affirming. Being in an inclusive school can provide queer youth with access to mental health and counselling services that they might not be able to find elsewhere, which could greatly benefit them, and even save lives. The Trevor Project also found that, in 2021, 42% of LGBTQIA+ youth seriously considered suicide. They also found that nearly half of queer youth wanted counselling from a mental health professional but did not or could not receive it. Making schools positive places for queer inclusivity could supply more LGBTQIA+ young people with the counselling and support that they need, and make safer, more welcoming spaces for them.

As well as reducing harm, diversity in education can also increase understanding. As I stated previously, being heterosexual and cisgender is regarded as the default, as ingrained in us from a young age by pop culture, the media, and people around us. This means that kids who are different from society’s ‘normal’ get targeted by bullies in schools. In fact, a study by the Australian Human Rights Commission found that 80% of homophobic bullying occurs in schools, and various studies by the GLSEN found that 82% of queer students had problems during the previous year with physical and verbal harassment due to their sexual orientation. To counteract this negativity, I believe that queer inclusivity in education is important because it stresses our differences but celebrates and values our diversity, making a generation of kids who are kinder, more inclusive, and more accepting towards queer people.

In conclusion, I strongly believe that we must include queer and LGBTQIA+ topics in education – to represent queer people, to make sure that they have safe and supportive spaces, and to promote diversity and open-mindedness. As Nelson Mandela once said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” If we have LGBTQIA+ inclusive education, we can change the world for queer people.

Thank you.