NIgel Studdart on Close Up The Queer Avengers are condemning the suspension of a Whangarei teacher who backed students who stood up for marriage equality in the face of their principal’s opposition, at a Catholic school. Science teacher Neil Studdard supported Pompallier College students who planned to wear rainbow wristbands in protest against a column against same-sex marriage the principal wrote in the school newsletter. The Queer Avengers are applauding Studdard for taking a principled stand. “He’s even offered free coaching for students preparing for exams,” Queer Avenger Sara Fraser points out. “Studdard has made it clear that he recognises his duty-of-care for students. That’s more than we can say for the principal at Pompallier College, who does not value the lives of queer students.” The Queer Avengers say that schools are some of the worst places in NZ to be queer or trans. It cites statistics from the Youth 2007 report on Secondary School students, that 20 per cent of LGB youth commit suicide, compared with four per cent of straight youth. In addition 33 per cent of LGB youth report being bullied at school on the basis of their sexuality. “Pompallier is far from the only school where students contend with homophobia and other bigotry,” Fraser says. “What makes it notable is the will to stand up against oppression, and Studdard’s principled support for his students.” The Queer Avengers applaud the students taking action, referencing previous actions taken by staff and students against homophobia. “When Destiny Church held their blackshirt rally against the Civil Unions Act, most of my school walked out in protest,” recalls Queer Avenger Ian Anderson. “It was a secular liberal school, but Destiny was using our facilities. Even in one of the more queer-friendly schools, direct action against homophobia was still necessary.” More recently students took action against the banning of same-sex couples at school balls, and the Queer Avengers organised a march on the Ministry of Education under the slogan Queer Our Schools. “It’s essential that students, staff and parents get organised against bigotry,” concludes Fraser. “Queer liberation will not come through parliament; communities must organise to transform their schools and their society.”
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Saturday, 1st September 2012 - 6:06pm