Mon 14 Mar 2016 In: New Zealand Daily News View at Wayback View at NDHA
Conservative social pressure organisation Family First is "attempting to confuse the issue of making accommodations for transgender and gender diverse students with the idea of ‘letting all young people get changed/shower/etc together" according General Manager of Rainbow Youth, Duncan Matthews. RainbowYOUTH General Manager, Duncan Matthews Matthews says a Family First document soon to be sent out to all New Zealand schools "is nothing short of fear mongering, attempting to mis-direct and confuse teachers, principles and Boards of Trustees.” “The actual position stated in the documents is not that far different to what most LGBTI organisations are promoting also," he says. "We are not advocating for the wholesale merging of all segregated male/female facilities, but for the provision of gender neutral facilities catered to those who would feel most comfortable using them. “The key difference is that this document states they ’should only be provided on request and consideration from the principle’, where as RainbowYOUTH would advocate that Principles and Boards of Trustees should be proactive in making these reasonable accommodations.” Matthews says the opinion regarding sports looks “outdated, out of touch and not in line with what is happening at the very top end of professional sports” when organisations like the Olympics committee “are leading the way in defining requirements for the participation of Transgender athletes.” “Fortunately I think most schools and their faculty will see this document for what it is, which is trying to push a harmful agenda.” Gender neutral facilities show young transgender and gender diverse people that they are welcome says Matthews. “It allows them to fully participate in their education by removing the fear of using the bathroom or changing for P.E., which can often lead to things like holding on and not going to the bathroom for a full day.” He says if the LGBTI community want to school their support for gender neutral facilities in schools it is important that they keep the conversation going by talking to friendly and supportive staff members at schools.” Approach the Board of Trustees and let them know what your opinion is of it,” he says. “Talk to organisations like RainbowYOUTH, Q-Youth, InsideOUT and YouthLaw for advice on how you can approach your school and what they can do.”
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Monday, 14th March 2016 - 12:45pm