2016-02-25
The Australian Greens are delighted to announce the petition calling for support for the Safe Schools Coalition has received more than 20,000 signatures in less than two days.
"We launched this petition in response to the 9499 signatures on Cory Bernardi's petition against the Safe Schools program and it's come as no surprise that Australians have overwhelmingly supported a program that promotes inclusiveness of LGBTI young people in our schools," Greens sexuality spokesperson Senator Robert Simms said.
"Opposition to the Safe Schools Coalition seems to be based on the absurd idea that simply by talking about differences in sexuality or gender identity you're going to recruit people. Anyone with the most basic understanding of human sexuality knows how ridiculous that is.
"While Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull bends to the will of his conservative back bench Australians have shown formidable support for inclusiveness and diversity. Thank you to everyone who signed this petition, more than doubling Senator Bernardi's efforts - sending a clear message to the Government."
With one in five gender diverse young Australians experiencing physical abuse and one in three considering suicide, the Greens have pointed to the impacts of any ‘review' into the Safe Schools Coalition.
"The attacks on the Safe Schools Coalition by the homophobic dinosaurs in the Coalition put the wellbeing of young LGBTI Australians at risk," Greens spokesperson for gender identity and intersex issues Senator Janet Rice said.
"It is so disappointing that the Prime Minister has caved into Cory Bernardi's hateful, homophobic and transphobic agenda."
Find the petition here: grns.mp/safe-at-school
Media contacts: Senator Simms - Amy Moran 0417 173 508Senator Rice - Sam Drummond 0400 352 935