Educating Children about Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity in Australia Post-Marriage Equality

Abstract

Australia achieved marriage equality in 2017, following a controversial and divisive postal survey which invited all Australians to ‘vote’ on whether same-sex couples should be allowed to marry. The ‘No’ campaign focused on the alleged negative impact of marriage equality on children’s education. Scare-mongering television clips claimed that boys would start wearing dresses to school and radical sex and gender education would become mandatory. Four years later, it is timely to consider the legacy of the ‘No’ campaign on education. An analysis of developments since marriage equality was achieved reveals that LGBTQ+ students have become more vulnerable to discrimination and there is less human rights education (HRE) about diverse sexual orientations and gender identities. The article concludes with six recommendations for measures to combat these negative developments.

Keywords: human rights education, sexual orientation, gender identity, LGBTIQ, LGBT, safe schools, Australia

JEL Classification: K49, K33