Queers in schools
A protest is planned at the Ministry’s head office on Pipitea Street on October 6, followed by a march and gathering at Midland Park.
Jason Frick of the Wellington political group The Queer Avengers says the plan to hand over to the Ministry a list of demands and request a meeting with the Ministry’s Chief Executive, Karen Sewell. Frisk says the Ministry is failing to adhere to its own guidelines which require schools to provide a safe and physical environment for students as well as programmes which enable all students to recognize their full potential as individuals.
“Nation-wide we know of a number of schools that are not particularly safe for queer and transgender students,” Frisk says.
Among other things the group says schools should be providing private changing facilities for transgender students, resourcing for student social and support groups and teaching queer history.
Frisk says Wellington is one of only three regions in the country where a support group for queer students operates. The Schools Out programme is run by the queer community and offers support for queer students.
Schools Out operates in Wellington City, Kapiti and in the Hutt, but Frisk says there has been opposition to the group from school boards of trustees and some school principals.
“While the Kapiti group has been allowed to meet they’ve been told to do it quietly and to keep it hidden,” he says.









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