Bigots invited into Tasmanian high schools

October 19, 1994
Issue 

Bigots invited into Tasmanian high schools

By Katrina Dean

HOBART — Tas-Alert, an anti-gay group campaigning against gay law reform in this state, has been allowed space to display its message on secondary school noticeboards.

Tas-alert's material is blatantly homophobic. Its pamphlets describe what it fearfully calls the "gay agenda" being forced on the state by an all-powerful "gay lobby". This agenda supposedly consists of an absurd mixture of ideologies, as well as a desire to "convert" the entire state to homosexuality.

Tas-Alert also produces racist material, including pamphlets with anti-Semitic and anti-Aboriginal content.

The notice aimed at secondary colleges is titled "An urgent appeal to all those who think they may be gay". It suggests "counselling" (i.e. manipulation of young lesbians and gay men to display heterosexual behaviour). Messages like this only compound the hatred, discrimination, violence and feelings of guilt imposed on young lesbians and gays. It miseducates all young people about their sexuality.

The decision to allow the posters was made by Education Department secretary Bruce Davis. Only five months ago, Davis issued a memorandum to school authorities that it was the policy of the department to give no space to advertisements for the promotion of views of organisations on sexuality, sex education, heterosexual relationships and homosexual relationships.

Due to the furore created by the ban amongst students and teachers, it was partially taken back. Presently, only posters presenting information inconsistent with the laws of Tasmania are banned — i.e. posters which present lesbian and gay sexuality as a choice.

Sources from Hobart College report that the Tas-Alert material is not only being facilitated by the department, but is being actively promoted. Davis has allegedly sent the material to college principals with a memorandum noting that it would be in their best interests to display the posters, whereas officially the decision is to be taken by each school.

Education minister John Beswick supported the decision by claiming that the information was justifiable because homosexual acts are illegal in Tasmania.

This incident raises the question of the democratic right of young people to freedom of information. In Tasmania, democracy in this area extends only to the homophobes, not to groups promoting the rights of people regardless of sexuality.

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