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Safe Schools: man behind petition for new program defends 'tolerance' goal Safe Schools: organiser of petition for new program defends 'tolerance' goal
(35 minutes later)
The organiser of a petition calling for a new national anti-bullying program to replace Safe Schools has reaffirmed its appeal for “tolerance” following criticism from the LGBTI community.The organiser of a petition calling for a new national anti-bullying program to replace Safe Schools has reaffirmed its appeal for “tolerance” following criticism from the LGBTI community.
The petition, published by Stop Bullying Australia on Change.org on Tuesday, called on Malcolm Turnbull to deliver an anti-bullying program “that everyone can agree on”. Musicians Troye Sivan and Missy Higgins, comedian Joel Creasey and actor Guy Pearce were among the signatories.The petition, published by Stop Bullying Australia on Change.org on Tuesday, called on Malcolm Turnbull to deliver an anti-bullying program “that everyone can agree on”. Musicians Troye Sivan and Missy Higgins, comedian Joel Creasey and actor Guy Pearce were among the signatories.
The petition, signed by nearly 3,300 people 16 hours after its launch at midnight on Monday, called for a program with “tolerance and mutual respect of LGBTI people at its core”.The petition, signed by nearly 3,300 people 16 hours after its launch at midnight on Monday, called for a program with “tolerance and mutual respect of LGBTI people at its core”.
“Make no mistake of our request: we do not seek a program that seeks approval of the way certain members of our society live. We seek only mutual respect and tolerance.”“Make no mistake of our request: we do not seek a program that seeks approval of the way certain members of our society live. We seek only mutual respect and tolerance.”
It was met with criticism for its apparent concession to conservative criticism of Safe Schools, and for equivocating on the goals of equality and acceptance.It was met with criticism for its apparent concession to conservative criticism of Safe Schools, and for equivocating on the goals of equality and acceptance.
The phrasing of the petition was construed by Fairfax as “a concession the Safe Schools program went too far in antagonising conservatives”.The phrasing of the petition was construed by Fairfax as “a concession the Safe Schools program went too far in antagonising conservatives”.
The director of GetUp’s campaign for marriage equality, Sally Rugg, said of the petition: “This 1950s tolerance bullshit is offensive, completely tone-deaf and detrimental to the campaign.The director of GetUp’s campaign for marriage equality, Sally Rugg, said of the petition: “This 1950s tolerance bullshit is offensive, completely tone-deaf and detrimental to the campaign.
“Privileged, cisgender celebrities have no right to speak for the LGBTI community on what students need.”“Privileged, cisgender celebrities have no right to speak for the LGBTI community on what students need.”
Yo @missyhiggins @troyesivan @joelcreasey your open letter is horrifying-what consultation with LGBTI activists/community did you undertake?Yo @missyhiggins @troyesivan @joelcreasey your open letter is horrifying-what consultation with LGBTI activists/community did you undertake?
The journalist Jill Stark said she had declined to sign the petition, which she predicted would spur triumphant commentary from conservatives that Safe Schools “had been denounced as ‘ideology’ by the LGBTI community”.The journalist Jill Stark said she had declined to sign the petition, which she predicted would spur triumphant commentary from conservatives that Safe Schools “had been denounced as ‘ideology’ by the LGBTI community”.
She believed the letter to have been well-intentioned but said it did not appear to have been written in consultation with informed advocates.She believed the letter to have been well-intentioned but said it did not appear to have been written in consultation with informed advocates.
Would have been so much more powerful if the celebrities had thrown their weight behind Safe Schools: a proven program we know saves lives.Would have been so much more powerful if the celebrities had thrown their weight behind Safe Schools: a proven program we know saves lives.
The petition’s stated goal of a program teaching mutual “tolerance and respect of LGBTI people” was widely condemned on social media as setting a low bar.The petition’s stated goal of a program teaching mutual “tolerance and respect of LGBTI people” was widely condemned on social media as setting a low bar.
I don't want to be merely tolerated. I demand acceptance. I demand equality. Tolerance is not enough. https://t.co/KGZBwpn1vSI don't want to be merely tolerated. I demand acceptance. I demand equality. Tolerance is not enough. https://t.co/KGZBwpn1vS
What do we want?Tolerance!When do we want it?Whenever it's convenient for you, my sincere apologies for existing!What do we want?Tolerance!When do we want it?Whenever it's convenient for you, my sincere apologies for existing!
Tolerance: "You're gross but I'll refrain from bashing you."Acceptance: "You're a bit different and that's cool."I know which I prefer.Tolerance: "You're gross but I'll refrain from bashing you."Acceptance: "You're a bit different and that's cool."I know which I prefer.
We're already tolerated. Sorry bigots, that ship sailed. We're fighting for acceptance. #SafeSchoolsWe're already tolerated. Sorry bigots, that ship sailed. We're fighting for acceptance. #SafeSchools
Fuck. Tolerance. pic.twitter.com/dABsdDJgG9Fuck. Tolerance. pic.twitter.com/dABsdDJgG9
Ben Grubb, a former Fairfax journalist now working in public relations who organised the petition “as a personal (unpaid) project”, responded to the criticism in a lengthy blog post on Tuesday afternoon.Ben Grubb, a former Fairfax journalist now working in public relations who organised the petition “as a personal (unpaid) project”, responded to the criticism in a lengthy blog post on Tuesday afternoon.
Clarifying that he did not speak on behalf of the letter’s signatories, he defended the wording of the letter: “it is my personal belief that tolerance is the first step to acceptance. We all, of course, want acceptance and approval (I would hope) of LGBTI people.”Clarifying that he did not speak on behalf of the letter’s signatories, he defended the wording of the letter: “it is my personal belief that tolerance is the first step to acceptance. We all, of course, want acceptance and approval (I would hope) of LGBTI people.”
Grubb wrote that the federal government’s decision to throw out the Safe Schools program had necessitated “something different” that was less political and consistent across different schools. He admitted it was a “compromise”, but one made with a view to maximising the chance of the federal government funding any national anti-bullying campaign.Grubb wrote that the federal government’s decision to throw out the Safe Schools program had necessitated “something different” that was less political and consistent across different schools. He admitted it was a “compromise”, but one made with a view to maximising the chance of the federal government funding any national anti-bullying campaign.
“I really hope that we get acceptance and approval of LGBTI people in Australia. I mean that. That is the end goal we all would aspire to, I hope. But given the current political climate and discussions had with decision makers, it does not look like we will get that – at least not right now.”“I really hope that we get acceptance and approval of LGBTI people in Australia. I mean that. That is the end goal we all would aspire to, I hope. But given the current political climate and discussions had with decision makers, it does not look like we will get that – at least not right now.”
He rejected Fairfax’s report that the petition had “shunned gender theory [and] equality”, but added that “it did omit them (not on purpose, mind you)”.He rejected Fairfax’s report that the petition had “shunned gender theory [and] equality”, but added that “it did omit them (not on purpose, mind you)”.
“Respect and tolerance of LGBTI people – and others in society – is what kids in schools should be taught now,” he wrote. “And I really do hope we can move to teaching them approval and acceptance sooner rather than later.”“Respect and tolerance of LGBTI people – and others in society – is what kids in schools should be taught now,” he wrote. “And I really do hope we can move to teaching them approval and acceptance sooner rather than later.”
Grubb had announced the project on Twitter on Tuesday as “just a lil something I’ve been working on” following a countdown. He had appealed in early April for “gay, high-profile” people who sought to save Safe Schools to get in touch with him, saying: “I have a plan”.Grubb had announced the project on Twitter on Tuesday as “just a lil something I’ve been working on” following a countdown. He had appealed in early April for “gay, high-profile” people who sought to save Safe Schools to get in touch with him, saying: “I have a plan”.
Most of the signatories, including Troye Sivan and Missy Higgins, had not responded to the criticism at time of writing.Most of the signatories, including Troye Sivan and Missy Higgins, had not responded to the criticism at time of writing.
Laurelle Mellet, Sivan’s mother and a marriage equality campaigner, updated the petition with a statement in which she said the “feedback and comments” were being taken on board.Laurelle Mellet, Sivan’s mother and a marriage equality campaigner, updated the petition with a statement in which she said the “feedback and comments” were being taken on board.
“It’s wonderful that we are all so passionate and concerned about such a vital matter that is so critically important to us all. We will continue to push for safe environments in schools and other areas. We look forward to your input and support as we move forward in the hope that things will change for the better.”“It’s wonderful that we are all so passionate and concerned about such a vital matter that is so critically important to us all. We will continue to push for safe environments in schools and other areas. We look forward to your input and support as we move forward in the hope that things will change for the better.”
Signatory Tracey Spicer replied to a query about why she signed “the awful letter”.Signatory Tracey Spicer replied to a query about why she signed “the awful letter”.
“Gah! Did not see that language,” Spicer said. “Thank you for the heads-up …”“Gah! Did not see that language,” Spicer said. “Thank you for the heads-up …”
@emelinegaske Gah! Did not see that language. Thank you for the heads-up...@emelinegaske Gah! Did not see that language. Thank you for the heads-up...