Call on Safe School critics to walk in the shoes of young LGBTI people …

TAS GOV MUST DEVELOP STRATEGY TO ADDRESS LGBTI YOUTH DISADVANTAGE

Advocates have responded to former federal MP, Brett Whiteley, labelling the Safe Schools program “digusting” by calling for politicians to “walk in the shoes” of young LGBTI Tasmanians and for the Government to develop a strategy to address the disadvantages they face.

Mr Whiteley made the statement during debate on a success motion condemning Safe Schools at yesterday’s Tasmanian state Liberal conference in Hobart.

Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group spokesperson, Rodney Croome, said,

“Life is already tough enough for young gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender or intersex Tasmanians without public figures like Mr Whitely making it worse with ill-informed and stigmatising statements.”

“If the people who condemn Safe Schools could walk in the shoes of a young gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender Tasmanians for a day they would be far slower to pass judgement.”

“In the wake of the Liberal Conference motion I call on the State Government to develop of whole-of-government strategy to address the disadvantages faced by young LGBTI Tasmanians.

For a news report on the Liberal Conference motion, go to:

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-11-05/tasmanian-liberals-vote-to-ditch-safe-schools-program/7998100

Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group spokesperson, Rodney Croome