Queers in High Schools

This is an adapted version of a the speech i gave at the 2008 Queer Collaborations (QC) 2008:

"FREEDOMS ARE WON, NOT GIVEN"

I’m Kath and I’m a year 12 student at Northcote High School, I moved there at the beginning of this year after being at Santa Maria College (a catholic girl’s school) for 5 years.
My experiences as a “queer” has differed at the two schools. Something I unfortunately do not have time to discuss now, so let it suffice to say that queer-phobia exists in both schools though it manifests itself in different ways. At Santa Maria there was no teacher support of queer students, queer students did not feel they had an ability to reach out to teachers regarding issues of sexuality and gender identity. The school itself perpetrated acts of queerphobia such as banning students from bring women to the formal. Where as Northcote High, being comparatively left wing, support groups have been created with the assistance of Welfare coordinators and the Equal Opportunities coordinator. Until recently, however there had been no queer group for the past two years. My self and a number of other interested students have recently begun to introduce a queer action group. The above picture is one of the posters we've been using to advertise the meeting.

Each student in each school experiences queer-phobia differently. One thing that can however be assured is that they do experience it. Whether its student bullying or unfair treatment from teachers or the well meaning but condescending actions of councillors or well-fare coordinators.

We’re told that schools are places of education, but they’re also places of socialisation. We’re trained in obedience and conformity. Any student rebellions within schools are generally quashed swiftly from above. I myself was labelled a “ring leader” and the senior staff and teachers quite openly engaged in a vicious smear campaign against my character and totally dismissed the validity of a petition that more than half the students in the year level had signed. It’s completely demoralising to be told that you’re opinions don’t count and to be punished for asserting the democratic rights which you learn about in school. However specific acts of rebellion aside every element of school life prepares us to conform and obey. Everything from uniforms; “girls uniforms” and “boys uniforms”, sitting at your desk with a teacher standing over you, moving in accordance with bells and the general expectation that you will do what ever you’re told. To be queer is to step outsides of the “norms” of society, it is to be prepared NOT to conform. Likewise to accept queers is to refuse conformity. The taught discipline to obey authority discourages any voice of descent not only in school but in the wider community.
Schools also reinforce gender roles. Young men are asked to be ‘helpers’ when physical work is necessary. Young women are asked to help out in things like open days where we can act in “hostess-like” roles; smiling, making tea and coffee and using our “charm” to speak with prospective parents.
It should be noted that these gender roles are projected in Primary school just as strongly, if not more strongly.
The education program reinforces these gender roles most strongly. Sex is discussed in the class room as a biological process something which occurs between a man and a woman for the purpose of reproduction. Sexuality, desires and gender roles are not discussed let alone any compulsorily required teachings about Queer issues and acceptance.
As I mentioned before schools quash dissenting voices, this doesn't only have the effect of discouraging questioning of societies values but also teaches young people not to have opinions and that they can’t have opinions. I only recently became aware of the fact that it is ILLEGAL for high school students to protest! This condescending attitude towards young people is experienced doubly by queer students who are told either explicitly or subliminally that “they’re just going through a phase” or that they’re “to young to know” Many students engage in heterosexual relationships and identify as heterosexuals so why is it so different to be involved in queer relationships or be gender-queer.
This condescending idea is one that we all need to be actively disarming at all times. students should be prepared to take a stand for what they believe in, get involved in political campaigns, be part of or begin political and/or queer groups at your own schools if they don't already exist. Our opinions are no less valid than those older than us. Political and Queer high school students should not be regarded as some strange freaky phenomenon. Many high school students are politically active and or identify as “queer”.

Apart from all the above supporting the queer-phobia of the rest of society it has some very obvious and real effects on the mental health of queer-students, whether they’re open or not. Queer students often feel isolated; this was certainly my experience at Santa Maria and the experience of many queer high school students I have spoken to. A book which was published by the queer support group at Northcote High in 2005; Love Sex Desire is littered with stories of students who felt alone and self-loathsome in their dealings with their sexuality or their coming out. Many students made references to experiencing depression or suicidal tenancies. Queer youth are six times more likely than the rest of society to commit suicide.
We have no way of combating these very real problems until we address the aspects of the education system which I have just mentioned.

ALL students have the RIGHT to feel SAFE and WELCOME at school!