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Who are Pink Desk?
Pink desk originated in 2003 when a small consultative group of union members created an AEU policy for Gay Lesbian Bisexual & Transgender (GLBT) teachers. The policy was successfully endorsed by Branch Council (November 2003) in Ulverstone. Prior to this date there wasn’t a policy in place to support either GBLT students or staff as part of the Tasmanian AEU Branch policies. It is important to mention that there has yet to be another policy to be passed and adopted as quickly in the Tasmanian AEU Branch history. This was a real win for both teaching staff and our students in Tasmania.
It quickly became apparent, however, that simply delivering a GLBT policy to schools wasn’t going to magically fix the homophobia many teachers and students were silently experiencing. Pink Desk was formed by four of the original consultative group members (with the exceptional support of Roz Madsen) to begin the difficult task of educating principals, teachers, parents, students and the wider school community about the importance of equality and the acceptance of diversity within the public education workplace – staff and student equality and diversity.
Pink Desk is committed to providing support and resources to GLBTI teachers, parents and students. We encourage all teachers to browse our resources and teacher programs.
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Policies
AEU Policy
The AEU Gay Lesbian Bisexual & Transgender (GLBT) policy was endorsed by AEU Branch Council in November 2003, in Ulverstone. Jill, Leesa & Kel, with the help of Roz Madsen, presented a half hour presentation to Council in an effort to educate them on key aspects of the policy. A consultative committee was formed (now known as Pink Desk) to take the policy and its content out into the wider school community. Click here to read the Policy
Guidelines for the Use of Non-discriminatory Language Policy
It is the policy of the Department of Education to provide equal opportunity for all persons regardless of sex, race, marital status, family responsibilities, disability, sexual preference, age, political conviction or religious belief.
Language is one of the major forms of communication and as such plays a powerful role both in contributing to and in eliminating discrimination. Discriminatory language can inhibit or prevent the achievement of the highest quality education for all students, and of equal opportunities for all employees, by demeaning, offending or stereotyping individuals or groups of students and employees.
The following Policy has been developed by the Department of Education to start addressing these issues. Your choice of words and use of language can help to put this policy into practice (see policy).
Anti-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment Policy
This Policy addresses discrimination against and harassment of students in schools. The Equity Standards Branch in the Department of Education is responsible for ensuring that all students have equitable access to the benefits of education and training irrespective of their sex, culture, linguistic background, race, location, socio-economic background or disability (see policy and support materials).
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Teacher Programs/Resources
Practical Learning Sequences
FROM LTAG
http://www.ltag.education.tas.gov.au/default.htm
How fair are representations of families?
http://ltag.education.tas.gov.au/planning/units7_10/english/howfairfamilies/default.htm
Vive la difference
http://ltag.education.tas.gov.au/planning/unitsamples/viveladifference/default.htm
What does it mean to discriminate?
http://www.ltag.education.tas.gov.au/planning/units7_10/English/Justice/default.htm
Interesting Articles
- Beyond that’s so gay written by Daniel Witthaus
- Teachers and Homophobia written by Jillian Alexander
- Intersex written by Alice Dreger. One out of every two thousand births presents parents with a sudden gender dilemma. A tradition of secrecy means most parents are totally unprepared.
Publications
Talking Out
An information bulletin for teachers published by the Tasmanian Department of Education’s ‘Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Issues’ Reference group.
Writing Themselves In
This is an extensive report that surveyed 750 young people aged between 14 and 21 who are attracted to their own sex. The report sought information regarding sexual feelings and experiences. The survey asked about unfair treatment and any verbal and physical abuse suffered by participants because of their sexuality. In this report they move the stories of Same-Sex Attracted Young People (SSAY) to centre stage in an effort to redress their invisibility, and to provide accurate information about their daily lives. The young people represented in this report struggle with issues concerning: family; friendship; school life; sexual identity; loyalty and betrayal; fears and hopes; ways of surviving; and in some cases, their attempts at suicide, yet they also reveal the more positive and affirming aspects of sexual diversity. They have provided a window to inner debates about the pros and cons of coming out, as well as fantasies and fears about people's reactions to that often hidden part of themselves, their sexuality. Within the following pages, a grim picture of the hostility and SSAY encounter often co-exists with creative and celebratory stories of resistance. View
Writing Themselves In Again: 6 Years On
Is the 2nd national report on the sexuality, health and well-being of same sex attracted young Australians and is the follow up report to a similar study conducted in 1998 (above). The dissemination of this research was at least partially responsible for a number of positive changes in support for same sex attracted young people (SSAY) in the following years.
The purpose of repeating the survey in 2004 was to explore the extent to which the changes have made a difference. In all 1749 young people aged between 14 and 21 successfully completed the survey online, or in hard copy which they received on request by mail. This time there were more young men (n = 1106) than young women (n = 643) responding and they believe this was because of internet advertising which tapped more young men than young women. Nine transgender young people completed the survey. All states and territories were represented in proportion to their youth populations and 21% came from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds (CALD). Eighty percent of young people came from major cities, 15% from inner regional Australia and 5% from remote areas. View
Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell
Report on the Same Sex Attracted Youth Suicide Data Collection Project. View
How to set up a Social Support Program for Same Sex Attracted & Transgender Young People
This document provides a framework of issues to consider in the process of establishing a social support group program for same sex attracted and transgender young people (SSATY). It provides guidelines, which are sometimes posed as questions, regarding service delivery and service development. View
Teaching Programs
Not Round Here
This project was established by the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission with funding assistance from the Australian Youth Foundation. It’s aim was to establish a national lesbian, gay and bisexual rural youth network. The kit is a fabulous resource to take excerpts from or to follow the entire program. This is a really practical resource for all teachers. View
Pride and Prejudice
The Pride & Prejudice package has successfully addressed an evident gap in the education system. It genuinely excites school communities because it is practical and accessible for teachers and students. Feedback highlights that whole school approaches tend to focus on policy, and are only one part of the puzzle. Pride & Prejudice provides practical strategies for classrooms, focusing on real examples, meaningful conversation and interactive education. This powerful education tool has already found its way into almost 250 schools, predominately in regional and outer metropolitan Victoria, Australia. View website
Talking Sexual Health
The teaching and learning resource has been developed by the Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society at La Trobe University for the Australian National Council on AIDS, Hepatitis C and Related Diseases (ANCAHRD). The Framework has been developed in response to the need to provide strategic advice on these issues to those involved in the development, implementation and evaluation of school-based policies and education programs about Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), HIV/AIDS and Blood Born Viruses (BBVs). It also includes some excellent resources and ‘one off’ lessons on tackling homophobia. View (This is a large file (210 pages/5mb) and unless you have a fast connection, will take a considerable time to download.)
Staff Professional Development
Dealing with ‘that’s so gay’
A resource for teachers who want to be active in their schools and educated other staff and students about the inappropriate use of the word ‘gay’. This includes a hand out and a Powerpoint presentation
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Useful Links
http://www.thatssogay.com.au/
Beyond That's So Gay (March 2011)
Series Intro
Summary 'For the Heart'
Summary 'For the Head'
Summary 'For the Hand'
Bullying No Way
Bullying. No way! is created by Australia's educational communities:
- State, Territory and Commonwealth government education departments, and Catholic and independent education sectors
- Students, staff, parents, agencies, education officers and community members from schools around the country.
They are working together to create learning environments where every student and school community member is safe, supported, respected, valued — and free from bullying, violence, harassment and discrimination.
http://www.bullyingnoway.com.au/default.shtml
Working it Out
Working It Out is Tasmania's only service specifically for lesbian, gay, bisexual, intersex and transgender Tasmanians. They provide the following state-wide services:- counseling and support for newly-identifying LGBTI people, or those experiencing difficulties relating to their sexual or gender identity; we recruit, train and coordinate a peer support and mentoring network, the ‘Bfriend program’. With this, they offer support to those who are trying to "work it out" by linking them with people who have "worked it out"; and we provide community education, professional development and training in the areas of gender identity and sexuality.
http://www.workingitout.org.au
Tasmanian Council on AIDS, Hepatitis & Related Diseases Inc. (TasCAHRD)
Safer sex information and peer support for gay men and referral to other services.
http://www.tascahrd.org.au
Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays PFLAG (NSW)
Offers confidential telephone information and support service for gays and lesbians and their families, particularly those coming to terms with the sexuality of a family member. http://www.pflag.org.au/
Learn to Include
A website about the children’s books featured on ‘Play School’, written by an Australian primary school student and her lesbian mum (who could not find any readers featuring same-sex families to donate to her daughter's school.
http://www.hotkey.net.au/~learn_to_include
Pride and Prejudice
This site offers a range of information about the program that has changed the way schools educate students about sexual diversity and homophobia. More than 18 months since its launch - and after five years of development - Pride & Prejudice provides practical strategies for classrooms, focusing on real examples, meaningful conversation and interactive education. This powerful education tool has already found its way into almost 250 schools, predominately in regional and outer metropolitan Victoria, Australia.
http://www.prideandprejudice.com.au/
Hobart Women’s Health Centre
The Hobart Women's Health Centre is part of a national network of women's health centres. The North Hobart Centre is run by women and for women and provides a range of health and counselling services.
http://www.hwhc.com.au
Kids Help Line
Kids Help Line is Australia's only free, confidential and anonymous, 24-hour telephone and online counseling service specifically for young people aged between five and 18.
http://www.kidshelp.com.au/home_KHL.aspx?s=6
Family Planning
For over 25 years Family Planning Organisations (FPOs) have looked after the sexual and reproductive health needs of a large number of Australians. FPOs provide a wide range of sexual and reproductive health services that focus on prevention, early intervention, diagnosis and treatment, and community and professional education.
http://www.fpa.net.au
Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health & Society
Was established as the Centre for the Study of Sexually Transmissible Diseases in October 1992 as an independent research unit within the Faculty of Health Sciences. ARCSHS has a multi-disciplinary team of staff with qualifications and expertise in psychology, anthropology, sociology, public health, health promotion, methodology, epidemiology, education, women's health, consumer advocacy and health policy. http://www.latrobe.edu.au/www/centstd/frontpage.html
The Harvey Milk High School
The Hetrick-Martin Institute (HMI) is the oldest and largest non-profit agency created to serve lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning youth between the ages of 12 and 21 in America. The Harvey Milk School, a four year fully-accredited high school program, was created in 1985 as a collaboration between the New York City Department of Education's Career Education Centre and The Hetrick-Martin Institute to offer an alternative education program for youth that often find it difficult or impossible to attend their home schools due to continuous threats and experiences of physical violence and verbal harassment. http://www.hmi.org
Rights Australia
Campaigns for more effective protection of human rights in Australia, and aims to bring to the community’s attention situations where:
- human rights are being neglected and abused;
- lives could be improved if human rights were protected;
- support can be given for better and lasting protection of human rights.
Below is a link to an interesting article called “Less Choice and More Discrimination for Gays and Lesbians”.
http://www.rightsaustralia.org.au/media782.html
Human Rights Watch
Stand with victims and activists to prevent discrimination, to uphold political freedom, to protect people from inhumane conducts in wartime, and to bring offenders to justice. Get involved!
http://hrw.org
Hares & Hyenas
Is Melbourne's queer bookshop, set in the heart of the queer life of the city, Commercial Road on the Prahran-South Yarra border. The Hares & Hyenas website is a secure online bookshop. All prices are in Australian dollars including GST and subject to change. Orders over $30 are freight free within Australia
http://hares-hyenas.com.au/default.asp
The Online Rainbow Store
Stocks a large range of queer merchandise at very reasonable prices
www.rainbowstore.com.au
Out.com
Is the place to BUY movies that reflect your lifestyle. We provide you a safe and secure place to purchase your gay, lesbian, queer and alternative movies. We bring together virtually every movie available to buy on DVD. We are INDEPENDENTLY owned, so we stock movies from ALL distribution companies and film makers in Australia and from overseas, without bias or favour.
http://www.out.com.au/
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