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WHO'S BEHIND THE SAFE SCHOOL VIDEOS?  THE CONCERENED MUMS' POLITICAL CONNECTIONS.

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WHO'S BEHIND THE SAFE SCHOOL VIDEOS?  THE CONCERENED MUMS' POLITICAL CONNECTIONS.

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Mothers are taking to social media to speak out against the Safe Schools program, but they don't mention it's part of a Liberal party push.

Marijke Rancie peers intently into the camera and calls on Victorian parents to "get really angry".
Her outrage is directed at Safe Schools, a program the Melbourne mother claims is trying to "erase gender", expose children to dildos in the classroom, and teach them how to masturbate using household items.  "I kid you not, the rumours about this program are 100 per cent true – this program sexualises children!" Rancie declares, in a 14-minute video that has so far been viewed online more than 4 million times.  "Safe Schools is teaching your children anal sex and anal sex positions. It's teaching them STIs like it's no big deal. The concept is hyper, hyper-sexual. I'm not OK with that. This is grooming."

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Australian Christian Lobby ParentsRightsCampaign
CAN A BOY BE CAUGHT UP IN A GIRL'S BODY?

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"Because of the attitudes in society there is now so much self-hate for me to unlearn, and the safe schools program can potentially change that attitude. I hope that kids in the future don’t grow up in a toxic atmosphere that causes them to hate themselves."

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"Fact Check" also debunked myths that were circulating in the media.

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"Many years ago I knew young man who had this problem but it was caused by his mother. She hated boys & dressed him in girls clothes, made him sit on the toilet. Do I wonder how many other children suffer these problems because of parenting.

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"Parenting fail due to the garbage the poor little ones have rammed down their throats from the education system. Parents need control of their children, NOT the state. That truly is socialist behaviour, which always fails.

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"Marriage equality isn’t about the kids.'.. Sorry, but it is. Children will always be better off (all else being reasonably equal) in a home headed by a married Mum & Dad (even adopted) than in a household headed by a SSC, single parent or seperated/divorced household. So I ask again, why do you support discrimination against children?. Why do you support a child being deliberately denied from ever having a mother and knowing what it is like to receive the love of a mother. Would you be willing to tell your own wife that she and her love is irrelevant, and unnecessary for your children. That your children would be as well off, or better off, if she was another 'dad?"

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"Thanks for your comments. I’m glad you voted No, and are standing up to the bullying of Yes campaigners. You’re right that “we all know it’s not a natural act for either animal or human of the same sex to have sex…” The Yes campaign is all about forcing you to agree with something they themselves know is wrong. They think they can make it right and natural by calling it ‘marriage’. It’s bad for mental health, because sodomy’s rejection of the self-evident design and function of the human body, first takes place in the mind. Sodomy repudiates the process by which a person comes into existence. Sodomy is really an act of self-rejection, which leads to a mental state the opposite of the original meaning of the word ‘gay’.
SEPTEMBER 26, 2017

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Posts from NO campaigners, against same-sex marriage, became entangled with discussions about the Safe Schools Program and became very hateful.  Many posts were from Christian lobbyists and 'traditional marriage' organisations.

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Posts from NO campaigners, against same-sex marriage, became entangled with discussions about the Safe Schools Program and became very hateful.  Many posts were from Christian lobbyists and 'traditional marriage' organisations.

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WELCOME TO THE AUSTRALIAN MARRIAGE FORUM
Here's what Same-Sex 'Marriage' really means...

1.   Removing the Gender Equality requirement from marriage
2.   Enshrining Gender Theory into the Australian Marriage   3.  Removing a child's birthright to both a mother and father
4.  Endangering Religious freedom of expression that all   Australians hold dear
5.  Compulsory 'Safe Schools' curriculum, including     dangerous Gender Theory & Sexuality Education in all schools

*** Purchase the AMF President's BOOK  - Stealing from a Child: The Injustice of 'Marriage Equality' ***

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THE CONTROVERSIAL WEBSITE

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Visibility merch

Show your pride and drive inclusion - Minus18 rainbow merch makes a difference. Literally! 100% of your purchase supports youth programs and events.

Workshops & training

Our highly experienced presenters head into schools and workplaces to deliver LGBTQIA+ inclusion training, keynotes, and workshops. Customisable for all knowledge levels.

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Minus18 aims to improve the health and wellbeing of, and provide a safe environment for, same-sex attracted and gender diverse young people in Australia, seeking to empower them to feel comfortable and confident in their sense of identity and assisting them to grow as happy, healthy individuals well into the future.

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DeMello, (2013), discusses that in the West, sexuality is seen like gender, as a binary.  One is either heterosexual, which is seen as the norm, or homosexual, which is not.  Although many people understand that bisexuality exits, it is perceived as more unusual and non-normative than homosexuality.  In 2017, while debates were raging regarding the civil rights movement for same-sex marriage, the LGBTI community became the focus of much hatred.  Gender became a very controversial topic, especially gender identity and sexual orientation - traditionalists strongly refused the notion of gender being anything but male and female.  During this time, many parents were also out to rid the education department of an educational program that aimed to teach young people about accepting diversity, while providing greater support for LGBTI students - "The Safe Schools Program".  A website that was designed as a supportive tool for older students who are experiencing gender "differences", which offers very factual and supportive information, became the target of many traditionalists who viewed it as promoting the sexualisation of children.  For older children, it is a valuable resource, but clearly very confronting for those with traditional views. The articles and discussions below demonstrate how, at a time of social change which has challenged those with traditional views of marriage, hysteria developed around how same-sex marriage would lead to the sexualisation of children.

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Laura (24) remembered a sex education class that talked only about safe heterosexual sex.
“I remember sitting in sex ed. class when I was 14, and putting a condom on a banana with my classmates, confused as to how people have sex if they both have vaginas. I had to really scour the internet before finding legitimate information. It was disheartening that my sexuality didn’t seem worth mentioning in class or apparently even online in an educational capacity. Having Safe Schools would have been so beneficial for my self-confidence.”

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Dillon (23) said that bullying was talked about in his school, unless it related to sexuality.
"In which case there was no support and they didn’t want to know about it.  It was this lack of education that caused the bullying… Nothing told me it was okay to be who I was. School is supposed to be a place of learning, but not about certain things – I was told it was ‘not the time and place’ for my queerness by both teachers and the principal."

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                    DURING THE DEBATES ...... HISTORY WAS MADE!!

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                    DURING THE DEBATES ...... HISTORY WAS MADE!!

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THE Safe Schools Program has been dragged into the same-sex marriage debate, but what’s it really about? All your questions answered.
THE same-sex marriage debate has been hijacked as a vehicle to conflate unrelated matters — and the Safe Schools Program is number one on the hit list.  Labelled as a program that “sexualises” children and “encourages cross-dressing”, opposition to Safe Schools — run in 307 schools across the country — underpins “No” campaign advertisements with controversial claims.  Federal Minister for Education and Training Simon Birmingham said suggestions changing the Marriage Act would “somehow see some new ways of teaching reform sweep across the country” was “patently ridiculous”.  “This is just not going to happen,” Senator Birmingham said.  So are any of the Safe Schools myths true?  News.com.au took our questions to the Safe Schools Coalition Australia itself to find out.

Is Safe Schools connected to the same-sex marriage plebiscite or the official “Yes” campaign?

A. No.

Would/were children within the Safe Schools program (be) asked to “role play” homosexual relationships?

A. No.

Are children in the Safe Schools program asked to “fantasise about sexual intercourse?”

A. No. The national program resources do not include any resources which discuss sex education and none of the “All Of Us” resources discuss sex education either.

Does Safe Schools teach girls to bind their chests so their breasts won’t develop?
A. No

Does Safe Schools encourage kids to use either boys’ or girls’ toilets?

A. No

Does Safe Schools teach kids gay and lesbian sexual techniques?

A. No

Are children asked to “hide” materials discussed as part of the Safe Schools program from their parents?

A. No. In fact all of the SSCA resources are available here. The only in-classroom resource is available here.

A Safe Schools Coalition spokesman told news.com.au they are battling against a “series of false claims” about the program in light of the same-sex marriage plebiscite.  “These claims are contributing to ongoing misinformation and we continue to take opportunity to clarify the content of the program and our resources,” the spokesman said.  “Our resources are designed to help schools to create an inclusive and safe learning environment so all students can participate and engage with their studies and school activities to the best of their abilities.  “The national program resources do not include any resources which discuss sex education." But Coalition for Marriage spokeswoman Monica Doumit said changing the Marriage Act would mean parents “won’t have a leg to stand on” if they “don’t want their kids taught radical sex education and gender ideologies”.  School of Early Childhood and Inclusive Education senior lecturer in the Faculty of Education at QUT, Amanda Mergler said the concept of introducing gender theory into schooling at any level or concentration would always be met with “hysteria” by some conservatives.

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WHAT DID THE SAME-SEX MARRIAGE DEBATE EVEN HAVE TO DO WITH THE SAFE-SCHOOLS PROGRAMME?
This article debunks some of the common myths that continually circulated around social media.  The main issue was that traditional beliefs of marriage were being challenged, and protesters against same-sex marriage believed that the acceptance of same-sex marriage would encourage "improper" morals in children, as schools would be forced to teach them about things such as gender ideologies and radical sex education.

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A recognised need to provide LGBTI students with a safe school environment......

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"The Safe Schools Coalition provides optional resources for schools and educators, primarily designed to support gender diversity and same-sex attracted young people. The resources do not reference masturbation, or teach about sex toys or sex aids.  While federal government funding of the Safe Schools Coalition Australia program has completed, select Safe Schools resources are available on the Student Wellbeing Hub, which is funded by the Australian Department of Education.  Safe Schools does offer support and resources to primary school educators, but this is strictly on request only. Again, resources for primary schools do not teach or discuss or reference masturbation, or sex toys.  The author is correct that the “All of Us” resource is a health and physical education resource designed for years 7 and 8 students. It does not teach or discuss or reference masturbation, or sex toys." Emma Rowe http://theconversation.com/factcheck

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Controversy surrounding the 'Safe Schools Programme'  led to hateful comments on social media, aimed at the LGBTI community.  It reached fever pitch during the time of the civil rights debates regarding same sex marriage and the plebascite.  Scare mongering claims became apparent, with specific people spreading incorrect information about the program, as discussed in the article below.  The hate campaign included "conspiracy theories" that certain people promoting the safe schools programme were connected to peadophillia rings or had hidden agendas involving the sexualisation of young children (personal experience of social media posts, 2018).

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​“In 2010, the Victorian Government established Safe Schools to ensure schools are safe places for all students, including lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) students, and are free of discrimination.  It was born out of the need identified by school communities, parents and teachers for greater support for LGBTI students, who are at higher risks of bullying and suicide, and to ensure that schools create safe and inclusive environments.  A key part of the program is to provide professional development and training for secondary school teachers so that they are equipped to support LGBTI students.  The Safe Schools program is managed and delivered directly by the Department of Education and Training”.

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"Safe Schools is an important part of broader efforts to create more inclusive, supportive and safe education spaces for our young people. School should be a place where all students can thrive and meet their full potential, regardless of their background, beliefs… or sexuality. Sadly, that basic human right has been overshadowed. Let’s get back to the facts."

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       THE MOST IMPORTANT PEOPLE - THE YOUNG PEOPLE EXPERIENCING DISCRIMINATION

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       THE MOST IMPORTANT PEOPLE - THE YOUNG PEOPLE EXPERIENCING DISCRIMINATION

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What others said about the Safe Schools Programme

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STOP SAFE Schools Coalition · July 26, 2017 ·

"You have to be brave to speak out about the safe schools program.

We at STOP SAFE Schools coalition will help provide a platform for person who wants to bravely fight against a program which is destroying children's lives every day!! We hear  of children being removed from parents because they do not accept the child wanting to be brainwashed by a system that is designed to destroy our society.  We all need to wake up and raise our Voices. Stop saying I'll let someone else deal with it, because it's too late when you have lost your child to the system. Here is another angry parent voice. We will not be silenced. We will keep sharing until change is made".

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Although the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) includes human rights to non-discrimination and equality, Hannah Robert noted recently that religious schools are entitled to discriminate against LGBTQIA students under section 83 of Australia’s Equal Opportunity Act.
“This legal loophole still allows faith-based organisations to discriminate on the basis of sex, sexual orientation, lawful sexual activity, marital status, parental status or gender identity where the discrimination conforms with the religion’s doctrines and beliefs and ‘is reasonably necessary to avoid injury to the religious sensitivities of adherents of the religion”.

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Australian Marriage Forum Inc.
December 14, 2017 ·

Same-sex marriage may be lawful, but it remains forever false.  The AMF president's article in next week's Spectator Australia (don't forget to buy your Christmas edition at all good newsagents).  At Christmas especially, don't ever acknowledge this lie or condone this injustice or stop resisting this corruption.

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AUSTRALIA SAYS YES TO SAME-SEX MARRIAGE IN HISTORICAL POSTAL SURVEY

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AUSTRALIA SAYS YES TO SAME-SEX MARRIAGE IN HISTORICAL POSTAL SURVEY

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Marriage equality could be legal by Christmas after 61.6% of participants in the voluntary survey approve a change to the law.

Same-sex marriage had been banned in Australia since 2004 when the Howard government changed the Marriage Act to define marriage as between a man and a woman. As many comparable countries such as the US and Britain allowed or legislated for same-sex marriage, Australia looked increasingly out of step. After the successful marriage equality referendum in Ireland in May 2015, pressure grew on the Australian government to legislate but the Coalition party room agreed on a national plebiscite instead, although there was no legal requirement to do so.  In a speech after the result Equality Campaign spokesman, Alex Greenwich, said: “Today love has had a landslide victory.  Together we have achieved something truly remarkable, a win for fairness and equality, not only for the LGBTI community and our families, but for all Australians,” he said.

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This woman created hysteria on social media posts and was at the heart of a lot of hatred directed towards the LGBTI community. It was found that she was a liberal party member, who opposed the Safe Schools Programme.

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While these debates were occurring in mainstream and social media, it demonstrated how times of social change can lead to mass hysteria in society.  I chose this topic as I had already been through the same-sex marriage debate years ago when it occurred in New Zealand.  At the time I was reasonably oblivious to the controversy, as I didn't use social media.  I can't comment on whether New Zealand demonstrated so much hatred towards minority groups at the time, but I was shocked by the hatred shown in Australia, especially towards anyone outside of the "traditional" gender role.   It was a confronting time, especially as a Christian friend became a "NO" campaigner and spread hatred and incorrect content about the Safe Schools Program.  The hatred also turned friends and family against each other - "NO" campaigners versus "YES" campaigners strongly expressed their thoughts towards each other.  It has been a very thought provoking time, witnessing a historical change for people who just want the right to love who they choose.
Reference:
DeMello, Margo. (2013).  Body Studies: An Introduction. Routledge, London.