Gayby Baby is an important and wonderful film telling the stories of a number of families in NSW from the children’s perspective.

The Greens NSW response to sensationalised coverage in the Daily Telegraph regarding the documentary ‘Gayby Baby’, and NSW Minister for Education Adrian Piccoli’s kneejerk reaction.

Greens NSW spokesperson on Sexuality and Gender Identity, Member for Newtown Jenny Leong said, “Gayby Baby is an important and wonderful film telling the stories of a number of families in NSW from the children’s perspective.

“I am disgusted that the NSW Education Minister has caved into a trashy and offensive headline by the Daily Telegraph, and am worried about the personal harm this decision will have on young people in our schools.

“We live in a world where suicide is a leading cause of death among young people aged 10-24, where LGBTIQ questioning youth are around three times more likely to attempt suicide than their peers.

“The screening of this film in schools as part of Wear It Purple Day is a positive initiative to encourage diversity and social awareness.

“The NSW Education Minister should be showing leadership and standing up against homophobia in our schools.

“We need to ask how much influence the fringe conservative views of Fred Nile and other religious extremists are having on the actions of the Baird government when it comes to ensuring our public schools are able to celebrate diversity and be safe spaces for our young people,” she said.

Greens NSW Education spokesperson Dr John Kaye said, “Teachers and schools leaders at Burwood Girls High School should be commended for supporting diversity in their community and acceptance for LGBTIQ students and students raised by same-sex partners.

“Wear it Purple Day is an excellent opportunity to actively foster safe schools for LGBTIQ identifying students and their families. The professionalism of the teachers and school leaders at Burwood Girls High School has ensured that all students are well supported.

“The Greens would like to see Wear it Purple Day marked in all public schools in NSW and for Minister Piccoli to take steps to encourage inclusivity at every opportunity,” Dr Kaye said.