NSW Students Rally Behind Banned Doco "Gayby Baby"; VIC Premier Calls Ban "Cruel Rubbish"

The students of Burwood Girls High School have expressed their disappointment at NSW Education Minister Adrian Piccoli’s decision to ban all school-hour screenings of doco Gayby Baby in the state.

Writing on the Students of Burwood Girls Facebook page, they stated, “As Burwood girls, we pride ourselves on our support of diversity - in whatever form it takes.”

“Throughout the year we partake in multiple events which aim to support and celebrate the diversity of our school community as a collective.

“When it is considered that the LGBTIQ community has the highest rates of suicide of any population in Australia and experience significantly higher rates of mental health issues, we consider our support to be just one small step in creating better understanding in the community.”

The controversy began when the Daily Telegraph reported a “backlash from parents” over the proposed plan to screen Maya Newell’s doco, which follows four Australian children with gay parents, during periods two and three on Friday.

Minister Piccoli then instructed the Department of Education to keep the movie from being played during school hours.

Newell’s alma mater, BGHS, was just one of 20 schools in Sydney planning on screening the flick as part of the Wear It Purple campaign, which seeks to educate society on sexuality and gender diversity in young people.

Minister Piccoli later told 2GB, “During school hours we expect them to be doing maths and English and curriculum matters.”

However, the New South Wales Department of Education confirmed to The Guardian that no parents had actually objected to the screening during class time.

NSW Premier Mike Baird supported Piccoli’s decision, though he understood the intent of the screening was “to provide an example of tolerance.”

“Should it be in class time? No, I don’t think so. Should it be optional? Yes, I do think so,” he asked and answered.

In contrast, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said he wouldn’t “put up with this kind of cruel rubbish” in his state.

We’ll leave you with the words of Burwood Girls’ Prefects:

“We are a proud school. We are proud of our culture. And we are proud of the leadership our school shows in supporting all views and the right for all people to be accepted.”

Remember to Wear It Purple tomorrow.

The PG-rated Gayby Baby arrives in NSW and VIC cinemas September 3. It screens in WA from August 30 to September 6.