BRISBANE PRIDE INC STATEMENT ON CITIPOINTE CHRISTIAN COLLEGE

In recent days we have seen significant community anger and distress directed at Citipointe Christian College for its homophobic and transphobic culture and an enrolment contract that allows for the termination of a child’s enrolment based on sexual orientation, gender identity or sexual activity.

The contract stated, “we believe that any form of sexual immorality (including but not limiting to adultery, fornication, homosexual acts, bisexual acts, bestiality, incest, paedophilia and pornography) is sinful and offensive to God and is destructive to human relationships and society”.

Brisbane Pride Inc condemns the actions of the College in the strongest terms and welcomes the decision of the College to revoke the contract.

Brisbane Pride believes that every individual should have an equal opportunity to live safe, well connected, and confident lives.

The actions of Citipointe Christian College were intended to deprive young LGBTIQ+ students of not only a quality education but safe, connected, and confident lives.  The outcome of which would be a further deterioration in the mental health and wellbeing of our young people.

We would like to thank the Brisbane LGBTIQ+ community and our allies who successfully achieved the revocation of this contract. It once again shows the power of collective action to improve the lives of many.

We would also like to thank the Minister for Education, Grace Grace for her outspoken and unwavering support of our community.

We also note the refusal of Brisbane City Council to condemn the actions of Citipointe College.  This despite their commitment to Brisbane as a City for Everyone. It was especially disheartening to see councillors who so often express supportive statements for the LGBTIQ+ community and attend our events but fail to support us when it really matters.  We thank those BCC councillors who did support our community.

We hope that Citipointe Christian College and like-minded organisations take this opportunity to reflect on the very real harm created by environments that are exclusive. We hope they can embrace a culture that “does not judge” and is safe for all young people.

Brisbane Pride Inc