A Catholic girls’ school has been condemned over a policy that bans teenagers in same-sex relationships from attending its formal meeting together.
Abbie Frankland, who is in a same-sex relationship, slammed the “discriminatory” policy at St Ursula’s College Kingsgrove in Sydney.
The outraged high school senior has a change.org petition asking for change, with the call having already attracted more than 2,100 signatures.
“My friend and I, along with many other students from St. Ursula’s in Kingsgrove NSW, Australia, have been eagerly anticipating prom for months,” Ms Frankland said.
“We have purchased non-refundable tickets and outfits in anticipation of this event.
‘However, we recently discovered that the school does not allow same-sex couples to attend the formal meeting together.
Abbie Frankland (pictured left), a student in a same-sex relationship, who accused St Ursula’s Colleges Kingsgrove of discrimination after claiming she was excluded from the end-of-year celebration
“This policy not only discriminates against LGBTQ+ students, but also puts us in a difficult financial position as we are left with non-refundable tickets and clothing purchased specifically for this occasion.”
Ms Frankland noted that 61.6 per cent of Australians voted in favor of same-sex marriage in a 2017 postal survey. Legislation to allow this was passed on December 9 of that year.
The proportion of 15-24 year olds in Australia who identify as LGBTQIA+ is 32 percent, according to research by youth website Youthsense.
Ms Frankland’s petition has so far attracted thousands of signatures, including one from NSW Premier Chris Minns’ sister.
“Excluding people based on sexual orientation is not an example of Christ-like love or acceptance,” Sarah Minns said on the change.org page.
Another former student claimed the school relaxed the policy in 2017 after students complained.
“The exact same argument played out before the 2017 formal meeting.
‘Don’t let them tell you that it has always been the rule, because after much arguing, former female students and female partners of students were eventually able to attend.’
“It’s so disappointing to see six-year-olds at school still stuck in their old ways.”
Others called the policy “draconian” and even “disgusting.”
“It’s 2023 and I can’t believe we still have issues like this,” another woman wrote.
“Let people love who they love, for God’s sake.”
Another person commented, “I notice that the Pope has recently opened the door to blessing same-sex couples.”
This month, Pope Francis released a statement suggesting that blessings for same-sex unions could be possible under certain conditions.
St Ursula’s College is a Catholic school and has several policies on high-profile social and cultural issues, such as bullying, wellbeing and students with complex social and emotional needs.
Thousands of people have signed a petition calling on St Ursula’s College Kingsgrove to allow LGBTQ+ students to attend the event after gay students were told they could not attend
It also has policies on domestic violence, gifted students, ‘modern slavery’ and an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education policy.
The school’s wellbeing policy refers to a framework co-created with Beyond Blue that takes a strong stance on what makes ‘mentally healthy’ school communities.
Beyond Blue says that ‘the Convention on the Rights of the Child states that children should not be discriminated against because of their individual differences’.
These can take place on the basis of gender, gender identity or sexuality, among other things.
An exception to the Sex Discrimination Act allows “religious bodies” and “educational institutions established for religious purposes” to discriminate against people based on certain characteristics protected by the SDA.
A spokesperson for St Ursula’s College Kingsgrove declined to comment on the matter.
“Sydney Catholic Schools does not comment on the issue being addressed at school level,” he said.
“Our priority is to see our students through to the end of the HSC and 13 years of school with as little disruption as possible.”